Chapter 185 Lin En's Ultimate Trump Card - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

The Pantheon. Countless statues surrounded the towering palace like guardians, solemn and majestic. The remaining chains of order dangled from the void, sealing away a fearsome entity that instilled terror across the world. A woman with white hair and a black dress, usually seen reading calmly at the edge of the steps, was not there this time. Instead, she seemed to have lost her usual tranquility. Her delicate eyebrows were furrowed as she paced back and forth with her bare, tender white feet. Each time her bare feet touched the ground, the soft "tap tap" echoed clearly in the silent hall. In the end, she had acted impulsively. After a long while, the witch sighed softly. Even after a hundred thousand years, there were moments when she could not suppress the impulses from deep within her heart. But there was nothing she could do. The enhancement of the seal by the Moon Goddess had severely weakened her ability to influence the time and space of her believers. Were it not for the bond maintained by the Endtime's chosen mark, she might not even have been able to answer his prayers. Only if Lynn significantly altered Tia Joyst's destiny could the seal be loosened again. Thus, the witch used her remaining strength to send a message into Lynn's mind. Of course, that wasn’t all. Strangely compelled, she also included an image. Although reality was different, in the end, the witch inverted the truth. She transformed the Moon Goddess, who had been defeated by her, into a victor tormenting her with cruelty. She even made herself appear helpless and distraught in the image. From a human aesthetic perspective, any normal man witnessing such a scene would not remain indifferent. Lynn, naturally, was no exception. Yet the act was undeniably shameful. But an overwhelming sense of crisis had driven the Endtime Witch to such an action. Simply because her opponent was "herself." When she had descended into Lynn and fought with Evester at the Crimson Gate, she had barely won. Yet the other woman's subsequent game of "cat and mouse" suggested that she was still slightly bested. Because Lynn's reaction was intriguing. He even began to suspect, "Did the witch truly alter my memories?" This indicated that the memory seal was on the brink of breaking. At this critical moment, with the order chains reinforced by the Moon Goddess, she could not extend the seal and could only watch as events spiraled beyond her anticipation. With no better options, the witch resorted to this. Just playing the victim, after all? Just a strategy of feints and retreats? Just arousing a man's protectiveness and guilt? These were inconsequential. Do not forget, I am you, a hundred thousand years later. What you know, I know. What you do not know, I still know. What? As the Endtime Witch, does such behavior not compromise your dignity and image? Perhaps a little. Yet since he's my only believer, it's insignificant. Furthermore, aside from being a prisoner of the Pantheon and the Endtime Witch, viewed without the eyes of a deity, she had another identity long overlooked. A woman. Indeed. Before meeting Lynn, she was a woman who had never opened her heart to any man. And as a woman, sometimes wanting to be unreasonable and act coy with someone was normal. "You’re awake?" When Joshua gradually awoke from unconsciousness and opened his eyes, a familiar voice reached his ears. Staring at the dark, empty old factory before him, his mind had yet to register. Where was this place? Why was he here? Joshua took a deep breath but choked on the thick dust in the air and started coughing. The air quality in the lower city was dreadful, incomparable to the upper city where the nobles resided. The violent coughing brought him back to full consciousness. The last thing he remembered before losing memory was hearing Lynn say clearly: "I am the Limbed One." That guy's the Limbed One? Impossible! Prince Joshua's expression was a mix of shock and anger. He was terrified by his current predicament, constantly seeing Eunice’s brutal death replay in his mind whenever he closed his eyes. Despite not wanting to admit it, deep down, he was filled with fear of Lynn. Yet, it also seemed ridiculous to him. Taking a step back, even if he was the Limbed One, did Lynn not understand the gravity of kidnapping a prince?! Especially the prince ranked fifth by the Sacred Oak Council, who was likely to become the king of this nation! Lynn's act, especially in public and in front of countless witnesses, not only defied but humiliated the royal family! Even the detached Holy Roland VI would not tolerate such an affront! The city was likely already under lockdown, with various forces pursuing and hunting him down. Yet, in such a situation, this guy had the leisure to speak with him? Prince Joshua immediately tried to break free from the chair but found his limbs tightly bound by black threads. "Let me go!" He clenched his teeth, restraining his terror and fury, attempting to maintain a prince's dignity. However, his demands were met with silence. Furthermore, in the moonlight, Joshua could vaguely see Lynn scrutinizing him with a chilling gaze. His eyes seemed devoid of any humor, though he smiled. Like a butcher assessing a pig for slaughter, the gaze sent chills down Joshua's spine. The last time Joshua saw such expression from Lynn was at the doorstep of the Executors' headquarters. Back then, Lynn gave him a look and said, "Are you proud of yourself?" Afterward, circumstances deteriorated rapidly for him. Could it be that Lynn was planning something insane again?! Joshua's heart thundered. Considering this, an overwhelming survival instinct prompted him to speak: "Whatever you plan to do, think carefully!" "Kidnapping a prince is an unforgivable crime. I hope you stop before it's too late, otherwise..." "Otherwise what?" Lynn patted his face, laughing, "By your logic, it's already a capital crime; what’s a few more offenses?" "Like, perhaps even killing a prince?" Joshua's body trembled slightly, and the dread arising from deep within his heart almost shattered his composure. The enmity between them seemed irreparable from the start. After all, he personally participated in the event years ago that stripped Lynn of his divine genetic factor, and was complicit in persecuting the Bartleon family thereafter. He even repeatedly forced Eleanor to draw blood for his experiments. Most recently, collaborating with the Imperial Council to pressurize Evester, using Lynn’s freedom and life as leverage, escalated tensions to their peak. Given all this, it was surprising he was still alive. Nonetheless, fearing death was a natural human instinct. At least upon discovering he had not been immediately killed, a flicker of hope ignited in Prince Joshua’s heart. "Don’t you fear death?" He inhaled deeply, trying to steady his frantic nerves, "Reunited with your sister, with your father’s life still in question, under such circumstances, would you really risk everything for a momentary satisfaction and abandon your retreat, your life?" After saying these words, he searched Lynn’s profile intently, hoping to discern any sign of hesitation. Yet as time passed, Joshua’s heart sank further into despair. "You think I'd die here over such a trivial matter?" Sensing his intent, Lynn shook his head. "Trivial?" Joshua found it absurd. "You consider killing an Imperial Council member in the street and kidnapping a prince to be trivial offenses?" He looked at Lynn in disbelief. "That statement is inaccurate since Councilor Black isn't dead. It's merely that his spine suffered permanent damage, fracturing at the eighteenth and nineteenth vertebrae, leaving him paralyzed for life. Eating, drinking, and other bodily functions will likely be confined to the bed," Lynn stated casually, as if discussing the weather. But Black was the head of the Cortes family! A revered and fearsome member of the Imperial Council! In this nation, they stood among the top of the food chain! Even as the fourth prince, despite his current power, Joshua had to remain humble in Black's presence. Considering this, Joshua attempted to buy time, asking, "Even if you didn't kill him, my father will never tolerate someone repeatedly challenging his authority living in this world." Lynn seemed not to have any intention of releasing him, so Joshua could only resort to other means to save himself. Delaying was undoubtedly the best option. Though Glosstin was vast, the infiltration of various factions over the years was pervasive. Finding the two of them in the extensive imperial capital wasn't an impossible task. Lynn chuckled, "Indeed, a man of his power wouldn't tolerate someone constantly challenging his authority, but you've mistaken who's truly provoking him." "What do you mean by that?" Lynn, listening to the surroundings, replied, "Just reflecting that those who can sit in the Imperial Council are indeed a wily bunch." "In comparison, Councilor Black is still too young. To think that he would become the scapegoat over something so trivial, attempting revenge against my mistress... Doesn't he know for whom she collects taxes?" "And whether killing him, one of the culprits embezzling border taxes for years, would please or anger the emperor." It seemed like Lynn was talking to himself, explaining something to Joshua. The relationship between the Imperial Council and the emperor could be seen as both subordinate and separate. The struggle for power between the royal family and the nobility had never ceased throughout history. Perhaps this entire charade was orchestrated by Holy Roland VI to eliminate threats using others' hands. Since drawing Evester's attention to matters related to Hermes' tomb, subsequent developments had likely been within Roland's calculations. Unfortunately for him, Lynn didn't fall for it, merely crippling Councilor Black for life. Even so, for a grand noble used to a high pedestal, losing the ability to walk was a fate worse than death. Initially dismissive of Lynn's words, Joshua gradually felt beads of sweat on his forehead. Because, in a way, Lynn made sense. Additionally, he realized something crucial. Under what circumstances could a kidnapper casually talk with the kidnapped? "You can't kill me. I—I can't die. The Ruin Plan isn't complete, and I—" Joshua stammered incoherently. Damnit! Where were the Executors and the myriad church forces? Was he, the prince, about to be killed by this guy? Sensing Joshua's current despair and fear, Lynn glanced at him: "Relax, I won't kill you." For a moment, hope flickered within Joshua. But just as the thought arose, Lynn's malicious grin quickly extinguished it: "However, if by chance you 'accidentally' die amidst the aftermath of a battle between me and the Limbed One, it won't be my responsibility." Hearing this, Joshua's complexion turned ashen, all hope extinguished. A heavy silence fell between them. After an indeterminable amount of time, Joshua lifted his head again, his eyes full of venom as he glared at Lynn, "I am his child. A father avenging a son, however many reasons there might be, remains a natural duty." Revenge? Perhaps. Lynn refrained from commenting. Who knew how much supposed familial affection and humanity were left in Holy Roland VI? Even if he sought vengeance for Joshua, it certainly wouldn’t be now. Within Lynn was a coveted object necessary for reaching the next step—something the emperor craved above all. The core trait of the Wishing Jar. So deeply integrated that even Miss Witch couldn't remove it from him. If a deity couldn't manage, how could Holy Roland VI? Should Lynn die, the core trait would dissipate with him. As such, Roland VI was likely, apart from Lynn's close circle, the person most invested in keeping him alive. This ultimate trump card was his. Suddenly, Lynn sensed a twitch from the threads on his fingers. After choosing the old factory as the battleground, he had set an intricate net with the Endless Threads, ensuring any living being within five hundred meters would immediately notify him. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Seems we have visitors." "Your Excellency, do you have any clues?" High on the rooftop, Louise, clad in tight leather and fully armed like a warrior nun, spoke softly. One must adhere to titles outside—even if among friends. Brandishing a massive sword larger than herself, she appeared out of place. Behind her stood eight similarly outfitted nuns, bathed in moonlight, faces solemn. Besides this Inquisition-issued search party, the Executors and two other major churches, along with several nobles' private guards, scoured the city under lockdown for any sign of Lynn. They were driven by the promise from Holy Roland VI of a branch of the Sacred Tree, desperately competing to claim it. After a pause, Tia answered softly while holding her staff, "Just recently, he ingested Moonlight Elixir. Thus, given my high affinity with the power of the Moon Goddess, I can vaguely sense his general location." "He is presently in the lower city, albeit the exact spot will only become apparent upon closer proximity." Louise's eyes briefly flickered with something unsaid. "He?" Although just a pronoun, a woman's intuition kicked in. Combined with Tia's unusual behavior over the past few days and constantly mentioning that guy, unwelcome suspicions emerged in her mind. Stepping forward, she lowered her voice with her brows furrowed, "The Moonlight Elixir he consumed, don't tell me..." Before the sentence was complete, the cold, doll-like girl abruptly changed expression: "It has nothing to do with me, Louise. This isn't something to joke about." But I hadn’t even said anything yet? Witnessing this, Louise’s suspicions deepened. Sensing her friend's gaze, Tia, despite her internal chaos, took a deep breath. Then, with utmost seriousness, she vowed solemnly. "No matter who it is, for the sake of Sister Trina, I will personally bring them down." Even if it's him! Hearing this, Louise temporarily set aside her doubts and nodded, "There's no time to lose; let's head to the lower city right away."