(Bonus chapter for "Huo Zheng Ting Hao," 5/20)
Murphy and Triss had finished everything they needed to do in the swamp ecological zone. In theory, they should have left that night for Shadow Valley to continue dealing with the urgent matters there. But they didn't hurry to leave, and stayed until noon the next day.
Murphy bought some fresh ingredients at Wolfburg, then used the kitchen in the Land of Creation to prepare a rather sumptuous lunch for himself and Triss.
The two of them were happily enjoying some time alone together when the curator's assistant, a flying Iron Beetle, brought them a "visitor application."
Shani had arrived.
They had arranged this in advance. Shani needed to enter the Land of Creation and see whether she could be freed from the visions that had been tormenting her—visions that plagued only vampire dukes.
Although Triss had told her there was no way to remove them, the Thorn Grand Duchess had been tormented to the point of near nervous exhaustion and remained stubbornly determined to try.
She was standing at the exhibition hall's entrance, looking up at the secret area that had been hidden for a thousand years. As a Gold-tier assassin, Shani maintained the caution expected of her and didn't touch any part of the imposing door in front of her. She patiently waited for Murphy to come and let her in.
Patience was one of the qualities Shani was proudest of.
She had gone from a fallen royal to a vampire grand duchess by relying entirely on her excellent qualities—or so she believed, at least.
After several minutes of patient waiting, the steel doors slowly swung open. Dressed in a well-fitted, long curator's uniform, Murphy welcomed Lady Shani with a smile and the air of a host.
The vampire fairy