"Blow after blow like this seems a bit much. Is she beyond saving?"
On the way back to Origin Harbor, Triss looked at the coffin Murphy was carrying on his back and even reached out to knock on it. There was no sound from inside, as if it really did contain a corpse waiting to rot.
At Triss's question, Murphy shrugged and said,
"Have a little faith in Shani. She's an outstanding member of the Thorn Clan. Even Lady Oksana said they're the most passionate vampires, and the most sensitive to emotional stimulation. Shani's condition is just 'post-despair syndrome.' Give her some time to recover on her own.
"Besides, without her cooperation, how can the Thorn Clan's Grand Duke's proof be passed on to Andrei smoothly? It's not like we can really recreate the Nightthorn Curse, is it?
"We agreed to put an end to that damn tradition."
"Tch. After all that, I think you just can't let go of your dear Mrs. Shani!"
Triss teased him.
"Why not find some random place and have your way with her? Maybe that kind of physical stimulation will bring her around. The way she is now, she's practically a walking corpse. Come to think of it, haven't I seen some pretty weird silicone dolls on the Otherworld Network?
"Congratulations, Murphy. You've got yourself a doll."
"Oh, Triss! Don't be like that. You're scaring me."
Murphy protested,
"I was just being kind, and nothing more. That was the whole point of the Overlord sending me to handle this. He doesn't want to see vampires slaughtering one another anymore. The change of rule in the Thorn Duchy will be the last large-scale internal conflict. From now on, all the clans must unite under the faith of the Midnight Twins and work for the prosperity