Chapter 514: Annan Extra (Part 2)

Inside Ashe's luggage sat several beautifully packaged gift boxes.

Annan pulled them out, quickly realizing they were intended for the others.

The black box featuring a skull design was meant for Harvey. The deep blue box belonged to Pankey. The gold box trimmed with silver was for Iger. And the box bound with a purple ribbon was undoubtedly hers.

Yet, a clear question remained. Where is Lys's gift?

Upon opening the packages, Annan immediately understood why Lys had not received one.

Harvey, you'll probably spend a lot of time digging graves and burying bodies in the future, meaning you definitely won't have much time to bask in the sun. That's why I think this Radiant Anklet suits you perfectly. It helps you absorb sunlight to prevent osteoporosis, and it can double as a flashlight when you're exploring underground tombs. Plus, it matches the Ghost King Shackles on your hands really well. Doesn't it look great?

Annan examined the anklet resting in the box. In her judgment, the design seemed questionable, yet Harvey's taste had always differed from ordinary people. There was a genuine chance he might actually like it.

Pankey, I honestly didn't know what to give you. After all, you're already so skilled at caring for others, and if you wanted something, you would have bought it yourself. So I visited a shop and had custom dolls made of all of us. You can place them in the game room later, keeping you company while you play old games. Next time, I'll definitely beat you in Sorcerer Duel 14!

Annan glanced at the six dolls inside the box. Despite being simple figures with oversized eyes, their distinct traits made identifying everyone effortless.

Pankey had blue hair and a butler outfit. Iger possessed golden hair and a dress-like robe. Harvey featured dark skin and the Ghost King Shackles. Lys had white hair. Annan wore purple clothing alongside purple amethyst earrings. And Ashe bore his dark red trench coat and Mask of Distortion.

In truth, this choice of gift seemed completely misjudged. After all, Pankey was over sixty years old. How could he possibly care for dolls? Yet now that Pankey had reverted to a baby, the gift accidentally suited his age perfectly. Ashe had somehow managed to get it right by sheer luck.

Iger, I didn't forget about returning your gift! You gave me that mask, and I've always remembered it! After thinking about it for a long time, I still couldn't figure out what you liked. I couldn't exactly give you a bathtub...

I remembered you once said that you actually hated society the most, wanting nothing more than to explore mysterious ruins. That's completely opposite to me. I love lying around in society, doing nothing and enjoying myself. I hate going on adventures. So I'm giving you a Party Formation Ticket. If you ever find a mysterious ruin and lack companions, just ask me to form a party with you.

Annan lifted the thin sheet of paper to find a line of crooked handwriting scrawled across it. She couldn't help but think, Seriously? The guy's a sorcerer, and he can't even write properly?

[Party Formation Ticket: Invite Ashe to form a party. Must provide thirty working days' notice in advance. Valid for one use only.]

This represented the most careless and least thoughtful gift among them all, yet Annan felt certain Iger would be thoroughly satisfied.

Only one gift box remained. Annan untied the purple ribbon, a sudden wave of nervousness washing over her.

Revealed inside was a pair of purple crystal earrings.

Miss, I really wanted to buy you a real Marg Crystal Stone, but it was way out of my price range. Besides, I couldn't get one through normal channels anyway, so I had to settle for an earring that looked somewhat close.

By the time you get this, I've probably already made my escape with Lys. I know our contract isn't technically finished yet, but I really hope you won't come looking for me. Our relationship is simply too complicated.

We were master and unwilling slave, bound together by circumstance. We were comrades surviving hardships side by side. We even came close to becoming something more.

If I had stayed, I would eventually be won over by you. I don't doubt my own willpower, which is exactly why I have to leave. I won't seek revenge for the way you controlled me, but I refuse to just surrender to you either.

I am not a pet you can keep for a few days until I learn to be obedient. More importantly, this whole experience will always be a thorn in my side, reminding me that our first meeting was built on schemes and mutual exploitation.

Besides... how much of what you felt for me was real, and how much was just an outlet for the fear you felt when facing death? How much of it came from the security of having total control over me?

Finding me wouldn't be hard if you actually wanted to. Still, I've decided to end a relationship that was never equal to begin with. So if you ever want to see me again, I hope it happens after our contract is officially over.

On a sunny afternoon, I want you to walk up to me and say, "Nice to meet you. I'm Annan Dolan."

Annan had finished reading the note, yet her gaze remained fixed on the final period as if the letter had not truly ended.

No wonder Lys has no gift, thought the Purple Moth.

These were farewell gifts from Ashe to everyone, his plan to leave with Lys already set in motion before completing the mission.

Annan folded the letter carefully, setting it aside.

Picking up the earring from the box, she let out an involuntary laugh. "Is this what he calls similar?"

The difference was vast. Her original earrings made of Marg Crystal Stone were clear, brilliant, and dazzling. In contrast, the imitation Ashe bought appeared dull and cloudy, recognizable as a cheap fake at a glance.

Helplessly shaking her head, she placed the inexpensive piece against her earlobe.

***

After taking a bath, Annan prepared for bed.

At that moment, a knock sounded from outside the door.

It was Lys. The girl stood outside in a sleeping robe, her expression carrying hesitation. After struggling for a moment, she gathered her courage and spoke, "Can I sleep with you?"

Annan was slightly stunned, but she quickly answered, "Of course."

She paused for a moment, then added, "But you have to call me Big Sis Annan."

"No problem, Big Sis An...nan."

Looking at Lys's uneasy, nervous expression, Annan finally realized something. Yes... the Empress is still just a little girl.

Perhaps the effortless confidence she displayed in the palace during the day had misled Annan. She had assumed Lys quickly recovered from their separation. Now it seemed Lys simply did not want to reveal her emotions in front of outsiders.

Annan and Lys's relationship could hardly be considered close. Annan rarely even spoke with her under normal circumstances. Yet now, Annan was the only person Lys could turn to for comfort, bound together as two abandoned souls suffering from the same loneliness.

Annan and Lys lay together on the bed. After a while, Lys suddenly asked, "Can you read me a fairy tale?"

"Sure, but I actually have an even better choice," Annan picked up Pankey's notebook and let Lys rest her head against her chest. "Pankey has been writing novels for a long time, but he has never published any of them. I've always wondered what he wrote about. Let's read it together."

"Okay!"

Annan opened the first page of the notebook and immediately froze. Only when Lys urged her forward did she suppress her laughter and begin reading aloud, "Long, long ago, there was a young man named Pankey. Hidden within his bloodline was the power of chaos, leaving him to suffer constantly under the curse of the Virtual World. He possessed two pistols, Light's Judgment and Dark Verdict, and he was destined to walk the rebellious path of standing against the entire world. During this journey, he encountered the Fate Class sorcerer Wenna. Together with this cool girl in a trench coat, he challenged the infinite future..."

***

Annan stopped reading. She looked at Lys's sleeping face and gently pulled the blanket over the Empress.

The ruler of the Gospel was actually just a little girl needing bedtime stories to fall asleep. If she had not witnessed it herself, nobody would have believed it.

The old era is coming to an end, Annan thought.

She went outside to check on baby Pankey and confirmed he was sleeping soundly. Only then did the Purple Moth return to bed with peace of mind. She passed through the Gate of Truth, connecting her soul with the Virtual World, and stepped onto the Continent of Time.

When Annan opened her eyes to the Ascending Golden Rain, she heard two screams from above.

The Purple Moth raised her head. She saw two girls crossing through the curtain of rain, holding hands, each spreading a single Silver Wing. Like a pair of fallen birds bound together by fate, they descended from the sky.

And with the end of the old one, comes the birth of the new.