Chapter 443: The Reason

At the same time, in the manor of the Lindon family, on the tenth floor of a magic tower anchored there. On both sides, images were displayed via magical light projections—one showing the battlefield of the dark world, and the other the top floor of the Wiltonshire Building.

The owner of this magic tower, Rote Lindon, was gazing at the image of Conshuri with admiration.

"What an extraordinary man, a legend contending with a demigod. Though still at Legendary Level Five, he is indeed stronger now than he was twenty years ago."

"Mr. Conshuri Wiltonshire's talent has truly lived up to the expectations of the many members of the Wiltonshire family."

Standing behind Rote Lindon was Louise Lindon: "But I find it strange—why have the two of them come to this? I think if the Wiltonshire family could unite as one now, they would be the kings of Atlanta City. Even the Vanderlik family couldn't compare. In fact, many people are astonished by their feud."

"There is, of course, a reason."

Rote Lindon hesitated briefly, then decided to explain to his most promising heir: "Louise, you've heard of corn earworm, haven't you?"

"Corn earworm?"

Louise Lindon blinked, then her expression grew serious: "Grandfather, you mean the 'Mingling Secret Art'?"

Mingling is the Eastern term for corn earworm, originating from the Book of Songs: 'The mingling has young; the guolu carries them.'

The former is a small green worm, while the guolu is a parasitic wasp. The guolu often catches mingling and stores them in its nest, laying eggs inside their bodies; when the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the mingling. Ancient people mistakenly believed that the guolu did not produce its own offspring but raised mingling as its young, hence using 'mingling' to refer to an adopted son.

In the West, however, the 'Mingling Secret Art' had a different connotation.

Ancient mages, to prolong their lives, would sometimes select an infant whose physical condition closely matched their own, implant a seed of their flesh, and raise the infant as a host until it matured, then claim the new body.

"It's just as you think. Conshuri was one of the hosts Philip I chose for himself."

Rote Lindon's voice was calm: "Twenty-two years ago, Philip I was supposed to harvest a mature host. However, Conshuri's second wife, who was highly talented in magical energy arrays, discovered the anomaly in her husband during their daily life. She helped Conshuri survive and thwarted Philip I's reincarnation plot. But this admirable Lady Chrisa paid a great price; soon after, weakened, she and the male infant in her womb were assassinated."

"Notably, at the time, much evidence pointed to Margaret and the three siblings of Cleo. Twenty-two years ago, Conshuri still trusted his children with Hannah completely, but those three dealt their father the most致命 blow, hoping for Philip I's reincarnation and to seize control of the company from their father. Yet Conshuri endured, with some external help and assistance from some members of the Wiltonshire Council of Elders, and resisted Philip I's pressure."

"So that's it—"

Louise was dazed, taking a full ten seconds to suppress the shock within her.

"So there's no possibility of resolving the internal conflict in the Wiltonshire family? So Mr. Conshuri has remained at Legendary Level Five, never advancing to demigod, right?"

She thought that if it were her, after such an experience, she would hate that ancestor of Conshuri's and those children to the bone.

"Many speculate that the demigod realm is the key to Philip I's reincarnation spell."

Rote nodded slightly: "But even without reaching demigod, Conshuri's power is still unparalleled. A Legendary Level Five Titan Holy Warrior, a Legendary Level Five Dragonblood Sorcerer, and beyond that, he has achieved the status of a Legendary Level Five Magical Energy Mage in twenty years. See that magic tower hidden in the astral plane? Twelve whole floors—a truly magnificent achievement!"

Louise understood why Rote was so awed. Such a construct as a magic tower is closely tied to a mage's magical achievements. It's not something money can build; one must obtain very precious, very rare mythic materials and have sufficient understanding and knowledge of magic itself, the source, and the truth.

In the current understanding of the magical energy world, a magic tower allows a mage to cast large-scale or high-lethality spells faster, with less mana, and more simply, while also greatly enhancing the mage's own 'level' or 'realm.'

Typically, four floors of a magic tower correspond to one major rank. For example, her grandfather, a Legendary Level Five Magical Energy Mage with a ten-floor tower, could contend with a mid-level demigod within the tower's coverage.

Now Conshuri Wiltonshire has built his magic tower to twelve floors!

"But I suppose this is just their visible strength."

Louise looked at Rote inquiringly: "Then, Grandfather, which side do you think will win?"

"I don't know, child, I don't know."

Rote Lindon shook his head with a bitter smile: "Neither side is certain of victory. Philip I has lived over nine hundred years, and the power behind him is unfathomable. If he weren't worried about Conshuri's willingness to fight to the death, he could have ended this twenty years ago. But Conshuri's strength is also formidable. With Lady Chrisa's help back then, he obtained a powerful divine authority that terrified the three demigods on Philip I's side."

"Of course, twenty years later, Philip I should have prepared countermeasures against that divine authority. But the problem is, Conshuri's growth is even more frightening. Who dares say that magic tower is all Conshuri has?"

"And that mysterious sniper who appeared in the Adrian Islands—according to what we know, he effortlessly killed thirteen legends in less than ten minutes. If he returns to Atlanta with that maid, what price will the Wiltonshire and Howard families pay?"

"Besides, Conshuri is clearly prepared, while the other side is caught off guard, taken by surprise."

At this point, Rote Lindon's gaze shifted to the other image, the one peering into the dark world.

"So whether this battle occurs depends on the outcome between them. Be prepared, Louise. I think whichever side wins, it will trigger a drastic change within the Wiltonshire family."

"Grandfather, you seem to have little faith in that maid?"

Louise looked thoughtfully at her grandfather. She thought that if he believed 'Blood-Eyed Angel' Robertte Yvonne had a chance to win, he would have added 'and the hegemony of all Atlanta City is about to change hands.'

"Perceptive child."

Rote chuckled: "I can't be sure, Louise. I'm only judging based on common sense now. But that classmate of yours can't be guessed by common sense. Take the legends under his command, Robertte Yvonne, and that sniper—who could have imagined it before?"