Odd Containment Specialist.

Chapter 890 Charlie's Dilemma
Just then, the study door suddenly opened, and Charlie's smile froze instantly. He looked towards the study doorway, where a man wearing a red half-mask floated in silently like a ghost, his jewel-encrusted cloak swaying behind him.

Charlie released the woman from his arms quite naturally, placed his hands on the desk, closed the arcane book he had taken from the Rosa Library, and smiled, "Castanin, what brings you here?"

Castan is a young man in the Castan family. His status can be seen from his name. There will only ever be one Castan in the Castan family, and only those who inherit the genetic memory are qualified to use this name to refer to themselves.

The young vampire before him had only lived for a few decades, but he should not be underestimated because of that. The memories in his mind were not limited to just a few decades. If a real fight broke out, he would not be able to hold out against him for long.

Although the Castan family is also one of the eight great families in the capital, their family foundation and strength are not as good as the other families. It is only because the Castan family members are too powerful that they have been able to maintain their family status.

However, since the city was attacked by paper sculptures, many of the original eight major clans were almost completely wiped out. Castanin and some of his clansmen escaped the calamity because they went far away on worldly matters, and now they are one of the largest vampire forces in the capital.

They are also among the few old noble families in the capital who can rival the newly emerging foreign families.

In fact, given the current capabilities of the British royal family, he shouldn't be speaking to the other party in such a nonchalant tone, even if he is the nominal king of the country.

But Charlie understood that he had to maintain enough confidence, even if he was weak, he still had to be arrogant enough so that these surrounding tigers would realize that there was a real devil hiding behind him.

“Castanin, I told you not to come looking for me during the day unless it’s something urgent. Also, why didn’t you have the butler inform him?” Charlie treated this powerful man with his usual arrogant attitude.

Charles I knew all too well that what could control people was not respect and reverence, but fear.

Just as the royal family once did to him, and as the Summer Guardian once did to the royal family—fear is the greatest power.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my abruptness, but I do have important matters to discuss with you,” Castanin said.

His tone was polite, but it was a cold politeness, unlike his usual one, which made Charles I feel slightly nervous and confused.

What's wrong? Where did this happen?
It feels a bit wrong.

"Excuse me, I also have something to attend to, perhaps... probably the same thing?" A woman floated onto the balcony outside the window, folded her parasol, and walked in, giving Charles I a cryptic smile.

Charles I's smile grew even more contemptuous, but his anxiety was beyond measure.

This woman is from the Chixi family. The Chixi family is a new family that came from other places after the royal capital was transformed into a paper sculpture. Although their family's combat strength is not strong, they cover the blood trafficking channels and human trade in multiple cities.

Because of their crucial role in blood as an essential daily resource, and because no one can replace their function in this business, they hold a special position among the new eight great families.

From what Charlie understands, they seem to have recently found some pretty good bodyguards, and they are gradually improving their physical strength.

This woman was a socialite in the Chixi family's business circles, known as Miss Blue Lily because of the eye-catching style of her hat. This woman usually treated me with the utmost flattery, so what was wrong with her today? Why was she speaking to me in such a disrespectful tone?

Charles I's unease intensified. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond. If he was too soft, he would reveal his true intentions, but if he was too hard, he would appear guilty and bluff.

Hmm... Relaxation is needed, a relaxed, nonchalant attitude.

You should talk to them with the attitude of watching a good show, like watching puppies rush up and yell at the butcher. Make them feel that you don't care about their attitude at all, and make these two understand that they are just the spokesperson for that monster.

"Hmph, well then, since you've come during the day, and some people are even using the balcony, it must be something very important." Charlie once again pulled the human woman into his arms, shamelessly licking her blood in front of the two of them. "We want to see Lord Summer Guardian," Castanin said bluntly.

"Me too. Some of our trading partners have been saying things that are offensive to Your Majesty lately. But I don't think they mean any disrespect. They just feel that the Chixi family is taking advantage of your position to extort them on prices, so they're subtly putting pressure on us..."

Charlie's heart sank to the bottom. Blue Lily's words were still relatively tactful, but compared to her previous respect, her attitude was already quite sharp. As for Castanin, needless to say, he made no attempt to hide his suspicions.

"Lord Xia Shou is busy. If there is anything important, you can tell me and I will try to get other families to help. If you think it won't work... well, do as you please. Let's talk about it when Lord Xia Shou returns."

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by ‘do as you please’? We have all been doing things according to your orders, but if we continue to follow the old requirements, not only will we be harmed, but the prestige of the royal family will also be tarnished,” Castanin said coldly.

Charlie suddenly burst into laughter and said with utter contempt, “The rules cannot be changed, but I cannot control what you do. As you all know… although I am the king, I still wear a dog collar around my neck. I do not wish to bark at you, but the collar is tightly locked.”

He belittled himself to the extreme, yet his words were extremely arrogant.

Charlie understood perfectly well that it was pointless to elevate himself, and similarly, no matter how much he belittled himself, it wouldn't diminish the weight of his words, because the weight of his commands came from someone behind him, as long as they were certain that person was still standing behind them.

This trick is very effective; he has used it many times.

“Of course we know.” Blue Lily covered her mouth and chuckled. “Your Majesty, I’m a businesswoman. Castan and I didn’t come here to find answers, but rather… to give you answers.”

Charles I's eyes darted around, and he already knew what was going on.

The subtext is tantamount to an explicit statement.

Businessmen are all about exchanging interests.

The answer is undoubtedly whether Xia Shou is still alive and whether he can still be relied upon, since the two of them have been talking about this issue ever since they entered the house.

Not wanting to know the answer means not wanting to expose oneself.

Giving an answer is an expression of willingness to cooperate.

What Lan Baihe really wanted to say was, "We know that Xia Shou no longer has Xia Shou backing you up. If you continue like this, you're doomed."

But we don't care. We can pretend to cooperate with you, and even help you commit perjury to create the illusion that the person is still behind you.

All you need to do is secure more benefits for our two families among the major clans.

Yes, that's the kind of deal she proposed.

Charles I sighed inwardly.

These two weren't testing each other; they were already forcing the emperor to resign.

(End of this chapter)