Chapter 456: Taking the Blame and Reversing the Case

I've served at the Axe Beach City Hall for over a decade, diligently and faithfully, but once manipulated by the Scentalin, I was plunged into an endless abyss with no way out!

Though I had no choice, I deeply felt the harm these people inflicted on Axe Beach. Count Pwell treated me with great kindness, and I could not let them continue like this—so whether it was capturing Miss Venna or searching for the so-called Pwell Treasury, I deliberately slacked off and used every ounce of effort to gather evidence!

Look here! He hastily pulled out a golden ring from his hand. This is a highly secretive audio-magic device containing recordings of Virgil and his private army speaking their plans right before me! Lord Gorgon! I felt no one could be trusted—until your Knights of Light appeared! Only then did I find my chance to break free!!

Regardless of whether he was asked or not, Bugo Torres just spoke.

Deliberately slacking off during the capture of Venna and the search for the treasury?

Luo De chuckled softly.

That seems unlikely.

He's just a man betting on both sides, leaving himself an escape route.

Still, it's an unexpected bonus.

Luo De had grabbed this guy purely because he'd just defended Virgil below and it annoyed him.

I never expected he would end up confessing on his own.

Bugo Torres knew his situation.

This confession would likely cost him nine out of ten lives.

But being controlled by Scentalin was unbearable—his private army treated him like less than human behind his back, and their ambitions were far greater than just Axe Beach.

Even as a puppet lord, they wouldn't allow an outsider to hold power too long—when the time came, it would be his death.

Bugo Torres realized this.

So he had indeed collected evidence of Scentalin disguising themselves as the private army to control Axe Beach.

At this moment, though he couldn't see Luo De's expression, he heard his dismissive laugh.

He immediately panicked.

He frantically activated the recording ring in his hand.

Luo De pulled out a high-quality 【Phantom Sound】 magic ring and used it on him.

The recording's content instantly amplified and echoed into the ears of everyone present.

"."

"Since you're involved, I'll tell you something ahead of time."

"It was a false rumor we spread to conceal our attack on the White Dragon's Tomb."

"On one hand, it was meant to deceive the demons of Dragon Serpent Castle. Our agreement with the demons was this—after seizing control of Axe Beach, we would gather the wealth, while the demons harvested all life within Axe Beach."

"."

One by one, recordings of Virgil and his men speaking emerged.

The militia members turned pale upon hearing them.

Especially after learning of Scentalin's pact with the demons, many showed disgust and hatred, some even turning their blades toward the private army.

The private army—essentially Scentalin operatives—were nothing but a rabble.

Previously, with an eighth-rank leader suppressing them and everyone following the tide, there had been no trouble.

Now that their leader Virgil was gone, expecting this group to unite was pure fantasy.

Almost simultaneously, a large portion of Scentalin members quickly stripped off their private army uniforms and fled toward the distance.

The militia commander reacted swiftly, roaring orders to arrest every last private army member.

Damn it! I've been crushed under these bastards for so long! Whether that recording was real or fake, their eighth-rank boss is dead—let's crush these bastards first and secure my position!

Oh!

And then there's Venna Pwell.

That's a bit troublesome—though ordered by Lord Bugo, as the executor, I fear I'll be implicated.

Huh. Wait a minute—Miss Venna has always been incredibly elusive; the militia never found her. The only time we ever attempted to capture her was when Old Ed acted on his own.

Coincidentally, Old Ed collaborated with Virgil to fight the Knights of Light's "Gorgon" in the sky.

The commander slapped his palm in excitement.

"Old Ed was corrupted and betrayed by Scentalin! Despite the militia commander's repeated statements demanding a thorough investigation into Miss Venna's case, Old Ed stubbornly acted on his own to arrest her!"

Perfect! The black pot is ready—this one's all yours, Old Ed!

As for a military coup during Aselun's weakened state, seizing control of Axe Beach?

Too much.

The Pwell family has long held deep roots in Axe Beach; their connections are tangled and entrenched. As a town on the trade route near Deepwater City, most wealthy merchants here or in Deepwater have significant interests tied to Count Pwell.

Since Lord Bugo took power, he immediately altered these established strategies under Scentalin's direction, angering many major merchants.

Now, if Venna's patricide case is overturned, these people will be more willing to trust the Pwell name and support her return to power.

Besides,

Not just the merchants—even four of the five deputy commanders of the militia are die-hard loyalists of Count Pwell.

Every time they saw him, it was like fans meeting a star. After hearing of the count's death and Venna's case, they all collapsed in despair.

Now that the case is being overturned, these four deputy commanders will surely come alive again.

Thinking of this,

The militia commander couldn't help but glance again at the man in the sky.

"All of this… because of this man? 'Exposing lies, challenging hypocrisy'? Is there such an organization as the Knights of Light? Does such a group exist on the continent?"

Over here,

Luo De paid no attention to the militia commander's thoughts.

After taking the golden recording ring, he tossed Bugo Torres directly in front of him.

He then ignored everyone, preparing to descend beside Virgil's corpse.

Calling it a corpse was generous—it was more like half a hip and thigh.

This time, he remembered his previous lesson and deliberately avoided the magic satchel's location.

At least let himself pick up some loot.

But then he thought better of it—he'd just announced his self-founded organization; immediately scavenging corpses would be terribly uncool.

Let Tally handle it.

With that, he used a single hand's 【Gravity Wave】 to pull the Great Dragon-Slaying Sword back.

Too heavy. Didn't come back.

"."

He unleashed another powerful tug, dragging up the sword along with clumps of earth.

Then, in midair, he unleashed a triple-strength 【Repulsion Technique】 from his palms and feet.

BOOM-HOOM!!

A layered explosion of expanding sound erupted violently.

Luo De shot skyward, leaving a white trail behind him, vanishing from everyone's sight.

Of course,

Once he'd flown far enough,

He secretly landed, changed clothes, canceled his disguise field, and slipped back in shamefully.

Maintaining that image really was a waste of time.

This round-trip had already taken nearly half an hour.

Tally had been waiting for him in the small woods beside the Delinbil River, idly watching the militia organize rescue efforts for the collapsed walls and destroyed merchant ships.

The moment she saw Luo De, she beamed, opening her arms for a hug.

A sweet fragrance filled his arms, soft and yielding, pressed tightly against his chest.

Luo De kissed her smooth, honey-scented forehead.

"Did you get the magic satchels?"

"Of course. Does my master think I'm anyone? Succubi are experts at stealing—how much harder is it to steal some objects?"

"Say that again and someone might think you've been sneaking out to cheat on me."

"I've already taken my master's shape—my mind is imprinted with the taste of your essence. Any other man who comes near me only feels nauseous~~"

She loosened the hug, tilting her head cutely and raising her hand.

There, clearly visible, were two magic satchels and the heavy steel spear used by the cambion, her face beaming with pride.

"The cambion's magic satchel and spear fell off when he was devoured—I've saved them for you, master!"

(End of Chapter)