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Carl negotiates with Quasar about obtaining the Zerzura spell to help the changelings descend to the ninth floor, learning of its dangerous side effects. The chapter then shifts to covering a broadcast announcement about the Butcher's Masquerade party (70 hours away), castle logistics, and preparations by Carl's group, complicated by Donut's unexpected talent show acceptance and an incoming visit from an angry Prepotente.

The chapter opens with Carl and Quasar discussing the Zerzura spell, which transfers an entire town and its NPCs down one floor. Quasar explains the spell will be installed in a mercenary rather than cast by Carl directly, and warns of severe drawbacks: it can only be cast at floor's end, takes five minutes, lands randomly (often in monster nests), and resurrects all killed creatures as Children of Inpewt revenants that hunt the marked townspeople and caster. Remex previously used it but the town skipped from the sixth to the ninth floor, causing massive casualties. Carl considers this the best option for the changelings despite the risks. Quasar mentions negotiating for four mercenaries and hints at keeping Carl alive through contract adjustments with the Vengeance of the Daughter show and possibly securing a ninth-floor extension. The scene then jumps to 70 hours before the Butcher's Masquerade with a broadcast announcing the event details: top-50 crawlers receive plus-one tokens, the party lasts four to five hours in the High Elf castle's ballroom on the fourth floor, hunters appear in a separate ballroom on the second floor (a goodwill ballroom allowing light touch interaction), no weapons or magic allowed inside, pet beauty contest and talent competition with remote celebrity judges, and safe passage guaranteed by Queen Imogen. Back at the saferoom, Carl's group reviews castle maps provided by Edgar the tortoise. Donut announces both her applications were accepted—including an unexpected talent show entry where she will sing with Kiwi, Tina, and others as backup dancers. Carl expresses skepticism but Donut is determined. Louis notes his blood bar is only half full and needs to continue leveling. The group discusses castle layout: 150 meters wide, three sections (crawler ballroom on fourth floor, hunter ballroom on second floor, high elf living quarters in middle), with subsurface levels including a dungeon and secret entrance. Samantha makes inappropriate comments to Louis about her king's preferences. Louis worries about facing 600 hunters after the party ends. Carl states his goal is reducing hunter numbers to under 250 before the event. The chapter ends with Donut revealing that Prepotente has messaged her, claiming to have a present but sounding angry, and that she already told him their location despite Carl's caution. Carl recognizes this as potentially dangerous given Prepotente's earlier threat about eliminating anyone responsible for his mother's death.