The Observer had just jumped into the portal and hadn’t had the chance to experience its environment when he found himself in another room.
It appeared to be a luxurious noble hall.
Unlike the halls in other noble castles, the Observer saw some peculiar objects here. Such as the teacup floating in mid-air, which had tiny ceramic hands holding a spoon, striking its own body with clear clinks, accompanied by another floating squad of strange musical instruments beside it.
A teacup bunny blowing a trumpet, a black-and-white cup playing piano, and a goblet playing violin...
The complete Teacup Band.
That wasn’t the most bizarre sight. Above the hall floated several iridescent dragonflies and some strange luminous points—though they seemed glamorous, they inexplicably gave the Observer a sense of danger.
As the Observer stood dazed, the Teacup Band began playing cheerful music.
Along with the music, neat tapping sounds came from the curtain on one side.
The Observer looked towards the sound and saw the curtain pulled open at a small corner, revealing two squads of blocks soldiers no taller than a palm. They walked out in synchronized, orderly steps.
The blocks soldiers were all dressed in red uniforms and white trousers, topped with high hats. Their cheeks were painted with two red dots, looking quite comical.
But the Observer didn’t find it amusing at all, because both groups of blocks soldiers held various weapons. Bayonets, spears, muskets, rapiers... these weapons, much like the points above, caused the Observer to feel immense danger.
If these weapons could make him feel threatened, it should mean they were potent enough to harm him. Being a Legendary Wizard himself, for anything to harm him, these weapons must at least be high-order alchemy tools, extremely valuable in the outside world.
Yet here, they were distributed to blocks soldiers.
The Observer choked back his saliva, uncertain whether it was out of fear or envy. He watched the two teams of blocks soldiers approach him.
Tap, tap!
The blocks soldiers ended their march ritualistically before the Observer, then they separated into two sides, using their stiff wooden hands to simultaneously gesture a welcome and pointed towards the direction of the red curtain.
"Does this mean to go that way?" the Observer questioned.
No one answered.
Reflecting on his situation, the Observer considered that he was already inside the Dalmatian’s belly, ready to be slaughtered at any moment, at least better off than Gluz Deward and others. The comparison somehow reduced his fear.
With no room to retreat, he moved forward, onward!
The Observer resolutely stepped forward.
As he took the first step, the Teacup Band played a welcoming melody, indicating he was not wrong.
The blocks soldiers came to open the way, the Teacup Band to create an ambiance.
Coupled with the atmosphere of the noble hall, the Observer felt the sensation of being invited by "some noble lord" to attend a banquet.
Soon, the Observer reached the red drapery.
He had an inexplicable premonition that perhaps behind the red drapery lay the master of this space.
Pausing for two seconds, the Observer took a deep breath and reached out to lift the drapery. As the drapery was lifted, the music of the Teacup Band ceased.
The Observer’s gaze gradually lifted to see the scene behind the drapery.
A magnificent long table, exquisite porcelain plates, and bright candlelight.
The table had seating occupied.
The prime seat at the head of the table... was unoccupied, but lazily lying on it was a Dalmatian indicating its title as dignitary of the prime seat.
The seats on either side were occupied; to the right sat a plump Void Traveler, resembling a large puddle of soft jelly, filling the not-so-large chair completely.
To the left sat the familiar face of Angel.
Angel, dressed as before, sat properly in the chair. Hearing the sound of the curtain being drawn, he turned his head to look at the Observer.
Observer: What’s going on here?
Angel: Oh, it’s a long story.
After exchanging a glance, Angel gave him a gentle nod, signaling him to take a seat first.
The Observer understood; having reached this point, he had to sit down. There was no escaping it, so he proceeded without hesitation.
The long table had many vacant seats, yet the Observer didn’t hesitate and sat directly beside Angel.
After all, Angel was someone he knew well.
Upon sitting down, a beautiful porcelain plate floated automatically to the Observer, extending a hand to take bread and a knife from the center of the table, cutting the bread into slices and placing them on the plate. It then poured cream and chive sauce over the bread.
After completing all this, the plate suddenly spoke, in a muffled voice: "Use the fork gently; don’t scratch my skin. Also, don’t lick the plate after eating the bread. I hate being licked by men."
The Observer stared dazedly at the plate and instinctively replied, "Oh."
"Oh? No manners at all; I dislike crude men even more."
A flash of embarrassment crossed the Observer’s face: "I meant, thank you."
"At least you know to make amends... You’re welcome, it’s my job. Please enjoy, don’t forget the rules I’ve mentioned."
The Observer hurriedly nodded: "Okay."
The plate returned to normal, but the Observer felt a bit abnormal, having just conversed with a plate? Was this plate a living being? Didn’t these food items rest atop the plate’s body?
"Did I enter a Fairy Tale World?" the Observer couldn’t help but murmur quietly.
"Fairy Tale World? No, this is merely a regular banquet hall," Angel said, overhearing the Observer’s mumbling.