Two hundred fifty. A peaceful night

[Maid Aileen fell silent for a moment, her tone complex, "I am grateful for everything you've done for me... but I must do this."]

"I am grateful for everything you've done for me, but I must do this." The Baron delivered the line without a pause—his poor performance could ruin a play.

However, it was apparent that the "audience," should there be one, might not be particularly discerning.

"This will ruin you and Sara."

Lu Li spoke first, not waiting for the obscure ancient voice to arise.

He wouldn't give the evil spirit an opportunity to manipulate him. It had nothing to do with dignity; it was simply about avoiding the traps that the spirit had set, much like it had done to Aileen.

The ancient voice paused momentarily, then continued progress in the plot.