Coming back to herself, Audrey kept a light smile on her face while becoming alert.
She vaguely felt that some unseen force was pushing her toward this village of Heddrag, which had a tradition of dragon worship.
It felt like an arrangement of fate.
Audrey had once entered the "Hall of Honesty" and discovered that the murals inside had become reality. Moreover, she knew that Sequence 1 of the "Spectator" pathway was called "Writer," and from that name she had already formed some conjectures. Now she couldn't help but feel suspicious.
At that moment, Hibbert laughed and said: "I've heard of this village. I recall our family has a manor nearby."
As he spoke, he looked up at the sky and added: "It's almost dusk. Why don't we stay here tonight and continue the hunt tomorrow?"
Alfred didn't object to his brother's suggestion; for him, there was no essential difference where they spent the night.
He nodded and said: "Then send someone back to inform Father and Mother."
Audrey said nothing; her green eyes darted between her two brothers' faces.
Hibbert frowned slightly, then after a couple seconds said: "Maybe we should go back. The manor here hasn't been notified in advance, so it won't have preparations for so many horses, hunting dogs, and servants. "Besides, there's still over an hour before evening; more than enough time to return."
Hearing his older brother change his mind so quickly, Alfred instinctively wanted to oppose him, but on second thought he realized there was some sense in what Hibbert said.
Considering his sister was also there, he grunted an agreement: "Then let's head back as quickly as possible."
Without waiting for Hibbert, he spurred his horse and cracked his whip, taking the lead on the trail back.
Hibbert's brows furrowed, then relaxed.
He didn't say anything more. He led his sister, along with attendants, servants, and hunting dogs, turned around and rode along the edge of the forest toward the other manor.
Audrey followed silently, offering no opinion on the matter.
...
Late at night, in a manor in Eastchester County.
Audrey, who had used her "Manipulator" abilities to change both brothers' minds and prevent them from approaching Heddrag Village, threw off the velvet covers, lay down, and fell asleep.
In that hazy state, she suddenly sat up.
She scanned the room and saw the familiar vanity table and the entrance to the washroom. She was still in her bedroom, but outside the window there was no crimson moon, no stars—only a profound darkness.
This isn't the real world... Audrey concluded instantly and began inspecting herself.
Soon she reached a conclusion:
This was a dream, a very peculiar dream that actively kept her lucid.
So this is it... Audrey didn't feel frightened, only slightly annoyed.
Her handling of the situation in the afternoon hadn't been thorough enough, allowing the problem to spread to the manor where her parents were staying.
Now she thought that at the time she should have gone along with Hibbert's idea to go directly to the family manor near Heddrag Village, and then "arrange" for Hibbert and Alfred to return to the other manor, leaving her alone there to wait for whatever might happen.
That way, even if something untoward occurred, it wouldn't affect her parents, brothers, and most of the servants.
But her main thought at that moment was not to follow "fate's arrangement" and to avoid Heddrag Village if possible.
Who would have thought that sometimes, even if you don't seek danger, danger comes to you?
Avoidance and delay are not universal solutions to problems.
Audrey immediately turned over and got out of bed, standing barefoot on the thick carpet.
She had already confirmed that, at her level as a half-god of the "Dreamwalker" Sequence, she could directly leave this strange dream and return to the real world, once again avoiding this suspected "invitation."
After glancing left and right, she pursed her lips, took the blue cloak from the nearby coat rack, and draped it over herself.
Then she took a deep breath and walked step by step toward the door.
Along the way, on the back of one of her hands, a star-like crimson "tattoo" began to show.
The "tattoo" disappeared as quickly as it had come, as if it never existed.
This was the mark left by her first visit to the ancient palace above the
Simply put, this was a "Blessed's" privilege.
Of course, it couldn't convey any information; it could only be used in emergencies, to draw Mr. Fool's gaze.