Chapter 505: Two-Front Cheese (4k)
“Only an ordinary ritual?”
Dark’s tone remained as calm as ever.
Neither Aaron Reeds nor Aviva Julius could take his words lightly.
From their first meeting at the Horseshoe Tavern, this thirteen-year-old boy had displayed wisdom and maturity far beyond his years. The two challenging problems had left a significant impact on them.
Aaron Reeds and Aviva Julius had come to him because they subconsciously viewed him as the head of the Duke’s Mansion.
However, Dark Demon clearly had no intention of helping them.
Not only did he show no willingness to help, but he even seemed to be further questioning them.
Ultimately, their relationship with Dark was never good.
Seeking out Dark was a last-ditch effort.
The Knowledge Religion Sect was just a small sect; they had no other options for salvation.
Aaron Reeds spoke cautiously, “Even if it’s not an ordinary ritual, they just want to pursue the truth…”
Dark looked at him, “As a magus, don’t you know that recreating historical figures is taboo?”
Aaron Reeds sighed, “I know, which is why I actually disagree.”
Aviva Julius suddenly raised her head, “Reeds has expressed his resistance. But our sect is relatively loose, with thirteen elders each having their own opinions, only agreeing on the pursuit of knowledge.”
“So when we decide something, we usually use a voting system. If seven people vote in favor, it gets approved.”
“Seven people, isn’t it six who were caught?” Dark asked.
Aviva Julius replied solemnly, “One didn’t come.”
Dark: “A traitor within?”
…
The conversation seemed to have hit a minor turning point.
Aaron Reeds and Aviva Julius had rushed to the Duke’s Mansion as soon as they learned about the six elders being captured.
They hadn’t delved deeply into it, but now they realized the situation was more complicated than it appeared.
Dark pondered for a moment and said with a strange expression, “Could it be that you were reported by your own people?”
If that were the case, the missing logic made sense.
While the Knowledge Religion Sect had once posed a threat to Dark, investigation revealed that Ignatz Cooper was acting alone.
Dark wasn’t particularly negative towards this sect, which freely taught poor children how to read and write. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be calmly speaking with these two elders.
Aaron Reeds and Aviva Julius likely felt similarly.
Without someone reporting them, few would pay attention to such a harmless-looking small sect.
Dark’s eyes held a mocking glint, “I never imagined such a small sect would engage in internal strife.”
Although Aaron and Aviva didn’t admit it, their expressions suggested they were close to the truth.
Dark smiled, “Personally, instead of begging me here, you should think about what kind of person he is. What could he gain by incriminating half the elders?”
Aaron and Aviva clearly realized something.
But they didn’t want to speak openly.
This was natural.
Yet, if there was a chance, one couldn’t resist it.
So Dark tempted them, “If you reveal some inside information, I might be able to help. What do you think?”
Aaron and Aviva exchanged glances, reaching an understanding.
Then Aaron finally spoke, “Merkur Hel, that’s his name. A scholar who replaced the sick Isaac Bradley as the thirteenth elder at the start of the year.”
“Merkur Hel, Isaac Bradley… who are these people?”
Dark rolled his eyes but quickly sorted out his thoughts.
Isaac Bradley was once one of the thirteen elders of the Knowledge Religion Sect.
But the elders were elderly, which fit the impression of being scholarly, yet brought unavoidable trouble.
As one aged, various ailments often arose.
Isaac Bradley fell ill after New Year’s, his health declining rapidly.
Before resigning as an elder, he recommended Merkur Hel, an elderly man with impeccable credentials.
With his extensive knowledge and gentle demeanor, Merkur Hel was quickly accepted by the other elders.
Aaron and Aviva never imagined Merkur Hel would betray the sect at such a crucial moment.
They were baffled by this action, but based on current evidence, the betrayer could only be him.
…
Around Merkur Hel, Dark conversed with the two elders for nearly half an hour, still unable to find the motive behind his betrayal of the Knowledge Religion Sect.
According to Aaron and Aviva’s description, Merkur Hel was erudite, wise, and benevolent, not the type to do such things.
From the perspective of maintaining the capital’s peace, even if Merkur Hel was the accuser, he could only be commended, not punished.
Thus, this matter could only be temporarily set aside.
Dark wouldn’t rely solely on one account.
When Aaron and Aviva tried to plead for those arrested,
Dark straightforwardly said, “I’ll look into it, but not until tomorrow night.”
Tomorrow night was a line.
Everything depended on the end of the “Demon King Execution Ritual.”
After careful consideration, Aaron and Aviva reluctantly accepted this outcome.
Dark smiled slightly, raising his hand, “Goodnight then, both of you.”
…
Once the two elders were gone, Dark turned to Eve beside him, “Send someone to follow them.”
Eve nodded immediately and quickly vanished into the shadows.
Though many maids from the Scorpio Palace Maids had been reassigned, enough remained within the mansion.
Eve and Irina were practically direct disciples of Chris, second only to the head maid. They always had temporary authority over the maids when Chris was absent.
As Aaron and Aviva left the mansion, two skilled in stealth followed silently.
Besides tracking, they also provided protection.
Dark had a hunch that the Knowledge Religion Sect incident might be more complex than it appeared.
…
Once everything was arranged, he leaned back in his chair and addressed Olivia standing beside him, “Olivia, what do you think?”
Olivia’s lips curled slightly, “Though I don’t know what method the sect intends to use, even if they bring back the soul of a historical figure, or any person, reversing life and death is forbidden.
That’s why necromancers were unpopular in the past. It’s the same principle as not allowing the use of magic to recreate humans from history.
No one wants to be disturbed after death. Thus, the six so-called elders must have done something wrong. Doing wrong means paying the price.”
Dark nodded, “My thoughts align with yours. But since there’s a traitor involved, we need to consider whether the six elders were manipulated by someone else. We must focus on Merkur Hel.”
Olivia asked, “Do you think he manipulated the six elders?”
Dark shook his head, “It’s not certain. I’m just suggesting this possibility. After this ritual, let Chris investigate thoroughly. Since matters are already unfolding, we need to nip potential dangers in the bud.”
Olivia said, “Should we report tonight’s events to the Duke?”
Dark thought for a moment, “There’s no need to specifically report. If she returns, we can inform her.”
Olivia understood.
…
Dark reopened his book, gazing at the pages intently.
The flickering light cast shadows, and the mansion returned to silence.
But this tranquility didn’t last long.
When Dark came to his senses, Eve emerged from the corner’s shadow.
He rubbed his temples, asking, “Another visitor?”
Eve nodded firmly.
Dark sighed slightly, “It’s rare to have visitors during normal times. Now, at this untimely hour, they keep coming. Who is it this time?”
Eve pointed at the wall, her fingertips releasing mana, causing a vivid projection to appear on the white wall.
On a street some distance from the Duke’s Mansion, two new visitors approached straight towards the mansion, just as before, they were stopped by the patrolling guards.
But given the Knowledge Religion Sect elders’ situation, the guards didn’t act immediately.
The two sides faced off five meters apart, the atmosphere gradually solidifying.
Dark scrutinized carefully.
The two newcomers wore large cloaks, the hoods pulled down to obscure half their faces.
Under the flickering light, even that half-face was blurred, making identification impossible.
Irina, observing from a distance, hid behind.
Their voices were faint.
The smaller visitor stepped forward, removed the hood, revealing long black hair like a waterfall.
Irina knew how difficult it was to manage such hair, her eyes filled with envy.
One guard stepped forward, exchanged a few words, and then walked back.
“Another visitor for the young master?”
The guard’s request and Irina’s murmurings were transmitted through the Lingxi Spell into the mansion.
Dark observed closely, surprised.
The visitor clearly noticed them, turning their familiar and delicate face toward him.
…
“Young Master, who is this?” Olivia frowned, asking.
Dark replied, “Olivia, I want lamb meat.”
…
Late at night, without prior preparation, it wasn’t easy to cook lamb.
However, pre-cooked meats could be quickly prepared and served.
The maids in the kitchen moved swiftly upon receiving orders.
“It’s late, is the Duke back?”
“No, it seems to be the young master.”
“The young master? Would the young master eat so much meat for a midnight snack?”
“It’s the young master’s guest visiting.”
“That’s even stranger.”
The maids always added color to their mundane lives with gossip.
The news of the young master’s unusual midnight meat visitor spread throughout the mansion.
At this moment, the two visitors hadn’t even entered the door!
…
When Pandora Dragone arrived at the Duke’s Mansion with her mother, Dark had already set up a full meat feast in the dining room.
Olivia stood behind the young master, asking several times, “Is this really okay? Won’t it scare the guests?”
“Relax,” Dark waved his hand, “She’s not that kind of person.”
Milk tea, fried chicken, and grilled meat—every day was a feast.
In this world, there were always people who could eat whatever they wanted without gaining weight.
Pandora Dragone was one of them.
“She didn’t come out to greet me.”
Pandora glanced at the mansion’s entrance, her eyes slightly raised.
She naturally noticed Irina’s Lingxi Spell.
She knew someone was watching from the other side.
And it was probably her cute junior.
She hadn’t taken Dark’s invitation before leaving school as mere courtesy.
Now that she was here, and the host, her junior, didn’t come out to greet her, that was his fault.
With him in the wrong, she could establish a psychological advantage.
When meeting, she could slightly look down on him.
Thinking this, Pandora felt like she had a hold on him, her lips curling into a smile.
“What are you thinking?” the silver-haired beauty transformed from the white dragon softly asked behind her.
Pandora calmly said, “I’m thinking how to gain a higher position.”
“Gain a higher position?” the silver-haired beauty — Hefestus Dragone — laughed, “What are you thinking?”
“This is called ‘The Way of Getting Along,’ mom, you don’t understand.” Pandora said playfully, then quickened her pace.
“Ladies, please follow me,” the maid leading them directed them upstairs.
Just this gesture made everyone realize that these visitors were of a different status compared to the previous two.
Pandora followed the maid to the dining room, where the rich aroma of meat made her eyes widen.
She then broke into a grand smile.
“Well, I forgive you.”
