Compared to the city's appearance under sunlight, the underground sewage pipe network of Muxi City is a completely different world.

If you look at the engineering drawings of the sewer system, the shape of the entire pipe network is somewhat similar to "a cross embedded in a circle".

Construction of the entire sewer system began in March 1171 and lasted a year, with a total length exceeding 3.8 kilometers. It handled the sewage discharge of 70% of the city's population. By today's standards, this municipal project may not seem like much, but by medieval standards, it was nothing short of a miracle.

The reason why the Muxi sewer network could be completed so efficiently and quickly is twofold: firstly, it is due to the industrial application of supernatural abilities such as "earthquake fungus" and "soil solidification," and secondly, because Muxi City is located by the sea, and the loose soil is conducive to excavation.

Wandering through this sewer system, which resembles an underground corridor, there is no moon or stars to guide you. The only source of faint light is some unidentified fluorescent mushrooms growing beside the sewage pipes.

A mysterious figure dressed in a long robe and wearing a hood walked along the sewer corridor, a bright flame rising in the palm of his right hand, illuminating everything around him.

He walked along the circular sewer to the intersection, then turned and headed towards the underground sewage platform in the center.

This underground room, less than 100 square meters in size, is located in the very center of the entire sewage pipe world, with the church square of Twilight City right above it.

The mysterious man walked onto the sewage platform and was drawn to the sticky substance under his feet.

It was as if a "carpet made of blood vessels" covered the ground and walls, with occasional glimpses of undigested human remains hidden among them. Countless blood-red worms slithered and writhed in the "carpet," devouring chunks of flesh and waste, constantly growing and laying eggs.

"Leslie, you're late. Where's what I asked you to bring?"

A deep voice came from the darkness, and Clarence, who had returned to his original appearance, appeared in the firelight, smiling at the person in front of him.

The mysterious man slowly removed his hood, revealing a striking red mark on his forehead. He was none other than Alfonso's squire, the "Flame Breath" variant—Leslie.

"Elder, I thought last time was the last time." Leslie's face was expressionless, but his voice trembled slightly: "You promised that if I gave you the list of biochemical factories, you would grant my master peace and tranquility and break this 'soul link' on me!"

Clarence looked at Leslie and shook his head, saying, "Child, your request saddens me. You belong to the 'Elders' Council,' and the 'soul link' between us should be seen as an honor."

The flame in Leslie's hand flickered a few times: "All these years, you've only been using me to spy on Lord Alfonso."

“‘Surveillance’ is not the right word; I prefer ‘observation.’ His loyalty, his character, and his choices—you’ve been with him for so long, don’t you find it interesting?” Clarence spread his hands and said, “I need someone to stay by his side, to record his life, but without him finding out.”

Leslie was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Elder, I beg you once again, please spare Lord Alfonso."

Clarence glanced at him sideways and drew out his question.

“You gave the ‘Sutherland Legacy’ to his wife, causing her to mutate and kill her own child.” Leslie gripped the hem of his clothes tightly with his left hand, trying his best to keep his tone calm. “Then you gave the ‘Dragon Bone’ to Alfonso, watching him slaughter his own family. In the end, you even made me pretend to be saved by him, to stay and monitor his every move… I don’t understand, I really don’t understand, what is the point of all this?”

"Meaning? I built a stage, on which a play called 'humanity' is performed, that's all."

Clarence's words made Leslie look up in surprise.

"Stage? Play?"

“I don’t believe in the existence of ‘pure goodness’ in this world. Everyone’s actions are driven by a strong sense of self-interest. Even those who give away food and wealth to others without expecting anything in return are only seeking psychological satisfaction from ‘good deeds’ deep down.” Clarence stroked his chin and said, “I have seen countless ‘saints’ and ‘morally upright people.’ They were only one step away from falling into depravity and evil, and in the end, they were proven to lack only an opportunity or a reason.”

"Therefore, I use tragedy and misfortune to build a stage for those saints, to look at it from an observer's perspective and see whether 'humanity' will eventually devour their 'hypocrisy'."

Leslie's expression was as if she had seen a monster.

Clarence smiled and said, "Do you think I'm mentally unstable? Or even a psychopath? It's okay, many people have accused me to my face. Or, you could understand it better if you just see my observational behavior as a personal hobby. As for Alfonso... to be honest, my interest in him is gradually waning..."

Leslie jerked her head up: "You mean, you're not going to monitor him anymore?!"

“I’ve found a more perfect performer, but observing him might force me to break with past norms and become a conversationalist instead of an observer. Because he carries some messages that are crucial to me. So, Leslie, give me what I need.”

Looking at Clarence's outstretched hand, Leslie hesitated.

The former then said, "As long as you hand over what I want, the surveillance mission on Alfonso will officially end, and you will regain your freedom."

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