Chapter 561: 0561: Substitution (Seeking Subscription)
Chapter 561: Chapter 0561: Substitution (Seeking Subscription)
Farrell is a surname of glory and nobility.
It can be traced back to the establishment of the Chris Empire when it appeared within the lineage of the Lionheart Duke, who stood alongside Emperor Caesar during the founding of the empire. Although the family’s status has faded over time, with the highest rank held among their kin now being a mere baron, Baron Gregory Farrell has become one of the leaders of the royal palace guards, thanks to the advantages of ‘tradition’ and ‘pure bloodline’.
Guarding the outermost gate was his responsibility, a feat he was proud of and frequently boasted about.
Rest day.
Under the cool autumn air, Gregory Farrell and his friends enjoyed a hearty hunting expedition in the suburbs. Returning home with their prey, they headed straight for his villa.
“Master.”
Waiting on the side was Reno, a fifty-something butler in a tailcoat. His silvery hair was meticulously combed into a ponytail. He called for a stable boy to lead away the master’s beloved horse.
“Take good care of ‘Lightning’. Don’t forget to feed him eggs tonight and tell the stable boy… if he dares to eat them, I’ll chop off his hands.”
Gregory’s rough voice echoed all around. “Reno, take my game to the kitchen. I fancy some rabbit meat tonight.”
“Yes, sir. How about your favorite rabbit meat pies?”
Reno approached him calmly, “Also… the ‘goods’ you’ve been eyeing have arrived.”
“Oh?”
Gregory’s eyes sparkled, rubbing his palms together, “What are we waiting for?”
He headed for the cellar prison, a place where a suffocating stench lingered in the air.
Gregory didn’t seem bothered by it, he impatiently quickened his pace towards the jail cell.
In the cell were two beautiful sisters. Their hands and feet were tied up; their mouths gagged with cloth, ensuring their silence and compliance.
“Nice, very nice… I’m looking forward to tonight’s ‘activities’.”
Gregory rubbed his fingers together and returned to his study.
While dinner was being prepared in the kitchen, he decided to take a moment to relax.
“Gregory Farrell!”
A young voice suddenly echoed in the study.
Like a startled cat, Gregory jumped from his chair and gawked at the young man who had appeared out of nowhere.
“Who are you? Why are you here all of a sudden?”
Gregory’s muscles bulged, exuding a steely aura.
“Gregory Farrell! A widower with a son and a daughter, brutally fierce. You are the deciding force in the Sacreid slums, repeatedly involved in human-trafficking activities… Oh, you’re also a fourth-order [Berserker]!”
“You set up casinos, pressurized debts, led extortions and kidnappings… Grabbing greedily every gold coin, even though they are soaked in blood and tears. Every pore of your body exudes an evil aura… However, among all the people I’ve vanquished, you are neither the most evil nor the most powerful. You’re just an… unlucky ant!”
So spoke Su Lu in a calm tone.
“Who are you? Some self-proclaimed hero from the lower ranks? Or an agent sent by someone else?”
Gregory bellowed loudly, hoping to draw attention from outside.
Unfortunately, no matter how sore his throat, there was no response from outside; as if all the people outside the study were dead.
“No… I am not here because of your crimes. I just needed an excuse to crush you…”
Su Lu casually waved his hand.
Near Gregory, a marble statue on a stand suddenly exploded. Numerous tentacles spread out from the head of the statue, instantly ensnaring him.
“No!”
Came Gregory’s horrified cry.
But it was futile.
Even as a fourth-order Occupational Person, he was powerless against the tentacles. He could only stare in horror as they shackled him and brought him before Su Lu.
“Your identity, your everything… I’m taking it away!”
Su Lu reached out, as if he had snatched something from him.
This was a metaphysical ‘deprivation,’ he had completely usurped the other party’s name and identity.
“No!”
Gregory let out a hysterical scream.
He didn’t know what had happened, he just felt that he had lost something very important, he even forgot his own name, as if he had become an excess person in this world.
This was the most thorough ‘substitution.’
From now on, even if a professional of the Fifth Order, Sixth Order divines, the only conclusion they could draw was that Su Lu was Gregory.
The man next to him was completely denied, replaced.
“Alright, useless thing, exit the stage.”
Su Lu waved his hand dismissively.
Countless tentacles retreated back into the sculpture, the study became calm again, as if nothing had happened.
Su Lu had not changed his appearance to look like Gregory, nor had he changed his clothes, he just swaggered out.
Along the way, all the servants bowed respectfully, not noticing anything unusual.
“Master, the rabbit meat pies are not ready yet.”
Su Lu came to the living room to find Reno reporting this.
“I don’t like rabbit meat, just serve dinner.”
Su Lu waved his hand.
“Very well.” Reno did not have the slightest doubt because in his mind, Su Lu’s preferences had replaced the original Gregory’s preferences.
“Father!”
At the banquet, the teenage girl Elma lifted her skirt and curtseyed to Su Lu.
She never questioned how this young man could be her father, she just felt that everything was as it should be: “Also… brother sent a message back with the servant, he is participating in club activities at school and will not be home for a few days.”
“That rascal, cut off his living expenses starting from tomorrow.”
Su Lu casually sliced a piece of steak and said.
‘Poor brother…’
Elma muttered silently, but didn’t dare to argue for her brother.
In a noble family, the ‘head of the household’s’ authority is very important, not only her brother, but even her future, who she was to marry, was all decided by the family head, that is, Gregory.
With worries in mind, the girl quickly finished her dinner.
On the other hand, Su Lu enjoyed Sacreid style dinner with interest before returning to the study.
He sat in the chair, his right hand in a fist, propping his cheek, and his left fingers were rhythmically tapping on the table.
‘The previous divination… Antonio Caesar showed a strong anti-divination characteristic, even using a semi-divine artifact is a bit difficult to explain… unless it’s a god shielding him!’
‘Right… no matter how arrogant he is, he wouldn’t be plotting to challenge the Six Major Orthodox Churches alone, so, did he find supporters among them?’
‘The alliance of the Seven Gods is not invincible? Right! If it were invincible, the Goddess Church wouldn’t have shifted its focus to the Federation!’
‘But the Righteous Gods don’t want to see successors appear, has there been any change in the situation, or is there some other special reason?’
‘In any case, there must be a good show in Sacreid soon! And there may also be a God Incarnate lurking around, so I need to lay low and adopt another identity.’
A slight smile curled up the corner of Su Lu’s mouth.
After attaining godhood, time was limitless for him, he didn’t mind waiting here patiently, until the day the great show takes the stage.