Chapter 135: The Whole City Converges

On the third day of the tea ban, at dawn.

As dawn broke over Dusk City, disciplined soldiers clad in leather armor smashed open doors and stormed into the homes of countless citizens still hoarding dusk tea, dragging them from their beds while they slept.

Amid the citizens' pleas and wails, the soldiers seized all the tea leaves, leaving only this warning: "Anyone who drank the tea and still wants more must gather at the square at noon to hear the lord's instruction," before hurrying away.

Meanwhile, all hidden black markets within the city were ruthlessly raided by knightly exalted ones, and merchants secretly selling dusk tea were arrested on the spot and thrown into prison.

At the same time, every pharmacist in the city whose skill barely qualified as competent was requisitioned by Crimson Fox Castle, forced to race against time to brew two entirely different potions.

Dusk Merchants' Guild, third floor.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A group of exalted knights, clad in heavy armor with only a single eye exposed, surrounded the merchant with drawn swords.

At the center, Ekcus watched this scene with a gloomy expression—he realized events had slipped beyond his control.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The exalted knights parted to make way, and an elderly man in a tailcoat stepped forward.

"Ekcus Simon Kelai, the dusk tea you sold has been classified as a slow-acting poison, poisoning countless residents of Muse City. By order of my liege, Rosa Marsha, I am here to arrest you."

Caelis said calmly.

"Of course, you may resist—but I doubt a Starlight-tier merchant can overcome multiple fully armed exalted knights. When swords fly, no one escapes unscathed..."

Though Caelis's tone was flat, everyone heard the threat beneath it.

As if to underscore his words, the exalted knights advanced step by step toward Ekcus.

Just as the sharp sword tips seemed ready to pierce the merchant into a honeycomb, Ekcus raised his hands—and instantly, knights beside him bound his wrists with thick ropes.

"You made the wise choice. Now, take me to your tea storage warehouse," Caelis said coldly.

Afterward, Ekcus was dragged out of the room by the rope, roughly yanked along by the knights.

Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.

When the room grew empty again, three vampires slowly emerged from the shadows in the corner.

"It seems the Enthralling Tea affair has been exposed. The Southern Fox of the South... truly lives up to its name."

Raphael said gravely.

"Raphael, should we go rescue Lord Ekcus immediately?" Lu En asked in a low voice.

Crimson magic surged from his towering frame—he was clearly ready for battle.

"No. Ekcus has given no order, meaning he does not wish us to reveal ourselves. Besides, our weapons are still in his storage. Let's follow them and wait to see what happens."

Lu En nodded slightly in agreement.

"This is such a hassle. Now that Ekcus has drawn so many exalted knights, why not just strike down Rosa right now and head back to Slave Capital? We'd already have enough to report to Lord Lord Saimen."

Latiss said eagerly.

The suggestion stirred Raphael's thoughts, but after a moment's consideration, he chose to reject it.

The situation had not yet reached its worst point. Abandoning Ekcus could wait until then.

"Let's go."

The vampires infused magic into the black gemstones set in their rings; soon, a patch of shadow formed beneath their feet, and their figures gradually vanished.

Vampires can hide within shadows, and this ring—granted by Lord Lord Saimen—is called the Shadow Ring; its power creates a patch of shadow for concealment, and also compensates for vampires' natural lack of shadows.

Red Fox Fortress, secret chamber.

Boge woke from unconsciousness, stared blankly at the sunlight outside the window for a long while, then slowly regained awareness.

"Hahaha! I've passed the second trial of Death's Trial!"

Overcome with elation, the boy slammed his fist into the stone wall of the chamber.

Boom!

With a heavy crash, the entire chamber trembled.

Spiderweb cracks erupted from the point where his fist struck, spreading wildly across half the wall in an instant.

"Did I do this?"

Boge stared in astonishment—he hadn't expected his strength to surge so drastically.

Is this the Viper's explosive power?

"But only explosive power has improved. Other aspects haven't caught up."

Boge muttered to himself, staring at the blood seeping from the cracks on his knuckles.

Speed and strength were there. Only the most critical element—physical endurance—remained.

Without hesitation, he picked up the last vial—the Bearhide Elixir—and drank it down in one gulp.

The next instant, a pain more terrible than the previous two surged through his entire body, and he lost consciousness once more.

Dusk City, city square.

At noon, the sun blazed high, scorching every inch of the stone pavement.

The entire square was packed with people—a dense, endless sea of bodies.

They were all long-term consumers of dusk tea, summoned here by Countess Marsha's decree.

Along the edges of the rectangular square, rows of armored soldiers with shields stood guard, while exalted knights in full armor moved through the crowd maintaining order.

"Not having tea is unbearable—it itches and aches. Why would the most benevolent lord in the South ban the Dusk Merchants' Guild?"

"I'm suffering too. Hey, I hope the lord gathered us to lift the tea ban."

"I don't even ask for a lift—I just want my tea leaves back! I hoarded enough to last me a whole year!"

The crowd murmured among themselves; most looked gaunt, eyes dull, utterly devoid of the joy they once wore while drinking tea.

At the center of the square, beneath the towering crimson flame statue—over ten meters tall—a simple platform and a guillotine had been erected.

"Silence!" Rosa stood atop the platform, her voice commanding.

Deep purple magic erupted from her, carrying her voice instantly across the entire square.

In the next breath, the packed crowd fell utterly silent—not even the hoarse chirping of cicadas on the trees could be heard.

The people gazed up at the stern old woman on the platform, their eyes filled with reverence.

Though they did not yet understand why their lord had banned dusk tea and seized all tea leaves, they believed her actions must be justified.

After all, it was only because of the kind and generous Lady Rosa that they had enjoyed ten years of peace and prosperity in Dusk City!

Countless souls across Sosia envied them for living beneath Lady Rosa's radiance.

Yet Rosa's next words plunged them all into utter shock.

"My subjects, I owe you an apology."

Gazing at the gaunt faces below, Rosa spoke with guilt.

(End of Chapter)