After several minutes of exertion, William finally arrived in Gregor's neighborhood, nestled in the northeastern corner of the affluent district, a world apart from the distant slums.

 

Gregor wasn't exaggerating about the scenic route. The Mu clan residence, despite being a substantial distance away on the northwestern side, would have been a straight shot if we had stayed on the main road. Instead, we ended up going all the way around, through the distant slums to the south, William grumbled inwardly. He couldn't help but resent the extra effort required to pull the carriage all the way here, courtesy of Lord Has's malevolent actions, cutting the reins and purposely startling the velociraptors, disrupting their carriage-pulling duties.

 

Upon reaching Gregor's residence and releasing the carriage leashes, William spotted Nin Li waiting at the entrance beside her own carriage.

 

"Young Master, what happened? Why are you pulling the carriage, and why are your clothes torn?" Nin Li inquired, her gaze scanning William for answers.

 

Taking a deep breath, William offered a composed smile. "It's a long story," he replied, trying to maintain his composure.

 

Nin Li's gaze then shifted to Gregor, and her surprise intensified. "Huh?! Guild Leader Gregor... why are you covered in blood?!" she exclaimed; her voice laced with concern.

 

Gregor couldn't meet her gaze and stumbled over his words. "My lady, this..."

 

Observing Gregor's unease, William quickly interjected, "Let's stow these carriages first and discuss things inside, away from prying eyes."

 

"Right! I'll show you where to store them!" Gregor motioned for William to follow, and they began pulling the carriages together.

 

He guided them to a spacious garage at the back of his house. William parked the carriage, and Nin Li stowed her velociraptors safely. Gregor opened the coach, retrieved the cage with the fairy, and handed it to Nin Li. The fairy was curled up in the cage, seemingly in a peaceful slumber.

 

"Let's avoid alarming the servants with our appearance. We can use the back door," suggested Gregor, pointing to a discreet door set near the boundary wall.

 

Having put away the carriage, William looked at the residence, whose baroque-style construction charmed him momentarily. The four-story building, constructed entirely of greyed granite, stood distinguished from the other houses in the area with its large arrays of windows and elaborate carvings in the brise-soleil, further enhancing the opulence and standing of the dwelling.

 

"You have a beautiful house, guild leader. I didn't fully appreciate the view the previous time," commented William.

 

"Thank you, Young Master. It was mostly my father's creation. He loved a certain amount of illustriousness. After all, rubbing shoulders with the elite is much easier when your social standing mirrors their position, even if you are not fully one of them," Gregor responded somberly as the trio entered the residence.

 

The house's interior seamlessly matched its grand exterior, exuding opulence through its embellished ceilings, expansive hallways, and ornate floors. The walls adorned with an impressive collection of artworks, sculptures, and busts held William's gaze in amazement. Guided by Gregor, they ascended two floors via a spiral staircase, and their journey culminated in front of a massive ivory door. With a key in hand, Gregor unlocked the entrance, revealing a dimly lit room illuminated by low-tier soul stones tucked into each corner. A simple command from Gregor, "Brighten," intensified their radiance, bathing the room in a warm glow.

 

At its heart, William noticed oversized davenports encircling an intricate table strewn with an assortment of haphazardly scattered papers. As he drew closer, he realized that many of these papers were, in fact, letters.

 

"What's all this, Guild Leader?" William inquired, his curiosity piqued.

 

Gregor's tone carried a tinge of bitterness as he responded, "I've been writing to request appointments with various noble families. I must have sent at least a hundred letters since my father's disappearance, but not a single one of them deigned to reply."

 

William offered a reassuring smile, noting, "And now, Lord Florence himself is coming to your house to meet you. That sounds like a remarkable turn of fortune."

 

With a sigh, Gregor replied, "I can only hope so, Young Master. My profession is all I have left to carry on my father's legacy. If Lord Florence does not heed your words, then..." He paused for a moment, his demeanor shifting to one of utmost respect. "My apologies, I should not question your abilities."

 

William waved it off, saying, "No need to apologize. You're under tremendous stress."

 

"Please, make yourselves comfortable, Young Master," Gregor hastened to invite William and Nin Li to sit, extending the courtesy to both. Nin Li took her place beside William, her anxiousness evident in her voice as she asked, "Young Master, you haven't yet explained what happened after I left. How did you both end up in this state?"

 

"I'll allow Young Master William to explain while I freshen up and arrange the rooms where both of you will be staying," Gregor interjected courteously before taking his leave from the room.

 

William took a deep breath, then began recounting the events of that fateful night. He omitted the details about his recovery and the system's knowledge of Henry's brief interaction with Lord Has. As the story unfolded, Nin Li's anger grew, and by the end, she had resorted to venting her frustration by punching the cushion, exclaiming, "Those scoundrels! If they weren't already dead, I'd take care of them myself!"

 

"I'm sure you would," William chuckled before his expression turned cold. "But I haven't told you the whole story."

 

"What haven't you told me, Young Master?" Nin Li asked, lowering her voice.

 

"Bac, Lord Has's henchman, was a warlock," William solemnly revealed.

 

"What!? That's impossible!" Nin Li exclaimed before William gestured for her to lower her voice.

 

"Calm down. I haven't mentioned this to Gregor," William explained.

 

"But, Young Master, warlocks despise humans. They don't like to be in contact with them, much less serve under one," Nin Li remarked.

 

"Yes, that's what I thought too. But this one was different. He used a disguise that allowed him to pass as a human. Still, I recognized him," William confidently stated. Nin Li's expression, however, grew even more concerned.

 

"But how? If he managed to pass himself off as a human, as you say, it means he also managed to conceal his aura. As far as I know, only warlocks can recognize each other's concealed aura. So, how did you identify him?" Nin Li's eyes suddenly gleamed with curiosity.

 

"Umm...," William hesitated, realizing he might have divulged too much too soon. He attempted to backtrack, saying, "I've encountered warlocks in the past, so I've become quite familiar with their presence. It's become like an instinct."

 

Nin Li's inquisitive look deepened. "You've fought warlocks before? When?" she asked eagerly.

 

"Before I met Moj Dak. They had brought an army," William replied.

 

"That's unusual. I mean, you were only a one-star mortal realm when you first came to the tower, and most warlocks are silver or higher before they engage in official combat. How did you manage to defeat them?"

 

Once again, William bit his tongue, chiding himself for revealing too much. "I had other humans fighting alongside me. They had much higher cultivation levels, some were gold, and a few were even platinum. I was mainly there for support," he explained.

 

"Oh! Master Moj Dak mentioned the warlocks' campaigns in the Southeastern kingdoms," Nin Li remarked.

 

"Yes, they have been quite a nuisance," William agreed.

 

"Now that you mention it, I've never asked you about your origins. Are you from one of the Southern Kingdoms?" Nin Li inquired, curiosity returning to her face.

 

"No, actually. I come from a land far from here," William replied softly.

 

"Where?" Nin Li pressed.

 

"Umm... I can't give you the exact details."

 

"Why not?" Nin Li asked, sounding surprised.

 

William sighed, contemplating how to sidestep sharing his entire backstory. While he saw no immediate harm in revealing his origins to Nin Li, the significant disparities he'd observed between his world and this one gave him pause. He wasn't sure if she'd believe him or how she'd react. Most importantly, he wanted to learn more about this world, especially its magic, before disclosing his true identity. William couldn't afford to reveal anything about General Ja'aduk until he had complete control over the general's personality.

 

He turned his gaze toward the window, peering outside. During his time on Xerxes, he had noticed the striking similarities between this planet and Earth. Humans, familiar names for the lands, and customs all drew uncanny parallels.

 

"No, I can't tell her yet. I need to gather more information about this planet's history and its magic system first," he resolved within himself. He turned back to Nin Li and whispered, "I have specific instructions."

 

"Instructions?" Nin Li's face registered confusion.

 

"Yes, it's something I can't reveal right now, but I need your assistance in gathering information about the current activities of warlocks. From what I've learned, they seem to be making a move."

 

"What!? Master Moj Dak didn't mention anything like that. If warlocks posed an imminent threat, he'd have informed me, or I would have heard through my connections," Nin Li exclaimed.

 

"Connections?" William inquired, his curiosity piqued.

 

Nin Li hesitated before admitting, "Well, I do have some contacts here and there."

 

"Please ask them again. I'm not sure how long it will take for Moj Dak to return, and a warlock roaming the streets, especially in the company of a lord, doesn't bode well," William urged.

 

"Alright... but..." Nin Li began, but her words were interrupted as Gregor entered the room, gesturing for them to follow him.

 

"Young Master William, Lady Nin, I've prepared rooms for both of you. Please follow me," he said. They walked through a long corridor and arrived at a pair of adjacent rooms.

 

Gregor pointed to two rooms in the middle of the corridor. "This one is yours, Lady Nin, and this one is yours, Young Master William."

 

"We appreciate it, Guild Leader," said William with a grateful smile.

 

"Thank you, Guild Leader Gregor," added Nin Li.

 

"No need to thank me. I've warmed up the water in your rooms should you wish to bathe," Gregor stated, pointing to a door at the far end of the corridor. "My room is that one over there if you need anything."

 

Nin Li gave a slight bow and entered her room with the caged fairy in hand. William thanked Gregor once more and entered his own room. After undressing, he proceeded to the bath. As the warm water enveloped his body, his thoughts returned to Nin Li.

 

For now, it's best to keep my background a secret to avoid unwanted attention. It's not about Nin Li's trust; I just need to be cautious with my words, he mused.

 

William leaned back and closed his eyes, his thoughts shifting to Bac. After some time, he contacted the system.

 

System, could you check if Bac is mentioned in General Ja'aduk's memories?

 

[Ding* Searching…

[Ding* Negative. No mention of the subject [Bac].

 

This is rather unusual. Based on General Ja’aduk’s recollections, there shouldn't be any warlocks deeply embedded within the Aurora Kingdom. The majority of the conflicts took place in the southeast of Aurora. So, the question arises: How did Bac, a warlock, end up wandering the streets of Feros City, particularly under the patronage of a lord? Could this imply a secondary mission to assail Feros City, or did Bac take it upon himself to pursue an independent agenda?

 

[Ding* The system has no evidence to form a definitive conclusion.

 

William delved deeper into General Ja’aduk’s memory files.

 

Hold on! General Ja’aduk was regularly receiving updates from his subordinates regarding the internal dynamics of the Aurora Kingdom, including troop movements. This intelligence was instrumental in their successful assault on the humans at the Red Tower. Someone from within the kingdom was feeding them critical information.

 

William pressed on with his investigation.

 

Black Viper! A subordinate of General Ja’aduk mentioned this name. The Black Viper was peddling valuable information to the warlocks.

 

A bead of sweat formed on William’s brow.

 

Lord Has had a viper’s crest, didn’t he?

 

[Ding* Affirmative. The subject [Lord Has] had a golden viper’s crest.

 

Is he the infamous Black Viper?

 

[Ding* The system lacks sufficient evidence for a conclusive determination. Nevertheless, there's a 98.7% likelihood that this is indeed the case.

 

General Ja’aduk received intel from a warlock named Shiko. Supposedly, Black Viper was the informant for Shiko, or at least that's what he claimed to General Ja’aduk. However, if Lord Has is indeed Black Viper, then why is Bac not on General Ja’aduk's radar? Bac was Lord Has’s bodyguard. How did Shiko not cross paths with Bac when Lord Has was allegedly selling information to him? Or maybe Lord Has isn't Black Viper. There might be someone else involved. Alternatively, Bac could have started working for Lord Has after sharing information with Shiko about the Red Tower. It's been a while.

 

William scratched his head in bewilderment.

 

Ugh, this is so confusing. All we know is that Lord Has had a warlock with him. Perhaps he didn’t even know that Bac was a warlock. But the mystery lingers about Bac's activities and the true identity of the Black Viper. We need to dig deeper into Lord Has's background. Even if he's not the Black Viper, having a warlock as his bodyguard is far from normal. Let's also see what Nin Li can uncover. According to General Ja’aduk’s memories, the warlocks need to break some seals in enemy territories to release demonic monsters. They mainly targeted the human kingdoms, elvish kingdom, and the tempora kingdom. General Ja’aduk believed that without the demonic monsters, the warlocks would avoid attacking larger kingdoms or cities to prevent prolonged wars. So, it makes sense that they would quietly locate the seals. Perhaps Bac was on a mission to find these seals, suggesting there's one in or around Feros city. But if General Ja’aduk is unaware of him, maybe Bac was sent by some other warlock general.

 

What's your take on this, System?

 

[Ding* The system aligns with the primary user's hypothesis. Nevertheless, there is no concrete evidence to substantiate the claim.

 

A melancholic smile played on William's lips.

 

System, from what I've gathered in General Ja’aduk's memories, even he, influenced by the obedience spell, recognized the potential catastrophic consequences of the warlocks unleashing the demonic monsters on the planet. Despite this, the warlock king appears confident that it would lead to their domination. It's perplexing to comprehend how he could believe in such a plan without anticipating total destruction, not only for their enemies but for the warlocks themselves.

 

William leaned back, staring at the ceiling as if searching for answers in its patterns. After a thoughtful pause, he continued.

 

Reflecting on the history of wars against demons, those demonic monsters solely obeyed the demons, and even demons struggled to control them at times, as their primary objective was destruction. My understanding of General Ja'aduk's memories, especially from his youth, indicates that many warlocks were cognizant of this fact. It's plausible that the warlock king is also aware. However, acknowledging General Ja'aduk's disdain for his top brass, I recognize my perspective may be biased.

 

He closed his eyes briefly, taking a moment to gather his thoughts.

 

What's your assessment, System? Do you align with the warlock king's perspective? Do you believe their strategy is viable without bringing destruction to the entire world, or do you think the warlock king is simply mad?

 

[Ding* The system lacks sufficient information to confidently predict the widespread effects if the warlocks succeed in releasing the demonic monsters.

 

[Ding* However, based on available information, it deduces that such a plan is unfeasible and would undeniably jeopardize not only this world but the entire universe.

 

[Ding* The system has identified these entities known as demons as beings from an alternate universe, potentially responsible for the destruction of numerous multiverses, portraying them as a plague on any realities they touch. This intuitive perspective is a synthesis of information gathered from Doctor Hawk's files during its instructional phase and General Ja'aduk's files integrated into the system. The system emphasizes that none of this is factual but rather speculative, provided to the primary user upon their request for the system's opinion.

 

That's a chilling prospect, isn't it? I find it hard to believe I'm being thrust once again into the heart of a world-shattering conflict. The irony isn't lost on me. The experiments, the sacrifices, all undertaken in the name of humanity's survival, as my father fervently believed. Now, here I stand in a different world, staring at the brink of its potential obliteration. It's almost as if fate revels in its own dark, twisted sense of humor.

 

Lost in these contemplations, William emerged from the water and traded his wet clothes for fresh garments. With a sigh, he retrieved his interspatial ring, unveiling the mystery box obtained from the auction.

 

"Anyway, let's see what this mystery box holds," he muttered, snapping off the small lock. The lid surrendered easily, revealing a small folded white piece of paper inside. Unfolding it, he found words written on it, along with another folded piece. William picked up the smaller paper first, revealing a note that read, "What else can I call you other than my biggest admirer! You have purchased this item knowing full well it has no value only because I am the seller. As a reward for your admiration, here is my signature."

 

"To my biggest admirer! Signed, The Renowned Wizard of the South, Sun Wade, the Great Wizard of Time," proclaimed the second folded paper.

 

"This...!" William muttered, a surprised expression crossing his face as he placed the notes back in the box and closed it.

 

That old wizard tricked me! he thought, chuckling while returning the box to his interspatial ring.

 

His light chuckle suddenly escalated into loud and hysterical laughter, akin to a hyena on laughing gas.

 

"HA HA HA HA!!!"

 

Why am I laughing so hard? It's not even funny!

 

Oh, no! This old wizard must've placed some type of laughing spell. I must've activated it when I opened this box, William thought, caught in the unexpected amusement of magical mischief.

 

A few moments later, Nin Li entered the room, her voice cutting through the air with concern. "Young master, what's wrong?!" she exclaimed, her bath-fresh presence contrasting with William's ongoing laughter.

 

Observing that Nin Li had already bathed and changed into her evening attire, William struggled to contain his laughter. "Noth...nothing," he managed between chuckles.

 

Moments later, Gregor walked in, sensing an unusual atmosphere. "Young master...is everything alright?" he inquired, exchanging puzzled glances with Nin Li.

 

The room was filled with awkward laughter, each of them joining in without fully comprehending the source. The tension broke into a chorus of mirth, leaving William bewildered as the laughter escalated. After five minutes, tears welled up in William's eyes, silently pleading for the laughter to cease. Help me! Don't laugh with me, he thought, clutching his stomach.

 

The laughter persisted for two more minutes until the spell finally wore off. Despite William's recovery, Gregor and Nin Li continued to giggle.

 

"Hey, Young Master. What was so funny?" Nin Li inquired, her eyes shimmering from the remnants of laughter. Gregor, too, managed to stifle his chuckles.

 

"I...nothing," William replied, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment.

 

"Oh come on...tell us, Young Master," insisted Nin Li, her smile inviting further revelations.

 

"Yes, I'd like to know as well," added Gregor, his demeanor still light-hearted.

 

"The mystery box I purchased from the auction..."

 

"Oh? Was there something funny inside?" Nin Li probed, intrigued.

 

"No...it...it was a laughing spell," mumbled William, his discomfort apparent.

 

"A laughing spell?" Nin Li questioned, perplexed.

 

"Oh...I've heard of those. Some of the nobles' children often use them as a jape. Odd that it would be inside a mystery box provided by one of the Great Four," exclaimed Gregor, surprised.

 

His finger pointed at Nin Li suddenly. "Oh! Did your master provide that box?"

 

"No...Master doesn't participate in such things," Nin Li clarified, a subtle sharpness in her calm gaze.

 

"Well...whichever one of the Great Four it was...they must have a great sense of humor," Gregor remarked with a smile.

 

"Um...I don't mean to be rude...but I would like to rest now," interjected William.

 

Gregor’s face flushed red. "Very well...let me know if you need anything." He exited the room, his embarrassment evident.

 

Nin Li gently smiled as she too started walking. "Have a good night, young master," she remarked before shutting the door behind her.

 

William waited for the fading sound of their footsteps. Once everything went silent, he sat on the bed and commanded the system. System, give me a comprehensive report of everything that transpired during the auction. I want all the details, even if they seem irrelevant. I need to ensure I haven't overlooked anything.

 

[Ding* Uploading all files related to the auction event.

 

William's eyes flickered rapidly, a cascade of data flowing into his memory with each blink.

 

[Ding* Upload complete.

 

William sifted through the information with meticulous precision, his gaze sharp and focused. As he delved into the records of the evening's proceedings, his attention abruptly fixated on a specific moment from the auction.

 

Hold on a second. Who's that person watching me? William focusing at a figure in the memory, someone who appeared to be studying him closely as he proudly displayed the tower emblem to Gregor.

 

[Ding* The subject's name remains unknown, but the system has identified the individual as reporting to Lord Florence.

 

"I recognize him. He was with Lord Florence. But why was he spying on me?" William mused aloud.

 

[Ding* The subject had been closely monitoring the host ever since the host placed a bid of a hundred and twenty thousand high concentration soul stones for the fairy.

 

Well, I've certainly managed to attract attention.

 

A sudden revelation struck William, providing an answer to the question that had been nagging at him.

 

Oh, so that's how Lord Florence learned about me. His bodyguard must have witnessed me showing the tower emblem to Gregor and then reported it to Lord Florence.

 

[Ding* This hypothesis gains considerable credibility.

 

"Hmm," William pondered further as he delved into the investigation. You were right to withhold most of the events from that night. However, I unearthed another intriguing detail. The individual in the adjacent box, whose words you deciphered, consistently addressed his master as 'your highness,' a term usually reserved for royalty. The question now is, who could this mysterious master be?

 

[Ding* The system lacked any visual or identifying information about this individual.

 

"Hmm." This person certainly had royal connections. What baffles me is the auctioneer's omission of formalities when addressing them, unlike with Lord Florence and Lord Has. Could this royal figure belong to a different nation? William pondered, hand to his chin. However, he quickly brushed the speculation aside, shaking his head.

 

That's not my immediate concern. Tomorrow's meeting with Lord Florence requires a strategic approach. His attempts to win my favor are evident, and Moj Dak's decision to stay out of ordinary affairs only adds to his value. It's been a taxing day. Time for some rest, William muttered before sinking into the comfort of his plush pillow. Soon, he succumbed to a deep, dream-filled sleep.

 

"Ah!" William jolted awake, his entire body pulsating with pain.

 

[Ding* Alert! The host is undergoing physical distress. Cellular degradation detected.

 

"What? Wasn't the medicine supposed to mend my heart?" William groaned, the discomfort apparent.

 

[Ding* Confirmed. The Internal Pluripotent Regenerative Medicine effectively addressed all injuries sustained during the conflict.

 

"Then why am I in such agony? I can't even move my legs. Is there a wound or something? Perhaps a bruise or a cut?" William's cries intensified.

 

[Ding* No signs of physical injuries detected by the system.

 

William gritted his teeth as the pain continued to seep into his consciousness.

 

[Ding* Alert! The host's primary consciousness is experiencing heightened stress.

 

"Enough with the alerts. Tell me the cause!" William fought to control his frustration.

 

[Ding* Reinitiating comprehensive physical and mental scans.

 

During the next few seconds, William found himself bathed in an almost ethereal, rainbow-like glow.

 

[Ding* Scan complete. The system has pinpointed the source of the distress as an excessive accumulation of magical energy.

 

"Magical energy? Is this akin to what I sensed earlier today? Hold on, could General Ja'aduk be exerting his influence on me once more?" William exclaimed.

 

[Ding* Negative. The system has ascertained that the nature of this energy differs from what the host encountered earlier in the day.

 

"Then what's causing this?" William voiced his concerns, the pain severely limiting his movements.

 

[Ding* The cause remains unknown. The system suggests a comprehensive analysis to offer an accurate prognosis.

 

"That would mean suspending my consciousness…"

 

[Ding* Affirmative. Seeking permission to temporarily suspend the primary user's active consciousness.

 

"But wait, if Gregor or Nin Li find me in a suspended state tomorrow morning, it might cause unnecessary panic."

 

[Ding* The system is unable to conduct an in-depth analysis while the primary user's consciousness is active.

 

"Very well… Suspend it. But make sure to restore my consciousness before morning," William directed.

 

[Ding* Command acknowledged. Temporarily suspending the primary user's active consciousness.

 

Within moments, William sensed his mind disconnect, slipping into the comforting embrace of the dream-like limbo.