She is not an investigator.

……

Ancient and mysterious characters? Strange stone tablets of unknown origin? An ancient castle hiding many secrets? There are far more mysteries here than you can imagine, but you are not an explorer. Those secrets will eventually be uncovered by someone else, but certainly not by you.

[You conducted a lot of research over three days, but unfortunately, you found almost nothing of value. You are probably not suited for research work.]

Title earned: Not an investigator

The more clues you find, the less information you get, and vice versa.

Note: As a regular member of the "Qi Jing Yao Yao" (a character who rushes to the front lines of danger) team, you possess the combat skills to resolve 8 dangers, but this does not mean you will be a good investigator.

[You have received three extraordinary acts of help from me, at least for me, gaining an extraordinary friendship is easier than making a friend.]

Title earned: Friend of the Abnormal

Neutral anomalies are more likely to develop a favorable impression of you, and most anomalies will not attack you first unless you attack them.

Note: We can be friends, so just stand still, it'll be over soon.

You have gained the attention of a mysterious being, but He is disappointed in you. Everything you do does does not satisfy Him, and now He is starting to despise you.

Obtained the title: ? ? ? of disdain.

He will keep watching you until you satisfy Him.

Note: Tell Him a joke, or finish a perfect story? Being stared at isn't a pleasant feeling.

[You unknowingly stepped into an endless spiral, but you were not fully aware of it until some being could no longer bear to watch.]

Title earned: The Fool Who Went Astray into the Spiral

—You know nothing, so you remember everything.

Note: Look into your pockets, and you'll know what you need to do.

……

"Ladies and gentlemen."

A familiar voice rang in Igris's ears, causing her to slowly open her eyes.

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this gathering. I am Raymond Noval, the owner of this castle."

She looked toward the source of the sound, toward the figure she knew all too well.

"Although there are already many collections here, which are indeed very precious and full of value and cultural significance, and each one is a very rare treasure, I think everyone will not be satisfied with this."

Igri: (rubbing her head, trying to regain her senses) clarity, looked around at the scene that was all too familiar to her. 8

"...I'm back again."

"Yes, yes, you're back again."

A voice sounded behind Igris. She turned around and saw a white-haired man in a suit.

Igris remembered him; he was the one who gave her the pocket watch.

"What exactly is it..." Lin I was furious.

"You won't have many opportunities."

He tapped the table lightly and pointed to Raymond, who was not far away.

"Use your eyes to see what is truly real."

Igris looked ahead, at the display case, at the sparkling blue gem.

"Tears of the Ocean..."

……

"...!"

Igris suddenly opened her eyes, and everything in front of her disappeared, replaced by a familiar road and herself sitting in a car.

"Are you awake?"

Olivia sat in the driver's seat and turned her head slightly to look at Igris.

"here it is…"

"Still half asleep? Of course, you should go and complete the mission."

Igris paused, rubbed her eyes, and looked at the pocket watch that had appeared in her hand without her noticing.

"...What time is it now?"

"You held up your watch and asked me what time it was..."

Olivia's expression was a little strange, but she still obediently took out her watch and glanced at the time.

"3:38 PM".

There's still a long time until sunset, which means... they'll have to wait here for a long time.

"Let me go out for some fresh air."

"Don't go too far."

Igris opened the car door and looked at the desolate road in a daze.

Not far from her, a small clump of grass was swaying slightly, making a rustling sound.

Igris slowly approached the bushes, parted them, and discovered a white rabbit.

Just like what she experienced three days ago, it is still here, lying there quietly, without escaping.

"A fool who has strayed into a spiral..."

Igris softly read out the title she had acquired at some point, picked up the rabbit from the grass, and stroked its ears.

So, what's next? Will we do it again?

The Gods' Fool's Play - Castle Invitation: Author's Note

This book will officially become a paid product starting tomorrow. There's not much to say except to thank everyone for their support during this time.

The comments section also provided some important suggestions for this book, which I have indeed listened to carefully and made corrections to. This book will certainly still have many immature aspects, and I hope everyone can forgive me.

The main storyline is currently in the middle of Volume 2. However, since I have already finished writing Volume 2 ahead of schedule, I plan to release the entire plot of Volume 2 all at once around this week, and then move on to Volume 3.

Will there be a burst of updates, around ten or more chapters? I'm not entirely sure, because the readership data for this book looks incredibly dismal, to the point that I'm starting to seriously doubt how many people are actually reading it (?).

The setting book probably won't be updated anytime soon. After all, it's just something I wrote for fun when I was bored, and apart from some Easter eggs, it doesn't really help the main storyline.

If you have any good ideas or opinions, you can join the group to discuss them in detail. The group number is pinned in the comments section.

That's all I have to say. If you'd like to support this book, please subscribe or something. Of course, I'll also welcome any donations.

And, consider this a little advertisement: the core of the second volume's plot revolves around "fate," so the presentation might be somewhat abstract and bland. The core of the following third volume, however, is "justice," and it's titled "The Last Knight," which is the novel the protagonist sees in the library in the second volume—a little Easter egg, I suppose.

I won't spoil too much, but you can probably guess most of the plot just by looking at the title. The historical background and some of the factions that haven't been fully explored before will be developed in this volume, and other investigators will also make an appearance.

Based on length, the first volume consists of short stories, the second volume consists of short to medium-length stories, so the third volume should be considered a medium-length story. In any case, I hope everyone will give it their support.

Gone.

The Gods' Fool's Play - The Castle's Invitation: Chapter Twenty-Four, Second Playthrough

"So, is this the new friend you just made?"

Olivia looked at the rabbit in Igris's arms and subconsciously reached out to touch it, but Igris stopped her.

"Time's almost up."

Olivia paused for a moment, looked at the scenery outside the window, then at the time, and nodded gently.

"Indeed... are you going to take it with you?"

Igris looked at the rabbit in her arms and nodded gently.

"Take it with you, otherwise I think I'll regret it."

"As you wish, hopefully they have prepared some food like carrots."

Olivia started the car, and with the roar of the engine, it slowly drove onto the road and gradually disappeared into the distance.

Shortly after they left, a hunter emerged from the roadside, carrying a crossbow and a thick backpack.

He looked around and searched the bushes, but found nothing.

The rabbit is no longer here.

He put down the crossbow in his hand and opened his backpack, but still saw nothing.

The rabbit is no longer here.

—————— (I am a dividing line)

The vehicle slowly came to a stop by the roadside, and Igris and Olivia returned to the road leading to the castle, only this time with a rabbit.

After leaving that road, the rabbit became noticeably more active. Although it was still well-behaved, it would occasionally kick Igris's arm.

"We've arrived... I think I'd better park the car a little closer."

Seemingly feeling that stopping in such a place was not a good idea, Olivia prepared to start the car again, but Igris stopped her.

"Just stop here."

"..."

Olivia nodded, though she sensed something was off about Igris, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Perhaps it was just her imagination.

Igris got out of the car carrying the rabbit and looked at the strange stone tablet that still stood in front of the gate.

It's always been there, and it doesn't look any different.

"What are you looking at?"

Olivia also came over and looked at Igris with curiosity.

"nothing."

Igris pretended nothing had happened and looked away, slowly walking towards the castle gate.

"Hey, wait a minute, aren't you curious why I had to come here at this time?"