"I bet you're wondering why it feels like your plans are completely within my expectations, huh? I can let you die with some clarity."
"You thought you were being discreet, but I've long known about Fractsidus's schemes."
Phrolova's eyes snapped open, filled with disbelief. "I'm all ears."
Lucian rubbed her cheeks softly and whispered, "It's all about… the Second Resonance, isn't it?"
Phrolova's pupils constricted slightly. How could Lucian possibly know about this plan? The Second Resonance was a hypothesis they wanted to verify, an essential step toward creating artificial Resonators. But only Fractsidus's top brass knew about it. Where did Lucian get this information?
Lucian grinned, leaning closer to her pale earlobe and whispering, "Guess who told me?"
Several figures flashed through Phrolova's mind, only to be dismissed one by one. In the end, the only person she could think of was Scar, who had been captured by Jinzhou.
Scar is the mole!?
"Impossible!"
Scar had deliberately let himself be captured by Jinzhou to act as a messenger. Though he was a bit unhinged, he would never reveal things he shouldn't.
Lucian clicked his tongue. "I didn't even say who it was, and you're already pointing fingers?"
Phrolova: "…"
Lucian chuckled softly. "But you guessed right. It was indeed the person you're thinking of."
"They lured the Sentinel into a battle with Jinhsi to verify your Second Resonance hypothesis and achieve your goals."
"But unfortunately, we all know about this plan…"
"To resolve the temporal flow, Jinhsi and the Sentinel's battle will still happen, but Fractsidus won't get to witness it."
A bright yellow pistol appeared in Lucian's hand, and he lightly tapped Phrolova's cheek with its barrel. "Especially you, Phrolova…"
"I, Lucian, am quite the gentleman when it comes to cherishing beauty, but since we're enemies, I'll have to be ruthless…"
"Goodbye—"
Phrolova felt the cold barrel against her forehead, the sense of déjà vu growing stronger. Countless images flashed through her mind—Lucian charging toward her recklessly, the loud gunshot, the searing pain in her shoulder…
At the same time, Rover stood on the small boat, looking up at the sky. "…Look!"
Changli followed her gaze and saw the foggy sky tear open like a curtain, revealing a glimpse of what lay beyond…
Then, a loud gunshot rang out. Phrolova's heart trembled. After a moment of silence, all she heard was Lucian's piercing mocking laughter. Looking closely, she saw Lucian holding a red bowtie in his other hand, the gunshot seemingly coming from it.
"…Lucian!"
Lucian turned and saw Rover and Changli's small boat stranded in a puddle in this space. The two hurriedly ran toward him.
Lucian, thoughtful, realized Phrolova had used this method to drag him in. It seemed somewhat different from Scar's abilities back then…
Rover reached Lucian's side and, seeing the tightly bound Phrolova, sighed in relief. "It really was her…"
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Rover nodded slightly and shared her speculations.
Lucian, hearing this, kissed her cheek with a smile. "As expected of Rover, always so sharp."
Then, Lucian explained the matter of the Somnoire to Rover.
Changli looked at the grim-faced Phrolova, deep in thought. "If only this were reality…"
"Then we could lock her up in Jinzhou's prison to keep Scar company."
Lucian laughed, wrapping an arm around Changli's waist. "When did you get so cunning?"
Changli shot him a charming glance. "Just following my husband's lead."
Phrolova's expression was extremely displeased, and she was also somewhat disappointed in herself. Such an obvious dream, and she only realized it now, leading to such a pathetic outcome…
But she couldn't rush. As long as she escaped the dream and returned to reality, she could carefully plan her revenge…
Yes, Phrolova no longer intended to let that person dictate the course of events. She decided to take matters into her own hands. And she'd changed her mind—Lucian couldn't just die. She had to capture him alive and torment him thoroughly! Then, she'd train him to become her loyal follower, a tool for her use. Hmph…
Phrolova began to fantasize, and in her mind, Lucian was already suffering miserably.
"Have you decided how to deal with her?" Rover asked.
Lucian shook his head slightly. "We'll discuss it back in the carriage."
Lucian hoisted the daydreaming Phrolova onto his shoulder. Seeing her squirm reluctantly, he slapped her backside. "Behave."
Phrolova: "…"
She closed her eyes slightly, no longer struggling. Resistance would only lead to more humiliation, so she might as well conserve her energy and plot her revenge later.
[Option 3 completed.]
[Obtained item: Mandala Flower]
[Mandala: In contrast to the Red Spider Lily, when you use this flower, it can grant Tacet Discords a moment of clarity.]
Rover shot him a sideways glance. "You're not taking advantage of her, are you?"
Lucian replied, "Prejudice in people's hearts is a great mountain."
Lucian led the group through the white door, returning to the carriage.
White Cat's eyes lit up. "You're back! I can feel it—you're all back!"
It was, of course, referring to its authority.
"This time, I'll take back everything that belongs to me! Heh heh heh—"
Ignoring the crazed White Cat, the group turned their curious gazes to the woman on Lucian's shoulder.
Lucian pinched Phrolova's plump, black-stocking-clad thigh before setting her down on a bench.
The group crowded around, as if observing a rare animal in a zoo.
Phrolova: "…"
Jinhsi nodded slightly. "I didn't expect even Phrolova's dream to be captured."
"But unfortunately, once the dream ends, she'll return to where she was before entering it."
Lucian chuckled. "Then we'd better take this chance to have some fun with her."
Rover pinched Lucian's waist. "Is this 'fun' of yours actually proper?"
Lucian curiously asked White Cat, "If we kill her now, what would happen?"
White Cat licked its paw. "Nothing, obviously. Do you think dying in a dream means your real body dies?"
Lucian slapped his forehead. "Fair point…"
"Is there a way to erase her memories of this dream?"
White Cat shook its head. "It was possible before, but because of your interference, it's not anymore."
Lucian: "…"
Chixia curiously poked Phrolova's soft cheek. "Is she really a Fractsidus executive?"
Lucian nodded slightly. "The real deal."
Chixia pondered for a moment. "Why's she wearing a bandage eyepatch? Should we take it off and see?"
Phrolova: "?"