11

---

It was like suddenly releasing a sociophobic patient into a crowd. Sharron had always disliked the feeling of being watched.

But there was nothing she could do. Now that Mr. Fool had spoken, she could only suppress the emotions in her heart and speak the truth.

"As Mr. Fool said, it was indeed an unpleasant experience." Sharron lowered her head slightly. "It happened suddenly, and I was completely unprepared."

Her voice was smooth, with subtle fluctuations.

This allowed Audrey and the others to take a more objective third-person perspective.

"At that time, Amon peered into my heart, and even my thoughts and memories no longer belonged to me."

At this point, Sharron paused for a few seconds.

Audrey, from the 'Spectator Path', could tell that Miss Temperance had suffered considerable psychological trauma.

Looking up inadvertently, a thought crossed her mind—Mr. Fool might have already noticed this, so he deliberately asked Miss Temperance to recount her unbearable experience to facilitate healing...

"What a gentle god." Audrey smiled as she instinctively grasped the reasoning.

Klein: ? ? ?

You're so good; why are you laughing?

Listen, these are all key lessons! If you ever face Amon, this knowledge could save your life!

But, he couldn't show it too openly.

After thinking for a moment, Klein pretended to be invisible and let Audrey continue her train of thought.

"My existence is fading away bit by bit. If it weren't for Mr. Azik..." Sharron continued sharing her experience.

At this moment, Julius interjected, "Mr. Azik is a new angel who joined Mr. Fool. If you face difficulties, and I'm unavailable, you can turn to him."

Ah, new support added!

Audrey and the others were shocked.

Not to mention a certain idle person who stays at home all day long and is unlikely to face danger.

Alger, who spends most of his time at sea, is different.

An angel. Sequence 2. On par with an archbishop.

Beyonder.

"In a trance, I was dragged into the spirit world, and I don't know what happened after that." Sharron finished recounting her story after four or five minutes.

By recounting her experiences, her fear of Amon had certainly been reduced significantly.

However, to fully heal the trauma, a professional 'psychiatrist' would still be necessary.

Audrey, who had long wanted to interact with Miss Temperance, seized the opportunity: "I'll be promoted soon. When I reach Sequence 7, I'll be able to address psychological issues. When that time comes, Miss Temperance, let's have a proper chat."

Hearing this, Sharron nodded slightly, "Okay."

After all, their identities were not secrets among the group.

Moreover, with the "Rose School"—her main concern—destroyed, she was open to a face-to-face discussion.

Audrey was elated.

At this point, except for Mr. Sun, who remained far away in the land abandoned by the gods, she had met all the members of the Tarot Club...

Julius cleared his throat and subtly redirected the conversation, "Let me share what's next."

At this, everyone paid attention.

Even Klein adjusted his posture, determined not to miss anything important.

Julius spoke succinctly, "When I arrived, Mr. Azik was at a disadvantage. There was nothing we could do. Sequence 1 is already the strongest among those below gods, and even angels cannot resist."

He paused and continued, "All in all, I took over the battle and made Amon suffer a bit. He was defeated and ran, but I couldn't stop him."

'A small pain?' Probably more than that.

Almost everyone agreed this was a modest description.

However, these words also highlighted that although Amon was terrifying, he wasn't invincible.

At the critical moment, Mr. Destiny would step in!

As for why Amon couldn't be stopped...

Let's be real.

Sequence 1.

King of Angels!

Also, the King of Angels of the 'Stealer' path.

His methods were unpredictable and difficult to counter.

It was already impressive that Mr. Destiny gained the upper hand in the battle with Amon.

Alger spoke sincerely, "I didn't expect such significant events to unfold in Backlund during this period. My actions at sea seem insignificant in comparison."

The conversation turned engaging, and everyone eagerly asked questions.

Alger cleared his throat and glanced at the top of the page. "I think everyone already knows my identity. I'm an undercover agent placed by the Church of the Lord of Storms among pirates..."

"But that's all in the past. Now, I'm in control of the Blue Avenger."

He continued, "If you wish to travel by sea in the future and it's inconvenient to take an official ship, you might consider coming to me."

Mutual benefit. Mutual assistance.

Under Julius's leadership, the Tarot Club fostered an atmosphere of collaboration from the very start.

Additionally, Alger had a clear understanding of his role. Although no longer an undercover agent for the Church of the Lord of Storms, he had become Mr. Fool's representative at sea, so he had to do his best.

"Great!" Audrey had long planned to travel abroad.

Especially after their showdown, she no longer wished to remain the obedient noble lady.

Her parents were handling the political affairs, including uniting Loen nobles against the royal family, organizing the Air Control Committee, and reforming the civil service system. Once they raised funds for disaster relief, she'd be free.

It would be much better to go to sea soon, to explore and experience the vast world firsthand.

Julius nodded and smiled, "Once the situation here in Backlund settles, we'll expand our influence at sea. Mr. Hanged Man, you've done well."

Although Mr. Fool didn't speak directly, Alger couldn't help but feel overjoyed at Mr. Destiny's recognition.

He had made the right move!

Derrick, seeing the excitement around him, couldn't help but feel a bit down. "It's a shame that I'm stuck in Silver City, just farming and cutting grass every day. Otherwise, I could be of help to Mr. Fool."

---

---

Klein pondered for a moment and said calmly, "It's not the time yet."

After a pause, he spoke again, "But it's almost over."

Hearing this, Derrick was overjoyed.

Ever since they became aware of the outside world, no one in Silver City had been content to remain in prison and longed to regain their freedom.

Mr. Destiny's gift was indeed remarkable, enough to ensure everyone in Silver City could eat well, wear warm clothes, and no longer worry about the lurking monsters and pervasive mutated pollution.

However, true salvation could only be found by walking in the sunlight.

Derrick lowered his head deeply and said, "Praise the Fool."

It was almost like saying "Hello, Teacher."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone else, including Julius, followed suit and said in unison, "Praise the Fool."

Klein smiled.

Very good, I'm able to remain calm now.

The rules for playing the 'faceless man' role are incredibly useful.

After a small interlude, the meeting continued in an orderly fashion.

Thanks to Klein's current state of spiritual invocation, linked to the "Original Witch," he would no longer suffer the backlash like before, and instead, the "Black Iron Cross" would bear it on his behalf...

All in all, this Tarot session was incredibly long.

They discussed Klein's experiences at sea, the recent developments in Silver City, and the secret battle between the Loen nobles and the royal family.

Naturally, the trading session followed.

Speaking of which, besides Julius being Klein's creditor, most of the other members also owed him gold pounds.

"Mr. Destiny, here is the list of trophies from the recent hunting trips in Silver City. Please feel free to take whatever you like. You have the final say on how much of the debt to repay."

"Mr. Destiny, I've found the sacred text of the 'God of Knowledge and Wisdom' that you requested, but it will take some time to retrieve it. Also, please note the potion formula for the 'Ocean Songster.'"

"Mr. Destiny, I have the formula for 'Psychiatrist,' but there are still two key ingredients missing. As you know, my situation is a bit special."

"Mr. Destiny, I wanted to ask if there are other types of magical discs available. I would like to rent one for my companion."

Julius was generous with his gifts and had plenty of valuable items with him.

Everyone wanted something from him.

Even Fors, the often overlooked member, had her wish granted—receiving the magic potion formula and Beyonder properties of the 'Master of Magic.'

Of course, this also meant that Klein had to bear the cost, prompting him to consider writing a new book to make up for the shortfall.

Klein's eyes grew warm.

He wished he could end this in person.

However, he came up with a plan...

But with so many people around, it would be hard to execute.

After the trading session concluded, this week's meeting was coming to an end.

Before dismissing the meeting, Julius said solemnly, "As I mentioned earlier, though the situation is mine, everyone in Backlund must remain cautious. In the coming week, try not to show yourselves in public and focus on protecting yourselves."

The ceremony of becoming a god is a game played by true gods, and angels can only reluctantly participate.

These low- and mid-Sequence individuals should be left to develop for now.

Hearing this, Audrey, Sharron, and Fors felt a chill in their hearts and quickly responded.

After giving a few more instructions, Julius looked up.

Meeting Klein's eyes, he smiled and said, "Then, that's all."

As soon as the words were spoken, figures vanished from their seats, and the palace was instantly deserted.

Klein stopped pretending and slumped back into his chair.

At first glance, he resembled Fors, who was staying at home.

But he hadn't forgotten his business.

With a thought, an illusory figure appeared before him.

Judging by the features, it was none other than Sherlock Moriarty, the enigmatic and handsome member of the Aurora Order in Backlund.

After thinking for a moment, Klein dispelled the phantom of 'Sherlock Moriarty' and condensed the appearance of 'Clenne Cappe.'

In the end, he even manifested the real body of 'Klein Moretti' in the palace.

"Which one should I choose?" Klein hesitated for a moment.

From a rational standpoint, 'Klein Moretti' was definitely the most fitting.

Julius, Audrey, and Alger all knew that the scholarly Klein was Mr. Fool's favored one.

However, with Klein's cautious nature, he awkwardly didn't want to appear publicly.

In the outside world, 'Sherlock Moriarty' and 'Clene Capet' were both involved with the Aurora Order and the Witch Cult, respectively. Therefore, it didn't seem appropriate for him to suddenly show up as part of the Tarot Club.

The most important thing was that Julius already knew these two identities.

"Then... I'll just create another persona!" In the end, Klein made up his mind.

He would fabricate a secret identity and use it as his mouthpiece within the Tarot Club—someone who could say and do things that the "Fool" couldn't.

He would make it happen.

Klein began to alter his appearance.

This was a relatively simple task for him.

Not long after, a white-haired man with deep eyes appeared before him. He looked about thirty-five, dressed in an Intis-style windbreaker and hunting boots, with a strong, commanding presence.

"From now on, you are White Wolfe."

Klein added a bit of flair, naming him after the well-known demon Hunter, Mr. White Wolf.

However, the only one who could notice this would be the current "Black Emperor," who was trapped in the secret tomb...

Thinking of this, Klein sighed.

"Old Huang, I've spent a lot on you. You must repay me in the future."

…

…

"Despicable! Shameless!"

"Internet literature, localized, right?"

"Hedong and Hexi came out in thirty years. I didn't even have the nerve to copy it back then. You actually copied it here?"

""Fragrance Shadow Ghost"? "A Chinese Ghost Story"? Huh, just bullying those uneducated natives."

"It's boring, just leftover from my old days playing."

In the secret mausoleum on the nameless island, Roselle complained with a sense of satisfaction.

Alright.

After reading these things, he was finally certain.

The person sitting on the throne of "The Fool" now wasn't just a fellow countryman—he was from China, just like him.

What a coincidence!

What?

Can you understand that the diary originates from China?

Well, Roselle himself also knew English.

Who's to say for sure?

However, if you're copying books and localizing Singularity.com, you must be Chinese.

Moreover, he was a contemporary of Roselle's.

Roselle felt greatly relieved.

But on the other side of the video call, Bernadette's face looked puzzled.

She couldn't understand a word her old husband was mumbling.

Roselle, having spoken in Chinese, had inadvertently left her confused.

Holding those Julius Astorio books, she neither read them nor walked away.

Roselle snapped back to reality and laughed, "I'm sorry, Bernadette. I just thought of something amusing."

To alleviate the awkwardness, he quickly added, "You should be able to be promoted soon, right?"

Bernadette nodded, "The potion is almost digested, but I still need a drop of mythical creature's blood, and I haven't had time to focus on this lately."

"You're too worried. You should smile more." During the video chat with his precious daughter, Roselle didn't carry the typical emperor's gravitas. "If I truly die, it won't matter much. But you can change. The stronger you are, the better you'll be..."

Just as he was about to say 'doomsday,' he paused and quickly changed the subject, "Just a little more ability to protect yourself."

Bernadette bit her lip slightly and said nothing.

Noticing this, Roselle blinked and said, "Here's the plan: ask The Fool for a drop of a mythical creature's blood in my name."

"In return, you can tell him about a treasure I buried on a certain island."

"Though those things aren't particularly useful to gods, they could definitely strengthen his followers and would be considered valuable."

---

---

A treasure buried on an unnamed island?

This deal is doable!

Nowadays, "The Fool" has many angels under his command.

Not counting Julius Astorio, there are also Azik Eggers and Will Asceptin.

The oracle has been given, and a drop of blood is no problem.

The key is…

Isn't it wrong to do this?

Klein couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

He knew all too well that any contribution must be repaid with a gift, especially from an evil god like "The Fool," who isn't recognized by the world.

It wouldn't be wise to indulge in greed and violate taboos.

After a long pause, Klein used the power of gray mist to reply to Bernadette: "I'll give you some blood in the near future. Please convey my regards to Roselle."

With that, the connection was severed.

When his consciousness returned to the real world, Klein found himself alone. He cut his finger with his nail and squeezed out a drop of blood.

The blood glistened, like sweet dew.

But after a moment, the spiritual essence faded, and it became just an ordinary drop of blood.

Klein sighed in disappointment.

He had hoped to "make enough food and clothing by myself" but got stuck with the "Original Witch" dilemma, selling his blood for money in hopes of making the hardships more worthwhile.

However, the rules blocked these twisted plans.

"If I'd known better, I'd have kept some of Barranca's blood. Never mind, I'll ask Mr. Azik for a drop of blood. He should be cooperative..." Klein finally made up his mind.

In return, he'd share with Azik the secrets of Roselle's treasure.

Mutual benefit, no harm to anyone.

Just do it.

Klein took off "Chick's ring" for now.

Although this didn't fully restore him to his original state, his status dropped back to Sequence 6 of the 'Seer' path.

Using the ability of the 'Faceless Man' to flatter himself, Klein transformed back into the bookish, black-haired young man.

After changing his clothes, he slowly walked out of his temporary residence and headed toward 'Astorio Manor.'

Julius wasn't there, busy with something.

Klein didn't mind and went straight to Azik.

"Mr. Azik," he smiled, "I need your help."

When Azik saw Klein, he returned the smile. "Klein, I haven't seen you in a while. How have you been?"

The son of Death was always gentle and considerate, seeing through things without saying a word.

After his training, Klein's expression was now flawless. He answered smoothly, "The Church of Darkness has been unstable lately. I've been on duty at St. Samuel's Cathedral, and only today was I able to step out."

Azik's smile didn't change.

At first glance, he looked like a loving elder coaxing a child.

Despite his hardened mind, Klein couldn't help but feel a warmth rise to his cheeks when he saw Azik's half-smiling eyes. He decided to cut to the chase and stated his request plainly.

After listening, Azik fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Since it's Mr. Fool's order."

With that, he made a small cut in his palm and produced a drop of pure gray blood.

The moment the blood appeared, the room seemed to grow heavy with decay and silence.

Klein recoiled, taking three steps back.

Azik quickly sealed it using a secret technique, transforming it into a crystal-clear amber, and handed it to Klein with a smile. "By the way, Miss Bernadette and I often meet. If she asked, I would help her personally too."

After solving the problem of his own life experiences, Azik became more cheerful, and his attitude toward Klein became more affectionate. He was almost starting to feel like a father figure.

Klein took the amber without speaking, only grinning.

Azik shook his head. "The situation is tense. You must become stronger quickly. Only by achieving sainthood on earth will you have the power to protect yourself."

Azik could easily tell that Klein's Witch power came from the ring set with sapphire.

While Beyonder items are part of one's strength, they're still just foreign objects.

Only by advancing to a higher Sequence could one walk the true and smooth path.

Klein nodded gravely in response.

The conversation shifted. "Mr. Azik, do you know where Julius Astorio is?"

"His Majesty Julius said he must first visit Mr. A, and then head to the Harvest Church to rescue someone," Azik replied, fixing Klein with a serious gaze. "Your Majesty, you do God's will on behalf of God, but don't press for too much."

He warned, "Don't think just because you're favored by the gods that you can take liberties with the King of Angels."

At the critical moment, your status as the favored won't shield you.

Azik didn't speak these words directly, but Klein, being smart, understood the underlying message.

Klein's face appeared accepting, though internally, he wasn't too impressed.

After all, he *was* the "Fool," the one most favored by the gods.

Still, Mr. Azik wasn't wrong.

Klein suppressed a small smile at his guess, but for now, he decided to let things unfold naturally, choosing to act only when necessary.

---

---

In a small town fifty miles away from Backlund, Julius was having a friendly conversation with Mr. A.

Faced with a genuine high-Sequence individual and someone with a very close relationship to the "True Creator," Mr. A's attitude was humble. "Your Majesty Julius, the Lord's moment of peace is all thanks to you."

He sighed. "As the head of the Aurora Order, I wasn't able to do much to help with the incident not long ago."

As he spoke of his shame, Mr. A's body trembled, as though he might vomit up some wriggling flesh at any moment.

Julius, familiar with the nature of these 'Secrets Suppliants,' quickly responded, "How can you say that? You played a key role in stabilizing the Loen royal family."

Hearing this, Mr. A's condition improved slightly, though he still lowered his head. "Unfortunately, the Loen royal family noticed something amiss afterward, turned against me, and forcibly expelled me from Backlund."

"Expulsion is the best result," Julius smiled. "If they weren't so busy, they would've taken more drastic measures."

He continued, "Besides, this gives you a chance to start fresh, doesn't it?"

Mr. A understood and replied, "I'm relieved to leave the Aurora Order in Sherlock's hands. He is the Lord's chosen, just as I was. But most of the new recruits are regular people, and the few remaining 'hermit monks' can't really help. I fear he won't be able to accomplish much without capable men."

Julius responded knowingly, "That's why we're starting fresh. Without Beyonder individuals, it's a clean slate."

"Otherwise, we'd have nothing but 'secret-praying' people who do nothing but sit around, only to end up in a mental institution."

"Don't worry," Julius reassured him, "I'll help him out."

Mr. A was overjoyed, but he could only sigh inwardly, "Good luck, Sherlock."

Julius thought for a moment and said, "In any case, I've handed you the sea chart. Whether you make a pilgrimage or not is up to you."

The mention of the sea chart made Mr. A's eyes widen, and he exclaimed, "Even if we die a thousand times, we will return to the Lord's embrace!"

"Very good," Julius nodded.

Dealing with such fanatical believers was easy. Just give them a sea map, point east, and tell them it's the "True Creator's kingdom."

With the goal of pilgrimage in mind, the Aurora Order in other regions would surely take action, and they'd no longer pose a threat to anyone.

Moreover, Julius had a plan for them to get into trouble.

Sooner or later, the land abandoned by the gods would resurface. The members of the Aurora Order may not have much going for them, but they were tough—like earthworms.

After exchanging a few more words, Julius stood up to leave.

Suddenly struck by an idea, he returned to Backlund City.

The atmosphere in the city had grown tense. Although the protests had been suppressed, the people's dissatisfaction was unmistakable.

Recent defeats on the frontlines, combined with the unemployment crisis and the Great Smog incident, had put the Augustus family's rule in jeopardy.

In such a volatile situation, the conservative party that had lost Duke Negan had unexpectedly made a comeback.

Sir Syndras, the father of Julius's best friend, had become the interim leader of the Conservative Party.

Anyone with discerning eyes could tell there was a greater force behind Sir Syndras...

Julius didn't pay much attention to politics and didn't care to study it.

He only knew that, under the pressure of these internal and external troubles, King Loen had decided to give a public speech early next month, announcing the withdrawal of troops and the repeal of some laws.

Though this appeared to be a concession, Julius knew it was actually a desperate attempt to buy time.

He was aware of it but didn't care.

In the original course of events, Klein alone had caused chaos during the god-becoming ceremony. Now, with the gods shifting their stances and figures like Amon and Adam coveting the throne, it seemed unlikely that George III would ascend to godhood.

Walking leisurely, Julius made his way to the Harvest Church on Rose Street in the South District of Daqiao.

The Church was small and far less majestic than St. Mussel Cathedral.

Julius raised his head and glanced at the logo of the Earth Mother. A playful smile curled his lips as he strode in without bothering to knock.

Inside, the first thing he saw was a tall figure diligently wiping already clean candlesticks and teaching chairs.

"I will escape sooner or later!"

"Damn psychological suggestion!"

"How can a dignified blood clan do this..."

The figure, a young man with his hair combed back sharply, had a bit of a carefree look despite his blood-red eyes. He was delicate and handsome, with an air of arrogance in his features, but his movements were a bit effeminate.

Perhaps too focused, the vampire youth didn't notice Julius's arrival and continued wiping.

Julius coughed lightly.

The vampire youth jumped, turned around quickly, and frowned. "It's broad daylight. Why don't you make any noise when you walk?"

"You're clearly a vampire, yet you say others shouldn't move quietly?" Julius walked toward him with confidence. "Isn't that a bit ridiculous?"

"Who are you?" The vampire youth seemed flustered by Julius's boldness.

Julius replied directly, "Someone asked me to take you out."

"What? Great!" The vampire's mood brightened instantly.

His name was Emlyn White, born a vampire and Beyonder from birth.

Unlike most vampires, Emlyn disliked socializing and preferred to avoid human society. He was more interested in collecting dolls. His earnings mostly went into this hobby, and he even bought blood and food from hospitals. He was a two-dimensional enthusiast among vampires.

But due to the side effects of a certain Beyonder item, he ended up in the Harvest Church, captured on the spot by Bishop Utravsky of the 'Warrior' Sequence and forcibly inducted into the Church. His life as a handyman was incredibly unlucky.

Now that he heard someone was coming to rescue him, Emlyn tossed the rag aside and ran toward Julius, cheering.

However, just then, a massive figure appeared behind Emlyn. "Where do you think you're going?"

Emlyn froze and stiffly turned back to see Bishop Utravsky, who wore a kind expression.

His legs went weak when he met the bishop's gaze.

He gritted his teeth and defiantly said, "Why should I report to you? Let me tell you, my family sent someone to rescue me!"

Bishop Utravsky said nothing. Instead, he bowed respectfully to Julius.

Julius nodded, "I'll take him away."

"Please, take your time," the Bishop smiled gently.

Julius didn't say much. He waved for Emlyn to come to his side, "Let's go."

Is it really that easy?

Emlyn thought there would be a fierce confrontation.

Seems like Utravsky was just watching, not acting.

If he had known this, maybe he should've risked a fight with the bishop, hoping to intimidate him…

With this thought, Emlyn hastily left the Harvest Church.

What he didn't know was that after he and Julius disappeared, Bishop Utravsky smiled slightly and made a gesture of holding a baby. "Praise the Mother Goddess."

Without mentioning the oracle sent by the Earth Mother, Emlyn, now free, looked at the streets and couldn't help but wonder, "How long have I been trapped? Why is Backlund so deserted?"

Turning to Julius, he asked, "By the way, who asked you to come?"

Julius answered truthfully, "Lily asked Manman to tell me that there's a silly relative who happens to be my cat's helper, so I came to get you."

Manman? Lily?

Where was this?

Emlyn sneered, "Lily Manman? Doesn't sound like a good thing."

The moment he finished speaking, a chill ran up his spine.

The hairs on his head stood on end.

He looked up at the sky.

It wasn't raining.

Why was it so cold?

So strange.

Julius looked at Emlyn and agreed, "It is indeed quite stupid."

Changing the topic, Julius added, "In any case, you're under my control for now. I'll take you somewhere interesting until Monday next week."

Emlyn shot Julius a defiant look. "Who are you? Why should I listen to you?"

How could a noble vampire be threatened?

Merely a human!

Julius smiled, his aura shifting in an instant.

Emlyn froze.

His legs gave way, and he knelt.

This aura...

Even the ancient vampire elders weren't this terrifying!

Julius relaxed the pressure and asked slowly, "Any more questions?"

Emlyn shook his head obediently. "No more."

Moved?

Emlyn didn't dare to move.

Julius was satisfied and took Emlyn to Bridge District Hospital.

He couldn't drink blood during this time, just to help his 'child' lose some weight...

---

---

Emlyn's eating habits were particular.

When he received the blood bag, he didn't swallow it all at once. Instead, he slowly poured it into a tall crystal glass, gave it a gentle swirl, and tasted it carefully.

Julius, growing impatient, asked, "I said, can't you drink it any faster?"

Despite his fear of the mysterious, powerful figure before him, Emlyn remained steadfast in his own way. "Elegance is an innate quality of every noble bloodline," he replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

Julius raised an eyebrow and, with a mischievous glint, asked, "Did you do the same when you were at the Harvest Church? Did that giant priest spoil you like this?"

Bishop Utravsky, Emlyn's nemesis, caused his face to darken in an instant.

After a long pause, Emlyn sneered, "That man was surprisingly strong. He bled me every day and poured it into a large white porcelain bowl. It was quite vulgar."

Julius: …

What kind of twisted prison sadomasochism was this?

He shook his head and sighed, "Well, overall, he was still pretty good to you."

Emlyn, now visibly agitated, retorted, "I haven't committed any crime, let alone blasphemy. Why should he imprison me?"

With that, he drank the blood in his glass in one gulp, as though trying to calm the anger welling up inside.

Julius didn't press the matter further. "Alright, enough about that. From now on, follow me. I guarantee you'll have blood to drink and dolls to play with every day."

Emlyn blinked, his eyes lighting up. "Did you say dolls?"

It had already been mentioned that Emlyn was different from other vampires in that he had little interest in socializing and preferred to remain aloof from human society. His only passion was dolls.

His home was filled with rare and priceless dolls created by famous artists.

Julius smiled and, with a wave of his hand, conjured up a small, palm-sized doll with snow-white skin, green hair, and an irresistibly cute appearance.

Emlyn's eyes went wide.

He hurried over to the doll, completely captivated. "Incredible! Although it's contrary to today's mainstream style, both the craftsmanship and the attention to detail are impeccable. This is definitely excellent!"

But... how could current craftsmanship compare to future generations? It was nothing like what he had seen before.

"Do good work for me, and you'll be rewarded," Julius said, handing the doll to Emlyn.

Emlyn took it eagerly, carefully cradling it in his hands. A beaming smile spread across his face.

Julius shook his head with a sigh.

This guy might look proud, but he was really quite simple.

A noble Sequence, yet easily manipulated by such trinkets.

"Sir, um..." Emlyn, thankfully still somewhat grounded, asked with some anxiety, "What exactly do you mean by 'doing things'?"

If it was about murder, arson, or breaking the law, those weren't his strengths.

As a vampire, he had always adhered to his duties.

He only resorted to stealing blood from hospitals when absolutely necessary.

Julius, sensing his concern, reassured him, "Don't worry. I'm more interested in your pharmaceutical abilities—specifically, the ones your vampire clan possesses."

Vampires, as born Extraordinaries in the 'Moon' Sequence, started as 'Medicine Masters.' When they reached Sequence 6, they became 'Potion Professors,' specializing in pharmaceuticals.

Julius had a particular interest in the Church of Fools.

Upon hearing this, Emlyn's resistance was reduced by half.

Making potions? That wasn't so bad.

No risk, no effort.

Still, he hesitated and weakly asked, "You just said 'our vampire clan'?"

"Yes," Julius nodded, "your vampire clan."

Emlyn swallowed nervously. "Sir, I—"

Julius waved his hand, cutting him off. "No need to explain further. Take this letter to your elder. After reading it, he'll make a decision."

Julius pulled out a letter he had prepared earlier.

After a long hesitation, Emlyn reluctantly took the letter and tucked it away safely.

He had hoped that Julius would release him, but to his surprise, instead of letting him go, Julius led him to the Brave Bar in the dock area.

They made their way to a private room, where they found Maric—now a 'Wraith Soul'—and Sharron, who was on the verge of being promoted to 'Puppet.'

"Your Majesty, Julius," Maric quickly greeted, bowing.

Julius returned the greeting with a smile. "We're old friends, no need for such formality."

That wasn't exactly the truth.

Maric's pale face grew less expressive as he spoke calmly, "Sharron and I are planning to set sail soon. As you know, the 'Rose School' is based in the Southern Continent."

With the high-level leaders wiped out, it was the perfect time to claim their legacy.

Maric was already Sequence 5, and Sharron was about to reach Sequence 4. Along with Reinette Tinichole, who was in an incomplete state, they were capable of protecting themselves, even in the dangerous Southern Continent.

Julius nodded, "Going to sea is fine, but don't rush. Once things settle here, I'll join you, and we can go together."

A flicker of joy crossed Maric's cold eyes.

If Julius joined them, their trip to the Southern Continent would be guaranteed safe.

Meanwhile, Emlyn, who had been listening quietly, blinked in confusion.

He knew of the 'Rose School,' and from what he was hearing, the cold figure before him was planning to confront those lunatics who worshipped the 'Primordial Moon.'

The "Chained Gods" had been captured by the "Mother Tree of Desire" and turned into puppets. Many within the "Rose School" followed the "Primordial Moon" and the "Mother Tree of Desire."

Meanwhile, the vampire clan worshipped Lilith, the ancestor of vampires who once wielded the power of the 'Moon.'

The two differing moon-based beliefs had caused tension between the vampires and the 'Rose School,' leading to activities specifically dedicated to hunting their members.

As Emlyn was lost in thought, Julius suddenly introduced him to Maric and Sharron. "This is Emlyn White, a member of the Vampire Clan."

He paused, then glanced at Sharron. "I've intentionally brought him into the fold."

---

---

**Oh?**

Another new victim...

Ahem.

Mr. Fool's new favorite.

Sharron looked at the slightly embarrassed Emlyn.

She seemed to see through his naivety and couldn't help but nod, "That adult should be very pleased to see him join."

After all, silly young people have a lot of fun.

Emlyn straightened his posture slightly, deliberately showing off his Beyonder side.

Sharron ignored him and turned to discuss another matter with Julius, "Mr. Julius, although I successfully contacted the teacher, her condition..."

She paused, then found a fitting adjective, "...pretty bad."

Julius nodded, "That's why I'm here. The ceremony will begin shortly. With your teacher's help, we will have more support here."

"In that case, call her over now and let me see for myself."

Sharron agreed and gathered several Beyonder materials from the private room.

Lighting the incense, she closed her eyes and recited word by word: "Prince of the ancient kingdom, mad temperer, prisoner of desire, holy Renette Tinichole, I ask for your attention."

**Call—**

The dark wind began to rise.

Emlyn suddenly felt the hairs on his body standing on end.

He didn't dare say anything and secretly hid behind Julius.

Suddenly, ripples of water appeared in the room. A huge figure passed through the spiritual world and arrived in an instant.

It was a translucent, headless woman with neatly incised necks. She held up four identical heads by pinching the ends of their hair. Each head had smooth, pale gold hair and scarlet eyes, giving off a bright, majestic aura. She wore a complicated, gorgeous, dark, and gloomy black dress.

"Little Sharron... you... have something to do with me..." The four heads spoke in turn.

"Teacher." Sharron greeted respectfully.

At this moment, Julius took the initiative to speak, "Hello, Miss Reinette."

For a moment, all four heads stared at Julius simultaneously. "You... are... who...?"

Due to the three-word limit, the last head didn't have a chance to speak, and a trace of confusion flashed across her beautiful face.

The scene was somewhat comical.

Emlyn couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.

Reinette Tilkot's four heads suddenly fixed their gaze on Emlyn.

The vampire, realizing his mistake, quickly composed himself.

But it was too late.

Reinette Tilkot already had a grudge against this ignorant boy.

In an instant, the suit on Emlyn came alive, restraining him tightly until his handsome face turned red.

Not only that, even the hidden mini-figure jumped out of his pocket, stretched its limbs, and began punching and kicking Emlyn.

Julius glanced back and smiled, "You deserve it."

"Mr. Julius! Save me!" Emlyn cried, paying a heavy price for his despicable behavior, "I know I was wrong."

After all, the child was already quite foolish. If he continued to act out, problems could arise.

Julius persuaded, "He didn't mean it. Let him go this time and give me face."

Reinette Tilkot said nothing.

But all four heads sniffed lightly.

After smelling something, she finally stopped and spared Emlyn's life.

Emlyn gasped for air, feeling as if he'd been granted amnesty.

He never thought he'd be strangled by his own clothes like that.

"You... have... the aura of... a great existence..." Reinette Tilkot spoke first, "The... great... existence... above the spiritual world..."

A great existence above the spiritual world?

He is "The Fool."

Julius introduced himself: "This is Julius Astorio, now an angel under Mr. Fool. Miss Sharron should have already informed you about our Church."

The four heads of Reinette Tilkot showed troubled expressions. "I... there are many things... I can't remember..."

Hmm.

Once again, the fourth head didn't get any lines.

But she still opened her mouth, working silently and making a faint sound.

Sharron stepped in at the right moment, "In the battle with Si'a, the teacher actually died. If it weren't for the backup arrangement in the spirit world, I might not even have been able to be resurrected. She still remembers me, but she doesn't remember the 'Rose School' matter."

Julius understood.

The "Prisoner" path is known for its curses, and resurrection is merely incidental. Additionally, there's something wrong with Sequence 0 of this path. The anchor point of Reinette Tilkot and the Highland Kingdom has turned to dust. It's not difficult to understand why she's in such a fragmented state now.

However.

Now the "Chained God" has lost its uniqueness and Sequence 1 Beyonder traits, almost falling like the "Original Witch."

As one of the few angels in this Sequence, Reinette Tilkot's situation will naturally improve over time.

Of course, all of this depends on her willingness to cooperate.

Thinking of this, Julius said, "You all go out first. I need to discuss something with Miss Reinette."

Sharron, Maric, and Emlyn didn't object and left quietly.

When only Julius and Reinette Tilkot remained, Julius pulled out a tattered thorn doll from his pocket with one hand. "I'll lend you this for a while. I think it will help your recovery."

All four heads and eight eyes lit up simultaneously. "I... feel... very good... thank you..."

Julius smiled, "However, everything has a price."

Reinette Tilkot agreed, "No... problem..."

This time, neither the third nor fourth heads got any lines.

The two heads exchanged a silent, resigned look.

---

After a busy day, Klein returned to **'Astorio Manor.'**

She had decided not to return home until she recovered her true body.

Unexpectedly, someone was already waiting for her there.

"Hello... I am Reinette... your teacher... asked me to come to you..." The tall lady holding her heads slowly spoke.

**Monster!**

Klein was so frightened that her heart almost stopped beating.

But after all, she was no longer the naive child who had first entered the Beyonder world.

After calming down, she stared at Reinette calmly and asked in a deep voice, "Teacher? You mean?"

Reinette Tilkot answered truthfully, "Julius Astorio... that's what he... calls himself..."

Julius.

That's fine.

Klein's vigilance lessened slightly.

But she still didn't dare let her guard down. She asked again, "What are you looking for me for?"

"To protect you... Backlund... Amon... exists..." Reinette Tilkot explained her purpose.

She gazed at Klein, smiling gently from all four faces.

The aura of the being in front of her was incredibly comforting.

"You've found a bodyguard for me?" Hearing this, Klein felt warmth in her heart.

At the same time, her suspicions were confirmed.

But now was not the time to think about that.

She activated her spiritual vision and silently observed the aura of the spiritual creature opposite her.

Better not to look.

At first glance, it felt like her eyes were exploding.

Klein quickly looked away.

**Mythical creature, angel level!** Klein thought, secretly pleased.

A great ally.

Julius even deliberately hired a bodyguard for her.

Mr. Julius, you're so kind.

Unexpectedly, Reinette hadn't finished speaking yet.

"Julius said... to protect you... one hundred gold coins a day..."

Klein: ??

**Old thief Julius!**

You tricked me again!

---

---

How much is one hundred gold coins worth in gold pounds?

Klein couldn't quite figure it out.

However, he knew it had to be a lot.

There was no "thigh" here; this was clearly a gold-swallowing beast thrust upon her!

And one with four mouths, at that.

"Ma'am," Klein hesitated, carefully considering his words. "To be honest, I don't have that much money."

Unexpectedly, Reinette Tilcot seemed to have anticipated his response and said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter... you... can... owe it first..."

Klein: ? ? ?

For some reason, Klein felt like he'd heard that phrase more than once before.

After thinking for a moment, he nodded, "I understand. I'll trouble you during this period."

Money is important, but life is more so.

Though Julius had said that Amon wouldn't dare to stir trouble in Backlund, it was always best to be cautious, just in case.

What if, by some stroke of bad luck, she encountered Amon and Julius and Mr. Azik weren't around?

One more helper was definitely a good idea.

With that thought, Klein looked at Reinette Tilcot and patiently asked, "So, do you intend to stay with me all the time?"

Upon hearing this, Reinette Tilcot's four heads swayed side to side simultaneously. "We... signed... a contract... ah..."

The fourth head didn't get a chance to speak this time and could only utter a meaningless "ah."

Klein controlled his expression and readily agreed, "Okay."

The contract was made in duplicate and was quite fair and equitable.

Once the pen was set down and the contract signed, the creditor of 'Mr. Fool' was satisfied.

After the negotiation, Reinette Tilcot cleared the space and returned to the spirit world, leaving Klein alone in the room.

She sighed and gently pinched her eyebrows.

Turning, she glanced at the exquisite calendar hanging on the wall.

It was the end of the month, and 'that day' was fast approaching.

---

Elsewhere, Emlyn finally returned to his house.

As soon as he entered, he rushed to the collection room.

"Alice! Donna! Bell! I'm back!"

Without anyone else around, Emlyn fully returned to his true self, his cheerful demeanor reminding one of a playful husky.

The dolls were still sitting quietly in their display case.

Under the moonlight, their delicate little faces took on an almost enchanting beauty.

Emlyn was so moved that tears filled his eyes.

God knew how he had endured these days.

Taking a deep breath, Emlyn felt as if he could feel the breath of the dolls.

He took out the mysterious figure that had almost killed him from his pocket and solemnly introduced it to the other figures: "Ladies, this is our new partner. I've decided to name her Miss Fufu."

Of course, no response came from the dolls.

But Emlyn didn't mind and was still lost in his own world.

After savoring the moment, he placed 'Miss Fufu' in a special display case and reluctantly closed the door behind him.

Though he was reluctant, he had other matters to attend to.

After walking through several streets, Emlyn arrived at a private clinic.

This 'White Clinic' was well-known in the neighborhood for its high-quality medicines and unique bloodletting treatments. Residents who had headaches or fevers often came here to find relief.

Bloodletting.

It was no surprise—this was the domain of vampires.

In fact, many vampires hid within human society, applying to be doctors or opening private clinics. Whether they made money or not didn't matter as much; the primary goal was to collect blood and supply it for feeding.

At night, the clinic was mostly empty, and Emlyn found his father without difficulty.

Seeing his son, Mr. White was visibly relieved and said with great surprise, "My ancestors, your mother and I were just discussing hiring a private detective to find you. Emlyn, where have you been these days?"

Hearing this, Emlyn blushed a little and vaguely replied, "A friend from another province invited me..."

"What? Imprisoned at Harvest Church? Who? Don't be ridiculous, there's no such thing!"

Mr. White had noticed something was off but didn't push the issue. He simply patted his son on the shoulder and said, "Anyway, you're back."

The conversation shifted, "Come on, let's go home. Your mother hasn't slept well recently."

Vampires didn't rely on sleep for restoration of energy, but to align with human schedules, many vampires would close their eyes to rest at night if there were no other activities.

Emlyn missed his mother too, but he rejected the offer and said in a firm tone, "No rush... Father, I want to see the Marquis."

Mr. White was startled.

The Blood Clan was run by three dukes, and the leader of the Backlund Blood Clan was Marquis Nibais Audra. He was a powerful vampire from the fourth era, still living after so many years, though he mostly slept in a coffin. No one was allowed to see him unless summoned.

For Emlyn to want to see the Marquis just like that made Mr. White uneasy.

"A lot of things have happened that I can't fully understand," Emlyn said with a bitter smile. "Anyway, I'm delivering a letter from an angel."

"An angel?!" Mr. White's tone rose immediately.

Anyone called an 'angel' had to be at least Sequence 2.

At Sequence 2, one could already be crowned a Duke in the Vampire Clan.

Afraid that his son might be in over his head, Mr. White quickly asked, "Emlyn, are you serious? You're not joking, are you?"

"Father, how could I joke about this?" Emlyn said, understanding his father's concern.

If he were in his father's shoes, he'd be cautious too.

Once he received confirmation, Mr. White could no longer sit still.

He paced around the office, glancing at his son with clear concern.

Muttering to himself, he added, "Woe, woe."

"He shouldn't have developed those hobbies."

"It's all those dolls' fault!"

The 'potions professor' was much like those parents who blamed TV, games, or short videos for their children's lack of focus.

Mr. White couldn't help but think, if only his son had spent more time socializing like other vampires, he wouldn't have encountered such a terrible situation, where his life and soul were at risk.

"Father, stop pacing; I'm getting dizzy." Emlyn, who was usually proud and haughty, clearly didn't think delivering a letter was such a difficult task.

In fact, he'd long wanted to meet the Marquis.

This was just the opportunity he'd been waiting for.

A smug smile crept onto his lips as he imagined the scene when the Marquis saw him.

Once he earned the Marquis' favor, advancement would no longer be a problem. He wouldn't have to worry about saving money for dolls anymore...

No doubt about it—Emlyn was deep in his 'fantasy world.'

---

---

After much deliberation, Mr. White found no good solution. With a heavy sigh, he decided to report the matter truthfully.

The Vampire Clan is a relatively united group, and hiding something as significant as this would be nearly impossible.

In this case, it was better to let the higher-ups make the decision.

But... then there's the issue of his foolish son.

Mr. White's emotions were a mix of frustration and worry.

"Isn't it too late to have another child?"

"No, no. Emlyn is a good boy. How could we give up on him?"

"...Well, let's take it one step at a time."

Emlyn, unaware of his father's inner turmoil, soon found himself face-to-face with the envoy sent by Marquis Nibais.

The messenger spoke succinctly, informing Emlyn that the Marquis had heard about the situation and wanted to speak with him personally about the details.

Emlyn straightened his clothes, walked out of the clinic, and followed the messenger through several secret doors, finally arriving at the hidden building where Marquis Nibais resided.

As they descended into the underground area, Emlyn couldn't shake his unease.

They entered a gray hall he had never seen before, with an iron-black coffin sitting at its center. The coffin was covered in intricate magical symbols, glowing faintly with mysterious energy.

Emlyn's heart raced.

After all, he had grown up hearing stories about this Lord Marquis. The excitement of meeting an idol was overwhelming.

"Sir, Emlyn White has arrived," the messenger said softly, standing near the coffin.

With that, the messenger left, leaving Emlyn alone with the coffin.

A moment later, a deep, ancient voice emanated from within. "Emlyn White."

Emlyn immediately stood upright and bowed his head respectfully. "My Lord Marquis, I am here."

"I heard you have a letter for me?"

Not daring to delay, Emlyn quickly pulled the warm letter from his jacket.

However, the Marquis did not emerge from the coffin. Instead, his voice rang out again, "I want to hear your experience."

He emphasized, "Remember, I want the complete and honest version."

Emlyn's expression grew slightly uncomfortable. After a moment of thought, he decided to tell the entire story. "Well, Lord Nibais, I stole some blood at the Southern District Hospital… ahem, I accidentally caught a thief while dining. He was just an ordinary man, but he had a magical key with Beyonder properties. I let him go but kept the key. Unexpectedly, the key's side effects caused me to get lost, and I ended up at the Harvest Church on the south side of the bridge. The priest there did something wrong and imprisoned me unjustly. I suffered greatly and was forced to clean the candlesticks and chairs every day…"

Emlyn rambled a bit, describing his misfortunes, but the Marquis, clearly uninterested in the details, interrupted: "Get to the important part. I reminded you, the important part is the angel."

"I'm sorry, Lord Nibais," Emlyn apologized, snapping back to the present. "Anyway, I was taken out of the Harvest Church today by a man who called himself Julius Astorio. He said something very strange."

"Oh? What were those strange words?" Marquis Nibais asked, intrigued.

Emlyn recalled the scene and repeated the words exactly. "He said that Lily told Manman to inform him that there was a foolish dependent who happened to be his cat's helper."

Marquis Nibais: ??

Did he misunderstand, or was Emlyn lying?

As he pondered, Emlyn continued: "At first, I thought the man was just a crazy person with mental problems, but then he gave off an incredibly terrifying aura."

Emlyn lowered his head, his voice barely a whisper. "Forgive me, Lord Marquis, but that aura was even stronger and more profound than yours. It was awe-inspiring."

The Marquis fell silent, contemplating. Had Emlyn been deceived by someone? After all, a strong aura could be mimicked through special means—an aura alone didn't necessarily mean high status. It could also be the result of some Beyonder item.

The Marquis sighed inwardly. *Vampires really are inferior to each other... Since Lady Lilith's fall...*

Suddenly, a spiritual omen struck him.

*Lady Lilith... Lily... Dependents? Could it be...?*

Excited, the coffin lid trembled violently.

Emlyn, startled, quickly knelt down, worried that he had offended the Marquis.

After a moment, Marquis Nibais regained his composure and whispered, "Emlyn, didn't you say you have another letter?"

Reminded, Emlyn quickly handed over the second letter.

As the coffin remained tightly sealed, Emlyn began to feel confused.

*What is happening here?*

Then, with a soft squeak, the coffin lid shifted slightly, revealing a gap.

Quickly, Emlyn stuffed the letter inside, respectfully stepping back and lowering his head, awaiting further instructions.

Seconds dragged on with no movement from the coffin.

Just as Emlyn began to feel uneasy, doubting whether he had been tricked, the coffin lid suddenly flew off.

In the blink of an eye, an ancient man with sparse hair, pale skin, luxurious clothing, and blood-red eyes jumped out. It was none other than Marquis Nibais!

In an instant, he was standing before Emlyn, and the aura of an ancient, decayed superior surrounded him. Emlyn's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground.

*I'm going to die, I'm going to die!* Emlyn thought, panicked.

But unexpectedly, the Marquis was thrilled. He grabbed Emlyn's shoulders and lifted him up with surprising strength.

Looking at the handsome young vampire before him, the Marquis nodded in satisfaction. "Very good, very good!"

"Uh, Lord Marquis?" Emlyn swallowed nervously.

Without offering an explanation, the Marquis said gravely, "The future of the Vampire Clan is in your hands."

Emlyn: ??

Though he didn't fully understand what was happening, it was clear that he had gained the attention of the Vampire Clan's senior leaders.

Unconsciously, his suppressed arrogance resurfaced. His back straightened, and his legs no longer felt weak. He lifted his head proudly.

But Marquis Nibais paid him no heed. He turned and bellowed, "Summon all the vampires of Backlund! I have something important to announce!"

His voice now carried an energy that was a far cry from the ancient tone it had held earlier—he seemed dozens, even hundreds, of years younger.

Messengers who had been waiting outside the hall, upon hearing the order, transformed into bats and flew out at incredible speed.

Marquis Nibais looked at Emlyn with a gaze full of warmth, as if he were looking at a rare and precious treasure.

---