Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

William patted Lyle on the shoulder.

"What a winner in life, Lyle. You've found such a beautiful companion. Well done."

Lyle chuckled.

"Succubus and elf, William, you've got some fancy tricks up your sleeve."

The two brothers sneered and labeled each other "beasts".

Chapter 380 Ino

“Lady Ariana, you have no idea how awful that bastard was! While William and I were away, he actually tried to sell that damned fake to my sister Fanila.” Gurelia’s complaints continued. Lyle had always felt that this succubus waitress harbored a strange affection for the Naslan family, a mixture of admiration and reverence. Although she and Ariana looked stunning together, it still gave Lyle a strange feeling.

“Don’t worry, Lyle, Gurelia won’t steal your companion. She’s just… a succubus, simply lustful.” William explained with a strange look. “However, for her to care so much, that Ms. Ariana must really be the sister of that vampire boss lady, right? After all, they look so alike.”

"Ariana is Beatrice's biological sister."

"It must be difficult, even though Gurelia once told me about how the vampire landlady used alcohol to quell her bloodlust. With a vampire sister-in-law like that, your lives must be full of frights, right? Ms. Ariana, it must be very hard being a human."

She is a lich, although Ariana seems more like a human now.

“Indeed, Naslan’s life is often filled with surprises.” But the surprises don’t come from Beatrice. Compared to the voyeur maid who peeks, the older sister who often hides in the sculptures and suddenly speaks, and Ariana’s impromptu singing, the vampire sister-in-law can almost be described as harmless. “Difficult in every sense of the word…”

“But my life is still full of color.” Lyle looked William up and down. “Let’s talk about you, William. When did you become an enforcer of the City of Wanderers? Have you found your family? Have you found your enemies? And how did you handle the chaotic scene?”

William chuckled.

"I suppose it was luck, just like Kevin's. I met a benefactor, who happened to be the leader of the arcane sorcerers, the city lord. He appreciated me and gave me this job; perhaps he saw my magical talent. As for Gurelia and Fanila, they... are the greatest honor of my life. I think I should let go of my hatred; after all, what's lost can't be regained."

"The City of Wanderings has become my new home, and I enjoy everything about it very much."

William paused for a moment, looking at Lyle, "I actually... have another guess, an unexpected guess that always suddenly appears and occupies my mind."

"What is it?"

“I have a very strong feeling about the City of Wanderings, it’s a kind of…familiarity I’ve had before. I feel like I know this land, even though it has been completely changed. I also know that person, and I feel an unconditional sense of closeness to him.”

"What are your feelings, William?"

William scratched his head. "It's nothing, just a trivial fantasy."

"If reality is as I suspect, then I might be too happy right now."

“There’s a passage in my grandfather’s notebook…”

Magic has both good and bad sides, and so does the world. Stubbornly pursuing the good side will only disrupt the fragile balance and destroy everything.

“I am very happy now, Lyle, and if I could, I would like to continue like this.”

Feeling William's sincerity, Lyle simply gave him her blessing.

The conversation gradually shifted to the celebration of the City of Wanderers, and in this lively atmosphere, the group returned to the Blood Rose Bar.

Only a few people stepped into the bar. Gurelia pulled Ariana and Fanila inside, then left William outside.

“Darling, could you please go and find my little brother Candy? He’s been gone for a while. I know this is my responsibility, but I’d like to host a girls’ party with Lady Ariana, Fanila, and Lady Beatrice.”

“We are one, aren’t we, dear William? So, please.”

Since we're all part of the same group, let me attend the girls' gathering too.

William didn't say it aloud; he smiled and nodded in agreement, like a dog without complaint.

Lyle and Ariana exchanged a glance, and he stopped in his tracks.

“Actually, I wish you could come and keep me company…” Ariana’s words gave Lyle a great sense of satisfaction.

"But I'd better talk to my best brother and leave before Beatrice throws me out herself." Beatrice might actually do that, especially if someone shamelessly stays because of his sister's favoritism.

And so, the two men embarked on their own journeys.

Looking for candy.

Lyle was still making fun of William.

"How does it feel, William, that the succubus maid you once chose has become your sister-in-law?"

"Brother-in-law, I have no ulterior motives regarding the candy."

"After learning he was a man?" Lyle laughed. "Candy is really forgiving, considering her brother-in-law originally wanted to be a slave owner."

"Alright, alright, I was a petty person back then, is that enough? Let's move on to the next topic, please."

Seeing William begging for mercy, Lyle graciously changed the subject, "Are we revisiting old haunts, back in the Dark District 3?"

William nodded. “Dark Zone 3 is, after all, their home. And now there’s a race competition, and the demons are selecting participants. Candy is handling the related matters. Gurelia has plans for Candy; she wants Candy to develop in administration in the future, rather than becoming a waitress like her.”

"So we left Candy alone in the place with the most gray market transactions. You know, last time, he was bullied by three demon brats. Maybe we'll have to be the hero and save the 'damsel in distress' again this time."

“It’s a celebration now, so everyone’s been keeping a bit more restrained. Besides, Candy isn’t alone. A new cleaner recently came to the bar and took my place.” William paused. “Lyle, you know, birds of a feather flock together. Candy and that new guy get along really well.”

"A man? Where did he come from?"

"Dreya, the City of Wanderings, has recently had a portal connecting two human kingdoms, and some Dereya and Levisher people have settled here."

Lyle thought of the two queens and the two excellent armies, hoping they would be better off.

"What's that new guy's name?"

"Ino".

"What kind of person is he?"

William hesitated for a moment, “...another candy.”

The two walked through the alleys of the crime district. Lyle was still pondering the meaning of the other candy when William interrupted his train of thought.

"Look, they're here."

Following William's direction, Lyle saw two people on the main road.

Candy still retains that delicate woman's timidity and allure.

The other person is Ino.

He really is another candy.

A candy that has grown up.

His smooth, blond hair cascaded down his shoulders, but compared to the luster of his skin, the blonde color seemed almost dull. His face wasn't the cute, rounded kind of candy; it was a well-defined oval, with delicate features that carried a touch of girlish charm. A natural curve to his lips created a subtle, enigmatic smile, adding a touch of intellectual handsomeness, while his calm eyes revealed a hint of maternal tenderness. Even simple casual clothes were worn with an air of nobility on him, and the glimpses of bare, white skin and his long, slender limbs added a forbidden allure.

Ino discovered the two earlier.

Her smile was perfectly timed, like a beautiful flower bud just beginning to bloom.

Perhaps it was due to his position, but his gaze lingered on Lyle for a long time.

Chapter 381 A Genius at Business

"It's Brother-in-law William and Mr. Lyle!" The young succubus exclaimed cheerfully as Candy ran over to greet them upon seeing them.

"Long time no see, Candy."

"Your sister is very worried about you, Candy."

Embarrassed, the male succubus blushed and walked over to the tall, beautiful man who was as slender as a woman. "Don't worry about me, brother-in-law. Brother Ino has been with me the whole time. He's a very intelligent man."

Perhaps because of her similar circumstances, Candy had a strong liking for the gentle and older Ino, which made their relationship very close in a short time. She went from being Gurelia's little follower to Ino's. This may be the reason why the great succubus was not very fond of this boy who always had a smile on his face.

Ino's voice, just like his appearance, has a gentle, flowing quality, as well as a deep, resonant quality like a still pool.

"Could you introduce your two friends to me, Candy?"

The gentle, pleading voice made Candy's smile even sweeter.

“Of course, Brother Ino, this is Mr. Lyle, and this is my brother-in-law, William.”

Two handsome men, each exuding the charm of their different ages, smiled at each other.

Lyle, who was watching from the sidelines, even had the illusion that Ino was more like a succubus.

Ino had a brief conversation with the two men, and communicating with him was a very comfortable experience.

This handsome man was incredibly perceptive. Ino maintained a certain wariness during their conversation, but that subtle distance prevented him from feeling alienated or offended. His elegant manners were like a gentle breeze. When he noticed some minor imperfections in Lyle's manners, he simply smiled and gave him a second glance.

"I once secretly observed the manners of some nobles and learned a little bit myself." This was Ino's explanation for his own display of standard aristocratic etiquette. If that were true, he must have an exceptional talent for acting.

At least in Lyle's opinion, Ino was much better than himself, even though he had lived in Naslan's castle for quite some time. It was possible that Naslan's daughters didn't care about Lyle's manners.

The four then formed a team and prepared to walk through the shops in the crime district to return.

Candy and Ino walked at the back of the group. It was during the festival, and curious citizens of the Wandering City could be found even in the darkest alleys of the Sin District. Lyle and William instinctively shielded them, and Candy and Ino certainly had reason to be protected.

Although in the eyes of demons, being thin and frail is synonymous with ugliness, there are other demons here now as well. The tourists who stop to admire the scenery are even causing traffic jams, so Lyle had to lead a few people away from the main road and onto a secluded path to avoid crowding.

Unlike the spire-like buildings of the Andrei District, the dark alleyways of the Sinful District are not adorned with celebratory decorations. Here, as always, the stacked illegal buildings create a maze of quiet lanes, where even the arcane sorcerers of the Wandering City can get lost.

There are paths here known only to those who have lived here for a long time, and Candy is a demon native to this place.

"Go forward twenty meters after that corner, and you'll arrive. It's a hidden path that leads directly to the teleportation array."

The quiet path was barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side, but thankfully this oppressive atmosphere would only last until the corner.

The surrounding stone walls exuded a gloomy oppressive atmosphere, causing Lyle to involuntarily take deep breaths. In those breaths, he sensed that the surrounding air seemed to become more humid and carried a slightly fishy smell.

"Nia".

The creeping shadow slid silently across the ground, first passing through the corner, and then, a dozen seconds later, quietly climbing up Lyle's trouser leg.

"There's an uncle over there, a dirty-looking uncle who runs a stall."

Since Nia hadn't noticed anything strange, perhaps the alleyways of the crime district themselves carried that odd smell. Lyle put his suspicions aside and followed the others.

Just as Nia said, the view opened up after the corner, and a thin little goblin was crouching behind a square stone slab, which was his stall, where some shiny and strange little trinkets were placed.

Strange vendor; in such a remote place, there are definitely not many customers.

The imp with large, pointed ears noticed the humans walking by. He said nothing, but observed them with a strange, wicked grin. He didn't try to sell his wares, but his filthy eyes revealed a kind of malice.

The filthy, short demon wore an oil-stained robe and was surrounded by a foul stench like that of fish mint. His fingers were slender and long, withered to the point of exposing the bone, and he was tapping lightly on the stone slab.