In a river channel within the forest outside the city, bubbles suddenly rose to the surface.
The next instant, a head poked out from the water.
“Finally swam my way out.”
The one emerging from the river was indeed Ogre, who had escaped from the sewers.
Once he had figured things out, he made a decisive choice to leave, and his actions had been incredibly swift.
Ogre had to get away before those people could react.
The sewers were indeed complex, but they were by no means a safe haven.
The longer he stayed, the more dangerous it would become.
Ogre was not the type of person who liked to leave the initiative in the hands of others.
“My disguise is ruined...”
Scrambling onto the bank, the first thing Ogre did was touch his face.
Swimming all the way out of an underground river and expecting the disguise on his face to remain intact would be a miracle.
“Well, if I went back looking like this, they probably wouldn't recognize me either.”
Ogre looked at the “girl” reflected on the river's surface and smiled mockingly to himself.
Though returning in this appearance would certainly be safe, Ogre had no intention of heading back to meddle in those muddy waters right now.
There was a high probability that another level of scheming was still playing out in the city. Going back now would be looking for trouble.
He didn't need to worry about Folke's side either.
He was entirely on his own, so there was no reason to involve himself.
No matter how many schemes were at play, what did they have to do with him?
Whoever wanted to be a chess piece could go ahead and do so; Ogre certainly wouldn't.
“I still need to visit the black market to find a way to leave this place...”
Ogre stood up. After casting a glance back at the distant town, he shouldered his spear and walked into the depths of the forest.
He would return, but not now.
“Just as well. I can also take care of the things I haven't done yet.”
Ogre had never forgotten his purpose for entering the human world.
To become strong, and then—revenge.
“I also need to prepare a few things...”
Ogre decided to take this opportunity to train and push his strength to his absolute limit first.
As long as his strength increased, none of his problems would be actual problems.
As for the situation with Serandic, Ogre could only do as he had said and keep his distance for now.
With his current strength, he did not possess the qualifications to save anyone.
Never try to play the savior when your strength is lacking—because there are very few people who will be there to bail you out.
...
“Teacher... what are we going to do?” Serandic finally couldn't help but ask.
“Dealing with heretics. This is something you will have to face sooner or later,” replied the white-robed man walking in front.
His answer made Serandic shudder.
“Is it true that all foreign races are evil...?” For the first time, Serandic asked a question he had never once considered before.
“For example, like...” Serandic did not finish his sentence—because even he didn't know what he was supposed to be right now.
“Seran, you are wavering.”
“Teacher... I just...”
“If you truly consider yourself one of those things, I will not show you any mercy either,” the white-robed man's voice remained gentle.
But Serandic had absolutely no doubt about the truth behind those words.
“Your student understands.”
“Seran, you were once my most ideal successor. Do not disappoint me,” the white-robed man said calmly.
“Yes...”
Clearly, nothing in his surroundings had changed, yet Serandic felt as though everything had.
Was it truly just a difference in identity...?
...
“Lange, didn't I tell you to try not to disturb me during my nap?” Folke rose from his lounge chair and lectured him with a frown.
Several consecutive nights of meditation practice had left his mind rather exhausted.
That was why he had taken a day off to recover his mental energy.
“No, Young Master... there's an incredibly important matter...”
“Out with it, then.” Seeing that Lange indeed had business, Folke didn't press further.
“It has to do with Ogre...”
Following Lange's account of Ogre killing the Viscount's son, Folke's expression visibly shifted as well.
“I have to go talk to my uncle!” Folke immediately stood up.
At this, Lange opened his mouth but hesitated to speak.
“No need. I am here.”
A voice came from behind Lange.
The person who arrived was none other than Folke's third uncle, Laidi Cromie.
“Uncle...”
...
“Father Yade, how can I help you today...?”
Restaurant owner offered a standard smile to the white-robed man before him.
He was well aware that this person had not come to eat.
“You should know very well.” Yade suddenly reached out and grabbed the restaurant owner by the throat.
This caused Serandic's eyes behind him to widen.
“Lord Yade, what are you doing to Uncle Ba?!” The nearby patrons stood up in panic. “This is...”
Before the patron could finish, the golden battle qi on Yade's body erupted.
Under his will, the powerful battle qi transformed into golden flames, completely enveloping the suspended restaurant owner.
“Argh...”
The restaurant owner let out a horrific shriek.
In a short moment, the 'skin' on his body completely dissolved under the searing golden flames, revealing his terrifying true form.
This caused the patron who had intended to speak up to instantly shut his mouth.
“Spare me... I have never... harmed anyone,” the restaurant owner pleaded, struggling.
“You are a ghoul. No matter how much you try to act like a human, you will eventually crave human flesh. Thus, I cannot let you live.” Yade yanked him out from behind the counter, threw him in front of Serandic, and ordered, “Kill it.”
“I...” Serandic's hesitation gave the restaurant owner his opportunity.
‘He’ rapidly lunged forward, sliding behind Serandic to take him hostage.
“You think to threaten me?” Yade's tone did not contain a single ripple of emotion.
“I know I cannot escape. I only beg of you to hear me out—Nuosi is not a ghoul...”
Using its horrifying form, the restaurant owner spoke the most humble words... but as it spoke, it found that it could no longer make a sound.
Unbeknownst to it, the golden flames had already burned through its chest and reached its throat.
Only after the restaurant owner was reduced entirely to ash did Yade pass by the dazed Serandic, carrying his lantern.
“Seran... you have disappointed me.”
“Teacher... I...” Serandic turned around, wanting to explain.
But Yade had already completely vanished from the restaurant.
Looking at the ashes scattered upon himself, Serandic sank into deep thought...
What exactly was right...
What was wrong...
...
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