Chapter 207: The D20


    At 8 p.m., Annan returned home and entered the living room to find it deserted and dark, save for several cleaning robotic spiders scurrying about. At the sound of footsteps, they quickly retreated to their nests to recharge.


    Banjeet?


    Annan called out, but there was no response.


    From her birth, Banjeet had always taken care of her. Aside from his eternally youthful and delicate face, which was enough to make anyone envious, he had always impably fulfilled his duties as a butler, never neglecting his responsibilities.


    She had instructed Banjeet to stay home and watch over the new staff members. Where could he have gone?


    A sense of caution began to rise within Annancould it be that these people had found a way to negate the Contract Fabric and secretly freed themselves from its control, catching Banjeet off guard and harming him?


    She took off her Boots and, wearing silk stockings, silently stepped on the wooden floor, clutching the Miracle Procedure in her hand, searching for traces around the house.


    Soon, she noticed lighting from the novelty game room and heard voices of the new residents:


    Were almost there, its almost ready! Ashes voice sounded.


    Im nearly done too, came Igors voice, brimming with excitement.


    Me too Harveys voice, as if a Corpse were speaking, unexpectedly held a tinge of passion.


    Grr Come on, Im ready! Letsbine our efforts!


    Banjeet was in there too!


    And what was this conversation about!


    What were they nning tobine together!


    They were all men; how could they possiblybine!


    They mustnt take advantage of Banjeets cuteness and ravage him!


    What are you doing


    Annan tightened her grip on the Procedure, pushed the door open, and prepared herself to rescue the defiled Banjeet.


    Then she saw four adults and a child assembling a dark-colored, meter-tall Lego castle.


    Banjeet, Harvey, Igor, Ashe, and Lise all turned to look at Annan, blinking. Banjeet, who had been working on the middle section, immediately stood up: Youre back so early?


    Seriously, what are you all doing?


    Isnt it obvious? Ashe spread his hands. Were assembling Sky Canopy City.


    Annan recognized the Lego castle, of course.


    As a child, her father had bought many of theseplex, high-end Lego toys, wanting to assemble Sky Canopy City with Annan, but she had little interest in such toys. As a result, they were left gathering dust in the novelty game room. After Annan became the head of the Funeral Firm at the age of twelve, she never set foot in the game room again.


    What suddenly made you interested in ying with Legos?


    Ashe nced at Igor: I saw Igor, young at heart, ying with Legos with Lise, so I dragged everyone to join in. I didnt expect the Bewitcher to be so soft-hearted


    Igors face turned red: I just couldnt stand seeing Lise struggle with it for so long, I had to teach her! Actually, I was about to leave, but Ashe, you brought everyone here and got so engrossed, I stayed to look after your experience


    Ashe retorted: Bullshit, you were so hard on me when I made a mistake earlier, is that what you call looking after my experience?


    All of you who can barely understand the instructions shouldnt be criticizing each other, youre all trash. Harvey said unabashedly: If it werent for you guys holding me back, I would have finished this castle by now. Ive done a lot of work assembling broken parts intoplete wholes; this Lego is childs y. Back in my day


    Ashe covered Lises ears: Nobody here wants to hear about your glorious past!


    Annan was confused and asked, So youve just been ying with Legos until now?


    Yes. Banjeet nodded slightly, pulling out his pocket watch: I should also what, its already 8 oclock!?


    It seems to have gotten dark outside


    No wonder Im a bit hungry, I thought I just digested breakfast quickly.


    Daddy, Im so hungry I cant walk.


    Let Aunt Bukin carry you. Ashe quipped, then turned to look at the Sky Canopy City behind him: Should we take a photo tomemorate this, considering it took us an entire day


    Igor spoke in a cold voice, Im not in the habit of keeping visual records


    Ashe thought Igor was about to refuse and was about to mock him for being the most enthusiastic yer when he heard thetter change his tune: However, I have a clean te in the Kingdom of Gospel, so taking a photo should be fine.


    The Cult Leader blinked in surprise, looking at the Con Artist who was turning away, muttering an exnation to someone: Plus, this castle is quite spectacr


    Miss Annan, could you help us out? Harvey asked, taking out a Catnip Cigarette and cing it between his lips unlit.


    Of course, no problem. Purple Moth summoned her own Gospel, then stretched out her index fingers and thumbs to form a frame, capturing the five of them and Sky Canopy City within it.


    The next second, the scene appeared in her Gospel. She turned the Gospel around to show them, This way, the photo will also appear in your Gospels. I rmend you create a photo album in your Gospel and put important photos into it


    This kind of photo hardly counts as important. Igor walked away quickly, with Ashe leading Lise to find something to eat, Harvey went to the balcony to light his cigarette, and Banjeet lingeredst, asking: Annan, should I prepare dinner for you?


    Ive eaten; just take care of their dinner.


    Banjeet nodded, opened his Gospel to order takeout.


    Indeed, the Gospel Rings they provided to Ashe and the others were actually a collectors edition or a castrated version.


    The real Gospel Items had long since integrated multimedia functions, including Curtain (streaming), instant messaging, video viewing, forum discussions, and ordering takeout, to name a few. The Gospel Rings that only opened the Gospel, ornate essories, were actually luxury items that showcased ones status.


    Just as some people still buy watches even though they could simply open their Gospel to tell the timeBanjeet was one of those people, thinking pocket watches were stylishthere were many wealthy individuals who enjoyed purchasing Gospel Rings, Gospel Bracelets, and even Gospel sses that only had the function of opening the Gospel.


    As for why only Ashe and hispanions were allowed to open the Gospel That was, of course, to prevent them from contacting the outside world while still allowing them to experience the allure of the Gospel.


    Humans are social animals, andmunication is an extension of boundaries. When you see news from a thousand miles away, you are a thousand miles away; when youmunicate with others on the Curtain, you are not alone; when you see the tens of thousands of real human information streams in the Gospel Kingdom, your room bes the entire nation.


    Conversely, when they cannot leave, when they cannotmunicate with the outside world, then this house bes their entire world.


    With their vision confined within four walls, their ambitions cannot reach the wider world, so naturally, they can only turn their attention inward.


    Just as ancient courts often bred conspiracies and banquets were filled with deceit and trickery, Annan had long anticipated that Ashe and the others would plot to rebel against heror rather, this was the oue she had hoped for.


    The more they stirred in the shadows, the morepliant they appeared in the open.


    Bound by Contract Fabric, Annan had no fear of their rebellion. On the contrary, the more they obsessed over how to deal with her, the happier she was, because it meant they were wasting their energy on futile things.


    Conspiracy and suspicion are twins, and the shadow of revenge is called shortsightedness.


    When each of them became upied with negative emotions, Annan could easily sow discord, favor some, suppress others, and thus easily divide them, strengthening her control and using pce intrigue to drain their vitality.


    Although they had initially seen through her ploys, Annan had never given up on dominating these People from the Exotic Lands. She had simply made her ns longer, more covert, and more resistant.


    But no matter what, the first step was to fill their hearts with negative energy.


    Today, Annans visit to the Mermaid Pce was also a deliberate move to give them space to act freely. She had thought that when she returned home, these new employees might give her the cold shoulder, or perhaps greet her with smiles, or even someone might pledge loyalty to her.


    She had prepared for every contingency but was still stunned by this group of people.


    Why are you all ying with building blocks so happily together!


    The five of you together are over a hundred years old!


    Arent you worried about your futures? Dont you long for the Divine Masters Wish? Dont you want to resist the constraints of Contract Fabric? I gave you the opportunity to band together, and youre actually ying with building blocks, even dragging Banjeet into it!


    Annan looked down at the photo in the Gospel, where the five stood before Sky Canopy City. Banjeet stood with proper posture, Harvey had a cigarette dangling from his lips, Igor fidgeted awkwardly, Ashe squatted down and shed a V-sign, and Lise, though not quite understanding, copied him with a V-sign of her own


    Who had brought life to this stagnant pool?


    Purple Moths gaze swept over the new employees faces, finally resting on Ashe and Lise.


    The delivery arrived promptly, and the drone thoughtfully ced the steaming Redme L Fatty on the table. Ashe had just sat down when he stood up again: Save some Redme L Fatty for me, Im going to


    Stop, dont say it, just go, no onespeting with you, Igor cut off Ashes incantation decisively.


    Lise, ravenous, couldnt wait to stuff a piece of cake into her mouth, ending up with cream all over her face. Lise, desserts are for after the meal, Igor said gently, Come on, eat the L Fatty first.


    Igor took the initiative to carve up the most sulent food, serving Harvey, himself, Banjeet, and Lise, and then there was none left.


    Youre targeting Dad again, Aunt Bukin


    If youre not eating it, give it to me, Ill take the hit, Igor said, looking around with a threatening re at Harvey and Banjeet.


    Harvey didnt seem to care and started eating heartily.


    Banjeet appeared to have little appetite but, to be polite, licked the L Fatty.


    After pondering for a moment, Lise decided it was better to eat it herself than give it to Igor, so she dug in with gusto.


    Having fun?


    Lise blinked, turning her head to see the Observer sitting in Ashes seat, and was about to speak when the Observer raised a finger to his lips: Say it in your heart, I can hear you.


    Fun! Lise thought: Observer brother, youre amazing, can no one else see you?


    Just like Deya, no one else can see me, said the Observer, leaning in to sniff the aroma of the L Fatty, Speaking of which, where is the Witch?


    The Princess? Shes inside, fussing about changing ces, Lise replied: But I want to finish eating first.


    Hmm, it is indeed time to change, especially since the next activity is rather violent and gory, not suitable for you, Lise.


    What activity?


    Before that, lets settle your entertainment results for today!


    The Observer flipped his hand and pulled out a D20.


    He tossed it lightly, and the die rolled several times on the dining table before settling on an 8.


    Todays Entertainment evaluation is extraordinary, +7 Points; Lise, youre in a good mood, +5 Points; Lise, you have a Luck Check +10, so you get to roll an extra D10 for additional Points


    With a light tap from the Observer, the D20 instantly turned into a D10, which after a gentle roll, came to rest on a 3.


    Your total Points for today are 7+5+3=15 Points. The Debauched Prince only scored 8 Points, so Lise, today youve earned the Debauched Princes admiration and also gained 150% Fist and w Faction experience.


    As soon as the Observer finished speaking, Lise felt as if ice cream had melted in her mind, and the sweet knowledge flowed ceaselessly into her consciousness.


    She paused, suddenly picking up a stainless steel spoon and staring at her reflection on it.


    Then, with a serious expression, she looked straight at the Observer: Why do I feel like Im absorbing knowledge in the Virtual Realm? Observer, who exactly are you?


    Is it the witch? Actually, I prefer chatting with the Little Witch, the Observer said leisurely. In any case, I arranged for you to y for your own good, since you cant practice normally with that posture. Its not just about toying with youat least not entirely.


    Not entirely, so what proportion is it?


    Roughly 76.85% but thats beside the point. The Observer pped his hands. Entertainment is over, now for the main event, which just so happens to be a task suitable for a witch like you toplete.


    Deya was somewhat nervous: What task?


    Battle, the Observer uttered a cruel word.


    Observer, you should know that in my current posture I have nobat ability


    But I want you to fight, the Observer said coldly. You know, this isnt an order, but you cant refuse.


    Deya took a deep breath, suppressing the desire to argue: Whos the target?


    The target is


    The Observer raised his hand.


    Pointing towards the Restroom in use.