The Young Master in the Shadows

Chapter 369: Sheild

Cataleya looked at the strange soup in the bowl and then at her daughter who was standing politely in front of her, slightly leaning on her blue umbrella that was resting on the ground.

“Are you sure I am poisoned and this is the cure?” she asked.

“Ahh. Yes… It is called the Widows Vengeance. This unfilial daughter has already checked it with my master, it is true!” Tulip said as politely as possible.”It has absolutely no symptoms before activation, and we will only know if it is true after an esteemed mother drinks this…”

“Is this medicine bad for my health?” Cataleya frowned and asked.

“No… It is made of some very rare herbs, so if it was not helpful, it would only be beneficial,” Tulip said. “My master also attested to this!”

“Oh… And a guy just gave you this info for free?” Catalya asked again. Carefully stirring the purplish liquid in the bowl.

“As this unfilial daughter reported, he left it in a message. He seemed to belong to an organization that specializes in information collection!” she said.

“You already said that in your report… The question is why is he helping us…” Cataleya said casually. “You slept with him, didn’t you?”

“I would never….” Tulip paused as she quickly remembered what happened back in the moon dungeon, making her mother who was looking at her frown.

“YOU….” she was testing her daughter earlier, she would have never guessed that this was true.

“We only shared a sleeping bag… It was an accident…” Tulip quickly defended herself.

“HOW CAN SLEEPING WITH A MAN BE AN ACCIDENT!” Cataleya screamed and almost threw the bowl at her hand.

“He made me do it… My powers were locked then… I had no choice…” Tulip said, stuttering as she stepped back… “Nothing more happened... We just slept…” she quickly clarified.

“WHAT? DO YOU THINK I AM AN IDIOT?”

“It is true… I… I am still a virgin…” Tulip clarified with a blush.

“Oh… Is he gay?” Cataleya calmed down a little.

“Probably not… He is just a jerk… A crazy proud jerk who is so full of himself…” Tulip said, puffing her cheeks.

“Watch it with your language!” Cataleya scolded.

“Ah… Sorry…” Tulip quickly looked to the ground.

“Then… Do you know why he gave you this info about me?” Cataleya said.

“No… I guess he wants to befriend our family…”

“You just chose to believe him?”

“It would do no harm…” Tulip said. She had no idea why she believed him.

“Never trust a man… Didn’t I teach you that….” Cataleya said as she sighed.

“I don’t trust him… I just trust the info he provided…” Tulip defended herself.

“IT'S THE SAME!” Catalya said then sighed.

“Ahh… Did Esteemed Mother check the info about my Esteemed Sister?” Tulip asked nervously.

“It is true… Your damned father had found her… They plan to bring her back in a few months…” Catalya said. She planned to go there by that time.

“Oh…” Tulip nodded. She wanted to tell her mother that this proved that Vic’s info was reliable, but she chose not to say it.

Cataleya, who could easily read her stupid daughter’s thoughts, sighed.

“Fine…” she said as she gulped the liquid in the bowl in one sip. If her daughter was more knowledgeable she would have realized that her mother’s movements were those of an experienced drinker.

It tasted normal… Just a little bitter, but it was not bad.

As soon as Catalya put the bowl down and carefully wiped her lips using a silk handkerchief she began to feel it. The power of the soup began to fill her body then, in her womb, something was moving.

“Oh….”

Without waiting for it, she jumped and ran to the toilet…

Tulip watched respectfully as her Esteemed mother left. She was suppressing her laugh.

Then she heard it… A scream full of horror.

Running behind her mother she saw her mother who fell on the blue-colored carpet in the corridor and was in pain.

Below Cataleya, a 10-foot-long disgusting millipede was crawled from under the skirt. It seemed to be in pain too as it wiggled aimlessly.

Without thinking, Tulip immediately used her umbrella to crash its head into a puddle of green liquid. Then she heard the familiar ping.

LEVEL UP

…

It was morning.

Vanessa sat nervously at the dining table with her daughters. She couldn’t believe that the dress she bought yesterday and was wearing now cost as much as her old apartment.

Her daughters, who were at the moment busy flattering their husband, had really shown her her mistakes in life. She should have just married a rich husband instead of toiling for years.

She must never let her children repeat her mistake… Yes, Mona should get to marry someone as rich as Victor… Wait… Why can’t she make her marry Victor too? The twins were hinting at that yesterday.

Looking at her daughter, who was glaring with disgust at Victor whose wives were having a contest to feed him from their plates, Vanessa sighed. This was easier said than done.

She must have not raised a strong daughter.

Vanessa’s thoughts were interrupted when Hilda hurried inside the dining room.

“Young master, your esteemed brother Mike is here,” she reported.

“Oh… Quickly let him in!” Victor said.

Moments later the door opened and a handsome young man walked in with two twins hugging his arms.

“Victor!” Mike said as Victor hurried to hug him. And then to greet the girls.

Vanessa who watched everything then politely greeted Mike when Victor introduced her, could tell that Victor really respected this elder brother of his. And she could also tell that the twins who introduced themselves as Honey and Bunny were definitely hookers. Her years of experience as a gangster could never be mistaken.

“So… What did you need me to come here for?” Mike asked.

“I told you… For the movie.” Victor, who returned to his seat, said. “Since you are early, let's go and discuss it in the study as the girls get to know each other…” he added, making Vanessa realize that there was some kind of scheme going on.

…

“What is this about?” Mike asked after reaching the study, sitting on the couch there and waiting for 10 whole minutes as Victor smiled sheepishly at him. "What is that Authenticity you wanted to show me?"

Victor didn’t answer. He just looked at the little girl who was moving in a strange way around the study since before they entered. She had a strange bracelet in her hand that she was shaking in a strange manner.

“It is all clear…” she said after a while. Feeling a little depressed seemingly… Why?

“Thanks, Theta… You go join the girls.” Victor said. “And don’t worry about the reward, I will give it to you regardless, you didn't have to find something…” he said, making the depressed girl cheer up then nod and leave the study after a polite bow.

“Was that an intruder scanning device?” Mike asked after looking at the bracelet-looking thing the girl had.

“Yes, It’s called the Secret Meeting Bangle, and I just got it in a raid…” Victor said. “It is very powerful, able to discover any kind of disguise or talisman as it specifies the number of listeners in a specific area. Its only drawback is it’s very narrow AOE and has strange activation requirements as it requires a girl to use it and depends on luck…”

“Oh…. Not bad…wait… A raid you said?” Mike asked. As far as he knew, Victor had just got married. When did he go on a raid?

“The blood moon dungeon… I was there…” Victor confessed as he took a package wrapped in a velvet cloth from his storage ring and slowly placed it on the table as if it were a treasure.

“Oh… Was it cleared already?” Mike asked. They had just confirmed the nature of the moon, and the family was preparing for a raid when it shines again next month. He was even invited to participate! Damn it!

“Yes… Some sick bastard who called himself the Emperor cleared it while acting all high and mighty… I am investigating him currently, and when I find him I will make sure to tie him up and then make love to all his lovers as he watches helplessly!” Victor said with a hateful tone. “Anyway, Thankfully I stumbled upon a treasure room before that guy could find it!” Victor said with a sneaky smile as he began to unwrap the package.

“What is this? A mirror?” Mike asked as he watched the golden Artifact that appeared in front of Victor.

“Yup… “ Victor said, not explaining.

“Stop with the boyish tricks and tell me what it does…” Mike scolded. “Is that the reason why you called me here so secretly?”

“YUP!” Victor said. “This thing here is an awakening artifact!” Victor said.

“Oh…those are rare…” Mike nodded as he looked at it… “WHAT?!” he stood up in shock. “Really? An awakening artifact? YOU ARE NOT KIDDING?”

“I AM NOT!” Victor said. “It is not just an awakening artifact, this thing has a 100% success rate and a 10 Authority level!” Victor said.

“What?” Did you try it?” Mike almost jumped at his brother.

“Not yet… I just used my appraisal skill on it, as a merchant my skills are good in this regard…” Victor casually delivered a half-truth.

“Oh…” Mike carefully eyed the mirror.

“That’s why I told you to get your twin wives… I think we can try it on them!” Victor said.

“Oh… What about your own wives?” Mike asked.

“They are all already players!” Victor shrugged.

“WHAT?” Mike, who was about to sit down, jumped and asked again.

“I planned to use it on my maids, but those girls need some time to adapt to being maids… I want them to get some maid classes, so I plan to wait for now. They are still too young…” Victor quickly changed the subject making Mike frown and then relax in his seat again, he decided to stop asking unnecessary questions, every man had the right to some secrets. Especially if the subject involved his harem.

“Do you plan to give it to the family or keep it to yourself?” Mike asked. “No…” he paused. “You plan to make me give it to the family instead!” He quickly figured it out, as Victor would have no other reason to present it to him today otherwise.

“Exactly… I think it would make a fine present for Grandma at her birthday!” Victor said. “This will give you a lot of honor, an honor you would need if you want to cement your position as the main heir!” Victor said.

“You plan to use me as a shield?” Mike, who was subtly pleased, raised one eyebrow and asked.

“Yup!” Victor nodded. “If I were to present it myself, not only would those fools start to pit me against you as the main heir to weaken us both, but it would also paint a huge target mark up my ass!”

“And you want them to paint it up of mine…” Mike said.

“You already have one,” Victor stated.

“True…” Mike nodded.

“I really just want to enjoy my harem life in peace, I have no interest in family politics!” he lied.

“I would have believed you if I didn’t know you were the one behind the plan against Bill,” Mike said.

“Father told you?”

“Yeah after the wedding.”

“Oh… It is his fault for targeting my harem…” Victor shrugged.

“I see… regardless, you did good,” Mike said as he relaxed in his seat and looked at the room’s ceiling as he pondered. “Wouldn't it be better if you kept this thing to yourself for a few more months? We can raise a few players with it!” Mike said as he began to rub his forehead, a sign that he was getting a little nervous as he considered the numerous possibilities.

“No… If I keep it for too long those old fogies in the council would realize this and use it against us. And you are not going to give it to them for free anyway,” Victor said, making Mike look back at him.

“You want me to impose conditions on the family?”

“Yup… Before giving this, you have to get the right to use it at least once a month!” Victor said. “That way, we can raise your army legitimately under the Family’s eyes. Grandma would probably support you for that!” Victor said. “The elders will surely impose some restrictions on its use after all!”

“I will have to ask for some favors beforehand though…” Mike said then paused. “What are the conditions of its use? ” he asked.

“It uses the stars as a medium, you reflect two stars upon the candidate's eyes to activate it. I guess the class would depend on those, but I am not sure…” Victor said.

“So only at night…”

“Clear nights, when the stars are visible!” Victor said.

“What are the limitations and cooldown time?” Mike asked.

“Seemingly it has some energy reserve that needs charging after every use… If left alone it would take a year to recharge,” Victor said. “And it has a 3-night cooldown time!”

“WHAT?” Mike sat straight as he realized how precious the mirror in front of Victor was. “One year's worth of Natural Mana?” Mike asked. “About 10 Gems per activation? That’s cheap!” The old artifact cost 3141 Gem per activation, and it had a month of cooldown time.

“Yes!” Victor nodded.

“If activated continuously, we can make about 100~120 players per year!” Mike said as he made the math in his mind. They would need to find someplace with a clear sky all year round, but it was not hard for the family.

“We might be able to awaken more than one player per activation if we used some mirrors, but it would need some astrologist to set it up though…” Victor said, making Mike open his eyes wide.

“Damn… Isn’t this thing too overpowered?” Mike asked in shock.

Victor shrugged. This Mirror was truly too overpowered to be left for some family like his as it would allow them to amass a huge army in a matter of a few years, but the reckoning is near and they need to get ready. “The sky tonight is clear, so we will try it with your twin wives at the same time… Victor said, making Mike nod as he squeezed his fist.

“You have to tell Grandma to fabricate some limitations for it…The spies need some things to report after all…”

“True…” Mike said. He would have never believed that there were spies in the families before, but after Iris’s incident that was followed by the awakening artifact destruction, the family launched an inquisition that caught hundreds of spies who confessed the existence of hidden others.

The family was a mess in the previous period of time thanks to that!

“I will leave this to you…” Victor said “ Now, let’s go… We are about to be late for the auditions!” he added as he carefully wrapped the mirror in its velvet wrap and then put it in a storage ring before he stood up and gave it to Mike.

“Are you sure you want to give me this?” Mike asked one last time as he shamelessly grabbed the ring.

“Yup!” Victor said. “My future shield!” he added blatantly.

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