Chapter 54: “The Archbishop’s manners seem mismatched with his status.”

Chapter 54: "The Archbishop's manners seem mismatched with his status."

The entire banquet, before the Emperor's arrival, fell into an eerie silence.

Everyone sipped fine Purple Ice Wine, stealing glances at the two figures at the head of the table.

Those seated at the back without privilege would find any excuse to engage—greeting acquaintances, standing to call for more wine, or admiring the royal exotic flowers. In short, they sought to see and be seen, creating opportunities for visibility.

Hil, closest in proximity, was utterly bewildered.

She had never known that Fey was acquainted with the esteemed Archbishop—a figure beyond even her father's reach for casual conversation.

And the expressions on both their faces... they were inexplicably peculiar.

The Archbishop's face bore a look of superiority, a demeanor of someone accustomed to a high position and looking down upon the world.

Fey, in a black dress devoid of any adornments, emanated an aura of 'keep away', yet her eyes remained fixed on the Archbishop opposite her.

—The Archbishop, who should have been seated at the most prestigious spot, defied convention and, against all advice, took a seat opposite the Earl's third-row position.

Hil could sense the fury smoldering in the eyes of the Dukes in the first row.

Observing their expressions... Hil, for some reason, perceived a mutual, unspoken desire to annihilate each other.

Wyatt silently bowed his head, fists clenched under the table. This dinner was bound to be tumultuous.

Soon after, the master of ceremonies announced the arrival of the Emperor.

It was an entrance of ultimate opulence.

Precious crystals, unseen in ordinary homes, now formed ascending steps at the Emperor's feet. Carrying Dean upwards, he finally seated himself in a golden high-backed chair, towering above all.

Light sprites danced around the Emperor's legs.

A row of oddly dressed individuals, faces veiled, stood silently on either side of the Emperor.

On their veils were simple sketches of a red sun, symbolizing the throne that never sets.

Fey glanced twice, and suddenly recalled having seen that red sun before.

It was [The Followers].

In the game "Land of Gods and Demons", there were often easter egg-like designs. These included unexpected NPC fights, unique cutscenes after defeating bosses, or special plots and scenes triggered by specific actions.

The Followers were one of these elements, guardians in the game world protecting a mysterious area.

That area was invisible on the game map, only revealing itself when a player physically stood there.

Fey had once joined the crowd to visit and discovered it to be a peculiar construction, akin to both a power station and rows of machinery bound together.

It was a small area, guarded by Followers in red sun veils, circling protectively.

As soon as a player approached, the Followers would attack.

Indiscriminate attacks, instant death within a second.

This naturally ignited the players' defiance: the more they were killed, the more they wanted to conquer, the more they were barred, the more they yearned to uncover what lay within the building.

Hence, a fierce "last stand" began, with countless players trying various methods, yet none could withstand the Followers for even a second.

Even top-ranked players, including Fey as a team leader, attempted and failed without exception.

"It's definitely a plot-driven death!" lamented a player on the forum.

At that time, Fey thought so too, but now, facing these Followers, a sudden idea sprang to mind.

Perhaps it wasn't just plot-driven in the game.

When she caught a glimpse of the mingled disgust and longing in the Archbishop's eyes, she became even more convinced of this thought.

These guards of the Emperor were strong, incredibly strong.

They might possess the ability to kill anyone with a single strike.

Was this why the owner of Black Moon had been so patient, gradually eroding the power of the government and other forces, unable to simply overthrow the empire by force?

Fey lowered her eyes, fingers idly stroking her palm.

No need to panic; since the Followers eventually became part of the game, it meant Black Moon must have found a way to tame them.

If Black Moon could do it, why couldn't she?

The Emperor swiftly surveyed his respectful subjects, his piercing gaze briefly lingering on the Archbishop before quickly moving on.

The master of ceremonies, receiving a signal, read a lengthy welcome speech and finally announced the start of the banquet.

The clinking of cutlery and glasses mingled in the air.

Fey remained with her eyes downcast, like a hunter lying quietly in the bushes, waiting for the prey to step into the trap.

Sure enough, after consuming two steaks, the Archbishop's voice came from across the table.

"I'm yet to learn the name of this beautiful lady," his golden pupils coiling around the girl's neck like a snake, "Are you a member of the Wyatt family?"

Hil, who was drinking water, almost choked. The Archbishop knew her surname!

What to do now? By bringing Fey to the ceremony, Hil had registered her as her cousin. After all, her uncles were known for their indiscretions, leaving numerous children scattered. Assigning one such identity to Fey wouldn’t raise suspicion.

But if discovered, Fey, being a commoner, had no right to be in the palace.

Hil tensed up, then heard her friend reply airily, "Shouldn't one introduce oneself before inquiring about a lady's name? Archbishop, your manners don't seem to match your stature."

The onlookers: ……

Hil: … Well, that's Fey for you.

The Archbishop's expression remained unchanged, almost pleased by the remark, as if it confirmed, "I indeed chose the right person."

"My oversight," the Archbishop laid down his fork, extending a hand, "I am Theodore of Sanctus, a surname bestowed by the great Divine."

The same Divine you personally killed?

Fey wiped her mouth, stared at the hand for a few seconds, then extended hers.

"I am Fey, and I presume the Archbishop already knows my surname."

As their palms met, a golden heart in her chest suddenly throbbed heavily.

Fey felt the overwhelming... resentment of the Divine.

The emotion was so clear and profound that Theodore raised an eyebrow, gazing steadily at the girl.

"Fey, is it?" He slowly withdrew his hand, his gold pupils clouded with deep gloom.

The banquet ended soon amidst this strange atmosphere.

The Emperor barely ate, appearing severely frail. He made a brief appearance to assert his presence, then left under the escort of the Followers, even the sprites nowhere to be seen.

To prevent any mishaps, the Royal Knights and the Royal Mage Corps were in charge of security.

Theodore, being the most esteemed figure, was soon surrounded by a throng of diverse people.

Fey ate only a little, and seizing an unnoticed moment, she quickly whisked Hil away.

It was a joke to think of a confrontation in a banquet hall filled with hundreds; neither she nor Theodore could afford to make a move there.

But with the enemy present, she needed to clarify other important matters before taking action.

"Go back and wait for me," Fey urged her roommate into Wyatt's resting room, "and make sure to immediately write to our mentors, informing them we're in the palace."

"Wait a minute!" Hil grabbed her in a quick motion, "Where are you going? What are you planning? Do you have a feud with the Archbishop? Does he want to kill you?!"

Fey: "Sorry, darling, no time to explain. Listen to me. Stay here and write to the mentors, now."

Hil was momentarily stunned by the endearment, allowing Fey to quickly lock her in the room and set up a series of noisy magical barriers outside the door.

These barriers were not only powerful but also incredibly "noisy".

If someone tried to force the door, the instant the barrier was breached, it would sound like thousands of bells ringing, attracting the Royal Knights or others swiftly.

Fey was betting that Theodore still wouldn't dare reveal his true nature in front of the Emperor.

Hil, momentarily dazed, soon regained her senses and pounded on the door, but couldn’t break through Fey's magical power.

The young lady calmed down in a second, "Fey asked me to write to the mentors, saying 'the person is here'. I must help her!"

The nobles’ bedrooms were well-equipped; Hil quickly found paper pigeons for sending messages.

To be cautious, she wrote two identical letters to each mentor, familiar or not, and sent each paper pigeon in different directions with various magical disguises.

Watching the paper pigeons vanish from sight, Hil suddenly thought of someone else.

"Write to the Sea of Illusions too!" she wrote hastily, "That demon gentleman seems... quite close to Fey, doesn’t he?"

Meanwhile, Fey herself hurried out of the nobility’s tower, heading straight for the Royal Academy’s library.

Her black dress swirling, the vibrations of the golden heart within her growing stronger.

It was the Divine's overwhelming negative emotions, quickly dragging Fey's mood down with it.

Fey strived to stay calm, repeatedly telling her heart, "The person is here; tell me how to break the divine punishment, and I'll help you. You don't have a body now, but I do; you can't unleash your power, but I can. Together, we can definitely end him in this place!"

Today was an open day, and the academy's library was accessible to those with special invitations.

Conveniently, as one of the four great nobles, Wyatt was among the 'special' ones.

Fey rushed into the vast library, filled with books, prepared to find the answers herself if the Divine's consciousness ultimately refused to tell her.

She had to resolve the matter of divine punishment before her confrontation with Theodore, no matter what!

This way, if she accidentally met a death ending, her mentors could avenge her.

...And perhaps there was one more person.

The image of the demon's flamboyant, confident face flashed in her mind. Fey couldn't help but wonder, if she ever died, what would Beelzebub do?

A cold wind suddenly blew, and the soft voice of the small world whispered in her ear.

"Fey, don't worry, I will help you. Whatever your final decision, I'm with you."

The girl snapped back to reality, slapping her face to focus.

The Divine's unstable emotions were increasingly affecting her.

"Thanks. Just don’t stab me in the back in the end, or I won't mind taking over Black Moon's legacy," Fey said, eyeing the library's floor layout, her voice a bit cold.

The small world gave a bitter smile, sounding pitiful like a kitten abandoned in the rain, "The last thing I want is for you to hate me."

"I don’t fully understand human emotions, but seeing you upset really unsettles me."

"I was ignorant before; can you forgive me?"

It spoke softly, with a tinge of loneliness, "You're the only one I have, Fey."

The girl paused amidst the crowded library, about to respond, when the golden heart within her suddenly began to tremble violently.

A familiar, ethereal figure materialized before Fey, a distant, unheard voice echoing in her ears.

"Divine punishment... go to the 4th floor... there's a part of me... there..."

Author's Note:

Dear readers, I'd like to recommend a pre-collection from my friend, the details are below. If you're interested in this genre, feel free to check it out!

Title: "Atypical Simulation Life" by Ling Jiang / Work ID: 4175011

A stunningly beautiful information broker wreaks havoc in an interstellar game!

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On her birthday, Lan Yan finds herself transported to a deserted planet in a corner of the Star Federation.

The mysterious patient she saves leaves her a space button containing a gaming helmet upon his near-death.

Driven by curiosity, Lan Yan logs in.

As soon as she enters, she sees two lines of large black characters flashing crazily in front of her, urging her to read.

[Afflicted with a Serious Disease]

Effect: Random severe disease in each game session.

[Genius Doomed to Die Young]

Effect: Inevitable death on 30th birthday in each game session.

And they're permanent debuffs with no option to remove!

Lan Yan: ...She hadn't even fully understood the game and was already hit with two permanent debuffs?

But soon, Lan Yan discovers the ingenious use of these two permanent debuffs.

Players can choose talents before starting the game, with the sum of positive and negative points not exceeding 3.

Lan Yan, chin in hand, eyes shining, looks at her two inherent talents totaling a whopping '-10 points', growing increasingly fond of them.

So, should she choose the 1-point [Inborn Phenomenon], the 2-point [Beauty's Fragile Fate], the 3-point [Survivor of Desperate Situations], the 5-point [One in a Million Luck], or the 8-point [Blessing of the Light God]?

There were too many talents to choose from, almost dazzling her.

Eventually, Lan Yan selects the singular, highly valued 10-point talent [Playwright of the Creation God].

Give her enough intelligence, and she could conquer any challenge, even if deaf, blind, and paralyzed in bed!

A game called "Second Life" swept through the Star Federation, its unassuming name unable to mask its allure that captured 99% of the universe's gamers, with its realistic graphics and characters so lifelike they seemed to transcend dimensions.

This game seemed to possess a more mysterious purpose; the Star Federation even organized the first interstellar cup competition for it, offering unbelievably generous rewards, attracting numerous players to sign up eagerly.

Some enthusiasts drew up a list of potential champions, with 'Lan Yan' naturally topping the list.

After all, a consensus had formed on the forums: the only difference between you and a top player is whether you have [Lan Yan] in your contacts!

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Reading Tips:

1# The protagonist is a risk-loving gambler, who thrives on walking tightropes (but she's not crazy!)

2# The CP (couple pairing) is of the love-hate variety, with a mentally stable, mature man. Whether it works out is all about fate.

3# It's not an infinite stream; it's a game simulation, a type of life simulation, but that doesn't mean horror elements can't be added (shh).