Lord of Mysteries: The New Black Emperor

Bonus 3: Chapter 108: Hobert's Origins

join patreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters

Thanks to Patreon members

HE

Aethergrey314

~~~

Christian closed the door behind him. "April, you are not welcome here."

"I just came to see my son…"

"You still remember he's your son? Why did you leave without a word twenty years ago? Why did you let your son grow up under someone else's roof?"

The smile on April's face vanished, and her gaze turned wild. "I left because I trusted you. I knew you would raise Hobert as your own."

"I left because… because I missed Rex so much it drove me insane…"

Tears flowed uncontrollably down April's face as she spoke of Rex, her emotions clearly unstable.

"You…" Christian sighed. "It's been over twenty years."

"But I still love him. No matter what others think or how they see me, I am going to revive Rex!" April wiped her tears away, her expression hardening again. "Back then, I was too weak to save him. It's different now, different."

Christian's anger dissipated. "It wasn't your fault!"

He asked, somewhat concerned, "What's your condition…?"

"This is the price of gaining power." April shook her head. "Let's just talk calmly, shall we?"

Christian pulled out a chair and sat across from April. "It seems you've already become an Alchemist?"

"Yes." April nodded. "I've already crafted a body for Rex's soul, but the biggest challenge now is finding his soul in the spirit world."

"I don't want to hear this." Christian replied, "Besides, I won't let Hobert go mad with you!"

"I just thought Hobert's curse would act up soon, so I came to check on him. I've also brought him two gifts." As she spoke, April took out what appeared to be a spoon and fork, resembling common dining utensils.

Christian sighed. "I'll pass them on to him."

"Tell me about Hobert's life and work." A smile returned to April's face. "He's a descendant of the Emperor, after all. He's bound to live an Beyonder life. By the way, have you mentioned me to him?"

"Being the Emperor's descendant isn't something to be proud of." Christian smiled bitterly and shook his head. "I told him you left, but he seemed to understand it as you having passed away.

"Well, a few days ago, he handled a case where the client wanted to divorce without splitting any property with his wife... He brought home a pumpkin and shared it with us.

"He also just orchestrated a battle involving several Sequence 6 Beyonders… I didn't expect him to obtain the formulas for Sequence 7 and Sequence 6 shortly after becoming a Sequence 8."

April gazed affectionately at the spoon and fork before her, her eyes full of love. "He's as gentle and wise as Rex. But I, I've been a terrible mother. I didn't tell him bedtime stories, I didn't cook him delicious dinners, and I didn't share the story of his father with him."

…

Upon returning to 192 Blanca Street, Hobert first went to the washroom to relieve his stomach discomfort, then stood in the kitchen for a while, staring at the tools and spices that were unfamiliar to him.

During the day, the butler had thoughtfully bought fresh vegetables, and Hobert attempted to make a vinegar cabbage dish. Perhaps it had been a long time since he'd eaten "hometown food," but he found it quite tasty.

However, it didn't pair well with the bread, so Hobert wondered if he should find time to make some steamed buns.

After dinner, Hobert went to the Nation of Disorder and broke off a branch of the Wood of Order. He then affixed the metal head of his old cane to the new branch, thus crafting himself a new walking stick.

The next morning, Hobert walked to the law firm, spotting Christian's carriage parked at the entrance from a distance.

Christian smiled and waved at Hobert as he boarded the carriage. Christian said, "Your mother prepared breakfast for you."

Without thinking much, Hobert replied, "Thank her for me."

Christian nodded. "While tidying up yesterday, I found something that belongs to your biological mother. I think I should pass it on to you."

As he spoke, Christian pulled a spoon from his pocket and handed it to Hobert.

Hobert paused, confused. Was Christian afraid he wouldn't have utensils for breakfast?

But the moment Hobert took the spoon, he realized it was a mystical item!

Infusing it with spirituality, Hobert discovered he could use three abilities from the Spectator Pathway: Hypnosis, Frenzy, and Psychological Suggestion.

These were extremely practical abilities, and Hobert couldn't help but wonder if his biological mother had left him more items. Why keep them hidden? They should be put to use before they rust!

Christian explained from the side, "This mystical item also has a passive effect: it can resist a certain degree of hypnosis, psychological suggestion, and other mental attacks.

"Its negative side effect is that each time it's used, either the holder or the person attacked by the item will randomly burst into tears or laughter."

Damn!

Hobert thought, "That's supposed to be a negative effect?"

With abilities and side effects like this, it far surpasses the Spirit Necklace and Combat Ring!

Christian smiled. "Anything your biological mother left you is bound to be valuable.

"She said when she left this for you, she hoped you would never be deceived.

"As for its shape, that's because the Alchemist she knew liked crafting mystical items in the form of dining utensils."

Hobert stared at the spoon for a while. First, he felt the deep love his biological mother had for him, then he realized she, too, was a Beyonder.

And not a low-ranked one either. An Alchemist is a demigod from the Savant Pathway, so her Sequence must not be low either.

Hobert slipped the spoon into his pocket, pressing it against his skin so he could use its abilities anytime.

After bidding farewell to Christian, Hobert sat at his desk to eat breakfast, which consisted of his favorite meat pie. It was a bit salty but still tasted good.

While eating, Hobert pondered names for the spoon. After considering several options, he finally decided to call it the Spoon of the Mind.

After finishing breakfast, Hobert took a carriage to the eastern suburbs to handle the third case entrusted to him by Mr. Barton.

Not long after setting off, Hobert once again saw the beautiful woman with wild eyes whom he had encountered yesterday afternoon. She smiled warmly at him again.

As the carriage passed her, Hobert grew more puzzled. Why had they run into each other twice?

If it happened a third time, Hobert decided he would immediately find Christian. Such coincidences often heralded unknown dangers.

Remaining vigilant, Hobert left the city of Backlund without encountering any issues, finally allowing himself to relax. He then thought of another question: perhaps he could now dare to visit Tingen City!