novelraw Chapter 329: A Role in the Story
Chapter 329: A Role in the Story
Petra, whose deep-set eyes seemed even darker in the firelight, asked, "How do you intend to get us into the Shadow Puppeteer's ritual?"
"In the baroness's bedroom," the butler answered. "One of the maids, who happened to have the previous day off, was unaware of what had happened. When she came to clean the bedroom the next morning, she was pulled into the story. We've spoken with those familiar with the matter, and they've told us that at the starting point of each chapter, anyone nearby is automatically made a part of the story until the initial number of participants is reached."
That was why the baroness had invited only four exorcists—on the first day, four maids had been drawn into the story.
"What stage is the narrative at now?" asked the short exorcist.
"So far, three chapters have been told. The main character, Sara, receives a letter from her beloved every day and hasn't left the estate. The plot is developing slowly. If you set reality aside and look only at the story itself, it's arguably a romance novel."
"No romance novel is called 'The Book of Sarah's Death'," Petra remarked.
The butler looked at him. "That is why you are here to figure it out."
Silence settled over the room for a moment, broken only by the crackling of the logs. The butler scanned the faces of those present and asked, "Do you have any other questions?"
His gaze lingered on Lu Li, who had been silent until now.
"Have you considered the possibility that the evil spirit is somehow connected to the baroness's legal troubles?" Lu Li asked calmly, voicing his suspicion. "The newspapers wrote that the baroness has a secret enemy. Isn't it too much of a coincidence that the evil spirit appeared at this particular time?""Why would you think that?" the butler asked in return, staring at him intently.
"Are you worried about me?" the baroness asked, a note of excitement in her voice.
Petra and the short exorcist exchanged a glance, understanding what was happening.
"Baroness..." the butler said quietly, then turned to Lu Li. "We will deal with that later. For now, let's solve the problem at hand."
"I have no more questions."
The butler looked at the other three exorcists. When no more questions followed, he continued, "Alright, here is the information we have so far. First, follow the evil spirit's instructions, whatever they may be. Second, when the spirit's withered claw appears, you have a short window of time. If your actions provoke its appearance, you still have a chance to make it disappear."
"Typically, this is achieved by responding with logical words and actions. In other words, you have to convince the evil spirit that your behavior fits the context..."
Once trapped in the evil spirit's ritual, they would become characters in "The Book of Sarah's Death" and had to act according to basic logic, regardless of who the evil spirit had created this story for.
If they did anything out of character for their roles, they would suffer the same fate as the four maids on the first day—they would vanish from reality. And in the story, their departure would likely be explained with a simple phrase: "They had urgent business to attend to," which would become the epitaph for their lives.
The butler explained in detail what Lu Li and the others should be aware of. In conclusion, he said, "Tonight, you may stay in the guest rooms of the estate or leave. But please, be at the estate before seven in the morning. Sara usually wakes up at 7:10."
The last sentence was addressed to Lu Li, as he was the only local from Belfast.
Ultimately, two of the exorcists chose to stay, while Lu Li and Petra left the estate. Lu Li disliked sleeping in unfamiliar places, and Petra wanted to visit a friend.
The garden party was not yet over. The exorcists were enjoying the rare opportunity to gather, and many of them intended to use the baroness's invitation to enhance their social standing.
Lu Li and Petra parted ways at the gate and hired their own carriages.
It was approaching eight in the evening. There was no Alliance broadcast tonight.
Lu Li washed up and headed for the sofa. Anna had already drawn the curtains and lit two lamps.
"Good night."
As Lu Li lay down, Anna's gentle voice drifted from the bedroom, wishing him a good night.
The night was quiet.
...
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock at the door woke Lu Li. He opened his eyes and, still not fully awake, looked toward the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
After a short pause, the knocking resumed.
Anna appeared from the living room and said, "It's the landlady."
Lu Li got up and opened the door. He was greeted by the face of his landlady, slick with sleep and beaming with a fawning smile.
"Mr. Lu Li, Baroness Joseph's carriage is waiting for you outside," she chirped, her face wrinkling up like a chrysanthemum.
"Thank you," Lu Li replied calmly and closed the door.
"An important person said thank you to me!" The landlady was thrilled. Her gloomy mood, brought on by the damp weather, evaporated. She lingered by the door for a while longer, shooing away curious tenants.
6:20.
Lu Li left the detective agency and climbed into the luxurious carriage waiting for him by the boarding house, which had already drawn a small crowd of onlookers. The carriage set off for the baroness's estate on the shore of Agate Lake.
...
A light mist drifted over the lake's morning surface, the water lapping gently.
The iron gates swung open with a clang, the sound echoing across the lake and startling the fish near the shore.
The luxurious carriage, bearing the crest of Baroness Joseph's family, entered the estate.
The carriage circled the fountain in the center of the garden and stopped at the steps. A slender figure emerged and, followed by the bows of the servants, entered the house.
"The baroness and the three exorcists are already waiting for you in the bedroom," the butler announced, descending the stairs to meet Lu Li.
"What time is it?" Lu Li asked.
"6:40."
Lu Li nodded. "I haven't had breakfast yet."
A short pause followed. The butler turned to the head maid. "...Show Mr. Lu Li to the dining room, and then to the baroness's bedroom so he can change."
Breakfast at the baroness's estate was not extravagant, but for most families, it remained an unattainable luxury: a vegetable salad, fresh milk, and eggs.
After breakfast, the head maid escorted Lu Li to the baroness's bedroom.
There, Lu Li saw the three waiting exorcists, a wide mahogany four-poster bed, and maids holding out prepared clothing for them.
"A maid's dress?" Lu Li looked at the butler.
Petra and the others frowned as well.
"It's a livery, a man's," the butler corrected Lu Li, adding, "We don't know if problems will arise if you don't change, but just in case, it's best to wear clothing that matches your roles."
Lu Li was the first to take the clothes. He took the livery and, following a maid, went into the next room to change. The other three exorcists exchanged glances and, with a sigh, took their own outfits.
A few minutes later, the four men returned to the bedroom, dressed in clean, loose-fitting liveries with bow ties. During their absence, the baroness had arrived. She was dressed in a gown similar to a maid's uniform, her hair tied back in a ponytail.
The time was approaching. The butler and maids left the bedroom, leaving Lu Li and the other four to await the appearance of...
Something unseen suddenly filled the room. In the depths of their minds, an ancient, indistinct voice resonated.
[Chapter Four: The Beloved]