Eldritch Horror Theatre

'Just as I thought!'

Looking at Grace's absolute certainty, Fu Qian had his answer.

Memories from that other state were indeed inherited.

The catch, however, was that the inherited memories weren't necessarily real, but an imagined version.

He knew she had been talking to thin air yesterday. In Grace's eyes, however, she had been chatting with Nate, and he had been standing right in front of her.

In other words, her memories were entirely based on the "script."

"I see."

Fu Qian nodded, deciding to probe a little further.

"It's good that Nate was willing to come out for a walk. I've been worried he was grieving too much over his son."

Grace sighed. By now, she was completely convinced that Fu Qian and Nate were well acquainted.

"I really didn't expect Nate to have such a young friend. Is this your first time in Baerluk?"

"Yes, it truly is a beautiful place."

As he spoke, a card appeared in Fu Qian's hand—the business card Guzman had given him.

"The people are beautiful too, of course. I've made quite a few interesting friends here."

"It's wonderful that you like it here."

Fu Qian's compliment delighted Grace, and she covered her mouth, trembling like flower branches as she laughed.

"That's Guzman's card. You two have met?"

"Once. Sir Guzman is a kind man."

"Just a bit stuffy and dull."

Grace shook her head with a smile, completely blunt in her assessment.

"He's never been fond of socializing. It was only recently that he started attending our banquets."

'Only recently? Could last night have been Guzman's first time?'

This information stirred something in Fu Qian's mind as he stared at the business card.

He didn't know much about Guzman. If there had been any recent changes in the man's life, it would have to be his hospitalization and surgery, right?

And yesterday was his first day out of the hospital.

Come to think of it, he still didn't know what kind of surgery the man had undergone.

Fu Qian recalled the contents of the medical records; they hadn't mentioned it at all.

It seemed deliberately hidden.

And the lead surgeon had been Collins, who was not only the hospital director but also a participant at the banquet...

Was it possible that all these participants had only gained that special, hollow form after undergoing some secret surgery?

Allowing them to become part of the script at specific times?

Collins was actively pushing this, and Guzman was his newest addition.

Fu Qian seemed to see an invisible web spreading across Baerluk.

"Anyway, I'm very glad to meet a young man like you."

Grace said this while looking over at Veil beside them.

The astonishment on the young woman's face could hardly be concealed.

She had never expected Fu Qian to get along so well with her aunt.

From the very beginning, she had barely had a chance to interject.

What shocked Veil even more was that this man seemed intimately familiar with certain people in town. Even old Mr. Nate was an old acquaintance of his.

For a moment, his true purpose for coming here became even harder for her to fathom.

"It's rare for you and Veil to visit. I'd like to invite you both over to my place for lunch. Do you have the time?"

Before Veil could recover from her shock, Grace had already extended an invitation.

'Hm?'

Now, it wasn't just Veil; even Fu Qian was a little surprised.

Had this woman misunderstood something?

"Sure!"

Without waiting for Veil to speak, he agreed on the spot.

Having more opportunities to observe this woman was naturally for the best.

Not to mention the bonus of a free meal.

Anything beyond that didn't even cross Fu Qian's mind.

'Auntie, what are you doing! Do you even know who you're inviting?'

Beside them, Veil was utterly dumbfounded.

Regardless of Fu Qian's motives for agreeing, inviting such a dangerous figure into her home was a terrible idea.

She wanted to find an excuse to refuse, but on second thought, if she went against his wishes, would he fly into a rage and start a massacre?

Her mind racing, Veil fell into silence.

"You two probably have a lot to talk about. I have an appointment, so I'll head out for a bit."

After confirming the lunch plans, Fu Qian didn't hesitate. Under their stares, he turned and walked out the door.

He hadn't heard a single word about assassins from Grace.

This prompted him to head out and see if there were any measures in place to ensure he "couldn't escape."

He also wanted to pay another visit to Bernard's Bookstore.

"You have a good eye!"

After Fu Qian left, Grace nudged the dazed Veil with a teasing smile.

"It's really not like that, and please, whatever you do, don't say that in front of him."

Veil forced a bitter smile, completely at a loss on how to explain things to her distant aunt.

The woman had absolutely no idea what kind of existence she had just been chatting with.

"Is he like you?"

Grace didn't seem surprised by Veil's denial. Thinking of something else, she asked.

'We're not alike. We're not even on the same level...'

Veil let out a long sigh in her heart, ultimately just nodding.

"Yes!"

...

'Open all night again?'

A short while later, Fu Qian stood in front of Bernard's Bookstore once again.

It was still very early, but the small shop before him was open for business.

Unfortunately, there wasn't a single customer around. There was only a sleepy-eyed Bernard brewing coffee.

"We're closed—"

The moment he saw Fu Qian walk in, Bernard practically blurted it out, subconsciously wanting to kick him back out.

But he quickly recalled his previous experience; his mental influence was completely ineffective against this guy.

"What do you want?"

He gave Fu Qian a dead-eyed stare, looking exhausted as he abandoned all resistance.

"Pour me a cup too."

Fu Qian sat down without standing on ceremony, gesturing for the man to pour him a coffee.

...

Bernard looked like he badly wanted to throw the coffee pot at Fu Qian's face, but in the end, he obediently fetched a mug.

"Thanks!"

Fu Qian took the coffee, set it aside, and carefully scrutinized Bernard.

No matter how he looked at it, this man was completely different from Collins and the others.

Fu Qian hadn't come all this way just to cause trouble for Bernard, of course.

The last time he visited, Bernard had mentioned two things.

First, he stated that the group of old folks weren't right in the head, acting quite disdainful of the town's upper class.

Second, he had warned him not to wander around at night, or there might be trouble.

Judging by the current situation, it was obvious that Grace and the others were much more active in their other state at night.

It was clear this man knew something.

Just as Fu Qian was about to test the waters, he noticed Bernard looking outside.

Following his gaze, he saw Sheriff Harry walking straight toward them.

"Did you wander around at night?"

Bernard glared at Fu Qian and spoke rapidly.

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