Danmaku, my skills refresh weekly.

Freya swirled her wine glass as she looked down at the entire city.

"How is the child?"

Hayid respectfully knelt on one knee and bowed his head to report:

"Bold, has a big appetite, and loves to fantasize. His mind is full of interesting heroic tales... just like any other ordinary boy in Orario."

After a pause, Hayid said, "Because of his limited aptitude, he seems to be preparing to work in other directions. And... 'Mastering cooking.'"

"Oh, tell me more about it."

Hyde briefly recounted the stories along the way.

Of course, Loki's marriage proposal was also mentioned...

"Huh? What trick is that tablet playing now?" Freya rubbed her temples, her ample, soft flesh pressing against the sofa.

"That's it, let's go. Make preparations, the clan will likely be on an expedition soon."

"Yes."

He bowed and stepped back, closing the door behind him.

Freya sighed, "Really... what do you mean by 'for my safety'? Then don't go on expeditions, we can't even go out..."

"Lady Freya..."

I can sense the other person's emotions in my heart.

"You heard everything."

Helen: "Yes. That child must have suffered a lot in the past. I never imagined that he would be so poor now that he's even eating monster meat..."

“That kid paid Hayd quite a bit.”

"That's your generosity."

Naturally, without Freya's demands on Chanis, the child wouldn't even be able to afford a meal.

"...But how could that child run down to the lower level? It's too dangerous. Heh, heh. Let's lock him up."

Freya: "...Your mind is in turmoil, Helen. Calm down."

"...Yes, Lady Freya."

……

Orari, Old Town.

"You live in a place like this?" Chardo stared blankly at the somewhat desolate church in front of him, lost in thought.

"With your talent, how come the Supreme God didn't consider you a treasure?"

“Sorry, our family's supreme deity is a piece of trash.” Charles took out his key and unlocked the door, which was covered in moss.

“This is still my private residence, which I bought at great expense. It’s a place to stay. If you don’t mind, you can stay here for the time being.”

Pushing open the church doors, a cloud of smoke and dust dissipated.

The three of them waved their hands to brush away the dust in front of their noses.

The warm sunlight streamed into the hall through the colorful window paintings, and in the center of the scattered benches, a tall figure shrouded in a gray cloak stood.

"Hey, Lord Ciel, do you still have the habit of keeping mistresses in your private quarters?"

"No, no, the real question is about the intruders."

Ciel drew his scarlet dagger.

The church was located in a very remote area, not a residential area, so it was often used as a place for secret transactions by dark factions and merchants.

"This church now belongs to someone else. May you leave?"

Lily jumped up and down: "This is 'our' home now! Go away, get out of here right now!"

Charles glanced at Lily: "Hey, aren't you a little reckless?"

Lily, hands on her hips, shouted, "What are you afraid of? We have powerful figures behind us! Even the Dark Faction wouldn't stand a chance here!"

Ciel glanced back.

The door rattled in the breeze, and amidst the swirling dust, the old man was nowhere to be seen.

"Ugh...it's gotten noisy again."

The woman turned around, her clear, cold voice echoing in the hall: "Whether in the past or now, the noise just won't stop... Even here, there's no silence that allows me to sleep soundly. Sigh..."

This capricious way of speaking... Charles swallowed hard.

"What do you mean? You're the one who trespassed on someone else's property!" Lily exclaimed, hands on her hips and glaring. "Hey, you tyrant, teach this unreasonable woman a lesson!"

"Hey... Lily, didn't you look around when you spoke?"

Lily blinked, and suddenly felt the magic in the air freeze instantly.

She turned around, pale-faced, and looked around, but there was no sign of Chardo anywhere.

"The Overlord... escaped?"

"Ah... little girl, you just said 'overlord,' right? Not just anyone can be called that."

The voice trailed off: "It has to be at least this level..."

The gray-robed man slightly raised his hand, his slender fingers, encased in gray gloves, making a virtual point in mid-air.

Charles's eyes widened: "Lily, get out of the way!!"

Chapter 67 Upgrade! Level 2!

"Gospel----------"

The immense magic manifested as gray ripples that bloomed at the woman's fingertips.

Lily was so frightened that she couldn't move. She collapsed to the ground, covered her head with her hands, and closed her eyes, waiting to die.

Charles acted first, extending his right arm to block in front of him, the dark, keratinous scales on his arm emitting a jet-black light. Those scales absorbed the magic energy dissipating from the air, forming a rudimentary defense.

Boom————————

The terrifying impact blew all the benches in the hall away, and the horrific shock twisted and snapped all of Charles's wrists. Blood was left on his nose and eardrums, yet he did not fall despite the horrific impact.

"...Did it block it?"

The woman in the gray robe slowly lowered her hand and finally looked the boy in the eye.

Stepping forward, the boy remained motionless, still in his intercepting stance.

"...She fainted."

The same goes for Lily on the ground.

"Is this the seedling you've been looking for, one capable of bearing your potential?" The gray-robed woman's melodious voice echoed in the air.

“Your expectations are too high, Alfia. That kid is only level 1.” Chardo leaned against the doorframe at some point, glancing at Charles: “Hey, that’s ruthless.”

Alfia scoffed, "I only knocked him out. Tell me, in just a few days you've revealed your identity. Erebus will be coming after you."

“That kid guessed it,” Chardo chuckled. “You wouldn’t understand what he did. Hmph, he ate that ‘End’.”

"……eat?"

"Yes, he has abilities very similar to mine."

Alfia pursed her glistening lips, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Your... illegitimate child? Who is the child's mother?"

"..."

Even you betrayed me?

Chardo was devastated: "Of course not..."

……

The scene fell silent. After a moment, Chardo said:

"I've decided to stay here for a few days."

"for him?"

"Yes. He has great potential, but his technique is too clumsy. I plan to hone his skills."

"What about Erebus..."

“I’ll say hello to him, as for whether or not to participate in that plan…” Chardo stared at Alfia: “That’s up to you.”

"Whether it's creating a peaceful world where 'that child' can live happily, or nurturing more heroes to stand in 'that child's' way, my training of this brat is meaningful. It won't affect your decision."

Alfia: "..."

Chardo chuckled: "Want to see that child one more time?"

"...Give me some more time."

……

Night falls.

Charles felt a heaviness in his head and slowly sat up, clutching his head.

"What's wrong with me?"

With his memory reversing, Charles suddenly widened his eyes: "Damn it, Alfia! What a coincidence! And that cold-blooded guy Chardo actually ran away at the crucial moment?"

He shook his throbbing head and glanced around.

Lily fell to the ground, her eyes darting around.

The contents of the backpack were scattered all over the floor. In the corner, a beautiful mermaid, curled up, stared blankly at her. There was no one else in the room; they seemed to have left.

"Charles~ Energy?" Marie asked, tilting her head with concern as she munched on an orange in each hand.

Charles pursed his lips, tasting the blood in his mouth. He wiped his hand, and a faint bloodstain appeared on the back of his hand.

"You fed me blood?"

"All done?" Marie smiled.