Chapter Summaries

Isaac and Carlo abandoned Halperin’s offer of cooperation and arrested him, taking his head and body separately to the Joint Investigation Bureau for questioning. The group arrived at the Bureau, where the agent on duty saw the bizarre procession.

• Isaac rejected Halperin’s proposal to restore him to power and announced the Joint Investigation Bureau would arrest him.
• An unfamiliar old man restrained Halperin, allowing Fenri to attack and sever his head from his body.
• Carlo explained that Halperin had been recently resurrected and was weakened, then ordered Isaac and Li Jiehao to carry his head and body to the Bureau.
• The group passed a drunk and a City Police Force patrol officer on their way back to the Joint Investigation Bureau.
• Carlo sent Elesha away, and the agent on duty stared as Isaac carried Halperin’s talking head and Li Jiehao carried his corpse.

Carlo interrogated Halperin after binding him with ritual nails, and Halperin revealed how Annabelle Croft had risen through the Cult. Carlo deduced that Annabelle had once been Halperin’s lover, leaving Halperin’s account of her plans still to come.

• Isaac drove four ritual nails into Halperin’s wrists and ankles, binding him spiritually, then reattached his head.
• Carlo rejected Halperin’s offer to negotiate and demanded information about Annabelle’s rise, supporters, resources, and plans.
• Halperin said he had recruited Annabelle Croft twenty years earlier and described her rapid ascent through the Cult.
• Halperin explained that Annabelle formed a faction seeking eternal life by replenishing life energy.
• Carlo reasoned that Halperin had supported Annabelle and guessed that she had been his lover, a conclusion Halperin’s reaction confirmed.