After hearing this secret information, Lucius asked curiously, "So, Your Majesty, the reason you kept me behind this time is...?"
George III replied, "I don't know if your Uncle-Grandfather Leif ever told you about your situation. For instance, why does he forbid you from going out to attend noble gatherings? Why are you kept from contacting outsiders? And as a boy, why does your appearance look more like a girl's?"
Looking at the King, Lucius knew exactly what His Majesty was getting at, so he said with a troubled expression:
"Your Majesty, I believe I understand!"
Hearing Lucius's response and seeing his expression, George III chuckled inwardly:
"Since you understand, I'll be direct with you. I need you to become a Beyonder of the Demoness Pathway, not just an Assassin. Later on, I will issue some tasks for you to complete."
"Of course, since you are still young, it's impossible for me to give you any high-difficulty tasks right now. I can give you another two years to prepare."
"As long as you agree, I can grant you the inheritance of your title right now. I can even combine the merits of your ancestors to elevate your rank to 'Earl.' However, you should be clear about the issues faced by the Assassin Pathway later on, so your title will be that of a 'countess'."
"Naturally, once the tasks are completed, I can further raise your rank. If you perform exceptionally and satisfy me, I can even provide you with a method to turn back into a man."
Hearing such malicious words from the King, Lucius felt a complex mix of emotions. Make me a countess? Has he already started cooperating deeply with the Demoness Sect?
As for the method to turn back, isn't it just switching to the Hunter Pathway at Sequence 4! I know that without you telling me.
But going to such great lengths to make me take the Assassin Pathway presents a major problem.
Shouldn't it be becoming a male Earl first, then attending various banquets to lure a Demoness into a trap, having her discover I'm a 'half-Assassin' before she develops me into a Demoness herself?
What kind of move is it to directly make me a 'countess'! Lucius thought frantically, feeling like his head was about to explode.
He decided to stop overthinking and played dumb, responding normally: "Your Majesty, I have a problem that might be simple for you but is very difficult for me. The fact that I am male is common knowledge within the Sheffield Family. Although I have had my father's protection all these years and few people outside know of my existence, there are still a few."
"With my personal ability, it should be impossible to change the common knowledge of so many people, some of whom are even high-Sequence individuals."
"You can have Leif Strauss help you with this; he has the ability to accomplish it."
George III's answer left Lucius in a daze, so he could only find another excuse: "According to the relationship between monarch and subject, I should obey your arrangements. However, I don't recall my family having collected the Potion Formula for the Assassin Pathway."
"Furthermore, I am quite slow and only achieved my current results with the guidance of teachers in all aspects. If I were to become a countess in the manner of current nobles, the Sheffield Family's assets wouldn't be enough even if we sold the entire territory. Teachers are a minor matter, but the clothing, makeup, hosting guests..." In short, even if I agree, I have no money.
George III's face turned grim as he listened to the brat. "I will arrange your teachers as soon as possible. I can prepare everything you need!"
Seeing George III's exasperation, Lucius knew his goal was achieved. He said with a troubled face, "Could you allow me a few days to consider? This matter is truly too significant; I need to think it over myself."
George III's face showed displeasure at Lucius's reply. "However, someone will look for you tonight. You must make a choice. If you agree, you will become a countess tomorrow morning, and someone will teach you how to live as a countess thereafter."
"As for now, you may leave! Remember, tonight is the final deadline!"
Hearing the end of the conversation, Lucius knew he was temporarily free. He didn't plan to linger and walked straight out of the drawing room.
Seeing his Uncle-Grandfather waiting anxiously at the door, he immediately walked over to reassure him. After a brief exchange, they left the drawing room area and returned to the banquet.
What Lucius didn't know was that inside the drawing room, another conversation started after he left... "Do you think he will choose to become a Demoness?"
The sudden sound of another voice in the empty drawing room did not alarm George III. He only replied with displeasure, "He will."
"Because it is his only choice. Whether it's the choice of a Beyonder Pathway or the protection of the Sheffield Family, this is the only option. He can only choose to become a Demoness."
"Your Demoness Sect truly has a twisted sense of humor, giving up such large interests in this cooperation just for one person."
To his surprise, George III's mocking remark made the person hidden in the shadows laugh happily.
"He was meant to return to the embrace of the Primordial One anyway; I am merely giving her a little pull in advance. Besides, the Sect has already obtained what it wanted."
"As for the interests surrendered, hasn't he already taken them from you himself? I can't wait to meet him." Hearing the words of this Demoness, George III asked irritably:
"I'm very curious to know what method you will use to make Leif Strauss agree?"
"He will definitely tell Leif Strauss about this deal. If you fail then, I won't be returning the interests I've already gained."
"I naturally know that. When that old man first entered, I already used a Sealed Artifact to influence his thoughts."
"What I didn't expect was that he himself had long wanted to raise Lucius as a girl, so that gave me an opportunity to exploit."
"! I didn't know a Demoness had such an ability."
After the banquet ended, Lucius rode in a carriage with Uncle-Grandfather Leif.
Before the carriage had gone very far, Uncle-Grandfather Leif asked, "Lucius, what did the King talk to you about after I left?"
Seeing his Uncle-Grandfather's urgent concern, Lucius felt a warmth in his heart. He directly recounted the contents of the conversation in the drawing room.
"I know about your family's Prophecy. In fact, when the Prophecy first began, your ancestors tried to have people switch Pathways. For over 500 years, anyone who stepped onto a Pathway other than Hunter would die one after another. It's only in the last century, with so few family members, that this hasn't been tested, so that shouldn't be a problem."
"As for the Assassin Pathway, you were going to become one anyway; it's a desperate measure. But don't choose the 'Demoness and countess' option."
"If you don't get the title this time, there will be other chances. At worst, I'll swallow my pride and go beg everyone one by one to get your title back. You just stay home and wait."
Seeing Leif Strauss's angry look, Lucius comforted him, "It's okay, Uncle-Grandfather. Even if I become a Demoness, didn't His Majesty say he would help me change back? Besides, I want to know what he's really up to."
"When my father met a Demoness and had me, and the royal family suddenly issued an order to stop the purge when things were exposed—it was all too unnatural. I want to investigate the reason behind this."
Seeing Lucius's resolve, Leif said helplessly, "But..."
Uncle-Grandfather Leif's face was flushed, whether from anger or some other reason.
Lucius explained, "Besides, you actually know the method to change back, Uncle-Grandfather. It's your method for becoming a Demigod."
Hearing Lucius's words, the only thing Leif could think of was: "My method for becoming a Demigod... I'm on the Hunter Pathway. You mean jumping Pathways?"
"How do you know about this? This involves knowledge of Demigods."
Lucius lied directly, "A few days ago, I joined a secret Beyonder gathering. It's the kind that communicates through dreams, and there are many big figures in it. I can't even say some of their names; I can only use 'Him' to borrow some authority."
"Dreams, names that can't be spoken... I think I have an idea of who you're talking about. Why would they approach you?" Leif Strauss said while thinking.
"I'm not sure either," Lucius lied. He thought to himself that if he were really invited, he would definitely join. After all, those inside are the high-level figures of this world. Although His divinity is higher than His humanity, our interests don't conflict in any way.
Seeing that his junior had already chosen his path, Leif Strauss could only say helplessly, "Since you've already made up your mind, I won't say more. But remember, always prioritize your own safety. If you encounter something you can't solve, you can send me a telegram or just 'come home,' and I'll handle it for you."
Lucius looked at Leif Strauss as his expression softened. "I know, Uncle-Grandfather. I've always remembered your teaching: only the living get to enjoy the fruits of victory."
Hearing this, Leif Strauss knew his education hadn't gone to waste. "Safety above all else. As for the ritual you need for switching Pathways, I will select the personnel for you as soon as possible, and then you can train them yourself. Do you have any specific requirements?"
Seeing a free favor being offered, Lucius followed the principle of not letting it go to waste and directly stated his requirements: "I need a small team of 50 people, preferably from the same unit. Their backgrounds should be clean, low-level commoners with no ties to the nobility. It would be best if they have different professions: Warriors, doctors, logistics, and so on. Their personalities need to be cautious..."
"Of course, it would be even better if some are already Beyonders..."
"And the most important thing is, I have no way to modify the memories of the servants in my house."
Listening to Lucius, Leif Strauss's mouth hung wider and wider. He thought to himself, this kid is treating me like a wishing machine. He interrupted, "I will find people who meet your requirements as soon as possible. You should get off now; you can't follow me home today."
"As for changing 'memories,' I will go to your house at 11 PM. While they are asleep, I will use a Sealed Artifact to influence them."
Watching the carriage drive away, Lucius thought to himself that he still had many requirements he hadn't mentioned!
Hahn saw the carriage ahead stop and his young master step down, so he immediately got out of his own carriage. Before he could take two steps, he noticed Earl Leif Strauss's carriage was leaving remarkably fast. Was there some urgent matter to handle?
Seeing his young master return to their own carriage, Hahn Clayton couldn't figure it out. He could only return to the carriage and have the coachman drive away.