Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 194 - 181 The End of Hamlet

A peasant with a hidden ailment in his leg, a noble with an anxious heart, a priest who had just enjoyed a sumptuous feast.

The man sat leisurely on the balcony of the second floor, observing the people passing beneath his gaze. Through meticulous observation, he discerned their inner nature. This was a pastime he quite enjoyed, deducing the inner workings from external hints—like guessing the surprise hidden within a gift box.

His soft, shoulder-length hair was like the night sky adorned with the Milky Way, with hints of blue amidst the deep black. His beautiful face easily attracted attention, and the addition of a slight, womanly softness to his demeanor made him seem not so much a person but a work of art. The most captivating thing about him was his eyes, which looked like lakes reflecting the starry sky, inviting onlookers to lose themselves in them.

He smiled at the woman behind the window across the street, watching her shyly hide behind the curtain yet her spring-like eyes remained fixed on him, devoid of the wariness she had shown just a week earlier.

Serio shifted his gaze, "Troublesome woman, without value." The daughter of a wealthy merchant married off to a noble, or to put it accurately, gifted to a noble. It seems she still harbors some hope, yet to grasp the reality before her.

A palpable thrumming emerged in his chest as Serio pulled up his sleeve, revealing an arm as pale as white jade. In its center, a scar that resembled a centipede was slowly fading away.

"Gone, Hamlet," Serio’s face broke into a smile, lamenting someone who was already beyond both spirit and form, "Twenty years of effort dissipated just like that, Mr. Hamlet, what a shame. I had actually planned to test the abilities of the vampire army, but now, even the cannon fodder at my disposal is no more."

"Oh well, it was of some use at least." Serio looked at his desk, where a map unfolded, littered with chess pieces. He walked over, toppled the black king from Hamlet County, and placed a white king on Cassandra.

"The Borey Family of Cassandra, although I had a premonition that Hamlet would fall soon, it turned out that neither Holy Light nor the Royal Family did it. Indeed, this world is more interesting than I had thought."

On the map, the black chess pieces stood like a looming jungle. In this dark forest, five white pieces stood alone.

"One hundred thirty-seven distinct regional nobles, four surviving, one ended. Thus, including Cassandra, five regions will be classified as untouchable. The division of human power in this world should be about forty percent complete..."

Serio gazed at the sky. "This world is beyond your imagination, Mr. Hamlet. Everything you’ve done is nothing but frog in the well, both foolish and laughable."

"And I, shall become the brightest star therein."

——————————

"Lyle, do you want it?"

Looking at the old papers Kevin passed to him, Lyle took a look.

"Is this, land deeds?"

"Yes, land deeds of Hamlet County, all here, I’ve just dug them up."

What kind of luck is this? In the same space, I found nothing, and you’ve managed to find the most valuable land deeds.

"You found them, they’re yours. Besides, I wouldn’t know what to do with this damned place. I’m not short on money recently, let you nobles manage it."

"I don’t want this accursed land either. I was hoping to grab a piece of land and establish a Kevin County without my old man. But with such bad luck, with vampires and the Evil God and all, I doubt I’d sleep well at night. How about I give it to my old man, let him sell it, and we split the assets amongst ourselves?"

"Can this damned place even be sold?"

"As long as it’s marked as noble land, you could sell even a graveyard."

Amidst their banter, the two made their way to the outer stone chamber.

"Gurgle!"

Hearing Nia’s familiar sound, Lyle instinctively raised his arm, only to be engulfed by a mass of tentacles.

Kevin stared at Nia’s new form, momentarily stunned, before hurriedly digging Lyle out from the pile of tentacles.

Nia’s tentacle count had increased, to the point where it could cause psychological shadows.

Looking at Nia, now in human form, Lyle was overcome with a sentiment akin to that of an old father.

Apart from her appearance, there was little change. Nia still habitually hid within her clothes, the added volume seemingly having no effect.

By this time, Heinz had already awakened, and he stood not far away, watching the interaction between Lyle and Nia.

"Thank you, Mr. Heinz. If not for your help, we would have had a lot of trouble getting rid of the Duke of Hamlet."

"Your talent..." Heinz’s eyes lingered on Lyle, his lips murmuring absentmindedly.

"What?"

"Nothing. Now that the source of the corruption has been eliminated, Fannila and I must commence the purification of this land. Goodbye, Plague Doctor. In the future, you and your friends are welcome to visit the Withers’ habitat in the Light Five District. We will extend the warmest hospitality to the guardians of nature."

Heinz, with Fannila, left the secret passage, leaving William, whose gaze followed them as they departed. Aryan and Karen seemed to be the first to leave.

Kevin walked over, patting William on the shoulder.

"Borey Family’s magical advisor, your guard duty is finished. Lyle can ensure my safety on the return trip, so why not seize the moment?"

William, with a smile befitting his handsome features, let the urgency in his eyes fade away, "Let me complete my duty perfectly, my dear Kevin. If I accepted your kindness now and indulged my impulse, then I likely wouldn’t have the courage to call myself your brother in generosity."

"You’re just going to watch this opportunity slip by?" Kevin was more inclined to let him chase possible happiness.

"What’s mine cannot be taken, and what’s not meant for me needs not be forced. Right now, I should be carefree for the friendship we can see, Kevin. Have you achieved your goal?"

"I’ve got the land deed already, this land has become the property of the Borey Family. With the fall of the Hamlet Family, it’s likely my inheritance ceremony can’t be held, so it’s best I give the deed to my father to sell. We’ll split the funds then. Oh, and remember the celebration we’re going to have later—no one is allowed to miss it, we have a pact!"

"Sure." "Definitely."

The three of them headed towards the secret passage, and after a lengthy journey, they left Hamlet Castle.

The time had just entered the morning, with the first rays of dawn appearing over the sea, bringing back the weariness of a sleepless night to the trio.

"Shall we go back to the inn for a sleep? Should be free this time."

"No, I’d rather sleep in the forest."

Down the path, through Hamlet Town, the old registrar and her rocking chair were gone, but the parchment bearing Kevin’s name remained. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Almost forgot about this, it seems to be some cursed scroll, William, a light, please, to burn it."

Ignition.

The parchment was thrown to the ground, gradually consumed by flames.

The other names had become a smudged crimson, illegible, but Kevin’s remained clear, even amidst the fire.

Kevin Hamlet.