Taking advantage of the moonlight, a blond Liverpool sneaked into Theresa's room through the window.

Theresa furrowed her brows and tightly closed her eyes, as if trapped in a nightmare.

Next to Theresa's sleep-ridden face, bitter like dark chocolate, rested a still-warm tobacco pipe.

Silently wandering through the eerily quiet room, Liverpool held his breath and searched through the cabinets and drawers in Theresa's room.

Finally, in a secluded bedside table, Liverpool felt out a small pouch.

Gently plucking out the mechanical artifact from the pouch, Liverpool returned it to its original place and made a quick escape.

However, Liverpool did not notice that a nearby shadow subtly twitched twice.

Merka emerged from the darkness, removing the backdrop and exhaling deeply, gasping for air.

"Now, what do you think?" the shadow lowered its voice, speaking beside Merka.

"......"

Merka gazed at the sleeping Theresa on the bed, lost in thought.

"Are you willing to believe me now?"

The shadow's tone seemed to carry a smugness of knowing it all beforehand.

"Oedipus really knows about the small stone..."

"How did she manage to do it?"

Merka asked the shadow.

"All the servants in this castle are Oedipus's informants."

"Theresa has long harbored thoughts of rebellion."

"Naturally, she is closely monitored by Oedipus."

"Not just Yanling..."

"Many other maids are angels disguised as humans."

"This point, they might not even know themselves."

Merka was truly amazed, feeling that the shadow knew too much.

"It's not surprising. You allowed me to read Manchester's memories, so naturally, I also know some of Oedipus's secrets."

The shadow replied.

"... and what about me? Why doesn't she know about my small stone?"

"Why didn't she send someone to take away my small stone as well?"

Merka inquired with doubt.

"This matter is simple."

"Oedipus simply didn't expect Theresa to be so negligent with something so important."

"Now that the mechanical artifact is in your hands, she naturally has no knowledge of it."

Merka stroked his chin with one hand, carefully pondering the shadow's words.

"Aside..."

"What do you want me to do?"

Merka asked tentatively.

"Don't try to manipulate me with your childish schemes; I have already seen through them."

The shadow dismissively waved its hand.

"You have two choices now."

"Theresa is definitely going to die anyway."

"Either you give her the mechanical artifact, thus adding value to her death."

"Or you keep the mechanical artifact and I can continue to assist you in the future."

"Both choices have their pros and cons, and I cannot determine which one is the better option."

"The choice is yours."

Merka looked at the slightly bright horizon on the windowsill, as if the extraordinary sun was about to rise between the heavens and the earth. The Firework Festival was just around the corner.

His choices were like a hot potato. No matter if held in the left or right hand, it would inevitably burn himself.

"Wait a moment."

"You said... Theresa is a member of the Forbidden Orchestra?"

"Is she one of those four wanderers who uphold justice in the Forbidden Orchestra?"

The shadow now also saw Merka's thoughts and looked at him in astonishment, showing a genuine smile of admiration.

"You are correct..."

"I have an idea, a plan to turn the tide."

Merka's mouth cracked a forced smile, and the sense of crisis filled his smile with the courage to remain unchanged despite the world collapsing before him.

"I'll go back and get a glass bottle, and put some blood in it while I'm at it."

"You stay here with Theresa."

"When we meet again... I hope you can tell me everything."

Merka put down the camouflage of the backdrop, treaded lightly, and quietly approached Theresa's bedside, once again taking out the small pouch.

"Understood."

The shadow made a noble farewell gesture beside Merka.

"I'm sure that the next time I see you, I will witness even more of your astonishing progress."

Merka nodded and reciprocated the noble gesture he learned from the Altria family during this time, bidding farewell to the shadow.

Putting the small stones into the pouch, the outline of the shadow in Merka's eyes instantly disappeared.

In the entire silent room, only Theresa's breathing remained.

"And so... it all comes to an end."

Merka leaned against the azure window and looked up at the brilliant starry sky, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

"Turing... you are not unloved."

"I can confidently tell you... everyone in Erisburg genuinely loves you."

"It's just a pity that you have forgotten..."