Mystery: But the Witch's Path

Chapter 5 The Countess

After hearing this confidential information, Lucius asked curiously, "Then why did you keep me here, Your Majesty?"

King George III then said, "I don't know if your great-uncle has mentioned anything to you, such as: why you are not allowed to frequently attend gatherings of nobles? Why you are not allowed to interact with outsiders? As a boy, why do you look more like a girl?"

Looking at the king's words, Lucius knew what His Majesty was talking about, so he said with a troubled expression:

"I believe His Majesty is aware of this!"

Hearing Lucius's words and expression, King George III couldn't help but chuckle inwardly:

"Since you already know, I'll be direct with you. I need you to become an extraordinary individual on the 'Witch' path, not just an 'Assassin.' I'll be assigning you some tasks to complete later."

"Of course, since you are still young, it's not possible to give you any high-difficulty tasks right now. We can give you another two years."

"If you agree, I can grant you the title right now, and even combine all the merits of your family throughout the generations to make your title 'Count'. However, you should be aware of the problems that come with the assassin path, so your title will be 'Countess'."

"Of course, if you complete the mission, I can further promote your rank. If you complete the mission exceptionally well and satisfy me, I can even provide you with a way to turn you back into a man."

Hearing such wicked words from the king's mouth, Lucius was filled with mixed emotions. "Make me a countess? Have they already begun a deep collaboration with the witch's cult?"

As for how to turn back, isn't it simply by changing your class to 'Hunter' in Sequence Four? I know that without you telling me.

But the elaborate process of making me an assassin has significant problems.

Shouldn't he first become a baron, then attend various banquets to seduce "witches," discover that he is a "half-assassin," and develop himself into a "witch"?

How could someone directly become a 'Countess'?! Lucius kept thinking, feeling like his brain was about to explode.

I decided to give up and play dumb, answering normally: "Your Majesty, I have a question that may be simple for you but difficult for me. It is common knowledge in the Sheffield family that I am male. Although I have been protected by my father over the years, and almost no one outside knows of my existence, there are still a few."

"It is unlikely that an individual could change the common sense of so many people, including some high-ranking individuals."

"You can have Rafe Strauss do this for you; he's capable of it."

Hearing the answer "George III" left Lucius completely bewildered, so he could only make up an excuse: "According to the relationship between monarch and subject, I should obey your arrangements, but I don't remember my family having any 'Assassin's Path' potion recipes."

"Besides, I'm rather slow-witted and have only achieved my current results thanks to the guidance of my teachers in various aspects. If a countess were to be appointed according to the current aristocratic system, the Sheffield family's assets, even if they bought all their lands, wouldn't be enough. Among these, the teachers are a minor matter, but the clothing, the attire, the entertaining of guests... In short, even if I agreed, I wouldn't have the money."

King George III's face turned ashen upon hearing the brat's words. "I will arrange a teacher for you as soon as possible, and I can prepare everything you need!"

Seeing the furious George III Lucius, he knew he had achieved his goal, so he put on a troubled expression and said, "Could you allow me a few days to think about this? This matter is too big; I need to consider it myself."

King George III's face darkened with displeasure upon hearing Lucius's reply. "But someone will be looking for you tonight, and you must make a choice. If you agree, you will become a countess tomorrow morning, and then someone will teach you how to live as a countess."

"You can leave now! Remember, tonight is the latest you can leave!"

Upon hearing that the conversation was over, Lucius knew he was temporarily relieved and, without intending to linger, walked straight out of the reception room.

Seeing his uncle waiting anxiously at the door, he immediately went over to reassure him. After a brief exchange, he left the reception area and returned to the banquet.

What Lucius didn't know was that the conversation resumed in the drawing room after he left.

......

Do you think he would choose to become a 'witch'?

The sudden sound of other people's voices in the otherwise empty drawing room did not alarm King George III; he simply replied with displeasure, "Yes."

"Because this is his only choice. Whether it's choosing the path to becoming an extraordinary being or protecting the Sheffield family, it's the only choice. He can only choose to become a 'witch'."

"Your witch cult really has a twisted sense of humor, willing to give up such a huge amount of profit in this cooperation for just one person."

Who knew that a sarcastic remark by George III would make the person hiding in the shadows laugh happily.

"He should have embraced the 'Original' from the start, and I merely pulled him back a little earlier. Besides, the church has already gotten what it wanted."

"As for the benefits he ceded, didn't he already get them from you? I can't wait to meet him." Hearing the witch's words, 'George III' angrily asked.

"I'm very curious to know how you'll get Rafe Strauss to agree?"

"He will definitely talk to Rafe Strauss about this deal. Even if you fail, I won't give up the profits I've already made."

"Of course I know that when that old man first came in, I had already influenced his mind through the 'sealed artifact'."

"What I didn't expect was that he had long wanted to raise Lucius as a girl, which gave me an opportunity."

"Wow! How come I didn't know witches had this kind of ability?"

......

After the banquet, Lucius rode in a carriage with his uncle, Rafe.

Before the carriage had traveled far, Uncle Rafe asked, "Lucius, what did the king say to you after I left?"

Seeing his uncle's eager concern, Lucius felt a warmth in his heart and immediately recounted the events that had occurred in the reception room.

"I know about your family's prophecy. In fact, when the prophecy first started, your ancestors had people change their path. For more than 500 years, anyone who stepped into a path other than 'Hunter' would die one after another. It's only in the last hundred years that the number of people has been so small that it hasn't been tested. There shouldn't be any problem with this."

"As for the assassin path, it's something you were meant to become anyway, so there's no other way. You shouldn't choose the 'witch and countess' path."

"If you don't succeed this time, there will be other opportunities. At worst, I'll risk my reputation and beg you one by one to get your title back. Just stay home and wait."

Seeing Rafe Strauss's angry expression, Lucius comforted him, "Uncle, it's alright. Even if I become a 'witch,' His Majesty said he would help me turn back, and I also want to know what he's up to."

"My father encountered a 'witch' and conceived me. When the truth came out and preparations were made to cleanse the mess, the royal family suddenly issued an order to ban it all. This is very unnatural. I want to find out why."

Seeing Lucius's expression, Rafe sighed helplessly, "But..."

Uncle Rafe's face was flushed red, whether from anger or some other reason.

Lucius explained, "And you actually know the way back, Uncle, it's the way you became a demigod."

Upon hearing Lucius's statement, all Rafe could think of was: "My method to becoming a demigod, I am the hunter pathway, you mean the jump pathway."

"How did you know that? This involves knowledge of demigods."

Lucius blurted out, "A couple of days ago I joined a secret meeting of extraordinary individuals, the kind where you communicate through dreams. There are many important figures there, some of whom I can't even name, so I can only use 'He' to borrow his name."

"Dreams, you can't say the name. I roughly know who you're talking about. How did they come looking for you?" Rafe Strauss said as he pondered.

"I don't know either," Lucius said haphazardly, thinking to himself that if he were really invited to join, he would actually join, since everyone inside was a high-ranking member of this world. Although his divinity was above his humanity, we didn't conflict in any way.

Rafe Strauss, seeing that his young man had already chosen his path, could only say helplessly, "Since you've made up your mind, I won't say more. But remember, always prioritize your own safety. If you encounter any problems you can't solve, you can send me a telegram or just 'go home,' and I'll take care of it for you."

Lucius watched as Rafe Strauss's expression changed and said, "I know, Uncle. I've always remembered your teachings: only the living can enjoy the fruits of victory."

Upon hearing this reply, Rafe Strauss knew his education had paid off: "Safety is the top priority. As for the rituals you need for the transition, I'll select the personnel for you as soon as possible, and you can train them yourself. Are there any special requirements?"

Seeing an opportunity presented to him, and following the principle of "why not take advantage of a free lunch," Lucius began to state his requirements directly: "I need a squad of 50 people, preferably from the same group. Their backgrounds should be clean, from the common people, without any connections to the nobility. Ideally, the squad should include people of different professions, such as warriors, doctors, and support staff. They need to be cautious in their personalities..."

"Of course, it would be even better if one could become an extraordinary being..."

"And most importantly, I can't alter the memories of the servants in my household."

Seeing Lucius's speech, Rafe Strauss's already agape mouth widened even further, thinking to himself, "He's treating me like a wish-granting machine." He interrupted directly, "I'll find someone who meets your requirements as soon as possible. You should go now; you can't come home with me today."

"As for altering 'memories,' I'll go to your house at 11 PM tonight. While they're asleep, I'll use a 'sealing artifact' to influence them."

.......

Watching the carriage depart, Lucius thought to himself, "I still have so many requests to make!"

When Hahn saw the carriage in front stop and his young master get off, he immediately got off as well. Before he had taken two steps, he noticed that Earl Rafe Strauss's carriage was moving so fast today. Was there something to deal with regarding his promotion?

Hahn Clayton was also puzzled as he watched his young master return to his own carriage, so he could only return to the carriage and let the coachman drive away.