It Was Anna, Yet Not Anna

If we consider the Rose Manor outside as the outer perimeter, then the castle where Bai Zhi is currently located is the absolute Core Area.

Outside the castle, the danger comes from Anna herself, but within this Core Area, danger is everywhere.

Because of the results of his previous probing of the two Maid, Bai Zhi completely abandoned the option of communicating with the people in the castle.

Although he wasn't sure whether it was just one or two people who had become grotesque, or whether everyone in the castle had turned into that strange creature, he didn't intend to take any more risks until the cooldown of the Magicians Formalwear was over.

"As for Anna, I believe her room is on this floor..."

Relying on the stealth provided by his Shadow Escape Skill, coupled with the all-encompassing control over his surroundings from God's Perspective, Bai Zhi successfully infiltrated the upper and middle levels of the castle in a short time.

Along the way, he saw mostly Maid of all kinds. It seemed that because today was a rather Special and important holiday, the castle was quite lively.

Cleaning, tidying tables, buying groceries, daily patrols... and so on.

Bai Zhi had also made a special observation, but the people in the castle all behaved quite normally. It was not the bizarre and chaotic scene of demons Utter Chaos among monsters that he had imagined, but rather a scene of bustling activity that could not be more peaceful. The atmosphere was quite tranquil and peaceful, perhaps even with a hint of excitement before the festival.

It seems that only when faced with unfamiliar faces never seen before in the castle do these people reveal their true, eerie and grotesque nature... everything is quite deceptive.

"I wonder if I could find a way to blend in with the guests who arrive tonight. Maybe that would... um?"

With a slight twitch of his brow, Bai Zhi instantly transformed into a Shadow and hid in the shadows to the side.

Just then, the door opened, and a middle-aged man dressed in Noble Attire walked out of the room, followed by a well-maintained and beautiful Woman.

... Anna's Parents?

Watching the two people emerge from Anna's room from God's Perspective, Bai Zhi looked thoughtful.

Although he had visited these two before, led by Anna, they were already mummies, tightly bound to racks by Chains.

The reason he was able to recognize them so quickly wasn't just because there were portraits of the two of them hanging on the walls of the corridor, but also because who else but Anna's Parents could have walked out of Anna's room together?

From Bai Zhi's current perspective, he could clearly see that the expressions on the faces of the two people changed instantly after they came out of the room.

"I've said it before, any troublesome factors should be eliminated as soon as possible."

With a cold snort, the middle-aged man spoke to the Woman had just come out after closing the door.

"Anna shouldn't have that wretched Catherine around; she almost ruined our plans!!"

"Alright, anyway, nothing serious happened, right?"

The Woman affectionately stepped forward and took the other person's arm, then smiled and began to speak.

"I'll have the guards keep a close eye on this area. Every single tree and blade of grass in the Rose Manor is under our control. We've already planned this far, do you really think something unexpected might happen?"

"You always say that."

Turning to look at the Woman beside him, the middle-aged man frowned slightly.

"Where is Catherine? Where did you lock her up?"

"You mean that lowly maid?"

The Woman narrowed her eyes and smiled.

"Don't worry, her fate won't be good. I've already sent someone to rehabilitate her. Later that day, we'll have a very obedient cat... Do you like cats?"

"This kind of thing must be thoroughly investigated."

After hearing the Woman's reply, the middle-aged man's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained serious.

"There must be someone behind Catherine, otherwise a mere Maid couldn't cause any trouble. Tonight's Birthday Banquet is of utmost importance, and I don't want any unexpected incidents to occur."

"Unexpected changes may occur, but accidents will absolutely not happen."

Looking back at the closed door behind her, the Woman gave a gentle smile.

"After this day, Anna will know just how much we love her... Oh, my lovely Anna... From this day forward, you will have immortal Life... and become the savior of all..."

"Let's talk about things like that after we succeed."

The man interrupted the Woman with a slight, mocking smile, his expression noncommittal.

"Is everything ready for tonight?"

"Of course, if you're still worried, we can go and check it again."

Turning her head and resting it on the man's shoulder, the Woman smiled and replied.

"Let's go. It's time to let our lovely Anna calm down a bit. I believe that one day, she will understand our good intentions..."

"I feel like I've stumbled upon some incredible secret..."

After the two men had finally gone far away, Bai Zhi emerged from the Shadow again, looking thoughtfully in the direction they had disappeared.

Thanks to the extremely bitter magic potion that a certain White-haired loli had developed that could cause one's Soul to leave their body, and the Equipment that Night Owl had lent him, his Spiritual Energy Value was finally somewhat abundant. Otherwise, in this castle full of dangers, given the mana consumption of his Skill and Equipment, he might not have been able to sustain himself.

"It's a pity, though. Although it seems like a lot was said, not a single thing that's truly important was revealed... Catherine?"

Bai Zhi narrowed his eyes slightly.

This was the third time he had heard that name.

The first time was during his first vision of Illusions of Yesteryear, when he learned from the conversation between the two Maid that they had been confined for some mistake. The second time was at Anna's Tea Party, when Anna herself mentioned it, and he learned from Anna that Catherine was Anna's personal Maid... The third time is now.

"But thinking about it, it seems I intervened a little too late. Otherwise, I could have tried to rescue Catherine; she definitely knows a lot of secrets about this castle... What a pity."

Bai Zhi shook his head slightly and looked at the closed door in front of him, but for some reason, he suddenly remembered the huge Plush Cat that had always been by Anna's side.