Jack’s words prompted most of the guests to nod in agreement. Those who didn’t nod expressed their questions through their eyes: What exactly happened?
Jack turned to meet their gazes, his voice calm and steady as he continued, “As some of you may have noticed, our family has faced a grave incident.”
“…!”
“Hmm…”
“What…?”
The guests reacted variably to Jack’s statement.
Some looked shocked, as if they hadn’t expected him to speak so openly.
Others let out soft groans of sympathy, while a few wore expressions demanding an explanation.
Observing their reactions, Jack continued, “My father was ambushed by unknown assailants—within the duchy, in his own chambers. As a result, he was on the brink of death.”
The guests fell silent, listening intently.
They had no choice.
The former duke of the Belmar Duchy, attacked in his own bedroom?
Speaking carelessly could earn the duchy’s ire, a risk no one could afford—not in the Ramuran Kingdom, nor anywhere else, given Belmar’s influence.
“The assailant is this man,” Jack said, pointing to Elgrin. “He demanded our family’s treasure in exchange for my father’s life.”
He then gestured to the ten frozen figures, adding, “These subdued individuals belong to the same organization.”
“…!”
“…!”
The guests were stunned.
The identities of the frozen figures were staggering: a renowned artist, a noble’s heir, a celebrated mage.
That they were part of one organization was unthinkable, especially for those who knew them personally.
Jack’s gaze settled on the middle-aged man who had spoken first—Vice, leader of the Vice Mercenary Corps.
His eyes brimmed with disbelief, as if demanding proof. He wasn’t alone; as time passed, skepticism began to surface on other guests’ faces.
Jack remained unfazed, having already discussed this with Gaon. With a serene expression, he said, “I understand it’s hard to believe.”
“Do you have evidence?” Vice asked, swallowing hard. “As you know, Leturin is the youngest son of the Turiang County. To think he’d be involved in something so outrageous…”
“Vice, I understand your concerns,” Jack interrupted. Leturin was part of Vice’s mercenary corps, but not through formal recruitment.
The Turiang County had paid handsomely to have him gain experience.
If Leturin were implicated, Vice would face their wrath—a legitimate worry, as the Vice Mercenary Corps paled in comparison to Turiang’s influence.
But understanding didn’t mean acceptance.
“Is the name Belmar not intimidating enough?” Jack’s voice sharpened.
“T-that’s not…” Vice stammered.
“I said my father was ambushed!” Jack slammed the dais, his anger flaring. “Do you think I’d act without evidence?”
He dropped all formalities, his tone commanding. The guests showed no defiance or offense, only wary glances, mindful of his authority.
Gaon, watching Jack, thought, He’s just like Ted in his youth. The resemblance was uncanny, as if Ted had been reborn.
Then, Jack, having seized control with his outburst, glanced at Gaon.
Gaon smiled faintly and stepped forward. It was time to present the promised evidence.
He extended his hand, and one of the frozen figures floated closer—Leturin, the one Vice was concerned about. Gaon placed his hand on the ice encasing Leturin and infused it with Pacheongi.
The energy penetrated the ice, reaching Leturin’s body, not to break the seal but to dismantle the barrier concealing his magi.
The Pacheongi reached the barrier.
Swish!
The barrier tore apart, and the confined magi surged forth, spreading through Leturin’s body.
His bronze skin turned pale, his eyes blackened, devoid of whites, and magi began emanating from him.
Crackle!
The magi caused cracks in the ice, but they didn’t spread further—Gaon’s control ensured it.
He turned to the guests. Previously, only he could sense the magi. Now, it was palpable to anyone with awakened ki sensitivity, whether trained in martial arts, magic, or shamanism.
“This energy…!”
“Magi!”
“How could Leturin have magi!”
Most of Belmar’s guests had awakened ki sensitivity and were horrified by the magi they now sensed. Murmurs filled the hall.
“This can’t be…” Vice, too, stared at Leturin in disbelief.
Gaon extended his hand again, and another frozen figure—a woman—floated forward. He repeated the process, dismantling her magi barrier. Her skin turned black, her eyes glowed red, and magi radiated from her.
Following Leturin, her transformation intensified the guests’ reactions. Anger and contempt appeared on their faces.
Not all ten hid magi—only four, including these two, did. The other six lacked it, which is why Gaon initially missed Elgrin’s lie about there being only five operatives. Without direct inspection, he might have believed Elgrin.
Gaon turned to Jack. “I’ll head back to the interrogation.”
The guests’ reactions confirmed there’d be no further skepticism. His presence here was no longer needed.
“Yes, I’ll wrap up and join you soon,” Jack replied.
Gaon nodded slightly and left with the eleven Abyss members, including Elgrin, floating behind him. The guests watched, curiosity burning in their eyes, but none dared to speak or block his path.
As Gaon exited Belmar Hall, Jack’s voice echoed behind him:
“You’ve all seen it. These traitors to humanity are involved. I have no intention of letting this slide. Starting with Turiang County…”
Gaon thought, The Ramuran Kingdom is in good hands.
Though not as infiltrated as Bretan, the Ramuran Kingdom likely had deep Abyss roots. But with Jack taking action, those roots would soon be eradicated, even if it wouldn’t be easy.
Upon reaching the interrogation room, Gaon placed one hand on Leturin’s ice and another on the woman’s, infusing Pacheongi to dismantle their seals piece by piece.
He also nullified their Painless Secret Art, then waved his hand, sending them to a corner.
Two more frozen figures floated forward, and he repeated the process, dismantling their seals and arts before sending them aside.
In moments, all six remaining operatives were processed.
Preparations were complete. It was time for thorough interrogations, starting with Elgrin.
What kind of reaction will he show?
Gaon was curious how Elgrin would react to seeing the ten operatives, realizing his lie about “five” was exposed. He infused Pacheongi into Elgrin’s body, subtly applying Bone-Crushing Agony.
“Ugh!” Elgrin woke with a scream.
Gaon paused the technique.
“Hah… hah…” Elgrin panted, looking up at Gaon, then past him to the corner.
“…?” Confusion crossed his face.
“…!” Then, shock replaced it.
Gaon smirked. “You said five, didn’t you?”
“T-that’s…” Elgrin stammered, visibly panicked.
“One minute per person,” Gaon said.
“W-wait!” Elgrin shouted, realizing the implication.
Gaon ignored him, resuming Bone-Crushing Agony.
“Arghhh!” Elgrin screamed.
Gaon turned, and Leturin floated forward.
Crackle!
Gaon touched the ice, shattering it instantly despite its resistance to magi. He infused Pacheongi to wake Leturin.
“Hmm?” Leturin groaned, stirring.
Gaon immediately applied Bone-Crushing Agony. Normally, he’d converse first, but with so many to interrogate and the risk of lies like Elgrin’s, he opted to instill fear and pain first.
“Arghhh!” Leturin screamed.
Gaon extended his hand, and the woman whose seal was dismantled floated forward.
—
Meanwhile, Jack addressed the guests, trailing off, “What happened today…”
He scanned their varied expressions—bitterness, excitement, anger—all stemming from the revelation that their companions were traitors to humanity. After observing them, he continued, “I’d like this to stay between us.”
“…!”
“What?”
The guests were puzzled. Keep traitors a secret?
“Not forever,” Jack clarified. “Just for one week. Please keep it confidential for seven days.”
“After that, can we speak of it?” a guest asked.
“I’ll announce it myself after a week,” Jack said. “Will you join me?”
“I, Elvart, swear!” A towering man over 2 meters tall, built like a bear, was the first to respond. “I vow to aid the Belmar Duchy in punishing these traitors!”
Following Elvart’s pledge, others swore to assist in rooting out the betrayers.
Then, a curious voice broke through, “But… who was that man earlier?”
The question about Gaon silenced the hall. The guests had been wondering about his identity.
Jack smiled. “That was Lord Gaon.”
“…?”
“…?”
Most guests looked confused, unfamiliar with the name.
Jack wasn’t surprised; it was a natural reaction.
Then, a voice gasped, “No way…”
Jack turned to the speaker—Parka, a 5th Circle high mage.
“Could it be… the first Tower Master of Gardion, that Gaon?” Parka asked.
He’d initially dismissed the idea.
The first Tower Master Gaon was a figure from the distant past. But given Jack’s deference and the archmage-level spells displayed, it could only be that Gaon.
The guests scoffed at the notion, but Jack’s smile widened. “Yes, it is that Lord Gaon.”
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