When Sally heard the news about the walking corpses, she left the guard post and started killing them. Thanks to the huge difference in levels, she had no problems finishing the zombies. Thanks to doing everything carefully, there were no casualties other than the zombies, only a few broken arms or legs at most.

She was glad to see such a result since such wounds could be healed easily. She knew about the City Lord and his plans and she was one of the key figures, while the other vice-captain and the real captain were doing dangerous missions in the capital city. They were playing along with the king, behaving like obedient dogs. She felt sad every time she thought of them.

She knew that they had to kill innocent people if it was necessary, just for the greater good. She didn’t have the willpower to do such a thing, so she stayed in the city to manage control. The where-being of the City Lord was something even she didn’t know most of the time.

When she finished cleaning up the corpses, she made her way towards the gate. Saluting, the guards stepped to the side and let her go towards the ID card room. Stopping in front of the guard, she said, “Step back. I need to check who made new ID cards in these last few weeks. All these things started not long ago, so it must be connected with the appearance of somebody. Did you see anyone suspicious?”

“No, captain,” the guard replied, standing next to the wall. Although most people didn’t know it, the crystal ball stored the dates when new ID cards were made. “I hope that they registered or we will be in for a good show,” she muttered as she put her hands on the crystal. Closing her eyes, she channeled her Mana into it. Dates started pouring into her head, along with the basic information each person’s ID card had.

Opening her eyes, she stepped back and swung her arm in an arc. A blue blade of Mana flew out of her arm and crashed into the wall. Six ID cards appeared, containing each person’s name. “These people came not long before these crazy events started. Let’s see…”

“Elena, Audrey Frost, Jake Hughes. I know those three, but they should be fine. The other three are… Derrel Shawk! He was the person who tried to use Mind Control on Jake. And the rest is Victoria and Albert Gurwen. Gurwen… why is that name so familiar?” she pondered, furrowing her brows.

Stomping on the ground, she snapped her fingers as she said, “Ah! That’s the name of a noble family in the capital city! What were they good at again? You, go and look for the Gurwen family in the library. There should be something noted related to them.” Hearing her command, the guard saluted and ran off with full speed.

He came back running with the same speed, fifteen minutes later. “Haah- they are haah- experts in assassination techniques!” the guard told her, breathing heavily.

“Assassination, spying, those two things walk hand in hand! Could it be?” she talked to herself, continuing in her mind, are they spies? I must notify the City Lord somehow.

But before she could think any further, two guards came rushing in, panting heavily. “Captain! The mansion of Lord Gautama was… set on fire!”

Hearing his words, Sally punched the wall, leaving a huge hole in it. “Shit keeps happening! When will it come to an end?!” She left the gates with loud stomps and made her way to Gautama’s mansion. She soon learned that a man noticed the burning building and extinguished the fire. She also learned that all that was left were ID cards.

Seeing three names she didn’t expect, her eyes almost popped out since they were none other than Gautama, Albert Gurwen, and Victoria Gurwen. The Gurwen family had great concealing skills and spells, which made them look weak. But everyone in the capital knew of the fearsome twins’ prowess. Elena didn’t know how lucky she was that she arrived late.

If somebody managed to kill three such powerful people, that person must have been above the four-hundredth level. Those are only the City Lords, which means that Bethor, the City Lord, learned about them. Damn it! This bastard was a spy all along and I never noticed it?! I’m really not cut out for these schemes. And here I believed that he was a nice person. My father always told me that I was too naive… I should reconcile with him.

He told me that my husband was a bad person too… yet I didn’t believe him. But I won’t make that mistake again! Let’s think, what am I missing here? Who is making this mess? Not even one guard noticed that person, even though he or she kept killing gang members. The only clue we have is a black tail. They also came at the right time… but they took an oath! That can’t be! Ah, and now I have to worry about Hoa too.

I don’t even know what is Hoa’s true Job. I mean, he wanted her by all means as a bodyguard, but for what reason? With his strength, it makes no sense… Where did she go? What’s going on!? Let’s assume that I’m Gautama. Why would I need Hoa? Definitely not to protect me. She would be close to me, and keeping secrets would be harder too.

Then what good do I get from her? Could it be… that he wanted to use her as a hostage?! A hostage against me!

Damn it, I’ve just realized something! Jake, Elena, and Audrey made an oath, stating that they didn’t kill anyone in the city. I know that it’s impossible to find people who never killed anyone, but they never said that they didn’t kill any of the gang members and such. As long as they knocked out people and killed them outside… could it be that Elena’s panther was carrying the corpses back to leave traces?

And while we started focusing on such things, Gautama finally found out what’s going on here. But he was killed by Bethor, so he can’t spill the beans now. We aren’t ready for a war with the capital yet. Jake, Elena, Audrey, all of them were very powerful and talented. Could it be that they were from the Magical School? I wouldn’t be surprised by that.

I finally realized who is the origin of this mess! They were leading me around by my nose all this time! Jake collected information about the guards, while Elena and Audrey drew our attention. Gautama found out the truth thanks to their little scheme, but before he could leave… his plan failed. But Hoa doesn’t know anything and Gautama probably sent her off to tell the king that Bethor wants to rebel! And who knows where Elena and the others are?! I must find them!

Connecting the dots in her own way, she felt both enraged and sad over her lack of capabilities. She thought that she should have seen through these tricks long ago, but she had been focusing on training all her life and missed the chance to learn about such things. Although she didn’t notice that if such a thing was to happen again, she would be likely to notice everything sooner, which was thanks to Elena.

She unconsciously helped Sally overcome one of her weak points, at the cost of earning her hate and wrath. But that was the kind of fate Devourers had. Unless the person in question is better than the ones before her.

“Issue a search for Elena, Audrey Frost, Jake Hughes, and Dred. Elena has long, black hair-” she started describing their looks and commanded every guard, even those who weren’t on their shift, to spread her words and find her targets. She was about to go on her way when she felt a familiar presence rushing towards her. It was none other than Hoa.

“Master! You are alright!” she shouted, hugging her.

“Hoa! You aren’t hurt, are you? Alright, you look good,” she laughed happily, touching her body all over the place, her hands stopping on her face. Hugging her one last time, she asked what happened.

“The City Lord, Bethor, broke into Lord Gautama’s house and killed him, along with his guests. I know that I didn’t see him in the last few years, but I still remember his face. It was him. Then Lord Gautama told me that he will go and kill everyone if I don’t go to the capital and tell the king that he is planning to rebel! But I felt too worried for Master and I turned around. We should leave this city as quickly as-”

Interrupting Hoa, Sally decided to not hold back their plans and briefly told her. Upon hearing her master’s words, she saw everything in a new light.

“Let’s find those evildoers! Elena, right?” she asked with a smirk on her face, cracking her fingers.

----

Everyone was fighting for something they believed to be the truth. But who will get out on the top? A little group? A whole city? A kingdom? It was something only the future knew.