𝒐𝐯𝐋xt.𝔠𝓞𝐦

Heloise had assumed that Felix was trying to save Lord Earthly Ghost through dialogue. However, as their conversation progressed, things began to diverge entirely from her expectations.

— (So Lord Earthly Ghost and Felix knew of each other’s existence from the start.)

— (So they are enemies.)

— (Why did Lord Earthly Ghost deceive me?)

— (Why did Felix also deceive me?)

— (Who should I… believe?)

Heloise could only stand rigidly on the spot, continuing to listen to this conversation that seemed to be heading in an unknown direction.

“Indeed, I may be unable to harm your true body, but what of it? Earthly Ghost, you have already lost, it’s high time you scurry home and weep at your mother’s feet.”

Earthly Ghost was somewhat taken aback, having not anticipated such a composed retort from Banning, one that held a certain lethal undertone.

“Hiss… If you wish to feign bravado, seize the moment. I will ensure you exist in a world devoid of a moment’s tranquility.”

As Earthly Ghost retaliated, he simultaneously plotted within his mind.

Having abandoned Heloise, his objectives for the night had shifted.

Earthly Ghost now sought to ascertain whether Banning was aware of the “Parasitic Blood Serpent”. Subsequently, depending on the situation, he would manipulate Heloise through rhetoric, to continue aligning with Banning as a “suicidal weapon”.

“Hehe, Earthly Ghost, threats are futile. No matter who you send to kill me, I will ensure they recognize your true countenance.”

Banning’s words remained confident and audacious, upon hearing which, far from anger, Earthly Ghost felt a secret thrill.

“Hiss… My true countenance? What do you know of me?”

“I know that you are a demon, a member of the Abyssal Empire, serving the ‘Singular Demon God’. Furthermore, you’ve established the ‘Shadow Serpent Society’, specifically to manipulate individuals within the human alliance to serve your interests!”

As Banning spoke, he turned to look at Heloise beside him, then pointed at the Green Snake (Earthly Ghost), emphatically informing her, “Heloise, the demon army that previously devastated the tigermen race’s territory was actually in league with this Earthly Ghost! They not only destroyed your homeland, but they’ve also been masquerading as benefactors, exploiting you to do their bidding!”

In the wake of Banning’s words, Heloise’s eyes gradually filled with despair.

Earthly Ghost noted with satisfaction that Heloise’s eyes had become dull and lifeless —— exactly the outcome he desired.

— (Wow… splendid, truly deserving of you, Banning.)

— (What excellent words.)

— (Now, Heloise must have completely given up on me, and then, she will undoubtedly cling to you, her “great benefactor”, haha!)

For the first time, Earthly Ghost found it challenging to suppress his elation and stifle his laughter.

.

“Heloise… Earthly… is what Felix said true…?”

At the brink of despair, Heloise asked Earthly Ghost with a trembling voice.

Earthly Ghost knew that this was the time to deal the final blow.

“Hiss… Hahaha! You must be the stupidest tigermen race I’ve ever seen hahaha!”

Earthly Ghost no longer needed to hold back his laughter, and he laughed loudly.

“Hiss, let me tell you, Heloise… what I love most is to see you tigermen folks being fooled by me, it’s just too fantastic!”

Earthly Ghost spoke his mind without any reservations. In his eyes, these foolish demi-humans were always just tools to be used. Now that he had the opportunity to announce his masterpiece to the victims, Earthly Ghost couldn’t express how delightful he felt!

And after Earthly Ghost admitted to the deception, Heloise immediately sat on the ground, propped up against a tree, completely lifeless, as if she had lost her soul.

— (Heh, I’ve succeeded!)

“Earthly Ghost, don’t be so smug! The people of the tigermen race trust Heloise greatly. You won’t be able to do as you please much longer!”

Banning positioned himself before Heloise, launching a counterattack against Earthly Ghost.

The “trump card” he used to counterattack was precisely what Earthly Ghost wanted to hear at this moment.

“Hiss, hahaha! But you’d have to find the tigermen race first, wouldn’t you?”

Earthly Ghost capitalized on Banning’s counterattack to indirectly provide intelligence. Currently, his only concern was Heloise seeking her own race. If that were to happen, she might separate from Banning.

Now that Banning had thrown out this matter as a threat, he could take the opportunity to let Heloise know that finding her comrades in the tigermen race wouldn’t be as easy as before.

“Hiss, moving the tigermen race to another location is as easy as uttering a sentence for me.”

“Hiss, do you really think I would foolishly continue to use the original base facility?”

“I’ll let you in on this, hiss, the tigermen race has already been sent to the war front by me, hahaha!”

In order to make everything seem more realistic, Earthly Ghost laughed heartily.

The things he was talking about hadn’t been executed yet, but even if they had to be done, with Heavenly Ghost helping, it would be easier than tying a knot on a cherry stem with one’s tongue.

Seeing that Banning and Heloise were both speechless, Earthly Ghost was very satisfied.

Only the last step remained.

“Hiss… Banning, since you want to help Heloise, I’ll tell you one more ‘good thing’.”

Earthly Ghost spat out his tongue, gave Heloise a gloomy look, and then looked back at Banning.

“Hiss… Heloise has been infested with the ‘Blood Serpent’. She only has a year left to live, hahaha!”

While speaking, Earthly Ghost closely watched Banning’s changing expression.

When Banning heard the words “Blood Serpent” and “only a year left to live”, his eyes unconsciously widened, his mouth slightly opened, and even his temples bulged with veins.

At this point, tEarthly Ghost knew that Banning definitely hadn’t discovered the matter of the “Parasitic Blood Serpent”.

“You… what did you say?! You despicable scoundrel!”

Banning, who had been perfectly composed, lost control. He rushed over to Earthly Ghost, grabbed the “neck” of the Green Snake, lifted it up, and held his thumb against the lower jaw of the Green Snake, preventing it from turning its head to bite.

“What is the ‘Blood Serpent’? How can she be saved?!”

Seeing Banning roaring in anger before him, Earthly Ghost felt even more delighted.

Despite the fact that he had accidentally fallen into Banning’s trap tonight, at this point, Earthly Ghost had successfully turned the trap to his own advantage.

“Hiss… you’re so arrogant, aren’t you? Why don’t you figure it out for yourself, hahaha!”

Earthly Ghost laughed loudly. He had already investigated the fact that there were no churches or clergy in Delis Town.

No matter what abilities Banning possessed, it was absolutely impossible for him to save Heloise before she was completely infected.

“Hiss, Banning, do you have any harsh words left? I do enjoy it when you glare at me but can’t do anything about it, hahaha!”

Earthly Ghost continued to mock, but neither Banning nor Heloise could utter a word.

Knowing that his goal had been achieved, Earthly Ghost voluntarily ended the soul control, allowing his consciousness to return to the Abyssal Empire.

However, what Earthly Ghost didn’t know was that, the moment his connection was severed, the Green Snake he had been possessing was immediately decapitated by “Banning”.

Moreover, a fleeting smile flashed across Banning’s face.

“It’s alright, Heloise, I apologize for deceiving you before. I will explain everything to you properly from now on.”

Banning gently patted Heloise on the shoulder. Unexpectedly, Heloise threw herself into his arms.