The Known and the Conspiracy

Angela's solution was very simple. Although Li Lin did not ask her to kill that damned half-elf in his place, Angela still had her own ideas and ways of doing things.

"This time, we must beat that skinny bamboo stick with pointy ears until he can't take care of himself anymore."

Weaving through the shadows and blending into the crowd, almost no one noticed the Vampire Species's rapid speed. Relying on her keen senses, Angela had already memorized that repulsive aura within the courtroom. Now, finding her was much easier. Mina and Fina followed closely behind, their expressions a mixture of helplessness and bewilderment. Although they had heard the story from Angela accounts were always tinged with extreme self-centeredness, making it difficult to discern the truth. But now, it seemed that following her was the only way forward.

Li Lin didn't tell Angela why he was there, but Angela naturally sensed what he and Nia were doing in secret. Angela knew Li Lin very well because she could roughly guess what Nia, whose behavior was similar to Li Lin's, was doing. That's why she didn't jump out in the courtroom and send those stubborn old men to be reincarnated.

However, vampires remain top-tier fighters when it comes to taking revenge in private.

Using the shadows and the cover of the crowd, even Mina and Fina, who had never learned stealth, could move like top-tier thieves. Their Vampire Species speed and cat-like quietness gave them immense power. Even walking through a crowd, they could sense that these people were significantly slower than themselves; even the clumsy Fina could slip into a blind spot before anyone's gaze turned to her. The shadows, like vast wings, concealed their forms, and those around them could no longer feel their body temperature or breath—they were dead.

Soon, led by Angela, the two sisters passed through the bustling commercial district and the busy transportation area, arriving at the relatively quiet noble area. They were not qualified to use the levitation disc, and although climbing a fifteen-story-high staircase would be extremely difficult for humans, it was not so for Vampire Species.

Angela barely lingered, flashing by like a fleeting shadow. Finally, her figure stopped in front of a very luxurious-looking building. The faint scent of wine and perfume emanating from the interior and exterior, combined with the barely perceptible but definitely not escapable groans from Vampire Species's sensitive ears, allowed her to guess what this place was even without looking up at the sign.

"You two wait here."

After Angela finished speaking to the two sisters hidden in the shadows, she turned around, and soon a thin mist enveloped her body before disappearing.

While it's quite strange for mist to appear within a rocky mountain, it wasn't particularly noticeable inside the tavern with its burning incense burner. The smoke from the fragrant, relaxing, and soothing spices enveloped everything like a transparent veil, blurring the view. So even when Angela's mist drifted in, it was like a stream merging into the sea, attracting no attention whatsoever.

Maintaining her misty form, Angela floated upwards following the scent of the detestable half-elf. She easily passed through walls and flew over the men and women reveling in pleasure, chilling their already heightened desires. Soon, she found the annoying half-elf, but upon seeing the scene before her, even Angela couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise, then chuckled softly.

The arrogant, haughty half-elf in the courtroom was now kneeling naked before a woman. The woman wasn't particularly beautiful, and Angela didn't smell the familiar, pleasant scent of virginity on her. Clearly, she was a "staff member," but the situation was strange; the man who should be served was kneeling before the woman, devoutly licking her toes. Even so, the woman remained cold, her brow furrowed, and she lashed the half-elf's strong body with a whip.

Call me Queen!!

"Oh, Your Majesty!!"

The half-elf trembled, whether from excitement or pain, it was hard to tell, but his voice clearly conveyed a sense of pleasure.

"That's really interesting."

Angela abandoned her original thought and began to observe the scene before her. She wasn't unfamiliar with this method, but firstly, Li Lin had never been so rough with her, and secondly, as a familiar, Angela had never attempted to "overstep" her master. Therefore, Angela only understood its secrets through hearsay, but she still couldn't comprehend this strange emotion. Although Angela knew very well that those who inflict pain could gain unparalleled pleasure, in her long life, she had never personally witnessed those who were inflicted with pain experience the same benefit.

"Those who inflict pain derive pleasure from seeing others suffer; if the other person, in turn, finds enjoyment in it, what pleasure is left?"

Angela frowned, thinking carefully, but she still couldn't understand.

"Get up here!!"

The woman lashed the half-elf several more times, then kicked him aside.

"Get up here and serve me until I'm satisfied!"

"Oh, yes, my queen, my queen...!!"

Hearing the woman's angry shout, the half-elf, as if receiving a king's reward, excitedly got up. Trembling, he approached the woman and began to act according to her commands.

It's almost time.

As the heavy breathing of the man and woman below intensified, Angela knew she had reached the final moment. With a malicious smile, she slowly approached the couple, her body transforming into a wisp of mist. Although Angela had considered countless ways to torture them on her way here, she had now decided on her method.

"Although my master said I can't take his life, he shouldn't object to taking his second life..."

Angela lit up with joy, and she immediately prepared to take action.

At that very moment, the half-elf finally satisfied the woman beneath him, and they embraced each other, clearly enjoying the final afterglow.

However, just before Angela was about to make her move, the woman suddenly opened her eyes and looked at the half-elf.

How's the plan going?

Her voice remained cold and harsh. But this made Angela slightly, then she rolled back into the corner.

"Everything is proceeding according to the adults' plan."

The half-elf respectfully withdrew from the woman's body and knelt before her.

"As instructed by the master, I have already begun to create chaos in the city. That man is a very useful sacrifice. Through this trial, the tyrannical and thuggish nature of the High-Ranking Mage must have spread. We just need to put in a little more effort... I really didn't expect that the Golden Leaf Mage would return at this time. This time, things are probably going to get a bit complicated."

"So, what are your plans regarding the duel?"

"Kill him, of course."

The half-elf did not hesitate at all.

"He's just an ordinary, weak human. My sword is more than capable of slitting his throat before he can even react."

Don't do that.

The woman shook her head.

"Defeat him, humiliate him, let the whole city see your strength, we will support you, don't let your emotions control your reason."

"Certainly..."

The half-elf bowed his head deeply, while the woman stared coldly at him before spreading her legs.

You've made me dirty, and it makes me very uncomfortable.

As she spoke, she looked at the half-elf before her, as if he were not a nobleman at all, but a lowly wild dog.

"Come here and lick it clean, then we have a lot more to do."

"Yes... my queen..."

While Angela was curiously watching the "live broadcast," Li Lin and Nia were also discussing matters with three High-Ranking Mages.

"That's right, we did promise you that we would fulfill your request when the time was right."

The leading old monk was somewhat uneasy.

"But isn't this a bit too..."

"Wishful thinking?"

Li Lin sat in front of the three mages, with Nia standing behind him. Clearly, the current situation was not progressing as expected.

"That's not the case, Mr. Li Lin."

It was the shortest of the three old mages who spoke up; clearly, he was in charge of foreign affairs negotiations.

"We were already aware of all this when we were planning the operation with Miss Nia. In fact, the three of us old guys understand very well that the world isn't as safe as we imagine. But I have to say, this request is far too risky and audacious. We have to consider not only ourselves, but also the people of the entire city. The City of a Thousand Towers has practically become the home of all the mixed-race races on the continent. We can't risk their lives."

"But, as you all know, this can't go on like this."

Facing these mages, Li Lin did not use magic. After all, they were also mages and could easily detect his intentions. At this point, progress could only be made through communication and negotiation. They were currently communicating in Magic Language, a special language for protecting secrets. It could only be used by qualified individuals when they were together, and no one could divulge secrets to another person alone. Unless these individuals were gathered together, they could not express anything they wanted to say to anyone in any way, as everything was encrypted by Magic Language.

"The number of hybrids is increasing day by day, as you all know. Their population is growing rapidly, and at this rate, they will eventually surpass the size of a city. Do you really think that's a good thing? You will eventually establish a nation, so why not use the established model? The reputation of the Magic Empire will certainly provide a solid backing for the hybrids. Think carefully: if you were to establish a new nation, aside from the possibility of it provoking attacks from other countries, you would need sufficient time to build credibility and prestige. Isn't that right?"

"As mages, we respect the Magic Empire, but you should also understand that many people on this land do not have a good impression of the Magic Empire, especially the Five-Nation Alliance... they..."

"That's not a problem."

Li Lin raised his hand, interrupting the elders, and crossed his arms, carefully observing the three elders before him.

"In truth, I don't seek any guarantees or agreements from you all; I desire only the possibility of your existence. I won't demand your assistance, because unlike the elves and dwarves, you haven't faced annihilation, so there's no need for you to stand on the front lines preparing for battle. I won't try to waste the lives of these hybrids to achieve victory. But I think, as hybrids, as mages, you have already suffered far too much unfair treatment."

He gazed intently at the three elders, his eyes serious and focused.

"If we don't resist, we will eventually accept these injustices and utterly degenerate. Tolerance is the privilege of the victors, the charity of the sovereign. Do you really think you can change these views through your own silent efforts? Whether you are a hybrid or a mage, do you really think that will change how people view you?"

He casually made a gesture in the air, full of tension.

"Then why not choose another path? I don't deny there will be dangers, but—choices are always dangerous, no matter which path you choose."

Faced with Li Lin's words, the three old masters remained silent for a moment, then began to discuss in hushed tones, while Li Lin sighed and leaned back.

Are you confident?

Nia leaned down and asked in his ear.

"It's hard to say, it's possible, but difficult to determine."

Li Lin watched the three elders exchanging hushed words and lowered his own voice. The endless years brought more than just physical changes. Li Lin understood the feelings of these old mages; they were old and didn't crave much change, even when forced to. This was an inevitable reaction after pushing one's limits, which was why Li Lin chose to relinquish most of his power, travel to various places, broaden his horizons, and maintain his vitality. Aging isn't just physical; if even the mind cannot remain young, then living is tantamount to being dead.

Passion and impulsiveness are often dismissed as mistakes made in youth. People pride themselves on composure and self-control, and scorn that youthful impulsiveness. They are completely unaware that by the time they relinquish this so-called impulsiveness, they will be elderly, barely surviving, awaiting the day of death.

At this moment, the old mages seemed to have made their decision.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Li Lin, we..."

"A bunch of old fogies."

Just then, a wisp of mist suddenly passed through the wall and appeared in front of everyone. It then transformed into Angela's appearance. She glanced at the surprised old mage, her blood-red eyes narrowing slightly, filled with smugness and mockery.

"They didn't even realize they were about to die."