The Countess

After hearing this secret information, Lucius said curiously, "Then, Your Majesty the King, why did you keep me here this time?"

George III replied, "I wonder if your uncle has told you about certain matters—for example, why you're rarely allowed to attend noble gatherings, why you're kept from outsiders, and why, as a boy, your appearance resembles a girl's more?"

Seeing the King's expression, Lucius knew what His Majesty was referring to and said with a Look of Difficulty, "Your Majesty, I believe you already know!"

Hearing Lucius's words and seeing his face, George III chuckled inwardly and said, "Since you know, I'll be direct with you. I need you to become a Beyonder of the 'Witch' pathway, not just an 'Assassin.' Later, I'll assign you tasks to complete."

"Of course, given your young age, I won't ask you to take on high-difficulty missions now. You can have two more years to ease into it."

"If you agree, I can immediately grant you the inheritance of your title, and even combine your family's accumulated merits to raise it to 'Count.' But you should understand the issues that come with the Assassin pathway later on, so your title will be 'Countess.'"

"Of course, if you complete the tasks well, I can further elevate your rank. If you perform outstandingly to my satisfaction, I can even provide you with a method to turn back into a man."

Hearing such venomous words from the King's mouth, Lucius's heart churned with mixed emotions. Become a Countess? Has he already begun deep cooperation with the Witch Cult?

As for the method to change back—isn't it just switching to 'Hunter' at Sequence Four? I don't need you to tell me that.

But going to such lengths to force me onto the Assassin pathway is highly suspicious.

Shouldn't it be: first become a male Count, attend various banquets to lure a 'Witch' into the trap, discover I'm 'half an Assassin,' and then develop into a 'Witch'?

What kind of move is it to directly make me a 'Countess'? Lucius kept thinking, but his mind felt like it was about to explode.

He decided not to dwell on it and played dumb, replying normally, "Your Majesty, I have a question that might be simple for you but very difficult for me. The fact that I am male is common knowledge in the 'Sheffield Family.' Although my father has protected me over the years, and few outside know of my existence, there are still some who do."

"In my personal capacity, it should be impossible to change the common knowledge of so many people, including some High Sequence individuals."

"You can have Leif Strauss handle this for you. He has the ability to do it."

Hearing George III's response left Lucius confused, so he made an excuse: "According to the relationship between sovereign and subject, I should obey your arrangements, but I don't recall my family collecting the Potion Recipe for the 'Assassin pathway.'"

"Besides, I'm rather slow-witted. I've only achieved what I have under my Teacher's guidance in all aspects. If I were to become a Countess in the current noble fashion, even selling all the Sheffield Family's territories wouldn't cover the expenses. The Teacher is a minor issue, but dressing up, hosting guests..." In short, even if I agree, I have no money.

George III's face turned livid at the boy's words. "I will arrange your Teacher as soon as possible. I can prepare everything you need!"

Seeing the flustered George III, Lucius knew he had achieved his goal, so he put on a Look of Difficulty and said, "May I be allowed a few days to consider? This matter is too significant; I need to think it over myself."

George III's face showed displeasure at Lucius's reply. "But someone will come to you tonight. You must make a choice. If you agree, you will become a Countess by tomorrow morning, and someone will teach you to live as one."

"As for now, you may leave! Remember, tonight is the final deadline."

Hearing that the conversation was over, Lucius knew he had a temporary reprieve. He didn't linger and walked straight out of the Reception Hall.

Seeing his uncle waiting anxiously at the door, he quickly went over to reassure him. After a brief exchange, they left the Reception Hall area and returned to the banquet.

What Lucius didn't know was that inside the Reception Hall, after he left, another conversation began.

"Do you think he'll choose to become a 'Witch'?"

The empty hall suddenly echoed with another person's voice, but it didn't alarm George III. He only replied with displeasure, "Yes."

"Because it's his only choice—whether in terms of becoming a Beyonder or protecting the Sheffield Family. This is the only path: to become a 'Witch.'"

"You Witch Cult members really have a twisted sense of humor. To give up so much benefit in this cooperation just for one person."

Hearing George III's teasing remark, the person hidden in the shadows laughed joyfully.

"He was always meant to embrace the 'Primordial.' I just gave him a little push. Besides, the Church has already gotten what it wanted."

"As for the benefits I gave up—hasn't he already taken them from you? I can't wait to meet him." Listening to this Witch's words, George III asked angrily, "I'm very curious—how do you plan to make Leif Strauss agree?"

"He'll definitely tell Leif Strauss about this deal. Even if you fail, I won't spit out the benefits I've already gained."

"Of course I know. When that old man first came in, I had already influenced his mind through a 'Sealed Artifact.'"

"What I didn't expect was that he himself had long wanted to raise Lucius as a girl. That gave me an opening."

"! I didn't know Witches had such an ability."

After the banquet, Lucius followed Uncle Leif into a carriage.

Before the carriage had traveled far, Uncle Leif asked, "Lucius, what did the King discuss with you after I left?"

Seeing his uncle's eager concern, Lucius felt a warmth in his heart and directly recounted the content of the Reception Hall conversation.

"I know about your family's prophecy. In fact, right after it began, your ancestors tried switching pathways. Over 500 years, anyone who stepped onto a path other than 'Hunter' died one after another. It's only in the last century, with so few members left, that no one tested it—so it should be fine."

"As for the Assassin pathway, you were destined for it anyway—it's a last resort. Don't choose 'Witch' or 'Countess.'"

"If you don't succeed this time, there will be another chance. At worst, I'll swallow my pride and beg one by one to get your title back. Just wait at home safely."

Seeing Leif Strauss's anger, Lucius comforted him, "Uncle, it's fine. Even if I become a 'Witch,' His Majesty said he'd help me change back. Besides, I want to know what he's really plotting."

"My father encountered a 'Witch' and had me. When things were exposed and a purge was about to happen, the Royal Family suddenly ordered it stopped—too unnatural. I want to find out why."

Seeing Lucius's expression, Uncle Leif sighed helplessly, "But..."

Whether from anger or another reason, Uncle Leif's face was now flushed red.

Lucius explained, "And the way to change back, Uncle, you actually already know—it's your method for becoming a demigod."

Hearing Lucius's words, the only thought that came to Count Lev Strauss was: "My method for becoming a demigod... you're a Hunter pathway, so you mean switching pathways."

"How do you know that? This involves knowledge of demigods."

Lucius lied outright, "I joined a secret Beyonders exchange a couple days ago—the kind that communicates through dreams. There are big shots in there, some I can't even name, so I just borrow 'He' to bluff my way through."

"Dreams, can't name names... I think I know who you're talking about. Why would they approach you?" Count Lev Strauss said, thinking as he spoke.

"I don't know either," Lucius lied, thinking to himself, If they actually invited me, I really would join—after all, those are the top figures of this world. Even if His divinity outweighs His humanity, we don't conflict in other areas.

Count Lev Strauss looked at this young relative who had already chosen his path and could only say helplessly, "Since you've thought it through, I won't say much more. But always remember to prioritize your own safety. If you run into something you can't handle, send me a telegram or just 'come home'—I'll take care of it."

Lucius watched Count Lev Strauss's expression shift and said, "I know, Uncle. I've always remembered your teaching—only the living get to enjoy the fruits of victory."

Hearing that reply, Count Lev Strauss knew his lessons hadn't been wasted. "Safety above all else. As for the ritual you need to switch pathways, I'll pick out the personnel as soon as possible, and you can train them yourself. Any special requirements?"

Seeing a freebie handed to him, Lucius, operating on the principle of not passing up a bargain, started making demands directly. "I need a squad of fifty people, preferably from the same unit. Their backgrounds should be clean—commoners at the bottom, no ties to nobles. It'd be best if they include different roles: fighters, doctors, logistics, and so on. Their personalities need to be cautious..."

"And if any of them are already Beyonders, even better..."

"And most importantly, I can't modify the memories of the servants at my place."

Watching Lucius rattle off his list, Count Lev Strauss's mouth grew wider and wider, thinking to himself, He's treating me like a Wish Machine. He cut in directly, "I'll find people who meet your requirements as soon as possible. You should head down now—you can't come home with me today."

"As for altering 'memories,' I'll come to your place at 11 PM tonight. While they're asleep, I'll use a Sealed Artifact to influence them."

Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Lucius thought, I still had so many demands I didn't get to make!

Hahn saw the carriage ahead stop and his young master step down, so he immediately got out of his own carriage. Before he'd even taken two steps, he wondered why Count Lev Strauss's carriage had sped off so fast today. Was there some advancement business to handle?

Watching his young master climb back into their own carriage, Hahn Clayton couldn't figure it out. He could only turn back, reboard, and tell the driver to move on.