Chapter 183: Rebellious Yvestre - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

Late at night at the Bartoleon estate. At this moment, in Lynn's room, the faces of all present were illuminated by the flickering candlelight, each showing an expression of deep worry. Evester sat in silence by the window, staring out into the pitch-dark night sky. After a moment, Greya suddenly spoke with a troubled expression, "Who would've thought that Lynn is actually the Limb Reclaimer." The words had barely left his mouth when everyone’s gaze turned to him, then quickly shifted away. Clearly, no one was interested in entertaining such a foolish remark. Only Afia, in her cat form perched on Eleanor’s lap, let out a very human-like sigh. “At this point, the only one who hasn’t figured it out is you.” "What do you mean?" Greya blinked in confusion. "Shut up," came Evester’s cold voice, making Greya instantly shrink like a quivering bird. It was evident that, aside from him, everyone else had already realized that today’s events were merely another one of Lynn’s audacious attempts to prevent Her Highness the Emperor’s daughter and them from venturing into the dangerous Heremius Mausoleum. However, they couldn't understand why he had to claim the identity of the Limb Reclaimer. And why he had to assassinate the head of the Cortes family in broad daylight, leaving him between life and death. Everyone thought such behavior was beyond reckless, very fitting of Lynn’s usual character, yet his true motives were unfathomable. Her Highness seemed to know something. Regrettably, when she acted, she did not anticipate that he would have enough time-related extraordinary powers to escape the scene. One must know, in the polytheistic Holy Roland Empire, time-related abilities are exceedingly rare, a domain that no god commands. Yet in the Southern Continent’s Republic of Silenstat, there are rumors of an ancient church associated with time. After a long silence, Milanie quietly broke the silence. “Perhaps... he's doing it to lure the snake out of its hole.” With such a major incident happening in the family, especially involving her beloved experimental subject No. 126, even she couldn't stay still. She left her laboratory to come to their aid. And among those present, perhaps her mind was the sharpest. “Lure the snake out of its hole?” Eleanor asked softly, her eyes red as she stroked Afia on her lap. Finally reunited with her brother, only to have him commit such a self-destructive act right in front of her, left her terrified and in tears all day. Milanie nodded, then sighed softly. “Thinking it over, it matches his usual methods. But when the case is solved, how things will conclude, who can say?” The case solved? A conclusion? Clearly, everyone’s thoughts weren’t aligned at that moment. They were still puzzled by Lynn’s actions, but Milanie had already seen the essence of the matter. Sensing the confused and worried looks around her, she didn’t keep them in suspense. “You’ve all likely reviewed the Limb Reclaimer’s files many times, haven’t you?” “Indeed,” everyone replied in unison. Milanie nodded. “With my understanding of advancement trials and research on the demon race, this Limb Reclaimer, Bolshuman, is likely some extraordinary individual attempting to ascend to the fifth tier through a series of serial murders.” “For an extraordinary individual of the 'evil cruelty' faith, nothing fits the content of the advancement trial better than becoming a source of fear.” “The actions of experimental subject No. 126 precisely thwarted the demon’s intended purpose.” “Thwarted?” someone asked in confusion. “Indeed,” Milanie affirmed, “More so than any specific individual, the Limb Reclaimer, Bolshuman, seems to exist as an abstract concept, a terrifying urban legend.” “As long as he remains uncaught, the public’s fear will never dissipate.” “And with fear, he will continually gain strength, possibly quietly advancing to the legendary fifth tier soon.” “Consider the implication of an extraordinary demon race holder at the fifth tier specializing in stealth and assassination, lurking in Gloasting—a terrifying existence like a blade hanging over everyone’s heads.” “If that day does come, the public will only live in greater fear, the entire city becoming a powder keg.” “But experimental subject No. 126 resolved this in a simple, direct manner.” “With the lie 'Lynn Bartoleon is the Limb Reclaimer,’ he shattered the original abstract concept. This means the fear energy that should belong to the real Limb Reclaimer is now redirected to him.” “This effectively sabotaged his advancement trial, preventing those events from occurring.” Suddenly, everyone understood. Only Greya remained perplexed. “But what does that have to do with solving a case?” Lynn is currently sought by the entire city, with not only the military but various factions, even the three major churches deploying their elite to hunt down the Limb Reclaimer, Lynn. After all, in outsiders' eyes, he's not only committed heinous crimes but also took a prince hostage on the spot. This situation is monumental. All of this just to sabotage a fourth-tier extraordinary individual’s advancement trial? Hearing this, Rhine finally couldn’t hold back any longer, speaking coldly, “If foolishness is a vice, you’ve reached an incurable state.” “I ask you, if their advancement trial is disrupted, do you think the real Limb Reclaimer would be nonchalant, or would he confront that guy, torturing and killing him in line with his methods to proclaim the real culprit is someone else?” Fear energy is crucial for his ascension to the legendary fifth tier. Thus, even knowing something is amiss, he can never allow Lynn to pluck the fruit meant for him. This is a vendetta that won’t rest until resolved. Lynn understood this from the start, which is why he used this method to force him to reveal himself. It’s an overt strategy. Greya finally grasped the deeper meaning, his face changing dramatically. “So, Lynn is in great danger?” Instinctively clenching his fists, he wanted to rise but upon seeing Her Highness’s indifference, he bit back his urge. Just then, the door swung open. Everyone turned to look at the entrance, even Her Highness, who had been staring out the window, snapped her attention back with a detached glance. It was Morris, rushing in drenched in sweat. “Latest intel, Councilor Black’s life was saved, but the thread shot by Lynn pierced through his abdomen damaging the spine. He might be bedridden for the rest of his life.” He reported hastily. Upon hearing this, everyone heaved a sigh of relief at once. It was apparent that even in such a situation, Lynn remained extraordinarily calm, not blinded by rage. Hearing this, a look of relief crossed Evester’s face; the fingers she had been clutching tightly beneath her sleeves relaxed slightly. She then stood up resolutely, her expression determined as she commanded loudly, “Everyone, depart immediately! We must find that guy before other forces do!” Upon hearing this, Rhine, who had been inexplicably tense since earlier, seemed to revitalize, slumping into his chair. Greya gave a puzzling glance at his brother, not quite understanding what had transpired. “You—” Just as he was about to ask, Rhine signaled him with a look. Not until the two had left the Bartoleon estate and reached a secluded place did Rhine finally relax. “Brother, why were you so nervous earlier?” Greya asked curiously. In response, Rhine sighed, casting a complex look at his naive brother. After a moment, he spoke slowly, “Were you not curious earlier? Wondering why Her Highness remained unflustered even though the situation was so dire?” Greya nodded, utterly perplexed. “Because she was waiting for Morris’s report,” Rhine said softly. “After all, between being dead or alive, there’s a world of difference.” “If he’s not dead, there’s room for maneuver.” "But if Lynn had truly dealt a killing blow back then, the orders we'd be receiving now wouldn't be like this. Instead, it would be..." "And what would that be?" "A night raid on the palace." Silent Church. Tia was jolted awake by the urgent knocking at her door. She instinctively opened her eyes, only to find her cheeks inexplicably wet with tears. What on earth happened to her? She sat dazedly at the edge of her bed, her bare feet lightly touching the wooden floor, feeling utterly bewildered. Luckily, the next second, the knocking resumed, prompting her to stand up and open the door automatically. At this moment, she was dressed in a white nightgown reaching down to her ankles. Although it didn't reveal anything, it left much to the imagination. Being in the convent, surrounded by female members of the church, there was no need to be cautious. Yet, Tia draped a blanket over herself, covering her body. Considering that the late-night visitor might be Seeah’s brother, she did this unconsciously. Even she hadn’t realized why she felt compelled to act in this manner. Fortunately, when she opened the door, she saw that it was her friend, Sister Louise, who had knocked. Seeing Tia’s bewildered look, Sister Louise thought how cute she was while helping to tidy the loose hair falling over her shoulders. "What’s going on, Louise? Why are you looking for me at this hour?" "Something major happened!" Louise remembered her reason for knocking as she spoke with a grave expression. “Just recently, the Limb Reclaimer, Bolshuman, committed the thirty-seventh murder, assassinating Councilor Black at the Punishers’ Headquarters and then even took the Fourth Prince, Joshua, hostage on the spot!” “Emperor Calderon was furious and immediately issued the highest level of arrest warrant, ordered a citywide lockdown, and mandated that the three major churches also dispatch personnel to investigate!” “He even promised that whoever captures the criminal first will receive a branch from the holy spirit tree!” Hearing this, Tia adopted a more serious demeanor, "Do we know the true identity of the criminal?" "Isn't it that Lynn Bartoleon?" Louise glanced at her, puzzled. “Even though you kept insisting today that he’s innocent, the fact remains, he admitted to it himself in front of everyone.” “I must say, Tia, you've been acting really strange lately.”