Eldritch Horror Theatre

That statement... contained a massive amount of information!

Faced with this sudden turn of events, Fu Qian remained in his seat, unmoving.

Ariel had certainly dropped a bombshell.

First of all, his words were clearly directed at Trench Coat Guy, and the ”smart guest” undoubtedly referred to Fu Qian himself.

Most crucially, Trench Coat Guy actually looked relieved to hear it, even taking the opportunity to stow his cane.

...

”Should I call the others?”

Sizing Fu Qian up warily, Trench Coat Guy directed the question at Ariel.

”No need. I already said our guest is a smart man.”

Ariel waved his hand again, watching Fu Qian with keen interest.”Curiosity is a wonderful trait. It brings pleasant surprises, but it can also bring danger.”

”This conversation was indeed outside my plans.”

”But regrettably, one must always adapt.”

”So if I’m understanding you correctly, you’re telling me you’re actually on their side, and the Night Watchers knew about the hunt all along?”

Fu Qian pondered for a couple of seconds, then pointed at Trench Coat Guy.

”The current you is certainly more pleasant than Camus was.”

Ariel seemed quite satisfied with Fu Qian’s quick comprehension.

”The owner of the Demigod Will lingering within that mask of yours must have been an interesting person.”

”That’s right. We’ve been preparing for a long time for this chance to catch a few big fish all at once.”

Ariel picked up the manuscript from earlier and flipped through it.

”The best way to lower a prey’s guard against a trap is to make them believe it was set for someone else.”

”The beast-transformation disease was a nice touch, wasn’t it? It gave us the perfect excuse to mobilize our manpower.”

”And since this once-a-year opportunity is so incredibly rare, it is very difficult to call off the operation as long as the situation remains manageable.”

”So neither Wehle nor Raven Feather knew?”

Fu Qian didn’t interrupt. He waited for Ariel to finish before asking thoughtfully.

”Wehle was naturally left in the dark. As for Raven Feather... although he hid well, considering he previously acted through a Secret Puppet, he is clearly in Dunis too... yes, so he was also unaware.”

The smile on Ariel’s face deepened.

”Actually, I have you to thank for confirming that.”

”I see. So when were you planning to make your move?”

”Your focus is certainly unique!”

A trace of surprise flashed across Ariel’s face, but after a moment’s thought, he answered.

”When you make your move, naturally. When the Horn sounds, Wehle will be right beside Count Valentin... and so will I.”

”As for you, there will naturally be specialized personnel to ’entertain’ you.”

”Understood. Thanks for clearing that up.”

Fu Qian nodded.

”So, I apologize, but to ensure the plan proceeds smoothly, you will need to follow my people and rest somewhere for a while—or you can try to struggle.”

Ariel motioned to Trench Coat Guy beside him.

”You’re a smart man. I trust you’ll make the right choice.”

”Yeah, the choice seems pretty obvious.”

Facing the advancing Night Watcher, Fu Qian stood up.

”Hello!”

He offered Trench Coat Guy a polite greeting, and before the man could subconsciously respond, Fu Qian fired an Air Bullet straight at his forehead.

At this distance, against a Mid Tier opponent, such an attack was virtually a guaranteed kill.

At the exact same time, Fu Qian leaped backward without hesitation, throwing himself toward the window.

The entire sequence flowed like water. As Ariel reached out to block the Air Bullet, Fu Qian whipped out Mercy, cocked the hammer, and pulled the trigger squarely at him.

Unfortunately, in the next moment, no gunshot rang out in the darkness.

...

A dud? That was far too coincidental.

The ammunition provided by Chief Yuan shouldn’t be so shoddily made.

Fu Qian was absolutely certain there was a bullet in the chamber, and he didn’t believe this was a mere coincidence.

Because at that exact moment, he realized the window seemed a bit further away than he had imagined. So much so that after his carefully calculated leap, he was still quite a distance from smashing through it.

”Alright.”

Ariel, who hadn’t shown the slightest intention of giving chase, spoke softly.

”It’s quite late. Let’s not disturb everyone’s rest.”

Seeing Fu Qian halt his movements and stop trying to fire, he smiled and made a hand gesture.

Without a word, Trench Coat Guy lowered his head and retreated the way he had come.

”Were you testing me just now?”

Listening to the Night Watcher’s fading footsteps, Fu Qian hesitated for a fraction of a second before asking.

”Everything you just said was bullshit, wasn’t it? That guy was nothing more than an actor under your control.”

”It wasn’t all bullshit. For instance, I did say that you were a smart man.”

Ariel’s smile didn’t diminish in the face of Fu Qian’s interrogation.

”An ordinary person wouldn’t have reacted nearly so fast.”

”Anyway, congratulations on passing the test. Our operation will continue tonight as planned.”

”So you still didn’t trust me. That whole speech about being in league with the Night Watchers was just to see if I was actually with them?”

”Spot on.”

Ariel even applauded lightly.

”I had no choice. The stakes are far too high, and your circumstances are genuinely suspicious.”

”By the way, why didn’t you want to go with the Night Watcher? Why take such a gamble?”

”Is that even a question?”

Fu Qian snorted.

”Find a place to rest for a while—you made it sound so nice. But if what you were saying was true, after laying a trap for so long, the obvious goal would be to capture everyone in one fell swoop.”

”I’ve never believed the Night Watchers are merciful saints. Rather than hoping you treat your prisoners well, I might as well fight for a chance at survival.”

”Makes sense. Though it must also stem from confidence in your strength.”

Ariel nodded knowingly and pointed at Fu Qian’s hand.

”For instance, that gun of yours is very interesting. It’s quite a remarkable transcendent item.”

”And the power behind that sneak attack of yours wasn’t bad either.”

”Unfortunately, I couldn’t allow him to be damaged. Planting a suggestion for him to forget what he saw is simple enough, but a physical injury would be far too easily discovered.”

”So you were the one who did that?”

Fu Qian flipped open the cylinder, staring at the unspent bullet.

”Yes, just a little trick to slightly increase the probability of a misfire.”

Ariel admitted it readily, even pointing at the window behind Fu Qian.

”That, too. After all, whether it was a gunshot or shattering glass, the noise would have been far too grating.”

’That goes without saying. I intentionally went for the loudest options. Otherwise, how was I supposed to test your reaction?’

Looking at the thoroughly smug Ariel, Fu Qian put away his gun and mused to himself.