Chapter 798: The Real and Fake Princess
Chapter 798: The Real and Fake Princess
"Hiss!!!"
Just as the Evil Prince bid farewell to the Evil Queen, his sullen-faced foolish son in tow, and boarded the airship bound for the Maiden Nation, far away in the Maiden Nation, the Raven-Masked Man felt his entire body tense up, and he abruptly stood up from his chair.
"Hmm?"
The sudden movement of the Raven-Masked Man startled everyone in the room, causing them to turn and look at him with confusion. The middle-aged priest, who was in the midst of informing them about the ceremony details, paused instinctively, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Your Highness?"
However, the Raven-Masked Man paid no heed to the priest's inquiry. Instead, he instinctively looked in a particular direction, and a hint of fear flashed across his crystal-clear eyes.
He's here! How dare he show up!
Damn it... Damn that Gluttony! Why can't he just stay put in his own home? Why does he have to follow me wherever I go? Could it be... Could he be after me?!?!
What's wrong with His Highness? Sensing the Raven-Masked Man's unusual expression and the hint of fear in his eyes, the middle-aged priest's face changed slightly. He quickly hurried over, wanting to check on the condition of "Princess Catherine."
But before he could even get close, the "Princess Catherine," whose expression had just changed, regained her composure. She waved her hand, indicating that she was fine, and then lightly lifted her skirt in a slight bow to everyone. With an apologetic look in her eyes, she explained:
"Sorry, I just suddenly remembered something, and my reaction was a bit over the top... I'm sorry, Priest Victor, please continue!"
"Alright..."
Although he felt that "Princess Catherine's" behavior didn't seem like she had remembered something important, but rather that she had been startled by something, since the princess herself had given an explanation, the middle-aged priest had no choice but to suppress the doubts in his heart. He returned to the center of the hall and continued speaking:
"Everyone, according to the responses we've received so far, eight kingdoms' envoys will be attending the ceremony for Princess Catherine's succession as the High Sorceress. This will undoubtedly be a significant challenge for our Maiden Nation..."
As the middle-aged priest resumed his speech, "Princess Catherine," who had returned to her seat, couldn't help but secretly heave a sigh of relief. She then reached up and adjusted the mask on her face.
I almost blew my cover... But why am I playing the role of the princess? Where is that woman, Black Cat? She should be the one playing the fake princess!
'She hasn't made any moves.'
As these complaints filled the Raven-Masked Man's mind, his earring, in the shape of a snake, swayed slightly. A familiar hoarse voice entered his ear.
'Since the last gathering, when she took that adult's sleeping cap from my hand, Black Cat has completely cut off contact with the organization. No matter how I call out to her, there's been no response, and even the Codex can't reach her.'
So, since she was supposed to play the princess, and she's not here, I have to take on this role, right?
Upon hearing White Snake's response, the Raven-Masked Man understood why he had become the fake princess. He crossed his legs in disgust and assumed a "ladylike" sitting posture, trying his best to maintain the persona of "Princess Catherine." With a look of displeasure in his eyes, he said:
'So, where is Black Cat? I can't act like a woman; you'd better find her quickly and switch identities with me!'
'That's probably not possible.'
The white snake-shaped earring swayed, and White Snake's voice firmly rejected the idea:
"That adult's ability cannot be canceled. Once the Bedtime Story officially begins, the roles of everyone in the story cannot be changed. Everything must continue until the story's conclusion.
Furthermore, you shouldn't wait for Black Cat anymore. If I'm not mistaken, she likely has a problem. She may have betrayed us long ago... It's possible she was never on our side to begin with."
'What?!'
Upon hearing White Snake's judgment, the Raven-Masked Man's mind went blank for a moment. He reached up and touched his earring, his eyes wide with disbelief as he asked in rapid succession:
'Black Cat is a traitor? How do you know? She can receive the Codex's summons, so how can she be a traitor?'
'Those who can connect to the Ten Heritage Codex are not limited to those of us whose names are inscribed upon it. The Great Ten Heritage can do the same, and the High Sorceress lineage of the Maiden Nation is also capable of such feats.'
As White Snake explained, her voice took on a slightly chilly tone.
'The initial Black Cat was most likely the real Black Cat, and the name in the Codex couldn't be faked. But the Black Cat who came later is questionable. She was probably replaced long ago.
That true Princess Catherine, whom we've been unable to locate, must have come into contact with the real Black Cat, found a way to kill her, and then quietly assumed her identity. Through the connection between the Great Ten Heritage and the Codex, she managed to infiltrate our midst without our knowledge.'
What?!?!?!
Upon hearing this explosive revelation, the Raven-Masked Man was shocked. He unconsciously covered his delicate lips with his lace-gloved hand, his eyes wide with astonishment, and asked:
'Does that mean our previous plans were known to her? And she...'
'The situation isn't that bad.'
White Snake replied indifferently:
'Even if she could replace the real Black Cat, bypass the Codex's scrutiny, and infiltrate our gathering, she is still bound by the Codex's treaty. She absolutely cannot reveal our identities or plans.
Currently, the biggest threat to us is that she has repeatedly interfered with our actions in the Maiden Nation, preventing us from finding the princess's whereabouts.
But this time, with that adult's intervention, whether she is the fake Black Cat or the real princess, as long as she remains within the scope of the Bedtime Story, she will undoubtedly become a dead cat.'
Alright... At least that sounds reassuring.
Facing White Snake's confident declaration of victory, "Princess Catherine" couldn't help but lick her lips. With a hint of uncertainty in her heart, she asked:
"By the way, you mentioned the Bedtime Story. Can it really kill Gluttony and Black Cat together? What if..."
'There's no "what if."'
Interrupting the Raven-Masked Man's skeptical question, White Snake replied confidently:
'Although that adult's ability has many restrictions and the cost is extraordinarily high, having been used less than ten times so far, once the Bedtime Story is successfully told, there is no chance for anyone in the story to escape!'
(End of Chapter)
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