Chapter 456: Promotion, Demonic Faith

First Tribunal.

After actually meeting, Xia Duo realized he had been worrying for nothing; Aosike didn't mention that matter at all. It made sense, too—everything about "Aidi" from birth to the present was verifiable, and his record was clean, so what reason was there to be suspicious? Could it be just because he was too smart?

The Magic Academy had never taught mental spells, and mental spells weren't something everyone could apply for; not to mention ordinary people, one had to become an Official Mage first.

Furthermore, every Mage was a "civil servant" assigned by the authorities, and only those in specific positions could apply for mental spells.

It wouldn't be strange for "Aidi" to learn anything after first coming into contact with mental spells.

The real purpose for Aosike calling "Aidi" over was actually just due to custom—to meet a newcomer—and then there was a task to hand over to Xia Duo. In Xia Duo's view, perhaps the latter was the primary purpose.

After all, he had been on the job for over twenty days, and he hadn't seen Aosike grant an audience yet.

"The Second Tribunal is currently investigating a case of demonic faith and is short on manpower. You have just learned a Judgment Spell, and it is the perfect time for practice. I intend to transfer you to the Second Tribunal; what do you think?"

It was more polite than Xia Duo had imagined. After all, they were both Spellcasters who wielded power, and both served the Empire; even if he knew he could use an order, he still had to maintain a certain level of respect.

Conversely, Xia Duo was also very clear that this was an order and would not change just because the expression was polite, so he immediately agreed according to the standard answer in "Aidi's" memory:

"I firmly obey your instructions. Everything for the Empire, Arcane Supreme."

This impassioned response made Aosike's expression even softer. "Good, this is how an Imperial Mage should act. Go, I have high hopes for you!"

Xia Duo bowed once more and then turned to leave.

……

Just as he walked out of the First Tribunal, Xia Duo received a message from the Promotion Department; he had been promoted to a Level 2 Adjudicator.

On the third day after starting his job, he had been made permanent under Chali's maneuvering, becoming a Level 1 Adjudicator. While this wasn't a violation, it was considered early.

Generally speaking, one could only become permanent after mastering a Judgment Spell. To be promoted to Level 2, one not only needed to accumulate seniority but also ensure no mistakes in their primary duties; it took five years to rise one level.

Chali was a Level 3 Adjudicator, having ground his way up in the Fourth Court.

And now, Xia Duo had saved five years compared to Chali. If it were "Aidi" himself, perhaps he would be filled with gratitude toward Aosike.

……

Arriving at the Second Tribunal, Xia Duo was immediately assigned a task. Compared to what Aosike had said in general terms, it was much more specific here.

——"Investigate the demonic faith in Black Stone Town, subordinate to Jilan City; identify the demon priest, mark the demon believers, and execute judgment."

Along with the official task document, an "Exorcism Manual" was issued, which recorded information regarding demons and demonic faith.

After collecting a pair of ordinary soldiers, Xia Duo set off. On the road, he flipped open the Exorcism Manual, which contained clear images of demons, and he whispered to himself, "As expected!"

The so-called "demons" in the mouths of the Arcane Empire were indeed Elves, and the demonic faith was actually a faith in a "Creation Mother Goddess" spread by the Elves.

The so-called "demon priest" was naturally a Cleric who had perceived the Holy Power of the Creation Mother Goddess.

However, Xia Duo still didn't understand why the Empire didn't clearly display the image of the demons. Even an Adjudicator like "Aidi" only received the relevant materials upon encountering the related task.

In any case, there was printing technology that allowed for mass production; if they just spread the image of the Elves among everyone, it should be easy to reach a consensus, right? If they supplemented this with reporting, wouldn't it be easy to discover?

Carrying this question, Xia Duo arrived at Black Stone Town.

……

Just as he entered the vicinity of Black Stone Town, Xia Duo discovered someone was spying on him, and it was through a spell. Xia Duo remained calm on the surface, but his heart was already on high alert.

Similar to 【Detect Magic】, 【Detect Detection】 was also a technique rather than a specific spell. Xia Duo himself knew how to cast scrying spells, so how could he not learn 【Detect Detection】?

Furthermore, he could even judge that the spying encountered after entering the Black Stone Town area originated from a 3rd Circle Spell. In other words, the person spying on him was at least an Intermediate Mage.

Was it from the Judgment Court? Or the so-called demon priest?

If this were standard procedure for an Adjudicator from the Judgment Court on a mission, there would be nothing to worry about, but if this were the so-called demon priest spying, there might be a battle later.

Yet, what Xia Duo displayed on the outside was the Primary Mage "Aidi," who clearly couldn't beat an Intermediate Mage, especially when encountering one who was prepared.

"What should I do?"

While remaining calm, Xia Duo analyzed the source of this scrying spell based on the changes in the Magic Net environment to see if it was in Jilan City or Black Stone Town.

There was no spell that originated without a source; even spells that seemed to appear out of thin air always hid changes in the Magic Net String behind them, and these changes were regular.

Xia Duo had cast scrying spells many times, but this was his first time analyzing the source of a scrying spell. Fortunately, this was all pure theoretical calculation and did not involve actual spellcasting.

So he wasn't afraid of calculating incorrectly; at worst, he would just do it a few more times, since the other party was constantly spying on him.

The only thing the other party miscalculated was that the person who came was Xia Duo wearing "Aidi's" skin, who was essentially a High Mage. If Aidi had come, he might not have even discovered the clues even if the other party's eyes were poked right at him.

……

Soon, Xia Duo and his party crossed fields and arrived near the town. Calling it a town, it was probably just a dormitory area for a collective farm, and its size didn't even compare to Savile Town.

The Empire had no villages; the lowest level was just such small towns.

When Xia Duo and the others approached, the townspeople were waiting at the entrance. Xia Duo scanned the crowd; most were women with large bellies, and the few men were all elderly; there were no children.

Xia Duo sighed inwardly. He had never encountered such a situation before. It wasn't because the men had disappeared, but because this scene of groups of pregnant women made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Besides, it wasn't the busy farming season, so where were the men in town? And with so many pregnant women, hadn't the Jilan City Conservation Office sent anyone? Or was it because of the so-called demonic faith?

The spying had not yet disappeared. Carrying his doubts, Xia Duo put on a businesslike appearance and asked, "Who is the Town Mayor?"

A pregnant woman who looked like she was about to give birth was helped out by two others with slightly smaller bellies. "My lord, I am the Town Mayor."

"Where are the others from Black Stone Town?"

"They are repairing the road in the east; they should be back soon."

Xia Duo nodded and didn't ask further. He prepared to take a look around the town himself. "Disperse, go home!"

However, upon hearing Xia Duo's order, these townspeople didn't react immediately but looked at the Town Mayor. It wasn't until the Town Mayor nodded that the crowd dispersed.

Xia Duo didn't know if this was the norm for Imperial towns or if something had really gone wrong here, but the spying had never disappeared, making it hard for him not to think of the latter.