Our Family Has Fallen

It wasn’t just about leaving this place; it was necessary to escape Totnes altogether.

However, as soon as he stepped out the door, the wizard inexplicably looked up towards another house not far away. He could sense something but had no intention of speaking.

Another fool who doesn’t know life from death.

There’s no such thing as friendship between Transcendents. How could there be, when they all see each other as nothing more than materials?

Not to mention the Bald Sorcerer was seriously injured, and many of his abilities had been expended. He didn’t even have time to run, so why would he provoke others?

”Let’s go!”

The carriage sped away, leaving only the Police Chief standing stupefied at the door.

What was all that?

”Sir!” The maid opened the door to welcome Detective Andor, her mood a mixture of excitement and agitation.

Andor, however, had completely lost the affability he displayed during the day. Hunger was unabashedly apparent on his face. He moved forward to embrace the maid, his hands immediately roaming over her body as he persistently nuzzled her neck, taking deep breaths.

”My lord~” The maid, unused to such an imposition, immediately went limp.

But she neither resisted nor pleaded for mercy; instead, she let out a series of low moans, her expression intoxicated, her breathing heavy.

Just then, Andor released her. A rigid, shallow smile touched his lips, but it couldn’t conceal the unquenchable hunger in his eyes.

”Go take a bath. Wash thoroughly, and don’t put on any clothes when you come out.”

He roughly pushed the woman away. But she, heady with thoughts of fairy-tale princes, paid no mind to his strange behavior. With a chirp of assent, she turned and went inside, her delight apparent, her mind already filled with self-manufactured happiness.

Andor licked his lips unconsciously as he watched her retreating back. The hunger in his eyes subsided slightly, replaced by a look of disdain.

The taste is off. She’s not a virgin. Her body reeks of cheap perfume, but she’ll have to do.

When the woman emerged, she was, as he had instructed, without a stitch of clothing. Yet as she walked, she held her hands over her vital areas, appearing somewhat shy.

But by then, the candles in the hall had long been extinguished. Andor had also stripped off his clothing, revealing skin as smooth and radiant as white jade in the moonlight. Every part of his body was perfectly sculpted, seemingly imbued with a unique charm, even more enticing than a woman’s.

Seeing this, the woman, as if entranced, dropped her hands and involuntarily walked towards Andor, not noticing that he stood within a ritual formation.

”You know, I have a thing for cleanliness. I don’t like to get dirty.”

Andor reached out, drew the woman into the formation, and lifted her chin with his fingertip. Maintaining eye contact, he said, ”Otherwise, I would have been too impatient to wait and would have devoured you the moment I saw you.”

The woman recovered her senses slightly. Hearing his words, however, she didn’t react strongly. Instead, she gazed at his body and murmured in agreement, ”I belong to you, my lord. You can eat me whenever you wish.”

Saying this, she reached out, intending to press her body close to Andor’s, but he stopped her with a raised hand.

”I want to taste you now!”

The woman looked up instinctively, only to see a completely distorted, inhuman face and crimson red eyes.

”AAH!”

The woman had no more thoughts to spare; all her being converted into a single scream, which was abruptly silenced.

An indescribable scene was devoured by darkness, leaving only spine-chilling, bizarre noises behind.

After a while, Detective Andor stood up again. He unconsciously looked outside, facing the moonlight.

His somewhat pale skin had turned rosy. Feeling the strength coursing through his body, Andor extended his inhuman, twisted tongue to sweep across the corner of his mouth, as if wiping it.

Damn the Church! When will I finally be free to hunt at will?

But then he turned his gaze to the ritual below, which was also complete. He grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth. First, to catch this little mouse.

He raised his hand, producing a gold wire-rimmed monocle attached to a thin gold chain.

After the advent of spectacles, such items had been phased out, used only by some members of the Nobility simply to display their status.

However, the one in Andor’s hand was different; it was truly Extraordinary Equipment. Its ancient style further emphasized its uniqueness.

Every action produces spiritual fluctuations. The shorter the time between actions, the clearer the trace. This equipment could capture those traces and retrace past images.

His work as Detective Andor relied entirely on this. However, it consumed a great deal of energy; only after feeding could he muster the strength to use it.

”No action goes without leaving a trace.” Andor smiled, fitting the monocle to his eye socket. He recited his mantra and looked towards the entrance of the secret room.

”Let me see where the little mouse is.”

He activated his ability. There was no outward reaction, but the scene within the monocle was utterly bizarre, like a film rewinding. The image grew blurrier as time receded further, but ultimately...

”AAH!”

A scream rang out. The lens shattered and fell to the ground. Andor, too, clutched at his eyes and cried out in pain. His skin developed ice-like cracks, revealing the strange abomination beneath—unspeakable deformities that could send one’s mind into collapse with just a glance...

Such intense spiritual turbulence, even a ritual could hardly hide it, directly drew the attention of certain powerful individuals in the city.

In the Central City District’s Cathedral of Light, the great bell tolled of its own accord, casting a faint white light. A simply-dressed Sackcloth Priest, who had been on watch beside it, slowly opened his eyes. He picked up the Golden Crucifix Staff used for ringing the bell and walked straight out...

In Rat Street, a Wizard clad in a Magical Robe looked up as if piercing the Void. He simply tapped his Magic Wand and vanished. Simultaneously, the walls at Rat Street’s entrance solidified. Those attempting to pass through realized something was amiss. Newcomers still tapped, trying to find their way back, but the seasoned ones quickly fled, disappearing into the city’s depths like rats into sewers...

In the Upper City District, various households stirred.

In the Moonlight Bathhouse, a stunningly beautiful nude form briefly shimmered into view before being wrapped in a large, red velvet robe. In her hand, she held an ancient silver mirror...

Within an austere castle, a figure in heavy armor stood up. The war armor was riddled with the marks of countless battles...

In a collection room, an old man with a pallid face and white hair spun a ring on his finger. Before him lay a display of bizarre and grotesque items...

In a Grand Manor, a corpulent figure halted his exertions, shooing away his bedmates. As his fat quivered, numerous faces seemed to ripple and surface upon his flesh...

In the Church of Wealth, a Knight in golden armor drew a Longsword forged entirely of gold. It was ornately designed, clearly an extraordinary object...

In a dark secret room where sacrilegious idols were displayed, a being concealed within a black robe couldn’t help but glance sideways. Eerie candlelight flickered, vaguely revealing inhuman distortions beneath the robe...

In the prison, a handsome man, his limbs pierced and shackled, seemed to sense something. A mad cackle spread across his face, his eyes filled with pure insanity...

Tonight, Totnes was fated to be anything but peaceful...