It was definitely a flashy and eventful night for the residents of Green’s End. Without exception, everyone was woken up by a blinding radiance coupled with a deafening explosion that shook the very cliff the towering stone fort was erected upon.

Atop his unshakable fortress, Viscount Kirn Sparrow was standing at the edge with his trusted confidant, Knight Veronica, right behind with an expression of absolute awe.

Her master had his blindfold off, his eyes emitting a resplendent golden light as he used all of his power to move the large rocks.

The stone formation near the settlement was uprooted and split into tiny and innumerable pieces as they formed a protective dome around the fort and the settlement at its feet.

Even with such a strong defensive layer, the Viscount wasn’t able to negate the entirety of the impact. A brief and dreadful tremor assaulted the earth that caused widespread panic.

As a dust cloud was accumulating amidst the darkness of the night, Kirn lowered his exhausted hands and chuckled.

“How’s that for a spectacle, Veronica?”

“I-I wouldn’t call it that, my lord.”

The strong-willed female knight spoke with a stuttering voice, her face pale as she stared at the massive crater left by the devastating explosion.

There were no signs of the mercenaries, the carriage, or even the parasite. In fact, a considerable portion of the forest adjacent to the point of impact was also razed off the ground, leaving nothing but dust and air.

“W-was this truly necessary, my lord?”

As he sat down on his favorite chair, Kirn Sparrow chuckled, his brilliant eyes still glued to the crater that was at least twice as large as the stone fortress.

“There had been other ways to make our new friend leave inconspicuously. With the tunnels underneath us, teleportation scrolls, or a multitude of viable alternatives.”

“Then why? Surely, a safe and quiet escapade would have served his needs.”

The Viscount glanced at the curious and frightened knight, finding her reaction expected yet comical.

“That’s true… but only if escapade was his main objective.”

Veronica tilted her head in confusion and waited for him to clarify.

“On the one hand, we got many curious eyes closely and stealthily following our new friend. Evidently, he had dealt with Amare and had gotten her off his back, but neither she nor the Masked Queen were really that much of a problem. However, whether it’s Lexander Biax, that maniacal private investigator, or the Consortium, they’re all waiting for an opportunity to make use of the parasite, one way or another. In such a situation, what better way is there than to demonstrate to the ignorant and warn the cautious?”

“The Consortium knows about him?”

“Counting me and Terden, five of the Ten Seats know his real identity. Admittedly, they didn’t act, but with how exposed he was, it was only a matter of time. Therefore, he sent his maid and the undead away, which were the biggest giveaway, and provided us with this resplendent denouement.”

“But, my Lord, the Holy Knights were killed too. The Holy Church…”

“The Holy Church will do what it always does. Good luck to them finding a parasite, a species that could take any form and roam around practically undetected. Moreover, you don’t understand how ridiculously fast parasites can grow stronger, Veronica. Before long, our new friend will become the hunter instead of the hunted. I dare say he will prove to be a most valuable asset.”

Upon seeing the woman lower her head, seemingly absent-minded and still in shock, Kirn smiled and asked,

“Anything else on your mind?”

“My Lord… I don’t mean to disrespect you, but isn’t it dangerous to collude with him? You always tell me that a friend could turn into an enemy in the blink of an eye. I fear that there may be repercussions for you and your plans.”

“If you’re worried that he might betray me, then I don’t have any good arguments to deny that. Still, even if he tries and fails to retrieve my item or doesn’t try at all, it’s the same for me. He will be enough of a distraction for not only the Militant Syndicate but all three ruling nations. That way, I can operate with relative ease.”

“I see, thanks you for your answers, my Lord.”

“It’s fine. Could you go and calm the masses?”

“It shall be done.”

Veronica performed a knightly salute and then left with haste.

Kirn, on the other hand, remained on his seat and watched as the tiny pieces of stones returned to their original location after the rumbling had calmed down.

All that could be seen once the cloud of dust had dispersed was a crater of absurd proportions. It was like a meteor had struck down the earth, destroying any and all things.

Solas Frostrune, along with the knights he had brought along to chase after Furball, had also felt the explosions.

As they had distanced themselves from the impact, they didn’t sustain any injuries. Still, the ear-splitting explosions and the shock wave it brought did leave the Holy Knights disoriented and in a state of absolute stupefaction.

“Everyone alright?”

“Y-yes…”

They got to their feet and looked at the ginormous cloud of dust covering the night sky like a looming giant.

“S-sir… what happened?”

Just as Solas was about to reply, a swift shadow lunged at them from the bushes.

The unsuspecting Holy Knight was bitten in the waist by the enraged Furball.. It was screeching as it refused the let go even when the Holy Knight swung his shining sword.

When Solas unsheathed his weapon and moved in, Furball kicked the Holy Knight and leapt back.

“Surround it!”

Holy Knight Bea, who was still frightened by the explosion, held her sword with both hands and circled around Furball. Meanwhile, Holy Knight Sam pressed his empty hand against the bleeding wound.

“I-I think I’ve been poisoned.” His face was incredibly pale and his body was shaking, from fear and weakness.

Fortunately, he performed a purification blessing on himself just in time to get rid of the vampiric poisoning caused by Furball.

Solas was enveloped by a pure and golden light which burned the ground and swirled around him majestically.

With an impressive speed, he rushed at the big rabbit and clashed his sword with its over-grown row of teeth.

The screeching sound of clashing metal reverberated across the gloomy forest as Furball was blown to the back and crashed into one of the three, pulverizing it.

Still, even with a nasty wound on its back, it got to its feet and opened its mouth, unleashing a blast of purple-colored magic strikingly similar to Amare’s.

Bea jumped in front of the blast and sliced diagonally, deflecting it successfully. Solas leapt over her and thrust his sword from a distance, shooting beams of light at Furball, which started zigzagging around and evading the projectiles.

“I got you!” Shouted the begrudging Sam as he smashed his magical shield into the beast.

Furball was flattened by the mountainous pressure, but it kept resisting and somehow pushed back the Holy Knight.

Desperate and endangered, Furball let out an ear-piercing screech as it vomitted blood. Before the Holy Knights could reach it again, it started spinning like wheel; It rapidly rolled around while its white hair shot needle-like projectiles that pierce Sam and Bea.

“You’re not getting away!”

Solas was nimble and tenacious as he waved his sword, deflecting the sharp flying hair and then clasping his sword near his chest and mumbling an incantation.

His weapon vibrated as a milky-white aura burst forth, first shooting upwards then cascading on the rolling rabbit.

Although the target was fast, Solas’ attack caused an indiscriminating blast that hit everything in its way.

By the time Holy Knight Solas Frostrune lowered his weapon, Furball was lying on the ground, covered in blood as its body twitched continuously.

“Drink Healing Potions and stay alert!”

Sam and Bea nodded as they maintained a distance from the fallen beast. Solas, however, approached it while holding a shining white chain.

Since he failed to retrieve the parasite, bringing back this strange beast should be enough of a prize, especially since it clearly seemed to be something of demonic origin.

When he was upon the incapacitated beast and was about to chain it down, Solas’ senses caught something but he didn’t react in time.

A figure fell from above, enveloping herself and Furball in a glistening crimson curtain.

Seconds later, the cautious Sam and Bea saw dozens of knights clad in armor appear from the darkness. They were armed to the teeth and bore an unfamiliar insignia.

“Knights? Who are you?”

With the golden light emitting from him, Solas glared at the girl holding the large rabbit in her arms.

Within a couple of breaths, the Holy Knights were surrounded by no less than fifty knights. There were even a couple of mages at the back, all holding staffs and ready to strike.

“You stand in the presence of Baron Julie Lernon.”

An elderly butler appeared behind the girl, standing straight and looking back at the Solas.

“Lernon?”

Solas, although confused at first, quickly remembered the Lernon Family albeit its small influence.

“This isn’t your territory. You are obstructing the Holy Church.”

“You went after my familiar, it is only right that I retaliate.” Corrected Julie as she caressed the half-dead Furball.

She retrieved a small knife and cut her hand, feeding her blood to the rabbit.

“This is a Demonic creature. Do you realize what you’re doing?”

“So, just because it’s different from the rest and it can use Magic, you’re assuming it’s Demonic? Tell me, Holy Knight, do you think it’s wise to confront me here?”

With her signal, Julie’s Knight shouted in unison and raised their weapons.

They stomped on the ground and approached Sam, Bea, and Solas.

“We are ready for a fight… are you?”

“...”

Solas venomously glared at her, his eyes red and expression hideous. In the end, he lowered his sword and retracted his magic.

“Wait until the Holy Church hears of this. Your aristocratic status will not be enough.”

“Heh! We’ll see about that. See you.”

Julie cheerfully waved her hand at the leaving Holy Knights.

Even with how remarkably strong Solas was, he couldn’t defeat everyone there.

It was clear that Julie had come prepared, so it wasn’t wise to recklessly force her hand, at least not in here.

Although he was a Holy Knight, and one with high status, Solas knew that this was outside of his jurisdiction.

Far North, the Holy Church’s influence was unparalleled, but within the Militant Syndicate, it was the noble who held absolute power.

“My lady, what now?”

The elderly butler bowed and awaited her instruction, but Julie didn’t reply immediately. Once she made sure Furball had calmed down, she declared,

“There’s nothing else to do here. We will return home.”

She glanced at the cloud of dust, but knowing Arthur, she knew that interfering or trying to help might hinder his plans. She could only hope he was safe and try to grow stronger while making full use of her position and authority, no matter how insignificant they were.