Dekan had already become an internationally renowned counter-terrorism expert.
A month had flown by in the blink of an eye.
There were only three days left until the start of the seventh-rank team evaluation.
This time, the hosting location of the event was the Randir Kingdom, located to the north of the Norton Kingdom. It was also one of the larger kingdoms in the central region.
Traveling further north from Randir, one would soon reach the borders of the Northern Kingdoms.
Because the Randir Kingdom highly valued freedom and had flexible laws, it was a very suitable choice for hosting major events of the Kingdom Union. Neither the events themselves nor the participants needed to go through cumbersome approvals.
At this moment, in the outskirts of the capital city of Randir Kingdom.
A knight in silver armor stood with a serious expression on his face.
With his arms crossed, he gazed into the distance at the horizon.
This knight, Gavin, the commander of the Royal Capital Defense Knights of Randir Kingdom, had heard beforehand that the “Beautiful Soul Squad” was expected to arrive in Randir Kingdom today.
At first hearing the name of this team, Gavin truly did not know how to evaluate it.
He had also heard about Dekan’s exploits.
How dare they call themselves the “Beautiful Soul”?
Although Gavin personally felt that Dekan’s team might face difficulties in the seventh-rank team evaluation due to the rank gap among team members and the distinctive characteristics of a few members making them likely targets.
However, Gavin believed that regardless of whether Dekan passed this time or not, his arrival was bound to bring some commotion to the capital city.
As the Knight Commander, Gavin was not at all concerned whether Dekan would pass the evaluation.
What he cared about was the safety of the capital city!
Dekan was also someone specifically instructed by the king for Gavin to pay special attention to.
The closer countries were to the Norton Kingdom, the more they understood how bizarre Dekan could be.
Gavin’s idea was to neither antagonize Dekan nor get too close to him.
Without discussing Dekan’s personal capabilities and conduct.
The guy was simply a walking trap for the Rebirth Church!
Wherever he went, there would be Rebirth Church followers.
There was even the possibility of luring in the bishop!
Therefore, if one’s luck wasn’t good, it was best to stay far away from him.
Not long after, the sound of hoofbeats filled the air, and in the expanse of the wilderness, a chariot gradually came into the Knight Commander’s view. In front of the chariot, two ferocious beasts with bodies glowing with bright blue electric arcs of thunder were galloping at high speed.
Golden brocade curtains around the chariot were embroidered with the Norton Kingdom’s emblem of the phoenix, symbolizing its rebirth from the ruins. The flames enveloping the phoenix seemed to have a vitality that transcended the painting.
This was the sixth-rank Thunder Chariot lent by the King of Norton to Dekan’s team, allowing them to reach the capital of Randir Kingdom from the capital of Norton Kingdom in less than two weeks.
Travelling north across countries indeed took some time.
Travelling south, however, was relatively easier.
The Kingdom Union had been fundraising to construct tracks linking various kingdoms using cutting-edge magical energy-driven technology for some time now, but the plan had been on hold for several years.
This was already a massive project in itself, compounded by problems within the Kingdom Union.
For example, some powerful southern kingdoms were unwilling to share their technology openly.
Some kingdoms also believed the costs were too high, resulting in both civil and commercial applications leading to long-term losses due to the high initial investment and continuous high energy consumption.
On the other hand, dealing with the corporate nature of the northern kingdoms had its nuances too.
Even though the design and planning were ready, there were many obstacles before actual construction could begin.
At the moment, the technology was only employed between a few southern powers, while the parliament headquarters of the Kingdom Union were located slightly to the south of the central region.
This north-south disparity and the location of the Kingdom Union reminded Dekan of the somewhat similar feeling of the Holy Country’s northern and southern borders, as well as the Holy Capital.
In no time, the distance of the chariot to Knight Commander Gavin had shortened to within a hundred meters.
“Could the distinguished guests from Norton Kingdom please wait a moment!”
Gavin’s loud shout quickly drew the chariot’s attention.
The chariot gradually slowed down and stopped in front of Gavin.
After it stopped, there was no sign of anyone inside intending to get out for a while, seemingly preparing something inside.
It wasn’t until tens of seconds had passed that there were signs that they were about to get off.
Gavin watched the door of the slowly opening chariot with some tension.
He saw a few young men and women dressed in winter casual clothing accompanied by a black cat disembark from the chariot.
They seemed to have brought quite a lot of things, holding luggage and bags filled with snacks and newly purchased items.
It appeared that during their journey, they had stopped in several cities, buying various local delicacies, new clothes, and souvenirs, so much so that their suitcases were bursting, and they had to carry them separately.
“Um, excuse me, there are still quite a few souvenirs we bought along the way in the car, could you help us lock the car and park it in a safe place?”
“… No problem.”
This strong atmosphere of ease made Commander Gavin momentarily question if these people were really here to participate in the seventh-rank team evaluation.
The other teams usually wore uniforms at the very least and appeared solemn enough.
At least they looked like they were here to fight.
However, these four people struck Gavin, the knight commander, as a group of tourists.
Incidentally.
They were also here for the exam.
Commander Gavin did not overly question these peculiarities, as he had already learned about Dekan’s style beforehand.
“I am the commander of the Royal Capital Knights of Randir Kingdom, sent by the King to provide any necessary assistance.”
He extended his hand for a formal introduction to Dekan.
“Thank you, tour… Commander.”
Dekan also smiled, stepping forward and shaking his hand.
“…?”
Commander Gavin’s eyes twitched. If he wasn’t mistaken.
Dekan had nearly called him “Tour Guide Sir”?
“Cough… cough…”
Gavin cleared his throat twice.
“Could you bother to show us the documents?”
“Oh oh, of course.”
Dekan waved behind him, and Teacher Cat quickly brought out the documents prepared by the Norton Kingdom for them to give to Gavin.
After Commander Gavin performed a simple inspection, he instructed his subordinates to take care of the Thunder Chariot and personally led Dekan and his group towards the city gate.
When they approached the city gate, all of them couldn’t help but frown.
The knights at the city gate were implementing a very strange process to inspect the travelers.
Because a large event was to be held in the coming days, the security checks had become much stricter.
“Dekan, I didn’t know your ‘Captain De’Erkan’ has been marketed to this level. The business sure is booming.”
Mia pointed at the side of the city gate where knights were using the ‘Captain De’Erkan’ card during the inspections, saying.
For every traveler entering the royal city, in addition to showing a pass, they would have their face scanned by the knights raising the ‘Captain De’Erkan’ card to determine the duration of ridicule.
If the ridicule duration exceeded a certain limit, though it didn’t necessarily mean the individual was a Rebirth Church follower, they would still be detained for secondary review.
And if the ridicule lasted too long,
There’s nothing to argue about; they’d be thrown directly into the cell!
And then continue with the investigation afterward.
“Currently, ‘Captain De’Erkan’ cards have been sold overseas and become the best anti-Rebirth Church security tools, with high demand!”
Dekan proudly told Mia.
He could now confidently call himself an international counter-terrorism expert.
The textbook engagement of Tristin City had taught many countries how to identify Rebirth Church infiltrators sneaking into their towns.
Although currently many countries were not yet recognizing ‘Captain De’Erkan’ as an official anti-terrorism tool.
But Dekan believed that over time, more and more countries would come to accept it.
After all, if Rebirth Church infiltrators can’t enter other countries, they will certainly try to infiltrate yours.
Then it’s up to you to decide to buy it or not.
If you don’t buy it, over time, your whole country might become a Rebirth Church hideout.
Dekan had already planned out how to leverage this situation to raise the price.
The only issue currently was insufficient production.
Dekan had previously shared the method of making the ‘Captain De’Erkan’ card with Lord Rampard of Tristin City.
Today, there are cardmakers in Tristin City who are producing the ‘Captain De’Erkan’ cards on behalf of Dekan.
The manufacturing process of the ‘Captain De’Erkan’ card is not complex, aside from a segment of demonic writing that must be personally inscribed by Dekan, the rest of the steps can be completed by other cardmakers.
Although Dekan had considered analyzing and disseminating this segment of demonic writing as well because the ‘Captain De’Erkan’ card couldn’t be used to counteract himself, the more copies available, the better.
However, Master had warned Dekan that excessive use of demonic script by humans could lead to irreversible partial demonization of their bodies or souls.
Moreover, this abnormal demonization would not transform humans into any race of demons but rather an abnormal mutation, drastically shortening the life span of the changed individuals and even causing them to lose their sanity.
The reason Dekan could freely use demonic script and card-making magic without causing mutations was because his soul already had Master as a carrier.
Thus, Dekan wasn’t worried about other low-level cards being pirated.
Other cardmakers trying to copy him were still two million years away.
“Nevertheless, it would be very impolite not to go through the security check. But we’ve continuously feared that the Rebirth Church followers might masquerade as participants trying to infiltrate into the city without inspection.”
Turning back, Commander Gavin looked at Dekan and said.
“Understood, understood.”
Dekan nodded.
As the developer of the “Captain De’Erkan” card, he was deeply pleased that his creation had brought significant contributions to the anti-terrorism efforts of various countries.
He also wanted to personally experience what it’s like to go through the “Captain De’Erkan” security check.
Would the knights in charge of the security check be surprised when they recognized him and then ask for his signature?
When thinking about it, Dekan was already delighted.
After briefly queuing up for the security check, Dekan, who stood first in line, couldn’t wait to step up in front of the knight.
The knights ritualistically raised the “Captain De’Erkan” towards Dekan in a production-line manner.
Dekan’s face was filled with a smile.
He was eagerly awaiting the moment when the knight would look shocked and then come up to shake his hand for a signature.
However.
For some reason,
Dekan felt this “Captain De’Erkan” card held by the knight exuded an intense sense of inauthenticity.
It seemed to be “Captain De’Erkan”?
But its appearance was a bit strange.
A surge of indescribable anger suddenly surged in Dekan’s chest.
He tightened his fist uncontrollably and swung it heavily towards the “Captain De’Erkan”.
“???”
Did I just… get controlled by “Captain De’Erkan”?
When Dekan regained his senses, he looked at his clenched fist with an expression full of doubt towards life.
Could this be a pirated card??!
