Sorcerer’s Handbook

After leaving Mephila, the Funeral group changed multiple modes of transportation and safely arrived at their destination, Fidrola.

Ashe thought Annan had some local connections here because the only entity in the Gospel they hadn’t offended was Lala Fatty. If no one was to welcome them, they’d either face betrayal or bullets.

According to Annan, “This is a city where even if you’ve offended the whole world, you can still stay hidden safely.”

In fact, it was true.

Fidrola was the region with the weakest Gospel influence. It’s not because this place is some forbidden magic zone where the Gospel can’t take effect, but simply because the people here are too poor to listen to the Gospel.

Listening to the Gospel requires Gospel points, which can only be earned by being on the ranking list. Geniuses naturally climb the rankings themselves, while ordinary people can only earn points by piggybacking on their city’s points or collective points, meaning the city distributes points to all its citizens, and companies share points with their employees.

But there’s a catch: the ranking list spots are limited, so there are bound to be cities and companies that don’t make the cut.

Azura, Vamora, and Mephila are all top-ranking cities. Their cities and companies accumulate a good amount of points each year, which they then reinvest into further production. This creates an unshakable advantage in their respective fields, leading them to rapidly modernize and build city on the second level.

Fidrola, on the other hand, doesn’t rank on any list. Its primary existence serves to highlight how outstanding the ranking cities are.

Why don’t these cities strive to catch up and create a nationally civilized city? It’s just like asking why single people don’t find a partner, why authors don’t update their works, or why people don’t dodge bullets.

Public safety, organization, GDP, and education levels-these factors don’t operate independently but are interconnected.

Excluding the cities like Mephila and Vamora that cheat with miracles, let’s take Azura as an example: because everyone listens to the Gospel, public security is good, and everyone actively seeks education. Companies have a favorable environment to grow, raising the overall standard of the city. As a result, the city gets a good ranking, its citizens receive Gospel points, and they are even more motivated to listen to the Gospel…

So if a city can’t make it onto any ranking list, it means it’s not just slightly behind; it’s completely in the mud—because it’s not in a positive feedback loop at all!

Fidrola is the perfect example of this. As one of the top five most populous cities, its competitors are first-tier cities like Azura. The difference between it and Azura can be summarized in one sentence: Fidrola has no schools.

Public schools in Azura have educational pods, where everyone can receive custom-tailored education just by lying down inside. Such welfare facilities don’t exist in Fidrola. It’s not that the empire doesn’t grant them; it’s that any resources sent to Fidrola get dismantled and sold for money.

This leads to Fidrola’s second characteristic: Red Hat only manages the wealthy central district. Crimes occurring in other parts of Fidrola are completely ignored by Red Hat.

Lack of order, lack of education, and lack of government—these are the three main features of Fidrola.

It’s not that Fidrola’s citizens yearn for freedom, but rather the result of intricate and complex power struggles—simply put, the empire annually allocates points support based on city population. Fidrola’s upper echelons initially believed Fidrola couldn’t compete with other cities. Hence, the points subsidy would be wasted, so they preferred to spend it themselves.

Without points to aid governance, Fidrola deteriorated day by day. However, this kind of ulcerous city attracted special attention: companies wanting to conduct shady business in lawless areas, and chaos-seekers yearning to break free from Gospel restraints.

Bribery, corruption, negligence, collusion… what would have been exposed by the Gospel Book in other cities, flourishes here in this mire through mutual cooperation. As for Red Hat, they pretend to know nothing—being the lowest-ranked Red Hat in all of the Gospel, their non-involvement in crime is already the result of their professional pact constraints.

After decades of gestation, Fidrola has completely devolved into a city of free chaos. Annan’s choice to take refuge here was indeed a brilliant one—don’t forget, although the people here are too poor to listen to the Gospel, Annan herself is a wealthy little lady who can afford to pray for the Gospel blessings!

Given the wealth of her mother and Yvaren, Annan indeed seemed like a little rich girl in Ashe’s eyes. However, even a little rich girl can bring about a significant impact in Fidrola, which is like an archaic society.

Ordinary people without Gospel points couldn’t even investigate their identities. Annan prayed for a fixed “random avatar blessing” for the room; as long as they moved within it, their appearances would be replaced with different looks in the eyes of outsiders, thus preventing any identity leaks.

In a normal city, Annan wouldn’t dare to pray for such a blessing. In a typical Gospel spellcaster’s detection package, there are dozens of items, including miracles, spirits, blessings, etc., and for just 10 points, they can scan a hundred-meter radius for any anomalies. If Purple Moth dared to pray for a fixed blessing, it would be like openly signaling to others, “Look at me, I’m super suspicious here!”

But in this impoverished place like Fidrola, this blessing was incredibly practical.

Ashe had no doubts that they could remain safely hidden here until the Weaving Festival ended.

However, Annan coming to Fidrola wasn’t just for seeking refuge.

After washing up, Ashe and Harvey returned to their seats. The room was small, and the table was tiny, making it a bit cramped for six people, but they had gotten used to it over the past few days. Once everyone was seated, Annan said, “We can start eating now.”

Only then did everyone start eating. Today’s breakfast was creamy macaroni, egg and bacon sandwiches, and milk tea. Banjeet said, “This breakfast cost 32 brass

1

in total, and I have 73 brass left. Ashe, here you go.”

“Alright.” Ashe took over the household’s finances.

Annan asked, “Harvey, what’s your job today?”

“Still working at the construction site,” Harvey replied. “You need to know someone to get into the morgue here, and since we won’t be staying long anyway, I’ll take it easy.”

“What about you, Igor?”

“I made friends with Miss Marsha yesterday. She agreed to let me run her fortune-telling club for a few days,” Igor said. “I’ll try my hand at being a fortune teller.”

“I plan to change jobs,” Banjeet suddenly announced.

“Why? Weren’t you doing well at your current odd jobs?” Annan asked.

“But the boss’s youngest daughter seems to have taken a liking to me,” Banjeet said calmly. “Staying there longer wouldn’t be good for her.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Igor chuckled. “If you settle down, get married, and have kids here, that’s exactly the ‘happiness’ we’re supposed to be pursuing, right?”

“Exactly,” Annan concurred with a smile. “Is she good-looking?”

“Stop teasing me,” Banjeet said, remaining unemotional. “My happiness is for Miss Yvaren to attain happiness; I desire nothing else… Plus, after staying in the Gospel for so many years, I can’t deceive it, I can only cooperate with you all.”

As soon as they arrived in Fidrola, Ashe and the others immediately asked Annan what the next ranking list would be.

Though Igor found it entertaining, for Ashe, Lise, and Harvey—who had no interest in intellectual games—the Ranking of Schemes left a psychological scar on them. They wouldn’t give Annan the chance to repeat the same trick.

However, there was no need to hide the fourth ranking list. Annan told them directly that the theme of the fourth list was: Happiness.

Under normal circumstances, Ashe and his group wouldn’t have the slightest chance of making it onto this ranking list.

Even as outsiders full of countless possibilities for work, it wouldn’t be enough.

No matter how happy they could be, they couldn’t compete with people like Yvaren, Qenna, and Mercury, the ruling class wielding power and wealth. Although the Gospel implies that Ashe and his group would dominate the Gospel in the future, even then, the happiest wouldn’t be Ashe and his group, but Ashe’s children.

What could be happier than being born with a silver spoon in your mouth?

As for the saying, “wealthy people aren’t happy,” it’s a lie rich people tell to deceive the poor. After all, if everyone goes around saying, “being rich is fantastic,” then it’s only a matter of time before the poor hang the rich and squeeze them dry.

However, under the premise of an inevitable Doomsday in the future, this definition of “happiness” takes on a different meaning.

In a Doomsday scenario, happiness is definitely not about power or wealth. After all, society has collapsed, and everyone is struggling to survive. What good is power or influence? Can you order takeout? Can you find eight people to play Extreme Cutting Carp Overlord Lord?

So, they quickly realized the true definition of “happiness” here: living.

If a group of people can support each other, maintain a dignified life, and even keep their quality of living close to what it was before Doomsday, that’s the greatest happiness.

That’s why Annan didn’t rent a big house in the rich district of Fidrola. Instead, she rented a small place in a chaotic urban village. Ashe and the three other guys shared a bunk bed room, while she shared another room with Lise, aiming to simulate a Doomsday-like environment. In the Kingdom of Gospel, the lives of the poor are indeed the closest to Doomsday conditions.

To better role-play and deceive the Gospel, Annan set three rules: everyone must work and labor for a better life; living expenses should come from work income, not savings; save as much as possible without affecting the quality of life.

It’s not that Annan didn’t want to give them money, but her money was too easy to use. Just the interest from the Dolan Family’s bank could allow Ashe and the others to live comfortably in Fidrola without lifting a finger. They might feel happy like that, but they would definitely be eliminated by the Gospel!

And it’s precisely because of these three rules that they barely ate anything on their first day in Fidrola until Harvey and Banjeet found jobs and got them back on track.

“Lise,” Annan asked, “How’s your studying going?”

Everyone had to work, and Lise was no exception. Though she didn’t need to go out and work, she had to stay at home and study the Gospel Book. The results weren’t as tailored as the “exclusive custom” from an educational pod, but at least the textbooks in the Gospel Book were free and professional. They even assigned homework and practice exercises. Studying them wasn’t a loss, but it did require strong self-discipline.

“It’s all… going well,” Lise said hesitantly.

Annan raised an eyebrow. “Let me see your homework evaluations.”

“It really is going well—”

“Stop wasting time!”

The Purple Moth still held significant authority. Reluctantly, Lise opened her Gospel Book to the homework page and turned it around for Annan to see. Annan frowned, “How come all your other assignments are fine, but your math is a complete mess? The Gospel feels that your mathematical thinking, as reflected in your homework, has serious deficiencies. It even suggests you give up on this subject altogether.”

“What!?” Ashe was shocked, completely unable to believe this startling revelation. “Did the Gospel really say that? That can’t be true!”

“Yes, it did,” Annan said, blinking. “If you care so much, have you ever helped her with her homework? How could it be this bad?”

“I… I not only helped…” Ashe was on the verge of breaking down, “She said she was too lazy to do it, and I ended up doing her math assignments for her.”

After a brief silence, Harvey was the first to stand up. “I’m done eating, so I’ll head to work.”

“I’m also done.”

“Ashe, do you need help with the dishes?”

“No, it’s fine,” Ashe muttered dejectedly, nibbling on his egg and bacon sandwich. “I know it’s been a few years since I graduated, but still…”

After Banjeet and the others left, Annan went over and gave Lise a hug, then hugged Ashe from behind.

“Do we really have to do this!?” Ashe protested.

“I’m the head of the household; hugging you before you leave adds weight to your day. Don’t be ungrateful!” Annan clung on, turning it into a playful cross-lock, wrestling with Ashe early in the morning.

After everyone left for work, Ashe began cleaning up the dishes. “Study time starts in half an hour.”

“Yay!” Lise cheered, “Let’s play Spellcaster Duel 14 until then!”

“Wait until I finish the dishes.”

Indeed, Ashe’s job was being a stay-at-home guard and babysitter.

There were two reasons for this: firstly, Lise couldn’t be left home alone and needed someone to watch over her. Secondly, Ashe simply couldn’t show his face outside.

Although they could change their appearance through makeup or even Miracles, as Annan and the others did, the problem was that Ashe’s “Twisting Mask” had a permanent effect. No matter how he changed his appearance, he would always be wearing the mask.

Working while constantly wearing a mask would make anyone with a functioning brain suspicious. Therefore, Ashe was gloriously appointed the stay-at-home guardian.

After finishing the dishes and gaming with Lise, Ashe began his official work.

He used the washing machine to clean the clothes and the dryer to dry them. He moved the ironing board to a sunny spot and carefully ironed each piece. He swept and mopped the floors, cleaned the bathroom meticulously, disinfected the toilet, wiped down the windows, made the beds, and took out the trash.

All of this was done by his Substitute.

Ashe himself sat beside Lise, supervising her studies while also learning about the Virtual Realm, Spellcasting Sects, and knowledge creatures.

After more than two hours, when Lise turned to glance at him for the thirteenth time, Ashe finally closed his Gospel Book. “Let’s go out and buy some things.”

“Yay!”

Ashe put on his hooded trench coat and took Lise’s hand, leading her out of the apartment building.

Although this was a chaotic area, many years of partial order had taken root. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be an environment where ordinary people could work. The area they lived in was called the ‘Salome District,’ named after the company responsible for maintaining its order.

Hospitals, pet shops, restaurants, cafes, e-scooter stores, general stores-these establishments, which might have migrated to online shopping in other cities, still thrived in Fidrola.

Ashe and Lise headed for the supermarket. The luxury interior was modern and impressive, clearly making shoplifting impossible.

Passing by the snacks and sweets section, Ashe covered Lise’s eyes. “Don’t look, don’t look. We only have 73 brass; we can’t afford it.”

When they walked past the Lala Fatty special section, it was Lise who covered Ashe’s eyes, “Don’t look, don’t look. We only have 73 brass; we can’t buy it.”

After carefully calculating their budget and sampling some free treats, Ashe and Lise returned home with large bags full of supplies.

Following a simple lunch, Ashe dragged a carpet to the balcony, where he and Lise lazily lay down together.

When they woke up, it was almost 3 PM. Ashe urged Lise to resume her studies. The Substitute started preparing the ingredients for dinner, while Ashe decided to rest a little longer.

Around 4 PM, Banjeet was the first one to return home, immediately heading to the kitchen to help out. Next came Igor, exuding a fragrant scent, probably having swindled quite a bit of money from women. Shortly after, Annan appeared, demanding that Ashe remove her stockings as soon as she stepped through the door, her attitude strikingly domineering. Finally, Harvey arrived covered in dust, getting promptly sent off to the shower.

As night fell, the cacophony of the apartment building increased. The poor insulation did nothing to muffle Fidrola’s symphony. From downstairs, there were the sounds of people drinking and arguing; upstairs, someone clomped around in high-heeled boots; across the way, lights flickered on as folks watched TV dramas while eating dinner.

Fidrola’s dark streets gradually lit up. Though it couldn’t compare to larger cities like Azura or Mephila with their centralized lighting, the diffuse glow from residential homes did provide a sense of warmth.

The six members of the Funeral group gathered around the round table. Once Harvey, freshly showered, took his seat, Annan declared, “Dinner is served.”

“Announcing dinner once everyone is present” was a crucial step. According to Annan, it boosted their happiness index by 5%. However, Ashe suspected it was more of a Ritual Track Annan had implemented to emphasize her role as the head of the household.

This was a typical day for the Funeral group, possibly the most mundane period since arriving at the Gospel. There were no immediate threats pursuing them, their safety wasn’t compromised, and the initial awkwardness had worn off. In the steam rising from the soup, time itself seemed to soften. Ashe almost forgot about the Weaving Festival, the Divine Sovereign’s Wish, and the impending Doomsday.

Until the Gospel Book suddenly popped open.

The glowing bookmark made a dramatic announcement to everyone present.

“The Gospel…” Annan murmured, “has an extra update!?”

Footnote:

1. Brass(铜):

   Fedra Universal Currency.