TN: And we're back! sorry for the week long hiatus, it was not intentional since I had to get my right leg in a cast after tripping 3 floors down a stairwell (like an idiot ://) and be unable to use my PC setup upstairs BUT I should be OK now.
Anyways, Thanks for Arcanic Madness, WeissAkumu and WolfWTF for becoming as Supporters!,
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"Exactly."
Although it had nothing to do with Qingque personally, hearing that name still made her feel a surge of passion rise in her chest.
Daring to bear the name of the Human Sovereign—if the power didn't measure up, it would only become a laughingstock.
But with the tyrannical might of that banner, who would dare say it was unworthy of the name?
Not convinced?
Come on then, friend—have a seat inside the banner.
It was absurdly powerful, wasn't it?
…Mm, why did it feel strangely off somehow?
Qingque looked at the [Human Sovereign Banner] with a mix of admiration and confusion.
For just a fleeting moment, she even felt that the name "Ten Thousand Souls Banner" seemed more fitting.
Cough, just for a moment.
After all, Sylvester's credibility was simply too good. He had never exaggerated before, and every Curio had always matched his description perfectly.
Given that, Qingque felt there really was no reason to doubt him.
Besides, things even more outrageous than this already existed.
As for Huohuo, the actual person involved, she had even fewer doubts.
The banner that had scared her into screaming moments ago was now being held tightly in her arms like a precious treasure.
A bittersweet excitement welled up from deep within her heart.
"I finally… finally don't have to be afraid of those demons and evil spirits anymore!"
For the longest time, working at the Ten-Lords Commission had felt like sitting on needles, like thorns pressing into her back.
She wasn't afraid of ordinary Abundance abominations—well, as long as she had time to prepare herself mentally.
But the Ten-Lords Commission had to deal with a massive number of supernatural incidents.
That hit her right at her weakest point. Every time she encountered an enemy, whether she could defeat it or not, she'd scare herself half to death—and to the point where every strand of tail fur stood on end!
Who knew how much hardship she'd endured on the road from underworld warden to trainee judge?
And now—she'd finally made it through!
All those evil things that used to scare her so easily—go haunt the [Human Sovereign Banner] instead!
In the heart of this small foxian girl, a once-in-a-lifetime joy surged forth.
Only now did Huohuo truly understand what it meant to wait until the clouds part to see the moon.
Compared to this, even help in the snow felt insignificant.
Huohuo lowered her head, her body trembling faintly.
Tail watched her without the slightest worry.
After living together for so many years, he could tell at a glance—this little one was trembling purely from excitement.
That was only natural.
Though he often felt frustrated at Huohuo's timidity, he couldn't deny that she had endured far too much suppression over the years.
Now that she'd finally been freed in one fell swoop, it would be strange if she wasn't happy.
Hopefully, with this banner in hand, she would truly gain confidence and stand tall.
Mm… the [Human Sovereign Banner].
"Tsk." Tail looked at Huohuo, who was so excited she was almost curling into herself, and said irritably, "If the Human Sovereign looks like this, then humanity really is doomed."
"Better to call it the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. At least that sounds more vicious."
…
Once bustling and lively, the Exalting Sanctum now had a circular area with a five-hundred-meter radius centered on the trash can shop completely cleared out.
Newcomers had no idea what was going on, but seeing others trembling while hiding indoors, behind benches, or in the bushes, they could only quicken their pace and leave the area as fast as possible.
In the greenery, a pair of people dressed similarly and with similar looks were crouching together, secretly observing the trash can shop.
One of them patted the other on the shoulder. "Hey, Asa. Did you see that?"
The one called Alai shot him a look. "What nonsense. All that black smoke rolling around—I'd have to be blind not to see it. And the sounds inside—wailing like ghosts, damn awful."
"Put your neck on a silver rail and let the Astral Express roll over it ten thousand times, and even then your singing would sound better than that!"
Asa glanced sideways at him, annoyed. "After ten thousand times, would I even still have a neck? My head would be gone."
Alai said matter-of-factly, "Exactly. No head, no singing—that's why it'd sound better. If you opened your mouth, who'd be more disgusting would still be up for debate. You and that thing could form a wailing duo."
"Forget doing crosstalk—let me be your manager instead."
Asa flung his arm dismissively. "Never heard of it. Who would ghostly wailing even sing for?"
Alai replied, "Broaden your thinking. We sing at funerals. Perfect fit, right? One job for ten thousand Credits, two hours a session. That racket would satisfy the dead more than professional mourners. Wouldn't we strike it rich?"
Asa widened his eyes, gritting his teeth. "Oh, so it's white business for the dead?"
"Exactly." Alai spread his hands. "What living person would want to hear you sing?"
Asa puffed up angrily. "Screw you!"
Just as the two were having their friendly exchange, a voice suddenly sounded from behind them.
"Gentlemen, I've heard the Curio Trash Cans here are extremely popular. Why is it so deserted today?"
Alai answered without turning his head. "Oh, you don't know? That place just got haunted. Black smoke everywhere, and inside there was—ah, crap!"
When he turned around and saw who it was, Alai—who had been spouting nonsense just moments ago—collapsed onto the ground in fright.
The newcomer wore an exquisitely tailored dark-red suit, but his face was hidden behind a red, black, and white mask. Combined with his head of white hair, he looked eerie and terrifying at first glance.
Especially after witnessing the haunting earlier, the association made Alai completely lose his composure.
But the masked man was exceedingly gentle. He chuckled softly. "Relax. One should smile more while living in this world."
"I'm a Masked Fool from the tavern. You can call me Giovanni."
"What happened at that shop just now?"
"Phew—so you're a follower of the Aeon of Elation."
Alai let out a long breath and pounded his chest.
Strangely enough, when Giovanni said one should smile more, his fear truly vanished in an instant. Is this the power of Elation?
Once they'd steadied themselves, the two began recounting what they had seen, singing in unison and describing it vividly for Giovanni.
Afterward, still shaken, they asked, "Wasn't it terrifying? I always wondered how Shopkeeper Sylvester had so many Curios. You think he's some soul-snatching ghost? Maybe all those Curios are illusions, and opening the trash cans is just to drain customers' yang energy so he can possess a corpse or something?"
Asa nodded in agreement. "Could be."
The two enthusiastically let their imaginations run wild, creating stories far removed from reality.
They failed to notice that beside them, the "Masked Fool" Giovanni's eyes were gleaming with a different kind of amusement, his grin already stretching ear to ear.
"Abilities related to souls? This trip was worth it—truly worth it."
"If Fuli hears about this, THEIR icy crown is going to melt from sheer anxiety, hahaha!"
Laughing wildly, he headed toward the small shop.
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