Chapter 70: The Invitation

“A game?”

I frowned slightly.

“What game?”

“A game to select an heir.”

Charles Michel said.

“As you can see, I'm old and won't live much longer. Before I die, I must choose a sufficiently outstanding child to inherit my family business. Unfortunately, I was not a good father, and I don't understand them at all.... When I was young, I only thought about how to make money and neglected their feelings. And now that I'm old, they are not close to me. This is probably my retribution. So, I can only use the most primitive method to have them compete and select the one who can truly inherit my legacy.”

“Then what does this have to do with me?”

I was puzzled.

Count Michel chuckled lightly, a glint of approval flashing in his eyes.

“You are special, young lady.”

He said slowly.

“I think you are clearer on this point than I am—to be honest, we are both people of that world. You went looking for Dr. Alexander probably because you wanted to consult about soul surgery, right?”

Hearing this, my body froze, and I subconsciously wanted to leave.

“Don't be nervous, I mean you no harm.”

Count Michel called out to stop me.

“Although I don't know what you want to do, based on my many years of experience in the supernatural world, I can roughly guess some of it. You want to resurrect someone, right?”

My movements paused.

“I can help you, as long as you agree to my request.”

Seeing that I no longer intended to leave, Count Michel continued to persuade me gently:

“The Michel family has a history of a hundred years in Ireland and holds a significant position in the supernatural world. You can ask anyone, even Vladimir, and they will not deny it. Furthermore, I am an investor in Saint Clement's Lyceum, a member of the board of directors at Cixin Hospital, and a patron of Hermes Workshop. You want Alexander to perform surgery for you; I can cover all the expenses and even help you find the best team. All you have to do is help my child, and it doesn't matter if you fail in the end. If you're not at ease, I can even swear it to the gods.”

Upon hearing this, I was somewhat moved and subconsciously began to rub the ring on my index finger.

“Is it really just that?”

“That's right.”

Count Michel nodded.

“How about you consider it?”

I was silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of this proposal.

“In this process, if I discover any situation that is unfavorable to me, I can withdraw at any time. And the help you promised before must still be honored.”

After hearing this, Count Michel nodded gently.

“That is natural—I swear on the honor of the Michel family that I will never do anything that goes against my promise.”

With this guarantee, I finally felt at ease.

“In that case, I accept your invitation.”

Hearing this, a gratified smile appeared on Count Michel's face.

Then, he took a gilt-edged invitation from his pocket and handed it to me.

“Take it. When you sleep at night, place it under your pillow.”

Hearing this, I frowned and took the invitation with some doubt.

“What is this?”

“An invitation, of course.”

Count Michel smiled.

“I just want to select a child suitable to inherit the family business, not to end my family line. Therefore, after you fall asleep, this invitation will bring your consciousness into a pre-woven dreamscape.There, you will all compete for the status of heir. In the dream, you can let loose and squander your powers as you wish, and also let my children see what so-called supernaturals are.”

I frowned tightly, carefully examining the invitation in my hand.

The gilt patterns shimmered with a strange light under the lamp, as if they were alive.

I looked up at Count Michel, my eyes full of doubt.

“This sounds a bit... incredible. Are you saying this invitation can bring my consciousness into a preset dreamscape? Will what happens in the dream affect reality?”

Count Michel shook his head gently, a mysterious smile on his face.

“Do not worry, young lady. Although the dream is designed by me, it is not entirely under my control. Moreover, this is a research achievement from the Fissure Society, officially certified.”

He paused, his gaze growing profound.

“As for the specific content of the dream, I would like to retain some mystery. After all, the unknown is the greatest challenge, isn't it?”

Hearing this, I nodded thoughtfully and carefully put the invitation away.

My fingers unconsciously rubbed the ring, as if seeking my sister's advice.

“So, besides me, who else will be participating in this game?”

“Well, you will find out soon enough. But I can tell you that among the participants are my own children, as well as assistants like yourself. Everyone has their own purpose and secrets, it just depends on whether you can see the truth in the dream.”

As he spoke, he gestured for the butler beside him to open the carriage door and had the butler take out a ten-pound note to give to me.

“Go find a better inn to stay in, you have the right to enjoy a quality sleep, miss—my treat.”

Hearing this, I was stunned for a moment, then took the banknote and got out of the carriage.

I stood on the street, watching the carriage slowly drive away, my heart filled with complex emotions.

The afterglow of the sunset coated this ancient city in a layer of gold.

The gas lamps on both sides of the street were already lit, illuminating the way home for pedestrians.

I took a deep breath and decided to find a place to stay first.

I strolled along the street, my gaze occasionally sweeping over the buildings on either side.

Finally, an elegantly designed hotel caught my attention.

On the hotel's facade, carved stones painted with gold spelled out the hotel's name.

【The Golden Stag Hotel】

I walked into the hotel lobby, and the warm lights and comfortable atmosphere made me relax my guard slightly.

The receptionist at the front desk was a smiling middle-aged woman.

When she saw me approach, she did not look down on me because of my youthful appearance or my attire.

“Good evening, miss—welcome to The Golden Stag Hotel. Do you need a room?”

I nodded and placed the banknote Count Michel had given me on the counter.

“A single room, please. Thank you.”

The receptionist took the banknote and was about to ask for my identification when she suddenly noticed a signature on the surface of the note.

【Charles Michel】

Thus, she immediately retracted what she was about to say and handed a brass key to me.

“Your room is on the third floor, number 307—I wish you a pleasant stay.”

Hearing this, I was a bit surprised.

“You don't need me to show any identification?”

“You are a guest of Count Michel. In Ireland, his signature is better than any guarantee.”

The receptionist smiled.

Hearing this, I raised my eyebrows, then took the key and thanked her.

I went up the stairs to the third floor, found room 307, and upon pushing the door open and entering, the sight before me was somewhat surprising.

The room was spacious and bright, with elegant decorations.

I looked around and found the room to be fully equipped, even with a small bookshelf.

I walked to the window, pulled back the heavy curtains, and the gas lamps on the street below were like scattered stars, adding a touch of mystery to the city.

Suddenly, I noticed a room service menu on the bedside table.

It was also at this moment that I suddenly realized I hadn't eaten much since getting off the train.

So I picked up the menu, looked through it, and decided to order a simple dinner.

I picked up the phone in the room and dialed the front desk.

“Hello, I am the guest in room 307. I would like to order dinner.”

A polite response came from the other end of the line.

I ordered a beef sandwich and a cup of hot chocolate.

Before long, there was a gentle knock on the door.

A uniformed waiter pushed a cart into the room and placed the food and drink on the table.

“Your dinner, miss. Enjoy your meal.”

The waiter said politely and then left the room.

I walked to the table, and the fragrant beef sandwich and the steaming hot chocolate made my mouth water.

While eating dinner, my thoughts returned to Count Michel's proposal.

I took out the gilt-edged invitation from my pocket and carefully examined the complex patterns on it.

Under the light, the patterns seemed to flow slightly, giving off a strange feeling.

“It doesn't feel very reliable...”

I murmured.

“But this might be the only chance... and that Count Michel seems to have a very high reputation in Ireland. Looking at it this way.... he probably isn't a bad person. In any case, for Veronica, I have to give it a try.”

After making up my mind, I quickly finished my dinner and took a hot bath.

Putting on the pajamas provided by the hotel, I lay down on the soft, large bed and carefully placed the invitation under my pillow.

The lights in the room gradually dimmed.

I closed my eyes, feeling sleepiness slowly wash over me.