In the real world.
A voice sounded beside Harij's ear.
"You are a noble Eggers."
"Your bloodline is closer to Salinger's than Sia Palenque Eggers's is. You are the true king of the Pale Empire."
Harij's eyes were sluggish and vacant as he responded mechanically, "Yes, I am the true king of the empire."
The voice continued, "As a great king,"
"you will not stand by and watch Sia Palenque Eggers harm your subjects. So, at the critical moment, you will disrupt the ritual."
Harij nodded. "Of course."
"You will forget what I have said, and you will not question your own decisions."
"They reflect your innermost wishes. You are utterly certain of this."
With a slightly vacant expression, Harij repeated, "Yes, I will forget what you have said."
"And firmly believe that every decision reflects my innermost wishes."
The voice continued, "Very good. Next, when you hear my song, you will grow calm."
Then a beautiful melody sounded.
It was a passage from "Moonlit Manor," ethereal and otherworldly.
It gradually soothed Harij's mind, meeting with no resistance at all.
"Do you see that two-story building ahead?"
"Go inside. It is safe there. You went there to hide from that 'Spectator.' Once inside, you will regain your clarity and consider the empire's current situation, and whether the empress's decision is correct."
Harij immediately set off, walking quickly into the two-story building.
A moment later.
His eyes were no longer vacant.
He did not question why he was inside the building.
Harij moved to the window.
It's safe here for now.
From the window, his mismatched eyes saw grayish white and crimson dancing together above Resurrection Square.
Harij's gaze then fell on the Gate of the Dead.
His expression grew grave.
In the end, the empress still decided to summon her.