Chapter 207

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Chapter 207: Move With Emotion

In the evening, the moody Phoenix returned to his villa.

He dismissed the servants and concubines of the family, and, contrary to his usual routine, did not visit his daughter. Instead, he walked into the dimly lit, ancient, and solemn study, sinking into deep thought.

At this moment, the only thing on Phoenix’s mind was one thing:

How could he quickly join the Babel Tower?

First come, first served. He didn’t believe the message from the Babel Tower was empty talk. If he delayed, he would miss the opportunity!

The so-called laws of the Air Alliance meant nothing when it came to loyalty to the king… Phoenix knew that only easily attainable power mattered most!

In the world of Noah, where ‘power is concentrated in one body,’ order, law, and collective effort meant nothing in the face of sufficient power—like beautiful glass shattered with a single touch.

“Babel Tower… I’m really lucky. The Savior has extended an olive branch to all the major families.”

Phoenix couldn’t help but smile.

It was a stroke of immense luck. At this moment, acting as the proxy head of the family, he could make decisions on behalf of the Augustus family.

He had been closely following the situation with the “Psychic Dancer” and knew full well how his sister had become much stronger in just two months.

It was simply unbelievable! What immense luck! It was truly envy and jealousy-inducing. Why couldn’t he be one of the members of Babel Tower? Why wasn’t he chosen by the Savior?

This thought had lingered in his mind for a long time, resurfacing every time he heard news about the Babel Tower.

If it weren’t for his sister being chosen, it would have been perfect…

Why couldn’t it have been him?

He too wanted to become a strong individual. What was wrong with that?

He was simply unlucky… If only he could replace his sister and join Babel Tower.

So, after Count Gallard spoke those words, although Phoenix outwardly seemed to express a hostile attitude toward him, deep down, his thoughts were different.

Hatred? That didn’t exist for him. His father deserved to die for conspiring with the heretics.

In truth, Phoenix was overjoyed. He was on the verge of jumping for joy and would have willingly knelt before the aloof Miss Nightsaber and begged the Savior behind her to allow him to join Babel Tower, had there been no one around.

“Of course, such an ugly behavior cannot be revealed in front of others.”

Phoenix shook his head. To the public, he remained the handsome heir of the noble family. Many noble girls pursued him, but no one knew what he truly thought.

[Except for me.]

The sudden voice in Phoenix’s mind startled him.

“Who?”

He immediately turned and saw a petite figure standing in the corner of the room.

It was her!

Phoenix’s gaze grew cold. That lucky monster!

[No, I can’t think like this. She can read my thoughts. Damn, I can’t control it! This monster will know how jealous I am of her luck… Why wasn’t I chosen by the Savior of Babel Tower? Damn it, Maryse, I really want to join the Babel Tower and become strong too.]

Phoenix’s thoughts reached this point. Though he appeared calm on the surface, he could no longer pretend.

He cut to the chase and said, “Phew, I can’t hide anything from you. So let’s just be straightforward. Sister, I’ve decided to represent our family and join the Babel Tower.”

“I don’t want to agree.”

Maryse lightly shook her head and stared at her brother coldly.

Phoenix was stunned for a moment, and the anger and jealousy in his heart flared instantly, almost making him want to call someone to capture Maryse!

“What’s the point of not agreeing? You are not the Savior, Maryse. You’re just a member of Babel Tower!”

He took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he glared at her.

Maryse remained indifferent to his emotions and calmly replied, “Aren’t you curious, Phoenix? What brought me here tonight? In fact, each family has already sent one representative to join Babel Tower, facilitated by the Savior, for you to join in private.”

“I am your interviewer, my foolish brother.”

Maryse smiled.

“Can you become a member of Babel Tower quickly? The decision is not in your hands, but in mine.”

Upon hearing these words, Phoenix fell silent and didn’t speak for a long time.

Maryse’s countenance slightly changed, showing her distaste for her two-faced brother… Clearly, Phoenix had conceived something quite revolting.

After a long pause, Phoenix suddenly spoke, “Okay, Maryse, what do you want me to do to let me join the Babel Tower? Do you want me to help you return to the family? Fine, I can do that, it’s reasonable.”

“Or do you want to become the head of the Augustus family? Or have everyone groveling at your feet?”

Phoenix was talking, but suddenly, he could no longer restrain his anger.

He realized it was pointless to keep his feelings to himself, so he decided to vent his emotions freely.

“What do you want me to do to join Babel Tower? Speak up! You feel left out, but do you think you’re not a monster? Your talent is hard for many people to bear!”

Maryse replied indifferently, “Only fake and ugly people would avoid standing before me.”

She thought of Mu Ling and added calmly,

“Honest and straightforward people never need to wear a facade around me.”

Phoenix took a deep breath, calming himself before staring coldly at his sister.

This shameless traitor of the Augustus family had not only set fire to their home but had also colluded with Babel Tower to capture their father. And yet, he still hoped to reason with a monster like her…

It was his own fault.

Phoenix said, “Since other means have failed, let’s discuss terms. What do you want exactly? Still hoping to harm the Augustus family?”

Maryse fell silent for a long time before giving her answer.

“What I want is…”

“All of it.”

Phoenix’s expression changed, and Maryse emerged from the shadows, stepping forward.

“You and the Augustus family can join Babel Tower like me and become even more powerful, but from now on, the Augustus family must obey my orders, as well as Babel Tower’s!”

“Truly a greedy monster, Maryse. Do you want to become a ‘Shadowhunter’?”

Phoenix understood the implications. If he agreed, it would mean giving the entire family to this “monster.” But it also meant that Phoenix himself would become a member of Babel Tower.

He began to weigh the pros and cons.

Anyone who joined Babel Tower underwent a metamorphosis, becoming incredibly strong at an accelerated pace! Both Maryse and Count Gallard had undergone this transformation!

There was no doubt: the Savior was a god on earth! More powerful than the rainbows!

Phoenix didn’t think his sister had any special relationship with the great beings of Babel Tower, but he thought she was just an ordinary member of the mysterious organization.

Still, it was terrifying—she had become an “interviewer” and was using her small bit of power to make things difficult for him.

But as long as he could join Babel Tower and obtain the same gifts as they did… one day, everyone would have to look up to him!

“Okay, I agree!”

Phoenix’s expression was serious, and he made his decision.

Maryse smiled, but her expression was filled with meanings Phoenix couldn’t comprehend.

She had no prior experience with such authority, yet she still tried to invite her brother in her mind, using her power as a Babel Tower Core Operator.

Is this the right thing to do? Maryse wasn’t sure.

[Are you willing to establish a ‘Connection’ with the Babel Tower?]

[To contribute to saving this world.]

The voice in Phoenix’s mind was cold and ruthless, but it couldn’t completely suppress the ecstatic expression on Phoenix’s face!

“I am willing!” he shouted.

[Contract, signed and sealed.]

Phoenix paused as he saw Maryse squinting and laughing, clutching her stomach as her laughter grew louder.

Even those outside the study probably heard her laughter, but still, she didn’t stop.

“I just couldn’t help it, ha!”

Maryse laughed so hard that tears streamed down her face.

“What are you laughing at?”

Phoenix’s heart filled with unease, and he vaguely guessed he had been fooled.

“My dear brother, you’re just too greedy and stupid to see the truth…”

Maryse looked coldly at him.

“From now on, the Augustus family and you will be pawns of the Savior… you are both considered ‘non-core members,’ while I am a Core Operator… Did you really think the Savior would invest equal power in everyone?”

“You are truly foolish and too greedy. That old man, Reno, would never have been as impatient as you… This pitiful family has truly fallen into your hands, and it will likely perish.”

“Oh, by the way, just so you know, all the other families are still watching from the sidelines. Even though the old-timers have been promised great benefits, they have not acted recklessly…”

“Congratulations, you’re the first to take the bait!”

Phoenix remained silent for a moment, then suddenly grew furious!

“You actually deceived me! And the Savior as well…”

Maryse calmly replied, “If you speak arrogantly, you may be annihilated by the Savior at any time. I advise you to choose your words carefully.”

Soon, Phoenix’s face displayed an awkward expression, as though he wanted to curse but dared not.

He still feared the mysterious and inscrutable Savior. As a supernormal being, he knew all contracts signed by Otherworlds had supernormal power.

“I really can’t insult the future new owner… the Savior.”

He took a deep breath, knelt on one knee, and tried to cover his thoughts with a chaotic mind.

Phoenix lowered his head and said, apologetically, with regret, “I’m sorry, my sister. I, like others, have been biased against you all along. I’m truly sorry…”

“Now I finally understand that family is actually…”

He was moving with emotion but suddenly felt uneasy, unable to disguise his inner thoughts.

It was just too difficult to completely hide one’s inner voice… Only the former ‘Mr. Mystery’ had managed to do it, concealing his true identity from Maryse with similar methods.

When Phoenix lifted his head again, the girl in front of him had disappeared, seemingly losing all interest in her foolish brother.

In the Augustus family mansion, Maryse’s room remained preserved. Meanwhile, Irena, her personal maid, slept in the adjacent single room daily.

Since Maryse’s sudden disappearance, Irena had been strictly monitored by the Augustus family. It was like imprisonment, as she was not allowed to leave the mansion at all.

She could only huddle in her room, fiddling with the laptop she bought with her first paycheck.

As Maryse’s personal servant, Irena’s salary was quite high, with a significant year-end bonus. Her accumulated salary throughout the year far exceeded that of the average working class.

But money wasn’t the reason Irena became Maryse’s maid.

Though she was initially just appointed to be by Maryse’s side, as the years passed, Irena came to learn about the pain, sadness, and tears of this girl who refused to grow up.

She had come to regard this “master” she lived with day and night as her friend and family.

“When will you be back, Maryse…?”

Irena murmured, sitting on the bed, her heart filled with sadness.

Without Maryse, she was just an outsider in the Augustus family.

If Maryse didn’t return, her life would lose its meaning, as everything had always revolved around her from childhood to adulthood. Her only purpose was to take care of her.

Irena feared that Maryse’s leaving would make her life even more painful.

She knew better than anyone that Maryse wasn’t a monster, nor a terrible villain…

“Just a lonely and afraid little child.”

Irena shook her head, sighed, and decided to sleep.

How long had she been trapped in this tiny room?

Unable to take a single step out.

Tomorrow would be the same.

Irena remained silent.

Suddenly, she heard someone speaking in her heart.

[Irena……]

The door of the room slowly opened with a familiar hand. The girl sitting on the bed, once dull-eyed, now glimmered with excitement as her body trembled slightly.

Irena didn’t speak, but responded to her friend in her heart.

[Welcome back, Maryse!]