Chapter 77: The Battle of Valles Square

Valles Clocktower Square.

The Knights of Kerten and the cult members had gathered to confront the Nervan Cult.

They had successfully annihilated the Nervan Cultists.

The situation seemed to have been resolved.

However, a strange phenomenon that occurred at the end was holding them back.

‘What on earth was that sight from earlier?’

‘Was it a mirage, or some kind of spell?’

Figures with translucent bodies began to appear.

They forbade any interference and soon activated a magic circle to cast a spell.

A beam of light shot up from the center of the magic circle.

A Lamakria Person stepped into it.

What unfolded next was unbelievable.

The Lamakria Person transformed into a beautiful winged woman.

Radiating dazzling light all over her body, she displayed a beauty so breathtaking that anyone would be mesmerized.

But that thought did not last long.

The oppressive aura she exuded overwhelmed everyone nearby.

When Evan appeared late in the square and fought her, everyone felt fear because of the power she wielded.

Evan fought the woman until he was on the brink of death but was nearly driven to the point of being killed outright.

‘The intimidation was terrifying.’

That was when Evan appeared.

He fought.

Everyone held their breath, watching the battle between Evan and the woman.

But the situation was grim.

Everyone expected Evan to lose; the gap between them was overwhelming.

The turning point came shortly after.

‘Light burst forth from the mirror, and the situation suddenly changed.’

Clyd didn’t understand what kind of transformation the light caused, but it was certain that it played a decisive role in Evan’s victory.

Then, all the illusions vanished as if they had never existed.

“Was that just now the young master?”

“What did we just witness?”

Clyd and Delian were equally confused.

“Father, what was that just now…?”

Clyd couldn’t respond to Delian’s question.

For the first time, he had watched Evan fight.

The sight was truly shocking.

He had never imagined that Evan, who had grown up sheltered like a greenhouse flower, could fight with such skilled movements.

Moreover, although he didn’t know exactly who the winged woman was, he understood from her wings that she wasn’t human.

‘Should he consider her a being from myth?’

Regardless, Evan faced such a creature and displayed astonishing prowess.

‘Above all, his mental strength.’

Even when his whole body was battered and torn, he kept moving to take down his enemy.

His movements showed not an ounce of hesitation or fear.

Clyd couldn’t help but recognize his determination and decisiveness.

Truly the exemplar of a knight.

‘It reminded me of that person.’

Not a single aspect of Evan’s performance resembled the Evan Clyd knew.

Before organizing his thoughts, Clyd asked Delian.

“Delian, what did you feel when you saw your brother?”

Delian shook his head.

“…I don’t know either. He was supposed to be someone without mana. How could he wield Aura like that? And that kind of sword art—I’ve never seen anything like it before. Also…”

Delian struggled to continue.

Evan’s appearance was that shocking.

“…Sorry, I think I got a bit too excited.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Clyd understood Delian’s feelings.

His own heart was troubled because of Evan.

So he had to think hard.

Whether it was right to bring this up or not.

But his heart had already tipped.

“We need to reconsider the succession.”

“!”

Delian’s pupils shook.

He quickly answered.

“Lord of the family! I will bear the burden of the family! I’ve been preparing for this all along. I’m ready for anything…”

This was not out of personal greed.

If he could avoid it, he would also avoid the position of head of the family.

But if he didn’t bear this heavy burden, who else would?

Especially, he could never hand over this position to his brother.

His brother bore deep wounds of the heart. Delian knew this better than anyone.

Because of his pure nature, he was easily hurt, quickly discouraged, and easily broken.

He could never leave such a brother alone.

Moreover, the position of head of the Marquisate was not a glory but a shackle tightening around the neck.

Especially in the Ruphes Kingdom.

As Delian grew and underwent succession training, he belatedly realized the heavy burden their father carried.

‘It’s a weight my brother cannot bear.’

He hated seeing his family hurt.

He hated even more to see them suffer, swayed by others.

‘I must sacrifice myself.’

He didn’t care if it was selfish.

Clyd, seeing Delian’s determined gaze, slowly spoke.

“No matter what, if you are qualified, the opportunity will be given fairly. If you want this position, prove confidently that you are fit to be the head.”

At Clyd’s resolute words, Delian replied weakly.

“…Understood.”

Though he had hesitated about succession, this event gave him the resolve to firm his heart.

Just then.

“Ugh! Hey… help me!”

A strained voice came from somewhere.

Everyone’s attention, including Clyd and Delian’s, focused toward the clocktower.

There, they saw Darwen, battered and bruised, carrying Evan on his back.

Clyd loudly ordered the cult members.

“Hurry! Begin treatment immediately!”

“Brother!”

Delian rushed toward Evan.

Nearby, Kairon asked Jena as they watched.

“You recorded everything properly, right?”

“Yes.”

Jena handed a crystal to Kairon.

A memory crystal capable of recording all events.

It was a special magical tool obtained from the Magical Tower.

Executioners needed evidence to carry out heretic trials.

To prevent indiscriminate witch hunts disguised as mass killings in the past, the Holy Union had imposed strict rules that required proof that heresy existed before trials could proceed.

Thus, Executioners always carried a memory crystal.

“We’ve secured evidence. This incident will be considered the act of the Lamakria People. They were indeed aiding the Nervan Cult behind the scenes. Summoning their evil god.”

“Eh? Evil god?”

Jena’s eyes widened.

Though she was a Shinkan who believed in the gods, except for the saints who received direct oracles, the existence of gods was an abstract concept to most.

Lower-level Shinkans knew very little.

Of course, the divine power she used originated from the Venus Goddess, but she wielded it as if it were familiar.

For her, to be told that someone could see a god directly was a great shock.

“Th-that can’t be.”

“There are many secrets you don’t know. You’ll naturally come to understand when you advance to the rank of Chief Shinkan. For now, consider this useful learning as a Shinkan.”

“…Executioner, have you experienced such things before?”

“No, this direct encounter is my first, but…”

He seemed to recall something but refrained from speaking.

“In any case, the higher-ups will decide.”

Kairon had recorded and documented everything as the incident unfolded.

This could never be overlooked.

“This will be reported to Bellium and the Great Council.”

“…The Great Council.”

The highest authority within the Holy Union specialized in heretic handling.

Just hearing their name was oppressive.

They would never stop until heresy was completely eradicated.

Ruthless and brutal.

Being entangled with them would be far from simply tiring.

“By the way, Shinkan, you said you are currently in charge of that young master?”

Jena, coming back to her senses, answered.

“Yes. That is Evan whom I reported on.”

“Go immediately and treat him directly. No matter what, stay by his side. I’ll inform the Marquis.”

“Steel your heart. Your duty will become heavier. The Great Council will also watch over your whereabouts from now on.”

Jena swallowed nervously and nodded.

***

In Evan’s room, Darwen and Jena kept watch.

Evan was still unconscious.

Jena, as a Shinkan, was there to treat Evan, and Darwen was present to testify about the incident on Evan’s behalf.

Darwen looked at Evan, lying there with a smile.

“Really, that was close to death this time.”

Jena next to him shook her head.

“Too reckless. No, more than that, how did you even get there?”

Darwen thought for a moment and made an excuse.

“I happened to discover and follow those bastards. You’ll hear the full story from your superior anyway.”

“Understood.”

Darwen watched over the unconscious Evan for a while before moving.

“I should be going soon. Please take care of the young master.”

Darwen tousled his own hair and sighed deeply.

Everyone had gathered in the reception room.

They were about to begin investigating the truth of this incident.

The problem was that high-ranking officials from the South Holy Union were also present.

‘Of all places, those guys were watching from the square.’

Thinking of the Northern Holy Union back home, Darwen’s head throbbed.

His involvement with the cult had never ended cleanly.

The Southern Holy Union was less severe than the North but was essentially the same breed.

After one last glance at Evan’s face, Darwen opened the door and left.

***

As he left, a brief silence fell in the room.

Jena lowered her head to examine Evan’s face.

“…Young master. We’ll be together again like this. It seems the Venus Goddess is keeping your fate tied to hers.”

She chuckled softly to herself.

Drawing more Holy Power, she continued applying healing magic to Evan’s body.

Hwaaah!

Healing light burst from her hands.

While many external wounds had healed, his internal injuries were severe.

‘Muscles are torn, and the flow of mana is a mess.’

Considering the final blow he had delivered that brought down the goddess, this was an expected result.

Jena wiped cold sweat and focused on healing.

At that moment, Evan’s eyes suddenly snapped open.

“Ah! Young master, you’re waking up?”

Startled, Jena looked at Evan.

“Where am I…?”

Evan winced and tried to lift his upper body.

“Lie down. Treatment is still ongoing.”

“Ugh!”

He was still weakened from the attacks by the false goddess and the aftereffects of using divine power.

If not for Jena’s healing magic, he wouldn’t have even been able to move.

Evan recalled a bit.

‘I collapsed right after dealing with the false goddess.’

He was lucky.

‘What I faced was only the body of the goddess, but the consciousness was Agarrus.’

If it had been a true god’s consciousness using full divine power, just thinking about it was terrifying.

‘Is this now the critical period?’

Evan thought about what lay ahead.

He had revealed all his power in front of everyone, including Clyd and Delian.

Maybe not immediately, but he would have to explain.

This would bring about a significant change in succession.

‘I need to discuss this with Darwen.’

“By the way, where is the Marquess?”

“He went to give testimony regarding this incident.”

“I see…”

It seemed he would cover the Nervan Cult affair on Evan’s behalf.

‘That’s for the best. I didn’t want to worry about that part anyway.’

That meant his next task was clear.

Evan opened his inventory.

First, to check the spoils.

‘We purified the Supernatural Mirror.’

Items obtained through the Jewel of Oblivion.

The Celestial Mirror, Cheongyeong.

He was curious about what power it held.

‘That thing used absurd power through the Supernatural Mirror.’

Evan eagerly brought up the information screen of Cheongyeong.