Annelise shook her head.
"No. The Empire banned this book to keep the truth hidden and exploit those items for themselves."
"That's—the Empire is clean."
As his confidence began to falter, Annelise's smile grew wider.
"Yes, the Empire is clean—on the surface."
"What? I… I…"
Nevertheless, Annelise chuckled once again and shrugged nonchalantly.
"Well, never mind. Just forget about it."
Adrian lowered his head and gripped the blankets tightly, with every grain of courage, he spoke.
"If the book was true—"
He retrieved the purple book from his Telesphere, opened it to a specific page, and showed it to Annelise.
"—Can you help me find this item?"
Annelise took the book and studied it.
"Ah, this item. Well, I can help you find it, but my services are not free."
Without hesitation, Adrian asked.
"How much do you require?"
Yet, the woman in front of him just laugh and crossed her legs.
"I'm not interested in money. But, would you consider joining my organization?"
"..."
Adrian didn't answer and just stared at the woman before him.
Receiving such a long stare, Annelise let out a gentle smile and patiently waited for his answer.
After a moment of silence, Adrian finally opened his mouth.
"Based on your previous statements, I inferred that you harbor a strong dislike for the Empire."
Adrian paused for a moment and continued.
"However, given that you are aware of my position as a member of the Imperial family, I am curious as to why you chose to rescue me."
Annelise smiled and replied.
"I harbor animosity towards the Empire for hiding the truth from the world. But isn't there a saying that goes, 'the enemy of my enemy is my ally'?"
Adrian furrowed his eyebrows.
"I can't seem to comprehend your speech."
"Then, let me ask you something, Adrian. Do you know who is responsible for the late Empress' death?"
"It was… the Delacroix Family."
Annelise nodded her head in satisfaction.
"That's right. With the Lancaster Family gone, the Delacroix family now has full control of the Empire, which means that we share a common enemy."
"..."
Despite Adrian's silence, Annelise continued speaking.
"I understand why you're searching for that item and I am willing to assist you."
"..."
Adrian gazed at his hands and his mind began to drift.
"I will help you in locating the item you seek, and in return, you will aid me in destroying the Empire. By doing so, you will also avenge your mother's death at the hands of the Delacroix Family. It's a mutually beneficial solution, don't you think?"
"..."
Regardless, Annelise did not stop.
"Adrian, it is your unique gift of magic that I require. Your power is essential to the task at hand."
After a moment of thoughtful silence, Adrian finally responded.
"What if... you're simply spouting gibberish and the reality is that those items never existed?"
Annelise smiled.
However, before she could open her mouth, the swinging door caught their attention and they both turned to look.
Two men wearing masks and flowing black robes that covered their entire faces entered the room.
"Haa…"
Annelise let out a frustrated sigh and stood from her seat.
"We'll continue this conversation, see you later."
With that, she walked towards the door and didn't hesitate to spit her mind as she crossed paths with the two men.
"Knock on the door before you get in, you bastard."
With that, she left the room.
"Ho?"
The white-haired boy exclaimed.
"Now it all makes sense."
As Adrian was unable to locate the item through any other means besides joining the villainous organization, he began to suspect that Adrian would inevitably become a member.
This realization also sheds light on why Nathaniel killed his brother.
Well, since he had no interest in joining the villain's side, then he didn't have to worry too much about Nathaniel killing him.
To hell with being a slave of that shitty organization, living in freedom was the best!
Anyway, it was true that he could at least decrease his wariness about his brother.
But since the information was still vague, he couldn't fully let his guard down—he needed more information.
Also, by examining the pattern of the men's masks, he could easily identify them.
The book contained descriptions of pawns belonging to the organization that matched the appearance of those men.
The person wearing a white mask with a black Fenrir pattern was none other than the famous God of War.
Although the book never explicitly stated his identity, his prowess on the battlefield earned him the title of 'God of War'.
The other one was his loyal subordinate, who donned a black mask featuring a white wolf pattern.
The God of War was seated on the chair while the other individual stood behind him.
Silence descended upon the room as no one was willing to voice their thoughts.
"How are you feeling?"
Adrian furrowed his brows.
"Who are you?"
"Haa…"
And the moment the man with the Fenrir mask removed it, the white-haired boy's heart sank.
Immediately, he threw his face away from the screen and clutched his head when unbearable vertigo washed over him.
His stomach churned and he felt nauseous.
"Haa…"
He let out a deep sigh to alleviate his shock.
"Too much information… too much information…"
He muttered under his breath while massaging his temples.
Returning his gaze to the screen ahead, there he saw a man in his mid-fifties with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Adrian blinked his eyes several times upon seeing him.
"Grandpa?"
The man behind the mask was Graham Lancaster!
The so-called 'God of War' was none other but his very grandfather!
"And…"
Adrian switched to the man behind Graham.
He removed the mask and an old man with grayish eyes came into view.
"Your Highness, it's a pleasure to see you again."
"Fredinand?"
Okay, so.
Not only did Adrian join the side of the villains, but the ENTIRE Lancaster Family followed suit, including their knights.
"Just… What kind of madness is this?"
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