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Book 5: Chapter 98: The Scapegoat Has Appeared
Book 5: Chapter 98: The Scapegoat Has Appeared
“Don’t go thinking that I’ll back down so easily,” Elder Grez warned, his gaze turning frosty. Veyle trembled in fear, shrinking back like a frightened quail.
While Elder Grez was generally known for his amiable nature throughout the Holy Dragon Empire, one could not ignore the fact that he was the Third Divine Elder, a supreme saint-level expert. Only a select few in the empire were considered his equals.
As the seriousness in Elder Grez’s expression deepened, Veyle felt a chill run down her spine. It was as if she was standing in the frozen ice plains of the far north or facing the disapproving gaze of the Pope from her childhood when she kicked another kid in the rear. The intensity could almost shatter her soul.
“Bring Hermand here,” Grez ordered.
Hermand was an exceptionally rare diviner in the Holy Dragon Empire. Although Elder Grez was reluctant to bother him with this, he had grown weary of the constant lies from these young participants.
All they talked about was the eighth prince, but before coming here, Elder Grez had personally visited the prince, only to find him fighting with a dog in the confinement room. And to make matters worse, the prince was losing!
If someone like Prince Yeager could eliminate over ten thousand participants in this manner, Elder Grez was willing to let someone piss on his head.
Before long, a white-haired man arrived at the hall and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Third Divine Elder.”
Elder Grez stroked his beard and nodded. “I believe you’ve heard everything, yes?”
“Yes, I heard it all on my way here.”
“Can you perform a reading?”
Hermand glanced at Veyle, his wise gaze seemingly all-knowing. “As long as this girl has had contact with the mastermind behind the scenes and the mastermind’s strength doesn’t exceed the Saint Realm, I’ll be able to uncover the mastermind’s entire lineage.”
“Very well.” Elder Grez clapped his hands with satisfaction. Finally, after all this time, he had received some good news. “There’s no time to waste, let’s begin.”
“Of course.” Hermand turned to Veyle and smiled. “Please show me your hand, little girl.”
“N-No… I refuse!” Veyle struggled desperately. Although she had no idea where Lilith’s confidence in openly showing contempt toward the Holy Dragon Empire came from, Veyle knew that Lilith was definitely not a saint-level expert since she was a fellow participant. If this old man really found out about Lilith through his divination, Veyle knew she would be in serious trouble too.
The very thought of the Pope discovering her enormous debt of more than ten thousand gold coins left Veyle feeling hopeless. She might as well die right then and there.
“Ah, what a shame. Looks like I’ll have to resort to some tricks.”
Hermand’s eyes suddenly deepened, and despite Veyle’s continued struggle, her resistance gradually weakened as if her soul was being drawn away by his gaze.
Taking advantage of the moment, Hermand grasped Veyle’s hand and squinted at it. A profoundly ancient energy began to emanate from both of them.
“Huh?” Hermand let out a surprised sound. His gaze should have revealed information about everyone Veyle had encountered in the past three days. Apart from a few participants, all he saw was a hazy white mist when he focused on a particular area.
“Strange. Could it be that someone of higher power has already obscured this person’s destiny?”
Hermand’s competitive spirit was ignited. He had devoted a hundred years to the study of destiny. Even in Jeorgetown City, a city filled with all sorts of talents, he boldly declared himself as the Master of Destiny. Even if the little girl’s destiny was concealed by a saint-level expert, he should be able to find out something about a mere rank nine participant. Otherwise, he would be deemed unqualified to receive funds from the imperial family.
At the very least, he needed to uncover some clues.
Hermand retrieved an ancient parchment with a swift motion, reciting some words under his breath. A dazzling milky white light emerged from the parchment, floating up and hovering above Veyle’s head.
He placed one finger on Veyle’s forehead and began counting on his other hand. As he did so, his eyes gradually glowed with the same milky-white light as the parchment.
In the field of his vision, the blanket of white mist finally began to disperse, revealing the hideous truth hidden underneath.
“T-This is…”
Shock drained the color from Hermand’s face. He finally realized that, despite all his efforts, he had thrust himself into a bottomless abyss.
A colossal, golden-colored dragon pupil, seemingly encompassing heaven and earth, floated in the endless void before Hermand.
The dragon pupil exuded a majestic aura, its gaze fixed on an unknown distance in space. However, Hermand’s bold intrusion caused the dragon pupil to abruptly redirect its gaze downward, nonchalantly observing this insignificant intruder.
Merely under its gaze, Hermand felt his soul teetering on the edge of the abyss, as if it were about to be swallowed whole.
“AHHHH…!”
Hermand screamed in terror and covered his eyes before collapsing to the ground. His body convulsed in spasms, and his skin cracked, splattering fresh blood.
Simultaneously, the parchment above Veyle’s head was dripping crimson liquid. It emitted a shrill scream before inexplicably combusting, turning to ashes in the flames.
“What is going on?”
Elder Grez was shocked. He swiftly appeared by Hermand’s side, cradling his blood-soaked body. He quickly channeled magic power into Hermand, protecting his vital organs.
Elder Grez assessed Hermand’s injuries and discovered that most of the blood on his body came from superficial wounds. While his physical injuries were not severe, it was evident that Hermand’s soul had endured a significant blow, as he displayed signs of emotional distress.
Moreover, the sacred eyes that Hermand’s exceptional divination skill relied upon had disappeared. Only two empty, bloody sockets remained in their place.
“What have you done?” Elder Grez glared at Veyle, his rage akin to a lion’s as a rare murderous intent erupted from him.
“H-Huh…?” Veyle stared at Hermand in terror, her face pale with fear. She waved her hands frantically. “No… It wasn’t me, I didn’t do anything!”
“Shameless little thief! How dare you continue to spout lies!”
“No… It wasn’t her.”
Hermand weakly grasped Elder Grez’s sleeve as he struggled to speak. “I… s-saw… a dragon!”
“WHAT?” Elder Grez was horrified. How could a legendary dragon be involved in a simple poisoning case?
“Are you sure?”
“Y-Yes…. It was a golden-colored dragon pupil. I took only one look at it and was forced to sacrifice both of my eyes just to save my life.”
“Are you saying that this poisoning case was orchestrated by a dragon?”
Elder Grez struggled to wrap his head around it. If there was indeed a dissatisfied dragon in regards to the Great Celestial Rite, why wouldn’t it just come forward and express its discontent? The Holy Dragon Empire would surely comply with its wishes as dragons were held in high regard as totems.
Yet, it resorted to such a despicable act as poisoning, using the most vulgar laxative. Whoever was behind this couldn’t possibly be a clown sent by the dragon race, could they?
“Elder, don’t forget…” Hermand suddenly interjected.
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