Seeing Eileen, who was originally so smug, now in such a sorry state, Ruan Qing'an just watched coldly without saying a word.

All of this is simply their own fault.

She slowly ran her fingers through Aldrich's soft hair, observing him discreetly as she lowered her eyes. Noticing the change in Aldrich's emotions, Ruan Qing'an couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly.

The seal has been broken once again...

037: [Ancestor, judging from what the female lead said earlier, wasn't it said that once this forbidden technique begins, it cannot be stopped?]

Do you know why it can't be stopped?

Ruan Qingan paused and explained, "Remember when Aldrich tested his magical talent? All the elements were repelled by the black power, and some were even directly annihilated and absorbed by it, which is why no magical talent could be detected."

"The magic circle that Eileen set up this time also uses the same principle. The reason why it can enable magicians is because this power will cause the elements to instinctively repel it and not approach it."

"Without the elements, a mage is naturally useless. Furthermore, based on this principle, this power is so strong that it repels all other powers. When it is in operation, it is also so strong that it leaves other powers helpless. This is an important reason why it is difficult to break through the defense."

037 suddenly realized: [No wonder, wait, if that's the case, then the male protagonist can figure out the reason—]

"Yes, because it is this very force that is limiting him."

Ruan Qingan said in a deep voice, "In the original text, Aldrich was restricted by it, but now this power has made contact with the mission taker. This can only mean that... the mission taker has climbed to a higher position."

037 seemed to suddenly remember something and couldn't help but say, "So, Ancestor, all that going around in circles was actually for a deeper reason!"

Ruan Qing'an asked in confusion: "...Otherwise, would I be joking?"

037: Waaaaah, my ancestor, she's so cunning and scheming, so scary!

Just as Ruan Qing'an shook her head and chuckled, preparing to look up, her hand, which was playing with Aldrich's hair, paused. She wondered if she was seeing things, but for some reason... in a flash, she saw a golden glint.

But when I looked at it again, it was still a deep brown, so deep it was almost solidified, a deep black like an abyss...

037: [What's wrong, ancestor?]

"……nothing."

Ruan Qingan didn't say much, but calmly raised his eyes and looked at Eileen, who was sitting on the ground not far away.

When Eileen met Ruan Qingan's gaze, her face turned pale.

Only after all the arrangements turned out to be a mirage and a complete failure did Eileen finally panic: "Dolores, I was bewitched! I... I was seduced!"

"Dolores, I beg you, could you—"

"cannot."

Ruan Qing'an calmly interrupted her, her slender fingers tapping in mid-air. The intricate magic circle, which should have required chanting and prayers, could be cast instantly in her hands.

Like a toy that Ruan Qingan could manipulate at will...

Then countless flames leaped in the air, then suddenly clustered together, coalescing into a giant fire python.

The fire serpent twisted its body in the air and rushed directly towards Eileen, coiling around her completely. Its huge mouth was pointed at her, and in an instant, Eileen's face turned deathly pale, and her heart turned ashen.

"Dolores, please..."

"Please, for the sake of me being your friend, I was really misled. Otherwise, why would I harm you!"

Ruan Qing'an merely tugged at the corners of her mouth. She wanted to get up, but was still somewhat weak from the torment she had just endured from the forbidden technique.

Seeing this, Aldridge quickly reached out to support Nguyen Thanh An.

"Master, cling to me."

"Um?"

Ruan Qing'an raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Aldrich's tall figure. She beckoned with her fingertips, and after he leaned closer, she placed one hand on his palm. Then, after Aldrich supported her, she propped herself up and sat on his broad shoulders.

The petite girl wore a dark red, elaborate lace dress, looking as luxurious and exquisite as a porcelain doll, held in the palm of his hand.

The disparity in size between her and the man was surprisingly harmonious.

Ruan Qingan wrapped one arm around Aldrich's neck, while his large hand supported the girl's slender waist, outlined by her long dress.

When she stood in front of Eileen, Ruan Qing'an looked down at her and asked, "Eileen, do you want to live?"

"I...I want to live..."

Eileen was trembling uncontrollably.

She was entangled by the giant python, feeling the intense heat of the fire element. The threat of death gripped her tightly, turning her face pale.

Ruan Qing'an chuckled, his fair legs crossed, looking down at her with disdain.

"Then who is the person behind you?"

"I...I don't know, I don't know it is—"

Before Eileen could finish speaking, Ruan Qing'an interrupted her, her eyes turning slightly cold: "I'm not discussing this with you, Eileen. You were my friend before, and you know very well what Dolores' methods are."

"...I...I understand."

Eileen trembled, her voice becoming softer. She had seen servants punished for some strict rules, each one covered in blood, and those who betrayed the law suffered the destruction of their families and were killed without a trace.

Seeing that Eileen was frightened, Ruan Qing'an's beautiful lead-gray eyes finally showed a hint of a smile: "Very good."

"Tell me, who is that person?"

"From the very beginning, when you were in the slums, I provided you with my information, planned how to meet me, how to gain my trust, and how you should act after having the Lancaster family as your backer—who guided you through all of this?"

Hearing Ruan Qing'an's questions, Eileen had long lost her previous imposing manner: "Yes, yes, Your Excellency..."

"An envoy? Whose envoy?"

Ruan Qing'an raised an eyebrow, recalling his guess: the person behind Eileen must be the hidden mission agent.

Since she is now being called the Envoy, it must be as she thought, that she has indeed climbed to a higher position. As for who it is, and whether it has appeared in the original text, we have no idea.

Upon hearing Ruan Qing'an's question, Eileen shrank back, looking somewhat pitiful. However, the giant python opened its enormous mouth, emitting a silent threat, which frightened Eileen, who originally did not want to speak, and she immediately changed her mind.

Her voice trembled as she hurriedly said, "I remember now, the envoy is said to be a messenger of the gods."

"Really? Did he say what he wanted to do?"

"No, no..."

Eileen shook her head: "The envoy won't tell us these things. He has his own plans, but we will listen to him."

Upon hearing the word "we," Nguyen Thanh An raised an eyebrow. It seemed that the plan to confine her to the royal family was indeed orchestrated by someone within the royal family...

Thinking of this, Ruan Qingan couldn't help but look at Aldridge.

After learning the general outline of the events from him, Ruan Qing'an raised an eyebrow when he heard that the token engraved with the Lancaster family crest was actually on Eileen.

She seemed to have thought of something and turned to look at Eileen.

"Eileen, what would happen if I killed you?"