Magic Manor 10

"Tell me, why would the butler do this? Was the butler you saw in your dream that day this vicious too?"

Roman thought back. "No, he seemed quite ordinary. Never smiled, and his hair was slicked back. I couldn't see any resentment toward Bart's family."

Lu Mi perked up and turned to Roman. "Could it be..."

"You suspect this butler is an impostor?"

"Yes. Maybe that's our way forward." Lu Mi recalled that all those clues had come from the dream. "I've searched this whole castle carefully over the past few days, but the war left most of it unrecognizable."

"I've been thinking that comparing the dream with reality is important. If only we could enter the dream again..." Lu Mi sighed.

The butler was now strictly monitoring their every move. At night, they had to keep Noel awake until the butterflies flew away to hunt players.

Roman looked at him, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Lu Mi, I told you. Getting too tense makes you stupid."

"Huh?"

Lu Mi thought it over carefully, then suddenly widened his eyes. "I get it!"

The butler wouldn't let Noel sleep at night, but the dream didn't necessarily have to happen at night.

"I was being too pessimistic." Lu Mi smiled sheepishly. "It's twelve thirty now. There's still an hour and a half before Noel's afternoon lessons."

"The butler rarely comes here. I'll bring her over now for a nap. We have enough time." Roman started toward the door, then noticed Lu Mi hadn't moved. "Aren't you coming?"

Lu Mi shook his head. "I'll wait here for you."

Roman gave a slightly disappointed "Oh," but obediently went outside.

Lu Mi waited a while, then sneaked out to check, making sure Roman had left.

He returned to the room, knelt in a corner, and rummaged around until he pulled out an Olive Crown that had long been buried under dust and cobwebs.

Lu Mi found a scrap of cloth in the room and carefully wiped off the grime, his lips curving into a smile.

It's still a little dirty, Lu Mi thought glumly. If only his special ability were more powerful. If, for instance, he could summon water and fire out of thin air.

That day, as early as when Noel had been pushed onto Jin Bi, he had considered how to use his special ability to solve their predicament.

But he had quickly realized that his control over water, fire, and earth wasn't strong enough to save someone in that situation.

If he were pushed to the brink of death one day, and even his special ability couldn't get him out... he really would die, wouldn't he?

"I really can't rely too much on my ability," he muttered to himself. He was about to think of another way to clean the olive branches when he heard footsteps coming upstairs.

He instantly panicked-had Roman come back so soon?

Then he immediately found himself a little ridiculous. He was going to give it to Roman anyway. What was he panicking for?

The door was pushed open. Lu Mi was just about to hurry over excitedly when he realized the person in front of him wasn't Roman.

"Are you here to look for clues too?" Lu Mi asked politely. They were on the same team, after all. He ought to at least say hello.

The man, his face covered in stubble and dark circles prominent beneath his eyes, smiled. "What a coincidence."

He entered the room, radiating danger. "You know, Yu Shaoqiang was my best friend."

Lu Mi realized something was wrong and circled the room, keeping his distance. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"He had a wife and kid, too. The day he entered the instance, he'd just taken out a loan to buy a car. He was planning to take them on a trip."

"But because of you... he's dead."

Zhang Zhizhang narrowed his eyes and let out a low roar. He drew a gleaming kitchen knife from behind his back and slashed at Lu Mi, his rushing footsteps kicking up dust.

Lu Mi was ready. He dodged, letting Zhang Zhizhang lunge past him, then kicked him in the calf. Zhang Zhizhang stumbled forward several steps and crashed into the broken wall, nearly falling over the edge.

Lu Mi didn't want to fight anyone. He hurried out the door, only to run headfirst into someone at the turn in the stairs.

Roman was holding Noel's hand, a bundle of bedding slung over his shoulder. With his other hand, he swiftly pulled Lu Mi behind him and coldly watched Zhang Zhizhang chase down the stairs.

"Oh, your backup's back already." Holding the kitchen knife, Zhang Zhizhang smiled at Roman. "Don't get the wrong idea. I was just messing with him."

Lu Mi signaled with his eyes that Roman shouldn't waste time on this man.

Roman nodded, his tone friendly. "We'll be going, then."

Zhang Zhizhang sneered. So this one was a coward.

The odds weren't in his favor, one against two. He silently headed downstairs and brushed past them, his eyes fixed on Lu Mi all the while.

One day, he would avenge his friend with his own hands.

With Noel in tow, they returned to the room on the top floor.

Roman seemed uninterested in Zhang Zhizhang. He spread the bedding on the floor and had Noel lie down.

Noel stayed quiet and asked no questions.

Over the past few days, she had barely spoken a word while conscious.

At the thought, Lu Mi's gaze softened considerably. He tucked the covers around Noel and said, "You can get some proper rest now."

Noel hadn't slept for several days straight. She was either losing control and searching for food or being forced to eat bowl after bowl of dog meat.

Soon, the butterfly wings over her eyes closed firmly.

"I'll enter the dream. You keep watch nearby." Lu Mi paused, then added, "Wait a little. There's something I want to give you."

Roman murmured his assent and watched Lu Mi lie down and soon fall asleep as well.

He rose and walked to the broken wall, his black eyes looking down at the ground.

Although the blizzard had buried many of the traces on the snow-white ground, a closer look still revealed a trail of a man's footprints.

"I have to kill him. I have to kill him..."

Hiding in a recess of the tower, Zhang Zhizhang was freezing all over, yet his chest burned hot.

His mind was filled with thoughts of trampling Lu Mi's corpse beneath his feet. He had already descended into madness.

That Roman couldn't possibly protect him forever. Lu Mi would never expect him to hide here. Once he was alone...

Slowly, a vicious smile spread across Zhang Zhizhang's face.

"Hello."

Zhang Zhizhang shuddered and turned around. A cloaked young man stood a short distance ahead, greeting him politely.

"What do you want?" Zhang Zhizhang snapped. Still not leaving? Watch it, or I'll kill you too.

Anyway... He sized Roman up. Although Roman was tall, he was still just a brat under twenty. If they came to blows, all he could do was cry and beg for mercy.

Roman took a few steps forward. "May I ask, are you Lu Mi's friend?"

Zhang Zhizhang looked baffled. "Who said I was his friend?"

Roman nodded and approached step by step. "That's wonderful, then. Could you do me a favor?"

"I'm busy. You'd better leave right now." Zhang Zhizhang waved impatiently, only to find that Roman had already reached him, his tall figure enveloping him in shadow.

"He's asleep," Roman said gently. "So in a moment, please don't scream."