Lynn lay on the floor, feeling like a meticulously stitched-together corpse.
Four completely different forces clashed within his body, yet maintained a bizarre equilibrium.
The Holy Emblem on his chest was warm, the Magic Ring on his ring finger was cold, the Brand in his palm was painful, and the Lip Print on his neck was itchy.
He could even imagine that if the masters of these four forces exerted their power simultaneously, he would be instantly torn to shreds from four different directions.
Alicia, Vivian, Lilith, and Ignis—they stood guard around him, none of them speaking.
That silence was more unnerving than any previous argument.
They weren’t arguing anymore.
Because they had already completed the preliminary division of property.
Like four bandits, after dividing the spoils, they silently monitored each other, and also monitored the “loot” that had been thoroughly carved up.
Lynn didn’t even dare to move.
He was afraid that even a slight turn of his head would be interpreted as “favoring” one side, thus shattering this fragile peace and inviting even more terrifying consequences.
Just as this suffocating atmosphere hung in the air, a series of hurried, heavy footsteps approached from afar, shattering the deathly silence.
Thud, thud, thud—
It was the sound of metal boots stomping on stone.
There was more than one person; it sounded like a fully armed squad.
Alicia frowned. She didn’t like outsiders disturbing her appreciation of her “collection.”
Vivian’s hand rested on her sword hilt, her eyes alert.
Lilith, however, revealed an intrigued smile, as if anticipating the opening of some interesting drama.
Bang!
The door to the hall was violently slammed open.
A man wearing the armor of the Slan Royal Family’s elite knights rushed in, followed by several knights in similar attire.
The leading knight looked frantic.
When his gaze swept across the room and finally settled on Vivian, that franticness instantly transformed into wild joy.
“Your Highness Vivian! You really are here! Thank the God of Griffins, you’re safe!”
The knight strode forward, dropping to one knee in a standard, powerful motion.
Vivian didn’t look at him.
Her gaze remained firmly locked on Lynn.
“Captain Roland, who gave you permission to bring people here?”
Her voice was cold, tinged with displeasure at being disturbed.
The knight named Roland was taken aback.
He had never heard Vivian speak to him in this tone before.
He looked up, following Vivian’s line of sight, and finally noticed the man lying on the floor.
A man with tattered clothes, covered in wounds, looking utterly wretched.
And their Knight Commander, the proudest lioness on the continent, was actually standing guard over this man like a protector, alongside the Saintess of the Church and a little girl of unknown origin.
Roland’s mind struggled to process it.
He saw Vivian’s longsword stuck in the wrecked golem, saw the signs of battle all around, and a thought instantly formed in his mind.
“Your Highness! Did this man harm you?”
He sprang to his feet, drawing the sword at his waist and pointing it at Lynn.
“Don’t worry, we’re here to rescue you! His Majesty the King has issued the highest wanted order. We will not let this scoundrel who dared to abduct the Saintess and the Kingdom’s Knight Commander escape!”
Abduction?
Scoundrel?
Lynn blinked, wondering if he was hallucinating from blood loss.
Roland didn’t give him time to think.
He pulled out a scroll of parchment from his chest and unfurled it with a whoosh.
It was an exquisitely crafted wanted poster, featuring a portrait of Lynn drawn with the most masterful skill.
It looked quite accurate.
Below the portrait was a line of shocking, blood-red ink written in large, bold characters.
[Nationwide Manhunt: The Evil Succubus-Man]
Lynn’s eye twitched.
What the hell?
Succubus-Man?
Captain Roland cleared his throat and, in a solemn and indignant tone, loudly recited the crimes listed on the wanted poster.
“Name: Lynn. Identity unknown, origin suspicious.”
“Crime One: Using unknown evil arts to bewitch the Imperial Saintess Alicia, causing her to abandon her holy duties and leave the Holy Capital without authorization.”
Alicia lifted her eyelids.
Her golden eyes held not a ripple, as if listening to a story that had nothing to do with her.
“Crime Two: Using despicable means to seduce the Captain of the Slan Kingdom’s First Knight Order, Vivian Slan, causing her to neglect her duties, disappear without a trace, and seriously endanger the Kingdom’s security.”
Vivian’s face darkened.
The knuckles of her fingers gripping the sword hilt turned white.
Unaware of the changing atmosphere, Roland continued to read aloud:
“Crime Three: According to the joint investigation by the Church and the Royal Family, this person is highly likely to be a rare male succubus, or has made a contract with an abyssal demon. Using the guise of a human male, he specializes in preying on powerful women of pure mind by spreading a corrupting aura, transforming them into his slaves.”
“…”
Lynn completely lost the will to speak.
He just wanted to die right now.
He finally understood why, despite being in such a miserable state, the Blackening Values on his system panel still hadn’t dropped.
So, in the eyes of outsiders, he was the mastermind, the ultimate villain who toyed with innocent maidens?
This scapegoat was heavier than the entire “Scavenger” organization combined.
“Given that his actions pose a grave threat to the peace of the continent, the highest-level ‘Red Wanted Order’ is hereby issued. Anyone providing information leading to his capture will receive a reward of ten thousand gold coins. Anyone who kills or captures him alive will be granted a hereditary earldom, along with the blessings of the Church and the friendship of the Royal Family!”
After Roland finished reading, the entire hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The knights behind him were breathing heavily, looking at Lynn as if he were a walking mountain of gold and a title.
“Your Highness Vivian, Your Grace Saintess, you have nothing to fear now.”
Roland put away the wanted poster, his face full of righteous conviction.
“We will now apprehend this demon and escort him back to the Royal Capital to face the dual Judgment of Holy Light and Royal Law!”
As he spoke, he raised his sword and began to walk towards Lynn.
“Halt.”
Vivian spoke.
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it froze Roland in his tracks.
“Who gave you the audacity to point a sword at him?”
Roland was dumbfounded.
“Your Highness? I… I’m here to rescue you! Are you under the influence of his evil magic? Please, come to your senses!”
“I am perfectly clear-headed.” Vivian turned to face him, looking at him directly for the first time. “Roland, you are clear-headed too. So, sheathe your sword, take your men, and get out.”
“Your Highness!”
Roland grew frantic.
“This is the King’s order! You cannot shield a demon!”
“Demon?”
Another voice spoke up, soft, holy, yet carrying a chill that made one’s bones ache.
Alicia slowly rose to her feet, brushing off her immaculate white robe.
“What right does a secular king have to define a ‘demon’?”
She walked towards Roland, each step seeming to fall in time with everyone’s heartbeat.
“Your eyes are blinded by stupidity and greed. What you see is no demon.”
She stopped before Roland and extended a finger, lightly tapping the blade of his sword.
“It is, the last ‘Holy Artifact’ bestowed upon this filthy world by God.”
“And you,” her voice suddenly turned icy, “you mortals, who dare to try and touch the ‘Holy Artifact’ with your filthy hands, are the true… blasphemers.”
Crack.
Roland’s steel-crafted Knight’s Longsword began to shatter from the point Alicia’s finger touched, turning into a pile of iron filings on the floor.
Roland stumbled back in fright, staring at the Saintess in horror.
The Saintess in his memory was always gentle and compassionate.
Who was this woman before him?
“Giggle.”
Lilith’s laughter rang out, clear as a silver bell.
She also stood up, walked over to Lynn, crouched down, and hugged Lynn’s uninjured left arm.
“Big Brother is no succubus.”
She looked up at Roland and the knights behind him with her large, innocent eyes.
“He’s just… too likable, that’s all.”
Her gaze swept over the faces of the knights, her smile sweet.
“Likable to the point… where everyone wants to hide him away, not let anyone else see.”
“Do you want to see him too?”
Her voice carried a naive, yet deadly malice.
“That won’t do.”
“Because, Brother is ours.”
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