In Ashe’s suitcase were several beautifully packaged gift boxes.
Annan took them out and quickly realized they were gifts for others-the black box with a skull was for Harvey, the deep blue box was for Banjeet, the silver-edged gold box was for Igor, and the box with a purple ribbon was undoubtedly hers.
What about Lise’s gift?
When Annan opened these gifts, she understood why there was nothing for Lise.
“Harvey, you often dig graves and perform burials, so you probably don’t have much ti to bask in the sun. I think this ‘Radiant Ankle Chain’ is perfect for you. It can help you get so sun to prevent osteoporosis and can also serve as a spotlight to light your way down the grave. It even matches the Ghost King Shackles on your hands. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Annan looked at the anklet in the box. Although she didn’t find it aesthetically pleasing by her standards, Harvey’s taste was always unique. Maybe he would like this gift.
“Banjeet, I didn’t know what to get you since you’re so good at taking care of yourself and probably already bought whatever you wanted. So, I went to a shop and had dolls made of the six of us. You can keep these dolls in the ga room and it will be like we’re there playing old gas with you. Next ti, I’m sure I’ll beat you in Sorcerer Duel 14!”
Annan glanced at the six dolls in the gift box. While the dolls had big, cute eyes, their outfits made it clear who was who: Banjeet’s blue hair and butler attire, Igor’s blonde hair and skirt, Harvey’s dark skin and Ghost King Shackles, Lise’s white hair, Annan’s purple outfit and athyst earring, and Ashe’s dark red trench coat and Twisting Mask.
Honestly, this wasn’t a great gift, considering Banjeet was over sixty years old. How could he still like dolls? But now that Banjeet had turned back into a baby, this gift perfectly matched his age. Ashe had inadvertently got it right.
“Igor, I didn’t forget to return the favor! You gave
the mask, and I always rembered that. But I couldn’t figure out what you might like. I can’t very well give you a bathtub… Then I rembered you once said you actually hate society and want to go on adventures in mysterious ruins, which is the complete opposite of : I love lounging around in society and hate adventures. So, I’m giving you this ‘Team-Up Ticket’. If you ever find mysterious ruins and lack companions, just invite
to team up.”
Annan picked up the lightweight paper and saw a line of crooked writing (he’s a sorcerer yet can’t even write properly)-
“Team-Up Ticket: Invite Ashe to team up; requires thirty working days notice, valid for one use only.”
This was probably the most perfunctory and thoughtless gift, but Annan felt that Igor would definitely be pleased with it.
Only one gift box remained, and Annan nervously untied the purple ribbon.
Inside, she saw an… athyst earring.
“Young Lady, I really wanted to get an original Marga Crystal, but it’s too expensive, and there’s no way to buy it, so I could only get an earring that looks similar.”
“When you receive this gift, it also ans I should have already run away with Lise. Although the Pact term has not expired yet, I hope you won’t co looking for .”
“Our relationship is too strange. We’re slaves and masters out of necessity, comrades and friends who went through hardships together, and we almost beca intertwined paramours and lovers… If I stay, I will certainly be subdued by you. I never doubt my willpower.”
“So, I must leave. Although I won’t seek revenge on you for this period of domination, I can’t allow myself to submit to you either. I’m not so pet that can be tad after a few days of care, especially since this experience is a thorn, always reminding
that our eting was full of calculation and manipulation.”
“Also, how much of your feelings for
is about expressing your fear of death, and how much is the comfort and reliance from being completely dominated by ?”
“It would be easy for you to find , but I am determined to end this unequal relationship. So, if you want to see , I hope it’s after the Pact ends, on a sunny afternoon, when you appear before
and say-“
“‘Nice to et you, I am Annan Dolan.’”
Although she had already finished reading the note, Annan’s gaze remained fixed on the last period, as if the letter had not yet ended.
No wonder Lise didn’t have a gift.
This was Ashe’s way of saying goodbye to everyone. He had planned to leave with Lise long before the action began.
Annan folded the letter and put it away, then picked up the earring from the gift box and couldn’t help but chuckle-this is what he calls “similar”? The differences were glaring. Her original earring shone bright and clear, while Ashe’s knockoff was dull and murky, obviously cheap. ????Ν??B????
She shook her head in exasperation and put the cheap earring on her other ear.
As Annan finished bathing and prepared for bed, there was a knock at the door.
It was Lise.
Standing outside in her robe, Lise looked hesitant but finally gathered the courage to speak: “Can I sleep with you?”
Annan was a bit taken aback but quickly replied, “Of course.”
She paused, “But you have to call
Sister Annan.”
“No problem, Sister… Annan.”
Seeing Lise’s nervous deanor, Annan realized that the Empress Gosdeya was still just a little girl.
Perhaps seeing her navigate the Court with such ease during the day had led Annan to misunderstand, thinking she had quickly recovered from the separation. But now it seed she simply didn’t want to show her emotions in front of others.
Honestly, Annan’s relationship with Lise was not particularly close, and she rarely spoke to her. But now, Annan was the only one Lise could turn to for comfort-because they both were left behind in similar circumstances.
As Annan lay in bed with Lise, Lise suddenly asked, “Can you read a fairy tale picture book?”
“Sure…- but I have an even better choice.”
Annan picked up Banjeet’s notebook and let Lise rest her head on her lap. She said, “Banjeet has been writing novels for a long ti but never publishes them. I’ve always been curious about what he’s writing. Let’s read it together.”
“Okay!”
Annan opened the notebook to the first page and was imdiately stunned.
It wasn’t until Lise urged her that she held back her laughter and began to read: “A long, long ti ago, there was a boy nad Banjeet. Deep within his bloodline, the power of chaos slumbered, leading him to be cursed by the Virtual Realm. He had two handguns, one called ‘Light’s Judgent’ and the other ‘Darkness’ Verdict.’ He embarked on a rebellious journey against the entire world. Along the way, he t the fate sorcerer Wenna. Together, with this dashing girl in a trench coat, they faced infinite futures…-
Annan stopped reading and looked at Lise, who had fallen asleep. She gently covered the Empress with a blanket.
The ruler of the Gospel, the Empress, was actually a little girl who needed a bedti story to fall asleep. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, no one would believe it.
The old era is ending, Annan thought.
She walked out to check on Little Banjeet and confird he was sound asleep. The Purple Moth then contentedly returned to bed.
Passing through the Gate of Truth, with souls connected to the Virtual Realm, she set out on the Ti Continent.
However, when Annan opened her eyes to see the Reverse Golden Rain, she heard two screams from above.
The Purple Moth looked up to see two girls intersecting with the Reverse Golden Rain. Holding hands, each extended a silver wing, resembling a pair of falling bi-ying birds, plumting from the sky.
A new era is about to begin, she thought.
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