บท 92: Villain Simulator, Ch 91
"Don't be in such a hurry; let me explain it for you, cutie," Lisa smiled gently. "Simply put, the [Ring of Manipulation] can amplify the hidden evil thoughts lurking deep within the wearer's heart."
"Evil thoughts?" Lucas seemed puzzled. "What kind of evil thoughts?"
"Although it's not entirely precise, theoretically, these evil thoughts are based on the seven deadly sins: pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust."
With a snap of Lisa's fingers, seven different colored symbols materialized in front of them. "Whenever the wearer experiences one of these sins, the ring amplifies that thought significantly and then absorbs the resulting negative energy from the host."
It seemed that the reason Terrence was controlled by the [Ring of Manipulation] was his envy of Eula's talents.
"But..." Lucas hesitated. "If that's the case, wouldn't the ring be useless if it attached itself to a good person?"
"What a naïve child," Lisa covered her mouth, laughing. "As they say, judge the deeds, not the heart. If we judge hearts, then no one in this world is perfect. It's easy to live a life of good deeds, but it's impossible to go a lifetime without a single evil thought. The moment any such thought arises, the ring seizes the opportunity."
For a moment, Lucas fell silent. It was true. Even someone like him, who tried his best to remain virtuous, couldn't avoid the occasional evil thought.
"Hehe..." Lisa suddenly whispered, "If you don't believe me, why don't we... run a little experiment?"
"An experiment?" Lucas still hadn't grasped her meaning.
Lisa suddenly hooked her finger around the edge of her towel and gave it a gentle tug, revealing her flawless figure entirely to Lucas's eyes.
Lucas tried to look away, but it was as if his eyes were held in place by some invisible force; he couldn't move them at all. The once pure white ring on his wrist had now turned a suggestive shade of pink.
"Just as I suspected. Pink represents lust," Lisa said without a hint of shame, as if she were simply explaining a concept. "No matter how much you try to hide it, seeing this, it's impossible for your heart not to be stirred, right? Your eyes, unable to look away, are proof enough."
In this regard, Lisa was quite confident.
If Lucas wasn't affected at all, wouldn't that mean she had no charm whatsoever?
"Alright, enough teasing," Lisa smiled as she prepared to wrap the towel back around herself. "After all, lust is one of the hardest sins to control."
But at that moment, Lucas's hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"You're being naughty," Lisa's expression showed a rare hint of unease. "I'm doing this for your own good. Let's wait until the ring is off, and then you can look as much as you want, okay?"
However, Lucas did not respond to Lisa's plea. His eyes were now covered in an enchanting pink hue.
"Hah..."
A low growl, like that of a beast, came from Lucas's mouth as he leaped and pinned Lisa to the ground.
"Meow!"
The chubby blue cat, Lany, let out a startled cry. Seeing its owner pinned down, the little cat anxiously circled around, unsure of what to do.
This wasn't Lucas being completely controlled by the [Ring of Manipulation]. In fact, he was fully "aware" of what he was doing, but the moral restraints he usually held onto had been completely discarded.
He was in the same state as when he had furiously slaughtered the Fatui members at the hilichurl camp. Conscious of his actions, but driven by the spread of evil thoughts, he acted uncontrollably in a wicked manner.
It was like how an ordinary person, under extreme anger, might commit murder without realizing it.
"This joke is going too far," Lisa tried to pull herself free from Lucas's grip, but the difference in strength left her unable to move at all. "If you keep this up, Big Sister is going to get mad!"
Although Lisa often acted like she had plenty of experience, it was just an act to tease her cute juniors.
If things got serious, she really wouldn't be able to handle it.
In reality, Lisa did have ways to deal with Lucas. The entire house was meticulously designed by her—not only was it almost fully automated, but she had also set up many weapons to handle unexpected situations.
When it came to finding ways to be lazy, Lisa was anything but lazy.
However, those defensive mechanisms were too violent, and Lisa didn't want to harm the cute man in front of her, who was being controlled by dark thoughts.
Looks like there's no choice.
A small smile appeared on Lisa's face as she said, "If you want it, I'll give it to you. There's no need to be so forceful."
With that, she turned the tables, lifting her head to kiss Lucas.
This took Lucas by surprise. The kiss felt as if it possessed a special kind of magic, making his body go limp. The pink hue in his eyes dimmed significantly.
Of course, "magic" wasn't just a metaphor.
The kiss was indeed one of the many spells Lisa had mastered—the Kiss of Paralysis.
As the name suggested, the kiss caused the target to fall into a temporary state of paralysis. Lisa had specifically learned this spell for situations like this.
She just never expected the first one to fall victim to it would be Lucas.
Lisa gently pushed Lucas aside, and he lay on the floor, slowly regaining consciousness.
"I-I'm sorry!" Lucas apologized as he came to. "I just..."
"No need to explain," Lisa didn't seem angry; instead, she comforted him. "I underestimated the power of the [Ring of Manipulation]... or perhaps I underestimated the depth of your dark thoughts."
The [Ring of Manipulation] could only amplify existing dark thoughts; it couldn't create them out of nowhere.
If Lucas's repressed thoughts were weak, he wouldn't have reacted so strongly just now.
"This won't do; it's too dangerous..." Lucas said urgently. "How can I remove the [Ring of Manipulation]?"
If the reaction to a mere hint of lust was that intense, triggering other dark thoughts could be disastrous!
"Apologies, but even I am not omniscient," Lisa shook her head. "There is very little information available about the [Ring of Manipulation]. I'll need some time to conduct a thorough study. Maybe then, I'll find a solution."
"In that case, I'll leave it to you, Miss Lisa," Lucas said sincerely. "Whether or not you find a solution, I'll compensate you for your efforts."
"Do you think I'm someone who lacks Mora?" Lisa waved her finger playfully. "But, I don't want to work for free either. Let's do it this way—once everything is settled, you'll agree to one condition from me as payment."
"No problem!" Lucas agreed without hesitation.
After all, Lisa wasn't a bad person; she likely wouldn't ask him to do anything unreasonable.
As for dealing with the [Ring of Manipulation], Lucas had already prepared for the worst. If it came to that, he'd end his life and trigger the [Try Again] ability. That way, the ring would likely detach from his body.
If the thing actively sought a host, it probably wouldn't want to stay on a corpse.
"But how much longer can I hold on?" Lucas suddenly realized something and asked, "Will I eventually lose my sanity, like Terrence did?"
"Take a look at the bracelet's surface," Lisa lifted Lucas's wrist. "Every time it absorbs your dark thoughts, a black mark appears on its once pure-white surface. Once it turns completely black, you'll become the puppet of the [Ring of Manipulation]."
Sure enough, there was already a twisted black line on the bracelet's surface. It must have been a result of the lust from earlier.
"I'll do my best to suppress these thoughts." Lucas clenched his fist.
"Well, I guess I'll give you a little extra help," Lisa said as she turned around, bending down to rummage through a drawer behind her. "It should be in here somewhere."
When she bent down, the small towel revealed its limitations once again.
And as Lucas caught a glimpse of the abyss, the pink hue in his eyes started to stir once more.
"No, I can't!"
This time, Lucas grabbed the now-cold tea from the table and splashed it on his face, snapping himself back to reality.
Man, I really can't let my guard down for a second.
"Huh, what's going on with you?" Lisa turned back, laughing. "Here, let me wipe that off for you."
"N-No, that's okay!" Lucas quickly declined. "I'm afraid I... won't be able to take it."
Just a glance almost made him lose it. If she actually got close... Forget splashing tea, even a sleep potion wouldn't help!
"Here, take this." Lisa handed Lucas a small, delicate bottle. "It's a calming potion I concocted earlier. When dark thoughts start to overwhelm you, drink this to suppress them."
"Thank you!" Lucas gratefully accepted the bottle. "This will be a huge help!"
"However, this potion only suppresses dark thoughts; it doesn't eliminate them," Lisa warned. "So, don't use it recklessly, or it could have the opposite effect."
"I'll keep that in mind." Lucas nodded. At that moment, a knock came from the door outside. "Lisa! Is Lucas in there?"
"That's the voice of Acting Grand Master Jean?" Lucas was surprised. "Is she looking for me?"
"She sounds urgent. You should go," Lisa yawned. "I won't see you out. It's my nap time."
"Goodbye!"
As Lucas left, a faint smile curled at the corner of Lisa's lips as she murmured, "He really is an interesting kid."
"Master, I don't understand..." At that moment, the blue cat Lany spoke in a human voice. "Judging by your expression earlier, you seem to know how to remove the [Ring of Manipulation]. Why didn't you tell him?"
"There is indeed a method, but I don't want to use my body as an experiment," Lisa said with a slightly sinister smile, biting her lip. "Besides, don't you think it's more interesting to let him wear it for a while longer...Of course I wouldn't let him die"
Lisa's comment made the chubby blue cat wrinkle its non-existent brows as it muttered, "You're the real devil here..."
"What are you saying, Lany?" Lisa suddenly grabbed the scruff of the blue cat's neck. "And by the way, when I was pinned down earlier, why didn't you use the transformation magic I gave you? Were you just enjoying watching your master being bullied? Bad kitty—you'll have to be punished..."
"Meow!"
A pitiful yowl echoed through the treehouse, but outside, the two people seemed not to notice.
Jean was indeed standing outside, and unlike her usual composed and calm demeanor, her expression showed a hint of anxiety. As soon as she saw Lucas, she rushed forward and said, "I'm afraid I have to trouble you for help!"
"Don't worry," Lucas quickly reassured her. "What's the matter? Take your time explaining."
"It's... it's about Eula," Jean finally caught her breath. "After the murder case last night, and after we released the statement, Eula was immediately summoned back to the Lawrence estate."
Lucas had already heard a bit about this. Although Eula's actions were carried out in the line of duty, the incident had a severely negative impact on the Lawrence family's reputation. It was no surprise that she had been summoned.
"At first, I didn't think it was a big problem," Jean said, handing Lucas a brief note. "But I just received a message from Eula's personal maid."
The note contained only a few words: Lady Eula is about to face severe punishment. Please help!
Generally, the fewer the words, the more urgent the situation.
"Technically, Eula is a member of the Knights of Favonius, so it should be my responsibility to handle this," Jean said, clearly conflicted. "However, the Lawrence family has long-standing grudges against my family and the Knights. If I intervene, it will only make things worse."
"So, you need someone related to the case but unaffiliated with the Knights of Favonius," Lucas immediately understood Jean's intention. "That's why you came to me."
"Exactly!" Jean nodded. "I know this request may be sudden, but..."
"No need to say more," Lucas placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Leave it to me!"
"Are you sure you can handle it?" A glimmer of hope appeared in Jean's eyes. "The Lawrence family isn't easy to deal with."
"It's fine," Lucas cracked his knuckles with a grin. "I'm curious to see what the Lawrence family is like nowadays."
Jean didn't quite understand his words.
But for Lucas, in the simulator, he had a thousand-year-long connection with the Lawrence family. He was eager to see how far they had fallen in reality.
...
At the Lawrence Estate.
Even though the "Lawrence" name had been in decline for a thousand years, these former nobles still clung desperately to their past status.
Like destitute aristocrats from fallen dynasties who, despite having nothing but pickled vegetables to eat, would still slice them thinly to maintain a semblance of elegance—essentially, it was poor pretense.
The grand front gates, although still polished to a shine, could no longer hide the cracks that told the tale of the Lawrence family's decline and disgrace.
This was not like the Lawrence family in the simulator. Lucas placed his hand on the gate, and for a brief moment, he felt as if he had become the master of the Lawrence family once again, the uncrowned king of Mondstadt.
"Lawrence, your master has returned."
...
Meanwhile.
The Lawrence family's assembly hall was filled with family members.
This was the most solemn and austere location in the Lawrence estate. Portraits of past family heads lined the walls on either side, symbolizing the watchful gaze of the ancestors.
In the most prominent spot stood a sword pedestal, holding an ornate blue greatsword—the Song of Broken Pines, the family's treasured heirloom, which only the head of the family had the right to wield.
Today's central figure, Eula Lawrence, stood in the middle of the hall, the icy emblem on her chest shining brightly.
The current head of the family, named Joseph, was well into his eighties. Sitting in the central seat, he appeared drowsy and unfocused.
Of course, this so-called head of the family no longer held the power or influence of the past. The Lawrence family was now divided into several factions, each maintaining a fragile and precarious balance.
Terrence's father, Hubbard, was the leader of one such faction.
"Eula!" Hubbard glared at his niece, his voice cold. "Why did you commit such a treacherous act against our family?"
"I did nothing to betray the family," Eula replied calmly. "Terrence was a murderer and attacked me. It was only right for me to put him down."
Her words caused several family members present to frown.
The statement released by the Knights of Favonius did not specify who killed Terrence; it simply mentioned that it was done by a "vanguard squad."
----
Author's Note: I'd say Lucas should first kill the remaining lawrence scumbags, then marry eula and make Lawrence great again...
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