"In the rumors, the Holy City received the blessing of the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents, which is of tremendous benefit to all her serpent-blooded descendants!"
Leilin watched the Belinda sisters, their faces flush with excitement.
"In truth, it's just that the Holy City is influenced by the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents' true body energy, saturated with some kind of energy wave or radiation that allows those with the same bloodline origin to constantly purify their bloodlines!"
Of course, this purification process certainly had some upper limit. But for those great serpent races, the mere guarantee that their bloodlines would never degrade was enough to make them flock here eagerly.
"Pity, that this high-energy radiation, for me right now, is the most terrifying… poison of all!"
Sensing the Ten Thousand Serpents Curse Mark continuously absorbing this radiation and growing ever stronger, a bitter smile crept across Leilin's face. The curse mark on his body, despite having a seal on it, would inevitably become more and more restless the closer he got to the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents.
Having to conceal the abnormality on his body as much as possible, and even deliberately stay close to the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents—every single day felt like dancing on a knife's edge for Leilin.
"But! It can now be confirmed! The Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents' true body! Is somewhere near the Holy City!"
Light blazed in Leilin's eyes. For precisely this reason, no matter how lethal this place was for him, Leilin had to stay.
"The entire Holy City is laid out in concentric rings centered on the 'Holy Mother Statue.' The Beast Soul Night market and Emmagia's Cottage on the commercial street are both excellent shops. Once you're settled in, I'll take you both to check them out!"
Agnes was in high spirits, and she promptly led Leilin and the others to a cluster of resplendent villas.
"This is part of the Steward Family's estate. I've arranged a villa close to mine for you, Belinda, so that we can—"
"Ding-a-ling!" "Ding-a-ling!" "Ding-a-ling!"
Before Agnes could finish, a string of chimes from the bracer on her arm cut her off.
"What's going on? I specifically ordered that no one was to bother me today no matter what happened!"
Agnes opened a communication device on her arm, her voice laced with displeasure.
"I'm truly sorry, Lady Agnes! It's just that what's happened here is far too bizarre and requires your personal confirmation!"
"What is it?" Agnes' expression turned serious. After all, for her subordinates to come bother her when they clearly knew her preferences, the matter had to be anything but simple.
"It concerns a mutagenic contamination! Threat level at least Class Four!"
"Damn!" Agnes swore, clearly shocked.
She immediately cut the communication and turned to Belinda with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Belinda! And Sophia! Something's come up that I need to handle. But tonight! I've booked a private room at the Coiling Serpent Road restaurant. Please, you absolutely have to come!"
"Got it, Agnes. Go take care of your business."
Belinda nodded in understanding and exchanged a warm cheek-kiss with Agnes, drawing a pleased smile from the other woman.
"Thomas! From here on, you're in charge! If Belinda or Sophia are the slightest bit unhappy, you know the consequences!"
After assigning the task to Thomas, Agnes hurried off. Leilin watched her retreating figure, a strange smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Very well! Ladies, and you as well, Mr. Nick—please, follow me!"
Thomas clapped his hands. Before Belinda and her sister, he was keen to maintain his gentlemanly demeanor.
Belinda and Sophia, for their part, didn't seem to dislike him at all, and the three of them chatted amiably as they arrived before a magnificently decorated villa.
*Ding!*
Thomas snapped his fingers, and the entire villa lit up, warm light filling every corner. In the small garden, multicolored luminescent motes drifted out like fireflies, making Sophia's eyes sparkle with delight.
"Voice-activated lighting, along with a daily scheduled dust-clearing spell! A constant-temperature array! Every piece of furniture was personally prepared by my sister for you! Since she didn't know your preferences, the servants and such—she figured you'd want to choose those yourselves…"
Thomas wore a warm smile on his face.
Belinda and Sophia were clearly very satisfied with the villa.
"And most importantly! Sister Agnes' house is right next door—communication couldn't be more convenient!"
Thomas smiled as he handed Belinda a rune key.
"Thank you for everything you and your sister have done for us! Also, where is Nick's room?"
Belinda turned to look at Leilin.
"As for Mr. Nick—my apologies, but this area is the ladies' wing!" Thomas spread his hands with an apologetic expression. "Why don't the two of you rest here for a while, and I'll take Mr. Nick to his room? How does that sound?"