Most of the beings of different bloodlines spent the night in Room 17. During this time, Adam also had further interactions with Regana and Will.
In contrast to their first meeting, Regana no longer exhibited the same boldness when facing Adam. She now hesitated to even approach him, not because she realized she had been charmed, but because when alone with him, she felt a sense of inferiority.
"Is the effect of the charm really this strong?" Adam wondered, his gaze falling upon Regana. She stared at him with a dazed expression, yet didn't dare to move closer. She lowered her head but occasionally raised it to glance at him, only to quickly avert her eyes whenever their gazes met.
She looked like a girl harboring a secret crush on a boy.
"What do you think?" Jin replied with a hint of amusement. "Extraordinary charm is a rare exceptional trait, few beings possess it. Usually, those who do have some connection to divinity. Even succubi, who thrive on their charm, seldom possess this level of power."
"I'm a little curious about who your mother is."
"The effect of charm being reversed so strongly... coupled with the wailing banshee's sensitivity to death, her spirit and life force were both impacted. With a little effort, you could probably have her willing to die for you."
"Why haven't I encountered such fortune?" Jin sighed wistfully, his voice tinged with envy. For someone who relied on wandering the streets each night, he could only wish for such experiences.
Adam thought for a moment, recalling Jin's usual demeanor, but refrained from commenting, not wanting to discourage his teacher.
He briefly tasked Regana with gathering information through her clothing shop, then proceeded to meet the last person for the evening—Will.
Will approached Adam, reporting on the progress of the first phase of the Tears of the Divine ritual. Despite having sacrificed some benefits by agreeing to personally escort the beings, the rewards had been substantial.
Most of the beings of different bloodlines were poor, fearing exposure and in need of potions. Yet, that didn't mean they lacked valuable items.
As Jin had pointed out, beings of different bloodlines in Saint Heavenly Sound were either naturally born here or were created through powerful beings who had infiltrated.
The natural environments that gave birth to such beings were often treacherous, areas where ordinary people couldn't venture but where the beings moved with ease. These environments often contained rare resources.
Will, for instance, was a swamp dweller, born in a toxic swamp, relying on rare resources from that swamp as seed money for his ventures.
Though the other beings didn't possess Will's wealth, many could still offer valuable, hard-to-sell items.
"Is it because the rare items are hard to part with?" Adam quickly deduced.
"Yes, the Church keeps a close eye on such things," Will sighed. Rare materials were typically purchased by mages, but due to Saint Heavenly Sound's unique circumstances, mages were under strict Church surveillance.
If rare resources were sold too often, it would raise suspicion and expose their situation.
Other beings, however, created by powerful infiltrators, might not have rare resources, but could still receive 'assistance' from their creators.
For example, Adele had a notebook containing experimental records from a pureblood vampire.
Other beings also possessed similar items.
This likely stemmed from a tacit understanding among the beings of different bloodlines: they could not allow the Church to live in peace. Each time they infiltrated Saint Heavenly Sound, regardless of the reason, they left behind something that would grant the beings they created special abilities.
"For instance, my father left me behind."
From the existing information, Adam deduced that his father had infiltrated Saint Heavenly Sound fourteen years ago, likely on a mission, and during his stay, met Adam's mother.
What happened to the mission was unclear, but his father was dead.
Will was unaware of Adam's fleeting thoughts, and instead dutifully handed over the majority of his gains.
Among them were various resources and the "unique abilities" of the beings of different bloodlines.
"Most of these are incomplete, fragmented pieces of extraordinary knowledge. Relying on this information could certainly improve one's abilities, but their potential is largely restricted," Adam mused as he flipped through the materials. He even found a ritual for spell solidification.
Having recently studied semi-solidification techniques with Anthony, Adam quickly realized that this ritual was an expansion of the full spell solidification process, one that even a cultivator without advanced meditation techniques could perform.
However, the side effects were severe—it not only hampered the potential of mages but also affected knights, preventing them from merging their will with their life force.
In other words, those who used this solidification ritual would find their prospects in most professions severely limited.
"Now you understand," Jin's voice was tinged with melancholy. "I haven't seen a pureblood werewolf in Saint Heavenly Sound for ten years. Finding a good candidate to cultivate is nearly impossible."
Adam didn't respond to Jin, instead listening to Will, who was eagerly sharing his plans.
"Using the Tears of the Divine ritual as a bridge, we can unite all the beings of different bloodlines in the southern district, even the entire Roya. With the concealment of the ritual, and mutual support, we've gained considerable strength."
"Then we can connect with small and medium-sized guilds, who are oppressed by the nobles. As long as we provide the necessary protection, we can unite them under the banner of a joint guild, and become a major force in Roya."
"You're overestimating things, Will," Adam's voice cut through, like a bucket of cold water dousing Will's enthusiasm.
The aura emanating from Adam immediately overwhelmed Will, suppressing his thoughts into blankness. Only then did he hear Adam's next words.
"You underestimate the Church. After all, this is the Church's land. The reason the nobles have become a powerful force is because of their deep ties to the Church."
"Unifying small and medium guilds would make enemies of the nobles, and if we expose our covert power, even if it doesn't show on the surface, do you think the Church will remain oblivious?"
"Besides, my purpose here isn't to play at creating a failed faction with you all." Adam's words drained color from Will's face.
"I can even tell you, that so-called proof you're relying on—it's fake," Adam's sudden bluntness left Will in a state of confusion.
"How do you feel about Saint Heavenly Sound?" Adam shifted the conversation, redirecting Will's scattered thoughts.
"It's... it's fine," Will stammered, his mind in turmoil. Under the pressure of Adam's presence, he couldn't even bring himself to question why Adam had deceived him.
"Really? The path for commoners to rise in Saint Heavenly Sound is actually just one: become a cultivator. And now, that path is nearly closed off."
"You're so fervent about this because your own route to advancement has been blocked. You see a glimmer of hope, and that makes you blind to the flaws in your plan."
Adam continued to gently guide him, "You're a capable person. Your stage should be in the Kingdom of Loken."
"You're from the Kingdom of Loken," Will said, slowly coming to his senses, his tone growing more respectful.
A person who suddenly speaks the truth, either wants your life or your heart.
Will believed it was the latter, and so he offered his unwavering loyalty.
Adam appreciated this perceptiveness and immediately revealed his true identity.
"I am a member of the Tyndale family from the Kingdom of Loken. Count Ronny, who triggered the war forty years ago, was my great-uncle," Adam declared, using this identity without concern for its accuracy.
"You really are something..." Jin began, then fell silent, unable to continue.
"Saint Heavenly Sound is no paradise for beings of different bloodlines. The Kingdom of Loken is where you belong," Adam extended his hand to Will. "Will you follow me back to Loken and help me build my legacy?"
"It would be my honor," Will said, kneeling before Adam, pledging his loyalty.