The night had fallen over the Manor like December’s flying snow, vast and all-encompassing.
The firelight from the hearth flickered in the man’s eyes, casting shadows that danced with every flame.
“Count, Madam has already left.”
The Old Butler’s voice came from behind.
“Mm.”
After a long pause, the man responded softly.
Rising from the sofa, he gradually distanced himself from the firelight, his silhouette touched by a hint of loneliness.
Snowflakes drifted past the Balcony, and he reached out his hand to catch them, feeling their coldness.
They say no two snowflakes are alike—just like her.
The more he tried to hold on to that burning warmth, the more it pushed her away, melting in his palm, cooling, dissolving into a wisp of smoke, a gust of wind, never to be seen again.
The cold wind took away the warmth from his body, burying his love deep within.
Dark Night Count’s Substitute Wife, First Volume, concluded.
“What is this?”
Lo Xi flipped through the pages irritably, only seeing that single line.
She frowned slightly and took a sip of Black Tea.
Cut chapters like this—those authors really should be locked up in the Church’s tribunal, not allowed to leave until they finish writing.
It had been five days since she left the association and prepared for the Contract Ceremony.
During this time, Lo Xi had finished reading On Continuation and Origin, The Kingdom of Soth, Prosperous Land, and Society and Culture.
Besides the three required books, she had squeezed in another read of Dark Night Count.
Well, just to be safe, not because she was particularly interested.
There was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
Lo Xi closed her book and responded.
Her personal maid, Wendy, pushed open the door and stepped into the bedroom, bowing slightly.
“Miss, there is a Letter for you.”
Lo Xi’s misty blue eyes sparkled with interest—it must be from the association.
Had the Church’s approval gone through?
She took the Letter from her maid and eagerly tore it open.
Sure enough, it was from the association.
Inside were three documents: a Letter from Harvey Michelson notifying that the ‘Seeker’s’ Elixir quota had been issued; once she completed the Contract Ceremony, she could take the Elixir at any time.
Another was from the Church, written in very formal and official language, basically welcoming Lo Xi to the Church Guard and expressing their anticipation of her future performance.
The last was her Employment Contract, accompanied by Work Guidelines.
Lo Xi’s heart fluttered with excitement mixed with nervousness.
She carefully put away the Letter and turned her head to give instructions.
“Wendy, prepare the carriage. I need to go out.”
“Miss Hardy, please take care.”
Harvey Michelson opened the door, escorting the weary lady out of the meeting room.
“Manager.”
Mary’s lively voice came from one side.
Harvey turned his head and spotted Lo Xi Morton standing in the living room.
The noble girl appeared somewhat absent-minded, her misty blue eyes fixed on the young lady passing by her side.
“Miss Morton.”
Harvey’s voice pulled Lo Xi back to reality.
She shifted her gaze and nodded lightly.
“Mr. Michelson.”
“We’ll be colleagues soon. You can just call me Manager or Captain.”
“Alright, Manager. That lady just now was…”
Lo Xi hesitated briefly. “Bev Hardy?”
At first, she hadn’t recognized the young woman, who had close ties to DeWitt Nell.
After all, the changes since their time at the Mirror Old Castle were significant—the ever-downed eyes and furrowed brow had worn her down, her beauty diminished.
Moreover, Lo Xi still remembered the scene where Ivette Lamb manipulated chains to pull hair and the Heart from Hardy’s mouth.
Lo Xi had always thought that the only survivors of the castle were herself and some kind of trickster.
Harvey made a prayer gesture.
“May the Lord of All Spirits bless her.”
“Miss Hardy was not completely corrupted by the castle.”
“The Church performed a ritual magic to cleanse the filth and impurity on her.”
“Will she also become one of us?” Lo Xi asked curiously.
Harvey shook his head. “Miss Hardy carries severe psychological trauma.”
“She chose to sign a confidentiality agreement, distancing herself from the supernatural world that brought her endless nightmares.”
Personality determines the path; everyone makes different choices.
What about Hannah Carter? What was her ending? And what role did ‘Morton’ play in her eyes?
Why did Hannah, who shouted ‘betrayal’ in the castle, ultimately choose not to sell out Lo Xi?
“Morton, wait in the meeting room for a moment. I’ll go get the Elixir.”
Soon-to-be colleagues, Harvey was no longer stiff or formal.
“Okay.”
Though full of questions, it was obviously not the time to bring them up.
Once inside the association, she could slowly investigate.
This really suited her ‘Undercover’ role, Lo Xi silently criticized herself.
After about five minutes in the meeting room, Harvey returned, followed by Ivette Lamb, whom Lo Xi hadn’t seen for a while.
Ivette was still cold and taciturn.
Her light brown eyes glanced at Lo Xi and gave a slight nod in greeting.
“Miss Lamb.”
Lo Xi nodded slightly in return.
“Ivette is the ‘Seer.’ She can sense subtle changes in spiritual energy. If anything unexpected happens after you take the Elixir, she can warn in advance to minimize loss.”
Harvey placed a briefcase on the table and explained this to Lo Xi as he turned his head.
Then he opened the case, revealing a glass vial inside.
The liquid was a pale blue mixed with faint red hues.
Though resting horizontally, the liquid inside seemed to flow like a stream, circulating endlessly within the glass.
Harvey took out the ‘Seeker’s’ Elixir from the case and continued:
“Morton, after you take the Elixir, your spiritual energy will connect to the spirit world. You will see things that are hard to describe. Don’t be nervous or afraid.”
“Relax and focus your mind to withstand the impact the Elixir will have on your body and spirit.”
Lo Xi had already heard this from Herman—free of charge.
Everyone faces immense pain the first time they take the Elixir. It is both a baptism and a transformation.
Prepared mentally, Lo Xi nodded. “Understood, Manager.”
She took the ‘Seeker’s’ Elixir from Harvey’s hand, opened the vial, and without hesitation, tilted her head back and drank the liquid.
The liquid was cool but felt nothing like water.
It was thick, almost sentient, crawling erratically in her mouth and throat.
The strange sensation made her want to vomit.
Along with that, an indescribable bitterness filled her mouth, throat, and even her nasal passages.
Lo Xi’s misty blue eyes shimmered with tears, several falling uncontrollably down her porcelain-white cheeks to her delicate chin.
Then, her stomach began to cramp, her limbs stiffened, and her eyes felt like they were staring directly into the sun—burning and piercing.
Boom—
In the ocean of consciousness, a roaring thunder echoed.
Endless darkness surged like a tide through the cracks of her vision, drowning her completely.
The whole world faded away, leaving only Lo Xi alone.