Leaving the slightly oppressive luxury of the Crown behind, they crossed a thickly carpeted skybridge connecting the different complexes.
Lanqi and Minier stepped into an entirely different, brighter, and more expansive world—
The Ikerite Crown Shopping Mall.
Unlike the glittering, artificial illumination of the casino, the design here embraced the sky and natural daylight.
A glass dome soared dozens of meters above, welcoming the afternoon sun without restraint and spilling brilliance across polished white marble floors.
The interior featured sweeping, tiered galleries stacked one above another like frozen white ocean waves in midair. Broad promenades circled each level, edged with crystal-clear glass balustrades that let visitors gaze freely between the upper and lower floors.
Most striking of all, a crystal-clear artificial canal meandered through the center of the lower ground level.
Gondolas styled after a water-borne city glided slowly by to the melodious songs of their boatmen, passing rows of open-air café terraces and boutique display windows on either bank.
The water's surface mirrored the lights of the dome and the bustling prosperity along the shores.
"What do you feel like having for lunch?" Lanqi turned his head to ask his companion.
Only after asking did he realize this was Minier, not Talia.
The question felt a bit foolish in hindsight.
"Hmm..." Minier pondered briefly, her gaze sweeping over the directory. "Looks like there are quite a few restaurants on the lower ground level. Let's find one by the river. It should be nice to enjoy the scenery while we eat."
Neither of them returned to the Golden Bee Amusement Park just yet.
With their performance at the casino concluded, they reverted to ordinary tourists, strolling leisurely along the wide concourse while casually admiring the shopfronts on either side.
"You know this area remarkably well."
"That's what happens when you have demons to support."
They rode a smooth escalator down to the lower ground level.
The banks of the canal were indeed a world unto themselves, lined with restaurants and cafés of every imaginable style.
Eventually, their attention was caught by an establishment occupying prime real estate along the water. It boasted an expansive open-air terrace looking directly down on the leisurely passing boats.
The interior blended classical elegance with rugged modern industrial aesthetics, pairing a crisp blue-and-white color palette with exposed brick walls and the warm glow of an open hearth.
They took their seats at an outdoor table beside the canal. A gentle breeze carried the mist off the water, bringing a welcome touch of coolness.
A waiter quickly presented the menus.
Minier flipped through hers with keen interest.
"The slow-roasted beef chuck with garlic broccoli looks good here," she said, pointing to a picture on the menu. "And this..."
"Go ahead and order whatever you like," Lanqi said without objection.
He couldn't remember the last time he had enjoyed such a relaxed meal.
"How about two sparkling iced white grape drinks as well?" Minier asked.
"Sounds good."
Lanqi noticed she remembered full well that he didn't drink alcohol.
Lunch proved exceedingly pleasant.
The delicacies were soon served, exquisitely plated and richly aromatic.
They chatted casually over their meal.
By the time they finished, it was already past one in the afternoon.
Neither was in any rush to leave, so they continued wandering through the mall.
"Where are we heading next?" Lanqi asked idly.
Ever since the morning began, he had been entirely at the Duke's mercy.
A look of absolute matter-of-factness surfaced on Minier's face.
"Why, you're buying me clothes, of course."
Passing a luxury fashion boutique, Minier paused, her gaze lingering on a silk blouse displayed in the window.
She pointed a slender finger toward the shop, then gestured toward Lanqi's pocket.
"?"
Lanqi tilted his head.
"Didn't you just win a fortune? It's all stored on that card of yours, isn't it? Buying me a few outfits is only reasonable, don't you think?" Minier stepped closer, looking at him expectantly.
"I suppose so."
Lanqi was taken aback for a second.
Even though most of the money on the card had been won by Minier, the more time he spent with her, the less certain he felt about who she truly was.
"...Alright, no problem. Please, pick whatever you like."
The air was faintly scented with floral fragrance, fine leather, and savory aromas wafting from nearby eateries, all mingled with subtle background music and the murmuring hum of conversation.
Lanqi simply trailed behind Minier.
At this moment, the Duke fully embodied the gorgeous, sensible, and captivating persona of Duchess Minier.
Or perhaps, the Night Cardinal.
"Are you using a mimetic concealment spell, or alchemy-based life transfiguration?" Lanqi couldn't help asking.
Word had it that an alchemist of Decay Cardinal Farmer's caliber could effortlessly replace a heavy smoker's lungs with brand-new ones. In a sense, with a single thought such a master could become the cruelest demon, or the most miraculous healer.
Earlier in the casino, when Minier had hugged him, Lanqi had genuinely worried there was a fifty percent chance he was committing a crime.
Just as Loren had misjudged Florence's gender, Lanqi could no longer be entirely certain of anything.
"Why didn't you worry about all this when you took my hand at the Ikerite Opera House?" Minier asked without turning around.
"..."
Lanqi was left speechless.
His grievances with Ranfu might have been settled that day, but his complications with Minier were probably only just beginning.
"Care to check and find out for yourself?"
Minier stopped and tilted her head slightly. Her voice was gentle, and the playful glint in her eyes seemed like an invitation to uncover her secrets.
"Stop teasing me. I'm honestly a bit afraid to touch you right now."
"What are you afraid of? Weren't you quite bold back at the opera house? It was practically a marriage proposal."
"Back then, I was..."
Merely recalling that day's scene—along with the subsequent chain of troublesome explanations it triggered—made Lanqi's temples throb.
"I'm not getting back at you; I'm 'repaying' you. The young Duchess Aransal is exceedingly grateful to you for rescuing her, so she agreed to go on a 'date' with you."
Seeing his pained expression, Minier's smile deepened. She reined in her mischievousness and took a graceful step back.
In an instant, she looked once more like a dignified ducal daughter.
"You truly are a master at messing with people."
Watching her seamless act, Lanqi could only shake his head in defeat.
He had not forgotten how thoroughly she had danced circles around everyone in the casino earlier.
Once her playful streak took over, she was truly impossible to handle.
"Ohoho."
Minier chuckled with evident satisfaction.
The two resumed their stroll along the indoor canal.
Antique-style gondolas drifted past, carrying the leisurely chatter of boatmen and sightseers.
"You weren't nearly this shy when you were little," Minier remarked, her gaze resting on the jewelry displays before returning to Lanqi with a wistful sigh.
"...Have we met before?"
Lanqi searched through his childhood memories.
He was fairly certain he had spent almost his entire youth in South Vantina Territory.
He had hardly ever traveled far from home.
Meanwhile, the ducal household had always resided in the capital of Ikerite.
"Do you remember a black-haired noble lady who once visited your family's manor? Didn't you even tug on the hem of her skirt and declare that you wanted to marry her when you grew up?" Minier prompted, as if reminiscing about days long past.
With that, she snapped her fingers softly.
The surrounding light rippled imperceptibly. Her outfit shifted as though woven anew, transforming instantly into a simple, airy white sundress.
In the blink of an eye, a wide-brimmed sunhat appeared atop her head. The hemline swayed lightly with her steps, making her appear like a pristine, ethereal spirit.
"?"
Lanqi stared at Minier's new attire, his brows furrowing slightly as he processed her words from deep within his distant memories.
A black-haired noble lady...
Vague fragments flickered in his mind, yet remained difficult to grasp.
He remembered very little from his early childhood.
Still, there was a faint impression.
When he was very small, a major client had visited the Wilfort Chamber of Commerce—a strikingly beautiful young noblewoman.
"I think I recall something like that, but I definitely never said anything about marrying her," Lanqi stopped, his gaze turning scrutinizing as he looked at the faint smile playing on Minier's face.
"Oh my, you caught me."
Minier blinked with feigned innocence.
"At this point, I'm convinced nine out of ten things you say are lies, and the tenth is a wild guess."
Lanqi let out a long breath.
He had nearly been taken for a ride.
They strolled past a boutique showcasing the latest magitech equipment and lifestyle magic devices. A crystal screen shimmering with faint azure light drew plenty of curious onlookers.
The rich fragrance from a nearby luxury perfumery drifted through the air, weaving together with the faint strains of gentle background music.
"Have you really not aged a day in all these years?" Lanqi rubbed his temples in thought.
Try as he might, he couldn't picture the exact face of the noble lady from his childhood.
Yet the Duchess in her female form looked to be in her early twenties.
Roughly a decade ago, in his hazy recollections, she had appeared just as impossibly youthful.
"The truth is, once you touch the realm of transcendence, you don't need spells or special methods to preserve your youth. For instance, your appearance won't change much from now on either."
Minier's pace slowed, her tone growing calm and composed.
"However, the upper limit of your lifespan remains around one hundred and twenty years. Your physical vessel will still wear down over time. That is an inescapable law of nature."
They reached a small scenic viewing platform beside the canal, bordered by stone balustrades.
"I see."
Lanqi rested his hands on the railing.
He knew this much.
Almost every eighth-tier powerhouse he had met looked remarkably young.
Whether it was Sigrid, Askson, or Duke Morotian.
That was why Lanqi had wondered back on the Northern Continent whether Sigrid was pushing thirty or well into her thirties.
"If you wish to keep living once that time comes, you can choose to go to the Outer Lands," Minier continued, leaning against the railing as she watched the slow drift of the water and the reflected shopfronts below.
"The Outer Lands are a realm of shattered laws, unbound by the rules of nature. There, you can enjoy the vast lifespan granted by transcendence. So long as your soul does not lose its way, you will endure indefinitely."
The weight behind her words sent a subtle chill through Lanqi.
Minier's implication was clear: even transcendent beings could lose themselves in the Outer Lands, eventually suffering memory loss or succumbing to madness.
Lingering in the world by entering the Outer Lands was fundamentally a process of stepping beyond worldly rules and assimilating into anomalies.
It was not a pleasant experience.
Having witnessed Lanclos of the Black Sun drifting through the darkness, Lanqi had a fair idea of what it felt like to have one's memories eroded in the outer realm.
"But for people as young as us, visiting the Outer Lands shouldn't carry any negative side effects, right?"
Lanqi stood beside Minier, gazing toward the indistinct lights at the far end of the mall.
"Correct," Minier confirmed with a nod. "Before your natural lifespan reaches its limit, you can travel to the Outer Lands and return whenever you wish. But once your lifespan has run out, you will become one of the 'Departed.' From then on, you can only exist in the Outer Lands, never to set foot in the Inner Lands again."
She was describing the invisible yet absolute boundary that separated the Inner Lands from the Outer Lands.
A brief silence fell between them, enveloped by the growing crowd of shoppers and ambient music.
"Of course, there might be transcendent humans who have remained in the Inner Lands for over two hundred years," Minier added as a thought struck her. "However, they inevitably live under severe restrictions. For instance, they must never wield martial power again, or they will die instantly. Others are clerics who cultivate through strict ascetic vows."
She shook her head with a touch of regret.
"That sounds an awful lot like the Lingering."
Lanqi sighed.
"Personally, I think living like that is worse than death. People only hold on in such bizarre ways out of overwhelming obsession or duty."
Minier threw up her hands.
"I don't really want to go to the Outer Lands," Lanqi's voice dropped, his expression turning somber. "Being unable to die, like the Black Sun—that is the true curse on living beings."
After experiencing his final Shadow World, Lanqi felt an innate aversion toward the concept of endless time.
If the little spark Tamisha had not arrived to save Lanclos of the Black Sun, Lanclos would have eventually lost his mind completely. No one could tell how much longer he could have held out.
Even when Tamisha found him, Lanclos had already lost his memories.
In truth, Lanclos's condition had been even worse than that of a Departed. Having truly lost his physical form and become a wandering soul, he was far more susceptible to the alien corruption of the Outer Lands.
"No one knows whether the deepest reaches of the Outer Lands are a paradise, an underworld, or a graveyard of the gods. The only certainty is that the further in you go, the blurrier the line between the living and the dead becomes, and the easier it is to lose yourself. It is a graveyard of heroes."
Minier looked up at the distant sky framed by the glass dome.
"Though the Outer Lands boast wonders more magnificent than dreams, they are equally perilous. That place is a sediment layer of history. Heaven only knows what ancient transcendent horrors lurk within the depths of the Calamitous Wasteland."
She shared her insights with Lanqi.
"I did hear something about that from Toliado's friend, Duchess Clorinda," Lanqi nodded, recalling the current head of the Bernhard Family in the Northern Continent and the harsh threats she had described facing in the far north.
Without an ally as exceptionally dutiful as Clorinda, it would have been nearly impossible for him and Sigrid to overcome Askson and Duke Morotian.
During their past conversations, Lanqi had gleaned a few details about the far northern reaches beyond the Protos Empire.
With every passing century, the Outer Lands expanded, slowly encroaching upon the territories of the Inner Lands.
When a nation's border cities were swallowed by the Outer Lands, relatively secure territories turned into deadly hazard zones.
That was why the northern nations constantly coveted lands to the south.
It was the root of the perpetual turmoil across the Northern Continent.
Campaigning against the Outer Lands could at least suppress threats on their periphery.
Unfortunately, Lanqi's time in the Protos Empire had been brief, his days packed to the brim with duties, leaving little room to look into matters beyond his immediate assignments.
Furthermore, the Shadow World applied solely to the living, not the Departed.
This meant ninth-tier beings could very well exist within the Outer Lands.
Yet the Departed were incapable of stepping out.
"You've been to the Protos Empire, haven't you?" Minier glanced sideways at Lanqi. "The Protos Empire lies on the southernmost coast of the Northern Continent, far from the boundary of the Outer Lands, so it remains unaffected. But nations to the north endure its persistent influence year after year."
They arrived at an open atrium centered around an abstract modern metal sculpture. Water trickled gently through the sculpture's seams, pooling into a shallow basin below.
They lingered in the atrium for a moment, enjoying the refreshing coolness drifting off the water before continuing their walk.
"My understanding of the far north is basically limited to those two conversations with Clorinda."
Lanqi realized just how little he truly knew about this world.
A single casual discussion with the Duke had introduced him to a wealth of previously unfamiliar knowledge.
The pair strolled leisurely through the Ikerite Crown Shopping Mall.
"The Northern Continent is the prime landmass. Before the ancient fracturing, it formed the core of the continent," Minier explained in a natural, didactic tone, glancing at Lanqi to provide a crash course in geography and history. "The Southern Continent is a pure sanctuary, sharing no border whatsoever with the Outer Lands. You've probably felt how much more abundant its resources are compared to the north."
They followed a gently sloping ramp upward.
Lanqi noticed that without him even realizing it, her breezy white sundress had transformed into a sharply tailored black skirt suit, her long hair pulled up into a sleek, high ponytail.
The silent change was so swift it felt like an illusion.
"While both the northern and southern continents count as Inner Lands, only the Northern Continent connects to the Outer Lands and suffers its encroachment."
Seeing that Lanqi was practically an amateur when it came to transcendent lore, Minier explained everything with patient detail.
"Why am I only learning this now?" Lanqi paused before a boutique display window filled with antique maps and navigational instruments, murmuring in bewilderment as he studied the yellowed parchment.
"Because you never went to class," Minier crossed her arms, looking at him with amusement.
"I did attend Professor Theresa's lectures on the Magic Genealogy Chart..." Lanqi attempted to defend himself, his eyes drifting away.
If he hadn't heard that lecture regarding the Original Slate, he might never have embarked on his journey across the Northern Continent.
At the very least, that proved he had set foot in a classroom.
"Let me ask you, Lanqi: exactly how many classes did you attend?"
Minier had no intention of letting him off the hook. She circled around to stand before him, looking up into his eyes.
"Did you ever even show up for the School of Sages' foundational course, Introduction to Mana and Souls?"
"..."
Lanqi pressed his lips together, thoroughly guilty.
He had skipped nearly every single class.
Or rather, he had hardly taken any regular courses at Ikerite Academy to begin with.
His first-year attendance record had been salvaged entirely by Student Council activities, and he had spent half of that year away in the Northern Continent.
Afterward, he transitioned from a taught student to a research student, entering Professor Polao's laboratory.
It was Professor Polao who approved his graduation based on research output, hired him to work at the School of Magic Engineering, and concurrently appointed him acting dean of the School of Sages.
This past of skipping classes—so egregious that even he, a former headmaster, couldn't defend it—left no room for excuses.
"Never mind. I'll just explain it to you myself. After everything you've been through, you can easily grasp the world's structure without formal lectures anyway."
They continued walking and talking through the mall.
Before long, the afternoon turned into Minier's personal fashion show.
She dragged Lanqi in and out of high-end boutiques.
For the most part, Lanqi played the role of a quiet spectator, watching her pick out clothes.
Minier considered Lanqi's taste exceptionally refined.
Often, all it took was a subtle glance or an imperceptible nod from him.
Whenever she took a liking to an outfit and Lanqi nodded in approval, that piece was practically guaranteed to look stunning.
She placed great trust in his aesthetic judgment.
On several occasions, a single word of confirmation from Lanqi was enough for her to instruct the clerk to wrap it up.
Gradually, the afternoon sun cast longer shadows across the tiled floors.
The two stepped out through a pair of high-level glass doors in the shopping mall. The crisp, chilled air of the interior was instantly replaced by a warm afternoon breeze.
They arrived at a spacious sky garden terrace.
The purchases they had made earlier had already been handled through Minier's convenient arrangements, dispatched straight to the Aransal Ducal Mansion via express courier.
The garden was lush with rare tropical foliage, centered around a small cascading waterfall that murmured peacefully in the tranquil setting.
"I was just thinking," Minier murmured thoughtfully, looking down at the bustling crowds on the lower levels. "If someone were to write your biography, they'd realize you hardly know anything about this world at all."
She turned to face Lanqi, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
"Efficiency above all else. Like Professor Polao says, I've always been a pragmatist rather than an academician," Lanqi recalled the past two years. "Every single minute was spent absorbing 'urgent' knowledge rather than 'important' knowledge. It was almost impossible to slow down and enjoy an idle stroll like this."
They walked across the broad terrace.
The view opened up dramatically. The ground was paved with slip-resistant light-gray stone tiles, bordered by sturdy glass railings.
"Looking at it from your perspective, that's true enough. For two whole years, you focused on just one thing—rescuing that missing Duke. You really are a remarkably driven, steadfast person," Minier remarked.
"What choice did I have? I'm just a kid from a family whose business House Aransal invested in. When the main branch is in trouble, the branch family has no choice but to step up."
Lanqi's tone was breezy.
"Main branch and branch family... what an amusing way to put it."
Minier raised an eyebrow.
"So, how does it feel now? Enjoying having successfully latched onto the Duke's coattails?"
"Pretty great."
Lanqi thought back to the small fortune he had won earlier, and then to this leisurely afternoon of shopping.
She had effortlessly earned him a windfall; there was no reason not to be happy.
The afternoon sunlight had lost the scorching bite of midday.
Looking out from the terrace edge, the vibrant, colorful panorama of the Golden Bee Amusement Park stretched before them.
Cable car cables extended downward from below the terrace, linking different zones of the park. A roller coaster track even wound past the terrace's flank, carrying the periodic rattle of wheels against steel and the brief screams of riders.
"Heh, now you appreciate having a Duke around, don't you?"
Minier narrowed her eyes slightly against the wind, savoring the sweeping vista.
She gave a light snap of her fingers. Her crisp black suit melted away, replaced by the simple, sacred habit of a nun.
A pure white veil covered her dark hair, leaving only her delicate features exposed. Her dark robe draped down to her ankles, adorned with a silver cross resting against her chest.
Lanqi stared at the sudden transformation.
Minier clasped her hands before her chest, tilted her head slightly, and closed her eyes in devout prayer.
"Why a saintess now?"
Lanqi had caught on: Minier was swapping attires today to suit every passing mood and setting.
The afternoon light bathed her softly, tracing the contours of her plain habit in a gentle golden halo.
At this moment, she had shed all previous cunning and exuberance.
She looked far more like a genuine, unblemished cleric of the faith than she ever had playing the naive maiden in the casino.
"Do you still feel any discomfort now?"
After a moment, she opened her eyes and turned toward Lanqi, her voice dropping into an exceptionally gentle, soothing register.
Prompted by her question, Lanqi paused to reflect.
He looked around. The sun was pleasant; the breeze was mild.
Even the distant clamor of the amusement park no longer grated against his ears.
"Huh... It's gone."
Without him realizing it, despite returning to the open terrace bordering the Golden Bee Amusement Park and the Crown Casino—with the massive roller coaster tracks right in plain view—he no longer felt the chest-tightening phantom sounds or stress responses from earlier.
He had truly calmed down.
"Such is the power of a saintess. A saintess can heal all things," Minier smiled with deep satisfaction. "Come along, let's board. When you were small, you used to say you wanted big sister to take you out to play."
She waved to Lanqi and headed toward the cable car station connecting the terrace to the park interior.
"I'm fairly certain I never said anything like that," Lanqi countered skeptically.
He suddenly felt that this was the one time Talia would have been genuinely useful.
Too bad she wasn't here.
In situations like this, Talia's lie-detection gift was practically divine.
"I'm not lying to you this time."
Minier looked back, meeting his eyes with earnest sincerity, sunlight dancing in her ruby-red irises.
"Unless I call that woman over to test you, I'm really not inclined to believe a word."
Looking at her 'sincere' expression, Lanqi remained wary.
Minier's acting skills were simply too absurd.
She switched masks in the casino with effortless mastery.
"Do you still remember the promise you made with Hyperion when you were kids? Back then, you two were tiny little things."
Minier's voice held a trace of nostalgic fondness.
"?"
Lanqi's brows knit together.
"Did I ever meet Hyperion back then?"
His childhood memories contained no trace of the young ducal daughter.
"You were both too young; neither of you probably remembers," Minier said with an air of mystery. "But I remember."
"What promise?"
Lanqi's curiosity was piqued.
"Guess."
Minier abruptly clammed up. She turned and stepped lightly into the arriving cable car cabin, leaving Lanqi with nothing but a teasing smile over her shoulder.
"Not gonna tell you~ Not gonna tell you~"
She patted the empty seat beside her.
"..."
For the first time in a long while, Lanqi felt his blood pressure spike.
The last person capable of getting under his skin like this was Big Sis Talia.
The vampires hadn't locked this person up for two years without good reason.
With a helpless sigh, he stepped into the cabin after her.
The doors slid shut, and the car smoothly glided toward the Golden Bee Amusement Park.
"If you can beat me in a game today, I'll tell you. How about that? I promise I won't trick you."
Minier sat by the window, watching him.
"Aren't you underestimating—"
Lanqi started to push back.
Yet the moment he recalled how she had effortlessly manipulated wins and losses in the casino, he realized he truly had little hope of victory.
"I won't cheat. Why would I need to cheat against a kid at an amusement park?"
Reading his thoughts, Minier let out a light laugh.
"I can finally empathize with what poor old Ulysses felt when he had to debate you."
Lanqi leaned against the opposite side of the car, watching the slowly shifting scenery and the tiny figures of pedestrians below.
After matching wits with the Night Cardinal, Marquis Ulysses, the Tenth Primogenitor of the vampires, probably had to retreat to his cell to mentally recuperate.
Except this time, poor old Ulysses wasn't coming back.
"So let's just play. It's been so long since I could let loose like this," Minier suggested again.
"You just wanted to play all along, didn't you?" Lanqi asked, eyeing her enthusiastic expression.
Recalling the mysterious black-haired woman he had encountered in Palieu, City of Flowers, she had clearly been far from quiet or introverted. She was vibrant and lively to the core—otherwise, there never would have been that scene where Iphatia jumped through a window with her in arms, shattering an entire pane of glass.
"Well, we're already here."
Minier didn't deny it. Instead, she offered a gentler smile and closed her eyes.
"To cure your stress disorder, you need someone gentle to keep you company. Today, I shall heal you, brave young man who 'ultimately chose me on Valentine's Day.'"
Her voice was as peaceful as a prayer in a cathedral.
"Duke, you're doing it again..."
Lanqi couldn't even summon the energy to complain about her teasing.
"Ohoho, how does it feel going on a date with Minier? I can play any type of girl you fancy, you know."
Minier narrowed her eyes, studying Lanqi's reaction.
"Must you apply your boundless versatility to things like this?"
Lanqi was at a loss for words.
"Besides, aren't you going to switch back?" He glanced toward the cable car's destination.
"Switching back is too much trouble. Women always seem to follow me around for no reason. This habit is far more convenient—it wraps me up completely, and I have you as my shield."
Minier looked down at her nun's habit, bundled tightly around her.
"Right, legends about you still linger in the City of Flowers."
Excessive charisma brought its own brand of melancholy.
One could only say the Duke had been blessed with remarkable natural gifts; whether presenting as a man or a woman, life was never dull.
"Don't worry, Ipha understands. She won't misunderstand you," Minier grinned.
...
Scene 1: Boss Cat Restaurant
Scene 2: Golden Bee Amusement Park
Scene 3: Lanqi and the Mysterious Black-Haired Woman
Scene 4: Love Obstacle Corridor Academy Season 2 <<
...
The fierce brilliance of day gradually receded, giving way to dusk.
Above the Golden Bee Amusement Park, the bright azure afternoon was brushed with broad strokes of orange-red.
Lights began to blink on one by one. The canopy of the carousel, the towering ring of the Ferris wheel, and the sweeping eaves of the attractions were traced in luminous borders, intertwining with the fading daylight.
"Lanqi, you really haven't won a single round, have you?"
"One more round. I can win."
"Really?"
Lanqi and Minier had just emerged from an evasion-based Shadow World attraction testing reaction speed.
Over the past two hours, no matter what game they played, the outcome had been shockingly consistent.
Minier triumphed every single time with effortless grace.
She was like a natural-born gaming prodigy, mastering the core tricks of any attraction upon her very first try.
As the hourly bell tolled, both looked toward the clock tower.
"Looks like time is almost up. We can only play a little while longer," Minier said to Lanqi with a helpless shrug, her tone tinged with lingering regret.
Any later, and they would have to gather for dinner.
The air still carried a celebratory buzz, though the daytime clamor had softened noticeably.
The distant roar of the roller coaster came less frequently, and the water jets in the fountain square adjusted their rhythm to match the soothing evening melody.
"We should have time for one more before we leave," Lanqi calculated.
To be frank, getting crushed by a complete beginner all afternoon, only to watch the Duke pick up incredible proficiency at unnatural speed, had been a substantial shock to his pride.
Even if Minier's intention in bringing him here had been noble—to help him overcome his trauma—her penchant for trash talk was simply irrepressible.
"Don't be too disheartened," Minier patted his shoulder lightly. "Maybe you're just not suited for these kinds of games?"
Her voice was part comfort, part teasing.
"Talk is cheap. One more round."
Lanqi was already flipping through the guidebook, hunting for their next challenge.
Not many options remained nearby.
"Who knows, maybe you could beat me at a strategy game that requires deep contemplation and tactical deployment? Why don't we check out the 'Intellect Labyrinth Zone' over there? I saw the guide mentions game parlors for things like Astrolabe Chess and Magitech Wargames..."
Minier sounded eager to help Lanqi find a new battleground where he could demonstrate his strengths.
She patted her stomach, as though Lanqi's pitiful performance had actually whetted her appetite.
"Gloating before the match even begins, are we...?"
Lanqi looked at her.
Despite losing all afternoon, he had surprisingly found himself having a great time.
Engaging in pure games that didn't require taut nerves was an experience he hadn't enjoyed in ages.
Especially compared to the morning of Valentine's Day—when his brain had nearly burned out from overclocked multithreading on the brink of a mental cliff—this afternoon had felt like paradise.
In fact, the endless defeats had quietly stoked a dormant competitive spirit deep within him.
At this moment, Lanqi finally understood why Viscount Malcolm had crashed and burned so terribly earlier.
The Minier before him was practically a prime minister of revelry cloaked in the guise of an innocent girl.
Whether through genuine emotion or polished acting, she disarmed people with ease.
With well-timed vulnerability, occasional bursts of brilliant skill, or sheer luck, she manipulated her opponent's feelings, drawing them into the joy of 'playing' with her before they even realized it.
And from there, they willingly—even cheerfully—marched straight into her abyss.
Luxury, revelry, indulgence, gambling...
If she ever chose to turn her talent for reading people and dominating situations toward evil ends, she truly possessed the makings of an arch-cardinal capable of orchestrating the entire world.
"You won't have many more chances to beat me today, so think carefully," Minier mused casually, studying the map. "Then again, you'd certainly beat me in painting. I'm only about on par with the Tenth Primogenitor, Ulysses."
Hearing that, Lanqi couldn't tell for a moment whether she was being modest or offering polite consolation.
Naturally, an amusement park held no attractions for fine art competitions.
"No, competing in painting would be bullying you."
Lanqi shook his head.
"?"
The corner of Minier's eye twitched imperceptibly.
The effortless composure she had maintained all afternoon cracked for a fraction of a second.
Such a matter-of-fact declaration seemed like something she had never heard, nor even imagined, in her entire life.
Yet she swiftly recovered her breezy smile.
"What game are you best at? Why don't you pick this time? You can choose the rules and the difficulty too."
Minier readily handed the choice over to Lanqi.
"Then I might actually have a shot at winning."
Lanqi fell into contemplation.
He had visited the Golden Bee Amusement Park several times before, and thanks to his research and preparation as a romance drillmaster, he possessed a solid understanding of nearly all the attractions.
Still, he sensed an inexplicable seriousness creeping into Minier, as though she was determined to crush him in his own domain of expertise.
By now, the sunset over the Golden Bee Amusement Park had deepened into rich crimson.
The Ferris wheel in the distance lit up with dazzling outline lights.
The two stood beside the turnstiles where their previous game had ended.
Right then, an energetic, psychedelic blast of electronic music shattered the ambient park soundtrack!
The sound originated from a small plaza just behind them.
♫ *Heart, oh dear lord!* ♫
♫ *Thumping wild in this very beat!* ♫
♫ *Golden Bee Amusement Park's nighttime exclusive—Operation Heartbeat Extravaganza!* ♫
♫ *Will you dance through the flutter? Or scream and make an elegant retreat?!* ♫
The two looked toward the commotion. On the previously vacant grounds, a mobile stage had been erected at some point.
The stage featured a striking aesthetic, plastered with electronic graffiti. The backdrop showed neon-lit heart motifs and abstract geometric shapes drawn in bold, vibrant colors that flashed like fluorescent tubes.
At the center of the stage stood a compact yet exquisitely constructed artificial Shadow World activation terminal.
Almost the moment Lanqi and Minier turned their attention toward the stage, a brilliant spotlight snapped down from above,
Locking squarely onto Lanqi and Minier standing at the edge of the plaza!
Immediately after, the giant screen on the stage backdrop flared to life. An animated host dressed in a golden bee mascot costume bounced into view at the center.
"Ohoho! Look who our spotlight has caught! What a stunning, remarkably distinguished pair! Like a prince and... well, a saintess? A sister of the cloth? Doesn't matter! Handsome men and gorgeous women belong together!"
The bee host flapped its wings on screen, darting amidst bursts of vibrant colors.
"You two look so sweet together—you must be a couple here to enjoy a romantic twilight at the Golden Bee Amusement Park!"
Through the screen animation, its gaze locked precisely onto the pair illuminated by the spotlight.
Its exuberant voice boomed through the plaza's speakers, instantly drawing the eyes of every visitor in the vicinity.
"Since you've been chosen by our 'Heartbeat Challenge,' come join tonight's most thrilling test of trust! If you clear the trials hand in hand, you won't just prove your mutual understanding—you'll also stand a chance to win our summer-limited Animal Crossing Chocolates and an all-year unlimited VIP Gold Pass! The prizes are magnificent, the temptation irresistible!"
The bee host described the rewards in an alluring cadence, while sparkling crystal icons and gold card special effects flashed across the screen.
"No, the two of us aren't..."
Amidst the chorus, Lanqi stared at the stage in bewilderment.
When his gaze settled on that familiar artificial Shadow World terminal at the center of the stage, and then on the tiny line of text beside 'Operation Heartbeat' almost drowned out by visual effects—*Love Obstacle Corridor Academy: Special Edition*—his eyes went wide.
He remembered that the Love Obstacle Corridor Academy had clearly been over by the central courtyard this morning.
Had it been relocated to the competitive zone for the afternoon?
"Well? Shall we give it a try?"
While Lanqi was suffering a mental storm, Minier appeared remarkably composed.
Pinned by the spotlight, watched by countless pairs of eyes, and teased by the host, she kept that same serene smile on her face.
She seemed entirely unbothered that every connected screen around them now displayed clear feeds of her and Lanqi, complete with fluttering heart effects and romantic filters.
Lanqi quickly understood her reaction.
She wasn't flustered in the slightest.
So long as she showed no panic, the initiative remained firmly in her hands.
"This is meant for couples. We've been misunderstood,"
Lanqi was equally unflappable by nature.
A helpless yet amused smile appeared on his face, as if he simply found the host's mistake entertaining.
As long as they maintained an easygoing, open composure, any misunderstanding would collapse on its own, regardless of how romantic the broadcast looked.
"You don't have to be a couple to enter anymore!" the bee host chimed in immediately.
Lanqi and Minier glanced at the electronic billboard beside the stage. Sure enough, the rules had been updated.
It seemed that due to low participation—or rather, a complete lack of players—the entry requirement had recently been lowered to simple companions.
"What's more!" the host's voice rang out again, dripping with persuasion. "If you want to prove to everyone that you really are 'just friends,' this game is your finest choice! Do you dare take the challenge and prove your innocence?"
The cheering and jeering from the surrounding crowd grew even louder.
"Do you dare? I heard from the cat that you won quite a few Golden Bee Coins playing this before," Minier said with a soft chuckle, waiting for his response.
"There's nothing to dare or not dare. Once we head back later, it'll be easy enough to explain everything to Talia and Ipha. There's no need to play a game just to prove our innocence,"
Lanqi kept his calm, nonchalant expression.
"Besides, I have no interest in playing a game I'm guaranteed to win. Playing this would be just as much of a bully move as challenging you to a painting contest."
With that, he gave a subtle gesture suggesting the young Duchess move along.
*Time to leave, quickly.*
"..."
Hearing Lanqi's parting words, Minier bit her lip ever so slightly.
Yet a moment later, she burst into clear, melodious laughter.
She didn't move away. Instead, she reached out and seized Lanqi's wrist.
Instantly, the surrounding screens seemed to latch onto a climactic plot twist!
The crowd erupted into even wilder cheers and catcalls!
The background beat of Operation Heartbeat accelerated, driving into an intense, rhythmic drumline.
"?"
With his wrist trapped, Lanqi stared at Minier in astonishment.
This moment mirrored the past so vividly.
Except this time, it was Minier dragging him into the fray.
"I'm truly curious now, Mr. Wilfort—the man who can guarantee a win against me?" Minier asked.
"Let's really not play this," Lanqi urged.
Winning would be easy enough.
Playing this game with the Duke, however, was just too bizarre.
Yet Minier was already leading him by the wrist toward the entrance of the Love Obstacle Corridor Academy.
In terms of raw strength, he was completely incapable of pulling away.
"I'm giving you a chance to bully me,"
Minier's smile remained angelic, but her eyes were sharp as blades.
"Though I should warn you beforehand: I won't go easy on you in this game. Losing to a matchmaker-welder like you who ties red strings of fate all over the place would be far too humiliating."
Chapter 895