From this, it could be seen that in times of peace, the Eight Greed Kings would hold meetings and discuss matters face-to-face here!
As for the other decorations, they were as luxurious as could be. Unlike Nazarick's dimness, which gave off the feeling of a demon's lair, this place was a dazzling expanse of gold. Every place that could be adorned with gold was gold. This wasn't the home of some golden-flashing character, so what was the point of making it like this besides being an eyesore?
As soon as Ellie's front foot stepped into the main hall, a voice came from the shadows of the innermost chair in the hall.
"Have you finally decided to return, Lord Bai Xia?"
This voice startled Ellie, sending a shiver down her spine. There was no aura at all, and her perception was still active, yet she hadn't detected anyone hiding there!
Ellie looked towards the sound and saw that the seat from which the voice originated was indeed the one with Nazarick's crest banner. Then... the person slowly emerging from the shadows of the chair... startled Ellie even more... Holy crap!!
This was the most shocked Ellie had been since transmigrating, so she could only use this phrase to describe her feelings. Bell, who was behind her, was equally startled.
"Th-this... this is? This??" Bell couldn't even speak clearly. After all, anyone who saw someone looking exactly like themselves suddenly appear in front of them would be stunned!
That's right, the figure that appeared... was "Bell."
Ellie immediately turned her head to look at Bell, then carefully looked at the other "Bell." This time, it was truly a game of'spot the difference.' Besides their clothes, the only difference from Bell was the hair color. Their faces were identical!
The original Bell's hair was pinkish, while this "Bell" had pure black hair. Combined with the Japanese-style maid outfit she was wearing, the kind found in classical teahouses in those books, it made this "Bell" seem more like a true shrine maiden. Looking at Bell here, although she was wearing a shrine maiden outfit, her pink hair was incredibly out of place.
No, no... that's not what I'm complaining about now, but! What the hell is this 2P colored "Bell"?! Uh... to be honest, it's Bell here who's the 2P color.
"Hmph... so you've found a new favorite?" The black-haired "Bell" showed no expression, staring straight at Bell here, and her words were completely devoid of emotion.
Saying this, "Bell" slowly walked in front of Ellie, bowing to Ellie, and then her attention immediately shifted to Bell behind Ellie. So the black "Bell" carefully scrutinized Bell for a while.
"I see, you've found a bitch who looks just like me! In that case, I'll forgive your infidelity!" Her words were still completely devoid of emotion. Is this black "Bell" a 'three-no' type (no emotion, no expression, no desire)?
"I... I'm not a bitch! I! I am Lord Ellie's attendant!" Bell shouted somewhat indignantly, shrinking directly behind Ellie and clutching Ellie's arm.
"..." It was only then that a tiny hint of what could be called an expression appeared on the black Bell's face; her eyebrow twitched slightly. Ellie noticed this extremely subtle change. This must be a sign of displeasure!!
Hey, hey! You big dummy! Why are you provoking her when the situation is unclear?!
"This adult, may I ask about the previous adult?" Ligurit also noticed that the atmosphere seemed a bit off and quickly tried to divert the black Bell's attention. It seemed that when the Thirteen Heroes came last time, it wasn't the black Bell who greeted them, otherwise Ligurit would have been surprised when she saw Bell.
"..." The black Bell ignored Ligurit and turned her gaze to Ellie, as if seeking Ellie's permission. Ellie subconsciously nodded.
"It's my shift this period, so I'm here to welcome Lord Bai Xia. Snow Elf, who greeted you, Old Hag, is currently in a deep sleep, but you'll see that bitch again in a bit." The black Bell called Ligurit an 'Old Hag' without changing her expression.
"Hehe! Th-this... I see!" Ligurit also laughed awkwardly. Her eyebrow twitched slightly, clearly annoyed, but... she dared not speak out.
This black Bell actually has a venomous tongue! Ellie didn't know how to complain. Who created this guy?! Get out here! You did a great job!!
Alright, the information gathered from this black Bell is that besides her... there's another person named Snow Elf who takes turns on duty with her.
Let's not complain about the name for now, because it sounds familiar from the pronunciation. And since she's the only one who came to greet them, then what the Heavy Armor Knight said about most people being in a deep sleep must refer to these attendants.
It seems there are no Nazarick Guardian-level individuals awake. If that's the case, perhaps I really can bluff my way through. So, let's try to test this black Bell first!
"Um... what should I call you now...? Also, I'm Ellie now, not Bai Xia!" Ellie quickly used the same trick she pulled on the Heavy Armor Knight earlier: explain it to you first, then see your reaction.
"Has your body shrunk, and your brain capacity shrunk with it? Have you forgotten my name, Lord Ellie?" The black Bell immediately changed her address, not calling her Bai Xia, but still using honorifics, though still very venomous.
"Uh... let's just say that's the case." Although Ellie knew her own eyebrow twitched, now was not the time to lose her temper.
Although this black Bell wasn't a Guardian-level individual, her own combat maid squad wasn't easy to deal with either, let alone this black Bell created by one of the Eight Greed Kings. Since the opponent's strength was undetermined and she hadn't shown any malice, Ellie endured.
"Sigh..." Then the black Bell sighed, merely making the gesture of sighing, but in reality, there was no emotion mixed in.
"Back then, Lord Ellie, you used to call me 'my dear' or 'darling'... Now you've forgotten me. I, Chao Lu, am very sad, boo hoo hoo hoo..." The black Bell directly raised her hands and rubbed her eyes, saying these words without any tone or emotion.
"..." Ellie truly didn't know how to complain. Although she wasn't that Bai Xia, if it were her, she would absolutely never call an attendant 'my dear' or 'darling'!
Never!!!
Plus, the feigned crying without any tone or emotion was too obvious, so Ellie wouldn't believe a single word from this guy. However, the black Bell did say her name, but was it necessary to add those words before it?
Chao Lu... indeed, this name suited her full of Japanese charm. One had to admit that the person who created the black Bell was truly a talent. In contrast, Bell beside her... was still cowering behind her.
"Alright, enough with the jokes, Lord Ellie, and all the guests, and that bitch hiding behind Lord Ellie, you all must be tired from your long journey! Please follow me." Chao Lu bowed to Ellie and then said.
It would be quite nice if she weren't so venomous... Ellie thought helplessly. In this situation, she could only take it one step at a time.
She originally didn't know what Ligurit was doing here. Was she trying to borrow equipment again?
Last time the Thirteen Heroes came, at least a player was leading them. This time, there were no players among these people!
Although there was a fake Lord Bai Xia, wouldn't that be even more dangerous? If she was discovered even slightly, she would be dead. At that time, she would definitely put on her Champion Armor and make a full escape... leaving them here to die!
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