Theodore sat down, closed the book on the table, and watched Jerome's right hand, which was gripping the sword hilt, tremble slightly. He sighed almost imperceptibly: "You ask me if I am still loyal to the vows of the past. My answer is both yes and no."

Jerome gently pushed open the end of the scabbard with his thumb, and the sharp blade emitted a light that shone on the ceiling of the room.

“All my actions have been for the benefit of other races, and this has never changed.” Theodore sat upright, his expression authoritative without anger. “However, I can no longer obey the will of the Elders.”

"Why?!"

"Compared to the Elders' brutality and cruelty, I have found a better place to protect the dignity and lives of the alien races."

Jerome drew his sword halfway, his eyes growing colder: "The Knights of Twilight? You intend to defect to the Church? You believe those murderers who call themselves God's Father are the hope of the alien race?"

Instead of directly refuting Jerome's accusations, Theodore asked him a question: "How did you feel during your time in Murssey?"

Jerome was taken aback, and asked hesitantly, "How did you know I was in Twilight Town recently?"

"It's not just you; those uninvited guests in Muxi Town—the Inquisition, the Silver Ring Kingdom, barbarian spies… the Relief Association has all tracked their movements. Back to my question, what do you think of Muxi Town?"

Jerome looked away, his tone uncertain: "It's a strange place..."

Theodore became interested and urged, "Tell me about it."

“The non-human species living there are not discriminated against by others, nor are they arrested or persecuted. They have decent jobs, generous pay, and some are even respected or worshipped by the surrounding residents.”

Jerome became increasingly confused as he spoke.

Theodore looked at his former disciple and slowly asked, "Why is this happening?"

Jerome sheathed his sword again, and following the old man's lead, he repeated in a low voice, "Yes, why is that..."

“In the past, I lamented the injustices suffered by the alien race and was angered by the hardships they endured. With the thought of ending the war and fighting for equality, I joined the Elders' Council, once believing that only through violence could the world accept the existence of alien races.” Theodore stroked his beard and laughed: “The appearance of Twilight Town made me realize that I had made a mistake. It turns out that if alien races want to integrate into this world and be accepted by people, war is not a necessary option.”

Jerome closed his eyes, shook his head, and said, "I'm not as optimistic as you. In the end, Muxi Town is also church territory, and its independence cannot last. Sooner or later, pyres will still be littering this seaside town, and the mutants will ultimately have to rely on themselves to survive..."

"If you're worried that the Knights of Twilight will go back on their word, or that the Church will regain control of that land, then I can tell you that if you stay in Twilight Town for a while longer and talk to the Grand Master of the Knights, Todd, you'll naturally no longer have these doubts."

Jerome took a step forward: "If, and I mean if, Twilight Town is truly as you describe, not an accomplice of the Church, then, Lord Theodore, let us return to the 'Elders' Council' together. You were once a mentor in the Council and saved countless lives. Your introduction of Twilight Town and the Twilight Knights to the High Council will be the best opportunity to change everything."

Theodore watched as the four members of the 'Discontent Legion' slowly dispersed, forming a fan shape around him, and gave a wry smile: "After all this talk, you still don't believe this old man."

"This isn't a matter of belief or disbelief, Lord Theodore. In a way, I'm protecting you. Perhaps you don't know, but Elder Clarence has already arrived in the Silver Ring Kingdom..."

Theodore's eyes narrowed, his voice barely containing suppressed rage: "That bastard who uses cannibalism for amusement!"

Jerome analyzed the stakes for the old man: "If you agree to go to the Council of Elders with me and explain everything clearly, given your status as a mentor and your many students, the members of the High Council will most likely be persuaded to accept the Knights of Twilight. Once the Knights of Twilight have a seat in the Council of Elders, the existing power structure will change. As you know, if you just raise your voice, there are quite a few people in the Council who oppose the elders' autocratic rule."

“But if you insist on going your own way, even if you can defeat us, the Grand Elder and his men will bring utter destruction to the entire Relief Society. Your research and your achievements will ultimately fall into the hands of those ambitious people in the Elder Council. Lord Theodore, please trust me this once, for the sake of my past as your student, and return to the Elder Council with me.”

Theodore looked at the man in front of him with a solemn expression. Just as he was about to speak, the bookshelf in the room was knocked to the ground by a tremendous force.

Seven 'Necromancers' burst into the room through a hidden door. The leading monster crawled on the ground on its hands and feet. One arm was as strong as a stone pillar, while the other was as thin as a piece of firewood. The head that originally belonged to Marcos had sunk into his chest cavity and could no longer be seen. This was none other than the creature from the 'Battle of the North Stone'.

We've fallen into a trap!

"This is a trap!"

The three men accompanying Jerome raised their weapons and engaged the monsters in fierce combat.

Theodore stared in astonishment at the scene before him, muttering to himself, "How could anyone know about this secret door? I didn't summon the 'Necromancer's Successor'! How did these guys break through the cage, bypass the guards, and get here?!"

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