Chapter 1679: Chapter 1677: The Witch’s Tea Party (Maruko Soup Makes the Belly Round)

Riding the Vimona, the three of them returned to the castle at dusk and presented gifts to everyone at dinner time. Of course, none of them mentioned how Fang Zheng "extorted" Lugnica, only stating that the gifts were from Fang Zheng and were selected by Ram and Rem.

Everyone happily accepted them, and Fang Zheng took the opportunity to introduce his adorable little kitten to everyone. The kitten’s charm attribute once again came into play, quickly winning the hearts of the other inhabitants of the castle.

After a tiring and bustling day, Fang Zheng took a bath, then embraced the fluffy little kitten and went to bed.

Midnight arrived.

The pitch-black night shrouded the entire castle, and except for Meiyin’s father in the security room struggling to stifle yawns as he watched the monitors, everyone else had already entered the realm of dreams.

Darkness gradually encroached.

But no one saw it.

The barrier was functioning normally, and the monitors showed no reaction. The heavy main door slowly opened, yet no alarms were triggered. The keypad lock outside the tightly shut door emitted a soft "beep" and then turned green.

"......."

The little kitten curled up in Fang Zheng’s arms opened its eyes, stretched out its tongue, gently licked Fang Zheng’s face, then leaped down from the bed, nimbly slipping out of the room into the corridor, and then dexterously gliding down the stairs.

Subsequently, the kitten arrived at the hall and looked towards the main door.

The main door gradually opened.

However, at this moment, beyond the door wasn’t the castle’s usual crystal chandeliers and soft carpets, but rather a tea room filled with luxurious Western decor.

"Welcome."

Sitting on the red velvet sofa was a girl of about ten years old, with smooth dark blue long hair. She wore a dress of the same color, laced white socks, and black shoes. Behind her, a black tail tied with a blue bow was swaying.

The girl turned her head, looking towards the entrance, and set down the teacup in her hand.

"Since you’ve come here, won’t you come in and sit for a while, uninvited guest?"

"———!"

Without making any sound, a figure shrouded entirely in black mist gradually walked in, slowly approaching the girl with its hands outstretched.

"... Where is ...?"

"How ugly, such an appearance."

The girl squinted her eyes, her gaze as dark as the night without a hint of radiance.

"Are you merely drawn here by instinct? How is this any different from a gluttonous pig? Right now, you can’t even be considered a person, just a pathetic swine."

"... Where is ...?"

The black figure spoke again, but the girl merely picked up the teacup and took a sip of her tea. Seemingly unsatisfied without the response it hoped for, the black figure began to sway, then more figures emerged from it, transforming into subsidiary shadows that slowly surrounded the girl like a wolf pack.

"Who knows? You’re like an abandoned grudge-holder searching for your man, but it won’t end well for you. Pigs should act like pigs, let’s hear you grunt."

Saying this, the girl slightly curled her lips into a cold, cruel smile, as if she were watching a clown perform on stage. Even with the increasing number of shadows, her expression remained unchanged.

"If that’s the case, it’s no fun at all."

"... Where is ...!?"

The black figure seemed not to have heard the girl’s response, its voice hoarse as it asked again. Then its hands suddenly elongated, reaching for the girl’s neck. But faced with this dangerous move that nearly threatened her life, the girl remained motionless. The pitch-black hands made contact with her fair neck without any resistance, and then...

"—————!!!"

With a silent scream, the black figure recoiled as if it had touched red-hot charcoal. A fierce wind rose, and the next moment, the pitch-black figure retreated, as if a video being rewound, leaving the room, and the main door slammed shut again.

The tea room restored to its tranquility, only the sound of soothing music continued to echo. The girl seemed entirely unbothered by the earlier attack, simply setting down her teacup and pouring herself another cup of tea.

"I came because I felt it might be interesting, and I really did see something intriguing."

As she said this, the girl took another sip of tea, then lifted her head, once again looking at the main door.

"Well then, let me see how far you... you all can entertain me — Grand Witch, Frederica Bernkastel."

At this moment, the girl revealed an innocent, pure, and cold smile akin to that of a child.

"Feel honored, witches, for now you are Beren’s toys, Mii-paa~~!"

Having said this, the girl set down her teacup, then leapt gracefully off the velvet sofa—and in a blink, the tea room, once filled with a Western fairy-tale atmosphere, vanished. The soothing classical music also ceased. The black kitten lightly touched the ground, then stepped, two steps, three steps onto the staircase, effortlessly returning to Fang Zheng’s room. The kitten lightly leapt back onto the bed, snuggled up next to Fang Zheng, stretched its head to nuzzle against Fang Zheng’s chin, and then curled itself into a ball, closing its eyes.

And so, the person and the cat fell into a deep sleep once more.

The next morning.

"Huaa... I’m really up early today."

Fang Zheng yawned, stretched lazily as he descended the stairs, and upon seeing him, Ram and Rem quickly bowed their heads in unison to greet him.

"Good morning, Master Fang Zheng."

"Good morning, Master Fang Zheng."

"Mm, good morning to you both as well... But speaking of which, twins really do have telepathy..."

In truth, when Ram and Rem were together, they often seemed able to reply in unison when someone spoke to them. Initially, Fang Zheng assumed it was coincidence. After all, such things occasionally happen; back in school, classmates had similar instances. But those were brushed off as coincidences or jokes, nothing more than a laugh.

However, with Ram and Rem, it’s not merely coincidence. In fact, nearly every time they see someone, they greet them in perfect unison, which surprised many, attributing it to a unique telepathy between twins.

"Has everyone had breakfast yet?"

"Yes."

"That’s good..."

Upon hearing the responses, Fang Zheng nodded. To be honest, Fang Zheng would very much like to go to the cafeteria and dine with others, but after a few visits, he was banned. Although Rem, Rem, and Kiare came up with various excuses, Mel exposed the truth bluntly.

"For everyone, it’s like having the principal show up in the classroom during lunch; it feels like they can’t digest their food properly, so let’s spare them."

So Fang Zheng had no choice but to retreat, albeit reluctantly, he had to admit that Mel had a point.

Speaking of which, why the principal? Do I look like that kind of person?!

"Today I’m going out for a bit; I’ll skip lunch, and dinner... I’ll see."

While petting a small kitten in his arms, Fang Zheng told the twins about his plans for the day.

"Lord Fang Zheng, are you going out? Do you need us to accompany you?"

"I plan to visit Roswaal’s territory; that guy’s home is there, isn’t it? In fact, I don’t even know how many people are there on Roswaal’s side. You can just watch over the house; it’s nothing major."

"Alright, Lord Fang Zheng, take care."

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, the twin maids respectfully bowed their heads, and Fang Zheng then left the room, summoned Vimona, and flew towards Roswaal’s territory.

It didn’t take long for Fang Zheng to arrive at Roswaal’s territory—correction, it should be considered his territory now.

"This place is really secluded."

Looking at the nearby manor that seemed to be the only noble residence and the small village in the distance, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but shake his head, and then he landed Vimona in front of the manor.

However...

"No guards, not a single living soul... no dead ones either?"

Gazing at the desolate manor, Fang Zheng was somewhat bewildered. To be honest, he didn’t think Roswaal’s family would move out in just a day. Initially, Fang Zheng was prepared to negotiate with Roswaal’s relatives or subordinates, but given the current situation... could it be that this manor only housed Roswaal alone?

Oh, come on, isn’t he a Court Archmage? Living this miserably, not even a gatekeeper?

Without the anticipated resistance and battle, Fang Zheng naturally wouldn’t say much. Out of curiosity, he simply walked into the manor—a tightly closed Daimon was just a "knocking spell" issue for Fang Zheng.

"This house is quite suitable for a ghost house, or for filming some serial locked-room murder mysteries."

Wandering through the manor, Fang Zheng mumbled to himself, then casually opened a door.

"Hmm? Is this a library? Meiyin would surely drool at the sight."

Looking at the densely packed bookshelves, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but whistle. He didn’t expect this place to house so many books, maybe it would be best to move them all in the castle? Meiyin would definitely be delighted...

However, it was at this moment that a sharp, youthful voice suddenly appeared.

"Who are you? How did you get in here?"

"Hmm?"

Fang Zheng turned his head towards the direction of the voice, only to see a little girl holding a large book walk out from behind the bookshelves, glaring at him. The girl had brilliant golden hair, two pigtails hanging like drills on each side, and she wore a billowy dress, looking much like a young lady of nobility.

"My name is Fang Zheng."

Fang Zheng greeted the girl before him.

"Are you part of this household? Could you be Roswaal’s daughter?"

Reflecting on that Joker’s age, perhaps that’s the only explanation?

But would anyone want to marry that pervert?

"Please don’t make such boring jokes."

Unexpectedly, upon hearing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, the golden-haired drill girl showed a clear expression of disgust.

"Why would Betty become that pervert’s daughter? We have no blood relation."

Hmm... Seems her perspective on Roswaal is similar to Fang Zheng’s.

"If you’re Roswaal’s guest, please leave."

The girl, who introduced herself as Betty, seemed unwilling to converse more with Fang Zheng, as she sat on a chair on her own and opened the book in her hands.

"Betty doesn’t have time to waste on idle people like you."

"A sharp-tongued loli isn’t exactly a flattering description."

Fang Zheng retorted, then spoke.

"I’m not a guest, actually, this house, along with this territory, are now my property."

"...What?"

Hearing this, Betty raised her head, staring at Fang Zheng.

"Are you joking?"

"I’m not joking."

Staring at the golden-haired girl, Fang Zheng spoke.

"Lugnica has already given me this territory, and as for Roswaal... well, it’s a bit unpleasant to say, but I’ve killed him."