Chapter 29: The Castle and the Duke

Last time, he had come in such a hurry and, to avoid suspicion, Lu Xing hadn’t paid much attention to the details inside and outside the castle. This time, with Annie seeking the goddess’s endorsement, he could finally admire the noble castle of the magical otherworld without reservation and see what it was truly like.

Catherine followed behind him, calmly observing his curious glances in every direction.

“What is this?” Lu Xing pointed at the sculptures above the double doors of Annie’s bedroom, one on each side guarding the entrance.

Even the bedroom doors were double-leafed, a testament to the castle’s opulence.

“Angels under the goddess,” Catherine explained plainly. “On the left is the angel Laifel, who holds the authority of the goddess’s light. On the right is the angel Terufis, who wields the power of the goddess’s purification.”

The names of these two angels didn’t correspond to any Western Earth names, nor did they derive from Western legends.

What puzzled Lu Xing more was something else: “Why doesn’t the goddess herself hold the authority?”

“Divinity is not to be questioned!” Catherine warned him sharply.

Yet inwardly, she grew even more curious. Where exactly did this filthy, uncouth man’s soul come from? It was one thing not to know noble etiquette, but not even understanding how to use magic or knowing basic facts about the famous angels beneath the Goddess of Holy Light—this was extraordinary.

Thinking of this, Catherine fixed her gaze on Annie’s eyes and said, “Five days ago, Miss Annie prayed at the church and caught the goddess’s attention. Only then were the two angel statues permitted to be placed above her bedroom door.”

Lu Xing glanced again at the two angels, guessing they were sent by the Goddess of Holy Light, serving as a form of surveillance.

But he doubted whether the goddess could detect someone like him, who possessed a system.

“Oh,” Lu Xing replied indifferently.

Annie was a devout believer and had already informed the goddess of the situation. No matter how much Lu Xing tried to conceal it, there was no use. He would take it step by step and see what the Goddess of Holy Light intended to do.

As they walked further, Lu Xing saw more of the castle’s lavishness.

The ceilings soared five meters high, the walls were intricately carved with elaborate patterns, the floors covered with exquisite carpets. Sculptures in various poses lined the hallways, vibrant and masterfully crafted paintings adorned the walls, and magical decorations were everywhere.

Through the stained glass windows, Lu Xing could see the castle was surrounded by gardens, with two smaller, slightly shorter castles beside it. Catherine explained these were the residences for the maids, servants, and castle guards—the guards themselves lived in barracks along the castle walls.

Nearby stood a magical tower over a hundred meters tall, its tip faintly glowing and very striking. After inquiry, Lu Xing learned it belonged to the Swenton family, and currently, the half-elf Phyllis Essoren resided there.

“Rowensche Castle is the northern gateway of the empire,” Catherine said calmly. “The Swenton family commands over three hundred mages and more than ten thousand knights. For a thousand years, they have guarded the empire’s north, blocking the orcs from the wild snowy plains.”

Lu Xing nodded slightly.

He didn’t disdain the ten-thousand-strong knight army, unlike the massive battles of a hundred thousand soldiers in Huaxia.

Western knights were the lowest ranking nobles, often owning one or several villages as their fiefs. Whenever a knight rode out, a retinue accompanied him.

And that was just the ten thousand knights from the Swenton family. Other noble houses also had knights, so the total troops in the northern region were much larger.

“There seem to be too few mages,” Lu Xing remarked with a smile.

Catherine said nothing, knowing well that the man before her—though occupying Annie’s body—knew almost nothing about this continent. He didn’t comprehend how costly it was to train a qualified mage.

Lu Xing had roughly figured it out: although this world seemed medieval, the presence of extraordinary powers meant productivity was far higher than the contemporaneous West on Earth.

The starkest contrast was that medieval Western castles reeked of foul odors, but the Swenton family castle in the magical world was luxurious, exquisite, and fragrant.

Higher productivity meant a more refined noble lifestyle.

Following the maid’s guidance, Lu Xing descended to the dining room.

As he went down the stairs, his hand was gently held by Catherine’s, guiding him elegantly but somewhat tediously.

Then—

“Wow!” came an excited voice, accompanied by applause. “My dear Annie, how come you’ve become such an elegant noble lady today? I hardly recognize you!”

Lu Xing looked at Catherine, who quietly withdrew her hand and whispered, “That is your father, Duke Swenton.”

Beside him, the duchess smiled and said, “Annie descending the stairs with such grace is rare. Did you have that ancient Elven language class today? It seems inviting Mr. Noy to teach you was the right choice.”

Lu Xing already knew that with Annie’s personality, she wouldn’t strictly follow noble etiquette.

If she came downstairs, she’d probably be dashing down excitedly, throwing herself into the duchess’s arms to act coquettishly—there was no way she’d let the head maid hold her hand and walk step by step.

The maid had tricked him again!

Glaring at this cold-faced, long-legged black-stockinged maid, Lu Xing approached Duke and Duchess Swenton, bowed, and in Annie’s voice and manner said, “Greetings to you, sir and madam!”

Catherine’s pupils constricted sharply behind him.

“...Ah?”

The richly dressed duchess was stunned, and Duke Swenton looked equally puzzled. “Annie, what’s wrong today? Why are you using a gentleman’s etiquette...?”

Lu Xing suppressed his discomfort from head to toe and smiled, “The goddess’s radiance shines upon the North. Regarding your questions, I don’t wish to answer now. Annie will explain in a few days.”

“Madam.”

Catherine stepped forward and bowed, informing them, “She is not Annie! She is a mysterious ghost!”

“No, I am Annie,” Lu Xing emphasized, then said helplessly, “But I don’t want to explain now. Let Annie explain in a few days, alright?”

Annie! Annie! Always Annie!

Without her to save him, Lu Xing could never bluff his way through.

He’d leave the difficult explanations to her. With Annie’s charm, a little coquettishness would suffice—no need for him to strain for reasons.

Duke Swenton studied him for a long moment before sighing, “It seems my Annie has encountered a thorny problem. Can you tell me, is Annie doing well now?”

“Annie is fine, having a great time.”

Lu Xing revealed.

Knowing Annie’s personality, she was probably playing wildly at his school, chatting like a close friend with the university girls, or perhaps she had learned to make phone calls and was talking with Xiao Yu.

“That’s good.” Duke Swenton’s worried expression softened. “I believe in Annie and trust the goddess will protect her.”

“Goddess bless!”

The duchess made a prayer gesture, then invited Lu Xing, “I don’t know where you come from, but now you are Annie. Please, have a seat. I’d like to hear your story with Annie.”

“Madam, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until tonight or a few days from now to ask. Because I am Annie.”

Lu Xing recalled Annie’s words in her letter.

Though he suspected that no matter how Annie explained, she wouldn’t be able to hide the truth.

Duke and Duchess Swenton exchanged a glance. They both guessed that this strange person before them constantly asserting he was Annie meant he was their daughter.

After the meal, Lu Xing excused himself to stroll in the garden, while Catherine stayed behind to explain the morning’s events to the duke and duchess.