The moment he stepped out of the carriage, Vanessa came forward to greet him, her face beaming under the dim, hazy streetlamp.

Witches generally preferred secluded environments.

The gloomy, hazy weather was ideal for them.

"At noon, Alvin delivered four Monster Treasure Chests. Every single one is very heavy."

"I’ve already moved them all to the basement."

Vanessa reported on the day’s events at the manor.

"Let’s go. I haven’t had dinner yet. I’m starving after a full day of meetings!"

His gaze swept over the mist-shrouded manor, his peripheral vision catching the silhouettes of figures who thought themselves well-hidden.

Zorn said slowly.

"Mm... I’ll have Beretta prepare some of your favorite dishes right away."

Vanessa replied hurriedly.

As he led Vanessa toward the manor.

Deep within the hazy gray mist, a few faint figures stood in the shadows, silently watching the manor’s every move.

...

After dinner.

Zorn went down to the basement.

The moment he opened one of the black Monster Treasure Chests Alvin had sent over.

"WHOOO WHOOO..."

A low, deep, and sonorous steam whistle echoed through the basement.

Curious, Vanessa craned her neck to get a look.

"It’s an Enlightened Steam Source Pool Lighthouse."

Having spent so much time by Zorn’s side, her Extraordinary Knowledge had grown steadily.

"Was it Enlightened by a Divine Mage?"

"Mm-hm."

Zorn nodded slightly.

He took out an Enlightened Steam Source Pool Lighthouse about three feet tall and as thick as a man’s arm.

As he touched it with one hand, the power of his [Evil Spirit Authority] activated.

"WHOOOOOOO..."

Before long, the Enlightened Steam Source Pool Lighthouse let out an incredibly powerful and sonorous whistle.

At the same time, the top of the lighthouse began to spew out a large amount of Steam Grey Mist, just like a steam valve.

He placed the Enlightened Steam Source Pool Lighthouse into Vanessa’s hands.

"Go place these Steam Lighthouses in the locations I showed you earlier."

"Yes! I understand, Young Master Zorn!"

Cradling the Enlightened Steam Source Pool Lighthouse, Vanessa teleported directly to a corner of the manor’s roof and set the device in place.

As Zorn activated one Enlightened Steam Source Pool Lighthouse after another and Vanessa set them in place.

Soon, the outline of the manor appeared within Zorn’s Spiritual Realm, forming a large mass of Black Mist that behaved like one of his Lower Rankers.

These Enlightened Steam Lighthouses possessed a certain spiritual awareness, allowing Zorn to control them.

Now that the setup on his territory was complete, Zorn was better equipped to defend against the spies lurking in the darkness.

These Steam Lighthouses were originally meant to be placed within the Steam Magical Castle.

But since the castle had not yet returned, he placed them around the manor for now.

Zorn had a premonition that the clandestine Transcendents silently monitoring the manor would be making their move soon.

And Zorn’s preparations would turn the manor into a terrifying Demon Abyss.

No matter how many people came, Zorn would be able to devour them all.

...

Before he knew it.

The night had deepened.

Deep within the secret basement.

Vanessa lay on Zorn’s chest, feeling the strong, powerful beat of his heart.

Joy bloomed in her heart. She could feel herself sinking ever deeper into Young Master Zorn’s powerful presence.

And far from resisting, she savored the sensation, finding herself utterly captivated.

Before obtaining the Witch Sequence, she could barely withstand her master’s power.

But after obtaining the [Merciful Witch] Sequence.

After every session of Joy, she would harvest a considerable amount of Witch Essence, which also strengthened her Sequence to a degree.

"Joy" is one of the ways for Witch Sequences to obtain Witch Essence.

For her, while it wasn’t the primary method, it was still an exceptionally effective one.

Vanessa had learned from her master that there were many other Witch Sequences, and the methods for obtaining Witch Essence varied among them.

For example, a [Joyful Witch] had to constantly experience Joy in order to harvest Essence.

Some of the more fanatical [Joyful Witches] thought nothing of experiencing Joy a dozen or more times in a single night.

Even many powerful Knights with robust physiques couldn’t withstand being drained by such [Joyful Witches].

A [Rose Witch], on the other hand, needed to be nurtured with the blood and tears of suffering to obtain Essence.

For instance, the sudden death of one’s family, betrayal by a beloved mentor, or being forced to wander the lands alone, burdened by a blood feud while seeking vengeance—these were the perfect nutrients for nurturing a [Rose Witch].

She couldn’t quite comprehend these other Sequences, but she was deeply shaken by the thought of them.

In the darkness.

After his mind had settled, Zorn slowly sat up.

Before Vanessa could ask anything, Zorn spoke first.

"How well have you absorbed the effects of the Joy?"

"Mm, I’ve absorbed most of it. The effects are excellent."

Vanessa nodded in satisfaction.

"Then get ready. We’ll be doing this a few more times."

"Huh?"

Vanessa froze for a moment. Then, her eyes seemed to ripple, reflecting Zorn’s image within their shimmering depths.

"But didn’t you say... that the effects of frequent Joy would diminish?"

After all, she was a [Merciful Witch], not a [Joyful Witch].

"You’ll understand in a moment."

As the thought crossed his mind, Zorn tapped a finger in the air before him.

"HUMMM..."

Strange, water-like ripples spread out as the Calamity Black Mist rapidly unfurled.

The [Spiritual Realm] slowly descended upon the small, secret chamber.

Inside the [Spiritual Realm], Zorn had already prepared the ritual and materials needed to enter the [Crying Blood Sun].