Eldritch Horror Theatre

"So they've reverted to higher-dimensional beings again?"

Though he had an inkling, considering his current state, Fu Qian refrained from anything impulsive and simply continued his inquiries.

"Normally, yes."

Unfortunately, the Pope—usually so forthcoming—responded to this question with a sly smile and played the riddler.

"We're here."

Before the Templar Knight could protest, she stopped walking, gestured forward, and asked a question.

"Look familiar?"

"Of course. I even worked the night shift here!"

Staring at the Plaza ahead and the seemingly familiar building just beyond it, Fu Qian answered with absolute confidence.

Although it differed slightly from Ancient Laerdin, its fundamental features were unchanged. Fu Qian could instantly draft its floor plan in his mind.

As for how he knew the Witch was referring to this place, and how the Witch knew that he knew she meant this place—the answer was identical and simple: this was where that painting was kept.

Whether it was still there or not, for the two of them, there was no other place of greater significance in the entire city.

"As a Dark Moon Apostle, too?"

The Witch's investigations since waking had been meticulous indeed. She was even fully aware of the new career path the knight had casually carved out during his rescue operation.

She fired the question back almost the instant Fu Qian delivered his confident reply.

"The Seventh Apostle, An Ke."

Fu Qian acknowledged this with utmost sincerity, even supplying the detailed profile of the shepherd of lambs.

"How many more are there?"

Faced with such an enthusiastic campaign to spread her gospel, Nelgria, the Dark Moon Pope, didn't immediately reveal her stance. She simply leaned her face closer, staring intently at Fu Qian as she asked.

"There are only five left. Their names and races are still blank, though, so they can be filled in as you see fit."

Fu Qian naturally understood the art of leaving the final choice to management, immediately emphasizing this without batting an eye.

Though, in truth, his face temporarily lacked the physical capacity to change color anyway.

"If you need a reference, I have a few backup options ready on my end."

"When the time comes, I'll ask you for them."

The Witch appeared highly confident in the Outland Knight's authority over alternate personas.

With a sigh the next moment, she stepped forward, heading into the Art Gallery to soak in some culture.

...

Compared to the lives that had withered away, the ravages of time upon Laerdin were actually somewhat milder than normal.

Even so, without human maintenance, the artworks still revealed their inherent fragility.

As he followed the Witch's unhurried ascent through the Art Gallery, Fu Qian absorbed a full dose of dilapidated art.

All through the Art Gallery, whose layout had barely changed, they hadn't found a single intact exhibit—and the one right in front of them was no exception.

Unsurprisingly, the Witch halted in a familiar corner.

And what hung there was indeed a familiar piece—the Painting World bearing his own Blood Handprint.

Even compared to the last time he had laid eyes on it, it didn't look like anything had changed.

Then again, given that it hadn't been in great shape to begin with, it still fit the overall pattern of dilapidation.

"It seems to have recovered a bit of its former glory. Is it an entrance now?"

The Witch hadn't said a word since reaching their destination, looking as though she were earnestly appreciating the art.

Having seen her handiwork before, however, Fu Qian wasn't fooled by the act for a second. He instantly recognized the underlying test of his observational skills.

He wasn't just talking nonsense, either. Having once studied it from a Deity's perspective, his understanding of the painting before him was practically on a pixel level.

Compared to his last night shift, it obviously contained something more.

"Yes. Though there were plenty of other options, in the end, I felt it belonged here."

The Witch's artistic facade crumbled in a second as she confirmed Fu Qian's assessment.

"Very soon, the true starry sky will gaze down upon this world entirely unobstructed. It's best to only leave an entrance."

She shook her head slightly a moment later, her tone far from optimistic.

"Understood. Speaking of which, the last time I was out spreading the gospel, I actually showed the lambs an unobstructed view of the Dark Moon."

Fu Qian recalled his experience back in Mist Town.

Compared to the false Stars fabricated by the Law, the symbol of the Witch's power—summoned after such an arduous search—gave off a distinctly different feeling.

"That's also one of the reasons why I suspect Mother has a profound connection to the Law."

The Witch didn't act surprised by Fu Qian's statement. It seemed this "major event" was clearly within her knowledge as well.

"The Dark Moon, the symbol originating from Her power, seems to be the sole exception not obscured by the Law."

"Even without my cooperation, you managed to momentarily draw upon it and make it manifest."

It was strange, indeed.

Looking at it from that angle, within the perfect masterpiece that was the design of the Law, the Dark Moon seemed to serve as more than just an imprisoned power source.

While he agreed with the Witch's assessment, Fu Qian found the situation all the more fascinating.

If she hadn't been hunted down, could this resurgence of the Law after so many years actually contain some fragment of Her will?

"At least for now, there are no traces to suggest She still exists."

The Witch seemed to read Fu Qian's thoughts. She sighed softly and shook her head once more.

"Furthermore, regardless of the methods by which the Law was resurrected, it has already been operating and growing for quite some time leading up to today. And soon, it will meet its end because of my death."

Admitting so bluntly that she couldn't hold on for much longer anyway, the Witch didn't bother hiding her confusion.

"Yet even now, I also haven't noticed any suspicious changes. It's hard to believe this is a targeted conspiracy."

Just as stated earlier, Mother was merely a title; a more accurate description would be the origin and the seed. When analyzing the situation, the Witch wasn't hindered by any bonds of familial affection.

"If there absolutely has to be a subjective intent behind it, maybe it's to lure back the hunters who have already left?"

To address this confusion, Fu Qian casually offered a bit of brainstorming assistance.

"Since the Stars are so dangerous, a commotion like this is bound to have a certain probability of drawing their attention, right?"

"Though the timeframe is relatively short, it indeed can't be ruled out entirely... But what would be the point?"

The Witch didn't dismiss the risk Fu Qian had mentioned.

"Who knows? But if we're truly unlucky and something does get drawn here, perhaps we can glean some information from the subsequent reactions."

"For an unavoidable risk, that is certainly an optimistic attitude to take."

Praising the Templar Knight once again, the Witch strode straight ahead toward the painting, offering a peculiarly worded piece of advice as she walked.

"Alright, time to head to the next place. Hold on tight, and try not to fall."

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