Chapter 168: Chapter 161 Genius

One month later.

The sky was a clear azure, dotted with leisurely drifting clouds. Warm sunlight spread across the land, and a gentle breeze caused the leaves to sway softly.

The entire kingdom had heard about Viscount Garcia’s disappearance, and whispers about the Fischer family proliferated in private.

The Middell family also inquired privately if they intended to seek revenge, offering their support, but Young Garcia ultimately declined.

In the Garcia family’s graveyard, Young Garcia nodded in gratitude, struggling to maintain his composure as he said,

“Mr. Samuel, I am grateful that you came to visit my father. Thank you… If my father knew, he would definitely laugh and embrace you.”

Samuel nodded gently and said, “I would like to speak to him alone if I may.”

“Of course, you can. You were one of my father’s best friends and naturally have that right.”

With a sigh, Young Garcia turned away with teary eyes, leaving only Samuel in the Garcia family’s graveyard.

“If your father knew my true identity, he would certainly tear my flesh to shreds.”

Samuel’s expression suddenly became complex, his eyes held a terrifying chill as he continued speaking.

“Garcia, it’s a pity you had to die that day. Bast couldn’t let you live until the day we truly squared off against the Eagle clan.”

The “Black Lion” stood calmly in front of the Garcia family’s tombstone. This time, he did not wear a black robe nor a mask. Instead, he appeared openly in his public persona at the Garcia family’s home.

His true identity was none other than the owner of the “Red Wine Club,” a good friend whom Viscount Garcia deeply trusted, an important member of the covert intelligence organization “Black Eyes,” and the “best wine connoisseur on the East Coast,” Mr. Samuel!

He was also the one who spread rumors about the Fischer and Romann families.

“Decades ago on the battlefield, I saved you on Bast’s command, thinking it was just a play that would last a few years, but I didn’t expect our acquaintance to span several decades.”

“I am a bit, confused about whether I’m still acting or not.”

After staring at the tombstone for a long time, Samuel suddenly let out a long sigh and continued,

“Actually, I had thought about this day coming, and it indeed came, just later than I had expected.”

Viscount Garcia could never have imagined that a friend he had known for decades was actually the deepest buried blade of the Lion clan.

Decades ago, they fought together against the Rhea people, risking their lives and saving each other numerous times on the battlefield.

He could not understand why decades ago, Bast, who wasn’t yet a viscount and known as the “Fox,” was already contemplating how to plant the seeds of conspiracy.

Samuel gazed at the tombstone and chuckled, saying,

“Bast just loves to play idle chess too much. Whether it’s me or Byrne, he has many more ‘pawns’ he can use on the East Coast, and some ‘pawns’ may never come into play in their entire lives.”

“But at critical moments, he always manages to easily control the situation from behind the scenes, guiding things in the direction he desires.”

Samuel considered himself the person who knew best just how fearsome Viscount Bast was.

Therefore, he firmly believed that the Eagle clan would be completely defeated in their final confrontation. He had never doubted this outcome from the beginning.

“The Eagle clan has no chance of victory because Zavier is a far-sighted and intelligent man, but Viscount Bast is a cunning devil!”

——

Nasir Town, Fischer Manor.

The sacrifice began.

Nearly all members of the Fischer family were by now very familiar with the entire process of the sacrifice.

The new Forbidden rare artifact “Countdown Timer” was finally offered up. An apparently old pocket watch was abruptly absorbed by an unseen force, then withered and disintegrated into black ashes before vanishing from sight.

Karl silently felt the influx of new Spiritual Power.

This was the most significant amount of Spiritual Power provided by any of the Mysterious rare artifacts to date, even twice the amount of the previous “meteorite.”

He felt as if non-existent taste buds were being intensely stimulated, akin to savoring a seafood feast—an unforgettable freshness that left a deep longing for more, so much so that the desire could not be quenched for a long time.

Such a pity, yet unsatiated.

While the Spirituality contained within the artifacts still could not make Karl feel completely satisfied, he was nonetheless pleased with the Fischer family’s sacrifices.

“It’s been over twenty years of recovery, but I still feel that my soul cannot split again.”

“It seems that a long-term bond with the Fischer family is inevitable, for a very long time I still cannot look for a second favored clan.”

After pondering, he began sensing the new runes deep within his soul, resembling a black-grey pocket watch that seemed broken, its hands continuously moving backward.

Who exactly ought to be given the “Countdown Timer”?

Karl was clear that it would be best to give the “Countdown Timer” to Chris since it was a very useful power for him.

Although the effect of the “Blade of Silver Radiance” was also good, it always relied on a precious rare artifact as its base for rune power, which truly paled in comparison to the Forbidden rare artifact’s “Countdown Timer.”

“With this, Byrne, Irene, and Chris, each carrying rune powers based on ‘Forbidden rare artifacts,’ will be complete.”

“Only currently, the essence of the runes is still insufficient to evolve Byrne and Chris’s Forbidden rare artifact-based runes. If they could be upgraded to spirit runes, the terrifying power they would possess is unimaginable.”

Chris soon felt the power he mastered had changed once again.

He took a deep breath and slowly raised his hand, yet the silver light no longer emerged.

Instead, what appeared were the hands of a pocket watch in Chris’s eyes.

The new rune power “Countdown Timer” allowed him to freely set the timer, and at the end of the countdown, he could cast a time stasis on all beings around him, except himself.

The longer the countdown, the more extended the subsequent stasis, with a ratio of sixty to one, and the limit of stasis time reached a full sixty seconds!

And there was no cost whatsoever!

Chris was acutely aware of the might of his new rune power—undoubtedly, time stasis was a top-tier force in the battle against the strong!

With its power, Chris had the ability to contend with anyone below the Monarch powerful experts!

Byrne was greatly excited, a strong sense of relief emerged deep within him, even a touch of serene freedom, as the massive pressure he had always borne seemed to lighten.

“The Fischer family finally has the power to gain a foothold on the East Coast!”

From now on, everything was going to be completely different!

The people of the Fischer family were all thrilled. Darren looked up at his great-uncle Chris with eyes full of admiration and excitement.

He, too, wished to possess the mighty rune power, but did not yet know when that would be.

After the priestly ceremony was over, Irene found Byrne.

Before she could speak, Byrne said,

“The powerful force possessed by Chris need not be completely concealed anymore. Becoming a viscount family is crucial for the Fischers, and next, we need to seek dual verification from the kingdom and the church.”

Irene was silent for a long time before she said earnestly,

“I want to take Lilian away from Nasir Town for a while.”

Byrne, upon hearing that Irene wanted to take his daughter away, was momentarily stunned and furrowed his brow, asking,

“Why? What’s the matter?”

Irene continued calmly.

“She can’t feel the power of God here. Lilian needs change, Byrne. Your children are different from you in many ways, but they have one thing in common with you—they all need to train and grow.”

“You really have a way with words…”

Byrne was at a loss for words, understanding the true message behind Irene’s words. Lilian was not yet qualified to become a family priest, and there would be no one to take over once Irene passed away.

“But Irene, if you leave Nasir Town for a long time, is that really alright for the family?”

Irene nodded slightly, then continued,

“I will return to the family once every year. Then, I’ll handle those priestly matters. As for the day-to-day affairs, Rishia can handle them… Don’t worry. In these final years, I must nurture enough qualified Dawn Priests for the great Lord of the Lost; that is undoubtedly the most important task.”

The order must have its priests.

Byrne could see the determination in Irene’s eyes; she wanted to thoroughly train Lilian to be a successor, a woman who could continue to lead the family forward.

“I understand. Irene, follow your heart and do as you wish.”

“Moreover…”

Irene paused for a moment and then lifted her head to say, “I can sense that I shouldn’t stay in the family forever.”

“I want to properly reevaluate the doctrines of the Dawn Church and consider where our future is headed…”

Before long, the Fischer family approached the Acting Bishop Zayne, to report that Chris Fischer had reached high-level Transmutation.

“Ah?”

Zayne’s face revealed an incredulous expression, and after pondering for a while, he frowned.

“Such jokes aren’t funny. You came to me because there’s a real matter, right?”

He was busy and couldn’t afford to waste time.

“Really?”

Byrne nodded gently, speaking with great seriousness,

“Yes, Bishop, it’s true. Actually, at the end of the naval battle, Chris had reached mid-level Transmutation, and now he possesses the strength of high-level Transmutation. He might just have a good talent.”

Zayne’s expression grew very complex. Was it true or false?

Even though Zayne’s strength had improved at nearly the same rate, he was a man of many resources, and undoubtedly, his talent also bordered on genius.

If an upstart from a small family could advance so quickly, it seemed a bit too exaggerated!

Could it be that Chris Fischer, like Duke Romann, was an actual genius?