Chapter 108
vvtyBxiThe next day, Fernan and Aint entered the city hall together with the priests of the Cult of the Dragon God.R9tV2zF
CpNXIn the grand banquet hall of the city hall, a crowd awaited inspection.diWDl8u
TY3FusjBecause Vienderk’s soldiers had tracked entry and exit records and brought in all the suspects, the previously mentioned five hundred people had now become nearly six hundred.LiBqWMf
j5tOBpAnd they would surely continue increasing.Wqfh
0fOk“We will now begin searching for corrupt magic. We ask for your active cooperation.”UlD
6ivExcept for the cardinal, the other nine priests took out artifacts.ijR7
VlqU04TFernan knew them well—artifacts capable of detecting corrupt magic embedded in mana.khQ46BZ
XmfEl0The priests began inspecting people one by one from the edges.Akx7k3
spc4iFernan, leaning on the railing of the second floor beside Aint, watched from above.C9xO
JmO“What do you think? Do you sense anything?”UMixrBb
e0Wi“Let me try.”Q0A
TO6eoq“All right.”VGGFz7R
KejaAint began concentrating, while Fernan unconsciously stroked Wooden hanging from his neck, thinking about what was to come.vykGZDu
9JQhQ6vThen someone approached him.2HomC
lQXv0y“Greetings, young master Fernan.”3sGVWX
srOV“Count Daniel? You’re here too?”0ygn
NFsYIkyIt was Daniel Kool, with his pale blond hair.XcDR7Rr
LzeZUHis territory had fertile lands that produced a large amount of rice and barley, as well as advanced distilleries that specialized in whisky and other liquors.JCw7Fx3
yNR0TWith those goods, he operated a prosperous trading company.cg8n
fKHhHe was also a client of the Golden Turtle Trade’s distribution network.R1Xx
02QLkW5“You look a bit different.”FyG
tih“Do I? I’ve been expanding business a lot lately, and with so many concerns, I’ve lost a bit of weight.”0hHTjk
0IrHis face used to be slightly rounded; now he looked more normal. Maybe that was what made him seem different.vk8qdZL
BseA“I didn’t expect to see you detained here as well. But of course, with something involving the corrupt, no one’s exempt.”43I2
23BZkStHis black eyes showed a trace of sympathy.ZnQgeh
b0zh“I came up happy after securing a liquor supply contract for this continental conference, but I never imagined I’d run into this disaster.”qIZkk
m7k“That’s how big business works—it comes with big risks.”mFItg8x
qFV“True. But for the corrupt to go as far as murdering nobles—how horrifying. I never thought I’d witness something like this in my lifetime.”QZST
Mf9YVUHe let out a deep sigh.0FQ
4NvWbI“A thousand years of peace, and this had to happen in our era?”1T1
4w3lzGIt was exactly what Fernan thought.na3g9UQ
4k9For a thousand years, demons and corrupt had remained quiet, reduced to myth, to the point that many couldn’t even distinguish corrupt magic anymore.1NcYJ
5rAAnd yet, now they had returned to invade the world and disrupt everything.RZcD
PBRdThe more he thought about it, the more his anger boiled. He just wanted to make money in peace and control the world in his own way.ixnmzZd
PNcpOhO“And this young man?”aejeiJ
TXhThe count was staring at Aint, who was concentrating on detecting corrupt magic.YTYCz
y8qRtt“He is Aint Armian.”JjG
IkoPTOl“Aint… Armian? As in, that Armian?”86N
T56cOY“That’s right. He’s my junior.”exMWh
G2HJbqF“Aint Armian here? Could it be…?”1P9p
QO06hdf“Yes, what you’re imagining.”GQqT6M
H7UHe was here to search for the corrupt alongside the Cult of the Dragon God.nbgUWUD
gbPfHBi“I remember reading that the power of Armian allows him to instinctively perceive corrupt magic. Is that true?”yij8fLH
QFPs“I’m not sure.”L5Qy
y2dDyE“To witness it in person is an honor. Makes being detained worth it.”la8
tBmP8N“It’s nothing special.”NH0ysdE
JeGC“Nothing special? They call him the natural enemy of demons!”njl4z
ISRF5dkDaniel smiled with a strange gleam in his eyes.2aYu
oiSy“So right now, young Aint is searching for the corrupt? Can he detect corrupt magic from a distance?”phB
OcjikThat peculiar glint in his eyes made Fernan uncomfortable, and he responded coolly.po5qHU
B0t6T5f“I don’t know. Like I said…”Vruwd
L5VuhsNAt that moment, Aint opened his eyes.8fpXw
ephBW“I found them.”FKZhy
D2cEdO“Really?”SwyB
yV1Pr1P“Yes. At least now, I’m worthy of dancing on the stage you prepared for me, senior.”tFurV
vQw7k“He really found a corrupt? Faster than the Cult of the Dragon God! Worthy of an Armian. How…?”CwfYOl
ifRu9“Count Daniel, I’m sorry, but could you give us a moment in private?”KWxuHb
ATdRsZ“…Ah, of course.”Wp7L
cjFH2WThe count smiled stiffly after a brief pause at the obvious dismissal.7bTfWZ
gGTnEy“I got carried away. It’s the first time I’ve witnessed the power of an Armian—I hope you understand.”XaG
CcbwM“I do.”FVoZ
gFk0DE“All right, young master. We’ll talk again later.”2lmY
5YzIM1The count descended.hAcHNMn
UruU“You really found them, Aint?”Mpfs15
vef“Yes.”Q3ltOC
9vy3bFernan suppressed the excitement rising in him.2kLj
z6KmHe had trusted that Aint could detect corrupt magic, but he hadn’t expected him to do it without direct contact or Gardner’s help.EisH
jIIoiA pleasant surprise.1VVUN
rWn0K“Before, I might not have sensed it. But now that I’ve leveled up, corrupt magic feels much clearer. Also, thanks to the itarium you gave me. I’m grateful.”j33U
LgRIoExcellent news—Aint had grown stronger, and he also felt more indebted to him.5I3UQ
dkJIEht“Who are they?”8nrfM
hRDp“That one over there, and those two…”cMCzCt
zjjAint pointed to three people—one dressed like a farmer, the other two looking like merchants.EdOZEm
IB3xpfV“Just those three?”OyD
g09DqD“For now, yes. But there could be others hiding better. What do we do, senior?”LeC3ctB
8cAn“What else? If we’ve found them, we’re not letting them escape.”8o3VT
TB2c4O1The three were toward the center, while the priests were still checking from the edges.wX8LWk
tSVUDIt would take time for them to get there.gUVcWE
sG9VW3XFernan thought about moving ahead, but he couldn’t just barge in.UMd9b5R
M9bfEHe couldn’t risk angering the Cult of the Dragon God by stealing the initiative.URJj
xrgHe needed an agreement.smqA
oMCp“Wait here.”D6T
utAz9xFernan crossed to the opposite side of the balcony and approached Cardinal Gailand, who was observing from above.UIWsG
DzCjy0“Aint just located the corrupt.”Wo1gCoe
7UFDbUM“…Who?”ZTHqQEF
73i3OpThe cardinal’s face grew stern.x6MJm9p
GgA5“I can’t just tell you outright.”ux90yPE
xU50qFernan, on the other hand, remained calm.Z3X
yAMH“How about we make a deal? Like always.”eDx3
EFYPoT***RgS8AX
XFPJpAint recalled Fernan’s instructions and jumped down decisively. Instantly, all eyes in the hall turned toward him.Hey0xo
6fex6‘This… is kind of embarrassing.’9yg0RK
74zNc58— Get used to it. Right now, it’s just a few hundred. Soon it’ll be tens of thousands, millions, hundreds of millions watching you.mTAUC
sPnN‘Yes.’Xlwt
P0V2NTaking a deep breath, Aint calmly walked through the crowd.v88R7TV
BoLo“Who’s that?”HQn
JteN2“What’s he doing here?”AWsh7t
CXeaS2u“I think I’ve seen him before…”DE9L
0ocglcPeople watched him warily, but no one stopped him.w2L
4kCJjThe atmosphere was strange, and on top of that, the priests of the Cult of the Dragon God—who were in charge—weren’t doing anything.sizP
h0Y7qz0Aint stopped.rrWL6d
MaezTOb“W-what’s going on?”IvS
90sOVThe man in front of him looked nervous.yORye
VpUHdDq‘How should I do this?’3B32DY7
pet5NrU— Action over words. It’s not enough to say you found them with Armian’s power. Show them why you’re called the natural enemy of demons.DJSC
xmum— There’s no need to draw your sword or threaten. Make everyone clearly understand why the Armian bear that title.fOv
jvCWdAint created a small sphere of luminous aura.Fgs
Og4With just that, the man stepped back.sk1VU
L8oThe sphere began to radiate a light that directly clashed with the corrupt magic.J9j
8nG“What is that… guh?”6FHb
bBUThe man’s face twisted in pain.xQaQoB
xptXtpBefore, Aint wouldn’t have been able to do something like this. But after learning Gardner’s true swordsmanship, consuming countless elixirs, and surviving multiple battles—even against demons—now he could.LWSS
xjFeFor a corrupt of that level, just exposing them to the light was enough.nU2TQT
2lULike an insect burning when it gets too close to a flame.XnSmult
1Qj“Hey, what are you doing…?! Wait… is his body… smoking?”McYx87
JzU6R3“Ghhh…!”3VVvk10
7wNn8NcThe man’s scream grew louder.fRU
ohYuCcZFrom his entire body, a dark and sinister smoke began to rise.3co
oAX“…Corrupt magic?”dJj
TMH“Is that really corrupt magic?”oAt
83KZNo one there was stupid.pJ03SO
OAr8vThey might never have seen corrupt magic in person, but they knew that energy could be nothing else.qjy
MD14“Then, if that light dispels corrupt magic, could he be…?”eRWX
hyEh“Could it be…?”P4Jw
wrOjThey immediately remembered which lineage was the natural enemy of corrupt magic.ShBcBe
eXGowc“Kyaaaaahhh!”kyL
94zPk9The man couldn’t hold on any longer and tore off his mask.oYsHl
dMQeJSA wave of energy swept across the surroundings, throwing people to the ground.2SbM
IC2A“It’s real, it’s corrupt magic!”edg5hp
Ym3hP“There was a corrupt hiding among us!”XFusHg
zeLhNqCovered in sinister energy, the corrupt raised his claws like a beast, leaving a black trail in the air as he lunged at Aint.rVEYAi
6mZ“Everyone, get back!”oEJM2Q
VIkU2WM“Stop right there, filthy corrupt!”qw8
iv84NmyThe priests stayed still, as agreed, but Vienderk’s knights did not.iF0EY
VCr496mThey hastily drew their weapons.gW2tcfG
K7TiUjBut Aint was faster.ojvN50o
cArrPffClang!1QNKlB
4oltbTxHis sword appeared in his hands, deflecting the claws.hvLH3h
zk2NmThe light of his aura shone brightly, revealing his presence to all.UPiG
bTPLSlash!JDawYQZ
EDPoHovThe corrupt’s body was immediately cut in two.HSUL5uD
UCq3tThe corrupt magic surrounding him disintegrated quickly, like an insect incinerated in a bonfire.yRR
ItbJ“Gyaaaaaaahhh!”p0iZc
Q5KIn that instant, the corrupt’s body began to swell.WvNtVL9
zai— Damn it, he’s going to blow himself up!zv7f
d7NZn— If he explodes here, there’ll be too many casualties. You must contain it!L3bY
HaR3Aint raised his sword again, but then—y3ZAE3
zSHRumble—jcInYg
GEZnkA dome of rock enclosed the corrupt.yJm
JIqBoom—!Jfmq
JyvG4vFThe building shook, but suffered no damage.J3Ha
efGo8hz“Pathetic.”uRe
PO7Pk9Fernan waved his hand calmly.Rbtyx
1cSB3“Always the same routine. Don’t they know anything else besides self-detonation?”rYQIy
KUKSilence filled the hall.EzEVy0q
ylpTFNUAll eyes were on Aint and the fallen corrupt.uSIE1wl
McMT7And Fernan raised his voice.jZhIrpX
Ya5“Aint Armian.”dBxdN1
4rmhsThe silence shattered.UEm
alOpIt confirmed what everyone suspected—that the young man before them was a descendant of Armian.0Vm4u6P
HSnq“Do what you must.”nkrs
5kTz4C4“Yes, senior.”74p4z
saS68a“Curse you all!”nd2g
uqECzq“No, I don’t want to die!”KldHX
57nEa7ZOther corrupt lunged at him.wZUpx
BfcXMuAint did not hesitate.y2G
8axGVAs he passed by Vienderk’s stunned knights, he recalled Fernan’s words:J63
D2Oqgmg“Make it as flashy and sacred as possible.”k1BrvG
J3CfUGS“After a thousand years, the battle between Armian and the corrupt is happening again. For a light to appear now that surpasses them is no small thing.”3eX
Mji3Ksp“Remember—it must be spectacular.”LGJTqx2
jN1Aint raised his sword and concentrated his aura.28O
msQhyOB‘I can’t use anything too powerful…’YPIxt
xHkIf he did, he’d kill too many innocent people in the hall.DDWx25
Ja4nwBut there was one technique that, though harmless to those present, would be impactful enough.bfh
dPRUdQL— For the corrupt, it’ll be more than just a spectacle. You’ll see.Mn5
0TtHbhIgnoring Gardner’s sarcasm, Aint swung his sword.xGs
VxgWhoooosh!Dx0ZEiL
TrdapThe aura took shape.lW07MX
ukYXKToA luminous bird with two pairs of wings and a single head.5e9
jxOrLYIt wasn’t large, didn’t emit a real roar, and had no great destructive power.lDQZ
VR2XBut it was enough.YOF
TGhevPD“…Saint Bird.”0BPV
55CNmr“A… a bird of light!”nL94
a0d4gThe symbol of Armian had appeared before everyone.Vbj0f4
aT4pDjScreeeech—!viDk
8f4“Gaaaahhh!”HugL
uIxJWb“My power…! It’s fading!”5lUuc
Qdm3nThe corrupt screamed as the bird’s light corroded them.eXzqC8O
zOWgWhen the Saint Bird finished its task and vanished, no one was running anymore.foqf
dvb059Only a few bodies writhed on the floor, releasing black smoke.CADW
pf6w‘Perfect.’WYTz3E8
4FLh6WXAint had summoned the very symbol of Armian.HATKBJ
UWVBMaybe it was Gardner’s idea, but it was exactly what they needed.FLWWUQ
JIuTieYFernan smiled in satisfaction.HVC
kCaEJA quality product doesn’t need too much advertisement. This is enough.XkJ
fGGoP4fThe deal with the Cult of the Dragon God had paid off.4EYn
yiXFIn return, he had to reveal the secret about Andromalius, but even that played in his favor.WLUF
H93dkTTAfter all, even if the future had changed, the demons would still end up being summoned.91a5WvJ
juRSooner or later, everyone would realize the problem went beyond the corrupt.golz
jHAFernan scanned the hall once more, and his smile widened.QNMJRf
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