Eldritch Horror Theatre

’He cares about that at a time like this?’

The shepherd’s concern clearly left Amira and the others struggling to hide their confusion.

Given the circumstances, it would have seemed more normal for him to demand the real reason the three of them had entered.

”We didn’t find him. It doesn’t look like he’s in here.”

But regardless, since they were invited guests, ignoring his question felt a bit impolite, so Amira immediately shook her head and answered.

Though the moment she finished speaking, the massive Sacred Emblem behind him reminded her that this was actually The Order’s territory, and she was the host.

She couldn’t help it; his demeanor was simply too natural.

”So where do you think he is?”

Fu Qian, however, seemed somewhat fixated on the question, immediately pressing the issue.

...For a moment, even Amira fell silent.

Naturally, she had pondered this question more than once, alongside the question of why this Nightmare was happening.

As things stood, the events so far seemed to be orchestrated by the Sanctuary, and given where this Nightmare had manifested, Excellency Prout had likely played a crucial role in it.

As for where he actually was...

”We might know once we wake up.”

Offering a rather evasive answer, Amira looked up at Harriet, whose eyes were tightly shut without a single breath.

”What did you do to her?”

”They woke up a bit cranky and were disturbing my guests, so I suggested they sleep a little longer.”

Fu Qian pointed down at the blind Old Lady. Still counting the peas in her hand, she was the only one in the entire audience who remained seated.

Though quiet, she had clearly been listening to the surrounding conversation. Hearing Fu Qian’s words, she immediately stopped what she was doing and offered a slight bow of acknowledgment.

”...So, she’s going to wake up again?”

Amira hesitated over how to return the greeting. In the end, she simply nodded, regardless of whether the other woman could perceive it.

”To be precise, she will wake up very soon, just like the rest of you.”

Fu Qian confirmed her question.

’This guy really is certain that the Nightmare won’t last much longer. The question is, why is he still so focused on Excellency Prout?’

Making this silent judgment, Amira frowned and glanced at her teammates.

”I actually have a technical question.”

Unexpectedly, he was also smiling as he looked at Simon.

”I’ve heard the Hunters are also known as the Fallen Sanctuary. So, does one join the Sanctuary first and then fall, or are they too fallen to join the Sanctuary in the first place?”

”If you are so concerned, Mr. Encore, perhaps you should consider your own situation first.”

The question was highly provocative. Before Simon could react, Reginald had already issued his cold reminder.

”I was already considering my own situation.”

The smile on Fu Qian’s face did not fade.

”You know a lot.”

Simon’s condition was clearly going from bad to worse. The hand gripping his sword had become so discolored that its original skin tone was almost invisible.

However, perhaps due to his wealth of experience, his mind remained perfectly clear.

”But none of that matters. As long as one receives the Boon of the Stars, anyone can turn into a Hunter.”

”I see. So Excellency Prout could as well?”

Murmuring an ”oh,” Fu Qian casually tossed the question back.

It was true—he had been considering this possibility for a while.

If the Nightmare before them shared the same nature as the one previously experienced through the Brain Fork, then theoretically, there had to be a primary dreamer.

And such a massive replication of a Small Town had even demonstrated considerable resilience against his own violent tearing.

...

Based on what he knew so far, no one seemed more suited to be that person than Excellency Prout, who permanently resided in this Small Town.

And earlier, upon confirming Simon’s susceptible constitution, Fu Qian had made a further connection: this Nightmare also seemed to possess a distinctly susceptible nature.

Whether it was Harriet, the thing he had just stomped to a pulp, or even the discarded pieces that had been popping up, the penetration of the pollution seemed remarkably easy.

Could it be this particular because this was a dream shared by a Hunter?

Its primary dreamer, possessing a Taboo Commandment, had created this special Nightmare to analyze the mystery of the discarded pieces.

After all, the changes within the Mist were truly astonishing; The Order had no choice but to take them seriously.

Of course, this was only a theory. Judging by the reactions of Amira’s group, confirming it through them would be almost impossible.

In fact, that had not been Fu Qian’s intention anyway.

He had deliberately used the term Fallen Sanctuary—which he had picked up from Olinter—merely to dial up the stimulation, helping the potential primary dreamer of the Nightmare transcend their own limits a bit more.

After all, they had already reached the final juncture.

...

In his field of vision, the fog tide had already surged to the edge of the Plaza.

As had the grotesquely shaped discarded pieces.

Showing themselves from all directions in various bizarre ways, the discarded pieces did not exhibit overwhelming aggression, but they were clearly closing in on this final refuge.

Of course, under the despairing gazes of the audience, the first to arrive was actually that lucky police officer.

He rushed into the Church, panting heavily. Yet before the officer could voice any sentiments about surviving after a catastrophe, a naked body plummeted from above, nearly crushing him.

’What is this...’

He looked up, visibly falling into bewilderment in that instant.

Unfortunately, the shepherd on the pulpit had no interest in explaining it to him, and instead slowly stood up.

...

Fu Qian’s actions at this moment were undoubtedly the center of everyone’s attention.

Under the gaze of the entire room, he walked straight out of the Church, going all the way to the center of the Plaza and looking up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle.

There was still not a single trace of the Dark Moon, even inside this susceptible Nightmare, and even after all his constant prodding...

There was only a horde of monsters glaring at him like tigers eyeing their prey.

Even behind him.

Amidst screams, debris rained down as a massive hole was torn straight through the roof of the Small Chapel behind him.

Just as he had said, the pollution rooted in Harriet had returned with lightning speed.

Having received enlightenment, it had clearly undergone a Sublimation. Abandoning the vast majority of its victims, it immediately locked onto him, its mentor.

Fu Qian, who had never cared for empty fame, didn’t even turn his head. The next moment, he spread his arms and leaned back.

’If you have no results to show, isn’t it just because you didn’t work hard enough?’

In this moment as the Nightmare completely collapsed, he might as well push the pressure on his partner to the absolute limit.

Tendril Barrage Devastator!

The long-unseen ultimate move activated, falling under the effects of Burning Frost.

The next moment, a bright veil that seemed to have no thickness but radiated an icy aura enveloped the surroundings, and moon-like shadows could even be seen upon it.

Simultaneously, countless crisscrossing lines of destruction originating from Fu Qian’s body filled the interior of the sphere, mercilessly shredding everything in their path.

And at the instant this magnificent scene violently erupted, a deep blue full moon appeared in the sky that Fu Qian was still gazing up at.

The light even dimmed along with it, as if night had fallen in a single second.

The Dark Moon... is it really here?