One-Eyed Monster

Igor and the others had encountered Stanley’s slow demeanor before, so they were accustomed to the reaction of this elder.

Kadi’s narration wasn’t fast either; he feared that speaking too quickly would make it hard for the captain to keep up. He slowly recounted the story he had made up to try and impress the captain.

”What a tragic experience!” Captain Stanley slowly stood up and remarked, expressing deep sympathy for Igor’s amnesia.

”We’ve been searching for a circus, hoping to find a way to restore my brother’s memory. Once he regains his memory, we, as Wandering Bards, can shine brightly for the rest of our lives!” Kadi continued to immerse himself in his role.

Igor cooperated with Kadi, even though he felt Kadi was a bit exaggerated. However, to uncover the circus’s secrets, he endured it.

”You are an extraordinary person!” Stanley pointed his finger at Kadi and said.

”I just want my brother to regain his memory, because we cannot be separated,” Kadi said humbly, which made Igor feel a bit awkward.

”No matter what, it’s remarkable that you gave up your original form for your brother!” Stanley said slowly.

”Does the captain have any way to help my brother recover his memory?” Kadi probed further, while Igor looked expectant.

”Our circus has always had an inclusive heart. We accept all kinds of strange things, which is why our circus gathers elite people from all over the world. I think there must be someone who can cure your amnesia!”

In fact, Kadi wasn’t concerned about curing amnesia, because Igor didn’t really lose his memory. He felt as if he did, but that was just a small part from very early in his life, which he didn’t think held anything particularly significant. They were just using it as an excuse to reveal the circus’s mysterious power, which Igor referred to as the power of the Soul Devourer.

To Igor, the captain’s Beast Training Technique, and the aerialists, all operated using the power of the Soul Devourer; there was no talk of miracles...

Stanley quietly watched Igor and the others, then asked again the question he had asked when they first entered: ”Tell me, what kind of reward do you really want?”

Igor and Kadi exchanged glances, realizing their fabricated story hadn’t elicited much reaction from the circus captain. His earlier sympathetic remarks were merely a normal response, not making him see them in any new light.

Igor and Kadi didn’t feel they needed anything special. After thinking it over, they decided to leave it at that, as saying too much might expose them.

Kadi understood Igor’s meaning, so he straightforwardly told Stanley, ”We don’t need anything else, just for my brother to regain his memory...”

”Alright, then I’ll remember your request. I will surely fulfill your wish. Believing in the circus is believing in miracles!” Stanley said softly, a phrase he had repeated twice before.

”Thank you, captain!” Igor and Kadi bowed respectfully, thinking that the captain’s generosity was too fake, as there was nothing at all!

”I have some pills here; if you perform well, they’ll be your reward. They can enhance your abilities, come over.” Before Igor and Kadi could react, Stanley once again benevolently offered them a little favor!

”We...” Kadi was about to say they didn’t need them when Igor stopped him.

”Thank you, captain!” Igor wore a warm smile as he led Kadi to accept the pills.

”Alright, you may leave now. Bring the last person in for me.” Stanley slowly sat back down, clearly having spent enough time with Igor and Kadi.

Igor and Kadi realized why the people with fiery red hair and green noses were so quick before them. Stanley’s ultimate aim was to reward them with those two pills; everything else was just a process...

After leaving the tent, Igor’s face was filled with a smile, too, wanting to appear as content as the others to avoid suspicion.

The strong Quinn was also getting impatient, seeing everyone coming out satisfied, and he was full of anticipation for the captain’s rewards.

”The captain wants you to go in!” Kadi called to Quinn. Both Kadi and Igor considered Quinn a kindhearted guy. Without Quinn, they might not have joined this circus so quickly.

”Alright, I know.” Quinn took large strides into the tent.

Igor and Kadi shrugged behind him, thinking people are too easily satisfied...

Inside Stanley’s tent, the lights dimmed, seemingly becoming darker as Quinn entered.

Quinn’s steps were light, inconsistent with his burly frame. Slowly walking, he seemed different from his eager demeanor outside.

It seemed like everyone entering this tent put on a different demeanor, as if Quinn was also bewitched.

”Captain Stanley of the Star Circus greets Master Clown!” On the other side of Quinn, the captain knelt on one knee, transforming into a tall, skinny figure, with no trace of the elder’s form.

”No need for formalities; this time’s harvest wasn’t bad, right?” Quinn asked Stanley softly.

”It was very successful, acquiring many Spirit Entities. We can proceed with the Transformation whenever the time is right!” Stanley replied.

”No rush, how were those people just now?” Quinn asked.

”Which ones do you mean, Master?”

”Everyone!”

”The first two can both be utilized, and there shouldn’t be much issue with the Transformation. The latter two, whom Master specifically instructed to pay special attention to, are still a mystery!”

”Hmm, take it slowly, no hurry.” Quinn continued.

”Everything is as planned,” Stanley said confidently.

”Exactly what did you give them to make them so happy?” Quinn was also curious about the captain’s rewards.

”It wasn’t anything special, just the usual method—some promises and one or two pills. Promises give these people hope, and the pills make them feel they’ve gained something!”