Chapter 362: Gentle

At that moment, the system automatically pulled up a surveillance feed, apparently from a hidden observation running inside the Illusion Realm.

The feed showed the Weigong family.

The sunset's afterglow bathed the courtyard in a warm golden hue, yet the atmosphere felt inexplicably odd.

Weigong Qiesi lifted his briefcase and pushed open the courtyard gate.

He habitually glanced toward the corner—Al, the "Shizi" who usually crouched there, was nowhere to be seen.

(Where did Al run off to play this time?)

He didn't pay much attention, but thought the pedestrians on the street today were odd; many walked with awkward postures, occasionally clutching their stomachs, their complexions off.

(Is it the flu?)

He shook his head, slipped off his shoes, and entered the vestibule.

"I'm back," he called toward the house out of habit.

There was no response.

The living room was empty, tidy and clean, yet on the spot where Ailisi Feier usually sat lay a half‑drunk cup of black tea.

(Upstairs?)

He set down his briefcase, puzzled, and stepped onto the stairs.

The second floor was quiet, but he vaguely heard… unusual sounds coming from the master bedroom?

Like the rustle of fabric, and… an indistinct, seemingly amused female murmur.

And… a deep, throaty purr that a large animal makes when content.

Weigong Qiesi's steps halted.

An inexplicable unease swept his mind.

He softened his footfall, slowly approaching the master bedroom.

The door stood ajar, leaving a gap.

Through the gap, he saw a scene that instantly blanked his mind—

In the bedroom, on the wide double bed.

The golden "Shizi"—Artoria—was wearing that fluffy plush costume, sprawled in a supremely relaxed, almost lazy pose at the center of the bed.

Her emerald eyes were half‑closed, seeming to relish it, the massive lion head unconsciously nudging the soft feather pillow.

And Ailisi Feier, his gentle and beautiful wife, was sitting sideways on the bedside.

Her silver hair cascaded down, covering half her face, her crimson eyes appearing especially deep in the sunset light.

One of her hands was gently, intermittently… stroking the "Shizi's" thick golden mane on its back.

This in itself might be considered normal (if one ignores that the "Shizi" is humanoid and wearing a plush costume).

But Ailisi Feier's words at that moment struck Weigong Qiesi outside the door like a bolt of lightning:

"…Indeed, it's so warm…"

Her voice carried a seductive, gentle smile, "It's far… more honest than you, Qiesi. No lies, no concealment, only the most direct reaction… hehe…"

"Al… here, is it a bit sensitive?"

Her fingers seemed to lightly glide over a joint seam of the costume.

The "Shizi" let out a vague, seemingly contented "awoo" sound, its tail flicking unconsciously.

Ailisi Feier giggled, leaned down, and whispered a softer, more coquettish breath into the "Shizi's" ear: "If Qiesi saw us like this… what expression would he make? It'd surely be amusing… but he's still working overtime, right? This is our… little secret…"

"Boom—!!!"

Weigong Qiesi felt a surge of hot blood rush to his crown, his vision blackening, his ears buzzing.

All logic, all reason, all the "Calm Daily" filter were shattered in that instant!

Wife… and Al… on the bed… flirting?!

Using him as a cover?!

What is this?!

My family! My peaceful life!

By a lion?!

"Plop."

Weigong Qiesi's legs went limp, his back against the wall, he slowly slid down onto the hallway floor, his briefcase "thud" dropping beside him.

He stared blankly, his face ashen, his mouth slightly open, as if all thought had left him.

(My… peaceful daily…)

(So… it was all a lie…)

(Aili… Al… why…)

Heimu watched the surveillance feed, seeing Weigong Qiesi's out‑of‑body‑like expression, his mouth twitching uncontrollably several times.

(This… the victim‑centered plot is all out? The Illusion Realm's logic collapse can still produce such an ethical drama?)

(But it makes sense, the Alice disguised by This World's Evil, teasing a mind suppressed to near‑beast instinct in Saber… from a maliciously playful perspective, it does add up?)

(The psychological shadow area of Weigong Qiesi… might end up covering all of Dongmu City.)

As she pressed her forehead in exasperation at this absurd drama, another emergency transmission came through—it was Chang Ye Yue.

The Light Screen displayed Chang Ye Yue's side of the scene—seemingly behind a hospital's glass window.

Chang Ye Yue's crimson eyes stared out the window, her usually calm face now bearing obvious speechlessness, her mouth corners twitching slightly.

The background noise behind her was noisy, faint shouts and chaotic running could be heard.

"Black Curtain Lady,"

Chang Ye Yue's voice came, tone complex, "The Illusion Realm here… the situation is a bit out of control."

She adjusted the camera angle, aiming it at the window outside.

In the street above the hospital, about a dozen meters above the ground, several human silhouettes were … floating!

They were neither birds nor using Magic; they seemed to have lost gravity, flailing helplessly as they slowly rolled in the air, their faces full of terror and bewilderment, letting out repeated shrieks.

Even more absurd, the sky sporadically hurled brown, oddly colored chunks of varying sizes, like terrible hail, "clack", "sizzle" as they fell, smashing rooftops, streets, and the unlucky floaters, producing an indescribable stench.

The crowd on the street had already panicked, screaming as they fled from "air raids" and the possibly suddenly floating neighbors.

Vehicles twisted and collided, some even defying physics by standing on their sides, or their tires sinking into suddenly softened, marsh‑like ground.

The whole scene resembled an absurd nightmare.

"This is …"

Chang Ye Yue paused, seemingly unable to find the right words, "… lady. San Yue Qi and I are currently taking shelter in the hospital; it seems relatively stable here, but outside …"

She glanced out the window at another unfortunate floater whose face was smeared with the brown "sky‑falling object", and silently pulled the curtain halfway down.

"I understand."

Heimu rubbed the bridge of his eyebrows, feeling the situation slipping toward some abstract abyss, "The Illusion Realm is on the verge of collapse; these are omens. You all protect yourselves, especially Ying and Lin. Be ready at any moment; once the Illusion Realm fully shatters, the battle in reality may resume immediately. Also …"

She recalled the awakening at the Black Tower, adding, "Black Tower has already awakened. She … might be a bit irritable; watch out not to get in the line of fire."

"Black Tower Lady awakened?"

Chang Ye Yue's eyes flashed with a hint of understanding, then nodded, "Alright, we'll be careful. I'll keep monitoring the situation here and report."

Communication ended.