Chapter 33

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This chapter is edited by Cthulhu. Thank you for your contribution!

Chapter 33: The Secret

There were numerous crucial items in this extraordinary room, all of which had been imbued with the ritual of “touch and come.” If anything went awry, Marquis Scarlet would instantly teleport from anywhere.

He had been tempted to place the “touch and come” ritual on Mililyn, but she would discover it each time and remove it in disgust.

“Hound of Babel Tower, speak.” Marquis Scarlet smiled. He was deeply curious about the Babel Tower. There was something inscrutable about this mysterious organization.

Mu Ling regarded him expressionlessly, though her heart was tense. Marquis Scarlet was certainly not to be underestimated, and his power exceeded hers.

Although the outcome of battle bore no absolute connection to strength, hundreds of Bloods waited outside the room.

Each Blood was a genuine supernatural being. There must be more than one of them above Might-level.

Rumors claimed that Marquis Scarlet never harmed women, but it would be simple enough for him to capture her.

Mu Ling studied the nearby Marquis Scarlet and spoke. “You’re deceiving us. Except for a few sacrificial women, you never drink blood. Marquis Scarlet is a true gentleman.”

Marquis Scarlet appeared slightly startled, yet the smile remained fixed on his face.

“It seems you know quite a bit about me… I do believe that women are God’s artistry and collection. It’s truly excessive to harm them.”

Which deity did the vampire believe in? Mu Ling felt turmoil, but maintained her composure and said, “Marquis Scarlet, the Babel Tower knows everything about you.”

“Ah, the Babel Tower…”

Marquis Scarlet fell silent for a moment, then his tone grew serious. “You have directly defied the rules established by the Queen of the Scarlet Moon and have become enemies of all Blood in Tatsumi City.”

“Hound of the Babel Tower. I won’t end your life, but I shall capture you and deliver you to our queen.” There was sympathy in Marquis Scarlet’s eyes. Unlike him, the queen would show no mercy to this girl.

But the queen’s commands were absolute. None could disobey.

Queen of the Scarlet Moon had resolved to destroy the Babel Tower. Nothing or no one could prevent the emergence of that “fact” and “result.”

“My apologies.” Marquis Scarlet’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Mu Ling prepared to draw her sword. Though he was immensely powerful and victory seemed impossible, she still trusted the savior and believed it would be a triumph for the Babel Tower.

It had always been thus.

However, Mu Ling made no move.

Indeed, even if Nightsaber could truly slay the Bloods, Bai Yan would never permit it. Otherwise, it would be problematic to summon the Queen of the Scarlet Moon with zero loyalty later!

“Very well, the Babel Tower must reveal your secret.”

Marquis Scarlet shook his head and walked leisurely through the room. “My secret? What secrets could possibly be important enough for you to control me? The queen’s orders are absolute. None may disobey.”

Mu Ling instinctively sensed there must truly be secrets. Curious about the powerful Blood’s secret, she listened to what she would say next.

Mu Ling suddenly felt somewhat ridiculous. She was listening to herself expose secrets. Her words were not her own at all.

Mu Ling didn’t dwell on it. Throughout history, many had dedicated their lives to organizations and families. This was no exception.

Mu Ling’s lips continued without pause. “It’s your greatest secret. Once revealed, you’ll have no place among the Blood.”

Fear flickered in Marquis Scarlet’s eyes, though he maintained his composure. He calmly sipped the blood from his glass.

“Speak, beautiful lady.”

With a composed expression, Mu Ling continued, “The Blood’s ancient law: To demonstrate the purity of the higher races you have transcended humanity, you must abandon the concept of family and never bring your family to the Blood. This prevents factionalism and conflict within the Blood.”

“Eighty years past, you discovered your descendants before becoming Blood. It was a mother and child in a human family. They carried your bloodline.”

“Subsequently, you observed the family. One day, the parents were slain by bandits, leaving only the dying young girl, Mililyn.”

“That explains your avoidance of her, though she’s attempted to impress you to become your assistant.”

Marquis Scarlet listened silently, his eyes deadly serious as if contemplating Mu Ling’s demise.

“You made an error.” Mu Ling continued.

“Should the secret emerge, you and your beloved child… Viscount Mililyn will face severe punishment.”

Without warning, Marquis Scarlet erupted in laughter. As if he’d heard the most absurd jest imaginable. His laughter persisted at length.

“Pure nonsense. I’ve always despised Mililyn. I’ve long regretted bringing her to the Blood.”

The laughter ceased abruptly. A powerful pressure made Mu Ling’s heart constrict.

“Enough, foolish hound of the Babel Tower. I’ve heard sufficient…”

The horrific scent of blood from Marquis Scarlet filled the room instantly.

Mu Ling’s heart raced, yet she appeared utterly unaffected. “All documentation about her family lies hidden in the wall behind the black sculpture in this room, and the Babel Tower has already obtained it… Naturally, you may choose disbelief.”

Marquis Scarlet smiled thinly, or at least feigned outward calm.

“Bam—”

The goblet shattered in his grip. Blood flowed.

He couldn’t comprehend it. How could the Babel Tower know his secret? Anyone touching the wall would trigger “touch and come.” How had they bypassed him to uncover this secret?

Marquis Scarlet couldn’t have known the truth.

Bai Yan had repeatedly deployed Nightsaber here several times. Each time he began searching for useful information, it would alert Marquis Scarlet. He learned wisdom on the fourth attempt.

First, he had Nightsaber lure Mililyn away using the Babel Tower’s name. Then Nightsaber eliminated her and drew Marquis Scarlet away. During this time, she transformed into a bird and flew to the room to gather intelligence.

After thoroughly searching the room, he finally discovered Marquis Scarlet’s secret.

On the fifth attempt, the dialogue between Nightsaber and Marquis Scarlet changed.

Bai Yan finally cleared the stage.

Marquis Scarlet smiled and remained silent for a time, as if weighing his options. The blood scent grew more intense around him.

“Well…” Finally, he sighed.

“What precisely do you want? Or rather, what does the master of the Babel Tower desire? I won’t betray the Blood and the king…”

Mu Ling released a silent breath of relief and continued. “I require all information regarding the Black Star.”

“Very well, as you wish. Good fortune in the dogfight.”

Marquis Scarlet remained visibly annoyed. He studied Mu Ling intently before his form vanished.

When he reappeared, he tossed a blood-stained flash drive to Mu Ling.

“There’s extensive information you’ll find interesting. The plans and vulnerabilities of the Black Star. No one in Tatsumi would possess such knowledge about them. You chose the right person.”

Mu Ling caught it automatically, suddenly aware that the savior’s control had disappeared. Freedom felt somewhat uncomfortable.

“Mission accomplished,” she whispered.

“Who controls the Babel Tower?” Marquis Scarlet asked suddenly. “What does he seek, power, authority, fame, or something else?”

Now able to move freely, Mu Ling’s admiration for the savior grew even stronger.

“He is the savior, the destined savior of this world.”

Marquis Scarlet, who had been attempting to extract information, froze momentarily before bursting into uncontrollable laughter.

“Hahahahaha…”

“Fascinating. Or perhaps another madman exists in the Otherworld?” Suddenly he felt a gaze sharp as a blade.

The hound of the Babel Tower, Nightsaber, was regarding him with an indescribable expression.

“Should you insult him again, you shall become my enemy.”

Marquis Scarlet shrugged. “My apologies. Incidentally, I’m curious. According to you, the Babel Tower is truly a benevolent organization seeking neither power nor fame, but only world salvation?”

Without embarrassment, Mu Ling nodded serenely. “Precisely so.”

Marquis Scarlet smiled, his eyes growing subtle.

Well, it appeared the members of the Babel Tower were all mad… or had been thoroughly indoctrinated by their master.

‘Hound of the Babel Tower. I’ve cast a shadow spell on the flash drive. I wonder how much you’ll discover for me?’

Mu Ling examined the bloodied flash drive in her hand, feeling slightly dazed.

She had contemplated revenge for years, but the vast difference in power made hope seem impossible.

“Master…”

“New stage cleared. Babel Tower Legendary Point + 80.”

“Obtained level reward: Mystical Power — Praise the Sun.”

Bai Yan started, sitting up from the sofa.

In his recollection, the mystical power “Praise the Sun” would counter the dark attribute. It proved useful in early stages.

Raise your hands to unleash light and heat that suppressed darkness and evil! Moreover, as a minor divine power, it held numerous applications in later stages.

Bai Yan examined the reward with satisfaction.

The next stage would require three days’ wait. It remained inaccessible.

Merlin’s Cloak had been added to the reward list. Once all event stages were cleared, he could acquire it at half price.

“The legendary points have increased significantly. 10 summons await me.”

Suddenly, a thought occurred. What would happen if he manipulated the Queen of the Scarlet Moon to perform the Night Visit Vampire?

“Scarlet Moon, come to me…”

He rose from the couch and left the library, heading to dinner.

His phone suddenly vibrated. Bai Yan retrieved it and saw the results of the “Mutation Technology Research Institute (Beginner).”