Chapter 182 The Madman Comes Again! - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

The young man looked down at the crowd, his arrogant words falling slowly, reaching everyone's ears. The closest to him, the Fourth Prince, Joshua, had a look of bewilderment in his eyes. Upon realizing what the young man had said, his eyes widened in disbelief. Further away, the First Princess, Silina, as well as Sia, were similarly shocked, staring at him as if he were speaking nonsense. "Is he serious?" Silina instinctively whispered. Sia frowned, remained silent for a moment, then shook his head: "At least, I don't believe it." Just yesterday, he had been imprisoned and subjected to severe interrogation. Though it was unclear how he had healed completely, it was plausible he had used some rare restorative concoction like moonlight elixir. Such remedies were scarce in the capital, even accessible to himself only through Tia’s generosity, albeit in limited amounts. However, with Evester’s network, acquiring it would not be a challenge. Yet, that was not the focal point. The emphasis lay in how the young man's words seemed like the antics of an attention-seeking clown, yet were delivered with such sincerity. All eyes instinctively turned to Lynn. Evester’s expression was blank as her slender fingers tensed up. A foreboding feeling surged within her. Though unclear as to Lynn’s next move, it was bound to be troublesome. Unbidden, she recalled Joshua's warning in the visiting room yesterday. “Sister, as a sixth-rank demigod, always burdening a mere second-tier transcendent... you are quite ruthless. Or perhaps, it’s a cruel trait inherited from the Arlexin family.” “Risking so much every time, aren’t you afraid that one day, just one mistake, and he’ll never return?” Those words echoed like a curse in Evester's mind, haunting her. Now, witnessing Lynn preparing for unexpected actions, she recalled those words, and her spirits plummeted. Indeed. The long-standing trust and expectations led her to subconsciously overlook the fact that he was merely a second-tier. After all, noble peers of his age were still at academies. Yet Lynn bore the weight of family vengeance and battled the aristocracy of the entire capital. Simply because he was her subordinate. Branded with the label of the Third Princess, it was his inescapable fate. And she had shamelessly accepted his assistance and shelter. The more she pondered, the less Evester could tolerate Lynn's actions. Why did he always hurt himself so? Did he not realize that it caused concern for others? Evester thought instinctively. The Batlione family and Lynn had attracted far too much attention, many wished to eliminate him. All for her sake. With this in mind, Evester could no longer bear her chaotic emotions and walked briskly towards Lynn. Wearing black high heels and moving too swiftly, she stumbled, making her already disheveled dark hair even messier. Hearing the commotion across the street, Lynn merely cast a nonchalant glance at Eleanor and others, then fixed his gaze on her. No words were spoken, yet as their eyes met in the air, Evester stopped instinctively. Don't come over. Else, I will perish before you. They shared no telepathy. But in his calm eyes, devoid of all emotion, Evester understood the intent. She had never seen Lynn like this before. The puppy that always sought to please had vanished. In its place was a predatory demeanor. That look felt alien to her. It was no jest. If she approached, he might truly do something unspeakable. Why? Why does he become so rebellious at such times? The first palace coup attempt by suicide was like this. The frenzied Zero-Level Seal event, when he resolutely transported them away, was like this. When he was later imprisoned at the Augusta manor and told about that vile woman's existence, was like this. And now, no change at all. The master had planned everything; staying home obediently was all he needed to do. Why couldn't he listen? Evester halted, eyes subtly reddened, a mixture of defiance and grievance in her gaze. The atmosphere grew silent. Fortunately, the black-haired boy on the steps held everyone's attention, so Evester's emotional turmoil went unnoticed. Mr. Black had been watching the young man who looked down at him from above. After a long silence, he finally spoke in a detached tone: "You claim the case is solved? Do you know what that implies?" "Broadly speaking, you are now mocking the Imperial Council, challenging a councilman's authority." "Lynn Bartlione, I warned you back in the interrogation room, this is Glosteen; humility will take you further than theatrics." "Apparently, you've learned nothing." Clearly, not just him, but no one present believed Lynn had solved the Connector case. It had only been two days since the thirty-sixth incident, and Lynn had been imprisoned with no external communication. Even assuming external contact was possible, solving a serial murder case that had plagued the capital for over a year in such a short time was unimaginable. If he truly possessed such capabilities, the intelligence agencies of the capital might as well abandon their duties. Thus, Mr. Black viewed Lynn's actions as mere stalling tactics. Unfortunately, he did not fall for them. "You claim the case is solved, very well." Mr. Black slowly closed the car door, seemingly dismissing any intention to leave. "Now, immediately tell me the Connector's real identity and current whereabouts." "Think carefully before answering; you have one chance." In this moment, as the overseer of the Cortes financial empire and one of the empire's most powerful figures, Mr. Black was incensed by Lynn's audacity. For him, the boy's downward gaze itself was an affront. No one had ever dared act this way before him. Even if not a challenge to the Cortes family, the boy’s lack of basic fear for the empire's authority was unacceptable. The tension was palpable. Fourth Prince Joshua couldn't help but make a clicking noise, turning to Lynn. "Should I call you fearless, or simply arrogant?" Joshua adjusted his glasses. "You think bringing the Moscra family to its knees means you can dominate the capital?" "That's a feat even your master couldn't achieve, let alone you." "The Heramus Tomb proposal, you had a hand in that?" Just as Joshua was speaking animatedly, Lynn's indifferent voice interrupted. Joshua paused, then smiled: "So what if I did?" "Honestly, besides me, many are watching closely, awaiting the outcome." "Do you think they wish my monstrous sister to die in the crypt or return safely to Glosteen?" "Still, I don't have the heart like them, given our blood relation. As long as they help me enter the tomb and gather enough samples and data, what happens to her afterward, whether she lives or dies, is of no concern to me." Joshua paused briefly, adjusted his black-framed glasses, and added, "Besides, I'm quite curious." "Why worry about my sister when you should focus on how you plan to resolve your own situation now that it's come to this point?" With several opulent carriages and high-profile figures gathered on the street, people began to gather around the neighborhood near the Inquisitors' headquarters. Though the crowd was sparse at first, it gradually increased in number as time passed. Hearing this, Lynn flashed a smile at Joshua, unsure if it was radiant or sinister. "You'll find out soon enough," he remarked. The next moment, he looked off the platform below. "Answer my question," Mr. Black's voice was icily detached. "Tell me the true identity and whereabouts of the Connector." "Otherwise..." "It's right here." Before Mr. Black could finish his sentence, Lynn interrupted rudely and bluntly. "?!" Instantly, disbelief washed over the crowd. Right here? Did he mean to say the one who committed such heinous crimes was near the Inquisitors' headquarters? "... That joke isn't funny," Mr. Black said, his expression darkening after a brief shock. The atmosphere turned chillingly cold. However, Lynn remained expressionless from start to finish. Since being incarcerated, he had pondered the most efficient way to capture the Connector, Börschumann. As a transcendent devoted to "malice," Börschumann possessed various demonic abilities. His survival and anti-divination capabilities far exceeded those of major church members and rogue transcendent individuals. Cunning and treachery were hallmarks of demons. That's why it had been challenging to apprehend him. And with some "devil's accomplices" assisting him secretly within the human faction, capturing Börschumann proactively was near impossible. Especially for Evester, one of the least powerful among the nine princes. Even with Lynn's knowledge from the original work, there was no traceable intel. Yet, this task wasn't particularly complex. Capturing someone isn't solely about taking the initiative to strike. For a cunning eel like the Connector hiding among millions, understanding its nature is more effective. Take a second to consider. As a "malice" devotee, what does he crave? —Completing the ascension trial laid down by Khusedeen. Lynn, familiar with this "old acquaintance," understood its nature. Adding Sia's hint from before, it wasn't hard to deduce that Börschumann was a fourth-tier transcendent about to ascend to a legend. Currently, one of his trials seemed to be inciting panic among humans through serial crimes, creating a feared urban legend. Therefore, the task was quite simple. Feeling the eyes from all directions and the growing crowd, Lynn smiled knowingly. "Mr. Black, aren't you even a bit curious about the real identity of the Connector, Börschumann?" He suddenly raised his voice, ensuring everyone present could hear. The mention of "Connector" caused a stir among the masses. Mr. Black's anger intensified immediately. "Speak." Simultaneously, he cast a surreptitious glance at his guards. In Mr. Black's view, this arrogant youth must be punished for challenging an advisor. Observing, the Fourth Prince stepped aside, not wanting to get caught in any forthcoming violence. Only Evester could no longer contain her distress, instinctively charging forward. Foreseeing something, she clenched her teeth, tears brimming as she cried, "Lynn! Don't say it! I, the crown princess, forbid you!" Their distance closed rapidly. Yet none of this stirred Lynn's heart in the slightest. He merely lifted his right hand, pressing a joker card, clasped between his forefinger and middle finger, against his lips lightly. "It's straightforward," Lynn bared his teeth in a chilling grin. "Because..." "I am the Connector." Instantly, a torrent of black threads erupted violently, sweeping towards Mr. Black below the steps like a storm! "Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—" The intensive sound of whistling wind filled the street. The four high-tier transcendents who intended to capture Lynn abruptly became exceptionally alert. With the gradual expansion of divine light, an invisible force field formed to fend off the black threads firing like arrows. Simultaneously, Evester took action too. An overwhelming surge of crimson transcendent energy erupted, restraining the entire space and transforming it into a cage. As a sixth-tier demigod, she exerted absolute control over the space. Yet, she was no deity and far from the level of the Endwitch. Thus, her domain was limited to space; the ethereal realm of time eluded Evester. Coincidentally, Lynn had some mastery over it. The Veil of Time activated. In the next second, an illusory watch appeared in Lynn's palm. Under the influence of an invisible force, the watch's hands subtly shifted backward. This meant he borrowed a minute from his future self. For this minute, Lynn Bartlione could traverse freely through time fissures. As pure white light radiated from the platform, everyone instinctively squinted, except Evester who flickered, reaching for his hand amidst the blinding light. However, once Lynn resolutely decided to proceed, it was too late. Nothing could hinder his resolve. The intense white light flashed for mere seconds. Upon reopening their eyes, the audacious young man who declared himself the Connector had vanished from the steps. Along with him, the Fourth Prince Joshua was gone too. Everyone stood dazed, unable to digest the dramatic turn of events. It wasn’t until the frantic voices of the guards resounded that their attention shifted to Mr. Black not far away. Staring at the head of the Cortes family lying in a pool of blood, a deafening roar erupted in everyone's minds.