Kaidan Game Train: Abide Rule or Die!

Crashing into the display cabinets was not an option; the players held back during their skirmish, so the person who flew out quickly used a prop to protect the cabinet. As a result, both the cabinet and the dolls inside merely shook a little.

When he looked up again, the other three had already firmly taken their seats, while everyone else at the table had safeguarded their own spots with props. Upon hearing distinct footsteps coming from the corridor on the side of No. 1, this player swiftly got up, conjured a chair out of thin air, and sat at the end of the dining table.

Thus, all twenty-five outsiders were seated at the table.

The castle’s host was cloaked in a dark-patterned cape, and the brim of his hat covered the top of his head, rendering his face completely black. It wasn’t that the lighting in the dining room was insufficient to see his face—the lights were turned on by the four servants who had arrived—but rather the prop made his features vanish into darkness, no matter the angle or clarity of vision.

His hands were similarly concealed by gloves, allowing one to simply judge from his height and movements that he was a burly male.

Number 2 helped the castle host pull out a chair; after he sat down, he surveyed the people at the table, his gaze lingering at the end of the table momentarily, then shifted, pausing on the Girl in the painting before finally returning to the center of the table. He nodded slightly, signaling the servants to serve the meal.

Number 1 rang the Bell, and dinner officially commenced.

Numbers 3 and 4 pushed the dining carts over, placing dish after dish in order, along with wine.

The Puppet Maker didn’t speak but raised his glass to indicate everyone should begin using their utensils.

The dishes were exquisite, but except for the Girl in the painting, everyone else ate absent-mindedly, especially the one who didn’t manage to grab a seat. The castle host remained silent; it was uncertain whether he couldn’t speak or chose not to, and if the guests spoke first, would it be disrespectful to the host?

The Puppet Maker disliked unruly people; did this "unruliness" include speaking at the dining table?

The players hesitated and deliberated, delaying any action, but in this world, there are always true warriors. The Girl in the painting tapped on the communicator for a while, then asked the castle host, "Your cabinet dolls are beautiful, may I take a look at them?"

Everyone at the table paused for a moment, and then Number 1, under the Puppet Maker’s cue, replied, "You may view them from outside the cabinet, but please do not touch, as they are the host’s favorite dolls."

"I also make paper dolls and paper frogs; could we exchange?" the Girl in the painting continued.

Once again, Number 1 answered, "No, the dolls placed in the display cabinet are not for sale."

The Girl in the painting seemed a bit disappointed, but the other players got the message: the dolls deemed "satisfactory" before today couldn’t be the ones players needed to acquire for a "clearance" in this instance. If they wanted to succeed, they would have to choose a doll made by the Puppet Maker after entering this instance.

Obviously, stealing was out of the question, not to mention whether "malice towards dolls" would be included; the Puppet Maker, as the host, certainly wouldn’t appreciate someone stealing from him, especially given his absolute control over the castle. This implied the entire castle might be a large-scale site prop; moreover, the Puppet Maker might not only control the castle but also be aware of everything occurring within. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

If the Puppet Maker could easily grasp the players’ movements, judging whether they were "obedient" or "disobedient" would be quite straightforward.

Stealing was impossible; snatching even less so, and suggesting trades wasn’t a good approach either, as players couldn’t ascertain what might pique the Puppet Maker’s interest. This meant they could only offer gifts.

Probably not fond of speaking during meals, Number 1 didn’t answer the Girl in the painting’s questions any further.

Thus the meal was eaten in fear and trembling, and after the Puppet Maker stood and left, Number 2 addressed the group saying, "After dinner, you are free to explore the castle, but be mindful not to touch the dolls in the display cabinets. We will prepare rooms for each of you later. Guests who wish to rest now may inform us, and Number 4 will escort you to your room."

It was a prime moment for gathering information; how could anyone leave? After asking briefly about where the corridors led, everyone chose to tour the main castle.

The dining room was actually in the main castle. From the corridor on the other side of the head of the table, you’d reach an open lounge; going through and opening the door, a wide and long gallery lay straight ahead. By scale, it rivaled a palace; one could hear echoes when speaking.

On one side of the gallery were arched windows and a terrace, while the other side held closed rooms. The central chamber was the castle host’s workspace, not open for guest visits; however, the rooms on either side were accessible: one was a Display Room for dolls, and the other was a studio.

Xu Huo and the others passed from the side of the studio, where most finished pieces were covered with cloth; outside were two unfinished works—two body images, neither with faces drawn.

The Girl in the painting wasn’t as cautious; she directly went over to unveil the cloth from a painting by the door.

Instinctively, everyone checked Number 2 for guidance, and upon finding he didn’t stop her, they looked to the frame, discovering it was a cartoon cat.

The black cat was squatting, staring forward—a completely unimpressive painting.

When the Girl in the painting wanted to uncover the second painting, Xu Huo spoke up, saying, "There’s not much to see in the paintings; let’s check out other rooms."

This made the Girl in the painting and two others who wished to continue looking halt their actions; the cartoon drawings in the dining room were enough, and the paintings here were likely similar. Most felt there was no point in viewing them, although some had itchy hands and randomly pulled away a dust cloth on departure, exposing the structural diagram of a doll.

Head, chest, abdomen, hands, feet—the doll was divided into six parts, with detailed design data at the connection points.

Some took a glance and walked away first, while others stayed behind to examine the diagram’s data, but overall didn’t linger long, proceeding next to the Display Room.

Though they’d prepared themselves, opening the Display Room door still astounded the group: the room was at least a hundred meters long and wide, with nearly thirty rows of display cabinets from left to right. Each cabinet towered about ten meters high, divided into five layers, with a doll placed every half meter. Looking around, it completely overwhelmed their vision.

"Those with trypophobia would faint," High Ponytail muttered, shielding her eyes, "there must be two thousand dolls or so."

"Have you noticed," said another player with short fluorescent powder-colored hair, "the dolls’ appearances and attire are different. Could they be made to resemble the players who entered?"