Harkins temporarily left Twilight Town.

He left in such a hurry that he didn't even leave a single word.

When they parted, Todd neither asked nor stopped him; he knew perfectly well where the man was going and what he was going to do.

A cruel lie told years ago must be explained; a long-standing wound needs careful repair.

The priest stood at the entrance of the town, watching the man walk further and further away. He sighed and was about to turn back when he saw Alfonso de Carver standing not far away.

The knight's iron mask concealed his face, obscuring his expression. But from his eyes, Todd could tell that the knight was seeking an explanation.

"Did Harkins tell you that he was a mutant?"

Alfonso nodded: "Back when we were both apprentice knights, he told me about this as a friend, but I didn't believe he was the 'devil's posthumous child' the church talked about, so I agreed to keep his secret."

Todd then asked, "Did you know that he faked his death to leave his wife and daughter because he was worried that his supernatural abilities would harm them?"

The knight nodded again: "He told me about this a few months ago. But actually, before he faked his death, I heard some rumors that someone had secretly reported his alien identity to the church... I saw his palm. Did you free him from the curse of the alien?"

Todd paused, pondered for a moment, and then said to the knight, "I have made him the 'Successor'..."

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of sword light appeared.

Alfonso's greatsword rested on the priest's chest.

Todd didn't even blink. His next words stunned the knight, and the weapon in his hand slowly dropped to the ground.

"I have found a way to stop the mutation of the 'Inheritor'."

Alfonso shook his head in disbelief, raised his sword again, and said in a tone full of doubt, "A problem that has remained unsolved for centuries, and you're telling me you have a way to solve it?!"

"There was someone before me who stopped the 'Inheritor' mutation. That person was the alchemist Sutherland. I just summarized and improved the plan based on his work."

Seeing that the priest's expression seemed genuine, the knight sheathed his greatsword, turned around, and said, "I'll believe everything you say for now, and I'll stay here and watch all this. If what you say is true..."

Todd's next words made Alfonso put his foot down again and turn back stiffly.

"Lord Dekavor, have you considered removing the dragon bones beneath your armor?"

——————————————

On his way back to the lab, Todd had a new research goal in mind.

The two 'dragon bone' parasites, one male and one female, on Alfonso's body were truly excellent combat armor. With a hardness similar to steel and a flexibility similar to a spring, they could enhance the human body's strength, agility, and jumping ability like a metal exoskeleton. Moreover, the surface of the parasites also had the ability to insulate against heat and absorb flames.

If we could remove the knight's "parasite armor" and examine it carefully, we might make a significant discovery regarding protective materials.

However, the first step is to devise a plan to remove the parasites...

As Todd walked along the road, lost in thought, he suddenly heard a cacophony of voices around him. When he looked up, the scene before him startled him.

A large group of residents gathered at the church entrance, making a fuss.

The deacon, responsible for the church's daily affairs, loudly maintained order, but it didn't seem to be working well.

The priest's appearance instantly energized the group. Todd approached and inquired further, only to discover that they again wanted to change the ownership of the relics, but the registration price made his heart pound.

The price of a single sacred bone is now only 70 copper stars, and some people are even willing to sell it for 60 copper stars. Only four weeks after the end of the 'Tea Party', the price of sacred bones has already dropped by a third.

Realizing that things were spiraling out of control, Todd had to explain the workings and profit-making timeline of the "Twilight Mutual Aid Fund" to everyone in the chapel once again in an effort to stabilize the price of the relics. Unfortunately, the people in front of him wouldn't listen at all and were clamoring to make a transaction.

Left with no other option, the priest had to re-register the group of people.

After seeing off the last pair of traders who transferred ownership of the sacred relics, the sun had already set below the western horizon.

Todd put down his pen, looked at the newly added change records in the logbook, buried his face in his hands in frustration, and sighed deeply.

He originally thought that with his reputation and religious influence, the "Muxi Mutual Aid Fund" would go smoothly. However, in less than a month, people's suspicion and distrust had reached such a serious level.

"Todd..."

A weak voice came from the doorway.

Upon recognizing the voice, a slight smile appeared on his face.

Wearing a nun's habit, Karin peeked in, her face full of worry and sorrow.

"Have you forgotten what I told you?"

A mature yet languid female voice came from behind Karin, and a hand grabbed the girl by the back of the neck.

Karin immediately changed her tune: "Father..."

Rachel walked into the room, sat down opposite Todd, glanced at the densely packed records in the register, and said with a smile, "Why don't you consider removing the rule that 'each person can only buy ten holy bones'? I can buy back the holy bones from these people at the original price."

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