Eldritch Horror Theatre

"Ah?"

Professor Fu's explanation regarding the potential trouble their experimental methods might attract clearly took Ji Liushuang by surprise.

Her meaning just now had been simple: they had indeed made significant gains this time, proving that Professor Chang's previous conclusions had been overly optimistic.

She also believed that once the Night Watchers verified the situation, they would react as quickly as possible to control how things developed.

But the process of reaching this conclusion had been, by any measure, excessively intense.

Everyone at the ball, including Benjian, had undoubtedly been victims throughout the entire incident.

Previously, they had also received careful treatment from both the Night Watchers and the Academy.

Yet Professor Fu's testing methods today had gone far beyond merely pushing the envelope.

Judging by Benjian's final reaction, everything that had happened in that non-reality domain, including the questions and answers in the Sword Prison, had failed to return to his conscious mind.

On one hand, however, some effects were impossible to avoid entirely. For example, Benjian's attitude toward the food on the table just now was much more natural compared to his excessive eagerness when they first met, proving that some marks had been left behind.

On the other hand, even if nothing had changed, it still didn't alter the fundamental fact that they had violated the Night Watchers' taboos.

What she had been worried about just now was precisely the risk Professor Fu was taking in this regard.

But from the sound of it, he didn't care at all?

...

"The Night Watchers have many elites. Even if they claim to rely heavily on the Academy's research capabilities, probably not many people would actually believe them, right?"

"There is only one reason this thing was sent here. Not because the Academy is here, but because the victims are here."

Facing Ji Liushuang's reaction, Fu Qian pointed at the Finger Orb she had carefully packed away.

"To the Night Watchers, in order to prevent a greater tragedy, these people are perfectly fine to use for testing. The only difference is the extent to which they are used and the results obtained."

"And considering the incident started because of the Academy, it's perfectly reasonable to help out on the fringes to atone for our mistakes."

"There's naturally no problem with submitting Professor Chang's report. In fact, if I hadn't returned, I imagine Dean Li would have been ready to do just that."

Fu Qian then gestured at the documents in Ji Liushuang's hands.

"Within a moderate scope, a serious and optimistic result—no matter how you look at it, the Night Watchers would have no reason to be dissatisfied."

"The only problem is that Dean Li doesn't seem to be so optimistic."

"I think I understand... To Dean Li, a less moderate scope, but with conclusions of commensurate value, is also an acceptable possibility. He might even lean more toward that."

Worthy of Professor Fu's high regard, the young assistant's comprehension was clearly quite sharp.

"But this is not an easy task, otherwise he could have just done it himself."

Flipping through the items in her hands almost subconsciously, Classmate Liushuang sighed softly, very quickly grasping the crux of the problem.

"Very smart, but you don't need to include that sentence in the report."

Not stingy with his praise, Fu Qian casually described Li Weixuan's previous dilemma.

"Many times, cruelty requires more skill than gentleness, especially when it comes to physical desires like this. Professor Chang Mo isn't particularly adept at it; Linghui is adept but unreliable; Apocalypse might be adept but has too many lunatics; and the two Demigods are both absent."

"And there's the most important point. Even if a sufficiently skilled plan is implemented, but the results obtained are not commensurate with its value—a possibility that almost certainly must be considered—that person will have to bear the academic and ethical risks."

"Then, at this time, the person with the most extreme methods in the previous incident returned, and Dean Li coincidentally bumped into his assistant..."

Ji Liushuang listened earnestly and shook her head with a rather odd expression.

"And then this person, fully aware of the 'academic and ethical risks,' still accepted the commission."

Without realizing it, she had even been infected by Fu Qian's conversational style.

"Because I'm even less optimistic than Dean Li... Besides, don't you think this is an affirmation of our Laboratory's capabilities?"

Fu Qian naturally noticed this. After an eerie smile, he instantly switched to a look of utter arrogance.

...

"Regardless, it looks like we've obtained a very meaningful result."

For the rest of the way, until they entered the Academy's grounds, Ji Liushuang barely said a word.

"It's obvious that this thing can absolutely not be used to help people Return to Chastity anymore."

However, clearly preparing to report to the Sword Comprehension Institute, she finally offered a lamenting summary right before they parted ways.

"Yes, so that father still did the right thing, and his daughter is quite lucky as well."

Fu Qian was naturally referring to the whistleblower.

The reason she was lucky was simple. Such a proactive attitude yielding no effect proved that his daughter had not undergone Sublimation.

"So, what do you think happened to those for whom it did have an effect?"

It was obvious that Classmate Liushuang didn't particularly like this question, but having broadened her academic horizons, she still asked it firmly.

"It's hard to confirm without having seen them, but I lean toward the idea that they harbored relatively stronger desires. This allowed them to stimulate a slight reaction from this orb, thereby sensing a faint trace of that Sanctuary's aura from just now."

Fu Qian had clearly pondered this question long before.

"As for whether this twisted comfort can plant the same kind of seed in their hearts as it did with Benjian and the others? Yes, I believe it can."

"Can I write that in the report?"

The situation he described was clearly far from pleasant, but Classmate Liushuang still sighed and asked.

"You can. Thanks for your hard work."

They could already see a corner of the Sword Pavilion ahead, and Fu Qian waved goodbye in a very easygoing manner.

...

With the project completed, not having to write the report was certainly relaxing.

As Classmate Liushuang smiled and said her goodbyes, this investigation concluded with considerable efficiency.

He had to admit, as a post-meal activity, the amount of exertion had been a bit high.

Watching Classmate Liushuang walk away, Fu Qian's pace grew even more leisurely, brimming with the demeanor of a retired old man.

If they hadn't been on his home turf, and if he hadn't preemptively activated his Mythical Form at the end out of anticipation, he probably would have lost some SAN Value.

Fortunately, the harvest was well worth it, and even his research assistant had gotten a fair amount of training.

Of course, a price was also inevitable; his list of Deity enemies had delightfully grown by one.

The Higher Existence behind the White-Headed Sanctuary was clearly not an entity easy to converse with, and Its style was rather unsavory. Things would likely get quite lively later on—after It finished dealing with the Night Watchers.

This time, aside from flaunting the prestige of the old ones, he had also successfully played matchmaker between It and the Night Watchers.

Keeping a continuous eye on the communication between the two parties would be something he'd be very happy to do next.

Naturally, he would be watched as well, even right now—

"Professor Fu!"

His leisurely afternoon stroll had been underway for barely a few minutes when a voice called out from not far away.

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