Battle Under the Moonlight Part I

After adjusting his doll, Adam left the Suk Chamber of Commerce.

Upon seeing Adam, Crow spoke softly, "Master Doug said he needs to see results soon."

"He will. Let's go home," Adam replied, indicating Doug's impatience.

Given Doug's advanced age, each day felt particularly burdensome, and most of his energy was focused on Adam's side.

Adam had intentionally revealed his connection with the Aberration Organization, leveraging Doug's resources to support the Suk Chamber of Commerce under the guise of experimentation.

"It seems I do need to show some results to Doug; otherwise, who knows what he might do." Adam stepped off the carriage, his mind racing with thoughts.

The process for creating the elixir of immortality still had some unclear aspects. Known information suggested separating sin and immortality through multiple curses.

However, Adam was uncertain about the specifics required in this process.

From Anthony's behavior and words, Adam inferred that the elixir's creation process was far from humane.

"I need a deeper understanding of sin."

Recalling his observation of the strand of sin on the doll, Adam realized that sin had a highly extensible nature. He knew that sin must have other characteristics essential for creating the elixir of immortality.

"No rush, I need to think about how to deal with Mansra tomorrow night." After running through various issues in his mind, Adam went upstairs to begin his training.

He decided not to personally confront Mansra's smuggling team in the slums the next day because he was unsure what kind of people Mansra might send.

If Mansra had recruited a skilled individual, barging in recklessly could lead to his identity being exposed.

Moreover, Mansra had hired monks for protection.

Adam's plan was to send only his doll, while he would stay home or handle some affairs with Doug and others.

Time passed quickly, and Adam felt a sense of urgency. He wasn't sure if his identity would be exposed, and if it was, much of the support he had garnered would disappear instantly.

He needed to use this power to establish some security, ensuring he could escape even if his identity was revealed.

Jin didn't come tonight. After his training, Adam went to sleep.

He usually didn't dream, but tonight was different. He rarely dreamt of anything.

It seemed like a lullaby, or someone softly humming, a voice both familiar and strange.

The next moment, that gentle voice changed. The warm dream shattered instantly, and a voice echoed in Adam's heart.

"Nesser, you are becoming more dangerous!" The voice was as cold as the chill wind on a mountaintop, piercing and devoid of warmth.

"Keeping you was a mistake. I will find you, and you can't escape."

After speaking, Adam woke up in a cold sweat.

"Extraordinary perception?" Adam panted, feeling fearful of having an enemy with such an ability.

When you mentioned the enemy's name, dreamt of them, or had visions related to them, they could sense it.

A powerful individual could even use this connection to transmit their will.

Composing himself, Adam noted the early hour and resumed his studies.

The elixir of immortality process, creating followers, studying tattoo magic, delving into curse spells, practicing the invisible blade and thread magic, researching aura magic, analyzing knightly fate charts, and exploring bloodline abilities—there was much to learn. Simply knowing wasn't enough; deep research was required for these to be useful.

"My sorcerer profession will likely break through first," Adam analyzed. He most frequently used magic and had the deepest understanding of the sorcerer profession.

After a thorough review of his knowledge, Adam headed to the Reflection Tower. The goat that had undergone surgery yesterday was resting on a stand, trying to walk with its hind legs like a patient recovering from a severe illness.

Adam checked the goat's body and treated its wounds, noting its improved self-healing ability.

Its hind legs seemed swollen or perhaps enlarged from the life force infusion, looking significantly bigger. Adam thought it might be time for some grooming.

While Adam pondered these matters, Rupert was also preparing for various events.

Rupert's family had declined during his grandfather's generation, with their business shrinking rapidly. As a child, Rupert hadn't fully grasped this, remembering only his grandfather's death from anger and his father's descent into drunkenness and rage, losing all noble grace.

Then one day, his father committed suicide, claiming he hadn't shaved that morning.

From that moment, Rupert learned an important lesson: elegance and grace were privileges of nobility. Without noble privileges, one was nothing.

"Not just prestige, I need more," Rupert thought, looking at the various people he had recruited over the years.

Despite the recent spy incident, Rupert did not resent these individuals.

He knew that his success depended on their support.

"So, let's begin. Bring down Baron Mansra. I'll use him as a stepping stone to reclaim my family's former glory and reach even higher!"

Rupert's eyes were full of ambition, and time seemed to fly.

According to known information, Mansra's smuggling route passed through the forest at the edge of the slums, where the garrison could open a passage.

Tonight, Mansra's smuggling team was expected to come through there, crossing the forest into the slum warehouses.

Mansra had three warehouses in the slums, and Rupert had located them. However, Mansra might not necessarily use these warehouses.

"After leaving the forest, they could take small paths to nearby towns. These paths are inconvenient for carriages, but we can station people to intercept them if they take that route."

"We also need to consider the gang presence in the slums. Mansra might have gang support to interfere."

"And watch out for mercenaries or hidden forces hired by Mansra."

"We must even consider the possibility of Mansra acting personally." Rupert's excitement gradually calmed as he considered all potential contingencies.

As someone who had suffered the loss of noble privileges, Rupert understood the importance nobles placed on their families. This shipment was tied to the Mansra family's honor, and losing it would strip them of their last chance to recover.

"There is one more issue." Rupert frowned. He had a natural talent for commerce, which had helped him revive his family business. Observing Mansra's business flow, Rupert had estimated his smuggling profits.

However, the Mansra family's expenses and income didn't match up.

This implied significant hidden expenditures by Mansra.

Thinking of this, and recalling how Matthew, one of his early recruits, had turned out to be Mansra's spy, Rupert had a bad feeling.

"But I still have Mr. Riggs' support." This thought comforted Rupert. The Aberrations were strange but undeniably strong allies.

Especially with Mr. Riggs backing them, tonight's victory was surely his!