Chapter 99: The Putrid Smell (3)
Who else but a madman would scatter gold coins into thin air?
That mad act was unfolding right in front of Seiras eyes.
Hmm
Seira groaned softly from behind Shiron.
Even after witnessing Shirons bizarre actions over the past five years, Seira couldnt help but question his current behavior.
She understood his determination to get what he wanted at all costs and his instinct to beat up anyone who irritated him.
But
The current scenario was too far removed from the Shiron she knew. The Shiron Seira knew would never be someone to hand out his wealth or anything else to others.
With a face full of worry, Seira poked Shiron on the shoulder.
Kid.
What.
Shiron responded without even turning his head. He continued to scatter gold coins, maintaining a benevolent expression.
You said youd make the other party come to us.
Right.
Any luck?
None. Not yet.
Can I say one thing?
No, dont.
In my opinion, I dont think someone immensely powerful, blessed by a Demon God, would be lured by a few gold coins, you know?
Seira spoke up, knowing full well that Shiron might get annoyed. However, her words were not meant to ignore Shirons intentions but were advice out of genuine concern.
Shiron continued scattering gold coins for dozens of minutes, amounting to hundreds by now.
His immediate debt alone exceeded 50 million shillings. Shiron had assured her several times that he could pay off any amount, but 50 million shillings was an astronomical sum, equivalent to a small countrys annual defense budget.
Does anyone think I want to say these things? I cant help but speak harshly out of concern.
Seira sighed deeply, reminiscing about her colleagues from 500 years ago. While their initial meeting hadnt been pleasant, Seira was keenly aware that she was in the same boat as Shiron.
If Shiron went astray, Seira would also be in trouble. Thus, she believed she had the right to offer advice to prevent him from heading in the wrong direction.
Why not hire a thieves guild or a detective instead? With the gold youve already scattered, you could easily hire about ten competent people.
Ive thought about that.
Shiron answered softly as if resigned, but he kept looking ahead.
But that method would take too long. Managing many people is not an easy task, and theres no guarantee that they can find the Apostle whos determined to hide.
Shiron observed the faces of the people scrambling to pick up the gold. Young and old, women and men, all wore expressions consumed by greed.
The thought of being overwhelmed by them, chasing after the gold coins with bloodshot eyes, was worrying. However, this was exactly what Shiron intended.
Shiron incited peoples greed, intentionally making them behave disgracefully. The lure of gold, along with Shirons words and actions, drove the situation into chaos.
And then
At the right moment, Shiron could spot those not dazzled by mere wealth.
Theyre here.
About five or six of them, pretending to chase the gold. They didnt scramble in the crowd to pick up the coins, but Shiron easily noticed their lack of greed and curiosity.
They neither looked at the scattered gold with bloodshot eyes nor did their lips curl up greedily when they got some.
Shiron recalled a piece of information about Camilla Rodos.
Camillas minions lost their humanity.
They didnt feel pain, so they didnt stiffen when hit, and they lacked human desires, so they werent susceptible to charm.
Their incongruent behavior amidst the chaos, like oil on water, confirmed they were Camillas minions.
Is this the best she can do?
Shiron scoffed at Camillas poor strategy, but it was the best course of action for her.
Being in this pleasure district, she would have quickly heard the rapidly spreading rumor and had to issue a directive to act without arousing suspicion.
Not sending them would have been conspicuous.
Camilla had taken a gamble. Ironically, her choice ended up tightening the noose around her neck. The thought that perhaps fleeing would have been a better option crossed his mind, but
Its not easy to abandon a place where one has lived for hundreds of years.
Shiron smiled contentedly, memorizing the appearances of those he had noticed.
Despite the soundproofing of the buildings in the pleasure district, due to their special purpose, Andreis enhanced hearing did not miss the continuous noise coming from upstairs.
The shrill screams of women.
The sound of glass shattering.
The noise of wooden furniture twisting and breaking apart.
As a resident of the lower floors, he could have intervened, but Andrei couldnt do that. The top floor of the building was the residence of his master, Camilla
Yet, as a servant, he couldnt ignore it either. Andrei forced his motionless body to rise and ascended the stairs leading upstairs.
Upon opening the tightly shut wooden door, he saw a room in disarray and a woman standing in the middle.
My lady, are you alright?
You, do I look alright to you?!
Camilla swung her arms hysterically. However, there were no more obstacles to stop the trajectory of her arms. Everything that could be destroyed had already been, leaving no furniture intact.
Andrei exhaled a weary breath and extended his hands.
Lets calm down first. This way, nothing will get done.
C-calm down, calm down for what!
Camilla was so gripped by terror that she could barely speak properly. Not only was the smell of death lingering in the streets coming closer, but now it had entered the building where Camilla resided.
And then
Camilla felt the identity of her fear becoming clearer.
Prient Prient! Hes finally come to kill me!
Camilla scratched her face and head frenetically.
Even after residing in Nightreil for hundreds of years, she couldnt shake off that deep-rooted fear.
A group that hunted the minions of the gods.
She thought she had hidden thoroughly to evade them, but evidently, she had been caught due to her long trail.
I-I-Im going to die.
Eventually, Camilla started nervously biting her nails. Crunch- Crunch- The eerie sound resonated.
The eeriness wasnt limited to the sound. Unable to speak properly, she couldnt focus solely on biting her nails.
Pop- Pop-
The tips of her fingers burst, staining her hands and mouth red.
Her skin healed quickly thanks to her high regeneration ability, but Camillas regeneration only extended to her body. The ornate decorations on her nails had long been tattered, and her lips and the floor remained stained with blood.
My lady
Unable to bear the sight of her pitiful state, Andrei bowed and left the room. Even though he had served Camilla for a long time, seeing her in such a nervous state was a first for him.
What kind of person is this?
Andrei vaguely followed the aura he felt and moved downstairs. He could have hurried, but he deliberately chose not to.
As Andrei ascended upstairs, a commotion broke out on the lower floor. But it was only for a moment. The uninvited guest stayed on the first floor without ascending.
This behavior is incomprehensible.
Andrei opened the door to the first-floor lobby.
Shattered statues, torn curtains, and scattered corpses caught his eye.
It was no longer the place Andrei knew.
The only thing left in the ruins was a red leather sofa. On it, a young man in priestly robes was reading a thick book.
It was a sort of guidebook created over the past five years. A notebook had served this purpose until a few years ago, but as the games elements expanded, it was impossible to contain everything in just one notebook.
Shiron closed the book he was reading and tucked it away.
Is Camilla upstairs?
Andrei was unable to respond.
He just stared blankly at the young man.
However, his paralysis wasnt because his mistress, Camilla Rodos, feared this individual.
Why such a person
To Andrei, the young man in front of him gave off a strong sense of unease.
Judging by how effortlessly he had handled the forces on the first floor, the young man appeared to have some skill. However, he did not exude the same aura of authority as his master, Camilla.
Is he concealing his true abilities?
Remaining on guard, Andrei drew his sword. The opponent was someone who had instilled fear in his master.
As a servant, it was his destined role to eliminate his masters enemy. Even if it meant losing his life here, Andrei was prepared to resist to the end.
Seeing Andrei draw his sword, Shiron also reached into his robe. However, what he pulled out was not a holy sword.
A black iron sword. Its heavy shape sliced through the night air.
A standard medium sword, but with a hint of sanctity.
Andrei calmly assessed the sword Shiron had drawn and quickly scanned the surroundings to check if the young man was a decoy.
A young paladin unable to control his ardor acting alone?
He quickly estimated the situation. The action was instantaneous.
Crack- A lightning-like brilliance streaked through the air.
Andreis strike. The downward slash lacked any finesse but was imbued with the desperate intent to kill.
However, the vampire swordsmans blade failed to cleave the humans head. A delayed loud clang rang out. Andreis eyes narrowed.
Ha. Haha.
A laugh escaped Andrei inadvertently. The young man had not dodged but blocked the strike. A vampire swordsmans strike, with strength tens of times greater than a humans.
Crack- Now, they were even engaged in a test of strength.
You were hiding your power.
What?
No need to be so startled. Yes, with such skill, its possible to venture alone into the maw of a monster.
Why is he suddenly rambling?
Shiron tilted his head in the strange atmosphere. Andrei, interpreting that face as confusion, let out a small laugh.
He had realized it the moment their swords met.
Years, over a century of holding a sword, his intuition told him what kind of person his opponent was.
This is my victory.
What are you talking about?
It will be entertaining until my master arrives.
Confused by the out-of-place comment, Shirons expression hardened.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel