Beginning with the Ubume Bird-Chapter 538 - 34 Historian

In the luxuriously decorated hotel, plump steam-powered service robots shuttle through the chattering crowd, holding wine glasses.

"Attendance at yesterday’s performance sharply dropped by a quarter. I believe this was affected by the content of the second act of ’Giant Lake.’

"In the two days since the second act was released, we’ve received at least ten anonymous threat letters, all of which, without exception, demanded that we remove the parts about the clockmaker’s apprentice Liang Hui and replace him with someone else as Jane’s companion. Fortunately, in yesterday’s play, Liang’s part started to normalize."

"Dorothy? Are you listening? Dorothy?"

Dorothy seemed a bit distracted, she sighed and anxiously ran her fingers through her rose-red hair: "Yes, manager, I’m listening."

The performance manager of Black Rose Theatre was a balding middle-aged man whose fat belly was almost bursting through his white shirt.

"Such major incidents in a performance are absolutely unprecedented in your career, and the pressure from the theater side is tremendous! There weren’t too many problems with last night’s performance content, just focus on portraying the positive image of the Steam Princess, and don’t let that Liang steal the spotlight anymore."

Dorothy’s expression suddenly became serious: "Do not interfere with my performance, do not touch my actors, that’s what’s specifically stated in the contract, right?"

The performance manager raised his hands: "Okay, okay, I won’t mention it anymore."

He started to tidy up the messy files on the table, then suddenly said, "In a few days, the performances in San Francisco will be all over. The mayor would like to invite you to a banquet at Cupid Tower."

"What kind of banquet is it?"

Dorothy asked.

"It’s the fifth anniversary of the completion of San Francisco’s maritime railway. Enfield Company, responsible for the project, recently gained high prestige in the industry because of the enhanced design of the frequently dangerous sections. Riding on their recent success, Enfield Company is keen to capitalize on this banquet to introduce a professional award called the ’Enfield Steam Award,’ offering an impressive prize of five thousand US dollars, to be awarded to their chief engineer, Robert."

Dorothy laughed: "Awarding themselves? Isn’t that quite comical?"

"Over the years, Robert has made achievements in many fields related to the Tri-Orb Device, and many people have called him the most outstanding steam prodigy of the past decade. Enfield awarding him isn’t without merit."

"Dorothy." The girl with the gypsy hat came over: "It’s time for your lunch break."

"In that case, I won’t disturb you any further."

The manager stood up tactfully.

"I’m sorry about that. As for the banquet you mentioned, I will attend it on time after the performances."

The bald manager nodded: "Then that’s settled."

After seeing off the theater manager, Dorothy put on a sun hat, picked up her skirt, and walked upstairs.

The door creaked open as Dorothy lifted her head, instinctively exclaiming in surprise.

Sitting in the wicker chair, wearing a blue wool sweater, was Li Yan engrossed in looking through a photo album.

The girl behind Dorothy opened her mouth to call for someone but was silenced by Dorothy covering her mouth.

"...You go out first, tell the others I’m asleep, and ask them not to disturb me."

Looking puzzled, the girl nodded her head. Dorothy let go and stepped into the room, her slender fingers carrying the door shut behind her.

"Sir, such behavior is extremely impolite."

Dorothy feigned anger.

"The guards wouldn’t let me in. Did you expect me to make a big fuss, announcing that Dorothy has a hotel date with a Chinese man?"

"Then why are you flipping through my photo album?"

Dorothy persisted in pressing the issue.

It was then that Li Yan closed the album: "Sorry, I can’t sit still."

"...Alright, I forgive you."

Miss Dorothy sat on the edge of the bed, removed a few hairpins, and said, "You didn’t come to yesterday’s performance, Liang Hui acted like a drag, nearly driving Jane mad."

"Then the performance last night must have been quite something."

Li Yan joked.

After pondering for a while, Dorothy said, "I know you and your kin... have been running into quite a bit of trouble lately. But I can assure you, not everyone bears ill will towards you. If there’s anything I can do to help, just ask."

"Dorothy, not every knot in this world can be untied, let’s change the subject. For instance, how are you figuring things out?"

At these words, Dorothy fell silent for a moment before speaking up, "I still hope that you can drive it away for me, I’ve had enough."

"Even if it means losing your current status as the center of attention?"

Dorothy nodded tiredly but resolutely, "I’m really tired. After this tour, I want to take a break for myself, and as for future performances..."

She cocked her head playfully, "Those elites flock to me, and it’s not all ’its’ doing. Many times, the Miss Dorothy brand is much more important than Miss Dorothy’s performances. With my past foundation, I can bluff for a few years, make up some gimmicks, earn enough, and then retire."

Li Yan burst into laughter upon hearing this, "I’m starting to like you, Miss Dorothy."

"Mr. Li Yan." Dorothy, with her hair flowing down, walked in front of the vanity mirror facing Li Yan, her features naturally beautiful yet marred by a tinge of inextricable gloom and fear, "Please, help me."

Thick black fog tumbled out of the mirror, and a hooded cloak materialized within the fog.

"I’d like to have a word with you."

Li Yan spoke.

A black tentacle shot out from the makeup mirror, wrapping around Dorothy’s neck. Li Yan’s gaze sharpened, and the blinding Dragon Mist, acting faster than the tentacle, forced it to retract.

The black fog seemed provoked and burst out of the mirror. A ghastly cloak rose from Dorothy’s shoulders, and beneath the hood swirled a bizare concoction of animal organs, tentacles, iron hooks, chains, seashells, and the like.

Dorothy turned deathly pale, her eyes clenched shut in fright, and she shivered uncontrollably. Gradually, the trembling of her eyelids ceased, and she fainted.

"Would you offend me for the sake of this lost soul, Outer God?"

The raspy, unpleasant voice came from beneath the cloak of black fog behind Dorothy.

Li Yan fell silent for a moment, then spread out his hand, revealing a drop of golden water lying quietly.

Soul-forgiving Water.

The room was silent, yet Li Yan could feel an indescribable surge of emotions, mixed with surprise and dread.

"Even if you have faced the Wingless Emperor, you cannot protect her forever."

The voice beneath the cloak cooled.

"I have once faced a being who called itself the great Yog-Sothoth, I know you have no form, only conveying your will to mortals, and will cannot be eradicated, but it can be expelled."

"How dare you compare the refugees of the old emperor to a Historian?"

The voice from the cloak was raspy and calm.

"What is a Historian?"

A long silence.

"The curiosity of an Outer God is ten times more voracious than that of the most daring mortal. If you wish to explore further, let me see, Outer God who can face the Wingless Emperor, what power you have to expel a Historian."

No sooner had the voice faded, the black fog and cloak shrunk back into the mirror and disappeared. Dorothy also collapsed limply.

Li Yan supported Dorothy’s shoulders and settled her on the bed. Turning back, he saw the vanity mirror had shattered into dozens of pieces.