Chapter 27: Table Manners

Aescher followed the group toward the Castle, a trace of uncontrollable excitement in his heart.

After all, he had finally entered Blackwater Town.

Even if his current situation wasn’t safe, that Valkyrie candidate had most likely recognized he wasn’t the real Father Aescher.

Shapeshifting Art.

If he had used Shapeshifting Art, there wouldn’t have been such trouble.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t learned that magic worth twelve Gold Tack.

Compared to paying at the Arcane Workshop and registering to buy a Scroll, he preferred to learn magic from Scrolls he stole.

And those idiots he killed clearly didn’t have the qualifications to possess Shapeshifting Art.

But it didn’t matter.

Once he gained enough power, he could go hunt stronger Magicians.

Maybe one day, after opening a package, he’d be pleasantly surprised to find Shapeshifting Art inside.

He was an optimistic bastard— even in danger, he would fantasize about tomorrow’s delicious cake.

Whether that existence beneath the Forbidden Taboo of the Mine still survived was unknown.

But power— mighty power— for that power, this adventure was worth it.

Aescher looked at the towering Castle before him and chuckled.

It was through one adventure after another that he had come this far in the organization.

He loved chaos and danger, because for people like him, only in chaos could he feel safe.

The old Demon King had been defeated, but a new Demon King would soon descend.

Just thinking of the scent of death and the cries of people begging for mercy made him tremble with excitement.

Father Aescher smiled and sat at the head of the banquet hall.

Baron Huo En and Kaili sat on the left side of the long table, while Wright, Naili, and others sat on the right.

Kaili sat to the left of Li Qiuchen.

Of the other townsfolk, only Tide and three other residents followed, sitting beside Baron Huo En.

“Baron Huo En, with so many guests visiting, please serve some food. I’ve walked a long way and am indeed a bit tired. Thank you.”

Aescher addressed Baron Huo En, then turned to Wright.

“Mr. Wright, before the trial officially begins, may I ask about some old matters?”

Wright nodded.

Aescher spoke to the crowd.

“The Blackwater Town Mayor mentioned the Forbidden Taboo of the Mine on the way here. Could everyone explain it to me in detail?”

The crowd exchanged glances.

Servants brought trays of Bread and Roast Meat, setting them before everyone.

Old Mayor Lauren spoke.

“Five years ago, a Magic Beast entered the mine…”

“What kind of Magic Beast?”

Father Aescher interrupted.

The residents were stunned.

Lauren frowned, recalling.

“That Magic Beast was pitch black, like a tiger, but bigger than a tiger— its body was larger than a house— and it had a fiery red tail. It killed many people.”

“It was an adult Mankor infected by Demonic Energy,” Baron Huo En added.

“When it arrived here, it was severely wounded by a sword. It ran into the mine, where a worker used explosives to collapse the tunnel, trapping it at the bottom of the mine.”

Mankor was the guardian beast of the Yanaweis Royal Family.

Its appearance resembled a tiger, but even larger— a species said to have been born from a divine blessing upon tigers in ancient times.

Raised by the Yanaweis Royal Family, they were enrolled in the Royal Guard upon reaching adulthood.

Invincible in battle, they were feared across the land.

Rumor had it that their sharp claws could even tear space.

“A Mankor infected by Demonic Energy?”

Two voices spoke simultaneously.

Both carried urgent doubt— one belonged to Father Aescher, the other to Li Qiuchen, who had stood up.

They exchanged glances, then sat back down.

The banquet hall fell into a strange silence.

The only sound was Jocelyn beside Li Qiuchen, head down, eating Roast Meat.

No one else touched their food.

Li Qiuchen was excited because, five years ago— when their Squad Four passed through the Southern Principality— four Mankors infected by Demonic Energy ambushed their team at night.

Li Qiuchen, on watch, hadn’t even had time to react before Belinda, chatting beside him, slew three with a single blow, leaving only one wounded and fleeing.

Afterward, Belinda led the team in pursuit of the beast for seven days and nights.

Reina had objected, but Belinda insisted that letting a monster escape would only bring disaster.

They had thought the beast was dead— never expecting it had hidden here.

Belinda’s stubbornness was justified, but in the end, they failed to catch the beast.

Aescher’s excitement was even simpler.

An injured, infected Mankor perfectly met his needs— a hundred times better than the organization had imagined.

Those fools thought it was just an ordinary Magic Beast that escaped during the Sin Demon King era.

Everything was worth it!

He almost wanted to shout.

It was injured and unknown to outsiders— he could completely “consume” it himself.

He was so excited his heart trembled, but his expression remained calm.

“Mr. Huo En, are you sure it was an injured Mankor?”

“That’s what the Old Sorcerer told me.”

Huo En answered blandly.

“Old Sorcerer?”

Aescher noticed the detail.

Kemel answered first.

“A year after the beast died, a Black Magician arrived at the town. He harmed the people, threatened everyone, and tried to steal the Magic Beast’s power. It was the Baron who tricked him into the mine, then detonated the pit and killed him.”

Aescher remained composed, but inside grew even more excited.

It matched the organization’s records: the previous Executioner had come here to awaken the Magic Beast but failed.

He looked at Huo En with new respect.

This man, without a trace of magic, must have harbored terrifying strength to kill such a high-level Executioner.

“To kill a wounded Magic Beast by such means is understandable. But to slay a Black Magician— that’s hardly realistic, is it?”

Aescher asked calmly.

This time, before Kemel could speak, Huo En explained.

“When he tried to siphon power from the dead Magic Beast, I stabbed him to death with my blade.”

He watched Wright’s face— the square, honest features that seemed reliable at a glance— but now, it was like a stone, showing no emotion.

He wasn’t the Old Sorcerer’s man?

Huo En wasn’t sure.

He knew the Old Sorcerer was mysterious but greedy, seeming to want the Magic Beast in the mine all for himself, so after his death, no other beasts came.

Could Wright be a beast too?

Once, Huo En could have said with certainty: no.

The breadmaker was honest and had often visited the Castle to bake cakes, making guests happy.

Huo En had truly regarded him as a resident of Blackwater Town.

But now, he wasn’t so sure.

“In fact, the Sorcerer arrived at the town right after the Magic Beast’s death and made some agreement with Baron Huo En.”

Wright spoke up, meeting Huo En’s gaze.

“From then on, Baron Huo En began his hunting career. A year later, the Black Magician came— essentially to demand the Baron fulfill their promise.”

“You’re lying! To slander the lord in such a place—”

Kemel turned and drew his Knight’s Longsword from a servant’s waist.

But another Knight’s Longsword was drawn even faster, resting against his throat before he could turn back.

It was Kaili’s sword— a razor-sharp Double-handed Sword, now held easily in one hand against Kemel’s neck.

Just two nights ago, Kemel had been the one drawing a sword.

Now, their positions had reversed.

Kaili spoke to Aescher.

“Drawing a sword during the trial is hardly proper etiquette, is it?”

“In fact, the trial hasn’t even begun yet— this is merely the priest’s rest period. But you, drawing a blade against my loyal Knight in my banquet hall, is a true breach of hospitality.”

Huo En used his silver chopsticks to gently lift Kaili’s sword.

The two stared at each other, tension thick in the air, as if they might clash at any moment.

A voice broke the standoff.

“Quarreling during a meal hardly fits basic table manners, does it?”

Jocelyn lifted her head from the tray, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

She wasn’t simply done eating— she had finished everything.

Kaili sheathed her Knight’s Longsword, and Baron Huo En returned to his seat.

“Before Uncle Wright continues his accusations, may I offer Baron Huo En a suggestion?”

Jocelyn looked straight at Huo En.

The girl’s cute face was now serious.

Everyone focused on her.

She continued.

“Baron, the Roast Meat is a bit tough. Your Chef tried to cover the mistake with too much Pepper.

Please have him remake it and send a new one over.”

Huo En showed true nobility at this moment.

He didn’t have her thrown out; instead, he had the servants relay Jocelyn’s message to the Chef, who quickly prepared a new dish.

“Please continue.”

Jocelyn said generously, lowering her head to resume her solitary feast.

Li Qiuchen quietly gave her a thumbs-up, deeply impressed.

No matter what the situation, Old Four was always serious about eating.

He remembered why he had given Jocelyn the nickname “Old Four” in middle school.

Old Four— you don’t eat four things.

Dragon, ghosts, immortals, monsters.

Not that you don’t like eating them, mainly that you can’t catch them.