Chapter 17: A Grand Venture
Rising Sun Theater.
Night Star was sitting nervously in the front row of the audience, her mind completely on anything but Lianhua’s puppet show.
Star Eclipses, eh?
Isn’t that just terrifying?
Who doesn’t know about it?
Night Star had always wanted to steer clear of Star Eclipses, hoping to avoid any association with it.
Joining a theater group filled with Star Eclipses? Ugh, talk about a messy situation!
At least she’d just be their mascot.
As long as the group leader and the crew didn’t hurt this harmless little loli, she could keep watching their performances.
But now?
The group leader was about to lead a group activity, and Night Star had bumbled her way into signing up.
If it really triggered the Star Eclipse phenomenon, wouldn’t the Night Watchers consider her part of the problem?
What should she do?
It might already be too late to back out.
Plus, she couldn’t swallow her pride and ask the group leader to leave, since she’d already committed.
Hmm… maybe she could quietly tell Mo Tu, that “good” neighbor of hers, and ask for his advice?
But doing so felt all kinds of shady, like being a traitor at a drinking party!
Sigh~ Night Star sighed lightly.
“Miss, would you like some tea?”
“Um… thank you.”
Instinctively, Night Star took the teacup and realized someone was close to her.
She looked up and saw a humanoid puppet dressed in a butler outfit—none other than the special puppet who had tried to grab her first—Butler.
With Lianhua’s Star Eclipse powers, these special puppets received some impressive abilities, and their personalities were distinct enough to engage in conversation like humans.
Of course, at their core, they were still products of the Star Eclipse.
The Butler’s character was to serve its master.
According to Lianhua’s setting, the master seemed to be Night Star and herself.
Rumor had it that this puppet Butler was just as handy around the house as a certain all-round maid, having points in every skill imaginable.
Besides the Butler, there were also a Noble Lady, a Villager, and a Hero.
Currently, these puppets weren’t really useful, so Lianhua hadn’t called upon them.
All Night Star could say was, “Cool!”
At that moment, Lianhua stopped the puppet show, walked off the stage, and approached Night Star.
“Night Star, you look really nervous.”
Lianhua sat down beside her, a hint of concern in her voice.
She had only just sensed that Night Star’s attention wasn’t on her puppet show, which is why she stopped performing.
“Um… sorry, I was just thinking about some stuff.”
Night Star smiled sheepishly.
Lianhua didn’t blame her for zoning out but asked worriedly, “Are you nervous?”
“Well, I mean, I’m about to perform too, and I have no idea what the group activity will be like.”
Hearing Night Star’s response, Lianhua began to ponder.
“Actually, this is my first time participating too. The group leader informed me about it.”
Thinking back, Lianhua had been in an unstable state and could only zone out deep in the theater, having never participated in the theater group activities. Otherwise, the Night Watchers would have records of such outings long ago.
Now that her state had stabilized, she was naturally qualified to participate, and all she had to do was wait for the group leader’s arrangements.
But one thing was certain.
Lianhua and the group leader were different.
Lianhua knew she was a Star Eclipse and understood what that meant.
If this outing ended up triggering Star Eclipses, it could be a terrifying affair.
Wouldn’t that attract the Night Watchers Night Star was talking about?
Definitely.
But should Lianhua even try to dissuade the group leader?
To her, the group leader and the others were like family.
By human standards, she ought to stop them, but they were Star Eclipses, lacking the normal human sensibilities; discussing morality with them might be a total misstep.
As an underage little loli, thinking through such complex matters and needing to make an important decision was just too much of a headache.
“Um…”
As she pondered, Lianhua’s mood inexplicably dimmed.
“Hey?”
Noticing the gloom, Night Star perked up and placed her hand on Lianhua’s head, offering a cheerful smile.
“Don’t think too hard about it! Just leave it to me, nothing bad will happen!”
“Mm, I believe you, Night Star.”
Just then, Eypar returned after wandering around the theater, looking a bit amazed.
“Night Star, I discovered something amazing! This theater looks really strange; I can’t pass through to the outside! But I’m a ghost; isn’t it normal for ghosts to go through objects?”
“Maybe this theater is just special. With how the group leader set things up, it makes sense that you, a harmless ghost, can’t get through.” Night Star replied nonchalantly.
So, this theater was like Mo Tu’s network of pathways, almost like a miniature independent space, specifically for Star Eclipses to rest.
This would make it impossible for the Night Watchers to find it!
How marvelous!
As time passed, the group leader, the Fraudster, and the Gentleman emerged from the shadows, signaling that the group activities were about to begin.
The group leader glanced backstage and softly uttered two words.
“Singer.”
As soon as those words left his mouth, the sound of light footsteps filled the air, and a girl with long, ivory-white hair emerged quietly, not saying a word but gazing steadily at the group leader.
The group leader respectfully asked, “Are you in a state to perform now?”
“Mm.”
The Singer emitted a soft humming sound, still melodic as ever.
The group leader broke into a smile, his spirits unexpectedly high.
“Great! With your participation, this outing will definitely attract tons of audience! Let’s present the grandest show our Rising Sun Theater has to offer in this city!”
The group leader’s words ignited something in Night Star, stirring an excitement that felt like she was about to embark on a grand adventure!
But just as she was pumped up, that fiery feeling fizzled out again.
Wait a minute.
In a sense, she was actually going to stir trouble. How could that be considered a grand venture?
And going like this, she might just get recognized by someone familiar.
Night Star certainly didn’t want to face social d*ath.
“Um…”
What to do?
Night Star cupped her chin thoughtfully.
On the other side, the smiling Fraudster watched the group leader and the Singer, suddenly feeling a tug at the corner of his clothes.
“Hm?”
Looking down, he found a petite silver-haired figure gently tugging at his clothing, seemingly wanting to ask something.
“What’s up? Audience Performer.”
“Fraudster, um… do you have an extra mask? Can I borrow one?” Night Star’s voice grew quieter, as if whispering.
“A mask?” The Fraudster instinctively touched the mask on his face.
“Uh-huh!”
Night Star’s crimson eyes sparkled with anticipation, her cute expression making it hard to say no.
