Chapter 2538 Zodiac Palace <TOC> Chapter 2540 Tea Tea
Translator: SumTLMan
“This obnoxiously long-named Sugar Cube Girl, isn’t she just a tool in your illusion? And she has her own palace?” Daus suppressed his anger as he leaned closer to Angel, glaring.
Angel sidestepped Daus and continued walking ahead: “Didn’t I tell you? A little mishap occurred. Sugar Cube Girl and everything, they’re byproducts of that error, not illusions I created.”
“Then how do you know they have their own palace?” Daus pressed forward.
Angel: “Just deducing. Like earlier, when you went through the first Zodiac Palace, you should’ve been able to infer some information from her questions with your intelligence.”
“My experimenter went through it from start to finish, and the information she gathered confirmed my assumptions.”
“The experimenter you’re talking about, is that ghost we just saw?” Daus asked suddenly. He had noticed that peculiar ghost earlier; her aura was strange. Her face was carefully concealed, but he had a vague sense that she seemed familiar.
“You change focus quickly, don’t you? One moment you’re asking about the palace, and now you’re curious about my subordinate. What, are you interested in my ghost?”
After finishing his sentence, Angel wore a strange expression: “Don’t tell me you’re like Nisi and have a thing for this sort of stuff?”
Daus couldn’t immediately recall who Nisi was, but when Angel mentioned “a thing” and looked at him with distaste, Daus quickly caught on.
Forcing back his urge to argue, Daus stated clearly: “I have zero interest in ghosts. I just thought she looked familiar.”
“She saw you just now and didn’t act strange. You must be mistaken.”
Daus was silent for a moment and then nodded: “Maybe.”
Angel didn’t continue the conversation further. He believed Mandara couldn’t possibly know Daus, so this intuition was probably just some random inkling.
It’s a shame this guy is a wandering wizard. With his talent, he could have done well at the Crown Star Church.
Angel shook his head and dismissed the thought.
Soon, they reached the second Zodiac Palace.
The first palace was called the Sweet Zodiac Palace, and the second one was named the Savory Zodiac Palace.
The questioners of this palace were two little girls with wings on their backs. They looked identical but contrasted sharply in skin tone, clothing, and wing color.
The girl on the left was pale yellow from head to toe and called herself Miss Pale.
The one on the right was coffee-colored and referred to herself as Miss Rich.
As Daus faced these Misses Pale and Rich, Angel quietly walked away, clearly to cheat again.
“Let’s begin.” Daus couldn’t be bothered with idle talk. He figured they would cheat through the trial anyway, so they could ask whatever they wanted, and he’d just give whatever answer came to mind.
As expected, the question was a “common sense” question.
Miss Pale: “When does Tea Tea like me the most?”
Miss Rich: “When does Tea Tea like me the most?”
Two questions came at once, and Daus was silent for a moment: “Tea Tea doesn’t like either of you.”
The familiar, exaggerated narration echoed in his ears: “Wrong answer! In the morning, Tea Tea likes Miss Rich; in the evening, Tea Tea likes Miss Pale.”
Daus spoke seriously: “No mistake about it. I just saw Tea Tea, and she said she dislikes both of you. All your previous meetings were just an act.”
Daus suddenly played his own game, freezing the air instantly.
Meanwhile, Miss Pale and Miss Rich looked shocked. They exchanged glances, their expressions becoming sorrowful, and tears streamed down their faces.
And they believed it?!
Daus clicked his tongue: “Kids really are satisfying to fool.”
A faint voice came from behind him: “So you enjoy picking on children? Appearances can be deceiving…”
Daus whirled around to see Angel already behind him: “Done cheating already? So soon?”
Angel fixed Daus with a chilling stare: “This Zodiac Palace was relatively simple, so it was quick. I didn’t expect to catch a glimpse of you gaining satisfaction like that. What a twisted sense of accomplishment.”
Daus: “…I was just joking.”
Angel ignored him, striding toward the next Zodiac Palace.
The third, fourth… all the way to the eleventh Zodiac Palace, they all passed swiftly because a certain someone was cheating.
When they finally stood at the twelfth and last Zodiac Palace, Angel suddenly stopped.
A few seconds later, Angel turned to Daus: “The last Zodiac Palace can’t be cheated.”
Daus looked at Angel with confusion: “What do you mean?”
Angel sighed: “Tea Tea just contacted me. She said my cheating through these challenges is making her existence meaningless. If I cheat one more time, she’ll leave the magic formation.”
“Leave the magic formation? What does that mean? Isn’t she just a tool in your formation?”
Angel shook his head: “No, her existence is quite unique. She’s not a spirit, but because I mixed in some special elements during my alchemy, she gained a certain level of sentience. If she leaves, the magic formation will completely collapse. Of course, she herself will also crumble.”
In other words, Tea Tea wasn’t just leveraging the magic formation——she was threatening them with her very existence, provided she has life.
After listening to Angel’s recount, Daus was unfazed by Tea Tea’s threats but focused on a particular word: “Alchemy? Weren’t you setting up a magic formation and an illusion? What exactly are you creating?”
Angel replied: “…your priorities are really peculiar.”
And also remarkably accurate.
“There’s no harm in telling you. While setting up the magic formation, I decided to craft a little something on the side. That’s it,” Angel continued: “If you want more details, please contact the Savage Grottoes and submit a membership application.”
Daus promptly shut his mouth. Having enjoyed his wild freedom, he wasn’t keen on being shackled by any organization.
Daus asked: “Can’t you share it as a friend?”
Angel sized him up and remained silent.
But Daus understood Angel’s implication: “Who said we’re friends?”
Angel said: “All right, if we can’t cheat on the final Zodiac Palace, let’s just push through. Tea Tea already agreed that the last challenge will be simpler.”
With that, Angel strode forward.
Shortly after, Angel and Daus arrived at the interior of the twelfth Zodiac Palace.
Its outward appearance was similar to the others, resembling a temple-like structure, but the interior design was entirely different. The twelfth Zodiac Palace was adorned in pure opulence.
Gold decorations, precious ornaments, and delicate white drapes were everywhere, with a steaming hot spring pool not far away.
The air was infused with a calming and luxurious fragrance.
Surrounded by this extravagant setting, they ventured to the deepest part of the palace. There, they saw a round man sitting before a golden throne, drinking tea.
This fat man looked like a mountain of flesh, hideously unattractive, and even the simple act of drinking tea appeared greasy and off-putting.
But Daus wasn’t focused on the man’s physique. Instead, he eyed the hat atop his head.
In stark contrast to his lavish attire, he wore a plain white top hat, which stood out conspicuously and felt oddly incompatible.
Though there was nothing particularly remarkable about it, Daus couldn’t help but be drawn to the hat.
“Ah, brave warriors! After countless adventures and trials, you’ve finally reached the twelfth Zodiac Palace——The Bitter Zodiac Palace. Let me see which final boss you’ll be facing today.”
“Eh?! The Grand Duke of Black Tea!!!”
“Tsk tsk, you’re really unlucky to have drawn the Grand Duke of Black Tea. He’s the trickiest among all the bosses guarding the gates. You should have come tomorrow! I heard from Tea Tea that tomorrow’s boss will be the gentle and charming Cake Sister.”
A flamboyant voice echoed in his ear. Daus scratched his ear impatiently: “Enough with the nonsense, get out of here.”
“…The narrator never gives up.”
“Scram.”
Silence fell around them.
Daus looked up at the mountain of flesh seated on the golden throne: “Pose the question.”
The Grand Duke of Black Tea let out a villainous cackle before saying slowly: “Although Tea Tea wanted me to go easy on you, I will not hold back!”
After this tough talk, the Grand Duke started his first round of questions: “Where do I most enjoy drinking tea?”
Daus glanced over at Angel, silently asking: Is it the throne?
Angel shook his head and gestured for him to wait.
Seconds later, the Grand Duke spoke again: “Seems like I’ve stumped you, so I’ll give you three choices. First, my grand hall filled with gold and antiques. Second, the open-air hot spring pool where you can gaze at the stars. Third, the second-floor balcony overlooking the garden.”
For others attempting the challenge, there would be no options. This was Tea Tea’s way of reducing the difficulty and a final attempt to prevent cheating.
Angel stepped aside and told Daus: “This is your time to shine.”
Daus said nothing, closing his eyes as if sensing something.
Moments later, he opened his eyes: “The answer is the third one.”
The Grand Duke of Black Tea was visibly shaken, the rolls of flesh on his body quivering: “How… how do you know?”
Right on cue, the flamboyant narrator’s voice resonated around them: “Congratulations, you got it right. The Grand Duke of Black Tea loves drinking tea on the second-floor balcony of his palace because it offers a view into Miss Green Tea’s bathing room next door.”
Angel, Daus: …
“Don’t celebrate too soon. I doubt you can get the second question right: What’s my favorite collection piece?”
Daus waited silently. Sure enough, the Grand Duke soon provided options. This time, there were six choices instead of three. He seemed intent on flaunting his collection.
Again, Daus closed his eyes. After a moment, he responded: “The —Sheydel Collection of Love Poems—.”
The Grand Duke of Black Tea trembled once more, completely incredulous.
The narrator’s explanation quickly followed: “Congratulations, that’s correct. The Grand Duke loves the —Sheydel Collection of Love Poems—, not for its poetry, but because hidden within its pages is Raeltos’ Divine Lightning Sentence, a formidable artifact the Grand Duke used to eliminate many adversaries.”
Daus turned to Angel: “Does this artifact really exist?”
Angel replied: “You’re asking me? Who should I ask?”
The Grand Duke of Black Tea launched his third question. After two failed attempts, he was noticeably more competitive this time: “What’s my favorite animal?”
“There are three options. First, the three-horned rhino…”
Daus listened intently but before the Grand Duke of Black Tea could finish, Angel interrupted: “A rabbit. You like rabbits the most.”
The Grand Duke of Black Tea burst out laughing: “No, not a rabbit! There are no rabbits in my options. You got it wrong! Ha ha ha!”
Daus looked at Angel with a puzzled expression, as if to ask: “Why jump in like that?” With questions involving choices, Daus could use his strong intuition to discern the answer. Angel didn’t need to rush in.
Angel signaled Daus to remain calm.
This time, the narrator appeared a bit later. Their voice remained exaggerated as ever, but their answer differed from the Grand Duke of Black Tea’s: “Congratulations, you’re correct! The Grand Duke of Black Tea’s favorite animal is indeed the rabbit! Now you’ve successfully passed the challenge. Will you continue to answer five questions for extra rewards or leave with the guaranteed prize?”
Daus was stunned. Didn’t the Grand Duke of Black Tea say the answer was wrong? How could the narrator say it was correct?
The Grand Duke of Black Tea began to protest: “A rabbit? Rabbits aren’t right! They weren’t even an option! And besides, I hate rabbits the most!”
As soon as the Grand Duke of Black Tea finished speaking, the surrounding air suddenly became frigid, plummeting in temperature.
The previously exaggerated narrator’s voice turned chillingly cold.
“Grand Duke of Black Tea… you hate rabbits the most? Are you sure?”
Feeling the biting cold and the deathly tone of the narrator, the Grand Duke of Black Tea seemed to grasp what was happening, swallowing nervously. He stammered: “I-I made a mistake. Y-yes, I love rabbits! Congratulations to the challengers for getting it right and passing the Bitter Zodiac Palace! Here’s your reward.”
The Grand Duke of Black Tea tossed something to Daus and fled as if being chased.
Once everyone was gone, Daus was still confused.
“What just happened?”
“Let’s keep moving. Tea Tea is waiting for us deeper inside. You’ll understand then,” Angel said: “And remember to pick up the Bitter Stone.”
Daus looked down at the stone the Grand Duke of Black Tea had thrown at him: “This is the Bitter Stone? What’s it for?”
“You’ll find out soon. Let’s go.”
After exiting the final Zodiac Palace and walking a few steps down a path, the road came to an end, but there were no structures in sight.
While Daus was puzzled, Angel moved to the side, pushed aside some weeds, and revealed a hole the size of a well opening.
“What’s this?” Daus asked, confused.
“A rabbit hole.”
Without another word, Angel jumped right in. Daus hesitated but then followed.
The rabbit hole resembled a slide, winding through multiple turns before Angel and Daus finally reached the lowest level, the final destination.
A vast underground cave.
Daus stopped wondering how Angel had turned a cramped chamber into such a large space. He could only marvel at how terrifying the Research Institute members were.
At that moment, the cave was devoid of people; the only living creature was a rabbit.
“That rabbit is Tea Tea,” Angel explained.
Daus pondered briefly: “I already guessed.”
No wonder the narrator’s answer differed from that of the Grand Duke of Black Tea. The fundamental reason lay here. With the mighty Tea Tea the Demon Lord monitoring the entire Zodiac Palace realm, how could the Grand Duke of Black Tea claim to dislike rabbits?