Accompanied by his servants, Count Tulip, wearing a wizard robe and a special mask, entered the hall of the Drunken Dream Salon.
"Hey, isn't this our Lord Earl? You look so handsome today."
"Haha, Your Excellency, good evening. It was really nice of you to find my little treasure last time. Is she still here today?"
"My Lord Earl! Let's toast to you!"
"… "
Seeing Count Tulip entering the hall, the nobles gathered around him and greeted him warmly.
Enjoying the flattery of the crowd, Earl Tulip was in a good mood and responded:
"Haha, distinguished guest, you look very cool today."
"I'm sorry, our little darling will only be entertained once, but... if you need, I can arrange one for you in the same style."
"Cheers! My dear friends!"
"… "
With Count Tulip's response, the atmosphere among the nobles became even more heated.
Looking at the nobles gathered in the hall, Count Tulip couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly.
Most of these nobles did not know his identity, they only knew that he liked to be called Earl.
But as the organizer and the person who personally sent out the invitations, he knows the background of everyone here!
ten years…
He ran it for ten years!
90% of the noble families in the entire Boulder came to participate in the Drunken Dream Salon he hosted!
Although most of them are not in charge of the family, they are a very powerful force when united.
Many of them are the future heirs of various families!
He became friends with these nobles and also had some leverage over them.
And these are the connections and resources he has secretly accumulated!
There was a smile on the face of Count Tulip behind his mask.
However, there was a cold gleam in his eyes.
Haha, brother.
Thanks to you, the whole of Boulder thinks that I, Anthony, am a loser...
However, sooner or later, a loser like me will take back what belongs to me!
The Earldom of Castel, and the Duchy of Bold.
Soon, everything will be mine!
Thinking of this, Earl Tulip quickly put away the sharpness in his eyes.
He raised his glass to everyone and drank the red wine in one gulp with a smile.
There was a burst of applause in the hall.
He gestured slightly, signaling everyone to be quiet, and then said gently:
"Everyone, the Drunken Dream Salon is about to begin. I'm going to check today's finale goods first. See you later."
"Haha! See you later!"
"I heard that today's finale is a transcendent?"
"Yes, he has embarked on the path to becoming extraordinary at such a young age. He is considered a genius even among common people."
"I'm suddenly looking forward to the salon tonight even more."
The nobles were talking about it.
Count Tulip smiled as he walked across the hall toward the iron gate at the end.
However, when he arrived at the iron gate, his brows quickly frowned.
"Is there no one assigned to stand guard today?"
Looking at the empty entrance, he turned his head and asked, his voice full of dissatisfaction.
The attendant behind him immediately broke out in a sweat and said quickly:
"Should...should have arranged it? Maybe...maybe he left for something right now?"
Count Tulip's frown deepened.
Although they knew that there was a guard every five steps and a sentry every ten steps in the dungeon below, and even a mosquito flying in would be discovered, the identities of those members of the Blood Demon Cult could not be made public after all.
If a drunk noble accidentally walked into the wrong door, went in, saw them and discovered their identities, it would eventually cause some trouble.
"Even if something happens, one person must be left on duty!"
"Find out who's on guard today and have them come see me later!"
He snorted and said.
After saying that, he pushed open the iron door and walked in alone.
Entering the underground corridor, the view quickly became dim.
However, Count Tulip has long been accustomed to it.
In the cells on both sides of the corridor, tonight's sacrifices were still sleeping soundly, and it was extremely quiet.
He was not surprised at all.
The effect of the medicine on these girls has not yet worn off. The more soundly they sleep now, the more energy they will have in a while.
One of the purposes of his coming down to inspect the goods was to help them understand the efficacy of the medicine.
"It's almost time. Let's give them some energy potions to wake them up. Soon... it will be their stage."
Count Tulip gave orders to the Blood Demon Cultists on guard.
However, after hearing his words, the Blood Demon Cultists did not respond.
Count Tulip, who was about to go inside, suddenly stopped.
He turned around and looked at the Blood Demon Cultist he had just ordered, frowning slightly:
"Why are you still standing there? Didn't you hear what I said?"
The Blood Demon Cultist slowly turned around and did not answer. Instead, he bowed to him and said in a dull and emotionless voice:
"My Lord, the master... is waiting for you in the study."
"Hmm? The high priest came quite early today."
Count Tulip was a little surprised.
He nodded slightly, said "Remember what I said", and then walked towards the study deep in the corridor.
The dungeon was particularly quiet today.
Not only the sleeping girl, but even the Blood Demon Cultists on guard were more silent than usual.
They stood there one by one, with standard postures, like statues.
This surprised Count Tulip.
What's wrong with these usually lazy guys today
Did I do something wrong and make the high priest angry again
Muttering to himself, he came to the study.
Two forbidden blood servants of the first level of the Stars bowed stiffly and opened the door.
Count Tulip walked in casually, as if he was going home.
As he entered the study, the two blood servants closed the door again.
Count Tulip didn't care either.
He never liked being heard when discussing matters with the high priest, even by blood servants.
Scanning the study, Count Tulip was looking for the figure of the high priest.
However, after looking around, I didn't see a single shadow.
Instead, I noticed that the rotatable alchemy chair behind the desk had changed direction and was facing the bookshelf.
The high backrest blocked out everything, and the only sound was the turning of pages.
Count Tulip was immediately happy.
No wonder he couldn’t find anyone, it turned out that someone was sitting on the desk chair!
Although I have wanted to complain for a long time, the high priest of the Blood Demon Cult is not tall to begin with, and he usually has a hunched back. Now that he is sitting in his desk chair, I can't even see his head when looking from behind!
"Haha, Your Excellency the High Priest, when did you become interested in my collection of magic books?"
Count Tulip took off his mask and put it on the shelf, smiling.
When they heard his voice, the sound of flipping pages stopped abruptly.
The desk chair slowly turned and came to the front.
A silver-haired girl in a maid's uniform appeared in front of Count Tulip.
She sat on a chair, holding a stack of parchment scrolls in her hands, her red-gold eyes full of amusement:
"Good evening, Count."
Count Tulip was stunned.