Chloe and her companions were invited inside.
The two guards behind them were shaking so badly they almost looked like they had Parkinson's disease. They appeared dazed, as if they couldn't quite believe what was happening.
Chloe found it amusing but didn't say much to them, to avoid further stimulating their nerves.
The interior of Pahol Palace was vast. The floors were polished and covered with thick red velvet carpets. The air was filled with a faint fragrance of osmanthus.
Daniel, walking slightly behind and to the side of Chloe, commented as they moved:
"Even though Benny isn't a good person, his family's guards are surprisingly decent."
Qin Huaibei responded: "They are quite good indeed."
Just a bit stupid.
Like Daniel.
Once they passed the guards at the entrance, no one inside Pahol Palace stopped them.
They could essentially go wherever they wanted.
Chloe extended her perception, covering the entire palace, which could help them navigate.
Xavier wasn't in the corridors; they needed to go to the conference room on the top floor.
As Chloe walked, she explored everything around her with her perception, feeling rather cheerful.
But after a while, she suddenly halted.
It seemed she had discovered something extraordinary.
As soon as she stopped, Qin Huaibei and the others behind her also came to a standstill.
"Why did we stop?" Katherine asked.
Chloe's lips curled into a smile: "I've found something interesting."
With that, she started humming and walked towards the direction of that particular perception.
Qin Huaibei and the others exchanged puzzled glances, not knowing what she had up her sleeve, but they could only follow along.
The stairs spiraled upwards, and because of the red velvet carpets everywhere, their footsteps made no sound at all.
Occasionally, a few maids carrying various items would pass by, bowing deeply from a distance.
Daniel, watching the retreating figures of the maids, scratched his head and said:
"What era are we in? Why is Benny still enforcing these feudal courtesies?"
Qin Huaibei calmly replied: "It's about keeping up appearances. You know, those old fogies who lack real ability love to use these intangible things to solidify their position."
Daniel thought carefully about this reasoning and found it quite convincing.
While the others started to joke around, Katherine seriously followed by Chloe's side and asked:
"Where exactly are we going?"
"You'll know when we get there."
As soon as she said this, Chloe arrived at the spot her perception had detected.
This was on the fifth floor of the palace, at the third wooden door on the right side of the corridor.
Daniel walked over and gently twisted the doorknob twice, saying: "So, we're going in here?"
Chloe nodded.
Hearing this, Qin Huaibei pushed his way to the front from the back of the group, looked around, and finally pulled a flat-head screwdriver from his pocket, inserting it into the keyhole to start picking the lock.
Daniel nervously stood guard nearby.
It was hard to believe that students from The No.1 Military Academy were all expert lock-pickers.
By now, Qin Huaibei was extremely proficient at lock-picking.
In less than two seconds, there was a "click," and the wooden door swung open.
Everyone rushed in, with Anderson at the rear kicking the door shut, closing and locking it in one smooth motion.
Chloe felt for the switch on the wall nearby and turned on the lights.
The pure white light poured down, making the metal instruments look even colder.
After a long look, Daniel was the first to chuckle:
"Damn, it's a laboratory."
Everyone's impression of laboratories wasn't particularly good.
Because every time they saw one, they were reminded of the research Viper Group conducted behind closed doors.
Given the known situation that the Werewolf Race was condoning genetic research at Brut Military Academy and was possibly colluding with Viper Group, they couldn't treat this laboratory as an ordinary one.
Qin Huaibei came to his senses and took out white gloves for everyone to wear:
"Come on, let's check it out first."
"We might find some dirty stuff."
Chloe nodded slightly, put on the gloves, and walked to the lab bench.
While touching the various bottles and containers there, she said:
"Although, we might not find anything useful."
Daniel raised his head in confusion: "Why?"
"Normally, a high-security laboratory wouldn't be secured with just a simple small lock, right?"
"..."
Indeed, that was true.
Daniel sighed: "Well, since we're already here, it doesn't hurt to search around."
With that, he continued to rummage through the bottles and containers.
Chloe agreed with this logic and crouched down to open the drawer under the lab bench.
Inside were various miscellaneous lab tools, with the only different item being a notebook.
It looked like a diary and was quite worn.
Chloe, without any qualms about invading someone's privacy, opened it and started reading.
Everyone had been paying attention to her movements, and when they saw her pull out a diary from somewhere, they all immediately gathered around.
Chloe felt a bit crowded and waved her arms at them to make some space.
After they spread out a bit to let some air in, she finally opened the diary.
May 10, xx year
Today I successfully graduated from Brut Military Academy. The teacher said my grades were excellent and wanted to recommend me as the King's personal researcher.
I'm happy but also confused. It's an honor to work for the King, but what does a personal researcher for the King mean?
May 12, xx year
Started the job today.
It turns out that a personal researcher is a member of the King's own research team. I'm an intern now, and my supervisor is quite stern. I'm always afraid of him.
I've been doing odd jobs all day and still don't know what the research group's project is.
May 21, xx year
The supervisor started to let me get involved with the research group's project. It turns out to be genetic research. I remember this is strictly prohibited by continental law, so why is our research project on this?
The supervisor said it's the King's wish, and with him backing us, we can research boldly.
I think what he said seems to make sense.
June 1, xx year
Genetic research is fascinating and unique.
Every combination of cells, factors, and gene chains gives birth to a completely new life. The duration of fusion and every minute deformation produce results completely different from what we imagined. It's magical.
Today the supervisor adopted my suggestion. I saw the monster in the petri dish; it grew tentacles and black horns exactly as I had envisioned.
At this moment, I feel like I am a great creator.
It was I who created it.
June 17, xx year
The supervisor says the research has gotten a bit out of control because the King wants more powerful and unique creatures that can think independently.
But our current technology can't achieve this.
I discussed it with the supervisor, and he said it's possible.
I asked how to do it.
He said we could try to introduce a brain belonging to an intelligent creature.
The supervisor asked if I was willing to contribute my brain.
He said this would allow me to retain consciousness and achieve immortality.
I understood.
They want to create a hybrid of human and monster.
