Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

“Um… It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Rosa Yershe.” [Xi Ji] sensed the awkward atmosphere and tried to smooth things over.

"I was so stupid, really." Rosa smiled bravely, inwardly wishing she could disappear into the ground. "I knew long ago that the royal title was useless, but I still believed their lies."

“Yesh? It’s been so long since I’ve heard that surname, Your Highness.” The unexpected voice stopped them both in their tracks. Rosa watched as the little red book approached, its spine bent in a gesture of respect. Rosa hurriedly waved her hand, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“No, that’s not a great surname, sir. I’m just an exile, and Jesh is the memory I keep of my father.”

The Book of Omniscience refuted her.

“No, Rosa, you simply don’t understand the weight of this surname. Sberg-Yesh, long before that rebellious prince sacrificed our Poswa, we Mystics had already pledged our loyalty to this surname. Very good, very good, the bloodline of the guilty royal family has been continued, and our guilt has been somewhat alleviated…” The Book of Omniscience looked at the bronze chain in Rosa’s hand, its eyes filled with longing, “You are fully entitled to exercise your power, Your Highness Rosa, just as you have always done, to rule over all.”

His radical words made Rosa hesitate. This grandest plan was nothing more than a young girl leading her people over a twenty-meter cliff, and she was unwilling to accept the rhetoric of the Book of Omniscience. "Domination... I don't like that word. I have neither the talent nor the qualities you speak of. In fact, I thought Yesh was just an amusing anecdote among exiles, representing the beautiful past reminisced about by those dying elders. But that's all in the past. I cannot meet your expectations, for I am merely a homeless exile. I am glad you told me about my ancestors. Now, I only wish for my people to live better lives." Rosa revealed her true feelings, and at that moment, her resolute eyes shone with a beautiful light.

That beauty only lasted a second before fading into cuteness.

"Um, that won't affect Phantom's ability to help us exiles, right? I mean, if you're willing to do the Yersh family one last small favor..."

The Book of Omniscience paused for a moment, then smiled helplessly.

“Of course, Phantom is willing to help anyone,” he then muttered under his breath, “I suspect that humility (accepting one’s advantage) is a genetic trait of the Yesh family.”

Rosa, relieved of her burden, smiled. She was in a good mood. The little phantoms quietly approached and generously stroked the little creatures, sharing their travel (escape) experiences with them.

“Rosa, actually, if we need Phantom’s assistance, we also need to ask the tribe leader for permission.”

Rosa paused for a moment, then said, "Aren't you the leader of the Phantoms?"

"No, I am just an old man who has seen more. Our leader is a young man who can lead the tribe."

Rosa's heart began to race. "Then, will that leader agree? He's a member of royalty?"

“I would love to explain that the selection of the Phantom Clan’s leader is based entirely on personal character,” the Book of Omniscience said with a conflicted expression, “but that person’s status is not something that can be easily dismissed.”

Rosa muttered to herself, her mind beginning to conjure up an image of a majestic and dignified king.

"Is that... a king?" She began to ponder what etiquette she should use when meeting a king so as not to appear impolite.

“No, that’s not it.” Facing Rosa’s questioning gaze, the Book of Omniscience carefully considered its words, trying to find a way to subtly describe Lyle’s identity.

"By the way, do you know the concept of the divine right of kings? It means that the king, on earth, exercises the power of the gods to govern the people."

I've heard a little about it.

"That's good." The Book of Omniscience blinked.

“We skipped the step of the divine right of kings.”

Chapter 766 The Obsession of the Dead

Dust mingled with sparks, casting a murky gray sky. Dust clouds hung like a curtain, projecting scattered sparks onto the ground. Night was even less conducive to sleep than day; darkness merely served as a backdrop for fear. Every breath carried the heavy smell of smoke and dust, and the cracked earth beneath his feet made walking extremely uncomfortable. The only things missing were scalding lava rivers and the pervasive stench of sulfur; otherwise, Lyle would have thought he had stumbled into the realm of hell.

“Posuva is hopeless.” Lyle shook his head; his impromptu stroll had only worsened his mood. Nia was perched on his back, her upright body stretching out its tentacles like a cat with its fur standing on end. All around were “people”—the local Posuva people, disheveled, their faces contorted, panting heavily, lingering in small groups like jackals. A black aura swirled around them, and the collective malice sent chills down Lyle’s spine.

[The malice of the Sleepers has taken control of them. Don't be afraid; they're not much stronger than bandits.] The shadows hovered and rose above Lyle, resembling the entangled malice, but the ominous color was much deeper.

“I wasn’t afraid; the goosebumps were just my body’s instinct,” Lyle attributed the physical abnormality to his human identity and continued walking toward Paradise as usual. “I can understand their sudden increase in numbers. After ordering Wall to stop eating, I was mentally prepared for an even more abnormal situation.”

Disappointed at the difference in strength, the jackal left. Lyle stroked Nia's mimic head and fed her a mille-feuille pastry curled up on her head.

Good intentions alone cannot guarantee a good outcome.

Lyle shrugged, watching the ominous sign slowly dissolve into the shadows.

"This is just my whim, and perhaps as you say, but I don't care. The phantoms won't be disturbed because they're in Paradise."

……

"We have a guest, Lyle."

Mumu's voice surprised Lyle.

"Rosa Yesh, an exile, pays homage to the Lord of Illusions."

Rosa's appearance made Lyle's eyebrows twitch, and Lyle forced a smile to welcome her.

"My people beg for the help of the phantom."

Rosa's plan made Lyle completely cold-faced. His indifferent attitude made the other phantoms feel unfamiliar, and it also made Rosa feel uneasy.

"Leave Paradise and escort a group of exiles from western Poswa to the southeast cliffs?! Across the entire Poswa? Are you crazy? The lunatics outside can even splatter their own brains, and you actually want to act as matchmakers and lead a large group of people over the cliffs at this time?" Lyle's face flushed red, and his fist, waving in the air, looked like it might strike the Stonemason at any moment.

“You are completely defenseless. Do you think I would let you face a mob of thugs? Don’t even think about it!”

The snake slowly moved into Lyle's line of sight. Her bent body was five Lyle's height, and she still looked aggrieved like a child. "But Rosa needs help, our help."

Lyle snorted coldly, a sound that caused the emboldened "Snake" to shrink even further. Phantom then realized that their leader was fundamentally different from Phantom at times. He could be angry, he could refuse, he could arrogantly ignore the pitiful Rosa, reminding Phantom of the power gap between their leader and Phantom.

“I’ll do it. I’ll help this lady who’s visiting the park,” Lyle said clearly, his words drowning out all others. “I’ll escort her people and help them cross the cliffs.”

Lyle stared at Rosa with an expression that was neither friendly nor resentful, but rather cold, as if he were looking at a mirror.

“I am a necromancer, or as you would think, a necromancer. I can manipulate corpses, control an army of the undead, command skeletons to build bridges, or fill in ditches. My protection will keep your people safe, except for a few frights.”

Rosa knelt on the ground, a posture she had maintained since she first faced Lyle. She still remembered what Lyle had said about his identity. Facing this boy who looked to be about the same age as her, her fingers covered the embroidered copper chains, filled with trepidation.

"Thank you for your help. I will follow your instructions."

Rosa's cooperation eased Lyle's mind somewhat. Having just returned from outside, Lyle was well aware of the chaotic situation. Although he didn't understand the reason for the sudden surge in malice, he knew that this was definitely not the time to go out. The thought of the Phantoms, who had no intention of fighting back, sharing the same place with those lunatics, and the sense of belonging and responsibility he had developed after joining the Phantom Clan, ignited a fire within Lyle.

Having resolved the issue decisively, Lyle realized that his words and actions had been somewhat impulsive. Although he wanted to comfort the dejected Phantom, Lyle, guided by a strange feeling, returned to the Mystic's Tower alone.

A butterfly flapping its wings can cause a storm, so what about a single thought of an evil god?

What Lyle didn't know was that the malice of the slumbering souls permeated this land would attach itself to the very body of evil. In the past, the greatest villain on the land of Posuwa was the malevolent spirit from Naslan, the relentless warrior Vol. He tirelessly unleashed malice, bearing the greatest malice of the land, and it was because of his existence that the evil in the rest of Posuwa was diminished and abated. These mad consciousnesses were gathered, creating a purgatory at the center where good and evil diverged. The vengeful spirits, having lost their senses, regained their sanity at Lyle's command, and the malice that had tormented them, due to the mystery of the evil god's nascent form, detached and returned to the earth. Now, this malice has found new servants, a group of insane ordinary people.

All of this arises from Lyle's thoughts and will be corrected by his actions. Fate is like an invisible hand, guiding the unsuspecting infant forward. Regardless of the process, the ending will inevitably be corrected; this is fate, this is the eternal correction.

"Lyle." The turning pages called his name. The Book of Omniscience rose from the podium, its bent spine straightening. The Father of Illusions, the former Mystic, looked at Lyle with a troubled expression.

“Old man, you should have stopped them,” Lyle couldn’t help but complain. “Paradise, you know the meaning of its existence. It’s a sanctuary for phantoms, because Poswa is hell for them. They can’t survive outside, so they stay in Paradise.”

“That was an opportunity, Lyle.” The aged voice was urgent, even somewhat loud. “They were once sinners. I removed their malice, but I couldn’t remove their sin. Only the most unforgivable villains come to my laboratory to become Posuwa’s experimental subjects.” The phantoms were artificial goodness; their predecessors were Posuwa’s most dangerous criminals—it was somewhat ironic. But now, every time Lyle looked at them, he could only associate them with smiles, the gentleness of the [Snake], the stubbornness of the [Stonemason], the children’s obedience, and the enthusiasm of all the phantoms.

“Rosa Yershe is a former member of the royal family. If the phantom helps her, just once, just once! The phantom can be separated from her sinful past life, the sinners can be redeemed, and the royal family can forgive them…”

Lyle frowned. "My teacher taught me, or rather, Andrei's laws require us to distinguish between individuals before and after their souls have been transformed. Different personalities should not bear each other's burdens. The phantoms are innocent; they are a redemption in themselves. They do not need to atone for their past selves."

“But I need it, I care.” The Book of Omniscience looked at Lyle. “I am not like the Phantom. I am a book, a recorder. I know my past, I know the purpose of the Phantom and the Paradise Project. The Phantom existed to help Poswa, to save Poswa—that was its original purpose. I admit that I felt compassion in the process; these beautiful individuals extracted from criminals moved me. I no longer see them as experimental subjects, but as my offspring. I know their past; the lines of cold evil recorded within me and their current appearance always intertwine before my eyes.”

“Lyle, I want my children to be perfect, I want the phantoms to be perfect, and I want no one and nothing to criticize my offspring, not even lost history, not even dead obsessions.”

What saddened Lyle was that these thoughts and feelings were all simulations of past lives recorded on the pages of the Book of Omniscience. The phantoms were the best imitators; their souls were incomplete, and their spiritual deficiencies made them desperately crave something—a desire to know their origins, a desire to help others… It was because they possessed “memories” that the Book of Omniscience was saddened at this moment.

Separate the phantoms from their past lives, allowing them to become independent spiritual entities.

Help the girl and forgive their sins.

It feels terrible to be convinced.

Chapter 767 Mental Synchronization

Lyle's thoughts went far beyond that. He wanted Phantom to sever ties with the past, to find himself and preserve himself in Poswa. Lyle also needed to consider their personal feelings. He remembered that he wasn't Phantom's caretaker, but their leader. Phantom's role wasn't that of his master, but his subordinate, and subordinates had their own duties and obligations.

This reminded Lyle of his conversation with Ash the Frostwalker, who demonstrated his loyalty to Nathlan in his own way, through actions that Helena considered insignificant, yet he was permitted to persevere in the inferno of Posuwa with his own will.

For Wal to Naslan was like for Phantom to himself. Phantom wasn't weak, but their lack of malice made them somewhat hesitant in their actions and views. Unable to fight, unable to resist, they would escape, they would hide. Sometimes, this was even the best solution for self-preservation. Lyle thought this way, the scales of his mind tipping with each word, and this time, Lyle realized he was truly thinking from the perspective of a member of Phantom.

“Old man, the Phantoms should do what they want, with the support of an effective and secure plan.” He could offer subtle assistance, using Lyle Buller’s power to filter out the real dangers in corners that neither the Phantoms nor the Exiles would be paying attention to.

With the help of the fairies, the princess returned to her kingdom and lived happily ever after.

Lyle was delighted to foresee a fairytale-like ending, while Nia, who was of one mind with him, clapped her hands excitedly, her voice like that of a happy little seal.

The Book of Omniscience lifted its spine, and Lyle's smile softened the old man's mood. A sense of familiarity arose, and the phantom, having received its promise, willingly suggested, "All the phantoms should hear your heart's voice, Lyle. They will find satisfaction in your warmth."

Psychoanalysis, the mental network connecting the Phantom Clan, Lyle has been offline for a long time, because their emotions are always maintained in a warm and inclusive atmosphere, like bathing in a pool of sweet honey. A little is excellent, but too much is cloying. Lyle, however, doesn't need this feeling most of the time; his abnormally pulsating nerves don't need guidance but suppression.

Today, the Phantom Network is bleak and cold, like a lump of icing melted in the rain. They've been dealt a heavy blow by Lyle's words, and a sense of self-doubt and depression is spreading through their minds. How could a few words cause the Phantoms to collectively withdraw?

Perhaps he had been a bit harsh, Lyle felt guilty, but in reality, this condemnation was nothing more than a drop in the ocean in the Necromancer Figurine Company's post-incident summary. The interpersonal skills he had cultivated in Andrei were like a game-changer for the Phantom Clan.

"My affection for you has clouded my judgment, and I am deeply sorry, my fellow countrymen. After consulting with the Book of Omniscience, I have accepted his perspective. The Phantom Clan should do everything in its power to extend a helping hand to anyone. Now that Rosa Yesh has come seeking help, we cannot turn a blind eye. [Stonemason], [Snake], [Stream Princess], you each lead your friends to assist the exiles. Be careful on your journey. Please apologize on my behalf and to the frightened Miss Rosa."

Lyle omitted some less-than-friendly details and embellished his tone, not out of vanity, but because the Phantoms were more accepting of positive outcomes. They always judged others by their own standards, assuming everyone was friendly, tolerant, and understanding, especially their leader. To put it bluntly, after Lyle joined the Phantom Clan, they treated him like a saint; the previous unpleasantness was merely a necessary setback before a saint achieves enlightenment.

The park came alive with excitement. The exhilarated phantoms pulled Rosa away, while Rosa, still bewildered by the vast array of mimic phantoms, remained bewildered by the mental network. A few phantoms stayed behind, which surprised Lyle, who remained in the empty courtyard.

“Everyone has their own responsibilities,” the Wall Monster and Woody remained as energetic as when they first met Lyle. “Our responsibility is to protect Paradise and give every traveler who comes here an apple, or a joke.”

Lyle easily shared in their joy; his four-lock abilities had improved. Psychoanalysis originates from the group, and there are many ways to improve one's abilities: by enhancing the group's strength, improving the group's skills, or, by enhancing the group's self-identity.

Psychoanalysis and reinforcement: Lyle's profound identification with the phantoms granted him the same mental perception abilities as them. He could instantly infiltrate the target's mental network, sensing emotions and psychological anomalies. Once he knew the full extent of the target's mental state, mind control became remarkably simple, although the phantoms never attempted to enslave the mind.

A spiritual storm raged through the park. The cirrus clouds in the sky remained a bright, warm red, but no one could feel warmth in this serene scene. The nature, harmonized and beautified by illusions, chilled one to the bone; the abnormal thoughts and sensations felt like experiencing a hallucination firsthand.

Lyle sensed a connection; above the phantom network under his mental control, there was a thin yet tightly connected network.

Evil God Network.

The higher, mysterious consciousness, in the chaotic ocean of the subconscious, is like a dazzling morning star, echoing from afar, lonely yet striking.

A dim star is swallowed by the tide.

A parasitic lone star, shattered and broken.

Beyond these two, Lyle's consciousness is connected to Nia and Omen, making him the most arrogant being in the entire network. Transcending time and barriers, they have come to know each other.

“Triston and Sheriu…” Lyle whispered.

"Fools and thieves..." The ominous sign made no attempt to conceal its malice.

"Food and food..." Nia also said.

Chapter 768 Hope in Exile

Silvery-white gravel rolled into the cracks in the parched ground, and tiny particles, like ants, were carried by the wind to cover the worm-like fissures. Jeremiah stood up and gave instructions to the rear of the column to change direction. Without hesitation, after a brief rest, the exiles continued their advance.