Watching bright violet hues shift across the night sky beyond the dome, Evalyn, veiled, picked up an oyster, tilted her head back to slurp it down, and remarked offhandedly, "'The Empress's New Clothes' is ready."
"Huh?" Anfeier blinked, swallowing the botan shrimp in her mouth.
"Celebratory fireworks launched once every fifty years. You've never handled this project, so it's only natural you wouldn't know," Evalyn said. "It's a collaborative venture between Berdette, Salome, and Mercury. Together, we've organized a grand fireworks display for the Isu royal family. Production started three years ago under the code name 'The Empress's New Clothes.' Before the official launch, positioning rehearsals are required. The bright violet halos in the night sky right now signify that every unit is in position and ready."
"Once every fifty years? Then how many times has Berdette done this?"
"If I remember correctly, Berdette has been the royal family's fireworks supplier since the second Isu Empress."
"Doesn't that make it a tradition spanning seven hundred years!?" Anfeier thanked the chef, popped a shelled crab claw into her mouth, and devoured it in one bite. "What kind of fireworks takes three years of preparation to manufacture and requires the cooperation of all three of our families?"
"I don't know the exact details either—I'm not the one doing the grunt work," the blue-haired capitalist said. "You only need to know two things: first, the fireworks require the user to be at least a Sanctuary magician; second, these fireworks must be visible across all of Gospel."
Anfeier blinked. "You mean the fireworks are already set up across the whole country, waiting to be launched simultaneously when the time comes?"
"No, there are only fifty sets of fireworks, and they'll only be launched in Nabistin," Evalyn said. "According to the product design, these fireworks incorporate spatial materials from the Distant Sky Realm, such as Unremembered Wood, Windblown Water, and Sound Palace Pearls. When all fifty sets resonate at close range, they produce an effect akin to a spatial miracle, spreading the fireworks across the sky of the entire Gospel so that everyone can celebrate the birth of the new Empress at the exact same moment."
"That is also why the users must be Sanctuary magicians—magicians who aren't proficient in the spatial faction don't even qualify to set off these fireworks."
Anfeier put a heaping spoonful of crab roe into her mouth, exclaiming in surprise as she chewed, "So right now, fifty Sanctuary magicians are on standby in Nabistin just to set off fireworks?!"
"What's so strange about that?" Evalyn took a slurp of Ruby Sea Lalafell. "The vast majority of Sanctuaries and every single Legend in Gospel reside in Nabistin. The Isu royal family could get Sanctuaries to set off fireworks for them hundreds of years ago, so why not now?"
"Was it already this extravagant hundreds of years ago?" Anfeier found it a bit odd. "In my impression, the Isu royal family wasn't so obsessed with pomp and ostentation... Could there be something special about these fireworks?"
"Apart from requiring that the base pattern remain unchanged, they left everything else to our creative freedom." Evalyn shrugged. "Furthermore, the materials are provided by the Isu royal family; our three families only need to handle the processing. Add in low requirements, high pay, and royal technical support, and when I first saw the business proposal, I thought the Isu royal family was running a charity."
"Because the quality is top-notch, the display is guaranteed to be unforgettable." Evalyn winked at her younger sister. "Watch later and see if you like it. If you do, we intentionally manufactured an extra batch as spares. When the time comes, I'll claim them and find a few Sanctuaries to set them off at your wedding."
Chewing her crab meat, Anfeier tilted her head. "Wedding?"
"The Weaving Ceremony ends tonight. Do you really think Annan can keep Igola, Yaxiu, and the others tied down after this?" Evalyn rested her chin on her hand. "Once Igola returns to Menphila, Berdette will definitely throw a grand wedding for the two of you!"
The Ghost-Unnoticed Veil rewarded by the Culprit Board truly was effective; Evalyn was becoming more and more alive by the day, Anfeier thought to herself.
To resist the bloodline domination of their ancestor, each generation of Berdettes split the family's power between two inheritors. One served as a vessel for the mental sea of sentient beings, their sense of self crushed under the thoughts of tens of millions, gradually turning into a Hollow Stone—an empty husk. The other's soul was diluted by pure spiritual energy, such that even the most turbulent emotions could not stir a single ripple, turning them into a cold, unfeeling rationalist.
The reason Berdette was willing to pay such a heavy price was not just to extend their lifespans, but to rebel against that selfish, cruel ancestor—since the Angel of Necromancy treated descendants merely as machines for resurrection, he could hardly blame the cogs for being cold and merciless.
Now, with the Ghost-Unnoticed Veil, Evalyn no longer needed to commit suicide before the age of forty to resist the increasingly fervent call of the bloodline. More importantly, the veil flawlessly protected her soul. Even if she drew upon the family's spiritual energy now, her soul would not be diluted, and the emotions suppressed deep within were reviving once more.
In the past, Evalyn would have done nothing but urge Anfeier to get pregnant quickly and birth the child prodigy Leya. Now, she was actually taking an interest in a wedding. Although she was merely projecting her own yearnings for marriage onto her sister, for someone who until recently had treated family as mere breeding tools, Anfeier felt immensely gratified by Evalyn's change.
However...
"Why are you so sure Igola will return to Menphila?" Anfeier smiled. "Or rather, why would he come to Menphila at all? Menphila isn't his home."
"But you will be his closest family in the future. You'll marry him, and you'll have a daughter that even Yaxiu envies," Evalyn said. "How could Berdette not be his home?"
"That's what Gospel thinks, not what he thinks. He won't accept such a future."
"I don't understand. Is it because he doesn't like you? Or does he have no feelings for you?"
Anfeier gave it careful thought. "He probably does like me."
"Then what's the problem?"
"How should I put this..." Anfeier tilted her head. "Igola... is a tsundere."
The chef placed a platter of iced fish slices on their table. Evalyn ate a piece. "So this is what Fishcleaver Dragon meat tastes like... And then? What does him being a tsundere have to do with anything?"
"He finds it very hard to let himself enter an intimate relationship," Anfeier said. "He's like a sensitive, scallop-type man. When someone approaches, he shells himself up in aloofness and malice. Only when no one is paying attention will he quietly part a slit, exposing his softness where no one can see, experiencing the warmth around him.
"I'm not the first person he has liked, nor will I be the last. Though he witnessed my blooming, he won't stay for me, because what he needs isn't family he can depend on, but an equal adversary."
Anfeier continued, "We might like each other, and our feelings haven't ended, but we don't have a future together."
The blue-haired wealthy woman nodded thoughtfully. "I understand."
"Good that you understand." Anfeier blinked. "Since you've already given him the rest of the Dominance Faction materials, don't bother him in the future—"
"I will tie Igola up, feed him Enhancement Potions made in Fanmula, wait until you've given birth to Leya and he can no longer run away, and then throw you a proper wedding," Evalyn declared. "You'll just have to do the heavy lifting of taking the reins."
Anfeier no longer knew whether her older sister was currently operating on rational logic or emotional impulse. "What I meant is that we're not suited for each other..."
"It's you who aren't suited to him, not him who isn't suited to you." Evalyn rolled her eyes. "Even Gospel doesn't dare claim it can make everyone happy. Now that you can see a future where at least you will be happy, why pass it by? And how do you know this won't be the best possible ending Igola could ever achieve? If he misses out on you, maybe he'll end up growing old and dying alone."
"But he doesn't want to—"
"It's clearly you who refuses to accept the future woven by Gospel," Evalyn said, chewing another slice of Fishcleaver Dragon. "Because Rust Crow cares more about his career than about you, because that future doesn't satisfy you enough, you just gave up. Why not try fighting for a better future? You say he needs an equal adversary, so why don't you try becoming that rival?"
Anfeier stared at her sister in shock, looking as if she had just watched a Lalafell debate philosophy.
"Gospel has already sliced the fish, arranged the platter, set it on a bed of ice, and served it right in front of you. Finding the flavor a bit lacking, you actually choose to throw it away instead of seasoning it yourself?" Evalyn said. "You call him a scallop-type, but aren't you actually just like him? It's just that Igola uses coldness to push people away, while you use gentleness to protect yourself.
"When it comes down to it, neither of you has the confidence to handle an intimate relationship; Gospel is merely your excuse." The blue-haired woman clenched her fist. "So the Gospel rankings weren't meant for you to see—they were meant for me! At the rate you two are going, the world will probably end before you even produce Leya. I'll have to pry open your scallop shells by force and season you both properly!"
Evalyn had talked herself into an appetite. She turned her head and called out, "Bring a plate of steamed scallops!"
The two chefs nodded silently. Naturally, the two sisters feasting heartily drew frequent sidelong glances from others in the hall.
The guests qualified to attend this banquet were the ruling class who, outside these doors, governed the world alongside the Isu royal family. Rich and delicious as the banquet's delicacies were, they were utterly insignificant compared to the intoxicating fragrance of power.
The new Empress, the Azure Lane, the Future Board, the apocalyptic calamity... there were far too many matters that needed discussion. Everyone was currently debating how to prevent their social standing from slipping or how to advance further up the ladder—how could this blue-haired girl still be stuffing her face!?
And eating so much!
However, Evalyn no longer cared. After the battle at Berdette Manor, she had offended nearly sixty percent of the factions in Gospel, and the remaining forty percent were terrified of her.
Even though everyone knew Igola was the mastermind behind the scenes, the revelation that Berdette could completely dominate a Sanctuary was enough to incite widespread panic. By now, any staff liaising with Berdette had been replaced by ordinary people, and warnings reading "Menphilans Not Allowed" hung outside the offices of Sanctuary magicians.
Rather than saying they were ostracizing Evalyn, it was more accurate to say they feared her. After all, Berdette's Dominance Faction was virtually impossible to guard against; an offhand polite agreement like "sure" might well become the setup for "I voluntarily become Miss Evalyn's dog."
And so Evalyn and Anfeier hid away in a corner to enjoy the food. Although this banquet was buffet-style, certain delicacies had to be made to order to taste their best, such as the seafood they were currently eating.
Beyond standard seafood, the banquet also offered ingredients derived from Void Realm creatures, such as Fishcleaver Dragons, Mudfish Dragons, and Fox Lantern Dragons. Although these ingredients tasted no different from ordinary meats, Void Realm creatures escaping into reality was an exceptionally rare occurrence. Even top aristocratic clans like Berdette found it difficult to procure such ingredients, so Evalyn naturally wasn't about to miss out.
As they worked diligently on the Fishcleaver Dragon, two tall, voluptuous elves suddenly sat down beside them.
"Is it good?"
"Not bad." Evalyn lifted her head and looked at Qinna. "Care for some?"
"I wouldn't dare accept kindness from a Berdette," Qinna laughed. "I'm here to talk business with you."
"Talk business?" Evalyn found it somewhat amusing. "Fanmula has no need for amusement parks to boost citizen happiness, and Menphila has no need for mermaid fish-mint to boost work enthusiasm. The Six Emblems wouldn't tolerate its kin being dominated, nor would I permit a unified clan to emerge in Menphila... What areas of cooperation could we possibly have? Jointly developing Igola and Yaxiu?"
"The Six Emblems has no need for Igola for the moment," Qinna replied. "However, we clearly share a common interest. For instance... a path unthought of, severed for seven hundred years.
"Interested in greeting a sunrise without an Empress?"
Evalyn's expression did not change, but Anfeier instantly grasped the elven matriarch's subtext. "You want to move against the princess? On what grounds?"
"On the grounds of Yaxiu Heath," Nona said.
Even Annan could conceive of that lethal move, so naturally it clicked immediately for them. Evalyn suddenly smiled. "'Fuel their desires, grant what they need'—schooled by the family motto yet again... What do you want me to do?"
"Of all the guests present," Qinna stared intently at Evalyn, "how many can you dominate?"
Anfeier's expression shifted, but Evalyn remained calm and breezy. "About three-fifths. But I won't gamble my life on an all-or-nothing bet with you, let alone reveal this trump card completely. At most, I'll have them fish in troubled waters to stir up chaos."
"That's plenty." Qinna leaned closer to Evalyn, looking down at this young family head whose power eclipsed her own. "A pleasure doing business with you."
"A pleasure doing business with you."
In just a few words, two major factions of Gospel forged an anti-Isu alliance. The reason it happened so casually, besides the fact that they barely needed to pay a price—amounting to little more than buying a lottery ticket—was that they had long grown sick of the Isu royal family's restraints.
Qinna did not feel it as acutely yet, but Evalyn had deeply experienced the Isu royal family's absolute control over the realm. Unlike family structures, Berdette's Huabei system had virtually no barrier to entry, making expansion a walk in the park. Yet to this day, it remained restricted to the region surrounding Menphila. To be a national champion forced to play in neighborhood tournaments would stifle anyone.
In Gospel, it was as if an invisible hand existed: whenever Berdette attempted to reach out and touch what it shouldn't, that invisible hand would push Berdette right back down. No matter how Evalyn sought to expand her lending business, as soon as it stepped beyond Menphila, it suffered complete rejection, and even the secret of 'fuel their desires, grant what they need' failed completely.
Not only Evalyn, but her father's generation, her grandfather's generation, and generations stretching back before them had all attempted to break past the map of Menphila, only to be promptly shoved back into their cage. There was no administrative interference, no financial sanctions, and not even anyone making trouble, yet there was simply no business to be found.
The same held true for the other families: Salome, Mercury, Six Emblems... These formidable factions, renowned throughout their respective territories, ultimately could not escape the cages Gospel had built for them.
Therefore, when Qinna asked Evalyn whether she wanted to take down the Isu, Evalyn could not possibly have chosen anything else. Rationally, Berdette had to eliminate the obstacle that was the Isu in order to take another step forward; emotionally, how could Evalyn not covet the supreme throne of the Gospel Country?
She was, after all, the King of Caged Birds Evalyn, ruler of Menphila's tens of millions. A profound lust for power had long since permeated her maidenly heart!
"Fuel their desires, grant what they need" was not only the secret of the Dominance Faction, but also its side effect! What desire was more intoxicating than power? What temptation was more addicting than dominating tens of millions?
Those who had tasted the wonder of power were like wolves starved for far too long, their bellies forever insatiable! Tens of millions, hundreds of millions, and ultimately turning the entire world into their slaves—this was the deep-seated professional ethic of every dominance magician!
To Evalyn, she felt trapped within Gospel, confined within this realm brimming with miracles and ubiquitous blessings where no adventure could be found.
This was a blessing for the weak, but a tragedy for the strong.
Now that an opportunity to shatter this cage had finally presented itself, how could Evalyn possibly refuse to lend a little help?
In Yaxiu and Qinna's plan, roping Evalyn in brought the plan's success rate up to fifty percent!
After rapidly communicating the plan via their Books of Gospel, Anfeier suddenly realized something. "Since Yaxiu has already gotten in, are Igola and the others here as well?"
Qinna smiled faintly. "What do you think of the culinary skills of these two chefs?"
Only the Berdette sisters were in the seafood area, so the two chefs naturally served as their dedicated culinary staff. The one with slightly darker skin was responsible for knife work, slicing, and cooking, while the other handled plating and seasoning...
Only now did Evalyn realize something was amiss: she actually had no impression whatsoever of that other chef!
Height, hair color, skin tone, age, eye color... every single feature was hazy and indistinct. Her attention had been locked onto the food he served every single time, without a single fraction diverted to his person, leaving her mind completely incapable of constructing his true image!
This was... Attention Domination of the Dominance Faction!
"Honored guests."
Under Anfeier's blushing, wide-eyed gaze, the blond chef set a plate of scallops onto the table. "The scallops you ordered have arrived."
Chapter 491