The interior of the castle was like a maze. Had it not been for Nol's astonishing memory, Teest would have almost taken a wrong turn.
Now Nol understood why the two neighbors had no reinforcements.
The guest rooms in the castle had all been converted into something resembling hospital rooms. Beautiful, flat doors were fitted with glass peepholes, and below each door was a slot for delivering meals. This slot was much larger than usual, just big enough to allow an adult to pass through.
Dried, brownish-red stains lingered around the edges of the meal slot, smelling like blood. Suspicious stains also seeped from beneath the doors, something Nol preferred not to dwell on.
After all, some of the monsters in Tahe's repertoire indeed had humans on their menu—
In those hospital-like rooms, monsters of different races were in slumber. They lay in transparent magic cocoons, floating up and down in the center of the rooms, lifeless like specimens.
Despite no apparent need, all the monsters were dressed in coarsely made striped clothes, their faces bearing complex emotions that didn't seem to belong to their races—they curled up anxiously, and Nol didn't see a single smile.
Fortunately, there was no scent of death on them. They were just sleeping.
Two of the rooms were empty, with their doors slightly ajar. Nol cautiously slipped into one and felt a lump in his throat at the sight within.
In one room, there was a coarse cloth on a table with a half-finished cross-stitch. The embroidery was poorly done, and the color selection was a mess, resembling the scribbles of a madman. But Nol could feel the embroiderer's will to "desperately live a normal life"… A woman's "hospital gown" was neatly folded and placed beside the bed.
Next to the pillow lay a small painting the size of a mobile phone, prominently displaying a chat interface from a messaging app.
This conversation was with "Mom". In the imagined dialogue, Mom told her, "Get well soon, my dear daughter. We'll be home soon."
The text was in Nol's native language, the standard language of Country C.
The other room was much more austere. There was an indistinguishable wood carving on the table, with a joking "Morning" carved on it, and the remaining space was filled with rows of crookedly carved "正*" characters. Nol counted them, matching the dates of the neighbors' arrival.
*Clarity: It's a way to record tally marks in Chinese. In this case, this symbol resembles 5.
A man's "hospital gown" was carelessly draped over a chair, and Nol found lizard scales at the foot of the bed.
…These two rooms likely belonged to those two sealed compatriots.
If there was one thing these two rooms had in common—it was the same biting cold, half from the air of despair and half from the omnipresent corruption of the Demon King.
The remaining rooms were completely sealed off by energy crystals, making them inaccessible.
"Can you use 'Dream Manipulation' at this distance?" Nol whispered, gazing at the sleeping monsters.
Inside the castle, the power of the anti-magic crystals was even stronger. Even non-aggressive little spells were difficult to use here.
Teest roughly estimated the distance, then frowned as he felt around. "No, the interference is too strong. I can only sense their condition, not get specific information."
"Condition is enough." Nol watched those likely neighbors wrapped in corruption.
Teest looked at him for a while, then reluctantly nodded. He reached out towards the sleeping neighbors, his other hand covering Nol's eyes.
"I can only hold it for two seconds," he sighed.
Nol hummed in response, closing his eyes in that warm darkness. But in the next moment, he felt a void beneath his feet, as if plunging into an abyss.
Pain was everywhere, spreading throughout his body. It wasn't intense, but persistent, like a nest of ants building their nest in his limbs—his nerves and flesh being gnawed to shreds.
A tinnitus-like murmur surrounded his ears, an inhuman voice that was intermittent, so noisy it drove one mad. Even with his Player privileges, Nol couldn't hear it clearly, only feeling a faint wail of a ghost near his ear.
Fortunately, all of this was softened by 'sleep', becoming gentle and dull.
Two seconds felt like two centuries. When Teest removed his hand, Nol was still somewhat unsteady on his feet.
No wonder the monsters here chose to sleep. No one would want to endure these sensations consciously.
…Is this what being corrupted feels like?
Not to mention the unaware neighbors. Even if Nol himself were in such a situation, he wasn't sure he could maintain his sanity.
"I knew it. You're going to sympathize with them again." Teest retracted his hand.
Nol didn't deny it. "The seal can indirectly eliminate the corruption. This could be a bargaining chip for us—at least for now, it seems that the Lord of the Manor holds no malice towards these… monsters."
Thinking of the tragic state of Balsam Town and Eternal Day City, his tone became uncertain again.
Apart from these peculiar guest rooms, the castle's defenses were lackluster—rolling stones, traps, laser tripwires, or flamethrowers. It was like a clichéd RPG setup, but without monsters and rewards, and no tense background music, just endless silence.
Walking through the empty corridors, Nol dared not make his footsteps too heavy.
It seemed like the castle's master tacitly allowed their presence. As the two cautiously explored step by step, they encountered no enemies other than mechanical traps.
Lamps powered by black-red crystals, overly stylish pipe designs, and dilapidated daily necessities not belonging to Tahe. The more Nol observed along the way, the more alarmed he became.
If "black-red crystals" were seen as power equipment, given the interior decoration here, saying the castle was a modern theme park wouldn't be far-fetched—they even found a flat guide map in the decayed garden.
Nol stood in front of that map for a long time.
The metal guide map looked as ancient as the castle, its edges corroded and covered with corruption. The paint was peeling and cracked making the content blurry and unclear. Only the general routes in the central area and a conspicuous red upside-down droplet-shaped marker remained.
In the marker, it clearly showed [You Are Here].
It was text from Earth.
Nol reached out, touching that piece of civilization from Earth.
The Demon King's architecture was filled with Earth styles… Did the Demon King from over two thousand years ago come from Earth, or was this place Earth?
Numerous speculations floated in Nol's mind. Each possibility, upon closer thought, sent chills down his spine.
The Lord of the Manor must have noticed this statement, and the neighbors surely saw it too.
With so many possibilities, why did they adamantly insist this was a game? Was The Lord of the Manor lying and brainwashing, or did he really have more damning evidence…
For a moment, Nol even doubted his judgment about the "reality of the world". He took several deep breaths to curb his wild thoughts.
'Seeing this thing in advance had its advantages,' Nol thought.
With all the peculiarities along the way, he was mentally prepared. No matter what the truth of The Manor was, it wouldn't break him.
On the corroded signboard, someone had marked an "×" with red-brown paint. It corresponded to the central hall of the castle on the guide map.
The red-brown mark was still fresh.
"Since they've sincerely invited us…" Nol gritted his teeth. "Let's go, Teest."
After saying this, he hesitated for a moment and took out the medium-range transmission magic talisman. "You hold onto this first. Without anti-magic interference, you can activate it with your ability—just in case."
Teest wrinkled his nose at the charm, as if he had found a half-eaten insect in his food.
"Alright then." As Nol expected, the Mad Monk quickly took it.
Teest carefully stuffed the talisman into his chest and extended his hand to Nol. Nol hesitated, then handed over his hand. Teest bowed his head and kissed the back of his hand.
[Betrayal Overture] activated.
"The time limit from last time is almost up. Let's extend it," Teest said. "Just in case."
...
Before the hall lay two massive doors.
The decorations on the doors were unexpectedly exquisite and vivid, but unfortunately, they had been tarnished by the Demon King's corruption, turning the bright colors dull and ashen, like rotting fruit.
Teest was vigilantly holding onto his "Betrayer", while Nol prudently armed himself with the rocket launcher. The shadow wolf left its shadows, ears drooping as it lay down outside the door with Mr. Dia Blanco still unconscious in its mouth.
"Good boy, wait here." Nol petted Shadow Wolf's dark nose. "If something happens…"
He bit his lip. "I mean, if it really becomes an emergency. Abandon this knight and hide in Teest's shadow."
Shadow Wolf Ben lowered its head and nudged Nol's palm. Nol forced a smile, patting the wolf's cold, damp nose.
After settling the shadow wolf, Nol went to push the door.
His face was expressionless, but the closer his hand got to the door, the more it trembled. Just as he was about to touch the door, Nol abruptly withdrew his hand as if burned by fire.
For the first time, Nol vividly felt the courage his role as a "producer" had given him along the way.
This was the first time since he arrived in Tahe that he faced such a vast and terrifying unknown.
The "You Are Here" sign kept flashing before his eyes, and Nol couldn't convince himself that what awaited him was "just a game problem".
Fear clenched his throat, turning his blood to flowing ice.
"…If you want to give a hint, now is your last chance." Nol tapped the end of his staff on the ground, causing Kando to open its eyes.
The black candle's eyes roamed around, showing complex emotions. It seemed to be recalling something, its gaze becoming more sentimental.
"You guys move really fast," it said softly. "Unfortunately, I don't have much to say."
"Honestly, I already feel like giving up. I wish I could turn back and isolate myself with the neighbors in the Lost Tower until the end of the world," Nol said with a forced smile. "Whatever you say will just help me be more mentally prepared."
Teest turned his head, silently watching Nol.
"Tell me what you know, even if it's incomplete information. I've guessed that the Demon King is related to my homeland, and this world isn't as simple as I thought."
Nol looked steadily at Kando, almost pleading. "I really need to be better prepared, have a more complete plan… I'm not a hero. I get scared too."
He was an ordinary person, naturally prone to nervousness and making unnecessary mistakes out of fear.
But this wasn't a game where mistakes could be undone with a reload. There was no second chance—whatever happened next, he had to achieve a perfect outcome on the first try.
Despite gathering courage and the truth being within reach, Nol felt a reluctance. Contrary to his wishes, his feet seemed to be welded to the spot.
"Tell me, okay?" Nol didn't retreat, repeating with a hoarse voice.
"But from my perspective, you haven't given up yet." Kando answered almost cruelly. "And who told you that 'heroes' don't feel fear?"
Nol pursed his lips. "So this is a refusal."
"Keep going forward, My Lord," the candle said softly. "Until there's no way back."
"Asshole," Nol cursed under his breath.
"Yes, I am indeed an asshole." The candle's tone was unexpectedly gentle.
After a dozen seconds, Nol and Teest each placed a hand on one of the doors.
"You gave instructions to Ben and asked Kando." Teest suddenly spoke. "It's not fair. Don't you have anything to say to your husband?"
"I hope you can survive this," Nol said without looking up. "Fortunately, I know you will—should a real crisis arise, even without my reminding, you would immediately abandon the shadow wolf, Dia, the siren, and…"
Nol paused for a moment, his grip on the door tightening.
"…and me," he said. "That's why I'm very reassured by you, Teest."
Teest opened his mouth, gazing at Nol's profile in silence for a long time.
"Right." Finally, the Mad Monk responded as casually as he could.
Regrettably, his tone didn't sound very relaxed.
The dim doors slowly moved, and as soon as they opened slightly, a rush of wind eagerly burst forth. A strong, strange stench hit them, and Nol quickly suppressed a gag.
Then the dust swirled, and without further effort from them, the doors opened to their fullest.
Nol looked up.
His first thought upon facing everything in front was that this place indeed resembled a modern-themed castle—
In the center of the magnificent hall, instead of a throne, there was a huge sunken stage. The exquisite floor tiles were covered in dust, the curtains rotted and dull, yet their former vivid red was still discernible.
Opposite the stage, near where they stood, were decaying remnants of seats.
The Lord of The Manor stood on that stage.
This wasn't to create some dramatic effect—judging by the Lord's physical condition, it could only stay on this stage.
It was too large.
Nol could barely recognize parts that belonged to a "troll". Trolls were naturally tall and robust, with the stronger ones reaching over three meters.
The Lord of The Manor seemed to have evolved; his skin was as white as plaster, covered with fine lines, characteristic of the high-ranking troll species—Savage Giant Witches.
These were all settings from "Tahe World", but Nol couldn't find comfort in these familiar settings. The Savage Giant Witch from the spine to the waist was completely merged with a pile of machinery.
Dead white skin, dead white material.
The bizarre mechanical legs mixed with bones barely supported that rubbish heap-like body. That "creature" was hard to move, resembling a fat and twisted white centipede.
Its body surface was made of mechanical material that resembled the alien rocket launcher. They didn't look like they came from Earth but more like retro mechanical designs that would appear in specific works, with a heavier emphasis on design.
On it, Nol saw other damaged rocket launchers, firearms, and more things he didn't recognize.
Black-red tendons protruded from the gaps in the machinery, burrowing into the floor below or climbing up the walls, bulging like blood vessels. They extended further and further until they disappeared.
"…Welcome."
In the center of the chaotic wreckage, the monster raised a human-like head. "It's been many days since anyone came here."
It spoke in the common language of Tahe and had a friendly tone.
"You…" Nol struggled to lick his dry lips. The rocket launcher on his back suddenly felt like a massive burden. "I come from Earth, Joy Garden in City A. I specifically came to talk to you…"
"I know. I heard you introduce yourself to Zhou Nana." The Lord of The Manor nodded, smiling. "There are cameras at the castle entrance. Theme parks don't lack these."
"Zhou Nana… the ghost lady?"
"Yes." The Lord of The Manor nodded again. "So that's called a 'ghost'."
Good, Nol's heart pounded like a drum. At least, this person in front of him seemed capable of normal communication.
"I also live in Joy Garden, Building 7, Unit 1, Room 801." The Lord of The Manor continued calmly, "My name is Zhuang Shuhang. Have we met?"
"Xu Yue. I live right below your apartment." Nol blurted out rapidly. "Mr. Zhuang, you're about 1.9 meters tall, very thin, with a buzz cut and glasses, right? I remember you. They say you work at T Factory. We both work overtime every day."
"That's me." The Lord of The Manor—Zhuang Shuhang said, his tone neutral.
"Alright, let's end the introductions here." He continued, "First question, how do you like to die?"
"What…" Nol was momentarily taken aback.
"I'm glad to see you. It means the game has entered a new chapter."
The Lord of The Manor's bloodshot eyes widened, his dilated pupils focusing on the void. The walls around them trembled, and ominous bulges appeared on the carpet.
"Out of consideration for a fellow compatriot, I'll make your death quick."
Nol gripped his staff tightly, his hands covered in cold sweat. "Wait! Let's talk first—I have a way to remove the Demon King's corruption. There's no need for it to come to this…"
The Lord of The Manor laughed.
"The Demon King's corruption." He seemed amused by the term, a smile reaching his eyes for the first time. "Indeed, different factions have different perspectives. Corruption… Haha, is that what you call it?"
Nol bit the inside of his cheek hard, forcing himself to focus.
Negotiation seemed futile, but he had to try to extract more information. He stepped back half a step, imitating Teest, trying to appear as innocent as possible. "Yes, that's what I've always heard humans say—"
"NPCs, that's all." The Lord of The Manor murmured casually. "What would NPCs know?"
"Out of consideration for a fellow compatriot, Mr. Zhuang, at least let me die with some understanding."
The Lord of The Manor cast a murky glance, looking somewhat weary. "One question."
"Please tell me about the 'factions' situation." Nol held his breath. "From my perspective, The Manor seems to be 'on the Demon King's side'."
"No, no."
The Lord of The Manor's massive body shifted slightly. "It's not the 'Demon King'… These things are not 'the Demon King's corruption'."
"I prefer to call it 'the corpse of a god'," he said.