Empress Borough, Sodela Palace.
Wearing a crown, with a firm face and a small mustache, George III stood by the window, overlooking the Earl of Cross's mansion from above.
At this moment, the distance between the palace and the mansion seemed to shrink suddenly, allowing George III to easily see every detail of the ball's venue.
Baron James was chatting happily with the earl's youngest daughter; his eldest son was watching this scene, his fists gradually clenching; the earl's sister-in-law was gazing at James's eldest son...
George III had no interest in probing into the nobles' secrets. He focused his gaze and further closed the distance, finding the door that led to the underground screening hall.
But just then, before his eyes appeared a city shrouded in night, suspended between reality and illusion, blocking his view.
Faintly, he saw an elderly gentleman whose face was indistinct smile at him.
The Psychology Alchemists' angel? Does he think I'm going to rescue Vera, so he's blocking me? George III narrowed his eyes, then withdrew his gaze.
It wasn't that he feared this angel, but now was not the time to "expose" his true strength.
Besides, that angel was, in the end, one of "his own."
At least until I ascend to godhood, he's still one of my own… George III muttered silently, thinking:
Vera, I'm sorry… Your existence and your stance are a great threat to me! Because of you, even Governor of Oravi, Auston Levitt, and many noble vassals have secretly formed a society to oppose some of my overseas plans…
Although, after I had members of that organization warn Emilius, the situation was kept within certain bounds and didn't trigger major conflict, to avoid any big mishaps in these final moments, I have no choice but to sacrifice you!
Besides, the terms offered by Owen and the Derien family are truly tempting… Hard to imagine, just for beauty, that he'd agree to such a price… Heh, worthy of "Lust"!
But when I truly become the Black Emperor, I'll rescue you from his hands.
Thinking this, George III sat back on his throne, quietly waiting for the outcome.
...
Before the large screen of the underground theater, Ebner and Vera, along with other demigods, watched with interest as Mr. "Pride" wove a new "dream labyrinth," making "Lust" Owen and "Saintess of White" Katarina unknowingly "relive" the day when the latter was under the former's control.
Just as Owen was about to repeat his previous success—pretending to be seduced by the demoness, only to pull out that necklace at the critical moment to control the "Saintess of White"—
She suddenly "awoke" and placed a red gemstone on her chest.
Immediately, the two demigods, who had been in dangerously close proximity, broke into a fierce battle… a real battle!
Unexpectedly, under the influence of "Mysterious Reenactment" and temporarily unable to transform into a dragon, Owen still managed to suppress the "Demoness of Unaging" with the necklace-like sealed artifact. If not for her being bizarrely hard to kill, and her mastery of various stand-ins and resurrection spells, she would have already fallen to him.
It was worth noting that this dream labyrinth "script" had actually been provided by Ebner, intended to make "Lust" Owen reveal all his trump cards and prevent any surprises.
"This 'Lust' fellow is truly formidable. In a head-on fight, I might not win against him," Closfia remarked.
That was high praise, considering she was already a Sequence 3 "Dreamweaver," armed with powerful extraordinary items. The fact that she had so easily subdued "Greed" before spoke to her combat prowess.
Helen watched for a while, then shook her head. "His sealed artifact is extremely effective against demonesses. Even with my gemstone's protection, the 'Saintess of White' struggles against him…"
At this point, Lady "Greed" stood up and suggested, "We've been watching the show long enough. Time to help him out—free 'Lust' from his misery."
Her words were mainly directed at Closfia and Ebner, since the others present lacked the ability to enter dreams.
Closfia had no objection. After all, "Lust" had already shown all his cards, leaving little risk.
Ebner immediately summoned the "Bone Dragon" and gave the "Black Knight" Sero a look, signaling him to stand by outside.
Though he didn't think Vera would turn on him, it was best to be prepared.
Vera said nothing more, only nodding slightly at Ebner in agreement.
Next, three giant dragons suddenly appeared in "Lust's" dream, tearing at his spirit with "Mind Breath," "Mind Stripping," and "Mental Plague." This also rapidly worsened the plague in his body, leaving him near death.
But the dual assault on body and mind freed Owen from the dream labyrinth. Coughing blood, he looked up to see the two women—supposedly his allies—revert from dragons to human form, now standing beside that detestable detective.
His mood sank into despair, unable to feel any joy, filled with self-loathing, wishing he could just die to stop burdening others.
The next moment, he became feverishly excited, vision turning blood-red, filled with desire for the women opposite him—if not for his grave illness, he would have lunged at them to vent his primal urges.
As a Manipulator, he knew his mind had been invaded, his mental body disturbed.
He tried to "soothe" himself, to resist the abnormal state, but thoughts from seemingly different people flashed through his mind:
Run! You're no match!
So that's what 'Greed' and 'Sloth' look like—so beautiful! They just transformed into dragons; their current clothes must be illusions. Why not rush over now and conquer them?
Who is this detective? Why do 'Sloth' and 'Greed' obey him… and Vera seems close to him too!
No, I should cure my mental illness first before escaping.
I haven't lost yet… My brother Sero is outside; he must still be fighting. If I meet up with him, I can still escape.
Right, I still have the 'Token of Lost Mind' necklace! If my own mind is about to collapse, then give up—let the necklace take over me!
With that, Owen put on the "Lust" mask one last time, surrendering completely to the necklace's negative effects, allowing it to swiftly erode and control him.
However, Ebner and the others, already aware of the item's powers through the dream, would never give him that chance. In the next instant, the "Token of Lost Mind"—a necklace strung with seven stones—appeared in Ebner's hand.
Underwear Theft Technique… Since all of Owen Delien's clothes had been shredded when he transformed into a dragon, the necklace could count as his only covering.
"Didn't think that would actually work…" Ebner murmured, looking at the necklace in his hand.
He had only been testing it—if it failed, he had other secret arts ready, and "Pride" was also prepared to pull Owen back into the dream labyrinth at any moment.
Seeing his last resort stolen, Owen's mind unraveled further. He fled desperately, quickly escaping from dream and illusion, climbing out of the "screen" and returning to the underground screening hall.
Throughout this, Ebner and the others followed quietly without striking—since they still needed Owen's body, they didn't want to damage it too much. His mind was already beyond saving; collapse was inevitable.
Clambering out of the screen, Owen immediately spotted his brother Sero. His spirits lifted somewhat, and he cried out repeatedly, "Help me! Help me!"
But after a few shouts, he sensed something was wrong—his brother had remained motionless, staring coldly at him, seemingly ready to attack at any moment.
And not far from Sero stood the detective's "devil," along with a vampire demigod and Vera…
They didn't appear to be enemies… they were on the same side!
It took a while for Owen's scattered thoughts to piece that together. Turning back, he caught sight of "Greed," "Pride," "Sloth," and Detective Bryan stepping out of the dream into reality.
Realizing what had happened, he let out a bitter laugh. "You… why did you betray me?"
"You were the one who first had designs on me and 'Greed'," Closfia replied, then smiled slyly, her tone meaningful. "Besides, I've always followed Detective Bryan's orders."
It was the truth—she had taken on the Mother Goddess's task, and before Ebner, now a demigod, she had to obey his arrangements.
"So do I." Lady "Greed," the countess, also walked over to Ebner, smiling.
She was already under "Sloth's" control, and since "Sloth" listened to Ebner, how could she not?
Helen and Vera seemed to catch Closfia's meaning as well, stepping forward to stand at Ebner's side.
Seeing the beauties he had coveted obeying that detective, "Lust's" expression twisted completely. The mental fortress he had been defending split open, and "Pride" seized the chance to crush it entirely.
The "Black Knight" Sero unleashed a beam of black light, tainting Owen's mindless soul. Overcome by jealousy, hatred, and pain, he quickly fell into an evil spirit.
Unfortunately for him, the moment the spirit formed, Ebner—prepared in advance—had the "magic mirror" swallow it whole.
The Psychology Alchemists' Council member, "Lust" Owen, had fallen completely.
(End of chapter)