Eldritch Horror Theatre

”I see. The style matches.”

The Witch explained the meaning behind their previous actions in just a few words, and Fu Qian cooperatively offered his assessment.

This wasn’t just blind agreement. The Clockwork Bird and the Toy Workshop shared a highly consistent aesthetic.

So much so that, even though the Witch had chosen to keep him in suspense, Fu Qian had practically confirmed her plan the moment they arrived.

”And?”

Clearly not satisfied with such a simple assessment, the Witch prompted him again as she walked ahead, gesturing for him to follow.

”Good craftsmanship.”

Answering smoothly as always, Fu Qian motioned to the side.

He was pointing, naturally, at the finished and half-finished toys.

The area was large but the terrain uneven, with buildings scattered at varying heights.As they walked, they could see similar items left outside everywhere, high and low, inside and out.

Although the craftsmanship wasn’t overly complex, it was obvious they had been made with care.

”It just looks like they aren’t selling well.”

Without waiting for the Witch to ask again, Fu Qian continued to share his observations, bringing his professional expertise into play.

The items were genuinely good, but the overstock issue was severe. They had clearly underestimated inventory pressure.

From a businessman’s perspective, the sheer number of toys piled along the black stone path might look spectacular, but it wasn’t a healthy business model.

Unless some special shopping event was about to begin.

”It’s also possible they’ve just been manufacturing them for too long.”

The Witch didn’t seem to disagree with his reasoning, her gaze sweeping across their surroundings.

”The last time I was here, it was shortly after I was ’born.’”

...

Oh? A childhood that complete?

Fu Qian was undoubtedly intrigued by the Witch’s connection to this place, marveling at her words.

He had already heard her talk a bit about her birth, her wanderings, and her search for Mother’s aura. Now, she was suddenly providing more specific details.

He could only conclude that this was to be expected of a natural higher entity, the great Dark Night Pope. Even the sheer number of toys she had as a child would be enough to make a bunch of kids cry out of jealousy.

”Could you describe what it felt like when you were born?”

Since she had brought it up herself, Fu Qian didn’t mind indulging a little extra curiosity.

The birth process of a higher entity—especially one with a relatively concrete concept of continuity—was absolutely worth learning about.

”There was nothing special about it. I just suddenly became aware of my own existence one moment.

”My state was also very complete. I wasn’t much different then from how I am now.”

Sure enough, taking pity on his curiosity, the Witch generously shared her experience.

”Aside from power, and the knowledge that this power originated from Mother, I only had a name.”

So the name Nelgria came pre-packaged?

For a moment, Fu Qian seemed to feel the weight of that Dark Moon Ring from the Sacred Night Capital.

”It’s a very nice name,” he offered, generous with his praise.

He was currently running a research topic on genetics, after all. He felt that aside from the poor surrounding environment, the Witch was essentially top-tier in every aspect.

It was just that this inheritance as a higher entity was somewhat too otherworldly, making it hard to compare with anything else for now.

”Go say hello. Her name is Airo.”

Perhaps recalling her favorable impression of Fu Qian’s name during their first meeting, the Witch calmly accepted this hard-earned mutual flattery before gesturing at a spot not too far away.

As they spoke, the two of them had already gotten very close to the figure they had spotted earlier from behind.

Even now, the figure hadn’t turned around.

The Witch wasn’t bragging. Not only could she recognize someone just from their back, but she even remembered their name.

”Hello, Airo.”

Fu Qian didn’t stand on ceremony either. He stepped forward on his own and offered a polite greeting.

”...Hello.”

There was actually a response. The figure trembled slightly, then slowly turned around.

...

She wasn’t very old. Overall, she was a bit plump, but her skin was very fair, and her entire face looked quite amiable.

Having successfully initiated conversation, Fu Qian immediately formed an assessment.

That was right. Although her demeanor was a bit strange, there was no cliché jump scare of a half-rotten face or a missing jaw when she turned around.

Even though her features weren’t striking, Airo carried herself with a rather dignified poise. She stood perfectly straight, and her head was made of genuine flesh and blood.

Judging by her attire, she was likely a worker here. Some of the toys might have even been made by her hands.

As she turned, it became clear what she had been staring at: a toppled dollhouse. She seemed to be pondering how to set it upright and repair it.

”Nice weather today, isn’t it?”

While observing her, Fu Qian met Airo’s bewildered gaze and tossed out a casual, awkward icebreaker to keep the scene from growing cold.

”It really is... but it’s a bit too hot.”

Everyone had such good manners these days. Although the weather was a terribly awkward topic, Airo responded very naturally.

”Could it be because of your uniform? It looks a little too thick.”

Fu Qian pointed at her clothes, smoothly continuing the conversation.

”But safety gear is important too. You definitely can’t be careless—”

”Where can we find the Deer Cart?”

Seeing this greeting stretch endlessly from the weather to workplace safety, the Witch finally interrupted, stepping forward to ask a rather specific question.

”You can try going up there. Look for a house with a blue roof.”

After a brief moment of thought, Airo responded naturally, even pointing the way.

With that motion, the thick uniform finally pulled back a little, exposing the arm underneath.

Oh?

When talking about fair skin, ”snow” was a common word used for comparison.

But strictly speaking, cotton was also very white. Like Airo’s arm at this moment.

Under the bright sunlight, he could clearly see tangled strands of cotton stuffing within it, and right at the center of the cotton, two blood-stained bones.

”Thank you.”

Taking this sight in stride, Fu Qian maintained his high standard of manners and offered a casual word of thanks.

...

”Did you see?”

After asking for directions and taking their leave, the Witch asked casually as she and Fu Qian headed in the direction Airo had pointed.

”I saw. Is that why they can exist for so long?”

Nodding, Fu Qian looked around and easily spotted more moving figures.

For an apocalypse, a scene like this still seemed a bit too vibrant.

And the reason he thought Airo had lived ”so long” was very simple.

The Witch had just mentioned that she had visited this place shortly after she was ”born,” and she even remembered this female worker’s name.

With such a massive time span, how could the Airo standing right there possibly be a normal human?

Though her way of being abnormal was still quite an eye-opener.