Antonio briefly recounted the events of that year, leaving Charlot enraptured and secretly astonished.
Back then, Zimourman Axel Robin's behavior was utterly outrageous, prompting the Imperial Chancellor, Wood Brandon, to decide to eliminate this "scar on the empire." However, Zimourman's power was so immense that Chancellor Brandon had to enlist the help of five Saint-ranked individuals from the royal family, in addition to Antonio himself. During a banquet, they first cursed Zimourman with six layers of enchantments before ordering the six top-tier Saints to attack him in unison.
In a fit of rage, Zimourman retaliated. His very first strike grievously injured Wood Brandon. In the ensuing fierce battle, all six Saints suffered severe injuries. Antonio was the least harmed among them but still required a full six months to recover completely.
After that incident, Antonio never saw Chancellor Wood Brandon again, nor did he encounter the five royal Saints.
Charlot couldn't help but remark sarcastically, "The Axel family truly brought this upon themselves!"
The Axel family, with Princess Axo Axel and the five royal Saints who had once besieged Zimourman, could have prevented any attempt at usurpation if they had retained their strength. Even Count Bretagne wouldn't dare to harbor any ambitions. Yet, who could have imagined that one small scheme by Wood Brandon would significantly weaken the Axel royal family's power?
This Imperial Chancellor reminded Charlot of a character from a certain classic web novel—a genius strategist who, despite being incredibly shrewd, seemed to make mistake after mistake. Truly a top-tier talent.
Antonio added, "I also shared this story with my father, who instructed me never to speak of it again."
"I can't think of a way to deal with Zimourman right now. Even though I have the Dragon Hammer, my only option against Zimourman would be to run."
Charlot speculated, "Perhaps he's really lost his memory."
"There's no need to worry too much."
"Or we could try locating him with the help of some prophecy-focused Transcendents."
Antonio shook his head. "I've already sought their assistance, but none of them could trace any sign of him."
"It's as if he has vanished from this world."
Suddenly, Annie asked, "Have you investigated whether anyone recently left Kilmainham Prison?"
"He disappeared into the semi-plane beneath Kilmainham Prison, but escaping from there would be nearly impossible, right?"
Antonio's eyes lit up with excitement. "I'll look into it right away." Without further disturbing Charlot and Annie, he hurried off. This issue weighed heavily on the future strongest of the empire, and he was determined to resolve this great crisis.
...
That evening, Charlot escorted Annie back to No. 58 Elysée Avenue.
The old Earl had already moved out, taking up residence in the royal palace, as he had yet to ascend the throne but was already managing daily state affairs and asserting control over the empire's central power. Currently, only Antonio and Annie resided at No. 58.
Charlot watched Annie step through the doorway, then turned to leave. Just as he was about to depart, he felt a sudden stir in his heart. There, standing before him, was a refined man—graceful, young, and scholarly, yet exuding an air of timelessness, as if he had witnessed countless years and landscapes.
Charlot had encountered this figure many times in the Dreamscape: the first and foremost of the vampires, Juno. However, this was their first meeting in the real world. Like a passing breeze, Juno walked lightly past Charlot, leaving a beautifully adorned box bearing the Arthur family's crest in Charlot's hands.
Juno smiled faintly. "A gift for you."
"But open it only when you're alone."
With these words, the vampire firstborn departed as elegantly as he had arrived. Charlot examined the box and, curious about Juno's intentions, brought it back to 221B Baker Street. Opening the box, he found a crystal-clear vial containing dark red blood. Within the blood, faint golden runes shimmered, fading in and out like embers, mesmerizing in their beauty.
Charlot immediately understood—this was Juno’s blood. With it, one could bypass the traditional Embrace and use secret ritual magic to transform directly into a vampire of the Arthur lineage!
He held the alchemically crafted crystal vial in his hands, and his thoughts drifted to the Radiant Holy Kingdom. When Charlot used the artifact Destiny's Whisper to divine its purpose, it resonated with joy, urging him forward. Though the last encounter with the Radiant Holy Kingdom had resulted in disaster, Destiny's Whisper never erred. If even it made a mistake, it would signify that the Serpent of Fate itself had turned against him.
To be hated by one of the Nine Major Deities was an inevitability he couldn’t escape; dying quickly would be the best choice in such a scenario.
...
Charlot passed through the Infinite Mirror World and once again arrived at Saint Michael Island. On the sixth layer of the labyrinth, he found the Radiant Holy Kingdom fully restored, gleaming as if newly forged. Though it had not seemed dilapidated before, now it radiated a readiness to embark on an epic voyage.
Using the Flame Dragon's Hand, Charlot delivered Juno Arthur's blood to the godlike creature nailed beneath the ship. The divine being roared in a terrible voice, "Arthur! Arthur! Arthur..."
The vial shattered, and every drop of Juno Arthur's blood was absorbed into the creature's forehead. Its divine essence began to glow, suffusing the Radiant Holy Kingdom in a brilliant radiance. The ancient magical warship shrank, transforming into a streak of light that ascended into the air before landing in Charlot's golden ring.
He raised his left hand, now adorned with three golden rings. One, held by Sophia Gallanord, controlled the Queen Bee. Another contained Saint Michael's body, transformed into Destiny’s Whisper, shaped like a golden serpent biting its tail.
The third and newest ring, which controlled the Radiant Holy Kingdom, now featured the divine being Eumibella, bent gracefully backward with hands and feet touching to form a circular emblem. Though merely a ring, Eumibella's form retained a mesmerizing and feminine allure.
Charlot slipped the ring onto his finger and muttered, "Just three more things to go," before leaving the sixth layer of the labyrinth and departing Saint Michael Island.