Chapter 538: Chapter 34 Historian Chapter 538: Chapter 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 soone else as Jane’s companion. Fortunately, in yesterday’s play, Liang’s part started to normalize.”
“Dorothy? Are you listening? Dorothy?”
Dorothy seed 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 trendous! 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 beca 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 ntion it anymore.”
He started to tidy up the ssy 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 mariti 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 achievents 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 rit.”
“Dorothy.” The girl with the gypsy hat ca over: “It’s ti 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 ntioned, I will attend it on ti 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 soone but was silenced by Dorothy covering her mouth.
“…You go out first, tell the others I’m asleep, and ask them not to disturb .”
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 extrely impolite.”
Dorothy feigned anger.
“The guards wouldn’t let in. Did you expect 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 co to yesterday’s performance, Liang Hui acted like a drag, nearly driving Jane mad.”
“Then the performance last night must have been quite sothing.”
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 mont before speaking up, “I still hope that you can drive it away for , I’ve had enough.”
“Even if it ans 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 , and it’s not all ‘its’ doing. Many tis, 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 so 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 .”
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 seed 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 for the sake of this lost soul, Outer God?”
The raspy, unpleasant voice ca from beneath the cloak of black fog behind Dorothy.
Li Yan fell silent for a mont, 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 tis more voracious than that of the most daring mortal. If you wish to explore further, let 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.
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