Eldritch Horror Theatre

"Professor Fu's knowledge is certainly extensive... so why the Benevolence Society?"

The air quieted for a moment. Facing Yuan Fang and Lanaya's reflexive stares, Aike didn't stay silent for long.

"To be honest, I did suspect them, but the scene lacks any signature traces. We can't just assume it was those nature-worshipping fanatics simply because the thorns are fresh."

She had been quick to praise his broad knowledge, but she wasn't about to blindly accept his theory.

"I'm not actually that familiar with them either. I've just heard a bit about their ideals."

The ever-modest Professor Fu remained humble, lifting his chin to gesture toward the room.

"As for my reasoning, even though they didn't use their usual poison, there actually is a signature trace."

The "poison" he mentioned naturally referred to the Tumor Flower Blooming that Gene, a member of the Greed Worm Multitude, had once suffered.

Even though he had only observed it from a distance, the sheer uniqueness of that power had left a deep impression.

Speaking of which, it was a pity that since returning from the Abandoned Prison, he had been temporarily cut off from the prayers of those devout believers.

He could easily imagine the panic the Greed Worms might be experiencing, having only just solidified their faith.

But that was fine. He believed this would spur them to more actively search for the mysterious demigod who had received the blessing, until Serana eventually led them right to him.

"What trace? I only saw a meaningless ornament."

Clearly intrigued by Fu Qian's words, Aike's eyes lit up as she pressed for an answer.

"You just said it yourself. It's 'meaningless'."

Fu Qian offered a highly punchable smile, delivering an answer that sounded like a brain teaser.

"Who else besides them would do something like this?"

...

That was true...

Speechless for a moment, Aike furrowed her brows and gave a slight nod.

She clearly had some understanding of how those extreme environmentalists operated.

Sneaking into the Night Watchers Base to pull a stunt like this carried extremely high risks and offered zero practical benefits.

No matter how you looked at it, it was a brain-dead move—which fit that group's style perfectly.

"And strictly speaking, it only lacks utilitarian meaning. From another perspective, it actually has value."

Seeing that she had grasped the gist of his point, Professor Fu felt gratified and casually elaborated.

"Huh? So their goal is..."

This time, Yuan Fang was the one who voiced his surprise.

"Mockery. I'd say they aren't very satisfied with the Night Watchers' work when it comes to protecting the innocent masses who haven't committed any crimes against the world."

Fu Qian answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, gesturing again toward the motionless Lily.

"Going out of their way to break into the Night Watchers Base for this is, in my eyes, no different from spray-painting slogans."

...

"So perhaps there isn't much need for us to pursue this matter?"

His extreme comparison successfully stunned Aike for a while, but she eventually rallied to summarize the consultant's opinion.

"If possible, it's naturally better to get to the bottom of it. Actually, I suspect you simply lack the capability to pursue it."

"I can't completely confirm or deny whether this is unrelated to Ian, nor can I rule out the possibility that the Benevolence Society did it, or that someone merely wants us to think they did. But based purely on the situation in front of us, we can still draw a few conclusions—"

Pointing at Lily's head, Professor Fu's next critique was just as blunt.

"They are highly familiar with this place and exceptionally skilled at stealth. The person orchestrating this can enter and leave the Night Watchers Base without a trace, and might even be capable of spatial traversal."

"If they're prepared, someone like that won't be easy to find. Not to mention, as idealists, they lack the conflicts of interest that would give you an angle to track them down."

Quickly profiling this hypothetical culprit, Fu Qian laid out the key points with absolute clarity—so clearly that it perfectly matched Excellency Kelin without a single discrepancy.

That was right, courtesy demands reciprocity. Fu Qian felt absolutely no psychological burden in casually stirring up some amusement at her expense.

It was well known that idealistic groups often infiltrated and divided power structures to cultivate like-minded individuals within them.

Coupled with the traits of being "highly familiar with the Night Watchers Base" and possessing a "specialty in spatial traversal," he believed Aike would soon start scrutinizing their internal personnel.

As for Excellency Kelin, even if the investigation actually led back to her, the sheer absurdity of a Class-A war criminal being investigated for illegal gambling would surely be enough to make her marvel at the wonders of life.

What was even more miraculous was that even if she had witnessed this very framing process with her own eyes, she would still have to admit that his reasoning was perfectly sound.

As for whether Kelin was actually gathering crowds for gambling—of course not.

She had been busy with life-and-death matters last night; she didn't have that kind of free time.

"Everyone... could you move me to a room with a window?"

Right then, the person behind the glass finally moved.

Raising a hand to gently wipe the blood from her head, Lily turned back and unexpectedly made a request.

...

It really wasn't a bad idea. Though it was nowhere near enough to counter the Ecstasy, achieving a brief equilibrium through pain was better than nothing.

For many people, something similar was all they sought in their entire lives.

Lily's request was quickly met, including her desire to keep the Crown on her head.

And Fu Qian didn't go back on his word either. After thoroughly expressing the sentiment of "I'd love to help, but my hands are tied," he didn't say another word. He didn't even have the slightest interest in chatting with Lily.

As Excellency Stomach's signature trick, once the Seed of Ecstasy was activated, it truly became a Road of No Return.

After bidding farewell to Excellency Aike, he joined Lanaya and followed Yuan Fang—who acted as their guide—on a tour of the Night Watchers Base.

Although the final standard of hospitality was very much a staff-cafeteria-level meal, Fu Qian didn't mind such details, and he soon headed back, fully satisfied.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Lanaya had been rather quiet on the way back, seemingly affected by Lily's transformation. It was only at the very end that she thanked her subordinate for his contribution.

"It's my duty."

Fu Qian, his sense of responsibility undiminished as always, offered a polite reply before heading straight back to the Laboratory—

"You're back?"

The moment he pushed the door open, a figure standing with their back to him naturally glanced over.

Gray robes, vertical pupils, and an amiable smile.

It really was him. The Old Man was truly hale and hearty.

"Welcome."

Fu Qian marveled internally as he casually welcomed the leadership's visit and guidance.

That was right; who else could it be but Cass, who had been out on a scientific expedition?

Professor Lisa's assessment had been entirely correct—he had come back the moment the matter was settled.

"Your research assistant asked me to watch the door for her."

Pouring a cup of tea for Fu Qian as he came over and sat down, the official Dean of the Apocalypse, his bearing as distinguished as ever, smiled as he explained why he was the only one present.

"Thanks to you, I just got to mooch a free breakfast."

Fu Qian casually offered his own explanation for why he had only just arrived.

As he picked up the tea and downed it in one gulp, a burst of shady, unspoken laughter echoed through the Laboratory.

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