Chapter 48

Carl attends a fan convention and signing event with the Popov brothers, enduring hours of fan interactions before being confronted by an angry naga reporter named Nihit who accuses him of cheating and receiving illegal assistance. The encounter escalates into violence when Carl stabs Nihit with a magical pen, ending the press conference.

Carl, Dmitri, and Maxim Popov conduct a three-and-a-half-hour autograph signing session at a convention, facilitated by a soother named Effex. Throughout the event, fans ask repetitive questions about controversial topics: the Odette interview with Beatrice, Carl's arrow strike against Vrah, and Circe's response. Cosplayers dressed as Carl and other characters seek signatures. A premium-pass holder named Jenn'ifer appears with a parasitic tentacle named Maggie protruding from her head. She represents the Society for the Eradication of Cocker Spaniels and delivers a message that Princess Donut (revealed to have suggested the lawsuit) has inspired donations for legal action against the Syndicate's preservation of canine species. After Jenn'ifer is removed, a sponsorship ceremony announces that the Valtay corporation now controls Carl's sponsorship, replaced by a mysterious entity called "The Plenty"—a massive black goat that appears briefly before vanishing. The press conference begins with naga reporter Nihit attacking Carl verbally, accusing him and his partner of cheating and receiving illegal assistance. Nihit suggests the timing of Odette's interview is suspicious and claims to expose system sedition. When Nihit's anger escalates and he leans in threateningly, Carl breaks a magical Sharpie and stabs Nihit in the neck, drawing blood. The room goes silent as the lights turn on, and Maxim comments on media trustworthiness in Bulgaria.