Chapter 1913

The man’s initially curled body slowly uncoiled as he moved his legs. He turned, sat upright, crossed his legs, and faced Lily. His masked face looked up, his eyes gleaming with an even creepier intensity. He cocked his head, looking at Lily, then briefly at Mike, before fixing his gaze on Edward. Another peal of giggles erupted. "I truly underestimated you, huh?"

Edward stood beside the man, gazing back grimly, silent.

Lily chuckled coldly. "You've underestimated a lot of people, haven't you?"

"Tell us," she demanded. "Who do you work for? What kind of organization is this? What are you up to? How many people are involved?" She knew he wouldn't tell the truth, but she had to try.

The man tilted his head, looking back at Lily. To her surprise, he answered readily. "Our organization is beyond your comprehension. You think you're acting nobly, for righteousness' sake, but the truth is, nobody is nobler in the face of reality and self-interest!"

"Cut the crap!" Mike interrupted impatiently, crouching to meet the man's gaze. "Are you guys supported by the Yudonian royal family? Is my son in their palace?"

His eagerness made him blurt it all out before Lily could stop him. Seeing this, Lily decided to observe the man's reaction.

He was stunned, but soon chuckled smugly. "You found out about the royal family, huh? It seems you're not as stupid as I thought. However, even smart people do stupid things. Do you think you can change anything by tying me up? No! Not even the slightest! All you can do is watch the world improve as we enter a new era!" His excitement was palpable; his eyes gleamed with fervent emotion. "What you're doing can't change a damn thing! The world will change as I intend! I will ultimately dominate every human being!"

Unbound, the trio could easily picture his ostentatious display.

"Aren't you a human being? Won't you be dominated?" Lily countered, throwing in a dampener. She spoke indifferently. "Do you think you'll be an exception? Even now, you're working for someone else, aren't you? If you're so powerful, you would have started your own organization, wouldn't you? You're just someone else's lackey. How noble can a royal family's lackey be?"

Her words struck a nerve. His gaze sharpened, his body tensing as if to lunge. "What do you know? It's a process! The world will be mine eventually! You know nothing!"

Lily smiled and shrugged, brushing nonexistent dust from her knees. Lightheartedly, she said, "Perhaps I don't. But I know you can't achieve your goals without me, and I'm opting out!"

The man chuckled, neither upset nor nervous. "Do you think it's up to you? Lily, you're too naive. Do you think you can back out now?"

He leaned back, seemingly content, gazing at the ceiling. "Even if you could leave here, do you think you'd be safe outside?"