Eldritch Horror Theatre

A thorough plan, as expected.

Standing next door, Fu Qian couldn't observe Dean Glenn's expression in great detail, but he understood Mariana's intentions perfectly.

It was obvious that besides leading them to their target, this guide served another crucial function: acting as a control group.

She was forcing Esther to watch Glenn's reaction to her methods, making it impossible for the girl to find an excuse to ignore what was happening.

If even a figure of his authority couldn't explain it, this scene would act as an undeniable paradox in the reality before her.

Esther would have no choice but to accept the alternative possibility Mariana was offering.

These thoughts flashed through Fu Qian's mind in an instant. The process of reaching this conclusion was more natural than nature itself.

Mostly because he had pulled similar tricks far too many times himself.

And Mariana's plan seemed to be working beautifully.

"Sometimes, I really do remember some vague fragments."

After staring at Glenn for a long time—so long that the usually authoritative man subconsciously avoided her gaze—Esther finally spoke again.

"All kinds of magic and evil, but there are also Stars protecting ordinary people..."

"Where did you live there?"

"An orphanage. A tall, gloomy, ancient building."

Esther answered almost instantly this time.

"Was there anyone there who brought you warmth, recently?"

Exchanging a glance with her companion, Mariana seemed extremely satisfied with this answer.

"...Yes. I don't remember what she looks like, but she seemed to be a visitor... not someone from the orphanage..."

Speaking in fits and starts, Esther sounded as if her memories were reviving little by little.

"She didn't want us to call her by her name, but by a special title. But I—"

"Lady Raven."

Mariana offered a little help, supplying the title.

"Yes! That's it, Lady Raven. How did you know?"

Esther was visibly excited now.

"Because she knew at a glance what you were suffering. That's why I'm here."

Mariana's tone carried a lingering smile, apparently quite satisfied with this reaction.

"Welcome ashore."

...

"So I really am nine years and five months old, living in an orphanage under the protection of the Stars? Then what is all this in front of me? And all that killing..."

During a long silence, Esther's breathing quickened, then slowly returned to a calm rhythm.

"Esther..."

Beside her, Glenn's voice sounded deeply conflicted in the face of her reaction.

"The water trying to drown you, of course. In fact, we were submerged for a very long time... but fortunately, one day we managed to poke our heads out and take a look, rather than drowning in it completely..."

From Mariana's description, it sounded as though she had gone through the exact same experience.

"Don't be afraid. We're going to help you break completely free of this Nightmare."

...

A Nightmare in progress?

It was clear the conversation next door had deeply moved Esther.

And Fu Qian, who hadn't bothered to hide his eavesdropping, felt he had benefited greatly from it as well.

The place protected by the Stars that Esther mentioned sounded exactly like where he had come from.

And Mariana comparing her to someone drowning who luckily poked their head out to see the truth—it was all too easy to draw parallels to the many Nightmare victims in Laerdin.

Except it sounded like most victims were just like Esther: unable to realize they were trapped in a Nightmare, even going so far as to define the World of Stars as the Nightmare instead.

It felt a bit like what he did himself—like how he had completely bluffed Amira during their midnight snack.

This mission really had a touch of black comedy to it.

...

An ongoing Nightmare, very likely untouched by the Blood Clan or The Order...

Evaluating the results of this analysis, Fu Qian once again adjusted his estimation of the mission's value upward.

"I understand... So after that, I can become like you, too?"

To his comfort, the prisoner next door demonstrated an acceptance speed far beyond that of ordinary people, wasting no time at all.

"Good. I knew you were different."

Mariana didn't hold back her praise.

"Exactly. As long as you stop resisting waking up and recognize which side is real, you'll soon receive your share of the gift."

"You might even become stronger than us, because you are special."

"How could that be..."

Esther sounded as though she found it hard to believe.

"I'm only relaying Lady Raven's assessment. You can ask her yourself when the time comes."

"...Then are we leaving now?"

Quickly putting away her doubts, Esther nodded and stood up.

"No, we are leaving. You still need to stay here."

However, Mariana gestured for her not to rush.

"Our goal today wasn't to take you away, but to 'rescue' you—from the prison of your own consciousness."

"Despite what Dean Glenn thinks, taking you away by force wouldn't be hard, but it would easily trigger a violent reaction from it, putting you in danger instead."

"It?"

Esther didn't hide her confusion.

"The Nightmare, naturally. It won't let us leave so easily."

"Could the Nightmare actually be alive?"

Esther's confusion seemed to deepen.

"Of course it's alive. It refuses to let anyone go, and anything in here can act as its tentacles and tools. Anything at all..."

Facing the newest member of their faction, Mariana's tone was more serious than ever, ensuring the girl wouldn't underestimate the threat.

"Anyway, what you need to do is keep staying here and patiently wait for the gift to Descend. When that time comes, leaving this place will become very easy, and completely natural."

"And we will come pick you up to take you to Lady Raven."

"I understand... But what about him?"

Esther agreed earnestly, but then immediately looked over at Glenn and raised the question.

"He heard everything. How am I supposed to stay hidden here?"

"I..."

Under the successive shocks, Glenn's worldview had clearly suffered a severe collapse. For a moment, he couldn't even voice a promise to save himself.

"Don't worry, he'll soon forget everything he heard."

Mariana's poised demeanor didn't falter. She pointed at Glenn, whose face had instantly turned the color of ash, and made a gesture.

"Got the dosage calculated? Do it."

"Extremely precise. Mixing complete."

The teammate who had been watching her performance the entire time answered casually. In the next second, he grabbed Glenn by the neck and exhaled a cloud of green, phosphorescent mist.

Glenn instantly went limp and collapsed.

"He's going to take a little nap. When he wakes up, he won't remember anything from this period of time. Leave the rest to us."

Mariana casually explained to Esther.

"...Then why didn't you knock him out earlier?"

Esther understood, but still felt a bit puzzled.

"Without his reaction, would you have accepted all this so quickly?"

Mariana asked in return, her eyes curving into a smile.

"Relax, we'll eliminate any element that could put you in danger."

"For instance, aside from Dean Glenn, the guy eavesdropping next door is going to forget things even more thoroughly."

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