Eldritch Horror Theatre

'Zero cost for level 999, just sitting there and ascending to a High-Tier Transcendent without even batting an eye?'

Earlier, he'd felt the term God-Man carried a hint of self-flattery, but hearing this, it seemed almost too conservative. They ought to be called a divine race. However...

"With such a dangerous constitution, the Night Watchers actually allowed them to survive this long?"

Fu Qian looked at Aike with suspicion.

"Why wouldn't it be allowed? Just what kind of image do you have of the Night Watchers?"

Demigod Aike was clearly provoked by that look. Her first instinct was to demand an explanation on behalf of the Night Watchers.

"We're short on time."

Unfortunately, this display of righteous indignation had absolutely no effect on Fu Qian.

Turning sideways, he was the first to pass through the open door, tossing out a casual reminder.

Quickly realizing that some arguments were pointless, Aike sighed and spoke as she followed him.

'That's more like it!'

Although he hadn't systematically studied the corporate culture of the Night Watchers, Fu Qian didn't exactly believe they had reached their current standing by relying entirely on strict justice and impartiality.

Everyone was just trying to survive out here. If there really was such a highly unstable ticking time bomb—and a remnant of feudalism at that—even if they didn't purge them outright, their methods of dealing with them wouldn't be overly gentle.

"But you still had concerns in that regard, so the moment you heard the good news, you immediately offered your blessings and took the opportunity to do a physical checkup?"

Faced with Her Excellency Aike's somewhat brisk honesty, Fu Qian looked her up and down and spoke his mind frankly.

"Though you showed up dressed for the occasion, your motives don't seem very pure."

"...I doubt they would mind."

At such a blunt statement, Aike only paused for a moment, not offering much of a defense.

...

The reasons behind certain things finally seemed clear, such as why the Night Watchers had given them so much face.

The significance of this ancient royal celebration went far beyond the lingering glory of the past.

Of course, Aike was right. Even knowing her real purpose, the Laria Family wouldn't normally mind her presence.

It was essentially a safety certification; the Night Watchers not doing this would be the real cause for anxiety.

So now came the problem: Her Excellency Aike had never actually seen the newborn, and had instead stumbled into this predicament.

As for the reason, the person involved seemed to already have an answer.

"It's hard to say whether our luck is good or bad, but it seems we have the privilege of witnessing the revival of an ancient royal bloodline."

Behind the door lay the same long Corridor, completely empty.

Looking at this scene, Aike didn't show any overwhelming pessimism. She even let out a cold laugh.

"Could a newborn child also become the target of a divine boon? And its self-defense mechanisms led to the scenario we're experiencing now?"

Although she was mostly venting her emotions, smoothing out the underlying logic was effortless for Fu Qian. He asked this as he continued walking.

"The process of the Laria Family transforming into God-Men has no pattern. From that perspective, there's no difference between a newborn and an adult. I only came this time to confirm whether this new member had any innate abnormalities."

Aike's answer clearly affirmed Fu Qian's speculation, as well as her own resolve.

"So no matter what, I must find this newborn child."

...

"Are you certain there's an end to this path?"

After declaring her firm resolve, Demigod Aike's movements became much more decisive, a state she maintained for quite a long time.

However, after trekking past nearly a dozen more corners, and faced with yet another Corridor that maintained the same ruined, luxurious style, she couldn't help but ask for his opinion, though she didn't stop walking.

Although he wasn't very likable, this mysterious figure named An Ke had actually managed to keep up without falling behind during their trek through this perilous environment, which was enough to prove the authenticity of his earlier speech about forging ahead.

"I'm certain to some extent."

"And the reason?"

"I already explained the direction earlier, but besides that, I've actually been observing the Corridor itself."

Although Aike's tone wasn't polite, Fu Qian had no intention of keeping her in suspense.

"Though we've theoretically crossed a considerable distance, hasn't Your Excellency noticed that the overall style is still very consistent?"

"For this kind of royal architecture, even if they were built in different phases, isn't it perfectly normal to maintain a consistent style? What of it?"

Aike didn't quite grasp his point.

"It is normal, but that's also where the problem lies. While appreciating the royal elegance, I noticed there was actually a slight inconsistency. Did you notice the lamp stands on both sides?"

'Huh?'

This bizarre point of focus successfully prompted Aike to observe them closely again.

Black and gold, with smooth, flowing lines. While not exaggerated in size, these objects embedded in the walls displayed the full extent of royal grandeur.

Of course, without exception, none of them were lit, making them easy to ignore.

"Naturally. Are you trying to say the styles of the lamp stands are inconsistent?"

"They are consistent."

"Hmm?"

"But the spacing between them isn't."

...

"The gap between the lamp stands where we are now, compared to when we first entered, has actually increased by more than ten times."

Before Aike could express any further doubts, Fu Qian continued his explanation.

"It's just that the change was gradual throughout the whole process, and the length of each Corridor was also different, so it wasn't as obvious to our senses."

"Setting aside the possibility of a deliberate design, I lean more toward the idea that this path itself has been stretched out like an intestine, creating the illusion of an endless journey."

As he spoke, Fu Qian even gestured forward, pointing specifically at the areas eroded by moss.

"Don't you think it even looks a bit like one? The humidity is high, too—it's just that some spots have a bit of inflammation."

"...You really didn't need that analogy. I understand what you mean."

Expert Fu's peak communication skills successfully made Demigod Aike feel as if she had suffered mental pollution.

Even though she had signaled him to stop, when Aike looked ahead again, she still felt overwhelmingly uncomfortable.

The spacing did indeed seem to have widened; without a reminder, it really was easy to miss. The analogy of a stretched intestine was fairly accurate, too.

It was just that, if that were the case, what did that make her as she walked through these Corridors? Even this guy was in here with her...

"Alright. In short, it's very simple. Stretching has its limits eventually, and I'm inclined to believe that the total number of lamp stands in this Corridor has remained the same."

Fu Qian pointed forward, as if he held the vast sea of stars in the palm of his hand.

"As long as we forge bravely ahead, we will eventually reach the end."

'It actually makes a bit of sense...'

Although it was highly suspected to be his own subjective judgment, and the cringe factor of his lines was quite high, Fu Qian's explanation ultimately triggered a small degree of resonance in Aike's heart.

It was far from enough to light up the path ahead, but it at least broke the illusion of endless repetition.

So, what followed would be a race against the countdown. For a moment, she even felt a sliver of relief that they hadn't stopped walking during this conversation—

Boom!

However, in the next second, just as she prepared to push open another half-closed door, the only lamp in their field of vision suddenly lit up, emitting a "deafening" radiance.

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