Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

"The experiment was a success?" Mr. Inspiration looked at the miracle. "You changed the incantation at the last minute. Normally, it should have failed."

"Failure is the mother of success. The failures we've experienced are enough to make us great-great-great-grandmothers of success. Even with exhaustive methods, it should work this time. What we need to confirm now is whether the egg of his talent was already there or whether we imposed it on him."

As Lyle listened to the conversation, he felt as if he had been kept in the dark about things he should have known.

"Gentlemen, can anyone explain what you have done to me?"

"Of course, Doctor of the Epidemic, I also have questions. First of all, are you currently having any distracting thoughts in your mind?"

"What distracting thoughts?"

"It's the desire to reproduce."

"What? Reproduction? You mean courtship and mating? No, no, I haven't considered that yet."

"No, you misunderstood me. What I meant was, do you have the desire to have children? To have children without any preparation?"

"You don't mean to say that having a child is just the desire for natural childbirth, do you?"

"Yes, do you have any thoughts about having children? Just thoughts?"

"Miracle? Are you crazy? I'm a man, men don't give birth. Wait, is this what you call a minor modification to the ritual?"

Miracle nodded generously. "Yes, we want to confirm the conditions that give rise to desire. First, we want to see if we can reverse the desire. In the ritual, we instilled in you the desire for wealth and tried to transform it into the desire for procreation."

"..." Lyle looked at the gentleman standing to the side. "Is this what you call reliable?"

"Plague Doctor, I think you've misunderstood. Miracle refers to a more primal desire, the ability to produce offspring. Perhaps it's more reasonable to explain it by division. It's the division and replication of cells. Perhaps 'cloning' is a better term."

"No, I don't feel that way. I think your experiment failed, Mr. Miracle."

"Could it be that there are still some variables that haven't been considered..." Miracle lowered his head and fell into deep thought.

Linggan looked at the two men, bowed, and said, “Thank you very much for your help. Although our experiment has failed once again, please leave. We don’t think we need you anymore.”

"Your talent has awakened, but it will take some time before it becomes merely a surface phenomenon. Please be patient."

Chapter 45 The Grapes That Want to Explore

When the two emerged from the wall, Lyle's arms were still patting his body to make sure he had no extra or missing organs and that he was physically and mentally healthy enough, before he breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking at the gentleman behind him, Lyle didn't react to his gaze and was lost in thought.

“Sir, if you knew about their so-called minor improvements beforehand, you should have informed me first.”

"Yes, that was indeed my mistake. I judged that their behavior was not malicious based on my innate ability, so I assumed it was a good thing. I was a bit too reliant on that. Ultimately, everyone has different opinions. I made my own judgment without consulting you, which was indeed arbitrary. I'm sorry."

"..." You've already said all this, how can I still complain? Lyle kept his frustration to himself. "But it's really strange to let men reproduce."

Is that strange?

"Isn't that strange?"

"The difference between genders in epidemic prevention and control is actually not that significant for us. Don't limit your understanding to the framework of the past. What we will experience in the future may be much stranger than this. It is best to remain calm and composed at all times."

Is it some kind of mystical worldview or philosophy? "I understand, but I reserve my opinion."

The gentleman nodded. “I’m not surprised you made this choice. People like us, who harbor desires, are old-fashioned and conservative, unwilling to forget the past. Just be more careful in the future; nothing is absolute.”

“Gentleman, what are your desires? I understand the desires of Ariana and the Dragon, but in the time I’ve spent with you, I haven’t seen a single trace of them.”

"Ah, is it my time to confess? It's very simple. The reason I haven't shown anything is because my desires have been constantly being satisfied."

"My desire is to do what we want to do with my companions. My enemy is loneliness."

"Therefore, I am much happier than anyone else because I have always been enjoying myself."

So that's how it is. The gentleman's desire, just like his title suggests, is simply the companionship of a friend, a courteous gentleman.

"My wish is to fulfill my friends' wishes. This isn't about being selfless, but rather about genuinely getting what you need. I really enjoy feeling needed."

"You really are a gentleman, sir."

"It's my pleasure."

Lyle wore a smile, and though the mask obscured his face, he could guess that the gentleman wore the same smile. It was the unspoken understanding between two close friends, and with this feeling, even the crimson glow of the blood moon seemed to soften.

"Sir, is your ceremony over?" The flapping of wings and Grape's sharp voice, like a high-pitched child's voice, reached my ears. Grape had probably handed the radish over to Onion and was waiting at the door.

"Yes, it's over."

Was it successful?

"Yes, maybe in a few days you'll see how special I am."

"Thank God!" Grape shouted, doing a series of backflips in the air, looking very happy, even though she had little to do with it.

"Grape, have you finished your work?"

"Yes, I have completed the task that the Plague Doctor gave me beautifully. Please forgive me for not being able to convey Onion's gratitude verbatim, because that would be a bit too much for my pride. Onion is truly grateful to you."

"Okay, I understand, Grape. So, what is your reward?"

“I have a rather personal request.” Grape flew to Lyle’s shoulder, covered Lyle’s ears with her wings, glanced at the gentleman, stopped, and hesitated.

"Doctor, the third door on the left in the passage ahead leads to the Literature Department. I have some things to do. After you finish talking with Miss Guangfu, come and sit in the Literature Department. Like I said, I'll take you to meet some friends."

"Yes, sir."

The gentleman waved to Lyle and disappeared at the first fork in the road.

"Alright, Grape, what do you want? Why are you being so mysterious?"

"Mr. Plague Doctor, can you take me away from Andrei?"

"Hmm? Leaving Andrei, you mean the outside world."

“Yes, the world outside this castle. I’ve heard that everyone in Andrei comes from outside. I want to go out and see it. I want to explore. I’ve lived for over twenty years, and I don’t want to stay in this one place. Can you help me, sir?”

"But the Light Bat cannot leave Andrei."

“That’s because we’re special, which will surprise others. But, sir, look closely, am I really that special?” Grape extinguished the light on her abdomen, revealing her large bat wings, like an ordinary bat.

“I was born black, unlike other light bats. My light is also much lower than that of other bats. I once dyed myself white, just like the other light bats, but I got tired of it. It’s not just my color that makes me stand out from the crowd, but also my thoughts. I don’t want to stay in a designated corner and silently radiate my light. I want to go on an adventure.”

"Actually, I have already run away. I have crossed the forest surrounding Andrei. I saw plants, fruit trees, and other creatures of the same color as me, even though they were uncivilized primitives."

"Then why did you come back? Isn't that the outside world you longed for?"

"It's too difficult. I seriously doubt that everything in the books is true. I failed to start a fire by rubbing sticks together, and had to eat raw fungi. I couldn't even build a nest. Nest building is an animal's instinct, after all. I tried to stay overnight in a bat cave, but they are very territorial, so I had to find a small tree hole to spend the night. Before the next day even arrived, I was chased out by a hornbill. I may not be suited to survive independently. Not to mention the outside world. All those natural enemies that I feared in the books are out there."

"So, you want to smuggle yourself into a safer human society?"

“We can sign a long-term contract, sir. You provide me with suitable accommodation, and I will pay the rent with my job.”

“I understand that concealing your identity is of paramount importance to you. Please believe me, I will never reveal any of your privacy to anyone, whether it is Andre or the outside world,” Grape bit her wing, as if reminding herself. “You can also cast a spell on me. I remember you were a top student in necromancy. I’m sorry, I still want to live, and I’m afraid I don’t have anything like a life box to express my loyalty.”

"I know that words are powerless, but this is the only thing I can think of."

"Please help this weak and helpless little girl."

"How old are you, Grape?"

Five and a half years old.

"You said that light bats live for more than twenty years. By human standards, you are also in your twenties, which is not young."

"...Weak is still small."

Chapter Forty-Six: The Dark Fungus Master

"But why are you looking for me, Grape? There are countless members in Andrei."

“Mr. Plague Doctor is a Pure One,” Grape scratched the fur on his belly with his paw. “Outside is a world of Holy Light. Being a Pure One who can be accepted by the Holy Light means less risk. Moreover, you are one of the few who will not ignore us.”

The light bat can sense the feelings of those around it; it's probably an instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm.

Lyle weighed the pros and cons. Grapes were certainly a destabilizing factor, but they also brought many advantages; they could save money. Moreover, grapes could talk, which meant she could gather information. Given her petite stature, she could obtain information that was unavailable through normal channels, if this talkative explorer truly possessed some special talent.

Lyle couldn't refuse; it seemed like the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.

"You're hired."

“Thank you, sir,” Grape exclaimed happily, slipping into Lyle’s pocket. “Yes, sir, I understand. I’ll keep a good look out of it.”

Grape viewed this as an infiltration mission. Perhaps the outside world seemed like a ferocious beast to her, and she wondered if the peaceful daily life would disturb her. Lyle did not interrupt her disguise game.

"Should we go find the gentleman, perhaps from the Literature Department?"

The castle's passageways remained unchanged, essentially a magnified version of the impoverished Lyle family home. However, each club displayed its own unique personality, evident from the doors themselves. Some were overgrown with barnacles, perhaps belonging to a pirate club or a marine research society; others were decorated with vines; and still others had their doors mounted on the ceiling. Lyle called these the Orphan Clubs because they did not welcome visitors.

Counting the gates we passed, if I remember correctly, this should be the one.

Lyle looked at the standing Pharaoh statue before him, its arms crossed over its chest, holding a scepter and flail, representing fairness and power. Exquisite carvings covered its entire body, and its eyes, framed by typical black eye makeup, were lifelike, staring directly at Lyle. Without a second thought, he realized it was another living being.

"This is the Literature Club?"

"This is a place where thoughts stagnate."

I'll take that as a yes.

"Can you let me in?"

You must answer my question first.

"Answer the question, are you the Sphinx?" This monster from ancient Greek legend would stop passing travelers and ask them three questions. You would only be allowed to pass if you answered all three correctly, and if you answered one wrong, it would eat you.

"The Sphinx will eat those who answer incorrectly. Do you want me to gnaw on your bones?"

"No, sir, you can ask the question now."

"A Raymond is traveling through the desert. He is five days away from his known destination. He has three identical water bottles in front of him: one contains ordinary water that will last him three days, one contains poison that will kill him instantly, and one contains a detection reagent that can identify the poison and can also be used as a water source for two days. However, the poison will contaminate the water. What would you do?"

“I chose to use holy light to detoxify, and then walked past them as if they were water.”

"...Are people born good or evil?"

Is the range that big?

Lyle pondered silently, “People are neither good nor evil at birth. All their character and behavior are shaped by their upbringing and environment. There are no born evil people, nor are there born good people. Only pure human beings have the value to be built and refined.”