Whoosh~
Through the spatial rift.
Elegant and dignified music filled the vast, desolate hall. Phaga, one hand holding Ellen and the other holding Corin, hovered in midair, scanning the area.
This was a grand banquet hall. Floor-to-ceiling windows towered nearly ten meters high, with heavy curtains draped over them, gently billowing as the breeze from outside pushed through.
Suddenly, the lights flared on at once, illuminating the massive stage at the center of the hall, as if a heavyweight performer were about to make an appearance.
[Whoa, whoa, whoa—this is Twin Marionette's stage. They just love performing here. Back when I was alive, I used to clap for them with such excitement!]
[And this piece? The Bale Brothers hired a famous composer and spent a fortune to have it made. Sounds great, right?]
A voice drifted in unexpectedly—the black-and-white doll had appeared with them through the spatial rift. The exquisite doll, silent as always, followed close behind.
Phaga didn't hesitate. He immediately swung out his left hand.
Ellen, whose collar he was gripping, was flung with the motion. She raised her giant scissors overhead and hurled herself straight at the black-and-white doll.
Frost spread rapidly across the blades, and a streak of icy white slashed toward the doll.
[Ehh~~~]
The black-and-white doll shrieked and yanked the exquisite doll in front of itself as a shield.
The exquisite doll's eyes bulged. It urgently traced a line through the air with its tiny hand, ripping open a spatial rift.
Shhh!
The icy white slash vanished into the rift, devoured instantly.
Barely escaping disaster, the black-and-white doll exhaled in relief. Ignoring the exquisite doll's resentful glare, it puffed itself up and complained:
[Honestly, Miss Shark! I leave for just a moment and you're already running around with that stinky vampire again! Don't you feel even a little bad for your big sister? I even gave you a buff!]
Buff? You dare bring that up?
The moment it mentioned buffs, Ellen's temple twitched. A sharp ache tugged at her chest.
She remembered the agony of Good and Evil Obliteration. Just thinking about it made her grind her teeth.
Unable to hold back, she reached out and smacked Phaga's thigh. "Throw me over there! I'll slice it to bits!"
"Not happening…"
Phaga gave the black-and-white doll a deep glance, then looked at Ellen.
Just then, he heard Rina calling out from below. After a quick glance, he adjusted his wings and began descending.
As they flew downward, Phaga tried to soothe her frustration:
"You're too high up, and you can't fly. If I throw you, you'll really turn into dried fish."
"Tsk, so annoying!"
Ellen knew he wasn't wrong, but still puffed her cheeks, turned her head aside, and muttered:
"Then later, Phaga, you better help me. I'm going to find a chance to kill it."
"Of course," Phaga said without hesitation.
Not just the black-and-white doll—he intended to deal with the exquisite doll as well.
In fact, the exquisite doll might even be the more dangerous one.
And…
Phaga narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking.
Judging by what he'd seen earlier, the black-and-white doll seemed to instinctively use the exquisite doll as a shield.
Maybe that could be used to their advantage.
Soon, Phaga landed.
Rina hurried over to help him lower Ellen and Corin safely.
Although joy still shimmered faintly in her eyes, Rina put on an angry face, hands on her hips—not so much scolding as playfully pouting.
"Phaga! I threw Corin to you so you could keep her safe—not bring her into danger!"
"This place is too dangerous. Not only is the Notoriety Ethereal here, but two high-risk Doppelgängers are ready to pounce."
Phaga stepped forward, ready to respond.
But Corin quickly squeezed in front of him.
Clutching her chainsaw tightly, her legs trembling under Rina's intimidating aura, her head buried low, Corin still didn't retreat.
After hesitating a moment, she mustered all her courage and shouted:
"But if we didn't come down, how could Miss Rina and Mr. Lycaon possibly defeat the Notoriety Ethereal and two dolls alone?"
"Corin isn't only capable of simple commissions! I'm tired of being the one who just waits to be rescued!"
"I want to be a pillar of Victoria too—just like Mr. Phaga and Miss Ellen!"
She shouted with everything she had. Sweat collected on her forehead, and she bent at the waist, gasping heavily.
She couldn't see the stunned expressions on Rina and Lycaon's faces—or the shock in Phaga's eyes.
But in the next moment, Phaga's surprise softened into a gentle smile. He said nothing.
As Corin straightened up, Phaga instinctively placed a hand on her head and gently ruffled her hair.
"Mr. Phaga…"
Corin, confused, looked back.
And saw his gentle smile.
Her heart skipped—she quickly turned away, flustered.
But the moment she faced away, Rina's warmth enveloped her cheek.
Corin blinked and looked up.
A second warm hand cupped the other side of her face.
Before she could react, Rina crouched and pressed her forehead against Corin's, whispering softly—tenderness flowing through her voice like a blessing.
"Oh divine beings… praise this moment."
"Victoria's youngest child… has grown."
Rina murmured with her eyes closed.
All members of Victoria watched as their founding elder acknowledged the growth of the family's final child, blessing her with heartfelt reverence.
Silence. Peace. Even the black-and-white doll and the exquisite doll merely watched, not daring to interrupt.
Well—
the exquisite doll did intend to move.
It had already raised its hand.
But the black-and-white doll quickly blocked it.
[Hey! Even I know not to interrupt something like this! Otherwise you're going to get beaten really badly!]
The exquisite doll stared, as if saying:
Are we not going to get beaten later anyway?
[At least it'll hurt less!]
The black-and-white doll dragged it back, preserving a temporary peace.
Meanwhile—
Click!
A sudden shutter sound shattered the calm.
Everyone turned to look at Eous, who recoiled in surprise.
"Hehehe… um… I'll send everyone a copy later."
Eous scratched his head awkwardly.
"That's great. Miss Proxy, make sure I look nice!" Rina said warmly, clearly not angry.
Corin, however, was still dazed, half her face flushed red.
Just then, Ellen—still alert—called out, "Something's coming!"
Everyone followed her gaze.
Two clusters of purplish-black mist swirled to life at the center of the stage. Slowly, two figures crawled out from within.
Slowly… slowly…
The smoke peeled away, dissipating around them.
Then—
Two Ethereal Mutants emerged, wearing ballet skirts with metallic sheen—one gray, one black.
Marionette Gray Veil!
Marionette Black Veil!
Eous gasped. "Such powerful Notoriety Ethereals! The ether concentration just shot up several levels!"
[Fairy: Hollow data analysis complete. Spatial rift marked.]
Eous received Fairy's update and pointed immediately. "Look! That's the exit!"
Everyone looked—and their hearts dropped.
The exit was perched atop a high platform. Without flight, it was unreachable.
Even though Victoria Housekeeping had two who could fly, they'd have to handle the immediate threat first.
Phaga chuckled lightly and drew his blade. "Looks like there's no skipping class after all."
Eous worried aloud, "But time is nearly up! Can we still save the passengers on the airship?"
"No need to worry, Master Proxy."
Click.
Lycaon shut his pocket watch, handed it to Eous, then turned and bowed slightly.
"Since they request a dance, it would be rude not to accept."
[Hehe! Well said!]
A giggle rang out as the black-and-white doll and the exquisite doll drifted toward Twin Marionettes, circling her elegantly.
Suddenly, the black-and-white doll declared:
[Then… the show begins!]
At that moment, a strange purple glow burst from the exquisite doll's body.
Everyone was blinded instantly.
When their sight finally returned, they realized—
The entire world had changed.
Phaga extended his hand—
A spatial fissure tore open before him!