We agreed to be in a band for life, what the heck is Dragon Raja?

Mortis crossed her arms, leaned against the side, and smiled easily.

"Its name is—the Baku."

"But don't worry, he sleeps very soundly and will hardly wake up."

Wakaba Mutsu stared at the sleeping black shadow on the screen:

"Why...are you locked up here?"

Mortis shook her head:

“I’m not entirely sure either, but it seems to have always been in this place.”

"The riot I felt in the consciousness space before was caused by its awakening."

"Last time, its reaction was the most intense, and it was also the closest it came to awakening, but it was suppressed by some higher-level power."

Ruoye Mutsu was silent for a few seconds: "It... is it now?"

"This is the real treat I'm going to show you this time," Mortis blinked.

It wasn't exactly a blink, but rather a flicker of the black beads around the doll's eyes.

Then, she smiled and said:

"Xiao Mu, have you ever heard of something called a contract?"

contract……

Before Ye Mu could think it through, he heard Mortis continue:

"Hey, let me think of something for you. You've probably seen the opera 'Faust,' right? Do you remember how it starts?"

"Faust made a pact with the devil Mephistopheles, pledging his soul to the devil in exchange for fulfilling all his desires. They agreed that when Faust felt satisfied, his soul would be taken away by the devil."

"That's right, that's right, I brought such a contract today."

Ruoye Mutsu quietly looked into her eyes:

"why."

This statement is simple and direct, like a question.

Mortis smiled and said:

“Mu…I have seen everything about your physical condition and everything around you.”

"You guys are going to form a band, right? More and more people will join."

"They are all really amazing, and each of them has their own strengths."

Her tone was somewhat meaningful.

"At the same time, changes in you are gradually becoming apparent, and sooner or later, Takafumi Wakaba and Minami Mori will notice this."

"Right now, they are just a little 'afraid' of you, but it hasn't reached the level of 'horrified' yet. It's all because they don't know you well enough."

"If one day they really develop a sense of despair and negativity towards your bloodline, what do you think they will do?"

Mortis walked step by step toward Wakaba Mutsu.

"Besides... there are so many things going to happen in the future."

"While you were asleep, I secretly browsed some fragments of memories that had escaped from the Dream Eater and discovered many incredible things, many of which I had never known before."

She stood in front of Wakaba Mutsu again, stretched out her small hand, and then started to count her fingers one by one:

"Let me calculate it for you."

"When you form a band, you have to perform on stage, right? If you really gain some fame, you might have to do interviews and deal with all sorts of people..."

"Mumi... I'm very worried about you."

"Besides, are you really sure the Baku won't wake up?"

"What if one day you find that you are all alone in this world?"

"Will you really be able to maintain your current lifestyle by then?"

Mortis pressed on relentlessly.

"Mu...you don't understand. In the end, the only thing we can rely on is ourselves."

"Of course, I'm not a devil or anything. The contract is completely voluntary. Let me tell you about it first."

"The terms of the deal are as follows, mainly because this world is not peaceful at all. All sorts of ancient beings want to revive and awaken in this era, and there are also a lot of ambitious people. Despite all this undercurrent, you are still just a junior high school student about to enter high school."

"But thankfully, you still have me—Motis!"

"Because you now need to take charge of real life, I will have to take on everything related to 'Dream Eater'."

"The dream-baku is one with you and me, so it can actually produce completely unbelievable effects."

"Now, I've calculated that if I go all out, I can unleash the maximum power of the Dream Eater four times in total."

"This is precisely the main content of the contract we are signing today."

She stood at a perfect distance from Wakaba Mutsu, then looked up.

"I can accept your summons four times. But each summons will cost you a quarter of your life."

“And when all of the quarters are exhausted, the dominance of ‘Harmony’ will forever belong to me.”

"So? Isn't this kind of contract much more cost-effective?"

Mortis smiled.

"However, in that case, you might see me less often in the future, since I still have the job of connecting the Dream Eater, and sometimes it takes a lot of effort to digest the nightmares within them."

"And I need you to need me. If the Dream Eater takes over you, I will perish as well."

"Motis said slowly."

She appeared very relaxed, showing no signs of tension.

Although she never put the 'television' screen back on after taking it off, she didn't seem to care about any potential problems, as if she had everything under control.

If Ye Mu remained seated quietly, he would hold his guitar even tighter.

She looked at the Baku on the 'screen', then at Mortis's face, and said calmly:

"Why... are you so sure I'll agree?"

“Good question.” Mortis seemed to want to snap her fingers, but her hands were too small and somewhat light, and she failed several times in a row.

She gave an awkward laugh, and then said:

"Because... I did market research."

"Mu... We've always known that we're different from most people, and that only a minority in the world can understand us."

"Aren't you worried... that you'll be seen as a monster...?"

"How lonely will you feel when you find yourself all alone on that day? What will you do if I'm not there for you at that moment?"

Mortis walked back to the television, her back to Wakaba Mutsu, and looked at the Baku imprisoned inside.

"Therefore, buying yourself life insurance is such a worthwhile thing."

"Let me repeat our contract: I will help you resist the corruption from the Dream Eater, and at the same time, I will provide four opportunities to summon me to help you accomplish anything you wish to do."

"When all your wishes are fulfilled, or when you feel an unforgettable loneliness or betrayal, the contract will be automatically dissolved, and from then on, the control of 'harmony' will belong to me."

She turned around and looked at Wakaba Mutsu as if she were looking at him.

When Ruoye Mu's gaze met hers, a golden light flashed in his pupils.

In the dim light, a curve appeared on half of Mortis's face.

"betray……"

"Lonely……?"

Mortis sighed:

"Xiao Mu, let me explain. The condition of being deeply betrayed and lonely will only take effect when you admit it to yourself."

"How about that? Pretty good, right? My word doesn't count; only your own admission counts."

"But by then, you'll probably be crying and handing over the reins of 'Harmony' to me, right?"

Mortis smiled as she spoke her last sentence.

“I…don’t need it,” said Wakaba Mutsu.

Mortis didn't take it to heart.

"Mu, don't be so absolute. Think about it. What if one day your friends misunderstand you for various reasons, and they don't understand what you mean, and end up hurting you?"

"Or, if one day you are hunted down by the whole world because of your bloodline, and there is no one you can trust, wouldn't you need my help?"

Seeing that Wakaba Mutsu remained unmoved, she finally began to get anxious.

"Hey, let me put it another way. Last time, that guy named Nan Yun Yuyue helped you. What will you do next time he needs your help but you can't help him?"

Meeting Wakaba Mutsumi's golden eyes, Mortis continued:

"Think about it. What if it's some extremely difficult situation that's far beyond your capabilities, and no one else can help? He can only rely on you, but you can only watch the tragedy unfold. That would be so tragic."

"You can feel the changes in your own body, so you will naturally know that he and you have similarities. This statement is definitely not unfounded."

"So, exchanging a quarter of one's life depends on the price."

"Ready to accept? Then hold out your hand."

Mortis smiled silently.

"For so many years, ever since we met, you've been wary of me. How much has this boy named Nan Yun Yuyue changed you? To the point that you're willing to pay such a heavy price, to the point that you've even abandoned your principles."

"In that case... the contract is established!"

"Alas, fate is indeed an inexplicable thing. Perhaps it's just a slight deviation, but two people who should have been strangers have to go through countless dangers together."

She reached out and gently touched Wakaba Muku's palm, as if she had just brushed it away.

"All done." Mortis clapped her hands and laughed. "Anyway, that's all for today."

"correct."

As if she had just remembered something, she suddenly said:

"Since Xiaomu has shown her sincerity, I should do something in return."

Swah——

Mortis casually unfolded it.

"This is a trial version of the contract. It will allow you to experience the effects of our contract to some extent, so you know that I am not lying to you."

She smiled mysteriously.

"The trial pack has a shelf life of one month, and you can use it anytime within that month."

"Didn't you want to form a band? You can use it during rehearsals, during performances, or even directly with that boy named Nan Yun Yu Yue."

"Mu... Once you experience it, you'll never forget the feeling."

"Alright. I've bothered you for so long. Go back and practice your guitar. Princess Mononoke is really good. I heard the movie is going to be re-released soon. Remember to take me to see it if you have the chance!"

"Mortis said softly."

She seemed to have exhausted all her strength and appeared somewhat tired.

It felt as if a gentle breeze had brushed against Ruoye Mu's fair cheeks.

In the next instant, the world changed.

Ruo Yemu glanced to her side; Mortis was gone, and Nan Yunyuyue reappeared in her sight, seemingly saying something.

"Speaking of which... it seems that Miyazaki Hayao's 'Princess Mononoke' will be re-released in a while."

"I watched this movie online before. If we have time, how about we go see it in theaters together?"

Chapter 79 Takamatsu Lantern, Philosopher's Stone (6k)

at the same time,