Chapter 65

“Anyone who dares to split the cake with me is my enemy!”

When Ivyst heard the crisp sound of glass shattering, she didn’t immediately lift her head.

She was completely engulfed in her own emotions, wrapped in madness and revulsion.

So much so that she couldn’t receive any information from the outside world.

As she often said, she had witnessed similar scenes countless times.

But some things just don’t become easier with experience.

The scars from her past would gradually accumulate over time, piling up in her heart.

Just a slight touch would make them bleed anew.

In her childhood, during the time when her powers had not fully awakened, her siblings around her didn’t yet fear or reject Ivyst so much.

They would tease her repeatedly in secret because they found her appearance annoying.

After all, even Sixth Saint Roland didn’t favor Ivyst back then.

Bully a little girl like her didn’t weigh on their conscience at all.

Though they were blood relatives, they never regarded her as family.

At grand royal banquets, they would “accidentally” remove Ivyst’s mask, then scatter away while laughing and watching the guests display expressions of fear and disgust.

Surrounded by whispers and gossip, she could only cry and cover her face.

In the end, those pranksters faced no substantial punishment from Sixth Saint Roland.

The only reprimand was for frightening the guests.

Thinking back, perhaps it was due to those past shadows that, even now, though she possessed formidable power, she still felt an unbearable oppression in such scenes.

But she ultimately couldn’t actually kill all the nobles present who disliked her.

Whatever. Ivyst took a deep breath, trying to suppress her desire to annihilate everything.

After all, she had always been like this.

Forever saying, “Duke Tilius, you seemed to have been discussing something quite interesting just now. May I, an outsider, join in and happily discuss it with you?”

At that moment, a familiar voice reached Ivyst’s ears.

She instinctively lifted her head and spotted the figure.

For some reason, the moment she saw the boy in the crow mask, the huge stone pressing down in her heart suddenly vanished.

Upon hearing the boy in the crow mask’s reply, Duke Tilius was about to fume.

Yet, upon realizing the underlying meaning of those words, he was immediately dumbfounded.

The last pick for splitting the cake?

At first glance, it sounded quite ordinary, like a flashy answer designed to draw attention.

But on deeper reflection, one could sense the underlying wisdom.

As he previously mentioned, human greed is endless.

Once the person dividing the cake has the upper hand, they will instinctively seek personal gain.

Just like the Church of Heavenly Justice, which greedily takes more than half of the city’s taxes.

But if they were the last to divide, it would ensure an unprecedented fairness.

Because if they went by the old logic, the big cake would be snatched away first, leaving only scraps for them.

This idea was intriguing.

But it was merely a thought, not something applicable to reality.

After all, when it comes to that level, it’s not just about the cake-splitter but also about those wanting a piece and their relative standings.

However, for a light-hearted debate over tea, the boy’s answer was undoubtedly perfect.

But he didn’t show his inner thoughts, looking at the boy with a neutral expression: “Is that your answer? A dreamer living in his own world?”

“Of course, but it’s impossible to implement in reality.” The boy chuckled, “This answer is only relevant to dividing the cake; the actual situation is another story.”

Duke Tilius gazed at him: “Then if it were you, how would you handle similar real-world issues?”

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances.

It was clear they could detect the duke’s intention to test the boy at this moment. Perhaps the selection for tonight’s study room conversation was already decided.

Suddenly, all eyes were filled with envy and curiosity.

Envious because that fortunate soul seemed to be winning the duke’s favor.

Curious because they had never heard of such a young man in Orlen City.

Meanwhile, everyone was also eager to hear his next answer.

Upon hearing Duke Tilius’s words, the boy promptly replied: “In reality, I would first distinguish who my enemies and friends are.”

“Oh?” Duke Tilius seemed intrigued, “How do you differentiate?”

The boy chuckled: “It’s simple. Anyone wanting to split the cake with me is my enemy; everyone else is a friend.”

“Just like you said before, if I can’t finish the cake, I’ll take it with me—what’s the point of leaving it for them?”

The atmosphere grew tense. Even Duke Tilius didn’t expect that just a moment ago he advocated sharing equally; now he had turned around to give such an answer.

His eyes were full of astonishment as he sized up the boy.

Then, he couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“What an amusing little fellow.” Duke Tilius chuckled, “What’s your name?”

“I’m Lynn, Duke.”

The boy raised his glass in salute.

“Very well, Lynn, your answer has pleased me. Come to my study after the banquet, and let’s have a good chat.”

Feeling the tense atmosphere from earlier dissipate entirely, Lynn let out a slight sigh of relief.

This bunch really had no sense of danger.

If that crazy woman were truly angered, it would be hard for everyone present to escape alive.

Although this was still early in the original timeline, the current Ivyst definitely possessed strength rivaling, if not surpassing, that of the former archbishop of the Church of Heavenly Justice lying in his coffin.

Later on, she would be unstoppable, killing gods in her path—but too bad, her luck didn’t amount to the main character team, and she ultimately lost.

Still, taking care of these little nobodies now was child’s play.

So to save his own skin, Lynn had no choice but to step forward.

“Didn’t you just say you weren’t planning on becoming a live target?”

Beside him, Greya suddenly spoke up.

Lynn instinctively retorted, “What the hell do you know? This is called showing off in public! Didn’t you see Duke Tilius totally captivated by my charm?”

“Isn’t there a part of it that’s because you saw the princess in a vulnerable position, and you acted impulsively?”

“You’re overthinking it.”

Lynn rolled his eyes.

Hearing this, Greya didn’t argue further, just smiled at him.

Men are creatures of denial.

Unfortunately, Lynn didn’t realize this and only continued to chuckle in his mind.

Feeling pity for that woman? Don’t kid around.

She could wipe out everyone present with one hand! Looking at the woman in the red dress quietly standing in the distance, Lynn’s gaze met hers in the air.

He thought he might receive an approving glance from her.

To his surprise, Ivyst was just staring at him blankly.

Her eyes were eerily cold, fixed on him from start to finish, making it impossible to guess her real emotions.

After a long while, she slowly closed her eyes.

No one knew what she was thinking.

Lynn felt a chill when she looked at him.

What if she resented him for ruining her chance to slaughter her enemies?

But deep down, he wondered that if such a large event were to happen, it surely wouldn’t be omitted from the original story, right?

Lynn’s mind was a bit muddled.

Just then, he suddenly felt a heavy hand pat his shoulder from behind.

The force was strong, mixed with a hint of anger.

Lynn instinctively turned around and found a somewhat familiar figure behind him.

He vaguely recalled that this person was the family’s butler stationed in Orlen City.

Wasn’t his name Sherlock?

Lynn frowned, some unpleasant memories from his past resurfacing.

It was under this guy’s approval that the servants in the mansion would treat him with such disdain.

Before he could settle the score, this guy came over himself.

“Why are you here, you little brat? Come back with me right now!”

The butler Sherlock didn’t notice his abnormality, frowning and staring at him with cold eyes, revealing a hint of disdain.

Hearing this, Lynn’s mind short-circuited for a few seconds.

The butler’s bossy tone made him feel an instant lack of confidence, as if he was the servant instead.

How did this guy grow so brazen over time?

Lynn was a bit confused.

But before he could react, his body instinctively moved, flowing smoothly as he pulled a revolver from his pocket.

Gun raised, aim set.

Bang!