In the Capital City, there seemed to be no distinction between night and day. It was perpetually engulfed in dusk, neither bright nor dark, causing unease in people's hearts.
Indistinct and indecisive.
It was as if this world and this kingdom, like other nations, were slowly but surely immersing themselves in death, yet still a long way from a swift end.
As if lying in an ICU, hooked up to tubes.
Death itself is not the torment; the endless, protracted agony that precedes its arrival is.
"I think they're all quite pitiful."
Within the massive temple, seemingly constructed for Giant Beasts, Huai Shi heard Fu Yi's lament.
Huai Shi glanced back at her, unable to resist remarking, "Your sentiments might seem a little more sincere if you'd spit out that pine cone before you speak."
"But what does that have to do with me?" Fu Yi tilted her head, calmly retorting, "It's not like I'm the one being used as a tool. If anyone needs to be gung-ho, you're always there to charge ahead, aren't you?"
"Wow, you really have no compassion at all, woman."
Fu Yi rolled her eyes, "I've turned into a White Weasel. Why should a Husky be lecturing me about a lack of compassion?"
Hearing her somewhat weary voice, Huai Shi shook his dog-like head.
"Were you frightened?"
Even the well-traveled Huai Shi had been a bit creeped out by that scene, let alone Fu Yi.
"If you mean startled, then yes, a little. But more than that... it was probably disgust," Fu Yi mused, then added seriously, "Clinging to life so desperately, refusing to die cleanly and swiftly... it's just too unsightly."
She felt an indescribable revulsion.
Noticing her expression, which far from showing fear, seemed to scream, 'How shameful, hurry up and leave the group chat!', Huai Shi began to wonder if this woman's nerves were perhaps a little too resilient.
"Seriously, aren't you afraid at all?"
"Afraid of what?" Fu Yi countered. "I have GM privileges and a Gold Medal bodyguard. What's there to be afraid of? You're not trying to make me leave the group again, are you? I refuse!"
The translucent White Weasel retreated back into the bell, adopting an 'I'm not listening to any Erha preaching' posture, leaving Huai Shi utterly exasperated.
"Fine, stay or go, it's your decision."
Huai Shi shook his head as he heard a knock from outside the temple.
"Holy Great Spirits, the metals you requested have been delivered."
Huai Shi reached out, nudged the bell into a spot in his robes hidden from view, coughed twice, and signaled the Lizard Men serving him to enter.
However, looking at their moribund state, Huai Shi genuinely feared they might suddenly drop dead while pushing the carts in.
Two large carts were piled high with the various metal items Huai Shi had requested.
Already more than a mere trifle's worth, Gold and Silver, as well as Bronze and Iron, had accumulated into a small hill, emitting a sweet, delectable aroma of rust and the pungent scent of metal.
A fine dinner, plus rare metallic materials.
After they departed and the door was closed, Huai Shi casually scooped out half for his midnight snack, then retrieved the snake spine he had dragged for who knows how many tens of thousands of miles with his tail.
The flat surface of the snake spine was now coated inside and out with several layers of Huai Shi's iron saliva, exuding an indescribable slobbery odor that made Fu Yi's nose twitch uncomfortably.
"What are you doing?" she asked, poking her head out.
"Isn't PvP starting tomorrow?" Huai Shi pinned an iron stake with his paws, grinning to reveal a row of sharp teeth, "I'm planning a few surprises for the opposition."
Soon, shrill sounds of metal grinding reverberated from within the temple, rumbling through the night.
Initially, Fu Yi was incredibly annoyed by the noise. Later, however, listening to the rhythmic sounds, she gradually drifted off to sleep, only to be startled awake near dawn by screams emanating from the city.
She snapped her eyes open, looking at Huai Shi in astonishment. "What's going on?"
Huai Shi, who had somehow fashioned a dog-powered grinding wheel, turned his head in bewilderment, his ears twitching aimlessly. His voice boomed, "What did you say?!"
Great. After a whole night of elaborate tinkering, he hadn't achieved much else, but he'd managed to nearly deafen himself.
Fu Yi frowned. "Listen carefully."
In the silence, Huai Shi strained his ears and finally caught the gradually fading screams and wails, which sounded as if they were losing strength, leaving only a feeble, dying echo.
The direction seemed to be... the Royal Palace!
Instantly, both their expressions turned grave.
"Should we go check it out?" Huai Shi picked up the bell, poised for action. He worried that some traitorous rebels might cause trouble, assassinate the King during the night, and then lead an army to 'Clean the King's Side'... well, to clean out this group of Monsters invited by the King.
Before he could push the door open, he heard a soft knock from outside.
A deep voice he had never heard before spoke.
"Excuse me, is Mei here?"
It was a voice unlike those of the city's Lizard Men—polite, speaking Latin with a rather refined articulation and an authentic accent.
Huai Shi and Fu Yi exchanged a bewildered glance.
"An acquaintance of your mother's?" Huai Shi asked in a low voice.
"I don't know." Fu Yi shook her head. "No impression. Never heard it before."
"It seems Mr. Niflheim was correct; Mei's daughter was indeed accidentally drawn into this," the deep voice continued. "Hello, Mr. Huai Shi behind the door. I am Jonathan, a member of the Internal Exploration Group for this Witch's Night. I've been sent to confirm Miss Fu Yi's safety. If you have any concerns, Miss Fu Yi can use the plugin to verify my identity."