Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

Last time it was just a brief glance; this time, it's a genuine invitation.

Even before entering the Naslan Secret Realm, two neatly dressed ghostly servants carried the suitcase Lyle had brought. Ariana led Lyle by the hand as they strolled through the flower field, watching unknown butterflies flutter around them and inhaling the earthy fragrance of the flowers.

The two arrived at the lakeside and looked at each other's reflections. They were still separated from the castle by the lake.

Lyle looked around; no boats were moored. He looked at Ariana.

"I can not swim."

“Neither will I,” Ariana said with a smile. “Varim won’t let us fall into the water.”

"Varim?"

At Ariana's call, ripples spread across the lake, then surged like ocean tides, and finally burst open.

The splashing water was blocked by a silvery-metallic fluid barrier just before it hit Lyle.

A slender neck emerged from the lake, topped with a round, spherical protrusion.

It resembled a giant sea serpent, but its entire body was a silvery-white metallic color. It had no mouth or nose, and its body rippled with waves. Its head was lowered forward, the tip touching Ariana's fingers, and a ring of ripples spread across its body, extending into its invisible underwater form.

Its body deformed and spread across the water's surface, like an expanding ice sheet, only silvery-white. Eventually, a metal bridge leading directly to the gates of Naslan Castle took shape.

“Varium is a mercury serpent, an alchemical creation of my father. It cannot see, but it can sense the vibrations of sound. It does not eat; it obtains energy by basking in the sun. However, if you are entangled by it, you will quickly suffocate to death, as its body is poisonous.”

“Don’t worry, Lyle, you usually can’t see it. It lives in the middle of the lake and only responds to the calls of the three of us sisters and the sound of splashing water.”

The bridge formed by Varim feels like a water-filled trampoline when you step on it.

At least Nia really liked the children's toy; she turned into a ball of flesh and bounced around on it.

With a gentle undulation, as if stepping on the deck of a ship, Lyle arrived at the main gate of Naslan Castle.

The ancient building, adorned with ivy, has servants standing on either side of the entrance, exuding a unique aura. You can see the exquisite carvings on the metal gate through them, for they are all transparent ghosts.

The body bowed slightly, maintaining a respectful posture, but all eyes were fixed on Lyle.

Lyle felt that those horror movies were so weak; you guys are being stared at by one ghost, but I'm being stared at by a whole bunch of ghosts.

“Lyle, you can choose a few personal servants from among them, maids are fine too.” Ariana looked at Lyle, her eyes carrying a hint of something else.

Although these ghost maids were indeed quite attractive, Lyle wouldn't do anything foolish like stepping on a landmine. Besides, these were ghosts; how could she be a personal maid?

Wait a minute! A personal maid?

"Ariana, the 'close-fitting' you mentioned, it couldn't be......"

"Literally, they are close to you. They will possess your body and reappear as you need them. Don't worry about your privacy, because for ghosts, there is no such thing as privacy."

Lyle shuddered, imagining that while he was sleeping, two misty humanoid figures emerged from his body and stared straight at him.

"No, no! No need, Ariana, I have Nia, I can take care of myself."

“No, Nia won’t stay with you,” Ariana said, scooping Nia, who had been clinging to Lyle, into her arms. “Because Nia is my daughter! She’s going to have afternoon tea with me.”

"Lyle, quickly choose your personal servant, you must choose one."

Left with no other choice, Lyle selected two male ghosts: a middle-aged spirit who looked very sunny and a serious-looking old man.

When they attached themselves to Lyle, Lyle clearly felt the pressure.

“Mr. Ernest and Elder Deckard, Lyle, you have excellent taste.”

"is it?"

“Mr. Ernest was originally a general of Naslan, a veteran of countless battles, and Elder Decad was the Grand Judge of Naslan, in charge of judging those who committed heinous crimes. Lyle, you have chosen the two most powerful spirits.”

Did I just pick the Demon King?! The veterans of the battlefield and the judges of the trial—one can imagine how many lives they've taken, and how much resentment they've gathered! Thinking of this, Lyle felt a chill run down his spine.

"Ariana, can I request a substitution?"

Ariana nodded at Lyle, but not in response.

"Elder Decad is very pleased with you, Lyle. Mr. Ernest thinks you should exercise more. Are you sure you want to ask them to withdraw? It's a sign of distrust in their abilities, and you two will be angry!"

"No, actually I'm quite happy to have two more reliable people around me."

“They have another advantage, Lyle: when they possess you, weak evil spirits dare not approach you, which is a great way to ward off evil.”

Because the two most powerful ones have already hit me, damn luck.

Chapter 196 Helena, the Soul Possessed

The interior decoration of Naslan Castle is just as luxurious as that of the Château de la Cité, with many gold and stone decorations filling the spacious hall, making the castle, which only has three people living in, full of a lively atmosphere.

A broom swept across the ground by itself, a rag moved across the window, a teapot hung in mid-air pouring water, and a coat rack floated behind the two. Naslan's servants were so active that Lyle had to take off his coat and place it on a standing coat rack that was almost touching his back. The coat was patted a few times in mid-air by an unseen hand, and then ran off with the coat rack.

He declined the navy blue carpet offered to him, watching its fabric ripple across the floor a few times before settling. Lyle gripped the stair railing and followed Ariana to the second floor.

Ariana, floating in the air, glanced back at Lyle, her emerald eyes filled with doubt. "Why refuse their help? It would have been much easier that way."

Not wanting to become a cripple, Lyle kicked the carpet he was trying to wrap around his ankles with. "I'm more used to moving on my own, Ariana. I enjoy the feeling of being in control of my own body."

Ariana smiled, landed from the air, walked quickly to Lyle's side, and took his arm.

“You’re right, Lyle. Now that I have a body, I should feel it more. Come with me, Lyle.”

“Okay, Anna.” Enjoying Ariana’s dependence on him, Lyle took another step forward.

Two transparent figures appeared in front of Lyle, right at the corner of the stairs.

They were two ghostly maids, dressed in maid outfits, with two identical faces, staring at him expressionlessly. Although they showed no emotion, Lyle still felt a chill run down his spine.

Those were Arianna's personal maids, the same ghost maids who carried her to the ball at Bory Manor. They were complaining, complaining that Lyle had stolen Arianna's support.

Lyle forced a smile, and the ghost maid took a few steps back and hid in the wall.

"The first floor is the living area, where my sisters and I occasionally engage in some regular daily activities and reminisce about the past. It should be ready to use soon. The second floor is the rest room for us and our guests. Beatrice and I had our room here until she moved out of her original room."

"She moved to the Bloody Rose Bar?"

“No, it’s the basement level. That’s the wine cellar.” Ariana’s face showed helplessness. “Beatrice is a very casual person. She put a bed at the very back of the wine rack, and servants come to change the alcohol-soaked sheets every day. She doesn’t really like sleeping in coffins, which is quite rare for vampires.”

Lyle imagined Beatrice in her pajamas, carrying a bottle of wine, crawling out of the cellar, her face flushed with drunkenness. The image, compared to her stunning debut at Blood Rose, brought a comical smile to his face.

"I've arrived at my room." Ariana pushed open a door, revealing a room with a window facing the calm lake. Bright yellow curtains veiled the soft, large bed, and a single table stood near the wardrobe, holding a tea set and a parchment taken from the nearby bookshelf. A gentle breeze blew in from the window, ruffling a strand of hair at Ariana's temple.

She turned around, brushing her hair behind her ear, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lyle. Ariana placed her hand lightly on Lyle's chest, pressing her body against him, a mischievous smile on her lips. Lyle could feel her breath on his face.

"Have you chosen your room for tonight?" Ariana asked, sounding like a little devil.

Lyle intended to take the opportunity to express his own thoughts.

He accidentally glanced into Ariana's room.

On the curtains, under the bed, and in the shadows where the sunlight couldn't reach, transparent faces began to appear. They were expressionless, but their gazes were fixed on Lyle. The number of ghostly maids had grown to over a dozen; they emerged in all sorts of unbelievable ways, staring intently at Lyle. No words were spoken, but Lyle understood.

"I've made my choice. I'll stay in the guest room."

Ariana closed her eyes for a moment, lightly touched Lyle's cheek with her lips, and went into her room, leaving the door half-closed, the blush on her face still lingering.

"I need to change my clothes, Lyle. Monica will take you to the guest room."

Ariana's room was completely closed, leaving only a ghostly maid standing outside the door. If she wasn't mistaken, she was the first person to stare at her.

Monica stared at herself, and just when Lyle thought the gaze would last an eternity, she bowed, turned, and drifted away in one direction.

Finally, Lyle arrived at an ordinary-looking guest room.

His luggage was neatly arranged in the corner, and the room's decor matched the style of the hall. Looking around, Lyle noticed something strange.

Calling it strange might be a bit sacrilegious, because the female sculpture placed in the corner was exceptionally beautiful; it was a seated female sculpture. Lyle had seen her face before, in the hall of the Cup of Extravagance.

Feeling the bewitching charm emanating from the statue, Lyle slowly approached the sculpture of Naslan's eldest sister, Helena.

Helena is definitely a master sculptor; her sculptures have a kind of magic, and the gentle woman made of stone looks as if she were alive.

Lyle looked at the sculpture's closed eyes and felt as if she were looking at him, even though her eyes were not open.

"Welcome to Naslan, Lyle." The statue spoke, a voice as melodious as a violin, a gentle and steady female voice, its echo carrying a captivating charm.

Lyle felt as embarrassed as if his secret had been exposed, and for a moment he felt at a loss.

The gentle voice soothed her.

"I am Helena, the older sister of Ariana and Beatrice. Did my appearance frighten you? I'm sorry, my existence is a bit special, so I can only appear in this way. My clumsy younger sister suddenly brought guests, and I couldn't help but come and peek. Please forgive my intrusion, Lyle."

Lyle felt as if he were being controlled by her voice; the voice soothed his inner turmoil, putting him into an unusually calm state.

“No, it would be disrespectful for a guest to come to Naslan’s castle without paying respects to its master. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Helena.”

"Just call me Helena. The three of us sisters are the masters of Naslan. Welcome, Lyle."

"Thank you."

After he finished speaking, the atmosphere became inexplicably stiff. Lyle instinctively wanted to change the subject.

"By the way, thank you for your help before. My Medusa wand is excellent."

Lyle began searching his body for Medusa, but after checking all his pockets, he couldn't find her.

“Medusa is here, Lyle.”

Lyle turned his head and saw Medusa hovering in the palm of the Helena sculpture, her expression numb and her movements stiff.

Like a manipulated puppet.

Chapter 197 Helena, the Soul Reaper

Medusa was like a toy snake in Helena's hands, showing none of the liveliness she once displayed on her neck. An unease spread through Lyle's heart, and a word involuntarily popped into his mind.

witch.

Helena is like a witch who enjoys manipulation and control, hiding in the shadows, bewitching people with her beautiful voice, and then turning them into puppets.

This was Lyle's truest feeling, watching Medusa, who had once played with him, become a plaything in someone else's hands. Discomfort and fear intertwined within him.

"Ms. Helena, can you give Medusa back to me now?"

“Of course, Lyle, she is my creation, a gift to you in itself. Take her, Lyle.”