Charlotte had never seen Lofan like this. The unfamiliar expression on his face froze her smile, and her hand, poised to greet him, slowly lowered.
In the next moment, Charlotte found a hidden corner to conceal herself, instinctively activating her camera. This was a reflex honed by years as a journalist, though inside she felt utterly disoriented.
"Hey, you filthy insect! How dare you still breathe this air?"
"I can smell your stench from a mile away."
"Is your sole purpose to poison the atmosphere around you?"
Hearing the curses and taunts coming from Lofan's direction, Charlotte felt a suffocating tightness in her chest. The strange smells that had permeated the air when she first entered the Fleuve Cendre hadn't bothered her much before, but now she couldn't breathe at all.
"You agree with me, don't you? Look, you can't even muster a single word to defend yourself."
When faint sobs emerged from beneath the old man's matted, filthy hair, Lofan's face lit up with a triumphant smile, as if he'd achieved his goal.
"Every day must be pure agony for you, being despised by everyone, looked down upon by all."
"Getting on in years, can't do anything anymore, just a waste of food."
"Let me think... You probably had a warm family once, but after you lost your ability to work, they tossed you aside without a second thought, leaving you to fend for yourself."
"I understand! I understand perfectly!"
"After all, everyone living in the Fleuve Cendre faces the same struggles. To survive, we have to make these choices. Just like you did when you were younger, abandoning your own elders."
"So why are you still clinging to life?"
"Since you know staying alive only burdens your family, becoming a pointless weight on others, why do you persist in this miserable existence?"
Suddenly, Lofan paused. His smile brightened like sunlight, and his voice softened gradually.
"Do you know? When people die, they go to another world."
"A place without hunger, without discrimination, without pain..."
As Lofan spoke with extraordinary gentleness, he spread out the Steam Bird newspaper he'd bought earlier. He pointed at a detailed report about the latest suicide case.
"All you need is a high place... You know what to do, don't you?"
Witnessing this, Charlotte felt as if struck by lightning. She never imagined that the seemingly innocent and cheerful youth she'd met was actually the mastermind behind the recent series of suicides!
By dismantling the mental defenses of those in despair, then coaxing them into voluntarily ending their lives, he achieved his twisted goals.
Now, the smile that had once comforted Charlotte now carried a bloody tinge in her eyes.
The old man shakily rose from the ground, his will to live completely shattered by Lofan's manipulation. He was ready to find a place to end his life.
Beside him, Lofan maintained his eerie smile - a smile that chilled the soul.
Though Lofan's eyes appeared fixed on the old man, his true focus lay elsewhere.
Just as he'd anticipated, the observer—a professional of exceptional discipline—wouldn't interrupt his actions upon noticing anomalies. Instead, they'd meticulously document everything in secret.
Now it was time for the observer to haul in their net.
As this realization struck, Lofan's smile grew even more inscrutable.
At that precise moment, Lofan sensed the air's temperature plummeting several degrees. Feigning ignorance, he swung his foot toward the old man.
"Scram, you ancient wretch! Who do you think you're putting on that show for?"
Though it appeared as a kick, Lofan used the sole of his foot to gently push the old man away.
The instant the old man gained distance, Charlotte—having confirmed the elder's safety—could no longer restrain herself.
Ice erupted beneath Lofan's feet, encasing both legs in frozen shackles that pinned him immobile.
"Who's there?!" Lofan roared, his face contorted in feigned fury. But when Charlotte emerged from the shadows, her expression dark and pained, his demeanor shifted instantly.
"Charlotte, it's you!"
"How did you come to Fleuve Cendre? It's dirty here. You should go back quickly."
"But I'm still very happy that Charlotte came to see me!"
"Enough!"
Seeing Lofan's smile and tone - both familiar yet alien - Charlotte couldn't bear it anymore. She closed her eyes painfully and interrupted him with a shout, freezing the smile on his face.
"Charlotte?"
"Shut up! Don't call me that name anymore!"
That crisp "Charlotte" stabbed into her heart like a knife, making her gasp for breath from the pain in her chest.
Watching Lofan look like a child who'd made a mistake but didn't know what he'd done wrong, his eyes growing anxious and confused, Charlotte felt her whole body trembling.
But quickly, Charlotte forced herself to calm down. She took a deep breath, then put a forced smile on her face as she looked at the old man who seemed completely stunned by this sudden situation. She spoke softly:
"Old man, I have some money here. Take it to buy food and supplies."
"Don't believe him. He's a criminal."
"Don't dwell on such thoughts. Only the living have hope."
Noticing the Mora in Charlotte's hand, the old man's eyes lit up with intense brightness. He immediately took the money, his words of gratitude flowing endlessly.
"Thank you, thank you! You're truly a kind soul, young lady!"
"In Fontaine these days, there are few people as good as you, young lady!"
After some persuasion and comfort, Charlotte successfully distracted the old man. She then turned her gaze back to Lofan, a flicker of pain in her eyes that quickly transformed into determination as she contacted the Maison Gardiennage...
-
Made a discord if anyone is interested
https://discord.gg/BFW77h7XyS