8 Unexpected Visitors

Julius hummed as he travelled across the Spirit World. His matters in Backlund had been completed. There was nothing to worry about anymore aside from plans that directly involved high sequence beyonders and True Gods.

He already learned everything from Levi's memories after he parasitized him. He decided to not kill him yet as to not alert Mother Goddess of Depravity. Despite being invincible under the level of True Gods, Julius is not dumb enough to attract gazes of those in True God realm and above.

The True Gods can't be underestimated. Because "They" decide the world's general trend! Much less Mother Goddess of Depravity who is a Great Old One!

Julius teleported in his room and changed back his clothes. He collapsed on the bed and began to sleep. He felt unusually calm and peaceful.

...

Julius whirled the wine in the glass, while Sara massaged his shoulders. This is the life he want! Just enjoyment and peace where he didn't have to worry about external influences.

Julius let Swain rest for today because Swain had done a great job inspecting the companies under the Avane Family. He can't let his loyal butler suffer from over-exhaustion, right? So Sara was the one who accompanied him in his pasttimes.

"Sara, I haven't asked his before, but do you have any dream?" Julius casually asked.

"It is to serve Master forever!" Sara did not hesitate at all.

Julius shook his head and said, "Aside from that, are there any? You can tell me."

"Let me think, Master..." Sara looked to be in deep thought, but her hands did not stop massaging his shoulders. After a while she said slowly, as if she wasn't sure, "...I really don't have any other dream aside from serving you Master."

Julius did not speak and let her finish. Sara then said, "But I do have something I want." In which Julius asked, "What is it? If it's within my abilities, I will help you."

Sara smiled softly as she looked touched, "Master is really the best! Then Master, I want us to go to the sea and travel the Five Seas!"

Julius was taken aback before he smiled and said, "It's not impossible."

"Really?" Sara looked excited. She stopped massaging Julius and went in front of him. She bent down a little and looked at Julius with hopeful eyes.

Julius glanced at her 'little exposed part', he coughed and said, "We can't travel immediately, but I promise you within this year, we'll travel the Five Seas! All of us. Together!"

"Yay!" Sara jumped in excitement. She looked at Julius and said, "Master, can I go for a while? I want to tell Sera about this!"

Julius nodded. Sara quickly left to look for Sera. Julius looked at her retreating back and can't help but smile. His life right now was simply wonderful. Aside from some problem that he had to deal with, he was satisfied by what he have now.

Thinking about this, Julius' eyes turned cold. That's precisely why he will become stronger than he is now. Invincible, where he do not have to worry about danger anymore. He wants this life to last for eternity! No one can disturb this life. Those who do, will fall!

The Personal Artifacts that hid in the space around him glowed mysteriously as they seem to react to their Master's declaration. Julius seemed to feel their support, as if they have will of their own.

Julius' cold eyes turned soft as he also felt that his Personal Artifacts were slowly developing sentience, but he didn't know how long it will take.

Earrings of Alzuhod, Watch of Stars, Trojan Gloves, and Cane of Deceit. They are always with Julius, but they turned themselves invisible. Only Julius can see them. This was done using the ability from the Visionary Pathway.

In a sense, Cane of Deceit is now useless because of Trojan Gloves, but who is Julius? He didn't need a reason to keep an artifact. He likes the Cane of Deceit so it will always be his cane. Nothing else.

As Julius was thinking of these things, he saw Sara approaching quickly. He asked her, "Why are you in a hurry Sara?"

Sara smiled and said, "Master, you have visitors."

Julius was surprised, he didn't invite anyone. Rather, he wasn't that interested in getting to know people in this neighborhoood. So he looked at Sara confusedly.

Sara didn't have to answer him because Julius sensed three people approaching them. Sera walked in the front and acted as a guide, while two people followed her, looking around in curiosity.

After a few moment, Viscount Glaint entered his sight, followed by a beautiful lady with blonde hair. Who else could it be but Audrey Hall? The most dazzling gem in Backlund!

Julius quickly stood up and smiled, "What brings the two most outstanding stars in Backlund who I've heard a lot in the news for the last few days?"

Viscount Glaint bowed a little and smiled happily, "You flatter us, Count Avane. We've come uninvited. I apologize." Glaint bowed again.

Julius shook his head, "It's alright. I'm honored at this surprise visit." Then he looked at Audrey who just happened to stare at him. Audrey quickly avoided his gaze.

Huh? Julius was surprised and felt that something was wrong with this lady. He stopped thinking in that direction and approached Audrey, "Miss Hall, it's an honor to meet you again." Then he kissed her hand in which Audrey did not mind.

Julius did not know that Audrey was currently thinking, 'Audrey, be calm! You can't be flustered. It's just a normal kiss! A sign of courtesy! Yes. It's just like that!'

Julius did not notice anything as he did not bother to use his Authorities on these two. There was no need. They are not his enemies, they come with good intentions. And he had decided to befriend these two anyways.

"Please sit." Julius pointed at the chairs, then looked at the twins, "I'll bother you two to get them their beverages."

Sara nodded and asked, "Viscount, tea or coffee? We have wine too."

Glaint glanced at the glass of wine that Julius was drinking. It was the Noir wine he had sent! He was happy that Julius truly liked the wine! He answered, "Please give me the same type of wine Count has been drinking."

Sara looked at Audrey who said, "I will have the same as Glaint."

Sara nodded and bowed before leaving with Sera to get the visitors their own wine.

Julius picked up the glass of wine in the table and whirled it. He looked at Glaint and said sincerely, "Thank you for your gift, Viscount. I really loved Noir. It just suits my taste."

Glaint waved his hand and said, "No. It is me who are thankful. I've finally become a Beyonder thanks to Count! I'm now an Apothecary!"

Julius smiled and said, "Congratulations! Welcome to the world of Beyonders, Viscount. But I just have to remind you to always tread with care."

Glaint nodded seriously and fell silent. At this time, Audrey spoke, "Count, can I ask what sequence you are? Of course, if it's only okay with you."

Julius looked at Audrey. Glaint also looked interested. Julius said, "It's okay. It's common knowledge anyways. You can know it as long as you ask around."

Then Julius continued, "I'm currently a Sequence 6: Baron of Corruption."

Glaint looked shocked while Audrey was surprised, her eyes widened. They had always known that Julius is definitely strong. But hearing it from him was different.

This was the first time Glaint had met a Sequence 6, while Audrey shared the same sentiment. Julius is the strongest Beyonder she have met yet. She thought of Mr. Fool, but soon discarded those thoughts, as far as she is concerned, Mr. Fool is at the level of True Gods. Still, Audrey was excited.

She took a deep breath and said, "Count, I wonder if you can share some common Beyonder knowledge with us..." Glaint also hurriedly nodded and looked at Julius.

Julius was about to agree, but he saw the twins appearing. He said, "Well, drink first. We still have a long day ahead of us. There's no need to rush."

Glaint and Audrey nodded and did not say anything. They knew that it must be because Julius did not want the twins of be exposed with such knowledge. Although it was fascinating, for non-Beyonder, it is dangerous!

As the two sipped on the wine, Glaint asked Julius, "Count, are you going to attend His Highness Prince Edessak's ball next week in Wednesday?"

Julius was surprised. He remembered that there was indeed some sort of invitation that came from the Augustus Family yesteryday. He said, "I'm still not sure. If no matters come up, I might attend."

Julius thought inwardly, 'As if. I will kill the old king of Augustus Family sooner or later. I don't want to form unnecessary karma.' But outside, he looked normal.

Then Julius looked at Audrey, "How about you, Miss Hall? Are you going to attend?"

Audrey thought for a while before nodding. Julius made a face as if he understood.

He heard that there was some talks regarding an engagement between the Hall Family and Augustus Family, centering around Audrey and Jevington, the crown prince of Augustus Family.

Audrey noticed Julius' sentiments and was about to speak, but Glaint suddenly stood up and said, "Please excuse me. I need to go to the restroom."

Julius nodded and signaled at Sara. Sara approached Glaint and said respectfully, "Please follow me. I will guide you." Then Sera also said, "I will go with them Master. I'll get more snacks for you and the respected visitors."

Then only now did Julius noticed that the snacks on the table were indeed almost empty. He did not think too much and just nodded at them. He turned his gaze at the garden around him.

The surroundings fell silent, as Julius suddenly felt awkward. 'What's with this situation? Can someone tell me?' Julius thought to himself.

Only him and Audrey was left in the garden. Audrey also did not speak. Julius curiously sneaked a peek at Audrey to check, but was stunned when their gazes interchanged.

He smiled wryly and said, "Haha. The weather is good today. Don't you think so Miss Hall?"

Audrey looked calm and answered, "I agree Count." But the glass on her hand was trembling a little.

Julius' mouth cannot help but twitch. He then pretended to ask casually, "How is Miss Hall's engagement with Crown Prince going?"

Audrey froze a little before she placed her glass back on the table. She looked at Julius seriously before opening her mouth, "Count, you seem to misunderstanding something."

Uh, what's the situation? Julius was taken aback. He asked carefully, "What do you mean, Miss Hall?"

Audrey answered slowly, "I rejected my engagement with the Crown Prince."

Julius was surprised as he said, "Do you not like the Crown Prince, Miss Hall? I heard you two are quite close."

Audrey looked at Julius and turned her head away, "I didn't expect Count Avane to be the kind of man to easily believe in rumors."

Julius almost scratched his head in confusion, but thankfully he stopped himself. He coughed then said, "Then, Miss Hall, why did you reject the engagement?"

Audrey hesitated a little before she turned to look at Julius again, she said seriously, "Because I'm still not 18 yet!"

Uh, that's... Julius' eyes twitched. He cannot stop himself at all. Why does it feel like Audrey was implying something?

When Audrey noticed Julius' subconscious actions, a smile leaked out of her lips. She looked rather happy, it took her all not to laugh.

Julius was stunned. He quickly touched his face then asked, "Why is Miss Hall laughing? Is there something on my face?"

Audrey shook her head and said softly, "It seems that the rumors about Count is really false." She smiled at Julius and continued, "There's no way Count who's so kind can be that kind person!"

Julius looked blankly at Audrey. He was taken aback by her sudden smile. It was at this moment that he really felt that Audrey's description in the novel is truly justified. This lady is really beautiful!

Then he heard someone cough, it was Audrey, who said, "Count, there's no need to stare so much..." Her voice slowly lowering, till it was like whisper.

Julius' trembled and asked inwardly, 'What the hell is the situation? Don't tell me she has good feeling for me? No way, right?'

He quickly stopped thinking and said with a wry smile, "Haha. I'm sorry, Miss Hall. It won't happen again." Then continued thinking to himself, 'I really can't. You're too young! 3 years age gap... My otaku brothers might call the FBI on me!'

Audrey looked dissatisfied as she pouted and muttered to herself, "Why can't it happen again..."

At this point, Julius can only pretend to be deaf. He said loudly, "Where are they? Aren't they taking a little bit too long?"

Then he saw Glaint's figure with Sara following him. He heaved a sigh of relief, which entered Audrey's eyes. Audrey returned back to her elegant temper, as she calmly looked at Glaint. No one knew what she was thinking.

Julius looked at Glaint, who looked rather apologetic, "Pardon me Count." Glaint then sat on his chair again and asked casually, "What did you two talk about?"

Julius whistled and said, "Haha. We talked about nature and the meaning of life."

Audrey nodded and acquiesced. There's no way they can tell Glaint that they were sort of flirting, right? There's no way.

Glaint looked confused and did not ask any further.

Julius also stopped messing around. He looked at Sara and signaled her to give them privacy. Sara bowed. Sera then appeared and quickly placed the snacks before retreating with Sara.

When it was only three in the garden, Julius sat straight and looked at the two seriously, "Now then, may I ask why you two are really here?"