Chapter 67 : Not to Be Trusted

So that’s why.

No wonder they could slaughter the people of this land without hesitation—because their patron was none other than the lord of this very territory.

Li Wen asked no further questions.

She simply turned and walked away.

The mercenaries all let out a collective sigh of relief, believing they had narrowly escaped with their lives.

None of them noticed the ground beneath their feet beginning to split open, as tender green vines sprouted upward.

These vile scum, guilty of every imaginable crime, were hardly worth sparing.

Li Wen had no intention of leaving a single one alive.

Before stepping into the camp, she had already set up a ritual formation around it—an enchantment called Animated Grove.

The spell would drive plants into a frenzy of growth, heightening their aggression toward living creatures.

Once entangled, the victim would become nourishment for the plants.

Normally, the ritual was used to dispose of corpses, but it could just as easily strangle a whole crowd of mortals at once.

On her way in, Li Wen had already confirmed there were no innocents or captives here.

As for the bodies from their recent massacre, they were likely already delivered into the hands of that so-called nobleman.

Li Wen had found no trace of them.

“You are exactly as I imagined, girl,” the raven-shaped demon fairy cackled.

“Are you referring to my ability to kill without batting an eye? If so—thank you for the compliment.”

In her previous life, she had used people like this often enough—ritual sacrifices to replenish her waning spirit.

Even trash had its uses; scum had their value.

Better for them to become her stepping stones to greater heights than to be left free to commit further atrocities.

Marsha said nothing, only watching Li Wen with a look heavy with meaning.

Li Wen, however, was already planning her next move.

The true mastermind behind this massacre was none other than the lord of this land.

But did Wilson, as lord, have the right to kill his own subjects?

The answer was no.

According to the laws of the Kingdom of Arthur, even a lord could only kill his own slaves without punishment.

And even if he killed a slave belonging to one of his subjects, he was required to compensate the owner.

A village massacre was far beyond the killing of a single individual.

If the kingdom’s leadership learned of it, the perpetrator would undoubtedly be charged with treason.

Wilson had been careful enough not to use his own men, instead hiring a band of blood-soaked mercenaries to do the job.

But that was the extent of his cunning.

He had not layered his scheme deeply enough—it was far too easy to trace back to him.

Either he was supremely confident, or simply a fool.

Li Wen resolved to pay this “nobleman” a visit.

His castle wasn’t far.

Captain Xu En’s investigation team had just concluded their deep probe into the Ark Town orphanage.

The results were unexpected—the great fire that had consumed the orphanage was not caused by magic.

This meant it was not the work of the same culprit who had set fire to the church.

Instead, the orphanage blaze had been started with an alchemical device known as Greyfire.

It was extremely powerful, simple to produce, and within the capabilities of even an apprentice with a basic understanding of alchemy and potion-making.

Xu En had recovered eighty-one charred bodies.

According to the old mayor, there had been eighty-two people in the orphanage, including its administrator.

Which meant one was missing—and that one was very likely the arsonist.

“The divination is complete,” said the team’s astrologer, finally lifting her gaze from her crystal ball.

“The missing one is a Duvei.”

“A Duvei?”

Xu En frowned.

His impression of the Duvei people was of swindlers, thieves, slavers, and purveyors of certain heretical creeds.

The kingdom’s Inspectorate arrested Duvei every day for crimes involving supernatural forces.

This Duvei arsonist was likely connected to the church fire—but exactly how, Xu En could not yet say.

“He’s headed toward Leicester. If we set out now, we can catch him before four tomorrow afternoon,” the astrologer added.

Xu En nodded, acknowledging the information.

But in his mind, another question loomed—was this Duvei truly the main suspect in the entire affair?

Or… was he just a decoy, bait thrown to them on purpose?

“Captain Xu En…”

Xu En turned to find the old priest watching him with a grave expression.

“What is it, Pastor Ed?”

The old priest shook his head.

“I’m getting old.

My strength isn’t what it used to be.

If I don’t rest soon, these old bones might fall apart.

So I wanted to let you know, Captain, I’ll be leaving for now.”

“You’ve worked hard, Pastor Ed,” Xu En said in understanding.

The old priest shuffled away.

But he did not return to the team’s temporary lodging in Ark Town.

Instead, he slipped past all watchful eyes and stopped in a deserted corner.

Suddenly, he dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the ground, muttering words—not hymns of praise to the Radiance, but a dark, blasphemous litany.

A darkness deeper than the midnight sky fell abruptly over him.

From behind, came the sound of cloth boots on stone.

The steps were slow, yet each was steady and deliberate—like those of an aged gentleman.

When the footsteps halted behind him, the old priest dared not look up.

He pressed his head hard against the cold ground, not opening his eyes, his body shaking like a man awaiting the noose.

“Ah, my great master… Lord Siswell…” he said loudly, voice trembling with irrepressible fear.

I have followed your instructions—tampered with the scene before the Inspectorate arrived.

They have been misled.

They will never uncover the truth…

My lord, Mog has perished.

I swear upon my worthless life that I will guard all your secrets.

Any eyes that dare to spy upon our grand work will be gouged out!

I know the Inspectorate’s hounds are already sniffing around—Xu En and the rest of those damned dogs.

Their so-called investigation is nothing but a cover.

But fear not—I already have a way to deal with them…

Wilson—that greedy, blood-sucking worm, that filthy swine—will solve all our problems for us, and leave no trace behind.

“The ritual is complete. Our great work will succeed! When that time comes, none shall stand in our way—the dark dawn will stain the sky with ink!”

By the time he reached his final words, the priest’s eyes were open, blazing with fanaticism alongside his fear.

The footsteps retreated, taking the darkness with them.

The old priest exhaled in relief, collapsing limply to the ground.

His clothes were drenched in sweat, as though he had just been pulled from the depths of a river.

In the end, Captain Xu En chose to go after the Duvei rather than pursue the mysterious figure who had burned the church and killed the priest.

When his teammates voiced their doubts, he answered coldly:

“Pastor Ed and that nun’s words—cannot be trusted.”