https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-785-Lanchi-Returns-to-the-Honing-Empire-Part-2-/12585513/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-786-The-Black-Sun-Tyrant-s-Moment-of-Blessing-Part-2-/12585515/
Chapter 786: The Black Sun Tyrant's Moment of Blessing (Part 1)
Chapter 786: The Black Sun Tyrant's Moment of Blessing (Part 1)
"Hmm? Why is there an option to interrogate the townspeople? Did Rankloos really think about doing that back then?" Talia wondered aloud as she finished reading.
The image of a dignified and solemn Rankloos that she had imagined suddenly transformed into something reminiscent of Ranch.
"I wouldn't do something like that either," Ranch replied to Talia's unspoken accusation.
"Fair enough," Talia conceded after a moment's thought. She imagined Ranch would opt for a more elegant method of interrogation. After all, in Talia's experience, Ranch never got his hands dirty or stained them with blood. But he had countless other ways to make people suffer.
"I'd have a nice chat with them about dreams and the future, and make them fall in love with me willingly, forming a consciousness collective," Ranch mused, considering how he would approach the situation. He was an expert at weeding out internal traitors. Back in Lichten's Castle, he had effortlessly exposed the two imposters.
"You call that talking about dreams and the future?" Talia challenged him.
"That's straight-up brainwashing and cult recruitment!"
"..."
Ranch sat in the church of Yelm Town in the Hansabeck Province, hesitating in response to the elderly mayor's question. His gaze shifted between the mayor and the rose window behind him.
It was clear that a critical event had been triggered, and he couldn't simply choose option A and do nothing. Interrogating the townspeople was taking it too far, though.
"Let's take on the request," Ranch decided without further discussion, selecting option C. Talia would likely have made the same choice.
His gaze shifted to the third option on the rose window, and he nodded.
[You have received a request in a small town in the central province of the Honing Empire, Hansabeck.]
[You put aside your remaining time and any concerns about returning to your homeland. You are certain that what lies before you is of utmost importance, and everything else is irrelevant. You begin your investigation.]
The transparent words of the Tebiriuss Mirror on the rose window began to extend like worms.
Ranch's perspective started to shift.
[In the province of Hansabeck, there lies an ancient city-state called Soren.]
Located in the northern reaches of Hansabeck, Soren was bathed in the midday sun, its colorful glass windows casting a vibrant glow on the city's ancient and elegant architecture.
On this day, Soren welcomed a traveling merchant.
Randall, the merchant, had soft eyes and gentle features, and his gray attire only added to his understated appearance. Yet, despite his unassuming demeanor, he possessed a power unknown to others.
[The first step of your investigation takes you to the Soren branch of the Prosperous Merchant Association, where Randall's identity is based.]
[Here, you can gain numerous conveniences. Not only can you gather information through word of mouth, but you can also purchase intelligence directly.]
As soon as Ranch stepped through the doors of the merchant association, he overheard the whispered conversations of the Soren merchants.
"I heard that someone spotted a demon in the woods outside Vioke City to the south last night."
"A demon? Aren't those just creatures from rumors? Do they really exist?"
"Who knows? It seems the rumors are more than just talk now. There are more and more eyewitnesses and victims. The Empire can't keep a lid on it anymore."
[You listen to the idle chatter of the people as you walk among them.]
"Tsk, with vampires around, what do we have to fear? Those demons would have to turn the world upside down to wipe us all out."
Some scoffed at the notion.
In their eyes, demons were nothing but fictitious creations of ignorant fools, too absurd to be taken seriously.
During times like these, it was difficult to discern truth from fiction, and opinions varied greatly on matters that could incite panic.
Ranch walked silently through the merchant association, offering no comments of his own.
"If the rumors have spread this far, there's a high probability they're true," Talia remarked.
As a witness to the events in Pari, the capital of the Birsen Kingdom, she was all too familiar with this situation.
The existence of demons was likely real. Moreover, the severity of the situation far exceeded that of Pari.
However, she couldn't fathom where these demons had come from.
Logically, Rankloos should have been the last demon.
"Then we must capture a demon and find out for ourselves," Ranch asserted, confident that fulfilling the elderly mayor's request wouldn't conflict with Rankloos' goals.
As long as they could find clues about the demons and come face to face with them, some of the mysteries would surely unravel. And with the accelerated simulation of the Tebiriuss Mirror, he expected to see results soon.
[You presented your merchant association credentials to the reception staff, and they immediately accorded you the highest level of hospitality. The local branch president invited you to the VIP room for a detailed discussion.]
...
In the luxurious VIP room at the top of the merchant association building.
Several wealthy merchants in exquisite attire were seated around a short sandalwood tea table, engaged in conversation.
"Speaking of demons, the rumors have certainly added a bit of excitement to our lives. The masters in my mansion have already begun discussing what these demons might look like."
One of the merchants jested.
"We're doing alright here in our city, but it's the city-state of Vioke further south that seems to be dealing with actual demons."
"There's little room for doubt. Those are definitely demons."
Today, a high-ranking inspector from outside the province, a man named Randall, had come to the merchant association in their city-state. Mr. Randall was interested in learning about the demons, so the association president had gathered them here to introduce him to Randall.
As prominent figures in the city-state, they were often among the first to receive intelligence.
"Absolute nonsense," the middle-aged man with a hawkish nose scoffed, "Demons are nothing but stories made up by lunatics to scare three-year-old children."
He mimicked the voice of a common citizen, deliberately mocking those who refused to believe in the existence of demons.
The topic of demons didn't dissipate despite the disdain of some citizens.
Just a couple of days ago, shocking news spread throughout Soren—
To the south, in Vioke City, two knights patrolling the outskirts of the city at night had been attacked. Eyewitnesses claimed that the assailant was a monster with red scales, red eyes, and an ugly visage.
The rumors grew wilder, and fear gripped the city.
If a neighboring city-state had fallen victim to demons, it was only a matter of time before they reached Soren.
"The mayor of Vioke has already reported the situation to the Hansabeck Province and the capital of Saint Trick. We've increased our nightly patrols here in Soren to ensure the safety of our citizens. However, to prevent widespread panic, we haven't exaggerated the threat of the demons," the merchants in the VIP room discussed.
Ranch sat quietly among them, listening and occasionally nodding.
Several magic lamps illuminated the room, casting their flickering daylight shadows on the walls.
And then, the entire scene dimmed, and by the time Ranch could see clearly again, he was no longer in the merchant guild's VIP room.
[Based on the information you obtained, you head south to the city-state of Vioke, the place where the demons are most likely to appear.]
[It seems that the further south you go, the more certain the news about the demons becomes.]
[Vioke City has neither vampires nor demons; everyone is human.]
[You are quite sure of this point after using your scouting magic, as if the demons don't exist at all.]
[You understand that it is precisely because of this that the demons are causing panic, and people can't even determine if they are real or not.]
Night fell.
A full moon hung high in the sky, and the cold moonlight poured down like liquid silver.
Ranch carried his briefcase and wandered around the area like a newly arrived merchant.
"Now is not the time to be wandering about!"
A voice called out to him from behind.
Ranch turned around and saw a group of patrolling knights from Vioke City.
The knights looked tense, as if they had reluctantly taken on this dangerous mission.
Likewise, seeing a young man wandering aimlessly on the outskirts of the city at night, they couldn't help but suspect that he might turn into a demon at any second.
"Sorry."
Ranch raised his hand to indicate that he meant no harm.
[You talk to the knights, revealing your identity as a demon hunter, and slightly demonstrate your strength of the fifth rank and above.]
[The knights immediately look at you as their savior.]
[Because if you really wanted to harm them, they would have no means of resisting, so they are willing to believe that you are here to help them deal with the demons.]
[After a simple discussion, your relationship with them improves.]
[The knights are willing to cooperate with your plan of 'baiting and capturing'. They agree to ignore your wandering around and promise to call for you at the first sign of any demon.]
[You obtain some more information from the knights.]
[It seems there is more than one demon on the outskirts of the city.]
"Ah, Mr. Randall, we're counting on you."
The leading knight expressed his gratitude.
"Once you see a demon, don't hesitate, don't panic, and don't try to fight it alone. Just call for me, and I'll be there immediately."
Ranch instructed the knights.
As he watched the knights leave with heavy hearts, he shook his head secretly.
These knights must be brave enough to take on this dangerous mission that no one else wanted.
[You continue on your way, passing through a dense forest in the southeast corner of the outskirts.]
Suddenly,
A strange putrid smell drifted over, the stench of blood and flesh from something being devoured by a wild beast.
Ranch looked around, his gaze falling on a drainage ditch not far away.
Although he couldn't find the demon through his scouting magic, there were some physical traces that couldn't be erased.
"Looks like it's time for a visit."
He muttered to himself.
Silently approaching the drainage ditch, he carefully examined the surrounding traces with the faint light from his briefcase-shaped magic artifact.
Clear claw marks, broken branches, and spots of blood were visible.
Ranch noticed that there were two different sets of deformed footprints, one large and one small.
"It looks like there really is more than one demon."
Talia was also a little scared.
She could only watch what was happening and couldn't manifest physically, like watching a horror movie.
Chatting with Ranch was her only source of comfort.
"Master, don't be afraid. I'm here now."
Ranch's eyes were fixed on the distant, deep forest.
As soon as he finished speaking,
The cold wind howled, and the tree shadows swayed.
A red light appeared in the darkness.
It had a distorted, half-human, half-beast form, and its mouth emitted a chilling, maniacal laugh. Its blood-red eyes held a look of madness.
[You encounter a demon.]
[It is smaller than you imagined.]
[Just as you are about to subdue it.]
[You feel that something is wrong, and you hesitate.]
[Is it crying or laughing? Is it expressing its killing intent or trying to tell you something... asking for help?]
[You hear a panicked cry for help.]
"Help! It's a demon!"
From the other side of the outskirts, the knights' cries reached Ranch's ears.
[Without hesitation, you rush to the knights' aid.]
[Lives can be lost in an instant.]
At the same time, the knights were also confronted by a terrifying demon.
This was a genuine, large demon.
As despair filled their faces, a brilliant aurora pierced the night sky and struck the demon on its shoulder.
The demon howled in pain and fell to the ground, its wound bleeding profusely.
"Mr. Randall!"
The knights exclaimed in surprise.
They hadn't expected the demon hunter to arrive so swiftly.
They saw the merchant striding towards them, carrying an oil lamp.
[You don't deviate from your plan; you just want to capture the demon, not kill it. You have a lot of questions for the demon.]
[This demon is bigger than the one in the forest, standing at a height of two meters.]
[You believe the demon is rational, and you want to talk to it.]
[But before you can say anything.]
[The demon roars angrily and lunges at you.]
[You don't want to show off your full strength in front of the knights, so you use magic that you're not very good at to capture the demon without hurting the knights.]
Ranch dodged, and rocky spikes erupted from the ground, piercing the demon.
The demon screamed in agony; its red eyes blazed with fury as it lunged at Ranch again.
In that split second, golden chains shot out from the magic array beneath Ranch's feet, instantly binding the demon's limbs and body.
The demon was securely tied up and couldn't move.
Ranch took a step forward, looking at the demon, about to deliver the final blow.
"Roar!!!"
Unexpectedly, the demon opened its bloody maw and spat a thick, putrid stream of toxic liquid at Ranch.
Ranch couldn't dodge in time, and his left arm took the brunt of the attack.
Taking advantage of Ranch's moment of pain, the demon violently broke free of its bonds and fled into the forest.
"Mr. Randall, are you alright?"
Several knights immediately rushed over, concerned.
"I'm fine."
[You're just acting; there's no way this demon could hurt you.]
[If you captured the demon in front of the knights, you would have to hand it over to them, and there are some things you don't want to investigate publicly, so you deliberately let it escape, but you've already tracked its whereabouts and will capture it alone.]
[You tell the knights not to panic and run around. You'll take care of it and be back soon.]
The night deepened, and Lanchi made his way through the forest, searching for traces of the demon.
He was experiencing this illusion firsthand once more.
Along the way, intermittent bloodstains and claw marks led him on a relentless pursuit.
Finally, in a secluded basin hidden by the forest, he came upon a dying demon, with a smaller demon by its side.
The wounds on the larger demon were inflicted by none other than Lanchi himself.
The smaller demon nuzzled its head under the larger one's chin, emitting intermittent laughter that seemed more like sobs. It appeared to be laughing, but in reality, it was crying, as if begging the other not to leave.
Lanchi froze in his tracks.
This display of emotion left him dizzy and disoriented.
"This can't be... Why do these demons resemble a mother and child so closely?" Talia wondered aloud.
She, too, seemed to be deciphering the true meaning behind the demons' actions.
Though they seemed uncontrollably insane, they retained human emotions.
They resembled an innocent mother and child, forcibly transformed into these monstrous creatures by some unknown force.
"Demons are humans who have undergone modification surgery..." Lanchi mumbled, covering his forehead with his hand.
Just then, a rustling sound came from behind.
"...?"
Lanchi turned to see a group of knights emerging cautiously from the bushes.
Seemingly unable to shake their worries, they had decided to follow Mr. Randall.
"Mr. Randall, please wait!" The leading knight mustered the courage to speak. "This demon seems... different somehow."
His face was clouded with worry.
"What?" Lanchi frowned, asking for clarification.
"I've noticed that it seems to understand human language, and..." The leading knight's gaze shifted to the smaller demon. "...they may not want to harm anyone. Perhaps they're just foraging for food in this forest. Maybe we can try communicating with them?" he suggested hesitantly.
【Among the knights, there are evidently those who have become aware of the same issues that caught your attention.】
【Your actions in letting the demon escape have revealed more to the knights.】
【Things are becoming complicated.】
As Lanchi and the knights conversed, the dying demon mother on the ground suddenly stirred.
With great effort, she lifted her head to look in Lanchi's direction.
A strange glint shone in her eyes, which were on the brink of death.
It was as if she was pleading with him for something.
Lanchi stood stock-still.
The next moment, he suddenly raised his hand and pointed, sending a fierce gust of wind that knocked the knights to the ground.
Immediately afterward, dazzling flames erupted from the forest floor, engulfing the demon mother and child.
Tongues of fire licked the air, and ashes scattered.
In an instant, only silence remained in the basin.
The knights were left dumbfounded, unable to utter a word.
"Don't risk your lives unnecessarily." Lanchi's face was shrouded in shadow as he walked away, carrying his briefcase, without looking back.
The night was vast and tranquil, and the moonlight bathed the bricks and tiles of Vioke City in a silvery glow.
Everything returned to tranquility.
It was as if the night had been nothing more than a fleeting nightmare.
"Lanchi, why did you kill them?" Talia asked, perplexed by Lanchi's actions.
This was the first time she had seen him act so ruthlessly.
Since Tebiriuss Mirror had given Lanchi full control over this illusory experience, it meant that no matter what choices he made, it wouldn't affect the subsequent simulation. Or, to put it another way, when he encountered the demon mother and child, there was no need for conversation or interrogation; the truth had already revealed itself.
"It was seeking release from me... A mother's instinct made her want to protect her child, while her human will drove her to seek death." Lanchi's lips tightened, and his eyes reflected deep compassion.
He couldn't shake the image of the demon mother's eyes as she lay dying.
"Is there really no way to save them?" Talia rarely saw Lanchi so readily admit defeat in his attempts to save someone.
She knew that making this decision went against everything Lanchi stood for.
"Talia, do you remember the background story of the first shadow world, the Inferno Corridor Academy?" Lanchi asked dryly.
"I remember vaguely," Talia replied. She had also reviewed the records of Lanchi and Shubellyan's journey into that shadow world.
The entire story revolved around two key figures: the Vampire Envoy and the Devil's Castle Delegate.
During that tumultuous era, there existed a treaty known as the "North-South Treaty," which stipulated non-interference between vampires and demons.
In those chaotic times, the vampires of the south held sway over the destinies of countless human kingdoms, with their rulers serving as vassals to the vampires.
Meanwhile, the demons of the north were relatively weaker compared to the vampires, their domain limited to the icy glaciers in the extreme north.
In exchange for the vampires' non-aggression, the demons were expected to maintain a neutral stance toward any affairs involving vampires and humans. This was the fundamental condition for the vampires to refrain from attacking the demons.
However, over thirty years ago, the vampires began to suspect that the demons were secretly attempting to disrupt this balance.
The catalyst for these suspicions was a ridiculous rumor that had been spreading in the demon world—
Apparently, vampires had discovered humans disguising themselves as demons, intending to infiltrate the demon world to steal their knowledge.
Initially, the demons dismissed these rumors, as it was uncommon for humans to try to impersonate demons; it was usually the other way around.
But later, the Vampire Duke seemed to have brutally interrogated a crucial piece of intelligence from a researcher at the Imperial Experimental Field.
Furthermore, they learned that some of the last surviving members of the Empire's secret forces were highly likely to be hiding within the Inferno Corridor Academy, and had been there for a long time!
Faced with the vampires' relentless pressure, the Demon World Inspection Office remained steadfast in their commitment to following the rules. They escorted the vampire envoy across the harsh northern terrain into the demon world and agreed to have the envoy investigate the academy with them.
This vampire envoy possessed a unique blood-based ability to discern humans disguising themselves as demons. Should the envoy find any humans within the academy, the consequences for the Inferno Corridor Academy's leaders would be severe.
To appease the vampires' fury, the demons were even prepared to offer the academy's leadership as a sacrifice, and to prevent interference from the principal, the Education Office temporarily reassigned him elsewhere under the pretext of an important agenda.
While the Devil King appeared to be following protocol, his true intention was to protect the academy.
(End of Chapter)
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