EnCoffin Me Chapter 107
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
Chapter 107
“I'm sorry, that was my fault.” In an instant, Zhen gathered his thoughts and smiled as usual. He bent down and picked up the fallen plushies one by one, handing them back to the staff member, apologizing sincerely again, “I was too careless.”
“No worries, it's no trouble at all.” The staff member smiled. They worked together again to hang the plushies, and this time there were no more mishaps. After everything was done, Zhen bid farewell to the staff member.
“Mr. Zhen, thank you for your hard work,” the staff member said mechanically. Suddenly, she heard the imperial son ask a question.
“Is the branch busy with work?”
The staff hesitated for a moment. She judged the question to be an attempt to gather information and became extremely alert.
“It's moderate. Our working hours are strictly regulated.”
“And how about life outside work?”
“Very comfortable. I'm grateful for this job at the branch.”
The imperial son smiled and nodded, no longer asking more questions.
“I had planned three questions, but it seems two are enough. It was a pleasure meeting you. I hope everything goes well for you.” He shook the staff member's hand warmly and left. The staff breathed a sigh of relief. She had revealed almost no information, never realizing that the imperial son's smile vanished as he walked away, his face hardening into cold indifference.
The original personality had been confirmed completely erased.
Once it was certain there was no cure…
He didn't lack the courage to cut ties.
***
The investigation team had been stationed at the southeast branch for about half a month but hadn't made any major breakthroughs. However, they had used the main center's channel to release many videos showing the night mare behaving calmly, which slightly quelled the fervent public outcry. At the same time, many caretakers at the main center began sharing their experiences of being injured while protecting dark creatures. This seemingly counterproductive move actually sparked a new wave of public discourse, shifting attention toward the question of whether the current protection measures for dark creatures were truly appropriate.
【Isn't it obvious from History Book's ancient films? Dark creatures were incredibly powerful ten thousand years ago. The remaining aggression now is just part of their nature. Maybe the way we've been raising them was flawed from the start.】
【Exactly, exactly! Remember what Wolf Puppy and Lucy were like at the beginning? Then Xixi resurrected, took over their training, and they changed completely!】
【We've just been raising dark creatures the way we thought was right. Raising a tiger like a kitten is bound to cause trouble sooner or later.】
【Something might have gone wrong a long time ago, but it was just kept under wraps. I don't see the point of hiding it. Telling the truth wouldn't change our love for these dangerous yet beautiful creatures!】
The earlier northern front incident and the Carnival had laid the groundwork. All discussions completely erupted after a public apology letter from the main conservation center!
The conservation center released a long report detailing Lucy's condition before and after her recovery from severe psychological issues. The center also noted that this information was published with Lucy's consent. Dark creatures, it turned out, were far stronger and braver than the public had assumed.
At the end of the report, the conservation center issued a sincere apology to the dark creatures and the general public, deeply reflecting on their previously inappropriate fostering methods.
【I… sigh. I must admit I'm also at fault. I particularly loved it when dark creatures acted cute, and I often left comments asking for more. I selfishly assumed they enjoyed it. They probably started hating me a long time ago.】
【Me too… I also want to know if the fostering methods have changed. Are the dark creatures feeling any better now? Lucy's case was heartbreaking. I don't want to see it happen again.】
【Huhuhu my poor Lucy…】
The conservation center soon released an update on their current fostering practices. After being restructured by Alexio, most of the original caretakers at the main center had largely transitioned into assistant roles. Except for a few very young dark creatures who still needed supervision, most of the adult ones had begun moving out and were trying to live independently, away from their caretakers and the center.
Following this series of changes, the center quickly issued a final advocacy letter, calling on everyone to treat dark creatures the same way they would treat ordinary people — not overly protective, not disparaging, but offering as much freedom and respect as possible.
In response, Pupil announced an upcoming documentary from Alexio's perspective. Notably, it would include a significant portion of candid, heartfelt complaints.
【I feel like I can already picture Xixi breaking down in the documentary.】
【Xixi (exasperated): Why are they so spoiled?!】
【Even though this was supposed to be a serious social topic, I couldn't help but laugh just thinking about Xixi whining. It's so tragic it's funny!】
The combined efforts of the Federation, the conservation center, and Pupil landed a heavy blow on the southeast branch and the Holy Temple. They never expected the main center to take the blame themselves, effectively turning the dark creatures who had caused harm into victims of incorrect fostering methods. Of course, they tried to shift public opinion back. But whether they argued that ‘this doesn't erase the fact that a dark creature has killed a person’ or ‘they need to be disciplined more strictly,’ all of it sank without a ripple. Overnight, it seemed everyone's primary concern was that documentary.
Southeast Branch & Holy Temple: ……
It felt like two students had agreed to take an exam without studying, only for one of them to show up fully prepared after a night of cramming, completely crushing the other!
When did they even start preparing? During the northern front incident? That would've been way too early!
Either way, the southeast branch now had no good countermeasures. Even if the night mare that had injured someone became more aggressive, it would just be blamed on flawed fostering methods. Worse still, ever since the saint took over, the night mare Brendan had become unusually docile, which only reinforced the Federation's belief that the previous methods were wrong. After all, if the saint from ten thousand years ago could calm a night mare with ease, what else could it mean?
The worm inside the leader couldn't resolve the situation and had to report it. Theo responded quickly.
【Make the night mare go berserk and attack Lucius.】
It was undoubtedly a smart move. If the night mare attacked Lucius, the one hailed as the person who truly understood dark creatures, it would immediately discredit the so-called correct fostering methods.
The worm immediately began making arrangements. The best option, of course, was to add hallucinogens to the night mare's food. But when it actually attempted to do so, it discovered that the investigation team from the main center had already taken full control of the night mare's meals.
“This was Mr. Lucius' request. He wanted to supplement the meals with healthier options to help stabilize emotions,” a member of the investigation team explained with a pleasant smile. “So we carefully balance every meal. These diet plan has been well-tested at main center.”
In the background, the night mare was happily devouring its food, while the saint handed it a carrot.
The worm inside the leader tried multiple times but failed to tamper with the food. However, possessing some basic cognitive ability, it quickly devised a new plan.
They could replace Brendan with another night mare that had been fed hallucinogens. At the moment, the main center only controlled the night mare's diet. At other times, to save face for the branch, they didn't keep people stationed around it.
That would be their chance!
If Theo had been there in person, he would've realized that the main center was pushing the branch in a specific direction. But unfortunately, his attention was fully occupied by the nationwide reform initiative, a public campaign that would soon be announced and could not afford to fail. As a result, the worm inside the leader simply submitted a routine report and then smoothly contacted the night mare breeding farm.
“Sometimes, worms are just foolish,” Zhen said softly. Then he looked up at the saint standing before him. “Of course, you know very well that this kind of parasite manipulation originates from the Holy Temple.”
The saint didn't respond. He instinctively reached into his pocket, only to find it empty. Alexio had hidden himself in the night mare's shadow ahead of time. The empty pocket soured his mood. He ignored Zhen. After all, even if he had helped this imperial son ten thousand years ago, their relationship had never been particularly good.
“By the way, there's something I need to tell you about Xixi's domain.”
At the mention of the topic, Lucius looked slightly smug, though he kept a neutral expression.
“If you're about to bring up how Alexi's domain reflects his past, don't bother. He already told me himself.”
“…You're so annoying,” Zhen remarked bluntly.
“The feeling's mutual,” Lucius replied calmly.
“But that's not what I wanted to tell you,” Zhen paused. “Every time Xixi opens his domain, whatever was originally inside gets replaced by the royal city. Outside the city, it appears to be a desolate grey wasteland, but I don't believe it's meaningless.
“Xixi seems pure on the surface, but he's actually made up of many complicated layers. That complexity shows in his domain as well. His domain is one of the most structurally complex I've ever seen.”
Lucius had once flown a griffin across that gray wasteland himself. So, following Zhen's words, he fell into brief thought.
“You mean… Alexi's domain actually has a dual nature?”
“Yes. That domain's second characteristic always leaves me uneasy. It's just a gut feeling,” Zhen said with a faint smile. “I'd rather believe I'm overthinking it, that the wasteland outside the city is simply Alexi's lack of understanding of the outside world.”
Having said what needed to be said, Zhen prepared to leave. This time, however, he heard the saint's voice.
“Have you made up your mind?”
Zhen didn't turn around. His eyes were lowered, the corners of his lips slightly curved, but not in a smile.
“Yes. I've already decided… Can I handle the branch myself?”
“I never intended to interfere. Alexi and I will be following up on the night mare breeding farm.” The saint stared deeply at the imperial son's back. Repeating the same cruel tasks again and again must be an immense torment to anyone's mind and body, yet the imperial son's posture remained straight.
Unlike himself, who had dragged Alexio into the coffin ahead of time, this imperial son had witnessed the firestorm with his own eyes.