Eldritch Horror Theatre

Like Su Gao, Fu Qian raised no further objections to Kisaragi Kana tagging along.

For one thing, Kisaragi Kana was quite determined, making it difficult to change her mind.

At the same time, the individual hiding in the dark possessed a high Rank. In a place so densely packed with people, activating the Commandment Residue would easily expose the anomaly.

He was currently a pawn of the Siren Group, after all.

If he didn’t use the item and simply ordered the two of them not to follow, the exchange would inevitably grow heated.

The likely result was that the pair would attract unnecessary attention instead, increasing the probability of them meeting an even more miserable fate.

Given all that, Fu Qian quite comfortably accepted the observation subjects that had delivered themselves to his doorstep.

”Fate is truly wonderful! When I met Mister Dancy and Violetta, I had a feeling good things would happen today.”

Having successfully ”taken control” of the situation, Kisaragi Kana smiled radiantly. She was highly satisfied with today’s outing, no longer even hiding her fondness for the title of Dark Fairy.

”Yes, fate has always been a rather subtle thing.”Fu Qian casually agreed, looking between her and Takagi.

It was just a pity that many people had no idea what their true fate actually was.

Given her exceptionally outstanding results, someone had just specifically sought out Kisaragi Kana to register her information. Chatting idly, the group of four didn’t linger any longer and headed outside.

Wherever they passed, Kisaragi Kana was undoubtedly the center of attention. People couldn’t help but applaud and even whistle.

Of course, this lively scene wasn’t entirely harmonious.

As Kisaragi Kana’s male companion, Brother Takagi was undoubtedly in an awkward position, finding it difficult to even maintain a stiff smile.

Especially seeing Kisaragi Kana smiling and leaning close to Fu Qian; he wanted to interject but couldn’t find the opportunity.

Thinking about how there was still at least a three-hour journey ahead of them where he would have to face this guy and his female companion, Takagi couldn’t help but feel down.

His bad mood was quite obvious, but unfortunately, neither Fu Qian nor Kisaragi Kana had any interest in sparing his feelings. As for Su Gao, that went without saying.

......

”It looks the same as before.”

Returning along the same path, the four of them exited Wushe Temple. Su Gao looked at the bustling crowd, let out a breath, and murmured.

”That’s because it’s still early.”

Kisaragi Kana quickly chimed in from the side with a gentle smile.

”They say people will keep rushing over from all sorts of places until the evening—ah!”

Before she could finish her sentence, she let out a shriek as her body pitched sideways and fell.

The stone steps outside the temple were somewhat narrow. Trying to avoid the oncoming crowd, she missed her footing and instantly lost her balance.

”Careful!”

Fortunately, she fell right toward Takagi. Although he was a bit distracted, her scream startled him into reacting immediately, and he reached out to catch her.

This sudden accident also seemed to snap Takagi back to his senses. The next moment, he pulled Kisaragi Kana into his arms and cautioned her softly.

”Don’t get too distracted talking.”

”Mhm.”

Still recovering from the shock, Kisaragi Kana seemed to realize she had gotten a bit carried away. She lowered her eyes and replied softly.

”It’s partly my fault.”

Fu Qian said with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Su Gao without giving anything away.

Naturally, both he and Su Gao could have reacted in time to Kisaragi Kana’s accident.

But in the end, their choices had been surprisingly identical—neither of them had made a move.

Fu Qian could tell that Su Gao felt the same way he did—this incident was simply too coincidental.

Su Gao’s words right after leaving the temple hadn’t actually been idle chatter. What she meant was that the person in the dark was still keeping a close eye on them.

And just as Kisaragi Kana was chatting so lively with him, she accidentally tripped and fell toward Takagi, who just so happened to react in time to catch her.

All of this could certainly be explained as a coincidence, but combat-oriented veterans like Fu Qian and Su Gao had always been quite sensitive to coincidences.

There wasn’t even a need to find absolute proof right away; a simple attempt at reverse thinking sufficed. What if it wasn’t?

If it wasn’t a coincidence, it meant some kind of power had caused the accident, ultimately interrupting his exchange with Kisaragi Kana while helping Takagi regain some of his spirits.

Could this power have come from that fellow from the Anjing Company?

If so, it would mean the other party’s stance was quite proactive.

”Speaking of which, I also don’t understand why my test yielded that result. I can’t really be considered a celebrity.”

It proved that Kisaragi Kana’s ability to mentally adjust was quite fast.

She quickly steadied her nerves and continued speaking with a smile.

You’re actually famous enough already.

Fu Qian thought to himself, though theoretically, what Kisaragi Kana said was indeed the truth.

Although she had many suitors and her reputation for beauty was widespread, she wasn’t a public figure. Logically speaking, it shouldn’t have been so exaggerated.

Fu Qian’s theory was that this phenomenon probably didn’t just look at quantity, but also quality.

Although it was currently uncertain what exactly Elegy used as a basis for its judgment, the fact that it could interest so many people meant it should still carry some credibility.

As for why Kisaragi Kana obtained such a result, Fu Qian reasoned that although not many people knew her, the depth of the impression she left was probably quite extreme.

”Perhaps the impression you leave on people is just exceedingly deep.”

Fu Qian delivered this analysis with complete seriousness, but to any bystander, it truly fell into the category of flattery.

Kisaragi Kana instantly beamed with joy again.

”Mister Dancy is right. I can testify to that.”

After the recent emotional ups and downs, however, Brother Takagi had regained some of his previous calm composure, naturally joining the conversation.

”Hehe!”

Looking to be in an excellent mood, Kisaragi Kana covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

However, even though the young woman named Violetta had been reticent since earlier, the indescribable harmony between the two of them still made Kisaragi Kana feel somewhat uncomfortable.

A subtle impulse took hold of Kisaragi Kana, making her subconsciously want to shatter that harmony.

”Ah!”

Right in the middle of this delicate atmosphere, another scream rang out.

This time, there was more than one.

Looking toward the sound, they saw a tumbling rock the size of a coconut whistling down from The Mountain, already close at hand.

Dodging subconsciously, Kisaragi Kana took a sudden step back, only for a few drops of blood to splatter onto the ground.

Surprisingly, a long gash had been slashed across the side of Takagi’s neck.

And this was the result even after he had dodged at the very first moment.

”This...”

Looking at the rock that had rolled aside, Takagi reached up to feel his neck, his breathing inevitably turning a bit heavy.

”I’m fine.”

Still, he displayed considerable composure, immediately signaling for Kisaragi Kana not to worry.

”A close call. Should I call this lucky or unlucky?”

The next moment, he even let out a self-deprecating laugh.

”The cut isn’t very deep, but it looks like I’ll still need to find a doctor.”