That was a ritual developed by “the Man in the Mirror”.
It was called [Ally Reflecting Mirror].
At the same time, the visual feedback relayed through the mirror could be adjusted to only go in one direction according to the mirror holder’s wish.
What this ritual required was a sufficiently clean “reflective mirror” composed of inorganic substances.
The left eye that Elle had given to Annan was a pure gemstone — it was also a mirror.
When entering the nightmare, Elle had already returned to her most perfect state, which was before her left eye left her. In other words, Elle’s left eye existed in her own eye socket and Annan’s eyes at the same time.
This was undoubtedly a pair of mirrors that was “destined”.
If Elle opened her eyes, everything reflected in the gemstone in her left eye would be reflected in Annan’s eyes.
Just as the Venerated Skeleton once whispered “I’m listening” to every nightmare purifier who entered the Gallery Nightmare, Annan was in the truest essence “watching”.
If Annan could use this as a medium to communicate with Elle, then within this endless, recurring nightmare, there would be an external force intervening.
It was a small influence, but it was enough to change the dream world.
“…But, Elle is unwilling to open her eyes.”
That was because she noticed it.
If she opened her eyes, this dream-like ‘nightmare’ might come to an end. She would eventually wake up, returning to a world full of traitors.
But…
“Do I really have the right to refuse it?”
Elle looked at the coffee worriedly.
She lowered her eyes and stared at her sad right eye’s reflection in the light brown coffee.
She already grasped the situation.
In the conversation between Longjing Tea and Celecia, this nightmare repeated the same day and only one person could remember everything.
Living here would indeed be incredibly blissful.
—It was a stable life without any worries or pressures.
It might not be grand, but it was a content and tranquil happiness.
That was the life Elle had longed for but never had.
All Elle had to do was give up all hope and resistance. Then, she could immerse herself in a life that was endlessly repetitive yet still felt fresh — even the one who had to remember everything could be ignored.
If that person gave up this mission as well…
Then, this [Authority of Memory] wouldn’t stay with him for long. If multiple people survived until the end, only one person would have the right to retain memories.
Indeed, Elle longed for such a life from the bottom of her heart.
To spend the whole day feeling fulfilled and happy.
The fear of seeing or experiencing things would eventually become a distant “future”.
There was no need to regret the past or worry about the future. Just relax the mind and enjoy the peaceful “present”.
However, Elle suddenly felt a trace of pity after understanding the nightmare.
The sentiment even surprised her.
—Because that was her compassion for the Venerated Skeleton.
The country of giants in the past was actually like this.
All giants could live carefree, relaxed, and at ease. Since there was no fear of death, then the idea of “sacrificing the present for the future” was meaningless.
If one didn’t yearn to live as long as possible, there was no need to focus on health and retirement. Naturally, there was no worry about lifestyle choices or maintaining family ties. This led to freedom in one’s job, a casual approach to learning, and a lot of wasted time.
In other words…
—All the giants chose to give up thinking.
But if everyone did this, the country could not survive. This nightmare only lasted for the same day, but the reality couldn’t be the case. Then, someone must pay the price for the safety of others.
Just like in a project group, there were always many who slacked off and one who did the work. The one who was the slowest or most hesitant often ended up picking up the slack for everyone else’s laziness.
When all the giants gave up thinking, the Venerated Skeleton was the only “brain”.
How similar was everything that happened in the Eternal Dukedom in the past to the current nightmare?
The difference was that the person who was now “carrying the memory of everyone” still had the right to choose to forget — he could choose to do nothing and spend the day peacefully.
When the countdown ended, he could forget all worries and return to the starting point.
If one had considered this entire otherworldly realm as ‘heaven after death’, then it truly seemed incredibly blissful.
But the problem was that only Elle genuinely wanted to keep the nightmare going.
Elle looked worriedly at Longjing Tea and Celecia.
They genuinely adapted to this current way of life but they didn’t seem to crave it.
Elle admired them.
Even such a wonderful and carefree life could be dismissed as ‘unreal’ by one’s own will, departing from it without any attachment.
However, Elle couldn’t do it.
She cherished the warm sunlight, the fragrant and luxurious drink, the soft, sweet cake… She also relished the joy of solving puzzles with her friends and loved seeing the relaxed and happy smiles on everyone’s faces in the street.
Elle sighed softly — she was worried that her sigh would make her companions around her worry about her.
Who can tell me?
Is this nightmare truly born from me?
Is this a dream that imprisons others just for me?
Does this nightmare loop endlessly on this day alone simply because I dread facing tomorrow and seeing my mother?
If I’m content with all this, am I no different from the giants of Eternal Dukedom?
[Elle, open your eyes.]
A low, soft voice sounded in Elle’s heart.
She knew whose voice it was… It was Annan’s voice.
At the place where she died, at the place where she was reborn – she had seen that person.
Even among the many who successfully purified the gallery, he stood out as the one who truly captivated Elle’s heart. She admired the light within him… a confidence that let him walk any path without hesitation.
But at this moment, that was also the voice that frightened Elle.
If I am truly the one who gave birth to this nightmare, the one who trapped so many innocent souls within… would Annan blame me, berate me?
However, she would rather take a few scoldings. In that case, she might actually snap back to reality, finding strength in the rebuke to push forward with determination.
Elle was aware that she was a weak person. She was so weak that she needed someone to push her before she would dare to act.
Deep down, she never wanted to hurt anyone… and she even hated to disagree with others. Going against someone’s wishes based solely on her own will… that was truly hard for her to accept.
But if she considered herself merely as a tool, then it would be fine.
If she could just stop overthinking and worrying, and simply follow someone else’s lead…
[Elle, I can indeed help you open your eyes directly, and I can also control your body to act.]
Annan seemed to hear her voice and whispered in her heart.
[But you have to open your eyes on your own accord.]
Elle was stunned.
Annan’s voice continued in her heart.
[I know what you are worried about.]
[But if you’re always too afraid to face the future and make choices, just going with the flow… then what’s the difference for you between this nightmare and reality?]
“Living carefree, without worries about the future, life, reality, or ideals, and just enjoying the present… that’s a luxury only kids have.”
Annan whispered in her ear, “It’s time for you to grow up, Elle. Take responsibility for the consequences of every action and decision you make.”
“You’re not just living someone else’s dream or acting on their will. Eventually, you’ll pay for your choices — they might be too hard to face or too painful to bear.”
“But that’s the way to go.”
Those were harsh words.
It wasn’t from the heart, but it rang crystal clear by the ear.
It was like an invisible giant hand snatching Elle away from her world of innocence and purity.
“…Actually, I’ve known it all along.” Elle murmured, “I just… always wanted to pretend I didn’t.”
She always wished that she was still a child and that her life could stay at the age of 13 forever.
But that was not possible.
—Elle, as a “girl”, was already dead.
She stared at the coffee quietly.
She stared into her own eyes in the light brown reflection.
As early as Annan’s second sentence, she had already opened her eyes.
“I’m ready.” She whispered.
Then, she was filled with determination.
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