I don't think our #debauched little #hideaway is #suitable for #undergraduates. Are you #mentally #prepared for all of this?
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00:00You over there, I don't believe I've ever met you. Is this your first time here?
00:07Hello, are you Lady Selima? My name is Lucy, I am an undergraduate from Axia.
00:14I don't think our debauched little hideaway is suitable for undergraduates. Are you mentally prepared for all of this?
00:22I... I... I don't think you are. The sack you're wearing is well-groomed, but far too plain. You'll be lost in the crowd in less than 10 seconds.
00:34Why didn't an honest, simple, and poor student like yourself come all the way here from Axia?
00:43Actually, I just want to finish my research project.
00:48My project is titled Disability Study on the Energy Conversion of Shadow Calamities, so I often come here for research, and I've heard a lot about you.
00:59They say you've mastered the power of the shadows, so I...
01:03The power of the shadows? Indeed, I believe I have, and...
01:08Could you please give me a chance to witness the shadows?
01:12And what would you give me in return?
01:16It's embarrassing. I've been pinching pennies for the research, but I'm still running low on my savings.
01:23Do you think I want money?
01:25Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it that way.
01:28Then what do you...
01:30I can imagine how difficult it must be for you to figure that out.
01:34All right, let me think.
01:38I suppose we could use some help with the chores. Why don't you stick around for help?
01:45What? You don't like getting your hands dirty?
01:49Not at all, I had nowhere to go. I didn't think I had the chance to stay here.
01:55I don't really care whether you stay or not. Remain loyal to me and do your job. The rest is up to you.
02:02Thank you. Of course, I pledge allegiance to you, Lady Felima.
02:16Why, it is Lady Felima. I'm honored to receive your invitation today, and the opportunity to taste all these exquisite delicacies at your mansion.
02:27Who are you?
02:28My name is Li Wei. I'm a food writer with a bit of reputation in Langqiu.
02:35And yes, I did send invitation to celebrities from different walks of life, didn't I? Please don't take it personally, Mr. Li.
02:44Not at all. I'm well aware that I have but a small measure of fame, so it's only natural for you to overlook it.
02:54What's wrong with him?
02:56I've had the pleasure to sample all of your heavenly delicacies at the party, and one of them was bliss for my palate.
03:04I thank you for organizing such an amazing event.
03:08It's just that I've heard about the hidden menu at your mad banquet that promises even more dazzling experience for the sunsets.
03:18To be honest with you, that's the reason I came.
03:21Please cut the chase. I dislike beating around the bush.
03:26Oh, I beg your forgiveness. What I'm trying to say is, I heard that people could lose their inhibitions at this mad banquet.
03:34If you want to play, be my guest.
03:37Well, I'm a public figure, and I don't know much about the kind of pleasure and thrill you advocate.
03:44So you have trouble letting go, in that case.
03:50Well, please put on this mask. Only fools can't see it.
03:55Lady Salima, where are you taking me?
03:59I'm introducing you to some new friends.
04:01Friends? But I didn't tell any of my friends about coming here.
04:05That's why I said, some new friends.
04:08No, wait, I don't think so. I...
04:12I know you. You must be Li Wei, that author, right?
04:16I never thought I'd meet such a distinguished artist in real life. What an honor.
04:22Thank you, but I hope you won't mention that to anyone else.
04:27Why, it's a real honor, isn't it?
04:30Hello, Mr. Li, I'm Lucy, and I take care of the chores here. If you need anything, just let me know.
04:38Lucy here is an intellectual. I heard she's researching something called the shadows.
04:44I'm very interested in her projects.
04:46The shadows? You mean the shadows that can stimulate the neurons and create fear?
04:52Yes.
04:53I'm intrigued. Would you care to elaborate, miss?
04:59And so the three strangers came together, engaged in a passionate discussion.
05:05A student looking for sponsors upset her seeking to build connections, and a writer seeking knowledge.
05:14Wishes for mundane people all look the same. That's the reason why you're all easily dominated.
05:21Despite her desire to dominate them, she still ended up fulfilling all their needs. What a strange person.
05:29I don't think it makes much of a difference to Dilima. By understanding your target's needs, you also know their weak spots.
05:38That was also what she did in the Amber Street incident.
05:43Something tells me there's more to the story.
05:47Yeah, there's probably a second act.
05:58What do you mean by this?
06:22At the party, Dilima suddenly let out a shrill cry.
06:27Drawing the attention of the nearby guests.
06:31Please don't act so surprised, my lady. It would harm your reputation if you made a scene.
06:41You said we don't have any more money for the parties. What do you mean by that?
06:47I think the meaning is quite clear, my lady.
06:52Ever since the Amber Street incident, your parties have become increasingly extravagant, straining our finances more and more.
07:00Meanwhile, you also ousted the elders in charge of our major businesses.
07:07I'm very much in favor of your decisions and grateful to you for entrusting me with the majority of the family businesses.
07:15But you never asked about these businesses and I could hardly keep things going all by myself.
07:22I deeply apologize for any inconveniences.
07:25However, I fear I may need to suspend such events in order to manage our expenses more prudently.
07:31In fact, our liquid asset today have already.
07:35You really believe I know nothing?
07:37Campbell blinked his eyes without any remark.
07:40The Lima knew this expression. It meant he was unaffected by fear.
07:45Campbell was lying. The family was by no means in any sort of financial crisis.
07:50Yet he wasn't afraid to tell that lie.
07:55While feigning loyalty and obedience, he clung to his hatred for the Lima, beating his time for an opportunity to strip her of all the fear and respect she had garnered.
08:09Taken aback, the Lima recalled the day when she gained the power of dominance.
08:15Go back to where you belong. Do not interfere with affairs beyond your duties.
08:20I presume you're old enough now for me to reiterate the rules.
08:24Maybe father tolerated the deceitful actions of the elders to uphold balance within the family.
08:30Someone who had been secretly studying the shadows since the very beginning couldn't have been a fool.
08:38Was my father better at me at the art of domination?
08:42No.
08:44Even in the art of domination, I have my own ways.
09:09Zoe!
09:11Save me!
09:12Be careful!
09:26Oh, okay.
09:29Um, aren't you going to take a break?
09:34I don't feel like it.
09:49Oh, okay.
09:54It's more efficient to find someone to carry me.
10:04I'm coming.
10:21What can I do for you, Lady Selima?
10:25I believe you mentioned the desire to sample from the hidden menu.
10:30Yes, and I certainly did.
10:34Great. I'm not particularly interested in your feedback, but you've inspired me to experiment with different flavors.
10:42I heard you're a renowned food critic here in Langqiu, so how many restaurants could you enlist to spice up my party?
10:49If it's a request from you, Lady Selima, then my answer would be whatever you need.
10:55Very well, I'll leave it to you then.
11:04I'm coming.
11:18Hello, Lady Selima, what happened?
11:22It's nothing important. My question for you is, are you satisfied with what you've seen with the upper society?
11:31Of course, very. I can't thank you enough, Lady Selima.
11:36So, how would you like it if more people were to have this opportunity?
11:41You mean...
11:43Today, you have my special permission to bring your subordinates here so that they, too, can feel what it's like in the upper society.
11:51You may also consider teaching them our custom in the future.
11:55Really? Lady Selima, I can't believe you're being so nice to me.
12:00Just see to it at once, as you wish.
12:22Lady Selima, I'm very grateful that you allowed me to stay here.
12:27You can skip the pleasantries. Are you a student of energy?
12:31Yes, my project is Visibility Study on Energy Conversion of Shadow Calamities.
12:37If I could channel power from the shadows, could you light up the lamps?
12:42Theoretically, it's possible, but I haven't conducted any experiment.
12:46You shall conduct the first experiment here.
12:49As my servant, it's also part of your duty to put on a spite show.
12:54I understand.
13:16Looks like the memories are complete for this phase.
13:19I can't believe she remembers so much about just one party.
13:23It's kind of exhausting to watch.
13:28It's a process in which Selima gained full domination over her family.
13:32And what happened in the end isn't a bit like the fear gathering now.
13:37Collecting everyone's shadows and turning them into something else.
13:41I suppose the principles are alike.
13:43But my guess is Selima herself probably never understood the nature of her action.
13:50But she must have utilized this newfound trait afterward.
13:54Fear gathering is no longer a secret, and her mad banquets became even more extravagant for a while.
14:01Those who stood in her way were defeated, and she gained deeper insight into her own power.
14:07A strain of good luck, and a smooth sailing all the way.
14:11All right, let's carry on.
14:13The place where Selima is resting shouldn't be far from here.
14:20I'm sure Selima will be able to find her way back.
14:33Ah, okay.
14:36Um...
14:38Aren't you going to take a break?
14:41I don't feel like it.
14:51Hmm...
14:59Is it this way?
15:03Maybe I should plan my route.
15:20Hmm...
15:26Is it this way?
15:31Is there a place suitable for an ambush around here?
15:34Let's go.
15:41Breaking through the march is also a form of fitness.
15:46Are we at the end?
15:50But I don't think Selima is here.
15:53Considering what happened to us with Seraphine, we'd better look around first.
16:20Hmm...
16:30The crimson trace is staying in the ground.
16:33It might be red wine, but it's still upsetting to look at.
16:39Hmm...
16:45Theoretically, no one has set foot in the banquet hall for nearly a hundred years.
16:51Yet, everything here is free of dust.
16:56Pieces of shattered metalware.
16:59Piecing them together reveal the outline of a torture device.
17:05Hmm...
17:09Is this another part of Selima's autobiography?
17:12I mean, you can still hear that mysterious voiceover.
17:16It feels somewhat strange without the videos.
17:21I guess that strange feeling was what members of the exploitative class often used to manipulate people.
17:38Hmm...
17:47How? How did this happen?
17:51A blackout at the banquet hall, turning her servant against her, and publicly humiliating Selima.
17:58Such was Campbell's scheme.
18:00Then, her servants, stripped of their fear, would abandon her, and even her power of dominance would slowly ebb away.
18:08But his maneuver failed to stop her man's banquet.
18:11The sudden replacement of servants and delicacies, along with her little lighting show, all pushed the party to new heights instead.
18:20How? How is this possible?
18:23Poor Campbell, after all these years, looks like you're still no match for me.
18:31Campbell took a step back. Then, he seemed to remember something.
18:37The shadow's power came from fear.
18:40I... I can't be afraid of her. I can't be dominated.
18:45Selima, you... Even if I am to fear someone, it won't be you.
18:52The shadow behind Campbell suddenly elongated, wiggling as if alive.
18:58I've been studying this art for a long time. This was supposed to be my last resort. My fear, my...
19:07Hey look, what's that thing behind that old man?
19:11Wow, is this some kind of magic show? It's like those shadows are in the stories.
19:17How unsightly. You can't possibly believe you possess that talent to control fear as well, can you?
19:24It's not just a belief. Look closer. I'm succeeding.
19:29Just you wait. My shadow, my monsters, will destroy your mad banquet.
19:36Really? You might want to take another look.
19:40What's this? What have you done?
19:43Looks like someone wasn't paying attention in their shadow controlling 101.
19:49Shadows come from people's fear. So, at my mad banquet, what's the use of one man's fear alone?
19:58It's Lady Selima. Lady Selima is controlling our shadows.
20:02Is this a performance? Has Lady Selima arranged for all this? Our shadows are dancing.
20:09Apart from you, everyone here is my servant, and all their fears are mine, and you are going to join them in a moment.
20:17Are you ready?
20:24See? You can no longer control your own fear.
20:31I'll give you one last chance. Submit to me, and join the others here to celebrate my name.
20:39To Lady Selima.
20:47Huh?
20:56You're quite harsh, Crayley.
20:59Whatever the case, it feels somewhat unusual that Selima has left fewer traces here than in the corridor.
21:06What if...
21:08I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't show up. After all, you came uninvited.
21:14Fear is also a kind of excitement worth enjoying. If you can't understand it, I can give you a little help.
21:31Seal inscriptions of the seven shrews. Here lies the blueprint of the malefactors, the shrew's command, divine scribes.
21:39Witnessed by the stars, their names resound.
21:43The first shrew, inscribed as pleasure. One proclaims, to enact your will, the laws fulfilled.
21:52The second shrew, inscribed as sacrifice. One declares, recall death's breath, even on the brink's behest.
22:03The third shrew, inscribed as union. One speaks, break isolation, unite in essence's manifestation.
22:14The fourth shrew, inscribed as destruction. One decrees, when divine is absent, break and forsake.
22:25The fifth shrew, inscribed as falsehood. One warns, to reign as king, all but illusory lies.
22:36The sixth shrew, inscribed as gadgets. One advises, build upon a solid foundation, each to excumalation.
22:47The seventh shrew, inscribed as deception. One claims, beneath heaven's wing, solace to the weeping shall spring.
22:58By the ecliptic's decree, we are bound. We are both the then prisoners of apocalypse and the creators of genesis.
23:08We wield the powers, yet are but dust of despair. Shadows rise, shadows fall. The venerable seven shrews, in law, unite all.
23:20Memo, year 112, month 15.
23:25One, excerpt from the memo of the 14th month.
23:30Within the sea of data, there are spaces that are almost completely unrelated to the history of Luoxing, and there has been an increasing trend over the past two years.
23:40The professor also thinks this is a promising research direction.
23:43However, the specifics of how to proceed require more consultation with Chen Xue. There are just too many technicalities that I don't understand.
23:54Two, excerpt from the memo of the 14th month.
24:00Just a speculation. Perhaps there are relativistic effects from worlds outside of Luoxing.
24:06If we simply try to explain it using Luoxing's own physical properties, it feels like all the hypotheses have their own shortcomings.
24:15Of course, without empirical evidence, the idea of influences from beyond Luoxing seems like a self-deluding form of self-consistency too.
24:26Three, I should find some time to observe the data turbulence. I need the data for the final project proposal.
24:36Note, this is a bit urgent.
24:52Since you're so sincere, all right, I'll make an exception this time and give you an autograph.
24:59An autograph? Well, actually, I just...
25:03Now that we're at this point, why shy away? Don't worry, I'm not stingy.
25:09Let's see where it'd be appropriate to sign. On your clothes? On the back of your hand? Or should I just do it on your face?
25:19Sorry, I don't need it for now.
25:23Better wait for her to cool down before approaching her again.
25:32What a small world.
26:02When they found the celebrity guru Song Que, she was lounging in the comfiest chair within a few kilometers.
26:10They say it was a skill she picked up from some animal, one that allowed her to sniff out the coziest spot in the room.
26:18But most times, it was less about coziness and more about survival.
26:24She knew the deal. The coziest spot was never the most conspicuous one.
26:30And now, a man usually described as classy was being escorted here by his servants.
26:39Funnily enough, he always stuck out like a sore thumb.
26:44I suppose you must be Master Song Que.
26:49I don't owe you money, do I?
26:52The girl sounded relaxed.
26:54Um, too many folks are like that, so it's hard to keep track.
27:01So, I'm the reason your wife left.
27:07That's too much?
27:11We have never met before.
27:14Ah, why didn't you say so earlier? What can I do for you?
27:19Can cure you, but I can read your grave's feng shui.
27:27Not at all. I've long accepted that there's no cure for me.
27:32But coincidentally, I purchased a talisman water blessed by you.
27:37They say it works out of the shadow calamity and works only if you believe.
27:42But from what I see, besides inducing unconsciousness, this is only regular tea.
27:50My patron, you got it all.
27:54The girl stood up, ready to reassume her carefully maintained demeanor the moment she turned around.
28:01Maintaining the image was second nature to her.
28:05And soon she saw the man was surrounded by over 40 servants.
28:10Right, good for you. Now tell me it worked as expected.
28:16Maintaining the image was necessary for her profession, but reading the room was necessary for her survival.
28:25Hey guys, an unconscious person cannot feel fear.
28:30Given the nature of the shadow calamity, I will admit this is a quick fix.
28:36But did you just stumble upon this? Or do you truly possess a qualification of a shrew? I'm curious.
28:46Shrew? Who exactly are you?
28:50Master Song Que, if you will.
28:54If her judgment of you proves correct, I will take you under my wing.
28:59Though I'm not the one to boast, this is indeed a rare opportunity coveted by many.
29:06Otherwise, for the purpose of this visit, I will unleash the seven days of dread I have reserved upon you for 15 minutes, and then...
29:16I will personally see to your burial.