Manipulated, it was retrieved from the storage container and expanded to its original size in the real dimension—the Spine Wheel, specifically number 357. As Lyle had expected, there were no anomalies, but the question remained, how did it react?

During a simple inspection, in the presence of the judge, the manipulator reported, "No anomalies, Your Honor. I believe there is no possibility of Spiritual Wisdom..."

"Lies! He is covering for the Plague Doctor’s sins. Elya could not possibly lack cognition; she clearly accepted my gift. I personally placed it into her tentacles, watching her insert it into her body. She cannot lack Spiritual Wisdom." In Shiny’s grasp, Toxic Umbrella roared, its perspective a significant blow to the pathologically love-stricken Light Bat.

The judge was not angered by Toxic Umbrella’s outburst in his courtroom and merely tapped his gavel lightly, replying directly with the Liches’ characteristic detachment.

"The Bioreform Protection Law was crafted by the Spirit Summoning Liches to govern themselves. As the drafters, they have the ultimate interpretive authority over these rules. Mr. Toxic Umbrella, the Spirit Summoning Liches are the definitive authority on the interpretation of these original regulations..."

The judge’s words turned icy as he stared at the Light Bat shivering under the pressure. "We respect facts, Mr. Toxic Umbrella. We will safeguard your rights, but we will not allow you to abuse them. It is time for you to settle down." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Without further protest, Toxic Umbrella accepted the harsh reality, recognizing that what he had experienced was merely a dream.

Lyle was immediately released, and Mr. Toxic Umbrella was obliged to compensate for his infractions, with arrangements being coordinated between him and the Necromancer Figure Club.

After the judge departed, Lyle, looking at a dejected Mr. Toxic Umbrella seated in the defendant’s chair, had a thought.

"Boss, we should head back... Eh? You want to..."

Lyle approached Spine Wheel number 357, positioned in the center, as Nia displayed her clinging tentacles on his arm.

"I’m doing what I should be, I’m seeking the truth. This is my creation; I need to uncover her secrets, to understand... the truth."

Toxic Umbrella lifted his small head, watching the figure with a beaked mask surrounded by swirling, coiled tentacles.

Nia’s flesh and number 357 became one entity, both originating from a single source. Utilizing Nia’s connection, Lyle closed his eyes.

"So that’s how it is..." Nia’s tentacles returned to their place, and Lyle turned around, his beaked mask lenses reflecting light onto Mr. Toxic Umbrella.

"Would you like to try again, Mr. Toxic Umbrella? About number 357’s pursuit of you, let’s recreate the event right here, and together, we shall witness the truth."

Once more, Toxic Umbrella issued a joyful cry, "Can I? May I touch her again?"

Lyle took a step back, leaving space for him.

"Of course, my friends are surely as curious about this phenomenon as I am—the spontaneous behavior without Spiritual Wisdom."

Shiny and the others were puzzled by the sudden enthusiasm of the Plague Doctor.

"Why does it feel like the boss suddenly got excited?"

The Light Bat Toxic Umbrella quickly flew to the front of the Spine Wheel, gravely addressing the Plague Doctor, "Mr. Plague Doctor, while I appreciate your act of atonement, in the face of truth, all will be revealed in the light of day."

Lyle was not upset; he showed ample patience.

"Please do as you wish, Mr. Toxic Umbrella."

"This is absurd. Come, Ineet, let these arrogant Liches see the bond we share."

Calling the name of his beloved, Toxic Umbrella appeared to anticipate the occurrence of a miracle.

To the astonishment of the figure club trio, a miracle indeed took place.

Spine Wheel 357 extended three delicate tendrils of flesh and blood from the inner side of the tissue attached to her lower spine—slowly, ever so slowly, reaching towards Toxic Umbrella. With each movement of the Light Bat, the direction changed as if a young girl were tentatively stretching out her fingers.

Toxic Umbrella let out a cry of delighted surprise.

"Did you see that, Liches? She has a soul. She’s my lover," Toxic Umbrella proudly showed off as he danced in the air, presenting his truth to the astonished Liches.

Shiny and the others fell into silence, numbly staring at the reality beyond their comprehension.

Lyle remained uninvolved, which made Flexibility want to remind him that if Toxic Umbrella brought Mr. Judgment back now, the outcome of this case might change.

"Mr. Toxic Umbrella, keeping a ’lady’ waiting is not the act of a gentleman," Lyle "kindly" reminded the Light Bat fluttering in the air, pointing at the tendrils extending from number 357, "You should respond to her."

"Of course! My love! Feel my burning passion!" Toxic Umbrella elegantly spun his body in the air, dived toward the tendrils like a bomber.

At the moment his soft fur made contact with the tendrils—

Yaksha shed her disguise, and behind the soft delicate tendrils, twisted ones swollen with diseased pustules surged forth, engulfing the slight form of Toxic Umbrella. He was like an ant fallen into a pit trap, awaiting the attention of an antlion; panic in his eyes just before he was covered by flesh.

"Nia, make her spit him out!"

Nia’s black and red tendrils immediately took control of Spine Wheel 357’s actions. Amid the tumultuous layers of flesh, Toxic Umbrella was expelled by the contracting muscles. At this moment, his previously intact fur had turned into patchy baldness, and the surface emitted the hissing sound of corrosion. Toxic Umbrella’s face was blank; the panic inside him had surpassed the pain outside.

Lyle gently patted his head, "Mr. Toxic Umbrella, impulsive love is but a demon lurking in the abyss."

Though Lyle said this with a smile on his face.

It was not to mock Toxic Umbrella’s plight, but because he understood the needs of the Spine Wheel.

She was hunting, she was feeding. Without the control of a soul or a brain, she craved sustenance with sheer instinct.

She was enduring hunger.

His creation, Spine Wheel, felt hunger.

Surprise and ecstasy dominated Lyle’s brain.

Something must have changed in Nia; perhaps, during her journey in Lokarot, in the divine temple of the corrupted Star Spirit, the lump of flesh she had consumed, allowed her to grow again—this time, with burgeoning appetite.

Nia now had a voracious appetite, and this anomaly had also been passed on to all of Lyle’s most recent creations.

The sensation of hunger, the instinct to consume.

Lyle was truly overjoyed.

Liches, is it? Free from desire, is it? Andrey’s friends, have you ever considered what it’s like to feel hunger?

I, Lyle Butler, a member of the Cup of Excess, a follower of desire.

I will influence this era as surely as the righteous light does, changing your way of action, and before long, you’ll be grateful to me. Just thinking about it brings me pleasure.

Liches, it’s time to dine.