188 Chapter 187 "The Other Half of The Book Of Truth"

"What you're alluding to is the Book of Truth, isn't it?" Skyler sneered, a chill in his eyes. "It's no surprise. As an alchemical family that strives for 'transcending eternity,' how could it not be enticed by the Book of Truth, the paramount treasure of alchemy?"

"Don't misunderstand," Eleanor subconsciously bit her lower lip. "I mean, every alchemist would be tempted by the Book of Truth, and I'm no exception. But I can swear I have no intention of resorting to force. If you're willing to part with it, I can assure you a generous reward on behalf of my family. It'll surely meet your satisfaction."

Skyler smiled, "A great wizard once told me that the Book of Truth is one of the six great tomes in the world, and its value is beyond measure. There are only a few of the most significant secrets in this world that can match it—such as the fairy's sacred fire forging technique, the centaurs' stargazing and fortune-telling skills, the mermaid siren's music magic, etc. However, I doubt the Hohenheim family can offer a price that would stir my interest."

"To be honest," Skyler said lightly, "I am indifferent. I don't question the strength and historical legacy of the Hohenheim family. Your words might still hold allure for other pure-blood families in the UK, but here—" Skyler added softly, "I lack nothing. Money, power, fame, and knowledge are all within my grasp. Do you believe there's anything else you can do to impress me?"

"Unless," Skyler smiled strangely, "in exchange for your family's core inheritance—human body alchemy?" Skyler continued without glancing at Eleanor's pale face, "As far as I know, Mr. Flamel's Book of Truth, in reality, only contains the first half of the book. His ability to create the Philosopher's Stone is just an unrepeatable coincidence, and his Philosopher's Stone is defective, leading to inevitable aging of his body and soul..."

Skyler raised his head, and a fascinating light flashed in his eyes, emitting a powerful aura that made Eleanor's breath catch. "The second half of the Book of Truth is hidden in your family, right?"

Staring at Skyler in this manner, Eleanor, despite her proficiency in Occlumency, felt a slight dizziness in her head.

She closed her eyes, took a breath, and then opened them, saying, "It's not surprising that you would think so. After all, the secret of the Book of Truth being split into two is known to very few people, and the fact that it is in Mr. Flamel's possession is even more top-secret…"

She wore an extremely helpless smile and said, "Originally, the second half of the Book of Truth was indeed the inheritance of the Hohenheim family, but our ancestor Paracelsus went insane in his later years and lost it—"

She shook her head, "Whether you believe it or not, this is an irrefutable fact. This incident caused great turmoil in the family, and the family wiped out all the accomplishments and reputation of ancestor Paracelsus as punishment. As a result, there are only a few mentions of ancestor Paracelsus's life in the history books and even on the chocolate frog picture card..."

"Later, the family mobilized its members to find everyone who had read this book and coerced them, using force, money, or other means to exchange for their memories of the book's contents. This allowed us to restore 40% of the book's contents. Strictly speaking, if the upper and lower parts of the Book of Truth are considered equal, the inheritance owned by the Hohenheim family is actually only 20%."

"Throughout the years, the family has invested significant efforts in attempting to recover the lost parts, but unfortunately, nothing has been found. This endeavor consumed a considerable amount of manpower and time, resources that could have been dedicated to researching and advancing the family's prowess in alchemy..."

She sighed, "Later, a financial misstep by the family led to substantial losses, triggering a cash flow crisis. To navigate this challenge, the family had no choice but to engage in business collaborations with other pure-blood families. This eventually entangled us with the secret organization Walpurgis... In truth, the family's goal has always been the pursuit of the ultimate in alchemy. Engaging in power struggles and instigating wars is definitely not what the family desires. Therefore, over the years, the family has made earnest attempts to sever ties with Walpurgis's influence. However, when confronted with such a mysterious and formidable entity, our efforts proved futile…"

"This mission to confront you was also a result of the family's desperation, a compromise of sorts, but—" Eleanor gazed at Skyler with luminous eyes, "In you, I discern the possibility of breaking free from Walpurgis's clutches. Confronted by this enigmatic and potent organization, you chose neither surrender nor retreat; instead, you persisted in opposing them, achieving the miraculous feat of successfully contending against them..."

"Did you realize how thoroughly prepared we were on the night of the Yule Ball? From Catalina's impeccable dancing skills to the ominous fluttering flower, and her clandestine fusion of 'Duelist Heart' and 'Phantom Eyes,' the entire organization was unanimously convinced that failure was inconceivable. Yet, you defied those expectations—how remarkable that is in my eyes!"

"I understand that your purpose in coming today is to propose an alliance with us," Eleanor said, her gaze fixed on Skyler with intense fervor. "We are equally eager to forge an alliance with you. Malfoy and Hohenheim stand as the foremost families in Derry and Great Britain respectively. Our collaboration has the potential to incite new upheavals and chart a fresh course in the European wizarding world. The exchange of alchemical expertise between us may birth a groundbreaking school of thought. Moreover, considering we now face a shared formidable adversary, our alliance promises significant benefits with minimal risk."

"The Book of Truth has long been lost, and the remnants of our family's inheritance were painstakingly collected over three centuries. We even delved into the forbidden realms of necromantic alchemy to grasp the rudiments of 'human body refining.' However, the elusive 'soul refining' remains beyond our reach. Despite the exorbitant cost paid, this segment of our inheritance cannot be bartered in any conceivable manner."

Skyler grinned casually, "That works for me. The deal is off. I already possess the Philosopher's Stone, and my yearning for the elixir of immortality is rather limited. To me, the entire Book of Truth is simply a repository of knowledge that can elevate my alchemical skills. I am more than satisfied to have the first half."

"Hold on," Eleanor instinctively bit her lower lip once more. "I have another proposition..."