Have you had enough, Miss Vampire? It's time to get down to business.

When he came to his senses, he noticed that the light in the room was a little different.

Judging from the angle of sunlight and shadow, at least an hour had passed!

"This..." Lor was shocked. "Isabella, what did you just do?"

"Hehe, what do you think? You don't remember anything at all, right? Am I very powerful?" Isabella sat on the edge of the bed with her legs crossed, saying proudly.

"Yeah, very impressive." Lor nodded.

"Not only that, but you've been doing everything I say for the past hour!" Isabella ruffled her silver hair. "Hey, do you want to know what you've been doing during this time?"

"Then there's no need for that." Luo Er sighed softly, pretending to be sad. "I already knew how a handsome, suave and charming man like me would be treated... I just didn't expect you to be so gentle. You even helped me put my clothes back on afterward."

Isabella's face flushed immediately:

"Pfft, pfft, stop being so narcissistic! Who would do that to you? Besides, even if they really wanted to, they wouldn't do it under hypnosis..."

What's the point of that kind of thing if it's not sincere?

"Huh? What?" Lor asked. Isabella spoke softly at the back, so much so that he couldn't hear clearly at all.

"Nothing! Idiot!"

"Why are you suddenly so angry?" Lor spread his hands. "Alright, I'll just assume you've withstood the temptation... So, Miss, can you tell me now, what exactly did you make me do in the past hour?"

"Hmph, I won't tell you!" Isabella turned her head away.

I didn't do anything too extreme.

That means letting that idiot hold flowers in his hand, kneel on one knee, and say sweet words to me non-stop, praising me for being smart, beautiful, gentle, cute, and understanding, and swearing to follow me forever...

Can't you just indulge yourself a little?

Who made this guy always so calm in front of me, like a piece of wood?

"Since Miss doesn't want to talk, then I won't ask." Lor shrugged. He believed that with Isabella's simple nature, she wouldn't really do anything extreme. "However, the effect of this hypnosis is truly amazing... It seems to be useful."

"However, there are some limitations to its use," Isabella said. "First, you must maintain eye contact with the target at close range. Second, if the target's mental resistance is high, it won't be successful."

"So, my resistance wasn't high enough, so I got hit?"

"Of course! You're only a first-level... oh no, you're a second-level transcendent now... Anyway, you're still a small fry, and you can't withstand my attack at all! If you were at the intermediate level, you wouldn't be so easily defeated."

"Hmm, it seems hypnosis isn't a panacea. I have to choose the right target," Lor pondered. "So, Miss, what should we do next? Can you grant me this ability, like the 'Disguise Illusion' you used before?"

"What are you thinking? I won't give it to you!"

Isabella stuck out her tongue. "Firstly, this isn't the same as some little trick like disguise or illusion. With your current strength, you might not be able to truly unleash the hypnotic power... Secondly, what if you really learn it and use it to do bad things to other girls? Humph, no need to explain. Which of you men can resist such temptation?"

That's her reaction.

Lor more or less expected this.

After hearing me say that I wanted to sneak into the Duke's Mansion in advance to collect intelligence, this guy looked eager to try it, obviously thinking it was fun.

"It seems that the young lady wants to take action personally." Luo Er smiled, "That's good, this will make me feel more at ease."

"Hmph, why don't you thank me?" Isabella raised her chin proudly.

"Well, thank you, thank you," Luo Er said perfunctorily. "But let's make it clear beforehand. You can't act recklessly when the time comes. You must obey my instructions in everything... The Duke's Mansion must have hired many extraordinary guards. We must be careful not to alert them."

"Okay, I promise you." Isabella curled her lips slightly and nodded in agreement.

Pretty well-behaved.

……

evening.

The Duke of Canbury's residence is located in the suburbs of Palmer.

As one of the few great nobles in the kingdom, the luxury of this mansion is naturally needless to say.

Not only was the mansion vast, but the architectural style was also quite grand and imposing... As for the interior decoration, it exuded elegance and luxury. Furthermore, the forests and lakes within a two to three kilometer radius surrounding the mansion were also privately owned by the Duke of Canbury.

In the study, a handsome young man dressed in gorgeous clothes, with the demeanor of an aristocrat, put his hand to his chest and reported respectfully:

"Uncle, Mrs. Windsor of the 'Death Whisper Society' set off a few days ago and must have arrived in Palmer by now."

"Well, thank you for your hard work, Trevante." Duke of Canbury nodded with a smile. "I knew the 'Skull of Temptation' would attract the interest of the Deathrattlers."

The duke was about fifty years old, with a little graying at the temples. He looked dignified and had considerable leadership charisma.

In addition to his identities as a superhuman and a great nobleman, he is also a well-known philanthropist with a good reputation and is widely loved among the people.

But, those who really know him know...

This Duke is not as approachable as he seems.

Even Trevant, his confidant and nephew, often couldn't guess what he was thinking.

"Oh, by the way, Trevante," Duke of Canbury asked again, "have any new 'dragon bones' appeared in the black market in Palmer these past two days?"

"I have been sending people to keep an eye on it, but unfortunately, no one has done it," Trevante replied.

For example, this matter is very puzzling.

Dragons have been extinct for a long time, so how could something like "dragon bones" appear so easily? But lately, the Duke has been asking about it every two days, as if he's certain that dragon bones will appear on the black market soon...

"I'll continue to keep an eye on it for you."

Cui Fante didn't dare to ask more questions and had to say this.

11. Stealth Action!

After leaving the Duke's study, Trevante first went to check the preparations for the auction.

All auction items were securely stored in a dedicated vault, guarded by six Transcendents: two mid-level and four street-level. Furthermore, the vault was protected by a powerful seal previously commissioned by the Mystic Association, ensuring it was foolproof.

Although, no one would have the courage to steal things from the Duke's Mansion.

Forget stealing, even if you sneak in, you can’t get away unscathed!

After the confirmation, Trevante breathed a sigh of relief and went to his exclusive lounge.

"What exactly is the Duke's intention in inviting the people from the 'Death Whisper Society' this time?" He muttered to himself, puzzled.

The Duke of Cambury is a fourth-level transcendent and an important member of the "Fighter Alliance".

Although the Fighter's Alliance is not as noble and selfless as the Church of Holy Light, it is one of the three major sources after all, and it still has a bottom line... The Duke took the initiative to show goodwill to Lady Windsor of the "Death Whisper Society" this time. He must have a special purpose!

At least, that's what Trevant himself believed.

"Tea, please, Master Trevante."

Just then, two servants, a man and a woman, knocked on the door and entered.

The man was wearing a butler's uniform and pushing a food cart with various exquisite snacks on it; the woman was wearing a dignified yet cute maid outfit and holding a cup of hot tea in her hand.

There were no less than a hundred servants in the Duke's mansion, and Trevante didn't know all of them.

However, he had some impression of these two people, so they were not strangers.

"Okay, thank you." Cui Fante nodded, just glanced at the two of them briefly, and didn't pay too much attention.

It wasn't until the maid started pouring tea and the aroma filled the air that he realized something was wrong.

"No... All the servants in the Duke's Mansion know that I'm very picky about tea, and this isn't the kind I usually drink... Who the hell are you?!"

Cui Fante stood up suddenly, quickly activated his spiritual power, and a translucent, slightly glowing dagger appeared out of thin air in his hand!

At the same time, the man dressed as a butler rushed forward, not at all afraid of the dagger in Trevante's hand. Even though the other party was heading straight for his chest, he did not avoid it!

Zheng!

When the dagger pierced the chest, there was a sharp sound of metal collision!

First-level divine art, "skin hardening"!

Trevant was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized that the man in front of him must be from the Church of Holy Light!

But the Duke's Mansion is heavily guarded, how did this guy get in? I haven't heard that the Holy Light Church has the extraordinary ability to change appearances?

Also, why can't the "Spirit Blade" that I summoned with my extraordinary power break his first-level protective magic?

not right...

Something is very wrong!

Just as Trevant was about to call for the guards, the man covered his mouth tightly and pressed him to the ground.

As for the maid who was originally pouring tea, she slowly put down the teacup, leaned over and came closer, her eyes gradually turning dark red... That gaze seemed to be able to directly penetrate Trevante's soul!

"It doesn't matter what kind of tea you drink. These privileged aristocrats are too picky, aren't they?" Lor slowly released his hand that was pressing on Trevante's mouth and sighed.

"Yeah, this guy doesn't understand at all." Isabella picked up the cup of tea she had just poured, took a sip, and then took a dessert from the table. "This bitter tea is perfect with dessert! It really brings out the sweetness of the dessert!"

"Hey, why are you eating by yourself?" Lor was a little powerless to complain.

That's right, these two servants were Lor and Isabella in disguise.

Honestly, the Duke's Mansion was heavily guarded, like a fortress. There were sentries everywhere, and numerous Transcendents guarding it... If one forced their way in, there was virtually no chance of escaping unscathed!

It's comparable to the parish headquarters in Palmer City!

Although Lor and Isabella managed to sneak in with their ability to disguise themselves, they did not dare to approach vital places such as the vault.

As for getting close to the Duke of Cambury himself? That's out of the question. He must have at least a fifth-level transcendent guard around him 24 hours a day.

To be honest, if Lor really came alone, it would be difficult to find out anything, and it is hard to say whether he could escape unscathed.

Fortunately, there is Isabella and her handy hypnosis skills.

After "questioning" some servants and guards, the two quickly locked onto the Duke's nephew and confidant, Trevant, the second-level transcendent who was the source of the "Blade".

"How many extraordinary people are there among the guests participating in the auction this time?" Lor squatted down and asked Trevante who was lying on the ground.

"Six were directly invited," Trevante, under hypnosis, spoke with complete knowledge. "As for those who weren't directly invited, we don't know... After all, every guest can bring a partner."

Indeed, even ordinary participants may bring a transcendent with them.

However, ordinary extraordinary people are unlikely to bid for the uncontrollable and extremely dangerous "Temptation Skull".

"As far as you know, among the extraordinary people who will come to participate in the auction, are there any people with the roots of 'undead'?" Lor asked again.

"Yes," Trevante replied slowly, "...Mrs. Windsor of the 'Death Whisper Society'."

Deathrattle...

Lor frowned slightly.

The Deathrattle Society is one of the most evil secret organizations. If the "Skull of Temptation" falls into their hands, the consequences will be unimaginable!

You know, since they all have the same origin of "undead", those guys can fully unleash the power of this dangerous supernatural item without suffering any backlash themselves!

As for this "Mrs. Windsor", Lor also had some impression of her. He remembered that she was one of the senior members of the Dead Whisper Society.

"What exactly is the Duke of Camberley planning to do by inviting the members of the Death Whisper Society?" Lor asked seriously. "It's impossible that he's just trying to sell them the 'Skull of Temptation' and make a killing, right?"

"I'm sorry, I can't fathom what His Excellency the Duke is thinking."

It is impossible for Trevante to lie when he is under hypnosis.

Since he said he didn't know, then he really didn't know.

"It seems this 'Mrs. Windsor' is my biggest competitor... Well, although I don't hold out much hope, I'll still ask you... How much money do you think the Death Whisperers will prepare?"

As expected, Trevante shook his head repeatedly.

But he then added:

"The 'Skull of Temptation' is a fifth-tier transcendental relic. Normally, it would be priced around five hundred gold coins... Considering its special value to transcendents with the root of 'Undead', if I were Lady Windsor of the Deathwhisper Society, I would prepare at least twice as much gold coins to ensure my acquisition."

Although this is just Trevante's personal opinion, it does have certain reference value.

If he happens to guess correctly and the other party really has prepared a thousand gold coins... wouldn't that be exactly the same amount as my funds?

Well, it's still not safe enough.

Lor couldn't help but feel a headache.

"I mean, why bother with all that effort?"

At this moment, Isabella, who was leisurely eating snacks on the side, interrupted:

"Isn't this guy one of the Duke's trusted henchmen? Just tell him to go to the vault and bring us that skull! If we get it for free, then the thousand gold coins we used for the auction will be ours, right? ... Yeah, I'm really resourceful!"