The Pyramid Scheme Leader, Tilis

Afternoon.

The customers in the café leisurely enjoyed their afternoon tea, as this coastal city maintained its slow-paced rhythm of life.

In contrast, only the atmosphere near the window seat felt somewhat peculiar.

Two strikingly beautiful young ladies seemed on the verge of a fight, drawing curious glances from the gossip-loving patrons...

"What do you mean by this?"

Ophelia's voice was cold, laced with a hint of mockery.

"Hah, the world?"

"Don't tell me you're still dreaming of reviving the Magic Empire?"

Tilis chuckled softly at her words.

"How could that be? Why would I cling to a Magic Empire from three thousand years ago that enslaved ordinary humans? My aspirations aren't that low."

"Then what are you implying..." Ophelia grew even more puzzled.

Her purple eyes deepened, "I just want to ask you, are you satisfied with your current situation? A simple yes or no will suffice."

Her tone carried a condescending scrutiny that made Ophelia uncomfortable.

"Why wouldn't I be satisfied?"

She smiled, "Luo Wei has returned to my side, and you don't know this yet, but he promised never to leave me again~"

"So, what more could I possibly want?"

"Really?" Tilis smiled and countered, "Do you truly believe you have the strength to protect him now? Aren't you being a bit too overconfident?"

Ophelia's frown deepened.

Tilis's smile faded, and she spoke seriously, "Even if he stays by your side, do you think your father, the Emperor of Wegener, would ever allow you two to be together?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

She scoffed, "You're an unmarried princess. With your status, countless nobles are already eyeing you. Your father will undoubtedly use your future as a bargaining chip. Do you really think you can be with Luo Wei openly and legitimately?"

Ophelia snorted, "My future is none of your concern."

She was well aware of these facts, but she didn't care in the slightest.

"Now that he's back, I no longer need to stay in that gloomy capital. We can go wherever we want from now on, so there's no need for you to worry about us."

Tilis couldn't help but laugh, "That sounds nice in theory."

"From what I know, your father is no simple man..."

"Luo Wei told me that during the trip to the Dragon Tomb, if it weren't for a stroke of luck, he never intended for you to survive from the start, did he?"

"He treated you like a mere tool. How can you think escaping from such a cold-blooded man is meaningful? Why are you deceiving yourself like this?"

Ophelia fell silent.

Because everything Tilis said was true...

At the same time, she felt an inexplicable irritation. This witch she despised most was starting to sound more and more like that manipulative man...

"Hah... You're becoming more and more like him..." She gazed at Tilis with a distant look, "It seems he taught you a lot during my absence..."

"Ah..." Tilis was momentarily stunned, then nodded vaguely.

He did teach her a lot...

At this thought, a faint blush spread across her cheeks.

Ophelia eyed her suspiciously. What was there to blush about?

Tilis shook her head, trying to dispel the unbearably embarrassing memories, and turned her serious gaze back to Ophelia.

"So, should I help you kill him?"

"Huh?" Ophelia's eyes widened, "Kill who? My father?"

The witch nodded earnestly.

"No, thanks..." Ophelia quickly declined the "kind offer," "Not only is he surrounded by powerful guards, but it's also not as simple as you think. It would throw the entire world into chaos..."

The stability of the capital and the entire empire was barely maintained by her father's half-dead body. If he were gone, the ensuing chaos would be unimaginable...

"Oh... I never expected you to be more merciful than I thought."

Tilis smiled at her, noting that in this regard, she was far superior to the two princes, showing no trace of the resentment one might expect from someone who had been cast aside for years.

"But," she continued to tempt, "Your father truly doesn't have much time left. Are you willing to see your brothers take the throne? Neither of them would let you off easily..."

Ophelia was growing increasingly uneasy. She frowned and retorted, "Did you come here today just to persuade me to rebel?"

Tilis smiled faintly.

"I just hope to live with Luo Wei in a better world."

"But as you can see, this world is far from beautiful—it's downright terrible."

"The prophecies of doom are drawing closer. When the ancient horrors begin to awaken one by one, do you think this fleeting prosperity will last? It will likely turn into a living hell in an instant."

Ophelia silently watched her as Tilis pressed on.

"Don't think you can escape it!"

"Your constitution, mine, even Helena's—our lifespans are extraordinarily long. We will inevitably witness that day in our lifetimes!"

"So, to prepare for the inevitable..."

Tilis finally revealed her true purpose, "Why don't we take the initiative to change things?"

"How do we change things?" Ophelia was growing more curious.

"That's the right question!" Tilis grew excited, her expression resembling that of an enthusiastic cult leader.

"Look, I have power, and you have authority."

"But our power and authority aren't enough. Why don't we aim higher?"

"That's why I said earlier, stop wasting time on petty conflicts! His future is boundless! Why don't we become his most trusted allies?"

"The rulers of the old world? We will become the rulers of the future!!"

Ophelia's eyes widened further, and she quickly glanced around.

The café owner was about to call the police...

"Uh... well, about that..."

Ophelia suddenly felt that this witch's mind was still not quite right.

"Anyway, I have things to do. I should get going..."

"Stop!!" Tilis, mid-recruitment, wasn't about to let her escape.

"You're not leaving! You have to give me an answer today!"

A force pressed down on Ophelia, forcing her back into her seat.

Jason and Caroline, standing guard outside, couldn't stand it any longer and were about to rush in to protect their princess.

Ophelia gave them a look, then took a deep breath and turned back to Tilis, whose eyes gleamed with an unusual light.

"Well... Your vision for the future is quite thrilling..."

"Right?" Tilis stared intently at her.

"I'll consider what you've said... but not now."

"I'll give you time," Tilis replied with a smile.

Ophelia wore a helpless expression. After being so thoroughly swayed by her words, she had almost forgotten why she came here in the first place.

Truly befitting a top member of the Black Warlocks, her brainwashing skills were even more formidable than the Church's...

At this thought, she couldn't help but chuckle, "You want to recruit me as an ally, but I feel the team isn't quite complete yet. I've thought of another capable ally for you."