AFTERWORD

Chapter 81

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Overview

As the talent show begins and multiple crises unfold simultaneously, Carl's team executes their infiltration plan while external forces attack the castle. Ferdinand arrives in the ballroom charmed by Donut, the airship is overtaken by mantises, and Samantha reaches the security room where she kills the guards, triggering the queen's sudden arrival and sealing the ballroom.

Summary

The chapter opens with planning notes revealing the team's strategy to use cat tunnels throughout the castle for infiltration, with Samantha tasked to reach the security room. Ferdinand appears wearing a ridiculous oversized turban, which the team mocks until Donut, using her magically-enhanced charisma, begins charming him. Meanwhile, distant explosions and alarms indicate external attacks on the castle. Samantha successfully enters the tunnels as battles rage outside—mantises have boarded the Twister airship while elves and changelings fight in the air. Ferdinand's charm wears off enough that he decides to leave the queen's ballroom to find Donut, forcing him through the tunnels where he passes an invisible Samantha. Louis announces the mantises have taken the Twister, and the Sledge jumps to safety with Bonnie and the bear cubs. Gideon updates Carl on the aerial combat and tower assaults. Theobald announces the talent show will proceed, with Donut scheduled as the headliner. Samantha reaches the security room above but finds five elves inside; Carl orders her to use a sleep potion, but she reveals she left it behind with Clayton to avoid noise. Despite this setback, Samantha kills all five guards herself. The moment she does, Queen Imogen materializes in the ballroom and seals all entrances, trapping everyone inside with magical protection.

Characters

  • CarlLeader orchestrating the infiltration plan, managing multiple chat channels, tracking team movements, and making decisions as crises escalate
  • DonutUses magically-enhanced charisma to charm Ferdinand, keeping him engaged and distracted from the main operation
  • FerdinandProvince boss cat familiar of Queen Imogen, charmed by Donut, attempts to leave the ballroom for a private encounter
  • SamanthaInfiltrates tunnels to reach the security room and eliminate the guards protecting it
  • Queen ImogenAppears suddenly to seal the ballroom once Samantha kills the guards
  • LouisHelps direct the Twister airship controls before it is overtaken by mantises
  • SledgePilots the airship, jumps to the castle roof with Bonnie and bear cubs after mantises board
  • GideonLeads hidden crawlers outside, provides updates on the aerial and ground combat
  • KatiaAnalyzes Ferdinand's stats using a Size-Up potion, works with Imani to prevent hunters from breaking Lucia's seal
  • ImaniRestrains Donut, manages communication with Katia, participates in containing hunters
  • ElleMocks Ferdinand's hat, provides support backstage
  • FirasDirects Samantha through the tunnel map to the security room
  • Lucia MarHeld behind a barrier of crawlers to prevent hunters from forcing her to break a seal
  • TheobaldElf who announces the start of the talent competition despite chaos outside
  • CleitonFirst act in the talent show, attempts a knock-knock joke
  • Empress D'NadiaOne of three judges for the talent show, increasingly intoxicated
  • SignetSits with the judges, later moves away to think alone
  • VrahHunter who moves toward Lucia's group with other hunters
  • BonnieGnome who jumps from the Twister with Sledge and the bear cubs
  • BritneyGoes backstage with Donut for the talent show performance
  • Li NaWorks with Li Jun and Gwen to create a barrier around hunters
  • GwenAssists in barrier against hunters trying to access Lucia
  • BautistaFlanks Lucia Mar to prevent hunters from approaching
  • KatiaWorks to contain hunters attempting to target Lucia
  • TranHelps flank and protect Lucia Mar
  • ChacoOperates the prize counter, backs against wall as hunters approach
  • ZabitHunter who joins the group moving toward Lucia
  • PrepotenteSits with others, part of the team present in the ballroom
  • RenSits with Prepotente and others in the ballroom
  • FlorinSits with Prepotente in the ballroom
  • ChrisSits with Prepotente in the ballroom
  • The PopovsSit with Prepotente, chuckle at Ferdinand's appearance
  • JojoMentioned in planning notes as the friend who lived with his grandmother
  • Miriam DomMentioned as source of the Size-Up potions used for stat analysis
  • Mistress TiathaMentioned as Elle's manager who provided information about charm mechanics
  • MongoMentioned as someone Ferdinand previously tried to kill