Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

"Aren't those signs of life hiding in the houses human?"

Beatrice's eyes showed obvious disgust.

"What's inside the house is a blood sac, something like an insect egg. Its purpose is to twist the creature inside into a living, boneless blood bag or puppet. The current Hamlet is just a birthing room and dining hall for monsters."

"Why did the plague doctors come here?" Ariana asked, her hands clasped together, her knuckles tapping rhythmically.

“Who knows? Maybe the castle owner’s bait worked. You know, Anna, for an enemy to cause such a tragedy, they must have reached at least the [species] level,” Beatrice advised her sister. “Do you know what that means?”

Ariana gazed into the distance, her eyes seemingly piercing through the walls, fixed on the ancient castle halfway up the mountain.

“The doctor is in danger; he is still too weak. I should protect him as his senior.”

“You should choose to retreat. You should know that your abilities have only just reached the [Speed] level, and your people happen to be not here. They are an enemy we cannot face.” Beatrice was a little angry; her sister seemed beyond saving.

"It's not insurmountable. That white-haired druid is at the same level as me. As long as we're careful, we have a chance."

"That's just a chance!"

“Bini, you should leave first. You might find it hard to handle the battle ahead. I'm alright, I'm a lich. I…”

“The lich is not invincible. I will not leave my family alone in danger, even if, even if there is only so much I can do to help.” Beatrice’s confidence had been greatly diminished.

"Benny, why do you have such a strong prejudice against plague doctors?"

“I have a prejudice against everyone who is close to my sister, but Anna, you only seem to have a strong interest in this person. I have a feeling that you are going to be taken away.” Beatrice threw herself into Ariana’s arms, burying her head in her chest, her breath, heavy with the smell of alcohol, staining her white dress.

"My Ariana must not be taken away!"

……

The next day, what brought Lyle and the others back to their senses was a crisp knock on the door.

When the three of them were ready, they opened the door.

A brightly dressed waiter stood at the door. He wore a well-fitting bright red uniform and was only about chest-high to Lyle and the others. His smile was very professional, like a smile that was worn on his face.

His movements had a peculiar comicality, like a clown entertaining people. His eyes also concealed a clown-like eeriness and madness.

He made a sharp, piercing sound, like the buzzing of a mosquito.

"Your Excellency Mr. Kevin, Butler Haid is hosting a banquet at Hamlet Castle. You and your companions have been invited. Please attend the gathering at the castle estate today, along with the other potential heirs."

Kevin raised an eyebrow. "Can all the companions go?"

The comical waiter covered his pointed chin with his fingers as he sized up Lyle and William.

"of course can."

"And what about these?"

Fanila and Hines, Elian and Karen, Ariana and Beatrice opened their doors and stared at the short waiter with expressions that were far from friendly.

Kevin thought the waiter would be furious, but instead, the waiter just gave a deep smile, his mouth almost reaching his ears, revealing his white teeth and bright red gums, with a morbid joy.

"Of course, sir."

Chapter 174 Scarlet Courtyard

Like the arms of a giant embracing its pree, the high wall, covered in ancient grapevines, held the pointed building in its embrace. The surrounding vegetation looked pitifully small in comparison, yet it still left a tranquil atmosphere in the hearts of Lyle and the others.

The short waiter remained silent the entire way, as if his earlier comical exuberance was merely a facade, like a puppet following orders. Lyle and his companions arrived at the castle gates, the castle's shadow looming over them and casting a shadow over their hearts as well.

The sound of the wooden door opening was like an ugly old cat scratching at your heart with its claws.

Lyle swallowed hard, because at this moment, it felt like the beginning of a horror movie.

Then the laughter and noise coming from behind the door made Lyle realize how ridiculous his idea was.

They were a group of elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies relaxing and chatting in the courtyard. They sat in a gazebo adorned with verdant grapevines; the ladies covered their lips with their fingers, but their bright, alluring eyes revealed their considerable satisfaction with the gentlemen's humor. The elegant nobles, dressed in striking gowns, resembled colorful butterflies alighting on the ground.

They noticed Lyle and his group who had just entered, and their eyes, initially filled with interest and arrogance, eventually turned into mockery. They laughed heartily, and some even clapped their hands, as if they had just watched a comedy.

Looking around, the courtyard was filled with elegantly dressed nobles, their attire mostly dominated by vibrant red, as if deliberately trying to please the Hamlet family's taste. The gazes directed at Lyle and his companions were filled with arrogance and disdain, so none of them wanted to engage in much conversation with what they considered commoners. They preferred to accept the goblets offered by the busy waiters among the nobles, savoring the refined and exquisite flavors.

"That's why I can't stand them. It's like they've changed their race just by putting on a nice piece of cloth." Kevin didn't care about the stares of those around him and complained to his friend without any restraint.

"And then there's family, honor, wealth, and power." That's what Lyle sensed—these were the things that noble gentlemen relied on to sustain the superior confidence in their eyes.

“Kevin, didn’t you prepare a formal suit, like them? A wig, a button-down fitted dress, a ribbon, and white stockings.” William looked at the nobles’ uniform attire. “With you dressed like that, it seems unlikely you’ll become the heir.”

“I wore those things once, when I came of age. My father forced me to wear them and had a family portrait painted. After that day, I vowed that I would never put myself in anything that resembled a coffin before I died.”

“As for the struggle for succession,” Kevin tossed his blond hair, a haughty yet humane smile on his face, “my nobility comes from within, needing no external adornment. My handsomeness and good fortune are enough.”

As soon as he finished speaking, loud applause erupted in front of everyone. The man was a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed mustache, his black hair was sleek, and a strand of gray hair was visible at his temples. He had a smile on his lips, but his eyes remained solemn, and his brows exuded a clean and efficient air. If it weren't for his spotless butler's uniform, it would be difficult to tell who he was. He looked more like an aristocrat than the young men and women who were staring at him.

"I am Lora Shaffer, the steward of the Hamlet family. While the Duke was ill and receiving treatment, I was entrusted with handling all the affairs of the castle. Mr. Kevin, your letter was also delivered to you through me. I am delighted to be here in person to welcome you and your companions. A wonderful speech, sir. Confidence is always the first requirement of a fine nobleman. I look forward to you taking over the future of the Hamlet family."

"Now, please move to the room we have prepared for you. We have prepared delicious food and wine to help you relax after your journey. We hope you can get used to it, because this may very well be your home in the future."

As Butler Lola led the way, she continuously introduced the great Hamlet family, occasionally praising Kevin's unconventionality and eccentricities (perhaps Kevin, being an oddball among the nobles, had nothing else to praise). She subtly instilled a rosy vision of the future, as if Kevin inheriting everything from Hamlet was a foregone conclusion. Lyle thought it was merely the politeness of a mature person; the shrewd butler had probably used that same rhetoric on every heir. Mr. Lola was a clever man; her flattery was perfectly timed, and judging from Kevin's expression, he was already somewhat elated.

"Young Master Kevin, please rest well. The fine wine and delicacies in the courtyard will remain. Tonight, a grand ball will be held in the hall. Please be sure to attend with your companions. At midnight, the Duke of Hamlet will summon you to his room."

"Twelve o'clock, Mr. Lola, isn't that too late?"

Lola Shaffer smiled. "There's no such thing as too late here. Those young, energetic gentlemen have been partying all night for days on end, and they won't rest until they feel like it."

Kevin only breathed a sigh of relief after the butler disappeared around the corner without any hurry. He rubbed his dimples and frowned.

"What a troublesome person."

“Mr. Lola? He seems like a rather proper butler.” William pushed open the door and went inside.

"Yes, it's actually a bit troublesome. Having such a smart person around can easily arouse the ulterior motives of those in power. And you have to pretend to be someone you're not when you talk to him, it's really troublesome."

"Having a capable person by your side is also a good thing."

"No! Then I won't be able to sneak away and slack off anymore. I guess I prefer making friends with idiots." Kevin said this in a serious but unserious way.

“???” William sensed that something was wrong.

"You dare to curse again?" Lyle grabbed Kevin's shoulder, his fingers digging hard.

"Good brother! I was wrong! I... I was just speaking the truth while drunk... no, I was being hypocritical, no, I was just talking nonsense."

……

The three rooms were adjacent to each other, and their interior decorations and layouts were identical. Apart from being excessively luxurious, there was nothing strange about them. Lyle remained vigilant, and he led Nia to search the rooms thoroughly, turning them upside down, but found nothing unusual.

"Am I being paranoid? Is Sheriwu's diary just his conjecture?"

Lyle sat on the soft bed, lost in thought with his eyes closed, while Nia hung herself from the ceiling, swinging from the central candle chandelier.

Lyle began conducting new creation experiments in his room, using a limited amount of flesh and blood. Even if the blood from the experimental waste accidentally dripped onto the carpet, it wouldn't be noticeable, because the carpet itself was as red as blood.

He continued his experiment until there was a knock at the door. He prepared himself and opened the door.

The black figure tackled him to the ground before he could react, and he didn't even have time to use the measures he had prepared.

Because the face of the figure making this unusual move was one that Lyle recognized.

Chapter 175 Pain

Her arms wrapped tightly around Lyle's waist, making it hard for him to breathe. Her face was pressed against Lyle's abdomen, her snow-white dress revealing her smooth back. Feeling the softness pressing against him and the strong smell of alcohol on his breath, Lyle looked at her cheek.

Beatrice?

Her face was flushed from drinking, and her expression looked like she was about to cry, but no tears fell.

“Brother-in-law!” Beatrice first looked up at Lyle’s bird-beak mask, then buried her head again, and then a sob came out of her voice.

"Waaah, don't take my sister away! Don't take her from me! Okay?" Just like a child crying for their favorite toy, Beatrice broke away from the mysterious and alluring image Lyle had always had, and was even a little... naive.

Just as Lyle was at a loss, the figure arrived at his door. The bright red, fluffy dress, like blood-stained feathers, exuded both nobility and a sense of sorrow and loneliness. The blood-red figure stood in the cold moonlight, its body stained with shadows cast by the lamplight.

She was still so beautiful, so beautiful it was heartbreaking.

Ariana's veil faced Lyle's mask, seemingly concealing her earlier impatience. Ariana stood still, her arms crossed over her waist, then awkwardly placed at her sides, before finally crossing them again in front of her, as if those slender arms were superfluous, having no suitable place to rest. Perhaps the armless Venus thought the same.

Ariana came in, put her arm around Beatrice's waist, and helped her up. "Sorry, Beatrice went to a party and may have had a bit too much to drink."

Looking at Beatrice, who hadn't shed a single tear, Lyle thought to himself, "Don't vampires have tears?"

"Hmm...it's rare to see her drunk..."

“Benny is very arrogant to outsiders, but she is actually a very lovely child.”

Ariana reached out her hand, wanting to stroke Beatrice, who was leaning against her.

Beatrice, however, was interrupted by her younger sister. She puffed out her cheeks, her eyes filled with the resentment of a neglected pet. "Hmph, I've been crying for thirty seconds, and you're still talking to the Plague Doctor! You can't even comfort me! I hate Anna the most!" With that, Beatrice stormed off in a huff.

After Beatrice left, carrying her little grudge, Lyle's room returned to silence, a deathly stillness hanging over the two of them.

Lyle looked away from Ariana.

"Aren't you going to chase after her?" Lyle stood up from the ground, brushing off imaginary dust.

Ariana did not respond or take any other action.

You're avoiding me.

The air fell silent once again, as the topic had come to an end.

"……I don't."

“You are, you are avoiding my gaze… Your gaze used to be focused on me…” Ariana maintained her usual cold, emotionless voice.

The suffocating feeling in his chest these past two days, along with the beautiful fantasies he had once imagined, assaulted Lyle's body. It was as if someone was choking him; he couldn't utter a sound, letting the restlessness take over his mind.

The silence lasted for a few more minutes between the two.

Ariana's voice softened even more, becoming so soft it was almost inaudible.

"We are going to the final banquet, Plague Doctor."

“Hmm.” Lyle beckoned to Nia on the ceiling. Nia climbed onto Lyle, and a second before she was completely hidden, her tentacles touched Ariana’s onyx headdress.

A childish voice came to Lyle's ears.