Chapter 49: An Idiot Is Still an Idiot!

Even from such a distance, the noise made by the Monster could be heard.

It was obvious that the Monster was relocating its nest.

If something unexpected happened along the way, a small-scale Monster Tide could easily form.

The crowd began to stir with unease.

As fresh rookies who had just stepped into this world, they could barely rely on the Magical Tools they carried to make a round at the very edge of the Giant Oak Forest.

Expecting them to deal with a Monster, or even a Monster Tide, was asking the impossible!

Carl smiled gently.

“I understand everyone’s desire to purge heretics for the Mistress of Frostmoon, but this really isn’t a place to stay for long.”

“How about this? We’ll leave a representative behind to watch Ailian, and have them spread word of her fate when they return.”

“At the same time, a single person is a smaller target and less likely to be discovered by Monsters.”

Everyone immediately found a way out and agreed enthusiastically.

“That’s a good idea!”

“I agree!”

But agreeing was one thing—who would actually stay behind?

Even after all that, no one dared to be the first to speak.

Everyone understood the principle of the nail that sticks out gets hammered.

Carl covered his mouth and gave a soft cough.

“Of everyone present, I’m the most skilled in stealth-type magic.”

“For me, leaving the Giant Oak Forest safely isn’t an issue. I’ll stay behind.”

Everyone was more than happy to oblige, showering Carl with praise.

They were both the Lord’s adopted children, yet how could one be so high and the other so low?

They even took the chance to curse Ailian, who lay on the ground.

It was as if by doing so, they could hide the darkness in their hearts and make themselves appear more righteous.

As soon as the words were spoken, they cast their spells faster than anyone and ran off quicker than rabbits!

Once the area was empty,

Carl no longer needed to maintain that gentle mask.

He walked step by step to stand before Ailian.

His shoes, made from the leather of an unknown Monster, mercilessly crushed Ailian’s fingertips.

“Ah!!!”

A chilling crack of bones echoed through the air.

Accompanied by Ailian’s dry, sandpaper-like moan of agony, it sounded even more harrowing.

A cold, terrifying smile curled at the corner of Carl’s mouth as he looked down from above:

“Ailian, did you ever imagine three years ago that I would be the one to shatter your hand?”

Ailian’s head snapped up, shock and fury intertwined in her eyes.

“Carl! It was you scheming behind my back!”

“The rumors in the territory, the Forbidden Tome related to the God of Storms in my room, the inexplicable appearance of Forbidden Magic—all your doing?!”

“What did I ever do to you to deserve this frame-up?”

Carl chuckled softly, his smile devoid of warmth.

“Why should I tell you? Isn’t it more interesting to let you die filled with confusion and resentment?”

Ailian felt as if her heart had fallen into an icy pit.

She’d considered countless possibilities.

She’d even suspected her foster father—but never him!

Even though they were competitors now.

But if it weren’t for Carl back then…

Ailian would have long since failed the assessment and, like most of the adopted children, been cast out into the wilderness.

She would never have had the chance to become a mage!

Now, the other party had gone to such lengths to deal with her—what for?

Ailian clenched her teeth, flashes of the past racing through her mind.

“Three years ago… was it because you lost to me in the Territory Competition and missed out on the Magic Potion that could wash away one’s talent?”

Three years ago, there were still many of the Lord’s adopted children.

The resources each received were pitiful, so the rewards of the Territory Competition were especially significant.

Particularly the first prize—a Reshaping Potion the Lord had somehow obtained.

Back then,

Carl was the most powerful among all the adopted children, with overwhelming talent.

First place was almost guaranteed.

But then Ailian emerged as a dark horse.

First, thanks to weak opponents, she advanced smoothly to the finals.

Then, with a sudden burst of strength, she easily defeated Carl, who was already exhausted from a series of battles.

That Magic Potion, after Ailian used it, didn’t actually improve her much.

Her cultivation speed remained unchanged.

She even thought it was a fake potion for a time.

However, after that burst in the competition,

Her talent in physical combat and martial arts began to shine, and she found herself highly suited for the path of a Magic Swordsman.

Her strength gradually caught up with Carl’s, and the two became evenly matched.

Every training session, their wins and losses were almost equal.

Ailian’s eyes were full of disbelief and anger.

“Just because of that, you want me dead?!”

Although their strength was similar, the Lord clearly favored Carl.

Compared to an adopted daughter, she felt more like a hired hand!

She didn’t believe he was unaware of her desire to break away from the organization!

“Of course…”

Carl grinned,

“Not at all.”

Ailian’s furious expression froze.

“W-what?”

Did she misunderstand him?

Carl was amused by Ailian’s ridiculous face and burst into genuine laughter.

“I just tossed out a random reason and you believed it? You could even find such an absurd excuse for me?”

“Hahahahaha—what a fool!”

He laughed until he doubled over, but the pressure under his foot never lessened.

Each big movement was accompanied by Ailian’s even more painful moans and the crisp sound of breaking finger bones.

“Ugh!!”

Cold sweat broke out on Ailian’s forehead from the pain.

Carl wiped away the tears that laughter had brought to his eyes, his voice turning icy once more.

“But seriously, to think that the old man wanted someone as stupid as you for an heir?!”

“Isn’t that hilarious?”

Ailian gritted her teeth against the pain and lifted her head defiantly.

“I have no idea about any of this! How could he possibly choose me as his heir?”

“Yeah, how could he…”

Carl’s smile didn’t change,

“So that was another lie I told you.”

Shock flickered in Ailian’s eyes.

Carl chuckled again.

“See? You believed it again.”

“You keep saying ‘how could it be’, but a fool’s eyes never lie.”

“If I said, ‘Kill you, and the heir’s position is mine,’ you’d probably believe that too.”

A surge of humiliation and fury swept through Ailian.

“You!”

She’d never wanted to stand up more than she did right now.

She wanted to grab Carl by the collar and smash that hypocritical face with her fist!

But she couldn’t even move a finger, and her lower body was completely numb.

She was utterly powerless!

Ailian turned her head away, refusing to look at him or answer any more of his questions.

Carl forcefully turned her face back, a malicious smile at his lips.

“Don’t be like that. Keep talking!”

“Ever since the plan began, I’ve been waiting to see that look of despair on your face.”

“Since you’re going to die anyway, why not give me a bit more entertainment?”

Ailian said nothing, but Carl was more than happy to keep talking.

He stared at Ailian, her body soaked in blood and looking like a demon, and spoke slowly, word by word.

“In terms of cultivation, I’m not inferior to you. In means and abilities, you’re even further behind.”

“What exactly did the old man see in you?”

“Could it be…”

His gaze dropped lower, settling on the chest she forced upright even as she half-collapsed on the ground.

Then it dropped further