Saint's Remains and the Flesh-and-Blood Covenant

The real auction was held at the Fernando Family mansion, in that towering tower that reached into the clouds. Lillian led him and Tucker into the tower, where they met Count Lloyd, who was waiting there.

Upon meeting her, Lloyd was furious. Without saying a word, he grabbed Lillian's arm and slapped her across the face!

Snap!

"You bastard!"

A loud slap landed on Lillian's face, instantly turning her delicate cheeks red and swollen.

Lillian knelt down, tears streaming down her face, looking utterly pitiful. Lloyd, however, was still not satisfied and kicked her in the stomach. "You lowly, collateral bloodline, who gave you the audacity to deceive His Highness Prince Acquis?!"

"Yes, I'm sorry—Grandpa."

Lillian was kicked until she curled up in a ball, cold sweat pouring down her pale forehead from the pain. She pitifully begged for mercy, "I... I only considered things from the family's perspective, and thought it was necessary to be cautious, which is why I didn't bring His Highness directly."

"Shut up, you lowly blood!"

Lloyd shouted angrily, his eyes wide with fury. "Don't you even open your dog eyes and see? This is a direct descendant of the noble Acquis Family! What kind of lowly creature are you?!"

"Alright, Count Lloyd." Watching the farce unfold, Alvin, somewhat bored, stopped the "angry" Earl and said calmly, "It wouldn't be good if such a beautiful person got hurt."

"Hmph, if it weren't for His Your Highness Charles pleading for you, I would have beaten you to death!" Lloyd's anger hadn't subsided.

She then apologized to him with a face full of remorse. "I am so sorry, Your Highness Charles. I intended to invite you directly here, but this lowly fellow took it upon himself to do so, which has caused this misunderstanding."

Misunderstand?

Alvin chuckled inwardly. One playing the good cop, the other the bad cop—such a crude trick, and they even dared to say it out loud?

But there was an unspoken understanding among the nobility, and Alvin, too lazy to expose it, waved his hand and said, "It's alright, I trust Count Lloyd, and as for her—I'll forgive her for the sake of her beauty."

"Why aren't you kneeling down to thank His Your Highness Charles?"

Lloyd retorted angrily.

"Thank you, Your Highness Your Highness Charles," Lillian said, enduring the excruciating pain in her abdomen as she knelt down to thank Alvin.

"Your Highness Charles, please come with me."

Lloyd bowed and smiled, "This is the real Fernando Family auction; I'm sure it will satisfy you."

"Okay, you can go first."

Alvin waved his hand, his gaze remaining fixed on Lillian.

Seeing this, Lloyd's eyes darted around, and he grinned, "Alright, Your Highness Charles, I'll take my leave then."

After Lloyd left and the farce ended, Alvin approached Vivian, slowly knelt down, and whispered, "Well done."

Vivian trembled, burying her bruised face in her arms, and feigned strength, saying, "I... I don't know what you're talking about, Your Highness Charles."

"Don't worry, I'm not holding you responsible, nor am I interested in exposing your farce." Alvin tidied her messy hair, pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her. "For the sake of the family's interests, sometimes someone has to make necessary sacrifices, and often, that person can only be someone from a collateral branch, right?"

Lillian remained silent, her head bowed.

"Wipe it off." Alvin shoved the paper into her hand, saying casually, "Such a pretty face won't look good covered in blood."

Having said that, he turned and left.

Lillian clutched the paper, watching Alvin's retreating figure. Her heart skipped a beat, but it was quickly masked by the hatred in her eyes.

"Direct bloodline—ha." She wiped away her tears, the vulnerability on her face vanishing. In a corner where no one could see, her eyes turned icy and chilling as she muttered to herself in a voice only she could hear, "I—don't need anyone's pity!"

"Your Highness Charles, have you taken a fancy to that lowly thing?" Lloyd asked, feigning curiosity.

"Oh, you noticed?" Alvin made no attempt to hide his greed, licking his lips. "Despite his lowly bloodline, he's quite good-looking."

"It's her good fortune to be favored by His Highness." Lloyd immediately seized the opportunity. "How about this, tonight when you return, I'll let her go to your place, as a way of making up for her mistake today."

This is not a marriage alliance, but merely an exchange of interests, which is also the value of collateral bloodlines.

Being noticed by a top noble family and exchanging enough benefits for one's family, or even just pleasing someone, is already the greatest achievement.

"Haha, then thank you very much, Earl."

Alvin smiled outwardly, but inwardly he was making plans.

He wasn't doing this out of kindness, nor was he interested in Lillian. Rather, he had just witnessed something quite amusing while Lloyd was reprimanding her.

Deep within Lillian's eyes lurked a fierce hatred!

If necessary, Alvin wouldn't mind giving Lillian a little "necessary" help.

During their conversation, Lloyd led them into a huge building, which resembled a circular trapezoidal structure. In front of each seat, there was something like the Veil, shielding the person behind them.

"Here it is?"

Alvin feigned ignorance and asked curiously.

"This is Fernando's real auction house, Shadow Dome!" Lloyd's tone was filled with pride.

"Oh? A real auction, that's interesting---"

Alvin's interest was piqued. "I want to see just how powerful these things are that they've made you all so cautious."

"I promise, I will absolutely not let you down."

Lloyd said with considerable confidence.

Unlike the auctions outside, the auction at the Shadow Dome did not have a host. Instead, the auction items were displayed in the center via projection, with detailed descriptions provided next to each seat.

The very first item up for auction stunned Alvin.

"Saint's Remains - Left Hand" is from 387. M40. It is the remains of a "saint" conferred the title of "Saint" by the Ecclesiarchy during a certain battle. It can suppress Warp Rift and inflict massive damage on Daemon.

The auction price here has changed from Throne Gelt to barter. Each bid is sent to the auctioneer, and the transaction is only completed if both parties reach an agreement.

"How?"

Lloyd was clearly pleased with himself. Looking at Alvin's shocked expression, he stroked his beard and said, "Your Highness Charles,"

This is just the beginning; there's more to come, and I'm sure you'll find something that satisfies you!

"Not bad, at least it's not garbage anymore."

Alvin suppressed his shock; the Fernando Family was simply too audacious!

He dared to sell even the Saint's Remains; no wonder he was targeted by the Vought and even accused of betraying the Imperium. He now understood Inquisitor Aldrich a little better.

If the "Saint's Remains" were shocking enough, then what follows is absolutely terrifying!

"The Flesh-and-Blood Covenant (Page 1)"

A living tome woven by the Great Unclean One from the Mycelial Carpet of seven plague planets.

It can spread the gospel of plague; when the pages come into contact with blood, a customized virus will spread. However, the holder's wounds will grow tentacles that connect to the pages, granting them immortality, but they will gradually lose their human form and eventually become living bookmarks of the tome.

Alvin's pupils constricted sharply, almost in horror!