Scarlet Spire — the duke’s study.

Sigismund, whose figure had grown slightly plump, hunched over a broad desk, intently sketching and calculating a magic array on a sheet of parchment that concerned soul purification.

Knock—knock—

A cautious knock interrupted his deep concentration.

“Come in!” he replied without looking up.

The new adjutant stepped in, cradling a square parcel sealed with a binding magic, and carefully placed it on the clear space of the desk.

Sigismund lifted his head from the complex diagrams and cast a slightly puzzled glance at the parcel. “What’s this?”

“My lord, you forgot? This is the item you personally ordered to be sent with highest priority through special channels.” The adjutant answered respectfully; that was all he knew. Even he had no clearance to learn the parcel’s contents.

Sigismund immediately understood — this had to be another one of the things his “roommate” had procured under his name.

“Pull its transport path and the records of everyone who handled it…” Sigismund began reflexively, intending to trace its origin.

“You mean to request the item’s full transfer records and contact personnel list?” the adjutant helpfully clarified.

But Sigismund hesitated mid-sentence. After a moment’s silence he changed his mind: “No need. You may go.”

The adjutant’s eyes showed a flash of surprise, but he kept his composure, asked no questions, bowed, and left the study. Newest update provided by novel·fıre·net

Sigismund had indeed wanted to trace the parcel’s source and, by following the thread, pry into the identity of this “roommate” whose name he didn’t even know.

He quickly abandoned the tempting thought.

Since it was currently impossible to expel the other party from his body and soul, what good would knowing the source do? It might only anger the other side and invite worse retaliation.

Like the last time: to curb his body’s steady fattening he ordered all sugary foods removed from the tower, only to find, after regaining control, that the priceless tome he had been studying had been painted entirely black and rendered unreadable.

Still, curiosity prompted him to ask, “What’s inside this?”

That infuriating but now-familiar voice sounded in his mind: “Something tasty. Want to try?”

Sigismund’s mouth twitched; he was utterly speechless.

He turned his gaze away decisively and returned his attention to the unfinished magic array as if the mysteriously scented parcel did not exist.

After days of derivation and calculation, Sigismund finally completed this not-overly-complex but tightly targeted soul-purification array.

He used precious materials already prepared and personally drew the array on the ritual chamber floor at the lowest level of Scarlet Spire.

Lin Jun did not interfere during the whole process; instead he watched with keen interest, siphoning new knowledge about souls and arrays through Sigismund’s senses.

When the array was finally activated, an eerie blue light traced the grooves and a peculiar sensation passed through both Sigismund’s and Lin Jun’s “spirits.”

It was an indescribable freshness, like plunging a scorching hand into an icy, clear mountain stream — a momentary calm and cleansing.

After a brief cooling relief, Lin Jun consoled: “Little Sig, don’t be discouraged. Next time we’ll try another one!”

Sigismund ignored Lin Jun, yet in the depths of his heart he quietly crossed off the possibility that Lin Jun was some kind of evil spirit that needed purging.

His hatred for Lin Jun had already sunk into his bones — not only because the other had forcibly occupied his body, but also because of Lin Jun’s almost humiliating, laissez-faire attitude that allowed Sigismund to keep seeking solutions!

This damned presence dared to belittle him!

Sigismund silently vowed that one day he would make Lin Jun pay dearly for that arrogance.

What he did not know was that Lin Jun’s following of his actions was not born of arrogance.

On one hand, Lin Jun did not want to force Sigismund into a corner leading to mutual destruction.

On the other hand, Lin Jun literally could not escape!

Under [Spirit Sight], Sigismund’s soul was not merely partially glued to Lin Jun’s fragment — his entire spiritual essence seemed wrapped around by Lin Jun.

Unless there were a way to instantaneously annihilate Lin Jun’s fragment, Lin Jun could quickly squeeze and crush it like he had with the Yellow Book. Even if an instantaneous method existed, any soul so tightly linked to Lin Jun’s would never survive intact — the result would inevitably be mutual annihilation.

Unfortunately for Sigismund, he himself lacked [Spirit Sight]. Since the “Otherdream” connection had severed, he could no longer directly inspect the pathetic state of his own soul.

Lin Jun “kindly” did not reveal this truth. After all, if Sigismund discovered the reality and fell into utter despair — choosing to give up or take his own life — Lin Jun would be the one to lose massively.

Sigismund began planning his next magical ritual. At that moment the tower’s magic clock chimed on schedule, marking the time for the transfer of bodily control.

He felt consciousness gently pushed aside; the familiar sensation of separation came, and control of the body passed back into the hands of that detested “roommate.”

The instant control changed, Sigismund’s body seemed filled with new vigor.

Completely disregarding a duke’s dignity, Lin Jun nearly ran out of the room, sprinting down the corridor back to the study; the parcel was still there.

His undignified haste drew the side glances of passing guards and servants.

With a bang he shut the study door, and could not wait to open the parcel. Inside were several jars sealed with magic bottles; each contained a deep, gorgeous, dark-red liquid.

Lin Jun pried open a bottle and tipped it back, gulping down a large mouthful.

The instant the liquid hit his tongue, an indescribably exquisite flavor swept through his body, as if every cell rejoiced.

After savoring it at length, Lin Jun half-slumped in his chair, licked the corner of his mouth, and sighed in contentment.

[Delicacy LV8] — so that’s what it feels like.

Lin Jun finally understood why they loved the “delicacy” mushrooms so much!

At that moment Sigismund’s incredulous, slightly trembling question exploded in Lin Jun’s mind — an emotion so strong it nearly shattered the usual barrier between them:

“This… what blood is this? Where did you get it?!”

Lin Jun narrowed his eyes: “Weren’t you not supposed to care?”