There's definitely something wrong with this murder mystery game
Chapter 901: 743 Catalina: So Awkward You Could Carve Out a Castle

Chapter 901: Chapter 743 Catalina: So Awkward You Could Carve Out a Castle

Catalina’s sudden change of stance successfully darkened Wald XVIII’s entire demeanor.

He pulled back along the icy gust stirred up by Catalina’s slap, putting distance between them. A faint, mocking smirk appeared on his face once more, his quick reversal of attitude rivaling that of a certain Elf.

“You shameless thing!”

Wald XVIII let out a cold chuckle, rapidly flipping through the pages of his book. The runic lines he constructed burst forth instantaneously, transforming into an overwhelming spread of ice spikes that stormed towards the two of them at incredible speed!

Catalina’s pupils shrank. She immediately darted towards a spot shielded by nearby architecture.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The ice spikes pierced through the building’s walls.

But rather than flying in a straight line, they abruptly veered, continuing their pursuit of Catalina’s position.

She thought she had avoided the attack.

Only for the moment her movement stopped to reveal a torrential ice rain closing in behind her.

Without hesitation, she waved her hand, the icy wind she conjured acting like a barrier, blocking the ice spikes. However, countless spikes soared high into the sky, looping around to assail her back!

Catalina’s eyes widened.

If it were just herself, she wouldn’t be struggling to respond so frantically.

But now she had someone else by her side.

It was inconvenient for combat.

Catalina immediately unleashed a wave of frosty energy, a frigid white mist blanketing most of the City-State. Then she dragged Xu Shuo and darted inside a lavishly adorned, spire-topped building.

And as she moved.

Xu Shuo released a few small white paper men.

The ten-centimeter-tall paper men clung onto them, drawing Spirit Arrays on their bodies as they entered the building. By the time they stepped inside, the Spirit Arrays were completed.

After entering a random room.

Catalina first set him down to one side and immediately walked over to the window to survey the outside situation.

Seeing the ice spikes lose track of them.

Catalina exhaled a sigh of relief.

Still.

The enemy was slowly wearing down her stamina.

Lost in thought, Catalina turned to look at the young man in the room, only to find him leisurely fiddling with the hem of his robe.

“You sure are relaxed! You came here to chase down enemies, but instead, you’ve ended up trapping yourself here!” Catalina said, somewhat exasperated.

“Let me teach you something—don’t jump to conclusions until the very last moment.” Xu Shuo said as he unfastened his arm guard.

“You…”

Catalina huffed and marched up to him.

She then put her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and proclaimed, “Don’t forget, you’re my prisoner now! How dare you talk to me like this?”

Xu Shuo raised his eyes to look at her. “Speaking of that, I’m quite curious. Wald XVIII does indeed possess the bloodline of the Dawn Belief. If you’re intent on preserving the legacy of the Ice and Snow Elves, why won’t you accept his proposal?”

Upon hearing this.

Catalina froze momentarily.

Then, her expression seemed contorted with anger and a hint of offense.

“That old bastard?!”

Catalina ground her teeth. “He’s actually a fifty-something fat old man with a bloated face and big ears! Plus, his palace is already filled with over a dozen Queen Consorts who’ve birthed him dozens of offspring! Someone like him dares to desire me?!”

After finishing her words, Catalina furiously kicked a nearby stool.

Just the thought of being coveted by someone like that.

Felt like an insult!

Xu Shuo: “…” He immediately fell silent.

But judging from this.

If Wald XVIII had been young, dashing, and morally upright.

Wouldn’t this Elf have agreed?

Who knew this legacy-driven Elf turned out to be vain about appearances.

Xu Shuo rubbed his chin, musing aloud, “Actually… I’m already seventy years old myself.”

Catalina glanced at him. “Oh, I’m a hundred and twenty.”

Xu Shuo: “…”

So what qualifies you to call him old?

At this point, Catalina leaned closer.

She arrogantly pinched his chin and said, “Both you and I know this—divine blessings are unlike anything given to ordinary people on this continent. With the gods’ favor, we possess not only power but a unique constitution. So, our union would be the most fitting!”

While uttering these words.

Catalina’s gaze was filled with deeper meaning.

If not for the current circumstances.

She might have outright abducted him and fled?

Witnessing this Elf deeply immersed in her “role reversal” narrative, Xu Shuo found it both amusing and teasingly intriguing.

He chuckled and replied, “Catalina, let me ask you a question.”

Catalina raised her eyebrow. “Hmm?”

“Since I arrived in the city, how long has my fight with Wald XVIII lasted?” Xu Shuo asked.

“Around seven or eight minutes, why?” Catalina frowned, puzzled.

“And after you showed up, how long have you been exchanging moves with him?” Xu Shuo continued.

“Uh… about the same amount of time?”

“Great, then here’s the final question. As someone who ventured alone into the Holy Land of Elves and left unscathed—doesn’t that make my strength significantly superior to yours?”

“…”

That question left Catalina momentarily speechless.

Speechless, she gradually fell into contemplation.

After mulling over it, Catalina expressionlessly released her finger gripping the young man’s chin and silently backed away several steps.

Once she’d retreated a safe distance.

Catalina suddenly glared at him. “Are you just pretending, aren’t you?!”

Thinking it over.

Catalina quickly pieced things together.

This man had brought just three people and dared to storm the Holy Land of Elves, effortlessly traversing a sanctum brimming with the Dawn Belief. He’d single-handedly clashed against its divine radiance, ultimately forcing her into submission.

Someone like that—how could he possibly become weaker than her after a mere few minutes of fighting?

Considering everything.

The only possibility was “playing a role”! This guy was deliberately feigning weakness!

Realizing this, Catalina bit her lip with a disgruntled expression, standing near the window.

Maybe it was because the window felt safer?

Xu Shuo regarded her playfully. “Hey, weren’t you full of arrogance just now? Seemed like you wanted me completely under your control?”

Catalina: “…”

Catalina stubbornly turned her head away.

It was all this guy’s fault for acting so convincingly!

Almost falling prey to his ruse, she had nearly bought into it!

Now Catalina wished she could pretend she hadn’t done or said anything.

But her discomfort was evident. The fingers hanging by her side inadvertently twitched, as though she might already have dug out a castle in the sand if one were nearby.

She stewed in her frustration for quite some time.

Only to suddenly realize the young man hadn’t done anything after saying those words—no taunting or retaliation.

This made Catalina curious enough to glance over.

Then she saw Xu Shuo unbuttoning his shirt.

Catalina: “…”

Catalina’s eyes widened slightly.

Watching him shed his armored outer robe, her gaze—a bit too blatant—caused him to turn his head and question, “Are you not averting your eyes?”

Catalina righteously declared, “We Ice and Snow Elves don’t act as bashfully as you humans do.”

Xu Shuo laughed lightly. “So basically, you lack manners and decency, huh.”

Catalina tilted her head in confusion. “What’s that?”

Just to clarify—she wasn’t being sarcastic.

Ice and Snow Elves were always frank and open about primal instincts!

…