Odd Containment Specialist.

Chapter 891 The Non-existent Demon
Charles I outwardly maintained his confident demeanor, but he knew he couldn't keep up the act for much longer.

Once suspicion begins, it will not stop; it will only gradually solidify in their minds over time.

Why has it turned out like this again?
I finally got rid of the collar around my neck, but now I'm about to have it put back on.

However... as the other party said, this is indeed a viable method. Relying on these two families would allow him to maintain his power for longer. Although his original power would be divided, it would be better than being exposed and forced off the stage, becoming a completely insignificant marginal figure.

Moreover, compromising now doesn't mean it will always be like this; Xia Shou might come back.

If Xia Shou returns, he will still be the best puppet.

"Anyway, I know about the difficulties of the Chixi family. What about you, Castanin?" Charlie maintained his aloof demeanor, even though he knew that both sides were aware of the truth. He still had to put on a good show, especially now that the cooperation had just begun.

Upon hearing Charlie inquire about his wishes, Castanin's expression immediately softened, and even his attitude became respectful. Clearly, he was quite satisfied with the outcome.

“Your Majesty, I wish to borrow books from the Redthorn Clan’s library. My clansmen would be happy to manage that library for you, as it is currently short-staffed, isn’t it?”

Charles I's lips twitched, but he remained silent for a few seconds.

Indeed, the library was short-staffed, but he never intended to rely on others.

Just as Charlie was pondering whether to politely refuse or agree to prolong his time in power, the study door was pushed open again, and all three of them turned their gazes toward the young man who had entered.

"Charlie, my boss wants to see all the vampires in the capital. Get ready now," Jiang Wengao said, relaying a message from Xia Shou.

In an instant, all three people present turned their gazes toward each other.

The expressions on the three people's faces were extremely complicated. When Blue Lily and Castanin looked at Charles I, they found that he also looked bewildered.

What's going on? Doesn't he recognize this person either?
Charlie was shocked. He wondered how this person had gotten in. The royal residence was heavily guarded, and it was understandable that Castanen could force his way in using his strength and status, but who was this person?

Before Charlie could react, Jiang Wengao had already casually tossed several charred, broken heads onto the ground: "Charlie, this is our first meeting, but all you need to know is that I'm Brother Xia Shou's man. Did you hear what I just said? Gather all the vampires you can. The boss has something very important to say."

“Um, um… now?” Charles I stood up awkwardly, completely lacking any regal demeanor.

He dared not gamble on whether this person was Xia Shou's man or not, but given the current situation, he believed that the other party would not cause him any harm, since Xia Shou's return would be of great benefit to him.

"Immediately, right now. And who are you two? Introduce yourselves." Jiang Wengao said in as arrogant a tone as possible. He was actually not used to treating people with such an attitude, but Xia Shou had told him to be as imposing and domineering as possible.

Both Blue Lily and Castan were stunned, still feeling uneasy and uncertain.

In truth, they didn't genuinely believe in Xia Shou's existence. However, His Majesty Dudley, the sole survivor of the true royal family, acknowledged his existence and, in a private gathering of nobles, publicly relinquished his royal title and all power, allowing Charles I, the imposter king, to become the de facto ruler. But aside from this evidence, there was no further proof of Xia Shou's existence. At that time, the entire capital had been turned into paper sculptures, and most of the families were wiped out. Only a very few members who had temporarily left their families to handle other matters survived. Therefore, what exactly happened in the capital remains unknown.

So, although everyone initially obeyed Charles I's rule, some people soon began to have their own ideas. After all, Charles I himself did not have real power. Whether it was the real royal family or the pseudo-royal family hiding behind the scenes, they all perished in the paper sculpture.

As for the Redthorn family, to which Grand Duke Rosa belonged, almost all of the elders were wiped out by this disaster. Only a very small number of young vampires escaped because they were traveling in other cities of the British Empire.

If Charlie truly has a Rosa successor capable of wielding the Bloodfire Secret Technique behind him, then they naturally have no room for resistance, and obediently bowing their heads and becoming his dogs is the best option.

But in all the days that had passed, the Xia Shou they were talking about had not appeared. Instead, Charlie continued to flaunt his power and use political means to exploit and oppress the interests of other families, gradually strengthening himself and even rightfully inheriting the entire estate of the Red Thorn family. This left the surviving families angry but unable to speak out, filled with resentment.

As for newcomers like the Chixi family, they were completely unaware of the situation and had no fear of the demon they had never even seen. Their initial obedience to Charlie was merely to rival the old nobles and carve up the power in the capital.

Today, the legacies of the larger families who died in the urban paper-cutting have been divided up. The capital city, as a transportation hub, has rapidly rebuilt and risen due to its geographical location. After the business world became monopolized and unable to expand outward, it has finally reached the stage of mutual devouring and competition.

Thus, the question that was least important at the beginning became the most crucial: does the successor of Rosa, named Xia Shou, really exist?

They believed it because of the testimony of the real royal king, Dudley, and his completely humiliated and defeated appearance, but did anyone actually see Xia Shou?
Perhaps there were some, but very few, and the testimonies of that group were insignificant, while almost all the significant eyewitnesses perished in the disaster of the city-wide paper sculptures.

Now, a young man suddenly appears who claims to be Xia Shou's little brother. Should they believe him or not?

Castan narrowed his eyes, stared at Jiang Wengao for a few seconds, and a series of deductions flashed through his mind.

He felt that even Charlie himself probably thought the charade couldn't go on and that a physical "Summer Guardian" had to be created to increase the persuasiveness. Although the imposter would certainly not have the legendary, unparalleled power of the modern era, as long as there was a trace of fear of the other party, no one would dare to defy the world and go to their death to test the waters.

After all... Charlie and Dudley have both personally testified that it was an absolute demon, a demon who could burn almost the entire British royal family to death without blinking an eye.

Although they hadn't witnessed it firsthand, they could indeed glimpse similarities between the other and the Night and Fire King from their descriptions of each other's behavior.

It does not rely on politics, does not rely on schemes, and does not care about enemies or friends.

Only absolute power... Absolute power is everything, absolute power forges absolute fear, and absolute fear will forge absolute authority, which is Rosa.

This person... looks a lot like Rosa.

“I think we need to verify this a bit,” Castan said, delivering this offensive declaration to the very source with the utmost composure.

Castan felt this might be his last chance. He didn't think he would have the courage to test someone who claimed to be Xia Shou if they appeared in front of him, but this young man who claimed to be Xia Shou's subordinate... he could still afford to offend him a little.

(End of this chapter)