Fantasy Clinic: Chronicles of a 3rd-Rate Doctor

The Circle agents didn't move.

Six of them stood at the edge of the chamber, cloaked in crimson, weapons sheathed but hands twitching near the hilt. Lira stayed close to Elric, one hand still lightly touching her blade.

Elric's voice was calm, low, but clear.

"You don't need to draw those," he said. "You already lost what you were protecting."

The leader didn't respond.

Instead, he tilted his head slightly. "The marrow is gone."

"Yes," Elric said. "Released. Returned. The Pact is broken."

Another agent stepped forward. "You've unmade the seal. Memory will spread uncontrolled."

"That's not infection," Elric replied. "That's healing."

A pause.

And then, without warning, the lead agent turned.