3. Guilliman's Talk

The doctor had not lied, and Bonavia had long since prepared herself mentally. Frankly, having parts replaced while awake really was unpleasant. If she had to describe it, it was like a dentist grinding away the rotten part of a tooth with a dental drill.

After anesthetic, it would not have hurt much. Just a brief soreness and numbness. But Bonavia had not used anesthetic.

The pain soaked through her clothes, and despite that, the female Inquisitor remained quiet throughout, not even letting out a single cry of pain—an act of will that made the doctor's eyes gleam again and again. When the repairs were finally finished, a smile appeared on her delicate face.

The doctor wore no makeup, but she was still beautiful when she smiled. That was simply how the Aeldari were; they were usually taller than humans, slimmer, and more beautiful. Yet that smile made Bonavia's whole body stiffen.

".Is something the matter, Doctor?"

"No, no, nothing. I just wanted to ask, uh, Bonavia." The doctor raised a hand and cheerfully pinched the Inquisitor's earlobe. "Do you prefer the opposite sex or the same sex?"

"Please, please conduct yourself properly."

The Inquisitor, who had faced an entire ship full of Ork beasts alongside Frank without changing expression, actually panicked now. She rolled off the operating table, fled to the door as if escaping, and said, "See you next time, Doctor!"

".Tch, how boring."

The doctor sighed. "Ah, Lady Yvraine, how much longer do I have to stay here? Though I really do like the feeling of being a doctor."

The Lady Yvraine she spoke of was currently aboard a rather special ship, having a rather special conversation with a rather special person.

This was a conversation that would not be recorded, and would have no observers.