Bitter Fruit (17)
"Interesting way of putting it..."
Perhaps because Fu Qian's suggestion had been so constructive, Xilaliya's tone softened a little. She even lowered her veil.
Yet no matter what, the eyes in which so many things churned, and the gleaming knees of the statue beside her, made it clear that nothing was as it had been before.
"From your description, I can think of someone named Sala, though I can't imagine why she'd wear a wedding dress."
"Also, if she's still around, she lives a bit far away... You'd better not get lost on the way."
Xilaliya gestured toward the seamless darkness outside and casually gave him an address.
"Thanks."
Fu Qian politely thanked her, hoping to salvage the image of an outsider he'd tarnished, then left without hesitation under her watchful gaze.
It really was a bit far, but unfortunately—
The darkness kept falling behind him, and the place Xilaliya had described was already just ahead.
Though no light shone through, Fu Qian could clearly sense a living person quietly waiting in the darkness in one of the rooms of the building before him.
It seemed he'd found the right place.
But the reason he said "unfortunately"—before going upstairs, Fu Qian turned to look back one last time.
He'd crossed almost half the town, yet the "it" that was supposedly forbidden to discuss had never shown itself.
That was right. Although he wasn't in a hurry to seek out that terrifying embodiment, Fu Qian wouldn't have minded running into it along the way.
Unfortunately, the other party seemed to have a very busy schedule—or perhaps outsiders weren't to its taste?
After all, judging by the conditions for containment this time, the locals clearly had some special significance here.
Knock, knock!
His regret didn't delay Fu Qian.