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And so, the story has reached its conclusion.

The lights turn off, the actors leave the stage, and the red curtains are slowly drawn.

The crowd has dissipated, and everything has once again returned to silence.

Phantom has regained his self.

He yet remembers everything that he has done.

He understands that, as the lead actor, he is merely the troupe's bait.

One after another, he lured many earnest, upright men to this trap from which they can never escape.

A perilous journey where words are unnecessary.

Now, he is rescued, but what about before?

How many men have lost their way in this towering labyrinth?

Has he ever pushed his companions off the stage when they offered him a helping hand?

He dares not to imagine.

He feels nothing but shame.

It's time you headed home, Lucian.

You're...

You gave Rhodes Island quite a bit of trouble this time. You'd do well to think ahead of time what to tell the Doctor.

Reciting an apology to the Doctor would only add to my guilt.

I will repay Rhodes Island with my actions.

That's good.

Come to think of it. This place feels familiar.

A stage, a theatre. This is the place that all actors strive for.

Care to sing a song?

My singing brings nothing but trouble, but if that is what you want...

Phew...

My apologies. I only wanted to make sure.

You are truly back now.

Need a hand?

Many thanks.

And so, the story has reached its conclusion.

The lights turn off, the actors leave the stage, and the red curtains are slowly drawn.

The crowd has dissipated, and everything has once again returned to silence.

A giant puppet lies on the stage. There is not a peep of sound to be heard.

Miss.Christine would very much enjoy scratching her claws with its pliable fabric or burrowing into the exposed cotton for a quick rest.

However, the mission at hand comes first. She must find out how Phantom is doing.

Ever since the moment Phantom lost his mind, Miss.Christine has been leaving behind clues for Rhodes Island's operators.

She isn't sure the idiots will be able to understand the meaning behind her pawprints, claw marks, and tooth marks...

However, considering the results, she is more than satisfied.

The elegant lady mumbles quietly to herself.

The Phidia is still checking on the puppet. The lady knows that he is worried the one controlling the puppet would appear any moment to drag Phantom back into the troupe's dark shadows.

However, the lady already knows that will not happen.

After a futile search, the Phidia helps Phantom up. At first, the Phidia's tone hides a hint of prudence.

He, too, was once a member of the troupe. Until today, he was terrified of everything about the troupe.

Once he is certain Phantom has regained his true self, he relaxes and returns to his normal gentle, melancholic composure.

He walks down the stage and heads toward the exit of the castle.

Phantom stops at the top of the stairs, trying to put his disorderly emotions together.

As for the lady, she simply licks her paws next to his feet.

She naturally looks around her surroundings, and when she feels an itch in her back, she naturally turns around to scratch her back.

However, the moment her head begins to turn, she stops in her tracks.

She stands horrified at what she sees...

An unexpected guest.

The 'Troupe Mouthpiece' collapses on the stage.

The strings in his hand scatter all over the ground, tangling together like a spiderweb.

Once, he used these to control the mechanisms of the castle and his evil puppets.

But now, with the fall of this former troupe member, everything has at last come to an end.

Phantom lets out a sigh of relief.

Half of his life has been under the troupe's control, and he has finally broken free of their hold once more.

'The curtain has fallen on the charade. It is time to return to a peaceful life.'

Phantom thinks to himself so.

Yet...

The lights turn on, and the curtains are drawn open.

The stage is waiting for something still.

Unable to help himself, he takes the Mouthpiece's chair and places it in the center of the stage.

He sits down and thinks to himself in silence.

'Sing. Sing.'

A low voice echoes in his head.

'It's for your own good.'

A note comes out of Phantom's mouth.

One after another.

Next comes the words. An aria.

The stage is silent no longer. The lead is singing at the top of his voice.

Hearing the gently flowing melody, a few almost inaudible voices can be faintly heard in the shadows.

They are all singing in unison.

The host climbs up from the floor and casts aside the strings in his hands. He walks onto the stage to his position.

The actors are all in place.

And I must fulfill my responsibilities too.

Shalem can hear his voice. Once he finds Phantom, the mission will come to an end.

He swings the door open.

Ah, our first guest.

This... How could you...

Now two souls who have gone astray has returned to the troupe's embrace.

How marvelous.

Well, then, I hereby announce...

The show has begun.

Before Shalem's eyes, the nightmares of his past have all taken the stage.

The carriage driver raises his whip.

The host stands unyieldingly firm.

The prop master adjusts his props.

The lighting technician gives out instructions.

The head chef sharpens his knife.

The butler stands in silence.

The playwright scribbles away.

The 'Shadow' drifts unsteadily.

The 'Bladedance' shines under the cold light.

The 'Whiteflower' grins ear to ear.

As for the troupe's leader himself, he gazes straight at Shalem.

All the troupe's members are hiding in the stage's shadows, their eyes glittering with a red color.

The only man who is directly illuminated by the spotlights is Lucian, the Blood Diamond.

He clears his throat.

He...

He prepares to sing.