Eldritch Horror Theatre

Sybil?

As the name entered his ears, a certain female demigod who rapidly flip-flopped between hot-tempered and easygoing flashed through Fu Qian’s mind.

Within a single corporation, there shouldn’t be two demigods with the same name, right?

But wasn’t she stationed in the Wasteland? Why had she been pulled back?

Because of Ji Yicheng’s death, Siren didn’t want to take the blame, so they were putting on a show?

That actually sounded like a reasonable tacit understanding between competitors.

Siren could even use the excuse as a cover to naturally transfer personnel elsewhere, such as into operations targeting Yasui.

It was just a pity that this demigod had not only defected, but had even turned around and dispatched a whole bunch of her colleagues?

No wonder Lego and Hayami Suzune looked like their worldviews had just taken a massive blow.

”So Yasui clawed back a victory this time?”Fu Qian rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful.

”Since you allow these transcendent factions to compete freely, what’s wrong with an occasional traitor? Just because her rank is too high?”

”What do you know? That’s a demigod!”

Hayami Suzune clearly struggled to control her inner turmoil, her voice pitching up.

”A demigod is practically an essential component of the corporation itself. No matter how fierce the struggle, we’ve never heard of a demigod defecting. Even if one wanted to, the other side might not dare take them in.”

”Alright, when did this happen?”

Fu Qian considered.

”Just a little while ago today. The Base finally quieted down a bit, and then we heard the news.”

Hayami Suzune sighed.

”Now the alert level for all Night Watcher teams across Ye Island has been raised.”

”Is it possible that the demigod Sybil wasn’t driven by irresistible conditions, but rather felt that justice was on Yasui’s side, choosing to turn from the darkness and embrace the light?”

”Is that how you deal with police officers and judges? If so, I seriously doubt the competence of Ye Island’s law enforcement.”

Lego said coldly.

”As a transcendent being several times your age, an individual who has surpassed humanity, what kind of justice do you think could convince her?”

”Or to put it another way, do you even believe in any kind of justice yourself?”

”Idealists are always different from scumbags like me.”

Fu Qian spoke, looking out the window.

True to Su Gao’s words, if Yasui Tokiyuki had plans, they would unfold as a series of moves.

...

The next moment, in the exact direction Fu Qian was looking, a rhythmic knock sounded at the door.

”Come in.”

Showing no sign of surprise, Fu Qian called out from across the room.

The door swung open, revealing three familiar figures standing outside—two adults and one child.

”Why are you here?”

Hayami Suzune looked over at the sound, her mouth dropping open instantly.

”Sorry for the intrusion, dropping by so abruptly like this.”

Mrs. Delin walked in at the front, wearing an apologetic smile.

”Is Ms. Violet here? Rebecca has been making a fuss about wanting to see her.”

Is that so? I didn’t notice.

”She is. Please, have a seat.”

Fu Qian gave a brief acknowledgment, but his gaze fell behind Mrs. Delin.

The retired Captain Delin was leading his daughter, Rebecca, who wore a polite, poised smile that showed very little actual anticipation.

Compared to the previous tea party, the little girl was much quieter.

”The tearoom is over there. Care to lend a hand?”

Fu Qian quickly withdrew his gaze and called out to Hayami Suzune.

”Me? Why?”

Hayami Suzune had been staring wide-eyed at the Delin family. Hearing this, she froze for a moment before realizing Fu Qian was asking her to make tea, prompting an instinctive refusal.

”Because I don’t know how, and we suddenly have so many guests.”

Fu Qian spoke with righteous confidence.

”Or are you planning to walk out right now? I bragged to Yasui’s Sakura Asao that your skills are better than hers.”

...

Although Fu Qian’s reasoning was a chaotic mess, Hayami Suzune hesitated briefly before actually getting up and heading to the tearoom.

It wasn’t because of his nonsensical flattery; she simply couldn’t afford to leave right now.

How on earth did the Delin family end up here?

To chat with Violet?

Even if Delin and his wife indulged Rebecca’s whims, it was hard to imagine them bringing her to the home of a scumbag like him.

Yet in just a few short days, why did it feel like the world was turning upside down?

She wouldn’t leave today until she figured out exactly why the Delin family was here.

”Hello, Mrs. Delin.”

At that moment, footsteps sounded as Su Gao, who had been resting all morning, descended the stairs right on cue.

Of course, before coming downstairs, she had been keeping a close eye on the commotion below.

”Hello, Violet. Sorry to intrude.”

Mrs. Delin apologized once more.

Su Gao gave a slight nod. By now she had reached Fu Qian and sat down beside him, ignoring everyone else as her eyes locked onto Rebecca, who stood next to Mrs. Delin.

”Ever since you left the day before yesterday, Rebecca has been making a fuss about finding you to chat.”

Su Gao’s slightly cold reaction clearly made Mrs. Delin somewhat awkward, prompting her to pull Rebecca close as she explained.

”Hello, Ms. Violet.”

Rebecca offered a well-behaved greeting, her smile sweet and lovely.

”Hello.”

Su Gao took a gentle breath.

The last time she saw the little girl, she hadn’t been nearly this well-behaved.

Fu Qian watched the scene expressionlessly.

A raging cognitive storm was still a bit too much for a young child with an undeveloped worldview to bear.

It was clear that Lego’s eyes held a trace of suspicion too, as he kept shooting questioning glances at Delin beside him. However, Delin maintained a rigid expression that revealed nothing.

Amidst a brief silence, a thoroughly bewildered Hayami Suzune hurried back, carrying a tray of tea supplies.

”Let me help.”

Rebecca was the first to hop down from her seat, taking the initiative to step forward and receive it.

For a second, Hayami Suzune’s jaw nearly hit the floor as she stared in shock at Mrs. Delin.

”Children always grow up overnight. Rebecca suddenly became a lot more sensible over the past couple of days.”

Mrs. Delin explained with a stiff smile. While it should have sounded like a mother’s boast, there wasn’t much comfort in her tone.

”Violet, I heard you say last time that you also grew up on Ye Island?”

Praised by her mother, Rebecca offered a shy smile, handling the tea set with fairly practiced motions as she politely initiated conversation with Su Gao.

So this was why the Delin family had abandoned their principles and paid a visit?

As expected of a Mid Tier, Delin probably had no way of confirming what had happened to his daughter, but he had still sensed the anomaly.

Considering that Rebecca had conversed happily with Su Gao last time, had he brought her here to make contact?

Lost in thought, Fu Qian caught Su Gao looking over, her eyes carrying a profound stillness.

Fu Qian gave an imperceptible nod.

”Yeah, but that place wasn’t very pretty.”

Su Gao took another breath, actually crouching down to take Rebecca’s hand.

”Would you like to go take a look if you get the chance? It might be a bit far.”

Her tone was unusually earnest, leaving Delin and his wife in a state of nervous uncertainty.

”Thanks for the invitation, I’d certainly be interested, but if it’s too far, I’m afraid Mom won’t agree.”

Rebecca giggled, glancing at her mother with a reply that was both playful and poised.