Volume 9 Endless Days, The End NO.7: Assistant (1/2)

Volume 9 Endless Days, The End NO.7: Assistant

“Ri Xiang Ye and Dark Sun. “The truth is, you have always been both of them, have you not? There is no difference between Ah Ye or Dark Sun. It has always been you!”

Highest master has issued a command: kill Charles Endelis.

“You took all the behavior that falls outside of your brother’s expectations, all the ideals that are unacceptable to society, and any characteristics that could be deemed ‘evil,’ and pushed them onto Dark Sun. This ‘Dark Sun’ persona is just a refuge for you to seek solace in!”

Highest master has issued a command: kill Charles Endelis!

“I have served you personally. No one is able to see this more clearly than me. When the criminals used hostages to threaten the heroes, you decided on killing to end the killing. When Josh’s ability became a threat, you decided to simply eliminate him to prevent any further trouble. When you made these and many other cold, calculated decisions, it was not as Dark Sun.”

Charles Endelis. Level of significance: 91.5%.

Highest master. Level of significance: 95%.

Following highest master’s command to kill Charles Endelis!

“Your coldness and innocence intertwine into an indivisible individual. How could you possibly separate them into two? They had never been two different people in the first place!”

Microchip, perform analysis: If the elimination target’s level of significance surpasses the highest master’s, what action should be adopted?

Unable to analyze.

Possibility of highest master changing?

Unable to analyze.

“Young Master, you are the one who does not want Dark Sun to vanish, because Dark Sun is your excuse for being unable to adapt to this world!”

If the elimination target’s level of significance surpasses the highest master, can the highest master’s command to kill be disobeyed?

…YES.

If Charles Endelis is more important than the highest master, could he do the reverse and command me to kill Gē—No! Cancel that inquiry! I won’t ask!

Do not answer!

“Charles Endelis! You must die!”

No one can be more important than Gēge—not even you, Charles!

***

“I need you and Dr. Ni Cai to help me infiltrate the Church’s Sin Elimination Committee.”

I earnestly looked at the single person sitting across from me. He appeared to be somewhat weaker in terms of individual strength, but no one present would see him as weak.

Lieder possessed the power to control others with speech. At least, that was his ability at the moment. Thinking about it, the reason he had never changed it was likely because this power was too useful, or because he had not yet encountered another person with a special ability.

“It’s to help the Elysees infiltrate the Sin Elimination Committee!”

Lieder glanced at Curtis, the person speaking next to me. By Curtis’s side was Dong Fang Lei, and next to him was an entire row of soldiers dressed in combat gear. According to Dong Fang Lei’s introduction, these were the Extraordinaries troops of the red bowties.

They did not seem to be as formidable and mighty as the soldiers on the battlefield, but each and every one of them was rather unique. I was uncertain if it was instinct or my imagination, but I felt that these people were indeed quite dangerous.

In addition, the lackey that had previously brought me to find blood bags was also in the group. He stood by Dong Fang Lei with a proud air. Among the Extraordinaries, his posture was the most rigid, and he appeared to be the youngest. He was likely a novice, and he gave off a strong sense of vitality.

Lieder replied, “The Church has already raised their guard, so it is extremely difficult. Ni Cai cannot provide any guarantees.”

The doctor was not here, nor was he willing to show himself. However, I could understand this; if Ni Cai was here as well, they might not have any room to decide against helping.

After a moment’s consideration, I smiled and said, “Then how much money is required for him to provide us with guarantee?”

Lieder smiled as well.

“Money can motivate me, since I have too many plans that require money as operation funds. However, money won’t budge Ni Cai… Hm, but I can’t say that there isn’t a way to move him. Let me put it this way: for a computer expert of his level, getting money is a very simple matter. That’s why money alone will not motivate him.”

I pondered this. If money is useless, then exactly what conditions would stir Dr. Ni Cai? The next move requires both Lieder and Ni Cai with neither of them missing. Or rather, without Ni Cai’s support, I am afraid Lieder would not dare to accept the task either. After all, his power is so useful that it would not be at all strange if a powerful force captured him and locked him away forever.

At this moment, I suddenly thought of Dr. An Te Qi, who was also a doctor. Moreover, they were both doctors with particular actions and thoughts. Could their interests be the same?

“I drank the same medicine as you. Since then, I have been unable to sleep. In addition, the last time I swallowed a bunch of candies in one go, my strength was boosted to the extent where I could even defeat Ri Xiang Ye. Afterwards, I had to consume a large amount of blood that far surpassed what I could process…”

The more I spoke, the more fascinated Lieder grew. He even unconsciously leaned forward, as though that would allow him to hear more.

I smiled and asked, “Do you think Dr. Ni Cai would be interested in my condition?”

“Of course.” Lieder immediately nodded and replied, “He’s even more fanatical about such matters than I am.”

As expected, all unusual doctors in this world are the same.

“I can let him research—”

“Family Head!” Curtis stood in a rage, glaring furiously at me without any sign of respect.

I calmly raised my head to look at him with absolutely no intention of retracting my words.

Curtis held my gaze for a while, then twisted his head to shout at Dong Fang Lei, “Go bring the research materials for the Extraordinaries!”

My expression changed, and I stood as well to reprimand, “That is the family’s hidden strength. You cannot do that. I will not allow it!”

Curtis looked at me with emotions of both grief and indignation. The sight of it floored me, as I could not comprehend why he would show such an expression. Is it really that serious?

I hurriedly explained, “Naturally, I would not let him conduct any research that could cause me harm—”

He interrupted me and growled, “You are our family head. No one can ‘research’ you, no matter what kind of research it is! This is a vicious slap to our family’s face, completely obliterating the Elysees family’s reputation. Don’t tell me you want to allow such a thing to occur?”

The family’s reputation… I finally realized the situation. I was no longer the Elysees family head that no one knew. The Sun Emperor, Church, and even others all knew at this point that Curtis was merely the steward. The true Elysees family head was someone else.

I was no longer hiding behind Sadina, but rather had stridden up to take the stage.

Even if Curtis was the main one handling matters at the moment, all the powers clearly understood my status now. In the last battle, the Elysees family had openly taken action against the Church, which evidently showed that they undoubtedly cared about me, their family head. If I continued to call myself a family head in name only, I would merely be deceiving myself.

I am the Elysees family head.

“Go retrieve it.”

Curtis opened his mouth, as though still wanting to justify himself. However, when he suddenly understood my words, his eyes widened in disbelief.

“Do not bring too much.” I eyed Lieder as I smirked and added, “Those two do not have that much worth.”

Lieder shuddered as he stared at me in wonder, as if not daring to believe there was such a side to my personality.

Curtis respectfully bowed and replied, “Understood, Family Head.”

He nodded at Dong Fang Lei. Upon receiving the order, the other did not leave either, but instead directed a subordinate to fetch it. He remained next to Curtis as a guard, unwilling to relax in the slightest. This was a good thing, as Curtis’s safety was indeed more important than anything else.

I reminded Lieder, “Contact Dr. Ni Cai and tell him of the conditions. There will be no need to wait for the materials to be brought over; I am sure you would not be able to comprehend much of the research data for the Extraordinaries anyways.”

Lieder chuckled. “You really understand me well. That’s right, I can never understand why the numbers and data are more interesting than actual people. In any case, I will just agree on behalf of Ni Cai first.”

“You do not need to ask him?” I was slightly curious. That doctor did not appear to be a character that would allow others to make decisions on his behalf.

Lieder shrugged. “I know that guy’s personality. Ni Cai is more interested in the Extraordinaries than you. Extraordinaries are natural human mutations. I can only use the word fanatical to describe his attitude toward those things. If I called him, I’m afraid he’d immediately charge over, and then the both of us would be in your hands…”

I instantly moved to stand right in front of Lieder. It took him an entire beat to jump up from his seat in alarm.

“Never—Never refer to them as ‘those things’.”

I warned in an extremely stern tone.

Lieder could only stare dumbly at me.

Dong Fang Lei stepped forward and smiled as he said, “Family Head, he isn’t enough for you to personally do anything. Please allow me to take your place. How would you like to discipline him for his rudeness?”

Lieder blurted, “I apologize.” Then, he sighed in admiration. “Charles, have I ever told you that you are truly incredibly fast?”

“Many times.”

Lieder shook his head. “Even saying it another hundred times would not be enough. It seems as though the aftereffects of drinking the medicine aren’t just being unable to lose consciousness, but may also include an increase in strength as well? That doesn’t seem quite right either; those two abilities are too unrelated to each other. There’s no explanation.”

I did not believe that was the case. The reason my speed increased further was likely due to the results of practicing it with my life on the line. The medicine’s effects increased the amount of blood a vampire could absorb to make up for the energy required due to sleep deprivation, excess activity, and bodily injuries.

Despite obtaining research on the Extraordinaries, Lieder did not want to give up on the effects of my medicine consumption either.

I would have to be more cautious from now on. I could no longer act as I had before, believing I had nothing others could use to conspire against me. Thus, I could not be careless about various matters. I was connected with too many important people now: the young master, the Elysees family, X…There were honestly too many people that others could utilize against me!

Seeing that I remained silent, Lieder did not show any particular emotion either. Instead, he straightforwardly began discussing the conditions. “Ni Cai wants those materials, and I want money. In addition, you must use the position of the Elysees family head to make a contract with me: In the future, the Elysees family will not come looking for trouble with Ni Cai and me.”

“As long as you and Ni Cai do not provoke the Elysees first, we will naturally not start anything with you two.”

“Then, there really won’t be an issue. If it was the Sun Emperor or the Church, I wouldn’t guarantee that I would not provoke them. But not provoking the Elysees?” Lieder spread out his hands and said, “That is truly not hard. Who would want to strike smiling butlers for no reason?”

Indeed. If it were not because of me, the Elysees family would have continued staying low-profile. There was no one that would have tried to provoke the support-natured family of butlers.

Lieder continued, “Under these conditions, I can only help you enter the Sin Elimination Committee. I am not responsible for fighting.”

Curtis emphasized, “The most important part is ‘exiting,’ not ‘entering’!”

I followed-up, “You must personally bring me in, then back out.”

Lieder did not mind this. “Of course. My ability isn’t one like Ni Cai’s that can operate from a distance. Besides, if I don’t bring you out, I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to survive for long either.”

He paused for a moment and then flashed a smile that did not reach his eyes. “The matter of a certain person being captured was so big that it nearly caused a world war. A lowly person like me cannot afford to incite that kind of thing. Speaking of which, if you have those Extraordinaries under your command, you might as well send one of those experts to come with me instead of coming along yourself. That way, I’ll be under a bit less pressure. I fear that if the Elysees family head merely loses a patch of skin, someone would want to skin me entirely.”

Curtis immediately turned his head toward me at this, his eyes full of agreement.

I coolly replied, “No. X would not go with you. The moment he is free from confinement, he would immediately leave everyone behind, regardless of whether or not he actually has a means to escape the Sin Elimination Committee. I am the only one he would follow.”

Lieder indifferently said, “Well, you know my ability.”

“X would not go with you. You cannot even completely control the young master, yet you foolishly assume you can stir the consciousness of a millennium-old vampire?”

“A millennium-old vampire! Heavens, that really does sound intriguing.” Lieder clutched his heart exaggeratedly and excitedly asked, “Charles, let me chat with him! An hour…no, half an hour is enough. You don’t need to pay me any money, and I’ll even help you fight. What do you think?”

I chuckled and shook my head. “Trust my words, paying you money is far simpler. X has absolutely no patience toward strangers. He would not want to chat with anyone. In fact, if you say just a few words to him, he will either disappear from your side, or you will disappear from this world entirely.”

“What a pity!” Lieder dejectedly leaned back on the sofa and sighed, “He’s a living historical figure. Can you imagine how many historical truths we could learn from his mouth?”

“Zero. You don’t think X would care about human history, do you? It even took him many years of being chased by Sin to finally realize that they had already been replaced multiple times.”

Lieder somewhat resentfully huffed, “He’s so different from you. It would be great if he was more similar. Who knows how much insider information about history I’d be able to get from you?”

I expressionlessly asked, “Are you certain I will not become like him after I have lived for over a thousand years?”

Lieder furrowed his brows and replied, “For some reason, I feel like even if everyone else changes, you are the only person who would never change.”

“You overestimate me.”

“No, no, that is precisely why the famed E.X., a vampire that refuses to have any dealings with the rest of the world, maintains contact with you. You can make him feel as though there is finally something unchanging in this world.”

I was taken aback, and I stared at him in confusion. Is this a conjecture, or does he have some type of concrete evidence? It is impossible that X would say such a thing.

Lieder smiled and explained, “The Church has full analyses on you and X. When Ni Cai broke into their computers, he helped me steal some of it. It was really a brilliant and outstanding analysis. Those research materials were my greatest reward from going to the Church, worthy of my participation!”

Curtis bellowed, “That damned Church! Dong Fang!”

“Here!” Dong Fang Lei immediately responded.

“Summon the family’s hackers. Once this matter is resolved, I want all of the Church’s computers to crash if they even try typing Family Head’s name!”

I nearly laughed at this. Curtis truly refused to let even the smallest things go, though this was not a bad thing. The nature of the Elysees family was destined to be unaggressive. If the one in charge was weak, the family might not stay standing.

Just then, a cell phone suddenly rang. I could tell it was not Curtis’s ringtone and I saw Lieder pull out his phone to glance at it. Then he gestured and stated, “It’s Ni Cai.”

I gestured back to indicate he was free to answer.

Lieder did not stand. He simply stayed in his seat as he answered the call. After quietly listening for a while, he voiced the condition of receiving the Extraordinaries’ research materials.

“I know you are determined to get those materials, don’t worry. I already responded. Prepare to break into the Sin Elimination Committee again.”

Lieder cut the call and went straight to the point. “It’s best if we take action as soon as possible. Ni Cai just informed them that Sin won over the researchers. They will kill E.X. at first light tomorrow, so we do not have any more time.”

“Then, let us go immediately.” I was burning with impatience, terrified of being too late and reduced to only hearing the news of X’s death before I could even see him.

Lieder nodded and said, “At least prepare weapons.”

“We cannot be so rash. Weapons are not the only things we have to prepare!” Curtis hurriedly urged, “Family Head, you must bring the Extraordinaries troop…”

“No.” The moment I rejected it, Curtis showed an unrelenting, steadfast expression. I explained, “With my speed, being unable to escape would mean that the situation is impossible to escape from. Moreover, if there is a way to escape but there are members of the family present, do you think I would be able to abandon them and leave alone?”

Curtis’s face fell.

“Give me an unsurpassable dagger. You must trust me for everything else!”

Curtis stared at me with no sign of confidence in my words.

I met his gaze and solemnly vowed, “I swear that I absolutely do not want to die. There are too many people tied to me now. The consequences of dying are too grave for me to possibly bear! Furthermore…”

I looked straight at this child who regarded me as his father.

“There is no way I could believe your past words. If I died, would you really not lead the family to seek revenge? I do not think so; therefore, I cannot die!”

Curtis was dumbstruck for a moment. Then the corners of his lips curved upwards slightly, and he asked with slight discontent in his tone, “Only a dagger? What about a gun?”

I nodded and replied, “I am going to rescue someone, not to start a massacre. If I have the time to kill, I may as well use my speed to escape them.”

This time, Curtis nodded in agreement. However, he stressed, “If you do not return, Dong Fang Lei will lead the Elysees forces over, just like last time.”

I knit my brows together, but I knew that trying to dissuade them would be of no use. As a result, I could only agree. This operation had to succeed. Even if it failed, I would not be able to compensate with just myself. Hopefully if that time comes, I can… make a choice.

It was in times like these when I could not help but feel somewhat at a loss. Was the young master’s scoring of people a good thing or not? Who was more important between X and the Elysees? I truly did not know, and I would likely never know.

Curtis sternly reminded, “Family Head, please remember that you are much more important than E.X.”

I truly was not certain about that.

Curtis coldly said, “At least he has already lived for over a millennium. Please forgive me for saying this, but he has already lived long enough!”

I was silent for a moment before saying, “He has lived long enough for a while now. There has never been a moment when he has not wanted to die, but there must be a specific reason for him to have never chosen to die. Only something more terrifying than death could stop him from seeking it.”

However, I had to admit that I was honestly somewhat apprehensive of learning the truth behind the reason terrifying enough to force X to live more than a thousand years.

Lieder nodded and said, “That is reasonable. But what is more frightening than death?”

“Many things.”

For example, being trapped between pain and thirst, unable to even maintain rational thought. It could not count as being alive at all. In that moment, death was not the least bit frightening; rather, it was a kind of relief.

Another example was when I had been captured by Countess Avexila with Sadina and Curtis by my side. Death had not made me feel fear; what would become of those two was what had truly terrified me.

X, what kind of reason is the one you have to live more than a thousand years for?

At this moment, there was another ring. This was Curtis’s phone, so I did not pay it any mind. There were too many people that would look for Curtis. However, Curtis unexpectedly furrowed his brows when he saw the number. After picking up, he passed the phone to me instead.

“Family Head, it is for you.”

I doubtfully accepted the phone. Who would have called Curtis to find me?

“Charles-gē.”

“Aren?” I was slightly astonished, though after some thought, this did not seem strange. With how complicated the situation previously was, it was normal for him to find a way to confirm the circumstances.

“Er, Charles-gē, you told us not to go looking for Ah Ye, but he came looking for us.”

When I heard this, I asked in concern, “Did he injure you?”

“No, Ah Ye said he already knows where you are, so there was no need to interrogate us.”

“That is good then.” I sighed in relief.

“Um, actually, Ah Ye said not to tell you about this, but it felt like a bit of a bad sign, so I figured it was still better to let you know.”

“Please go ahead and speak. I am also very concerned about your status. If anything is wrong, you can call this number immediately.” While this was not my phone, I would likely be unable to answer the phone from now on.

“Ok!” He took a deep breath and said in a single breath, “Ah Ye’s older brother commanded him to stay in place, but Ah Ye disobeyed and ran away. He said that as long as it did not violate the meaning of his existence, he had ways to go against his brother’s words.”

Indeed, the young master was never a particularly obedient child. However, during my service to the young master, I had also never witnessed the Sun Emperor truly “command” the young master.

Aren hesitantly said in a quiet voice, “Charles-gē, Ah Ye ran away to go rescue your brother.”

“I know.”

“…That idiot Ah Ye said you didn’t know. Recently, nothing he’s said has been right!”

“Could I trouble you to please tell the young master something?”

Aren gritted his teeth and said, “I just said this call was a secret, but you still want me to pass on a message?”

“Please tell the young master that he is more important than X, and that he should not go rescue X.”