Book 2: Chapter 45: The Revelation

“Boom!” Dark storm clouds gathered above the castle, and a dry thunderclap exploded amidst the flashes within.

“Push, push it open!” The stone bridge of the castle was densely packed with people. The thick main gate blocked the torch-wielding townsfolk.

“Squeak…” The heavy bar let out a piercing sound as fine cracks slowly appeared on its surface.

“Crash!” The bar finally snapped in two, and the townsfolk surged like a flood into the castle courtyard. The neat lawn lasted only a moment before churning into the mud.

“Rivi, was I wrong?” Saint Healer Totti sighed, turning to look at the mayor of Audiya Town beside him.

“No, Totti! Not a single demon hunter has appeared at Albert Castle so far. That Doctor Stan was right. It seems the epidemic sweeping the town truly is linked to the Albert Family. Otherwise, Nova and the others would already be at the gates, stopping everyone by now.”

The middle-aged mayor shook his head with a bitter smile. “We lack the power of demon hunters. We can’t stop the Albert Family. Only by rousing the townsfolk can we help Nova and the others.”

“Ah, I just hope Albert Castle survives this chaos,” Saint Healer Totti sighed helplessly. “You and the other mayors and sheriffs need to restrain the townsfolk. Don’t let them harm the innocent castle servants.”

“My little Wellington, you should be alright, please be alright!” The sea of furious, twisted faces surrounding Katharine felt both familiar and alien. Nervous, she tightened her arms protectively across her chest and stumbled forward, swept along by the current of people.

The innkeeper herself hadn’t imagined that, upon hearing the Albert Castle was the infection source and with her young lover still missing, sheer worry drove her mad, rushing out to join the mass of townsfolk condemning the castle.

By the time Katharine regained her senses, she was already in Albert Castle’s courtyard, surrounded by raving Audiya civilians.

In recent times, the epidemic in the Aodia Region had become increasingly severe. The death toll had finally surpassed a thousand, with over two thousand more teetering on the edge of death, accounting for more than 15% of the total population. In other words, roughly one in every six people in Aodia region had either died or was about to.

This ratio meant nearly every common family in Aodia felt death’s nearness through an afflicted relative.

At such a time, even the most gentle Audiya commoner felt their reason crumbling, their hearts filled with madness and brutality. And just as everyone teetered on the brink of breaking, the news that Albert Castle was the source reached them.

Truthfully, no one questioned the news’s validity. In their hearts, they already believed the rumours. After all, over a year ago, those two foreigners died in the town only after visiting Albert Castle.

Once the news spread, scattered groups holding torches appeared on Audiya Town’s central road, slowly advancing towards Albert Castle. This small force swelled into a deluge within mere minutes. Countless civilians from nearby towns joined along the way.

Qin Lun lifted the curtain of the Banquet Hall’s French window, watching the flood surge into the castle courtyard, a slight smile touching his lips.

“As a theoretical master of human genetics, the first time I saw that dark green virus, I knew it was no ordinary germ. Its purpose wasn’t to cause sickness. Rather, it resembled remodeling… a transformation targeting genes.” Qin Lun dropped the curtain, turning with a smile.

“Human genes?!” Faces clouded with confusion. They weren’t doctors, and the concept of genes didn’t exist in this time.

“Oh, right. You don’t know what genes are. Think of it as the origin of life,” Qin Lun pinched his nose awkwardly and explained. “Afflicted patients die because the power reshaping the origin of life belongs to the undefiled ones. Ordinary human bodies cannot endure the transformation to completion, eventually perishing from depleted life force.”

“Master Stan,” Lima’s voice was icy, his silver hair and golden eyes fixed on Baron Albert, “if what you say is true, and this plague virus is an undefiled force remaking the human body, then… at least one ‘remaker’ exists!”

“Mmm, Lima, you are correct. At least one remaker does exist!” Qin Lun smiled, holding up one finger. “I accepted Baron Albert’s invitation solely hoping he’d aid my search for this remaker. However, upon meeting young Miller, I sensed this remaker was likely a member of the Albert Family…”

“Doctor Stan, that conclusion feels too hasty!” Meyer frowned. “Couldn’t young Miller’s affliction be the work of some servant? Or perhaps his mother, Witch Mary, botched an experiment?”

“Hah, indeed possible. So, I played a little trick then!” Qin Lun chuckled.

“I meticulously cleaned every glass vial in my medical kit and dusted them with fine rock powder. Human fingerprints are unique. Since this ‘remaker’ infected young Miller yet couldn’t cure him, I reckoned it’d be intensely curious about my plague cure. I aimed to capture its fingerprint to catch it that way.”

“So that’s why he was so eager to take our cups – to compare fingerprints!” Bonnie’s face darkened. He scrutinized his palm, muttering softly.

“Did you obtain its fingerprint?” Lady Nova finally couldn’t help asking. Even Baron Albert shifted slightly, his gaze flickering towards a certain direction.

“I did! In truth, it was impatient. I had its fingerprint the very next day after arriving at the castle!” Qin Lun sighed. “Frank helped me cross-check fingerprints against all Albert family members. The result… was deeply shocking.”

“Who is the remaker?!” Lima clenched his fist tightly, his golden eyes frigid.

He had never forgotten his father’s agony: writhing for two full weeks on his sickbed before finally rotting away. The guardian power within the demon hunter fought the plague’s transformation, yet his father’s strong constitution only prolonged the suffering.

“Though I had its fingerprint then, Frank encountered the gargoyle shortly after. Then I became a demon hunter myself, learned this world holds witches and demon hunters… and heard of Stephen Albert. These revelations made me realize the truth wasn’t simple, introducing several other suspects!”

Qin Lun spread his hands, feigning helplessness. “That fingerprint belonged to none of the Albert men. Instead, it belonged to a young, beautiful lady. Miss Laura, you entered my room without permission and handled my medical kit. Didn’t you?”

“Laura? Miss Laura?!” A hushed murmur rippled through the hall.

“Y-Yes… I did…” Laura lowered her head nervously. “It… it was because I worried about Miller. I found a piece of paper with writing in your room. I thought it prescribed a cure… but the wind blew it away. Then… I searched your medical kit.”

“I don’t blame you, Miss Laura. Your deep concern for young Miller and skepticism about me were evident from my arrival.” Qin Lun smiled. “However, you must understand, that alone wasn’t enough to rule you out as a suspect.”

Laura offered no further words, silently nodding.

“When I gained the chance to enter the Great Forest Maiar amidst my dead end… I thought of the Maiar witches. They know undefiled power best in this world – excel at using it. Maybe I could find critical information there!”

Qin Lun paced slowly, chin resting on his hand. Looking up, he said, “Truthfully, our sacrifice in Maiar Forest held value! The witch’s notebook I found in the cottage finally connected all the clues. I formed a full theory on who… the mystery remaker is!”

“Are you referring to my brother Stephen Albert… or young Miller’s mother… Mary Claire?” Bonnie’s gaze bore into Qin Lun.

“Doctor Stan, don’t say anymore!” Baron Albert glanced at young Miller, suddenly seeming a decade older. “It was during my werewolf project… I accidentally infected the boy with the undefiled plague. I’ll take full responsibility.”

“Haha… Baron, you cannot bear this responsibility. I refuse…”

“Doctor Stan, since the Baron has shouldered the blame…” Lady Nova gritted her teeth, cutting Qin Lun off. Pleading eyes met the doctor’s. “What’s done is done. Stopping the pandemic is paramount now. Why press further?”

“If possible, I wouldn’t wish to destroy a demon hunter family that guarded Aodia for over three centuries,” Qin Lun lowered his eyelids, speaking flatly.

“Yet only through fire can rebirth occur! Only pinpointing the culprit ends this disaster and prevents its recurrence. Lady Nova, I ask you again: Did you become a demon hunter to shield the Albert Family… or to protect tens of thousands across Aodia?”

“Fine! Stand here then!” Nova’s flushed face burned with embarrassment and rage. “If your accusation lacks evidence… you’ll answer to me!”

“Lady Nova, I respected you as a senior in our field,” Lima stated expressionlessly, pulling tight on his black gloves. “Threaten Master Stan again, and you become my enemy.”

Simultaneously, Andre and Jamie stepped forward flanking Lima, stoic faces declaring their stand. Even the two neutral demon hunters edged closer to Qin Lun, eyeing Nova warily. Baron Albert’s confession forced them from neutrality.

“Nova, steady!” Meyer said gravely, placing a hand on her shoulder and shaking his head.

“Stephen and Mary—posing as Nina—hold grave suspicion… but they aren’t the mystery remaker. Likely, not even it realized what Pandora’s box it opened!” Qin Lun’s expression was strange, words measured.

“Over a millennium ago, the Longevity Seekers and Undying Ones fought their final battle. The Seekers realized Immortal and Undying powers mustn’t persist. They sealed both energies away forever. Barring scant Undying magic potions remaining with witches… this world now births neither Seekers nor Undying Ones through faith or magic.

However, Albert Family’s mystery remaker tapped into genes—life’s very origin—forging two bioforms, werewolves included. Look at Old Butler Jason… he’s a thinking werewolf. Clearly… servants here are intelligent members of both bioforms.

Life-origin transformation differs entirely from breeding Seekers/Undying Ones via faith. Offspring born this way inherit unsealed Undying power directly through blood. They aren’t magical creatures nor creatures of pact.

They are… two new branches of mankind!”

Qin Lun’s eyes blazed. Suddenly he spun, roaring at the gathered demon hunters:

“Don’t you SEE?! Albert’s mystery remaker created no mere plague! It discovered another way Undying Ones are birthed… stepping into God’s domain itself! Humanity itself… faces extinction!”

Dead silence choked the Banquet Hall. Qin Lun’s roar echoed endlessly in stunned minds. Nova and Meyer’s faces paled… then hardened to iron.

“Let. None. Escape.” Lima’s cold command reached every demon hunter’s ears. Instantly, five figures behind Qin Lun fanned out, encircling the Albert family and all castle servants.

“Nova…” Meyer gazed at the stunned King’s Flower. A heavy sigh escaped him. He turned to Bonnie. “I’m sorry, Bonnie.”

“An apology isn’t needed,” Bonnie replied, his gaze dimmed. “First and foremost, I am a demon hunter… then a son of Albert. I’ll never forget Odo and Bla facing evil courageously… never forget my oath!”

Bonnie ripped the bandages from his face, revealing half a visage—a snarling network of blood vessels beneath exposed bone. Slowly moving to a spot in the circle, he drew twin swords from his belt… pointing them at his own kin.

“Looks like Albert bloodline survives… at least,” Meyer murmured softly. As he prepared to step forward… Nova swept silently past him. Face an emotionless mask, she strode into the encirclement.

With Bonnie and Nova counted, eight demon hunters stood united against the Alberts. Only Qin Lun stood outside the circle. The future the doctor painted was too horrific. Even they understood… Bonnie spoke true: Whatever personal bonds… they swore first to guard mankind.

Baron Albert slowly raised his head. Frosty light solidified in his eyes, locking onto Qin Lun like daggers. His voice rasped:

“Doctor Stan… I too am a demon hunter. I ask only this: Regarding the ‘mystery remaker’… do you possess solid proof?”

“Of course… I do.” A wide grin split Qin Lun’s face. He bowed slightly, gracefully. “Becoming a demon hunter… I examined the Demon Hunter Oath of Aodia. Not every Albert is a demon hunter! At least half the family names… are absent from that Oath. Including… it.

How could a demon hunter family, sworn to guard Aodia for a thousand years… have half its members non-hunters?

My deduction? They protect Aodia differently: They ARE both new bioforms’ original progenitors… Albert’s core strength against Maiar!

The Albert Baron of each generation signed Servant Contracts with them… becoming a Summoner of sorts. Naturally, pacting with non-living entities carried dire cost: Guardian Power negated… lifespans shorter than ordinary humans.”

Hearing this, demon hunters stirred. Qin Lun stated facts they knew… facts they’d always dismissed as Albert constitutional oddities.

“At some point… Albert’s mystery remaker could no longer endure losing its servants. It expanded its life-shaping art… to ordinary castle servants instead. Without Albert blood… most transformations failed. Why many werewolves… lack human minds.

A spark surfaced in Bonnie’s peripheral vision. He recalled the old man who returned to human form after death – he must’ve been a former servant… according to the doctor.

“Yet, driven by unfathomable motive… it decided to transform the minor Miller. Its most crucial reshaping… ended disastrously.

Simple reason: Miller carries his father Stephen’s blood (Longevity-Seeker lean) AND mother Mary’s (Undying lean). Mary… is Witch Mary Claire… a trueborn Maiar Witch!

Longevity and Undying powers were sealed forever. Unbreakable! However… the remaker itself, an Albert and Undying One… possessed BOTH strands!

By sheer chance… it UNSEALED Miller.

Likely, it never realized… the ‘unbreakable seal’ left by Longevity Seekers bore one flaw… itself!

Nonetheless, these two warring energies were too immense! Enough to afflict Miller! Witch Mary exposed her nature… for this very ludicrous reason!

Escaping towards Maiar Forest with husband and son… she faced the Baron’s pursuit. Mary died on the spot. Her Heart Core… dug out by another witch patrolling Maiar’s edge… Witch Meisha… which nearly led to our demise in the cottage’s ruins.

Witnessing his mother slain by Grandfather… his father transformed into a werewolf… Miller collapsed immediately upon returning. Bedridden ever since… unresolved energies within constantly releasing Undying plague gases each breath…

The Alberts couldn’t ask the Exorcist Organization for help! They cycled through ordinary doctors… who contracted the disease… causing today’s pandemic.

Mary lies dead. Stephen, a werewolf… confined deep in the Subsidiary Keep’s dungeon. Baron Albert and Bonnie are demon hunters – Undying power cannot reside within them! Miller possesses Undying power… but he’s a victim… NOT the remaker!

Haha… logic dictates… Alberts not among oath-takers yet dwelled longterm… within these castle walls? Only two: Miss Laura… is first.

Nonetheless, evidence elsewhere… proves she is innocent!

Albert’s mystery remaker… IS YOU!

Albert’s Undying Princess… Elizabeth Albert!”