Lair's betrayal?

Lai Er stared for a moment before realizing Carter seemed to be... poaching him?

So he looked at Carter, wanting to confirm: "Why don't you just say what you mean more clearly."

"Haven't I already made myself clear?" Carter said indifferently. "Why pretend to be dense?"

It really is like that!

Lai Er's interest suddenly piqued. He realized this was a rare opportunity to show his loyalty to Visas-sama!

So he spoke righteously, "How could I possibly..."

"You don't need to worry about him hearing," Carter interrupted Lai Er's declaration of loyalty. "This necklace has already severed your connection with him."

Lai Er froze for a moment, then lowered his head to look at the necklace around his neck.

"Try it if you don't believe me," Carter said. "See if you can still contact him."

Lai Er hesitated, but still cautiously called out in his mind, "Visas-sama."

Indeed, there was no response.

Lai Er felt surprised, wondering if this necklace could really block even Visas-sama.

Well... maybe not necessarily. Visas-sama doesn't really pay attention to me anyway. You know, when I first got this finger, I used to greet Visas-sama three times a day – morning, noon, and night. It was all about devotion.

But Visas-sama rarely responded. Most of the time, I was just entertaining myself with one-sided flattery.

"See?" Carter, seeing Lai Er remain silent for a long time and looking like he'd guessed it, said indifferently. "He didn't respond, did he."

Lai Er thought for a moment and decided to play along: "Indeed, there was no response. So what?"

"So we can speak freely now," Carter continued walking. "At least here, no one can monitor you. You can make a better choice."

Lai Er followed: "So you want me to betray my... partner?"

"Black Merchants have the concept of partners?"

"Of course," Lai Er said. "Business is all about integrity."

"Isn't it about more money?"

"Of course not... at least not just that." Lai Er mentally reported to Bai Wei, "Visas-sama, let me see what this guy is planning," before continuing to talk with Carter. "If there's no integrity, who would do business with us?"

"If you truly had integrity, you wouldn't need to rely on the 'Seed of Covenant' to maintain your credibility," Carter said. "Don't beat around the bush. My master dislikes such pointless talk. If you are willing to pledge your loyalty to her, I guarantee she can give you more than 'Tongue-sensei' can, and even if you are currently bound by the Seed of Covenant, my master can help you break it."

It can break the Seed of Covenant?!

Lai Er was a little surprised, but upon thinking about it, the Seed of Covenant was a product of this place. It wasn't strange that they could break their own things.

But this guy really wants to poach me, and he's being so direct about it.

Lai Er pondered for a moment and asked, "Then what exactly does your master want me to do?"

"I'll tell you only if you agree to swear allegiance to her."

"That's not right, isn't the order reversed?" Lai Er raised an eyebrow. "She should tell me what she wants me to do first... Oh, no, she should tell me what she can give me first, and then I'll decide if I want to work for her."

"That question is meaningless."

"Why?"

Carter calmly stated, "Because master can give you anything."

Lai Er's jaw dropped, clearly shocked by Carter's arrogance.

He really wanted to ask who his master was, but he knew the other party wouldn't say. So, after thinking, he changed the question: "Then, to be loyal to your master, do I need to become like you?"

"What do you think?"

"Don't be cryptic at a time like this," Lai Er said. "If I have to become like you, then I definitely won't agree."

Carter narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly displeased by this statement, but he didn't lash out. Instead, he said, "Not everyone has to become the master's subordinate. If you're unwilling, you don't have to."

"If I don't, can your master still give me those things?"

"Of course," Carter said. "If you knew who my master was, you wouldn't have this question."

...If you knew whose lapdog I am, you wouldn't be trying to poach me either.

Lai Er suppressed the urge to say this and simply nodded, indicating he understood.

Seeing that Lai Er had no further reaction, Carter couldn't help but frown: "Are you willing to serve my master or not?"

"Well..." Lai Er scratched his head. "I think I'll pass."

"It seems you still don't understand the weight of my master's invitation," Carter said indifferently. "Follow me. It's time to let you see for yourself."

It's not that I can't understand, it's that your master is definitely not as important as mine.

Sigh, what a bother.

I don't know when it started, but I've become so important.

Two powerful figures fighting over just me. How can this good fortune be borne?

Lai Er happily followed Carter, but after a couple of steps, a strange thought suddenly crossed his mind.

But then again.

Was that really Visas-sama inside his body?

Lai Er was startled by his own sudden thought.

Why had he suddenly begun to doubt Visas-sama's authenticity? This wasn't something a proper ser—servant should do.

But once the thought popped into his head, he couldn't stop himself from dwelling on it.

It wasn't entirely out of the blue that this question arose. He hadn't doubted Visas-sama's authenticity before because he'd never seen anyone who could have their soul reside in a single finger. If it wasn't the legendary Visas-sama, then who else could it be?

But the problem was, someone extremely similar to him had now appeared before his eyes.

"Visas-sama" was behind him, while Carter's "Master" was behind Carter.

"Visas-sama" could communicate with him telepathically, and the master behind Carter also possessed such means.

"Visas-sama" could control his body to unleash devastating attacks, and the master behind Carter could also use Carter's body, exhibiting distinct feminine characteristics.

Furthermore, "Visas-sama" knew the identity of Carter's master, referring to her as Miss Ring Finger, and Carter's master also knew "Visas-sama's" identity, calling him Tongue-sensei.

From this perspective, these two individuals were exactly the same type of person.

If they were the same type, then it absolutely couldn't be the real Visas-sama. No one could be compared to the legendary Visas.

Thinking this, Lai Er couldn't help but frown deeply.

Damn it, I've been tricked, haven't I? I've been using Visas's corpse parts to trick people into chopping off their hands and feet every day, and now I've been tricked by someone else with Visas's corpse parts?

Even though he knew that even if "Visas-sama" wasn't real, it was still a being he couldn't afford to offend.

But if "Visas-sama" wasn't real, then the invitation from the master behind Carter couldn't be casually brushed aside.

Moreover, he couldn't contact "Visas-sama" right now. Perhaps it was truly because of this master's necklace that it was having an effect? Seen this way, the strength of this master might indeed be no less than his "Visas-sama."

If that was the case...

Lai Er quickened his pace, catching up to Carter.

"Um, tell me more about your master."

Bai Wei naturally noticed Lai Er's actions and the changes in his thoughts, which made him want to laugh.

Of course, Bai Wei wasn't surprised. Lai Er was an utterly self-serving individual. His previous fear and flattery were all because he believed Bai Wei was Visas. Once Bai Wei's identity showed a crack, he would naturally come up with new ideas.

It was as if he hadn't hesitated for a moment about whether Visas-sama's identity was real. As soon as he realized the possibility of deception, he immediately began searching for new possibilities for himself.

Of course, he would still maintain his facade. Before going, he would still righteously say to Bai Wei in his heart, "Let me see what this guy is really up to."

Bai Wei wondered what Lai Er's reaction would be if he knew Bai Wei could completely see through his thoughts.

However, Bai Wei had no intention of revealing this, nor did he intend to prove himself.

Ultimately, he didn't care whether Lai Er would betray him.

Because after bringing Lai Er here, Bai Wei's job was already done.

The next part was Lai Er's solo performance.

"So that's how it is." Lai Er's brow was tightly furrowed.

After his thoughts had shifted, Lai Er began to subtly question Carter about "Visas-sama," or rather, the "Tongue" in their eyes.

Carter was naturally happy to answer Lai Er's questions. As long as he presented the current predicament of his master and the Tongue-sensei, any normal person would know which one to choose.

Although Carter couldn't tell Lai Er all the details, just giving him the general idea was enough.

So Lai Er learned that the "Tongue" wasn't actually Visas-sama, but someone who possessed multiple corpse parts. However, he had been pushed into a corner, and his deal with Miss Ring Finger was only to survive.

He even told him the content of the deal—a set of corpse parts.

Upon hearing this, Lai Er unconsciously clenched his left hand, covering his middle finger.

Because Carter's words made him inevitably think... Damn it, could I be the bargaining chip in that transaction?

He brought his finger here, and after the transaction was complete, he could just hand it over. Tongue-sensei wouldn't even need to show up in person, ensuring his safety and successfully utilizing all his value.

The thought sent a chill of fear through him.

How insidious!

He had almost fallen for it.

Although he couldn't confirm that what Carter said was true, Lai Er's perception and understanding of Bai Wei had already shifted from "the all-powerful Visas-sama" to "a despicable and sinister behind-the-scenes villain."

Under normal circumstances, he might have realized that his thinking was changing too quickly, but he didn't know that he wasn't currently normal.

Carter glanced sideways at the necklace on Lai Er's chest.

His master's power was taking effect.

This guy was just one step away from betrayal.

Then, let's take that final step.

Carter stopped: "We're here."

What arrived? What arrived?

Lai Er had almost forgotten why he was here until Lai Er reminded him, snapping him back to attention. He suddenly realized they had walked out of the yellow sand.

And before them stood the sky-piercing "pillar" they had seen in the desert.

This pillar was nothing like Lai Er had imagined. At first glance, it resembled a pale sculpture, carved with limbs and flesh. Countless tentacles and severed limbs intertwined, twisting together as if trying to climb upwards, appearing lifelike.

...No, not lifelike, it was alive!

Lai Er could clearly feel the white flesh writhing, entangling each other, striving to climb higher, while simultaneously pulling other severed limbs down. From afar, it looked like worms struggling in flames, making Lai Er's scalp tingle.

He couldn't help but look up, wanting to see what lay at the peak of these struggling masses of flesh.

And then he saw it: a statue of a god standing at the very top.

Lai Er didn't know which god it belonged to, but he knew with certainty that it was a god.

Because it was too sacred and solemn.

Its eyes were tightly shut, and the wings extending from its back seemed capable of eclipsing the sun, or perhaps it was the sun.

Even Lai Er, who had no faith, couldn't help but want to bow his head the moment he saw the statue.

This was ultimate sanctity, yet the flesh beneath that sanctity was the ultimate blasphemy.

Lai Er didn't know if the pillar's meaning was that the god had suppressed these blasphemous things, or if these blasphemous things were desperately trying to approach the god. He didn't dare to ask. Under such a divine spectacle, he could only obey.

Wait, obey?

"This is the Obedience of Heavenly Voice," Carter's voice sounded from behind Lai Er. "As long as you offer it a name, it can erase everyone in the world who bears that name. This is the power of a god, and the power of the Master."

Carter paused, then looked at Lai Er.

"Do you dare to oppose such power?"

Lai Er opened his mouth but couldn't utter a sound.

"Of course, I know the Tongue-sensei behind you also has considerable abilities," Carter said slowly. "But do you truly believe he can contend with this kind of power?"

Lai Er still couldn't answer. He looked up at the statue again. The light cascading from it was so bright it made his eyes water.

He had never seen such intense light in the No Man's Land. Just looking at it felt like being ignited.

This reminded Lai Er of five years ago, the terror he felt the first time he looked directly at the sun.

"I..." Lai Er's lips felt dry.

"Don't be nervous," Carter said with a smile, extending his hand. "You still have a choice. You don't have to become its enemy, do you?"

Lai Er looked at Carter's outstretched hand, then subconsciously turned his head to look around the Obedience of Heavenly Voice.

The guardians of the Contract Land maintaining the Obedience of Heavenly Voice wore holy armor that reflected the same light as the statue, also seeming capable of igniting everything.

Lai Er had never considered becoming a follower of any god, until today.

"Join us," Carter said calmly. "Become a servant of the Master, and we will give you everything."

This wasn't the first time Carter had said this.

He had said it half an hour ago, and Lai Er had merely found it amusing.

Ten minutes ago, he had said it again, and Lai Er had begun to ponder.

But now that he mentioned it again, all Lai Er felt was... elation.

Yes, I can join here, I can become one of them!

This place can give me everything!

Lai Er involuntarily reached out his hand, preparing to shake Carter's.

He had made his decision, and Carter smiled.

But just then.

A loud retching sound startled Lai Er.

He instinctively turned his head and saw one of the tentacles beneath the statue open its mouth and vomit outwards.

Rotten, decaying skeletons were spewed from the giant maw.

Lai Er froze. "What is that?"

"Don't be nervous," Carter glanced over. "It's just feeding."

"Feeding?"

"Yes, the Obedience of Heavenly Voice is alive, so it naturally needs to feed," Carter said calmly. "It's just indigestion after feeding. Nothing to make a fuss about."

Lai Er watched as the surrounding guardians nonchalantly stepped forward, collected the vomited flesh and blood, and fed it back. The tentacle then unhesitatingly ate it again.

The huge chewing sounds made Lai Er's skin crawl, and it also calmed him down considerably.

...It seemed anything associated with gods tended to be a bit abnormal.

Lai Er didn't foolishly ask Carter what that thing was eating.

After all, as a Black Merchant, he had seen many similar things. Soon, Lai Er's expression became relaxed again.

But each time, he would comfort himself inwardly.

It doesn't matter. Anyway, these Outsiders, their own god eating their own people, has nothing to do with him.

As long as the No Man's Land isn't affected...

Lai Er's smile suddenly froze.