Chapter 57

Carl's team uses a siege trebuchet to systematically kill Odious Creepers across the map. While hunting the creatures, they encounter Queen Imogen's familiar—revealed to be Ferdinand, Carl's former ally whose memory has been altered—riding a powerful rhinoceros with high elf guards. Ferdinand attacks without warning, nearly killing Mongo, and extends a sinister invitation to a masquerade ball where Carl and Donut must dance with the queen and Ferdinand respectively.

Carl discovers the elven trebuchet from the Dream hunters can be used as an effective siege weapon by loading Mordecai's poison into it. After establishing an aiming system with Donut spotting from a tree, they successfully kill an Odious Creeper and receive a Silver Siege Master Box achievement. Word spreads of the effective method—Katia's team (Louis Santiago, Firas, Elle) kills another using the strategy, and Prepotente also secures kills. As the team travels southeast to engage another creeper, Kiwi abandons them to check on Big Tina, but the surrounding velociraptors remain. They grind on forest monsters for experience while traveling. When they approach their next target, the dot on the map disappears—someone else has claimed the kill. Moments later, a massive procession emerges from the woods: two high elf guards mounted on bone-white Moon Sambhur stags, followed by an enormous albino rhinoceros (Simoom, level 75) bearing an ornate curtained litter. The rider is revealed to be the Queen's familiar, speaking in a gruff New York accent. The creature taunts Carl and Donut, informing them they are required guests at an upcoming masquerade where they must dance with Queen Imogen and the familiar respectively. The high elves are hunting Creepers in the Liana district. When Carl asks them to help with creatures near Zockau, the familiar responds by firing a lightning bolt at Mongo. Donut throws herself in front of the attack, absorbing most of the damage and losing consciousness, while Kiwi bounces off Simoom's protective shield and catches fire. Mongo collapses from the residual lightning but survives. As Donut regains consciousness and casts healing spells, she reveals the horrifying truth: the familiar is Ferdinand, Carl's former companion, whose memory has been altered and personality corrupted. Donut realizes she will be forced to fight him. In the background, another system message announces Prepotente has killed his eighth Creeper, leaving twelve remaining.