Players' NPC Big Daddy

The sun dipped to the west, signaling the approach of night as Blaze and his companions arrived at Lai Kaion City.

Before entering the city, an argument broke out among the four of them—or more accurately, a conflict between Greenland and Herbie.

Greenland scooped Herbie up into her arms, as effortlessly as if she were equipping an item, and said, ”Let’s go. We’re going in.”

”Huh!?” Herbie blanked for a moment before struggling with all her might. ”I’m just logistics! Why are you bringing me along!?”

”It’s for your own safety!” Greenland suddenly gripped Herbie’s shoulders, her eyes widening like a tiger locking onto its prey. Herbie’s panicked expression reflected in her slit, vertical pupils.

”Someone is after your life. I can only feel at ease if I keep you right by my side.

”You are my—our—Vice Aliens’ only hope!

”Didn’t we sign our lives away to you? I won’t let you fall into danger. You have to stay with me.

”Don’t worry. Once your big sis reaches Level 99, I’ll build an army of Vice Aliens and slaughter everyone who wants to hurt you until they never appear again.

”Hehehehahahaha—”

Greenland’s words grew increasingly bizarre and yandere, terrifying Herbie into shooting pleading glances at Blaze and Audrey for help.

Blaze averted his gaze. Ever since learning someone was trying to harm Herbie, Greenland had been acting like a nervous wreck. She had even uttered a terrifying whisper about wishing she could turn Herbie into her own Summoning.

Her current state was actually an improvement—the result of Blaze consoling her all along the way to alleviate her symptoms.

After becoming a Blessed, Blaze could understand Greenland. Even someone with the Savior Profession like her had spent an incredibly long time and immense effort to reach her current level. Yet, this was a level other Foreigners could reach in just a month. This was all because Vice Aliens were rejected by the world, and right now, Herbie was the only one who accepted them and could offer tremendous help.

After experiencing the luxury of having whatever she wanted, and even being able to enjoy goods in advance on credit, Greenland could no longer go back to her previous life of poverty. Greenland and the other five Vice Aliens simply couldn’t live without Herbie anymore; they were completely molded into her shape.

This sense of dependency was undoubtedly Herbie’s goal, but she had underestimated the hardship of a Vice Alien’s life.

”Let’s go,” Blaze said. Pretending not to see Herbie’s pleading gaze, he released the chicken, letting it fly high into the sky to survey Lai Kaion City from above. But the chicken’s feedback indicated that there was no sign of the Arcadia army anywhere in the city; even the Silver Castle at its center remained entirely devoid of activity.

”What’s going on?” Blaze asked.

The four of them walked straight through the main gate. Just as the chicken had reported, the streets were completely deserted.

Arcadia Territory might have been small, but it was by no means impoverished. Even late at night, there should have been shops open for business. Yet now, as far as the eye could see, the entire city was dead and lifeless.

”Why aren’t there even any Foreigners?” Blaze found this strange. Foreigners were notorious for having no taboos and bizarre habits; they would even casually sleep in graveyards. There was no way they would just stop appearing because it was night.

”Something isn’t right. The online rate shouldn’t be this low at this hour,” Greenland noted, equally puzzled as she waved her hands in the empty air. Blaze and the others weren’t surprised by her actions; Greenland was using a mysterious communication method unique to Foreigners, known as [X], to investigate the matter.

Audrey reached out and pushed the door of an inn. It was locked tight. The innkeeper shook his head at her through the window, then drew the curtains shut. Under normal circumstances, inns—the resurrection points for Foreigners—would never close.

Nearby, Greenland suddenly spoke up, ”Something is definitely wrong. Every single facility in Lai Kaion City has been shut down.

”The teleporting Churches, the resurrection inns... none of them are usable. If Foreigners want to come to Lai Kaion City, they have to run here on foot.”

Although Greenland didn’t state it explicitly, Blaze understood the underlying implication. Backup from the Foreigners likely wasn’t coming. It was unrealistic to expect them to spend a massive amount of time running over from the nearest territory.

”Did the Deputy Lord do this?” Blaze looked toward the cold Silver Castle in the distance. The ruler dwelling within seemed to have known they were coming, generously leaving the main gates wide open to invite them in. He had even been thoughtful enough to make the residents hide in their homes so they wouldn’t get in the way.

”You don’t think they stuffed the entire army inside the Silver Castle, do you?” Herbie rubbed her arms, the dimness and utter silence filling her with unease.

”We’ll find out once we go.” Blaze equipped his Twisted Greatsword. The purple Flame wreathing its blade brought a touch of warmth and light to the quiet city.

”Audrey, before we go in, I want to—”

”If they attack us, do not show any mercy.”

Audrey showed no signs of inner conflict or hesitation. Before even stepping foot into this city, she had already braced herself and made her resolve.

”Then let’s move out.” Blaze nodded at Greenland. With one taking the front and the other watching the rear, they protected Herbie and Audrey as they made their way to the Silver Castle.

The Silver Castle was a fortress in its own right, surrounded by a moat with only a single bridge leading across. It was incredibly easy to defend and difficult to attack. If the bridge were destroyed, Blaze and the others would have been forced to take the risk of swimming across the moat.

But the drawbridge was lowered, with neither Guards nor traps in sight.

Greenland took out her Magic Staff and gave it a wave, executing a Summoning to conjure a zombie rat. She directed the rat to run across the bridge. Nothing happened. But that was exactly what made it so eerie.

”Let’s go.” Even if it was a trap, Blaze and his companions had no choice but to step into it.

The interior of the Silver Castle was as luxurious as a King’s palace. There were Crystal chandeliers, red carpets, and intricately carved marble pillars. However, this Silver Castle completely lacked any signs of life.

The four of them advanced down the dimly lit hallway. The corridor was lined with portraits of the past rulers of the Arcadia Territory.

The First Silver King Lycan was depicted only as a hooded figure from behind. After him was the Second Queen Callisto, followed by the Third King. Almost every ruler possessed a divine and beautiful appearance—but at a certain point down the line, the portraits Twisted.

The rulers began to look grotesque and demented. The Painter had vividly captured the Kings’ inability to sit still, flawlessly depicting their manic, restless states. This Painter’s skill was incredibly exquisite and masterful, so much so that it gave viewers the distinct impression that they weren’t paying respects to a King, but rather hiding behind iron bars from a Wild Beast ready to pounce at any moment.

But upon reaching the final portrait, Blaze paused in surprise. It depicted a man who was less ”handsome” and more ”beautiful.” If Blaze hadn’t known this person was male, he would have undoubtedly assumed it was a beautiful woman dressed in men’s clothing.

The person bore a seventy-percent resemblance to Audrey.

”This must be your father, right? I guess daughters really do take after their fathers.”

”No. That man is my uncle—the current Deputy Lord.”