It endured for a moment, then answered with composed, studied calm:

“That is entirely normal. The game is designed by the Inspector, and governed by the Inspector as well. When certain special characters are generated, it is only natural that relevant traits of the Inspector are carried over into them.”

Bai Youwei: “Oh……”

The Inspector continued, “This counts as common knowledge about the game, so telling you does not constitute a violation or cheating. If you are fortunate enough to survive, you will find similar situations in other games in the future.”

Bai Youwei nodded in dawning understanding, then asked it again, “How many Inspectors are there in total?”

“That question has no bearing on the current game. I see no reason to answer it.” Its tone was indifferent.

Bai Youwei considered for a moment, then rephrased her question: “The Inspector for this women-only session is male. So if there were a men-only session, would the Inspector be female? I find that especially odd — you should really swap things around.”

The Inspector smiled with arrogant serenity. “We are beings your kind of humans cannot comprehend. We have no age, no gender, no identity or name. We are one. There is no distinction among us. So your concern is entirely unnecessary.”

Bai Youwei appeared to reflect on this.

The Inspector glanced outside at the color of the sky, and the corner of its mouth curved upward. It gave a slight bow toward the six brides and said:

“The Duke will be returning shortly. I hope you enjoy your meal. Please excuse me.”

The Inspector departed.

The dining room fell into a deathly stillness. No one spoke.

The lights blazed brilliantly. The food was blood-soaked and grim. The cutlery on the table before them was cold as ice.

Bai Youwei stroked her rabbit, over and over. Su Man cast restless glances toward the doorway. Zhu Shu gripped her knife and fork, lost in thought. Hu Ya sat with a stiff face and said nothing. Cheng Qian wept softly under her breath…

And there was Yu Yaqing.

Yu Yaqing held the so-called “real key” in her grip, and for the first time in her life, her decisive nature had begun to falter. She didn’t know what to do!

A thunderous boom rang out from beyond the main doors!

Bluebeard — had returned!

He came striding into the dining room with great, sweeping steps. His face was thick with bristle, like a lion and like a bear both — like a beast that walked upright on two legs, yet impeccably dressed in formal attire! His sapphire-blue coat was studded with jewels that caught the light with every movement, flashing and glittering without pause!

He sat down and ate with ravenous abandon, exactly as he had done the night before!

Chewing raw flesh!

Tearing at organs!

Vivid red blood stained the entire tabletop!

And then, from that same mouth still reeking of carnage, he had to ask:

“My brides — why aren’t you eating? Don’t you wish to dine with me?”

This time, no one dared leave their seat.

— Refusing to share a meal with the Duke would enrage the Duke.

Bai Youwei picked up her knife and fork and began cutting the meat on her plate.

Su Man looked over at her with a complicated expression and asked with great difficulty, “…You’re actually going to eat it?”

“Better than dying, isn’t it? We should be grateful this is beef and not chicken — otherwise we’d be getting salmonella poisoning and dying of dysentery before we ever clear the game…”

Bai Youwei closed her eyes and stuffed a small piece into her mouth. Her eyes snapped open, as if taken by surprise. “Mm… the taste is actually not that bad.”

Su Man didn’t believe her, took a bite herself, and her entire face nearly contorted. “You lied!”

“Mm.” Bai Youwei calmly set down her knife and fork and lightly dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “If I hadn’t lied, how would you have gotten it down?”

Su Man covered her mouth. “……”

Zhu Shu also forced herself to swallow a small piece of raw beef, and soothed Su Man: “Once it’s down, it’s fine.”

Yu Yaqing, Hu Ya, and Cheng Qian also ate the beef.

Bluebeard was thoroughly satisfied. He burst into a great laugh.

The laughter seemed to come straight from deep in his throat, carrying a rough, guttural tremor that chilled the blood.

When the laughter died, he split open his lips in a wide grin, baring the fangs on one side, and asked with a smile:

“My dear brides — while I was away today, did you behave yourselves as I instructed?”

—