Why Dekan Had to Flee the Mansion in Such a Panic

"Let me tell you, I, Dekan, am known for my prudence and don't know how to spell 'crash'."

Dekan sat in the carriage, chatting animatedly with his friends, a smug expression on his face.

"Furthermore, I must emphasize that I, Dekan, have never been a comedian."

When suddenly asked about the biggest difference between Dekan and Delois, people generally felt that Delois was more charming than Dekan.

While Dekan could portray a truly ruthless and handsome villainous boss like Delois, with a touch of unspoken sorrow, it was still an act, essentially mixed with a comedic element.

Dekan was naturally indignant. He felt that he and Delois were clearly the same person, so why had his charm diminished in this life?

Later, Mie mentioned that she found it hard to imagine Delois crashing the car.

Dekan immediately panicked, saying that he wouldn't mess things up either.

This immediately drew disdainful looks from Mie and Croix.

The way you stubbornly insisted and the way you trembled as a gray cat were both really cool.

Clay seemed to sense something was amiss and looked at Dekan.

In his memory, Dekan had said he wanted to conspire with him to take down Da Zhan.

But if Dekan is unexpectedly unreliable in some matters, then Clay should think carefully.

"Don't worry, Lei, you can trust me."

Dekan put his hand on Clay's shoulder and looked at Clay intently as he spoke.

After thinking about it for a moment, Clay nodded with some skepticism.

After all, previous collaborations with Dekan had never gone wrong, although each time it was like a bunch of bugs collided and happened to work perfectly.

As the group chatted idly, the night view outside the window gradually became more and more familiar.

A light snow was falling from the sky; it was a late winter night in the capital of Norton.

After the final two weeks of their journey, they finally returned to the city.

Many landmarks have changed beyond recognition compared to what Dekan remembered Norton Royal Capital from two years ago.

This also gradually made him realize once again how long he had been away this time.

The streets were already decorated for the New Year, and of course, the celebratory spirit of the end of the war had not yet subsided.

The atmosphere was designed to help them get some rest tonight so they could get together again tomorrow and have fun.

Half an hour later.

The door to the Happy Group's mansion was pushed open by the returning group.

Since it was late at night, everyone moved around very quietly.

For some reason, a small light was on in the living room, and Judith was sitting on the sofa reading a book.

As soon as the group entered the hall, footsteps could be heard coming from upstairs.

Tata, who had grown quite a bit taller, appeared at the top of the stairs. She stared at Dekan with wide eyes, then her eyes gradually filled with tears.

"Elder brother..."

Listening to Tata's soft mutterings, Dekan felt a pang of sadness for some reason.

He smiled helplessly and waved to Tata:

I'm back, and I'll never leave you again.

Behind Dekan, Ikatinos stared at Tata with a look of astonishment, as if she had finally seen a long-lost relative.

Afterwards, apart from Dekan and Ikatinos, the others all collapsed onto the sofa as soon as they returned to the mansion.

It's not because I'm tired.

I just wanted to relax on this sofa for a while and experience the feeling of being home.

Dekan also wanted to collapse on the sofa.

But he knew that once he sat down, it would be difficult to get up from the sofa even in a short time.

He still had to show Ikatinos around her new home before he could rest.

To avoid frightening Tata, Dekan only told Tata that Ikatinos was his distant cousin.

Ikatinos surveyed the interior of the mansion.

Having lived in that cold palace for so long, she was clearly looking forward to the leisurely life that was about to begin.

"This workshop originally belonged to me, but I gave it to Tata. Over there is Mie's apothecary."

Dekan pointed to each of the important rooms as he spoke.

Ikatinos nodded repeatedly.

They quickly reached the top floor.

"As for the bedroom... you can stay in this one."

Dekan pointed to a door near the end of the corridor.

Unlike Sion, Ikatinos was unfamiliar with the Norton Kingdom, and luckily, Happy Group had an empty room right next to Tata's.

"If you have any questions, feel free to ask Tata. Tata will teach you all the precautions to take."

After speaking with Ikatinos, Dekan looked at Tata.

"Sister Ikatinos is very knowledgeable. Although she always calls me 'teacher,' it doesn't mean she's inferior to me. You can learn a lot from her."

Tata nodded seriously.

For some reason, she felt an instant connection with this first-tier silver-haired woman.

It's as if they've been siblings for a long time.

So Ikatinos stayed on the top floor and talked with Tata, while Dekan returned to the lobby on the first floor alone.

The lobby on the first floor was much livelier than when they had just returned.

At this moment, Clay had somehow produced a set of cards and started organizing everyone to play, creating a truly festive atmosphere reminiscent of Chinese New Year.

"Call--"

Dekan sighed.

He could already foresee how unreliable his new secretary would be.

I hired you to help me with my work, not to have you lead everyone in having fun!

However, just as Dekan was preparing to join them...

Sudden.

The sound of a door upstairs being opened drew everyone's attention.

"Waaaaah, it's so painful! Why did I have to learn to make cards... Waaaaah, I don't want to make Magic Card anymore, I never want to again in this life, waaaaah..."

A series of heart-wrenching sobs, filled with uncontrollable emotion, came from the second floor.

Then, Ice Princess was seen carrying a wine bottle, swaying as she walked out of the Singing Room.

Dekan immediately frowned. He thought that Ice Princess, who had the most regular schedule, was already asleep. He didn't expect her to be chugging drinks on the second floor, her face flushed!

It wasn't just Ice Princess drinking it.

Claire, Croix's childhood friend, followed Ice Princess out, clearly having also drunk quite a bit.

The two were still babbling incoherently in words that no one else could understand.

At this moment, Dekan finally understood why Judith was waiting in the living room.

It turned out that two people were drinking on the second floor, and she had to stay here to keep watch.

I was indeed gone for a long time; even the Ice Princess has changed like this.

Dekan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

And after two years apart, how come Ice Princess and Claire's relationship has become so good?

Those wines must have been brought by Claire, after all, the Marquis Prin's family is famous for producing fine wines.

During Dekan's entrance exam, Professor Arnold lost a bottle of wine personally given to him by the Marquis Prin because of a bet with the dean.

However.

Upon noticing Dekan, Ice Princess's somewhat dazed gaze seemed to lock onto her target instantly. She took steps that looked as if she might stumble at any moment, and rushed down the stairs as if diving.

She approached Dekan and observed Dekan more closely.

Whether she became more lucid or more dazed, her eyes gradually began to redden as she looked at Dekan, who appeared before her like a dream.

"Miss Artemis ..."

Dekan looked at the Ice Princess, who reeked of alcohol, and said, utterly bewildered...

"Although I don't know what you went through, I might be able to offer some insights into the psychological barriers you encountered during the card-making process."

He had heard on the way that Ice Princess had been under a lot of mental stress recently.

"..."

However, Dekan's earnest answer made Ice Princess's eyes even redder.

Her gaze at Dekan gradually turned into a glare, and in those silver pupils that had never shown any anger before, it seemed that she could no longer control the resentment that was about to surge out of her heart.

This inexplicable resentment made Dekan feel a little guilty.

He took a step back and glanced around at his friends on the sofa.

Everyone tacitly put down their cards and focused their attention on Dekan.

However, their expressions varied, making it impossible to deduce the reason for Ice Princess's current state.

What Dekan saw in the expressions of a few people was sympathy for the Ice Princess and speechlessness towards him.

It's so similar to Dekan being at fault.

Dekan was completely bewildered.

He didn't do anything!

For a moment, Dekan subconsciously began to rack his brains, wondering if he owed Ice Princess money from two years ago, or if he had any outstanding wages, or if he had offended her in some way.

"Alright, Miss Artemis, I admit I was wrong."

As everyone knows, Dekan is particularly easy to talk to when he is in the wrong.

"I shouldn't have laughed when I saw the ice Wyvern (slime) you made."

However, as Dekan finished speaking, Ice Princess was still staring at Dekan, her expression unchanged.

"Hmm? Isn't that the reason? Uh, I admit that the idol contract we initially signed was a bit too long. Actually, we should draft a new one, and the decision on whether to renew it after it expires should be yours."

"..."

"Hmm? It's not because of that, is it? Let me think... Hmm, could it be because Cat Teacher joked that the letter you wrote to me sounded like a love letter, and it ended up reaching your ears...? But don't worry, I won't misunderstand. You hate me for all the things I did when I was young and reckless."

After Dekan finished speaking sincerely, he recalled how he had messed with Ice Princess's mindset after rescuing her in Tristin City. Although it felt satisfying at the time, it seemed a bit excessive now.

This time, the Ice Princess's expression finally became very strange.

Dekan was certain he had guessed correctly!

Someone did leak the information!

Seeing that the Ice Princess seemed to be in a rather bad mood, Dekan quickly added:

"Miss Artemis, no matter what, I have always considered you a true friend. I have always dreamed of having you sing a song at my wedding, after all, your singing skills later reached a level that Flora herself was ashamed of."

Even Dekan didn't expect that Ice Princess would later sing so well and become a true powerhouse singer.

The mansion became eerily silent, as if the air itself had turned two degrees colder.

Just when Dekan thought his praise would clear up the misunderstanding between him and Ice Princess...

"Crackling and popping"

The wine bottle in Ice Princess's hand finally slipped and fell, shattering on the ground.

The sound of shattering echoed in Ice Princess's ears and mind.

The next second.

Whether it was because her hands were free or she found a desperate courage, Ice Princess stepped forward and grabbed Dekan's collar, tears streaming down her face.

"You... you..."

Then, with tears in her eyes, she glared angrily at Dekan, her lips trembling, but she couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.

"I...?"

Dekan looked completely innocent and confused, repeatedly casting pleading glances at the people on the sofa.

He was completely bewildered.

But there's definitely someone awake on the sofa!

For example, Mie, who was covering her face with her hands, and Sion, who was smiling, definitely knew something.

Although Clay frowned, seemingly not understanding anything, one couldn't help but suspect that Clay might have grasped the essence of everything through a unique thought process.

Finally, after Dekan pleaded for help, only Croix responded!

My good brother needs rescue!

Croix took Judith's hand and shook it gently.

It means they hope Judith can help the drunken Ice Princess back to her room to rest.

"Oh oh."

Judith quickly stood up, ran to Ice Princess's side, took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped away some of Ice Princess's tears, then tried to move her away.

However, even Judith couldn't remove the Ice Princess's hand, which was tightly gripping Dekan's collar.

Just when Judith was having a headache.

A sudden gasp rang out from the sofa!

It was unclear whether Claire was also drunk or simply emboldened by the alcohol.

She had just walked over to the sofa, and now she's pounced on Croix!

He held onto Croix and wouldn't let go no matter what!

Suddenly, Judith, upon turning around and seeing this scene, seemed to have exhausted all her energy, and her entire being lost its color.

Cold sweat poured down Dekan's forehead.

He had initially thought that Croix and Judith would be able to save him.

And what happened? It was Croix again who got herself into trouble!

This scene is just like the nightmare from back then!

Dekan felt like he was having a PTSD attack.

Everything happened too fast, too suddenly. When Dekan realized it, it seemed he was in the midst of another terrible crisis.

However, after quickly and calmly analyzing the situation, Dekan realized that this time the problem wasn't serious.

Although his good friend Croix has also sacrificed himself.

But this time, his situation wasn't so hopeless!

There's still hope for me!

We cannot let Croix's sacrifice be in vain.

There is only one answer to break free from this Terror situation filled with unknowns and misfortune!

Dekan, like a gecko shedding its tail to escape, immediately took off his coat, threw it off, and ran away!

Although this scene was extremely embarrassing.

But it's also very effective!

Only the Ice Princess, clutching her empty coat and still unable to finish her sentence, and Judith, who was completely dumbfounded, remained.

Dekan watched the mansion gates draw ever closer.

As long as we get to that place.

Get to that place!

Then we can escape this deadly area!

However.

The moment Dekan pushed open the door.

Cornelia, looking surprised, opened the door.

Her winter clothes were a bit more gorgeous than before, as if she had just gotten off the bus, and the same Cat Teacher with the same expression was still perched on her head.

A carriage was parked outside, and Morion and Bishop of Nightmare Alina got out; they had clearly just brought Cornelia back.

"Dekan, look who I can bring back for you..."

Morion was about to greet Dekan with a smile when he realized that the atmosphere seemed a little off.

Logically speaking, it wouldn't be a problem for Dekan to wear a shirt indoors in the dead of winter, so why did he run out of the mansion looking so panicked and guilty?

It seems this guy isn't coming to greet the visitor outside, but rather running away!

Looking into the hall through the open gates of the mansion.

As you can see, Dekan's coat is in Ice Princess's hands???

The usually composed Ice Princess was now disheveled, her face flushed as if she had been given fake alcohol, and she was clutching Dekan's coat, sobbing loudly.

Even though Judith was in extremely bad shape, she was still trying to comfort Ice Princess, as if she herself was about to cry.

From time to time, gasps of surprise could be heard coming from the direction of the sofa in the mansion.

It's just like Dekan did something heinous and despicable and then fled the scene.

"Uh... Dekan ..."

Cornelia didn't understand, but she was deeply shocked.

"Are you planning to come out... to get some fresh air?"

"Huh? Aha, yes."

Dekan was so embarrassed that he made more than a dozen feints before finally bracing himself against the doorframe with one hand and replying with a stiff smile.

"..."

Cat Teacher stared wide-eyed, speechless.

It had no idea what was happening inside the mansion.

But it knew that Dekan was still being stubborn.