Chapter 338 — Allies

"At least for now, Patty cannot do without that device," Gaoyang said. "But I will also find a way to verify its condition. My territory has been researching the Eternal Sleepers' technology for a long time. I will write a letter and have the finest scholars in the territory come to examine the thing and confirm whether it is truly safe."

Then he paused, and went on: "If it truly is safe, then my advice is to let Patty keep using it. Until a better alternative is found, it is the only means by which Patty can be temporarily freed from her suffering."

What he said was no lie: Patty's condition was now extremely dire, and any means that could ease her pain was worth trying—better than letting her condition continue to deteriorate.

And there was a reason he had left unspoken: Pati's induction into the psychic network was plainly no casual act on the part of the Sleepers. Given that the girl could move freely through the heart of Illusory Nexus, and that Selina Gerfen herself had taken charge of her care, it was obvious that the Sleepers had "chosen" Pati for some purpose of particular significance.

So they must be monitoring her condition, with further arrangements already in place.

If he suddenly cut Pati off from the network now, would that provoke the Sleepers? Would it push matters in a worse direction? Would it make the Embershade cultists believe their plan had been exposed and lead them to "dispose of" the node?

These were all questions that had to be weighed.

And Gaoyang also wanted to follow this thread deeper still, to find out just what these mysterious Sleepers were scheming...

In any case, keeping Pati connected to the network was for now the safest course. Of course, he would also have to summon the "professionals" in his territory who were studying Sleeper technology, and see the device with his own eyes to confirm its condition.

After all, their adversary was a cult of the Everlasting Sleep, and no amount of vigilance could be excessive.

Though Gaoyang had not laid out all his reasons, Ropenny was already persuaded. The viscountess gave a rather reluctant nod. "Then we can only proceed as you advise. But there is one thing I cannot work out... those mad cultists—why did they choose my daughter... why give her such a 'gift'? I... I do not believe they mean any pure kindness."

"Frankly, neither do I," Gaoyang said with a laugh. "Rest easy. I will keep investigating this matter. Those Sleepers and I... have a great deal of unfinished business."

Ropenny looked at Gaoyang deeply. She had caught a hint of something more in his tone, but she did not press him. After a moment of silence she said abruptly, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Pati was happy today," the viscountess said softly. "She has not been this happy in a very long time."

"I told you, I cannot disappoint my little admirer," Gaoyang said with a laugh. "After all, in her eyes I am a great hero—a great hero just like her father."

"Do you remember the topic we were discussing a moment ago?" the viscountess said quietly. "About that noose."

"Of course I remember."

"I am very interested in it."