Became a Demon with Pregnancy System-Chapter 136: Arcadia Magic Association

Lenora turned to Luke, her voice subdued. "I’ll see you tomorrow, then. We’ll regroup, gather a proper team. If I have to, I’ll request the presence of a higher-level official from the national council."

Luke nodded. "I’ll be around. Let me know if you need muscle or infiltration. We can’t let them bury this."

She gave him a long, appraising look. "You might be an insolent brat, but you’ve proven resourceful. Thank you, Luke." Her tone was unexpectedly soft.

A hint of warmth flickered in his eyes. "Always glad to help, Senior Sister." He winked, ignoring her roll of the eyes, and turned to leave.

Arcadia Magic Association

"Don’t be hasty, Victor Hale," Zack Reed said with forced calm. "We’ve debated the Totem Serpent issue for two days now. Perhaps I can offer a proposal."

Victor Hale, arms crossed, snorted derisively. "If you had a solution, we wouldn’t be stuck here! My people have just informed me two hunters were found poisoned. Are you still going to protect that snake?"

His words boomed across the council hall, stirring murmurs among those gathered.

Before, the serpent’s defenders—led by Zack Reed—had deflected demands for action, given no actual casualties had been proven. But now, with injuries reported, time was running out.

"Isn’t it a Supreme Monarch creature? We in Skandia can handle one serpent!" Hale barked. "Either you keep it out of Arcadia entirely, or we put it down."

Glances flickered around the high-ceilinged chamber. Some saw sense in Hale’s blunt approach; others felt he was too eager to kill.

From one side, Tanya Reed spoke up. "Councilor Hale, there’s no solid proof the serpent attacked those hunters.

If it wanted to kill humans, do you really think it would leave behind corpses at all?" She arched an eyebrow in challenge.

"Enough, Tanya," Zack Reed admonished quietly, stepping forward. "We shouldn’t rely on speculation in front of Councilor Hale."

Hale’s voice rose, ignoring Tanya. "I’m done debating. That serpent must be contained, or else we’ll handle it ourselves. Whether or not you help, I’m going to act tomorrow."

Zack Reed exchanged a worried look with Tanya Reed. He’s serious. The serpent, though typically peaceful, could wreak havoc if cornered. A drawn-out conflict threatened the city.

"Well," Zack attempted, "the serpent’s presence doesn’t automatically mean it’s guilty. Perhaps there was an accidental discharge of miasma—"

"Then let it be restrained under the Forbidden Army’s watch," Hale thundered. "We can’t leave a dangerous beast roaming free. If you won’t help, then stand aside. I’ve had enough!"

He turned, storming out with a retinue of palace guards. A hush remained, only to be broken by Laurence Mann, who rose with a pensive smile.

"Zack Reed, you pushed him a bit too far. If you had cooperated, we might still talk reason. Now we can’t."

Zack frowned. "Councilor Mann, you practically sided with Hale at the end. Why provoke him further?"

Mann shrugged, feigning innocence. "I simply observed that if no one can confirm the serpent’s innocence, Councilor Hale has a point about city safety." A faint glint shone in his eyes. "Let’s see if you can handle him."

With that, Mann strode out. Left behind were a handful of serpent defenders, including Tanya Reed, whose frustration was palpable.

"How can Mann escalate things like that?" she muttered. "Is he truly indifferent to the Totem Serpent’s fate?"

Zack Reed shook his head grimly. "I suspect he wants it gone, though not openly. If the serpent’s truly innocent, we must gather proof—and fast. Once Hale sets his plan in motion, there’s no telling how many mages he’ll involve."

Tanya exhaled. "If we can’t reason with Hale, the serpent will be targeted tomorrow."

Outside the Arcadia Magic Association, Laurence Mann departed with his aides. He exchanged words with a black-clad subordinate who hurried up. "Sir, just as you intended, it’s all set. Councilor Hale is fully riled."

Mann nodded, stepping into the night. "Good. Now make sure the narrative spreads—two hunters died from poison, likely the Totem Serpent’s doing. Stir the public fear."

"Yes, Councilor," the subordinate affirmed.

Mann smiled thinly. "At this point, Zack Reed’s totem guardians can do nothing. Once the serpent is branded a murderer, nothing will save it."

Meanwhile, at White Town—the distribution hub for military supplies—night had grown chaotic. Flames danced atop Warehouse No. 4, sending sparks into the dark sky.

Alarmed staff hurried about, buckets and spells at the ready, trying to quell the blaze.

Yet, oddly, the goods inside didn’t seem to burn. Instead, a swirling black mist hovered around the flames, preventing real damage. At the warehouse entrance, Luke stood, conjuring the spectacle. Lenora Quinn remained close by, while Walter Murphy hovered nervously.

Near the center of the chaos, a rough foreman stared at the bizarre half-flames. "What sorcery is this?" he cried. "We’re on fire, but nothing’s destroyed?"

Luke gave a short laugh. "It’s a specialized barrier. The flames are mostly for show—scare tactics. If you’re innocent, no harm done."

Lenora Quinn glowered. "We suspect these crates hold tainted blood agent. The facility staff refused a Judgment Society inspection, so here we are."

Walter Murphy wrung his hands. "This confirms everything, Mentor... The man who renewed the contract with me was here, about to incinerate suspicious stock."

In the center of Warehouse No. 4, a burly man—the same who’d once negotiated with Walter—stood drawing a star pattern. His gaze flicked between Luke, Lenora, and the partial inferno overhead.

"You criminals!" he roared. "How dare you trespass in a secured zone! The blood agent belongs to the Arcadia Military—this is theft!"

Lenora scoffed. "Calm down. Our only aim is to check for sabotage. If you have nothing to hide, why try to burn shipments?"

Instead of listening, the burly man finished a high-level Fire incantation. Sheets of intense flame sparked into existence—Flame Rain. Instantly, scorching droplets pelted the floor, threatening to engulf Luke and company.

Luke tightened his stance, arms outstretched. In a blink, he telekinetically grasped Lenora’s waist and yanked her aside.