Eldritch Horror Theatre

”Professor Lanaya.”

Following the research assistant’s action, footsteps soon sounded behind the door. They could even be heard coming down a flight of stairs.

The Veil Sisters were used to wealth, after all. To think they would book a duplex just for a temporary stay.

As Fu Qian marveled at this, the door opened to reveal a somewhat travel-worn Veil.

When it came to her younger sister, she was always this attentive.

Judging by the time, she had likely traveled day and night to get here, not even pausing to wash up.

Seeing Ji Liushuang right after the knock obviously surprised Veil a little, but only for a moment. She immediately smiled in greeting and addressed Lanaya behind her.

”Professor Fu.”

And then Fu Qian, who was even further back.

Clearly, while she was surprised Lanaya had brought the person in question here so quickly, she wasn’t entirely caught off guard.The reason was quite simple. As the three visitors made their way over, they hadn’t concealed their auras in the slightest and had even openly discussed the medical consultation arrangements.

She was a transcendent with keen senses, after all. Catching bits of their conversation and preparing herself mentally was nothing strange.

As for why she had waited upstairs and only come down after the knock, Fu Qian didn’t find that hard to guess either—

”Professor Lanaya.”

The next moment, the young girl Lotte, dressed in loose clothing with her left hand hidden, followed her down and offered a respectful greeting.

To avoid agitating her sister, Veil seemed to be intentionally hiding her transcendent side in certain details.

”Please, come in.”

Seeing her sister cast a complicated look at Fu Qian, Veil calmly spoke up again, inviting the three of them inside.

...

”Ji Liushuang. A student, and also Professor Fu’s assistant.”

Lanaya already felt somewhat familiar with the Veil Sisters, so she gave a brief introduction without waiting to be asked.

”I just found out that Professor Fu returned only a little later than you two did. Your timing is excellent.”

After the Veil Sisters exchanged brief pleasantries with Ji Liushuang, Lanaya cut straight to the point.

”So the subsequent matters will be arranged personally by Professor Fu. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

”Thank you so much! We’ve already imposed on you quite a bit, so please just let us know how we need to cooperate.”

Veil’s attitude was humble and sincere. She thanked them again in all seriousness, turning her gaze to Fu Qian for the latter half of her sentence.

It was evident she felt rather apologetic about disrupting Professor Lanaya’s evening.

And although the timing was almost too coincidental, she was much more familiar with Mr. Fu anyway. She had come here in response to his suggestion to begin with, so the situation developing like this was practically the best possible outcome.

On top of that, he really was an Academy professor... Then his previous actions, especially running off to the Ring Archipelago back then...

The doubts that had surfaced in her mind since meeting Lanaya and confirming that Mr. Fu hadn’t been lying began churning uncontrollably once more.

”It’s simple. In a moment, I’ll take you to see a colleague of mine.”

Waving a hand slightly to signal them not to be nervous, Fu Qian finally spoke up, swiftly and resolutely talking up Professor Lisa.

”As a core member of the Apocalypse Branch, she specializes in handling non-human transcendent limbs. She’ll be the one to examine your sister and provide a treatment plan.”

...

”You aren’t going to be the one handling it...?”

Lotte didn’t seem to have any objections to the treatment plan, but Veil hesitated before quietly voicing her question.

The lack of surprise on her face proved once again that she had indeed overheard their earlier conversation.

But clearly, Veil found it hard to understand why Fu Qian would ask someone else to step in when he had rushed all the way back here.

”Professor Lisa has more seniority in Apocalypse. She can easily pull together a consultation team.”

It was only natural for Veil, as a concerned older sister, to worry about this. Fu Qian casually reassured her, continuing his pitch.

”I believe this will be a more suitable plan for Lotte, or you can ask for her own opinion.”

”I have no problem with it.”

Before Veil could say anything else, Lotte voiced her stance first.

”Hmm... Then we appreciate the help. Do we need to prepare right now?”

All Veil wanted was to secure the best possible conditions for her sister. Since Mr. Fu spoke so highly of Professor Lisa, she readily agreed.

”There’s no need to rush.”

Signaling them to stay calm once more, Fu Qian studied Lotte, who seemed even quieter than usual.

Logically speaking, it was completely normal for her to readily agree to his plan.

Dealing with him directly would clearly put a lot of psychological pressure on her, but...

The next moment, Fu Qian blinked.

”Before that, I still need to do a preliminary examination on your sister. Would the rest of you mind stepping out for a moment?”

...

Huh?

Didn’t you just push the responsibility onto someone else?

As soon as he said this, only Classmate Liushuang managed to somewhat maintain her composure. The others, including Lanaya, were stunned, and the person in question, Lotte, jerked her head up to look at him.

”Go wherever you want. I need it to be a bit quiet.”

However, the overbearing authority of the Demigod Realm manifested itself at this moment. Fu Qian had absolutely no intention of explaining himself, simply pushing his request.

”Alright... We’ll leave it to you, Professor Fu. Let’s head outside.”

After a brief silence, Veil made the decision, even shooting her sister an encouraging look. Lotte just pursed her lips and remained silent.

”Okay.”

Since the person in question had already agreed, Lanaya merely shot Fu Qian a strange look without voicing any objections.

”It won’t take too long. Also, the examination will be conducted under rather special circumstances.”

Soon, only Fu Qian and Lotte, who was subconsciously keeping her distance, remained in the spacious room.

He didn’t stand on ceremony either. After his brief warning, he directly activated Lucid Dream, shrouding Lotte within it.

The preliminary examination was by no means an excuse. The thing he had asked the Veil Sisters to test back then now needed to be verified.

He needed to see if Al’akir truly lacked any traces capable of penetrating the barrier, just as the Warehouse had claimed.

”Am I dreaming right now?”

However, Lotte’s behavior after entering the dreamscape was slightly different from before.

After subconsciously surveying her surroundings, unable to be certain of the change in situation, she actually took the initiative to ask.

It was obvious she understood what the ”special circumstances” for the examination meant.

”Yes, just like last time.”

Appraising this contrast with interest, Fu Qian confirmed Lotte’s guess.

”That’s good.”

Surprisingly, she looked relieved, and in the next moment, she stared at Fu Qian with utmost seriousness.

”I’ve forgotten... the things you told me...”

”Not a single trace was left behind. I’ve repeatedly confirmed this over the past few days...”