Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

“Karen’s words make some sense; they are indeed too far apart. This also suggests that the relationship between the Baron and his son is not harmonious. In noble residences, meals are not necessarily eaten at a long table, unless there are very distinguished guests who all family members must eat at the table. More often, servants bring the food to each family member’s room. But this results in less communication between family members and deepens the estrangement between them.”

"As for this phenomenon of long roads, Karen, it is actually quite common in wealthy families."

Perhaps unable to accept the sight of a wealthy family, perhaps unable to accept her comedic persona, or perhaps unable to accept Ralf's silent mockery, Karen puffed out her cheeks and gripped the long staff tightly.

Violet thought she couldn't show favoritism, so she turned her gaze to Lyle, "Little Bühler, what's your opinion?"

You've said everything that needed to be said, and even things that shouldn't have been said, Kallen has said. Lyle originally planned to make up something to give Kallen a way out.

Just as he was weaving the most convincing lie, the water in his sleeve stirred; it tugged at Lyle's sleeve and pointed him in a direction.

To everyone else, Lyle walked effortlessly to the bookshelf in the corner, pulled out a small red book from the bottom shelf filled with books, just like the owner of the room.

Take out a piece of parchment with brown patterns.

It was engraved with unidentified blood-red characters, as well as some notes from its original owner, Karent.

"I think the woman who played the vampire in that story must have actually existed."

"The smell of dark magic!" Karen pointed excitedly at the paper in Lyle's hand, as happy as if she had discovered it herself.

Ralph frowned. "Ralph, how did you find it? And why did you find it before Karen?"

Before Lyle could come up with an answer, Karen retorted.

"That's because Lord Lyle is a Pure One, and the Holy Light within him must be about to awaken! So it's only natural that his perception of dark magic is exceptionally sharp, surpassing mine!"

Ralph reluctantly accepted the explanation of the Holy Light's authority.

Some scribbles of red characters, a pattern that looks like a family crest, and three slender arms holding a gleaming apple.

Calent's handwriting was initially neat and elegant, but then the writer seemed to have experienced something, and his mindset began to change, so the handwriting became messy and illegible until it became unrecognizable. At the very end, Lyle was surprised to find that Calent's last words were exactly the same as the blood-red words that filled the page.

“I have found the reason why my father moved our territory to present-day Narancia, why he forbade me to leave the fortress or even this tower, and why he insisted on not changing back to that ancient family name and embracing the glory of our ancestors.”

“I found the reason. It was her. She came, just as recorded in the taboo books of those families. She is the reason why the Nalania family has so few members, the reason why we fear the mountains and forests, the reason why the elders of Nalania are distraught and ultimately lost.”

"Naslan's Daughters".

"The Curse of Naslan".

Chapter 100 Division of Labor

"Naslan's Curse?" Ralf took the piece of paper, frowning as he tried to decipher the handwriting. "Violet, what is this curse? Is it a specialty of this godforsaken place, Nalannia?"

Those amber eyes gave him a charmingly disdainful look, then closed them thoughtfully. Violet pinched her chin, pondering for a long time, "This seems to be a legend passed down among the older generation."

"It is said that the current lord of Nalania, also known as Baron Tyren, is actually just a branch of the family that once ruled this territory. This land originally belonged to the Naslan family. But for unknown reasons, the family eventually perished, so the branch that left earlier inherited the original territory."

"But Baron Tyron did not inherit the title and status of Duke Naslan in accordance with tradition, and did not even restore the ancient surname."

“The old people believe that these decisions, which could be called disrespectful, have angered their ancestors who are resting in those mountains and forests.”

"The last Duke of Naslan possessed mysterious powers, and people say he was a wizard."

"But what is most striking about him is not his power, wealth or status, but his daughters."

"A legendary beauty known as the Gem of Naslan. Every subject of the Duke is captivated by her beauty; even a mere glance is enough to bewitch those being gazed upon, plunging them into ecstasy."

Some say they are angels who guide Naslan, while others believe they are demons that tempt people to fall.

"A disaster devoured everything that Naslan possessed. Baron Tyron's elders led some of his people to escape, while the rest remained forever with the departed family."

"That forest is the site of Naslan Castle. Deep in the forest, there may still be broken walls and ruins, but we will never know."

"Everyone who entered the deep forest never came out again; that forest was like a man-eating monster."

"The members of the Nalania family, whenever they have an eldest son, will be drawn to that forest. In the end, the servants around them will see a beautiful woman appear beside them shortly before they disappear."

“That’s Naslan’s daughter, who came to take away the family’s descendants.”

"This is Naslan's curse."

Lyle raised a question: "Since the problem lies in that forest, why didn't Baron Tyron move away from there and instead built a castle nearby?"

"Because of the obstruction of the older generation, those old men we see outside the castle."

“They are not the generation that fled Naslan, but their fathers were deeply influenced by Naslan and still retain absolute loyalty to the Naslan family.”

"In fact, to them, the Naslan family is their true lord, and Tyrion is merely a usurper. This abnormal mentality has been passed down to their descendants."

"This makes the truly impoverished class very fond of the lords of Nalania, but those who have witnessed the glory of Nathlan are not so fond of Baron Tyren."

"Their longing for that mountain forest and their aversion to Narancia are like a hereditary disease flowing in their blood."

"The Nalania family had no choice but to move their residence close to the mountains and forests so that those people could look out over the place that haunted their dreams."

Ralph put his boots down on the table, where muddy marks from the soles of his boots were now visible on the previously cluttered nanmu wood.

He turned the manuscript over, wiped off the mud stains, crumpled it up, and stuffed it into his pocket.

"Uncle, how could you do that? That was an important clue."

"What clue?" Ralph casually flipped through the books tucked in the bookshelf, looking for any remnants of what appeared to be a manuscript.

"Evidence like this of aristocratic offspring researching the mystical side can only be considered a harmless scandal. It brings neither benefit nor performance, pleasing neither side. It is just a piece of waste paper."

"And while we're at it, let's deal with Baron Tyron's eldest son's bad behavior, lest it affect us."

"This room seems to have no value anymore."

"We need more information about Karent's disappearance. Let's split up, two people per team, to gather intelligence in Narania. We'll meet at the inn tonight."

"Me, Lyle, Violet, and Karen..."

"I object! This grouping is problematic!"

Ralf frowned as he looked at Violet and Karen's expressions of refusal.

"Do you have any opinions on my arrangements? Violet, the most effective division of labor is for the veterans to mentor the newcomers. Although your work ability still needs to be confirmed, your experience is definitely the most extensive besides mine, so this is the most reasonable approach."

Violet raised her fingers to the same level as her willow-leaf eyebrows, speaking with confidence and arrogance.

“First, I am the police inspector, the highest-ranking officer here. Second, I am a native of Nalania, and I know the local customs and traditions best. Therefore, I should lead this operation.”

"Secondly, considering the efficiency of intelligence gathering. Ralf, you should abandon your blind confidence. You may not realize how much others despise you. If we really followed your plan, your group would probably gather almost zero intelligence a day. In reality, we only have three people we can get information from." Violet curled her lips into a sly smile, looking at Ralf's dark face with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And there's a negative number."

"Third, although Lyle is young, the gap between him and you is enormous. His demeanor and maturity are enough for me to be a squad leader."

After hearing the praise for Lyle, Ralf's gloomy face relaxed considerably.

"So, what are your plans..."

"Lyle and Karen forming a team, the collective of young people can easily make people lower their guard, and there may be unexpected results."

“Let’s team up. My interpersonal skills in Narancia are well-known. I will coordinate with your deadpan communication skills so that we may be able to gather intelligence.”

Lyle had every reason to suspect that this smiling, clear-headed woman had ulterior motives.

Ralph lowered his head in thought, seemingly having made a decision.

He glanced at his chosen niece-in-law.

"What are you thinking now, Karen?"

“Violet’s arrangements are fine, but her reasoning is wrong.”

"The reason I'm in the same squad as Lord Lyle is that we might be attacked by vampires. I'm a Silver Knight-level Paladin, and I'm the strongest against vampires! I need to stay by Lord Lyle's side to protect the Pure Ones!"

Karen devoutly grasped the long staff, on which the phantom of holy light condensed into a long-handled warhammer.

You are all weaklings, I will protect Lord Pure One!

Chapter 101 Clues

"They're lying! Shameful traitors! They're even occupying land that doesn't belong to them!"

Lyle kept backing away, while the old man in front of him became more and more agitated. The spittle flying from his mouth was like the sprinklers of a gardener from Nalania, and the bulging veins on his thin neck looked like they might explode at any moment.

These old men, who had been gazing at the distant mountains and forests, seemed to have experienced a second spring in their lives when Lyle shamelessly approached them to inquire about the Naslan curse. Facing those aged faces, Lyle felt immense pressure, fearing that these half-buried people might, in a moment of excitement, accuse him of murder.

"That was Naslan's blessing, not a curse! Returning home in glory, they should be eternally grateful!"

Lyle's smile froze on his lips. The morning's smile had taken more time than the sum of twenty years of forced smiles. Pressing his aching cheeks, Lyle let out a sigh of relief.

Karen is unreliable.

In the end, the four of them formed two teams as Violet suggested. In the spirit of helping others achieve their goals, Lyle voted in favor, after all, even a cabbage wants to be a pig.

On the eve of their separation, Uncle and nephew Bouler got together again.

Ralph patted Lyle on the shoulder. "Although I advocate for keeping things official, you're in the prime of your youth, and it's inevitable that you'll have romantic feelings. Since you're willing to do this, you should seize the opportunity and work hard to build a bond with Karen. For the future of the Bühler family, good luck. This is the first time I've seen you take the initiative. You've really grown up."

A smile more painful than a grimace made Lyle's lips twitch.

It is really a fan of the authorities, and a bystander is clear.

The lead actor in the opera was even planning to watch the play from the stage; indeed, sometimes a man's eyes are just for show.

Lyle flashed a superior, radiant smile. "Yes, Uncle, we all need to keep going!"

"???"

The grouping was thus determined.

Lyle and Karen's group focused their attention on the elderly people sitting quietly on the stone steps.

They sat silently, like a faded oil painting. Time seemed to slow down around them. Their thin bodies had been stripped of moisture by the sands of time, and a frail loneliness, like their perfume, spread their scent to passersby.

Karen volunteered first, driven by the girl's innocent compassion. Considering that the elderly men might actually appreciate such a vibrant and adorable girl, Lyle decided to give her a try.

Before Lyle, Karen, like a little lady, straightened the hem of her nun's habit, tucked a few strands of her playful blonde hair into her hat, held the long cane in both hands, and with a gentle smile like the morning sun on her face, took small steps toward an old man.

The old man with the white beard and dark skin, wearing a small round cap, was perhaps once a tenant farmer of a lord. Karen's figure clearly came into his view, and he even stopped paying attention to the mountains and forests outside the high walls, his eyes fixed on the little angel who was approaching him step by step.

"Well done, Karen!" Lyle thought, looking at the old man. "A good start."

Subsequent developments exceeded Lyle's expectations.

Karen stopped in her tracks, as if she had seen something that changed her course.