: Vienna 1913

Sienna leaned closer.

indeed.

Among all the red crosses, Qiao Ye found the safest route into the city.

However, the claim of safety is only relative.

High-ranking demons still block the way.

"Will it work?" she asked.

"It can definitely work!"

Qiao Ye did not show any hesitation or timidity; on the contrary, he had an indomitable spirit.

If it were an ordinary person, they would definitely be inspired by his confidence.

But Sienna was, after all, well-informed and experienced.

She knew that no one could remain so optimistic in such a desperate situation.

They're just putting on a brave face.

Qiao Ye knew very well that someone had to show hope.

If everyone falls into despair, then it is truly beyond repair.

Sienna immediately felt extremely guilty.

If I hadn't turned into this state and could still maintain my fighting ability, I wouldn't have to put all the pressure on Qiao Ye.

"good!"

Sienna said, "I believe in you! Let's take this path tomorrow!"

Anyway, Qiao Ye saved my life.

Even if there is an abyss ahead, I have no complaints.

Afterwards, they buried their four teammates at a suitable location.

Qiao Ye disposed of the corpses according to his knowledge of occultism to prevent them from returning to life.

He did not forget Wade's last wish and accepted the design drawings he had given to the children.

After finishing, Qiao Ye checked his watch; it was 8 PM.

"We'll move out tomorrow morning."

He looked around, found a building that was still relatively intact, and said to Sienna.

"Rest here tonight. We'll take turns keeping watch. I'll keep watch for the first half of the night. You can go to sleep first."

……

Sienna was indeed tired.

She nestled in a corner of the building and fell into a deep sleep.

Qiao Ye sat at the door, gazing at the dark purple night sky, lost in thought.

So much happened today.

The squad entered the dense fog and was wiped out as soon as they landed; the dangers within America far exceeded their imagination.

They're going to enter Dracula's Castle tomorrow.

The dangers inside are immeasurable, and it's impossible to predict what kind of demons await them.

Not going means certain death, and going will most likely also result in death.

Is it truly fate that has destroyed me, Qiao Ye?

"well--"

He sighed inwardly and glanced at the time.

The [Dream Master] talent will be refreshed at midnight.

He will enter a new dream once again.

This time, it really is the last chance.

We must find that glimmer of hope even in the most desperate situations!

……

Qiao Ye continued to fall, returning to that pure white space.

The maidservant sat there, as always.

"We meet again."

The maidservant bowed and said, "You've had a very fruitful trip!"

That's exactly what she said.

After being swept away by machine guns, Qiao Ye is no longer penniless.

You possess 54 E-rank Demon Souls.

"Only 54?"

Qiao Ye felt somewhat ashamed. He had been shooting at the overwhelming horde of zombies for so long, and only managed to kill 54 resurrected zombies.

This marksmanship is beyond touching.

But now is not the time to consider that.

"Dream Maiden, let me enter the dream!"

Qiao Ye had a hypothesis in mind and wanted to put it into practice himself.

If this conjecture is true, then perhaps I really can turn my life around from despair!

"As you wish!"

The maidservant noticed Qiao Ye's hidden anxiety but didn't say anything.

It directly started today's dream.

A white light flashed before Qiao Ye's eyes.

In the blink of an eye, he had arrived in a completely new scene.

I was sitting in a bumpy carriage.

The carriage was covered in deep red velvet, and the wall lamps were gilded, their swaying lights reflecting intricate patterns.

Outside the window, there was a stone-paved road, gas lamps, and Baroque-style building spires piercing the night.

He looked down at himself—

He wore a dark gray long trench coat with the collar turned up, a vest underneath, and a tie that was tied meticulously.

A revolver was tucked into his waistband, and he pulled a business card from his pocket.

Private Investigator Qiao Ye

Imperial Security Advisor

There was a person sitting opposite me.

He was around fifty years old, wearing a military uniform with gold tassels on his shoulders and his chest covered with medals.

His face was pale, and he had deep bags under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept well for a long time.

He spoke, with a heavy German accent:

"Mr. Qiao Ye, thank you for accepting this commission."

Qiao Ye didn't say anything.

He glanced into the corner of his field of vision.

[Current Dream: The Holy United Empire of Alchemy and Magic - Western Capital - 1913]

[Identity: Private Investigator (Temporary)]

[The principal: Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Crown Prince of the Empire]

[Mission Objective: Recover the stolen Saint's Tooth. Saint's Tooth: A sacred relic passed down through the Habsburg family for millennia, said to belong to the suffering Son of Man. Completing the mission unlocks the new profession "Detective."]

Three days ago, the crypt of St. Stephen's Cathedral was robbed.

Archduke Ferdinand lowered his voice, "The thief bypassed all the magical restrictions and alchemical mechanisms, and precisely took the saint's tooth."

"I suspect it was done by an insider, or even—"

He paused.

"—People from the Papacy."

Qiao Ye listened.

This is a standard detective mission.

Complex, tedious, and time-consuming.

Qiao Ye suddenly asked a question:

"Your Highness, is there something magical about that tooth that would make the Holy See go to such lengths to steal it?"

Ferdinand paused for a moment.

He then gave a wry smile.

"There's nothing supernatural about it; the important thing is the symbolic meaning."

He sighed. "The Habsburgs ruled the empire for a thousand years, and the saint's tooth is proof of divine favor. If it falls into the hands of a rival power..."

Archduke Ferdinand was still speaking.

But Qiao Ye was no longer listening.

He made a decision.

Qiao Ye stood up.

Archduke Ferdinand's voice abruptly stopped: "What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry, Your Highness."

Qiao Ye opened the carriage door.

A night breeze blew in, causing the lights in the carriage to flicker.

"I can't take this case."

The words fell.

He leaped into the air.

-

Qiao Ye landed steadily.

Behind them came the coachman's exclamation and the duke's angry shout, but the carriage did not stop—

That street is too narrow; I can't turn around.

Qiao Ye dusted off his trench coat and watched the carriage leave.

He was waiting for something in the same spot.

really--

You have strayed from the main storyline of the dream. Please return to the client.

"I'm not going!" Qiao Ye said.

At this moment, he felt uneasy.

Qiao Ye would never complete any main storyline.

Having experienced Song Ci's dream before, he already had a guess.

One's own dreams are not just a single copy.

It's the whole world!

Besides the main storyline, there are countless side quests waiting to be discovered.

For example, the necromancer cult behind Song Ci might have had a way to trigger it back then.

It's just that Qiao Ye didn't delve deeper into it.

This time, he chose to abandon the main storyline.

A detective job is optional and won't change one's predicament.

The so-called "Saint's Teeth" had no effect on him either.

Qiao Ye pinned his hopes on the side quests.

really--

You have temporarily interrupted the main quest.

The Grand Guild of Ferdinand awaits your change of heart at the Hofburg Palace.

Now you are free to explore this world.

But please note!

After deviating from the main storyline, this world will be fraught with danger for you.

If you die, the dream will end immediately.

You may gain nothing.

[Should we return to the main storyline?]

"I'm not going back," Qiao Ye reiterated.

You have made your choice.

[The side quest series "When the Stars Shine in the Western Capital" is now available.]

You can meet key figures and unlock side quests in the following locations: