Chapter 343: Welcome to the Eldritch Realm
Kaito spent the entire afternoon surveying the Transit Hub.
At every coordinate, he paused to conduct a visual audit. Sometimes he
scrutinized the fine details of a Mana-conduit; other times he merely swept his
gaze across the architecture before moving on.
The State Army Adjunct—Thanatos—followed in lockstep. He offered zero unprompted
data, providing verbal output only when Kaito issued a specific query. However,
his gait was half a beat faster than usual, and his soulfire burned two shades
brighter than its baseline. Kaito noticed the "Enthusiasm-Buff" but chose not to
flag it.
After clearing most of the primary sectors, Kaito stood upon the central
observation deck.
The platform extended over the abyss, providing a panoramic view of the island
chain. Lights, reinforced structures, and a river of busy silhouettes defined
the horizon. The transit arrays burned with a steady, vertical radiance in the
distance.
"Adequately constructed," Kaito stated.
Thanatos's soulfire flared brilliantly for a micro-second before he manually
suppressed the output. "My gratitude, Sovereign."
His voice was steady, but his tempo remained slightly accelerated. Kaito didn't
press further; his focus was already shifting toward the next tactical
objective.
The renovation of the Eldritch Realm was finalized.
The cross-planar synchronization tests had completed three successful cycles.
All data remained within stable parameters. According to the Grand Design, the
formal opening was scheduled for the next morning.
"Is the proclamation broadcasted?" Kaito queried.
"Affirmative. Transmitted via all national radio-bands and updated on every
municipal board," the Adjunct replied with clinical efficiency.
"I have audited the text. The phrasing is absolute. General Lust issued a
last-minute addendum before her departure: 'Startle-Index is user-adjustable.
Cowardly units are advised to utilize the Family-Extraction Route.'"
Kaito gave a slow nod. Lust was currently on an expedition to "Clear her
logic-cores," but she remained obsessively thorough regarding the entertainment
metrics. It was a core trait of her Vocation.
"Projected intake for the primary cycle?"
Thanatos audited his digital clipboard. "As of 16:00 Hours today, reservations
have exceeded thirty thousand units. Census data: 70% Imperial Residents, 30%
Visitors from neighboring Planes."
"Based on previous 'Grand Events,' we project a 20 to 30 percent surplus of
walk-in units."
Thirty thousand. Kaito ran the math. The figure exceeded his initial
projections. He had assumed a world tagged with the "Horror" attribute would
deter the common citizenry.
I under-calculated the average curiosity-rating of the Empire, Kaito noted.
"Security contingencies?"
"The Punishment Legion has deployed two whole companies to guard the Planar
Threshold. The Arcane Legion has anchored emergency extraction points within
every repurposed scenario. If a visitor experiences biological distress or a
'Panic-Crash,' they can be extracted to the Safe-Zone within three seconds."
"Regarding medical logistics, the Cathedral has stationed a permanent squad of
Sisters on-site, backed by an industrial inventory of Emerald's Respite."
"Furthermore... Bochi—"
The Adjunct paused.
"Variable: Bochi. Identify."
"Bochi submitted a formal requisition to serve as the 'Official Mascot and Lead
Navigator' of the Eldritch Realm."
Kaito's soulfire was still for three seconds. "Request denied."
"As commanded. The Academy heads, Lloyd and Rosen, intercepted the request. The
slime is currently fulfilling his lecture-contract and lacks the authorization
to vacate his post."
Kaito gave a quiet hum of approval. It was better to keep that blue brat
anchored to the Academy. Releasing him into a newly annexed world was a recipe
for "Narrative Chaos."
The Next Day. Evernight Transit Hub. Planar Plaza.
05:00 Hours. Three hours prior to the official commencement.
The plaza was already saturated. A queue had formed, snaking back toward the
Commercial District. At the very front was an Orc family. The father hauled two
massive trunks; the mother gripped the hand of a juvenile Orc who was
brandishing a small Imperial flag featuring a shaky, hand-drawn chibi skull.
"Papa, are there real ghosts in the Eldritch Realm?" the pup asked.
"Affirmative. But they are 'Simulated Variants.' The Sovereign re-wrote their
code. They are statistically non-threatening."
"But I want to see a real nightmare!"
"Consume your breakfast first. Valor requires calories."
Behind them stood a cohort of Elves in matching pale robes—likely a social club
on a coordinated expedition. The lead Elf clutched a hand-drawn map covered in
dense notations and a "Recommended Efficiency Route."
Behind them were two Dwarves carrying rucksacks larger than their own frames.
One held a thick notebook titled: Planar Audit & Review: Eldritch Sector (First
Edition).
Eric had been temporarily reassigned to the plaza to assist with the intake
registration. He sat behind a dais, three stacks of blank forms and two backup
pens waiting before him.
08:00 Hours.
The Great Array ignited.
The first wave of tourists stepped into the light-pillar, vanishing into a blur
of blue and white radiance.
The Eldritch Realm. Primary Entrance.
When the light dissipated, the Orc family found themselves standing on a grey
cobblestone thoroughfare.
The sky above was a deep, bruised purple—not the absolute black of the
Evernight, but a perpetual, shimmering twilight, as if the final second of a
sunset had been anchored into the laws of physics.
Repurposed structures lined the road.
To the left stood an archaic, Victorian-style infirmary. Withered vines climbed
the walls, but a brand-new, glowing sign hung over the gate: EVERNIGHT EMERGENCY
RESPONSE TRAINING CENTER (FUN EDITION).
To the right was a winding alleyway where a black, old-world coach was idling.
The chassis bore the Imperial Crest, and a digital ticker on the front scrolled
a message: EVERNIGHT SIGHTSEEKING COACH — PLANAR LOOP — FULL NARRATIVE INCLUDED.
Directly ahead, a three-story Gothic mansion loomed. Neon lights on the facade
flickered to spell out: EVERNIGHT 'HORROR-TIER' THEME PARK.
The juvenile Orc's eyes turned into saucers. "PAPA! LOOK! I DEMAND ENTRANCE TO
THE BUS!"
"Wait, unit! We must audit the guide-book first—"
The father didn't finish. The pup had already broken into a sprint toward the
coach.
Behind them, more light-pillars flared. Elves, Dwarves, Humans, Succubi, and
Dragon-men manifested in waves. The initial reaction was a synchronized state of
shock, followed by a frantic data-logging phase.
The Elven leader began sketching in a notebook. The Dwarves were already
scribbling on page one of their "Audit." A Succubus held a small mirror,
adjusting her smile to ensure she looked "High-Tier" against the Gothic backdrop
for a photographic archive.
As the Imperial subjects enjoyed the novelty, a pair of eyes watched them from
behind a weathered window.
The observer was a native of this world. He appeared human—grey, tattered shirt,
messy hair, and skin so pale it suggested terminal insomnia.
His designation was Jiro. Before Kaito overrode the Rules, Jiro's directive was
to ensure every passenger on the "Midnight Bus" adhered to the protocols or
faced immediate consumption.
Now, his assigned position was: Evernight Sightseeing Coach — Planar
Liaison/Guide.
He stared at the biological anomalies in the street, his mouth performing an
involuntary twitch.
A child with a tail was charging his vehicle. A creature with ears sharp enough
to puncture balloons was drawing on a pad. Two stout, bearded units shorter than
his knees were hauling massive trunks while reciting data.
Jiro pulled the curtains shut. Then he opened them a fraction. He performed a
second sensory check.
"...What manner of 'Logic Error' is this world becoming?"
He drew a long breath, buttoned his new Imperial uniform, and pushed the door
open. Regardless of their appearance, he had a quota to fill. He was a Guide
now. He had to work.
☆☆☆
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