’I’ve struck it rich.’

"By the Storm, I think I see a whole lot of the old King’s face," Hector said, his eyes wide as he stared at the glint of gold.

Chirut gulped. "Y-you’re not seeing things. I-I’m starting to regret this."

According to the mission’s rules of distribution, anyone who participated in the kill would get a ten percent share of the spoils.

"Pathetic!" Santiago smacked them. "If you want money, then hurry up and get stronger. If you can’t even beat people from the Investigation Department, I think you should just quit the department now."

Though he, too, was incredibly envious when he saw all those gold pounds...

"..."

Wei’en paid no mind to their stares and words. ’Good thing I searched the body, otherwise these gold pounds would have been devoured by the ghosts.’

He then reached for the body of Elno next to him.

Gold pounds, shillings... a letter.

’Hm? A letter?’

’I’ll read it later when I have time.’

Wei’en put the items, along with Elno’s longsword, into his Space Ring. After confirming he hadn’t missed anything, he signaled for the ghosts to begin.

"Adagua." [Soul-Devouring Magic]

[You have used Soul-Devouring Magic to devour the essence of Colins Vazquez. Your essence has been enhanced. Special Reward: Essence +0.01.]

[You have used Soul-Devouring Magic... Special Reward: Essence +0.01.]

’Tsk, only 0.01?’

’Next time I run into a Wizard from the Ghost Soul School, I have to try the Soul-Devouring Magic on them. I need to see if the essence boost after devouring them is the same as it was with Ognian.’

’If it is, then the Ghost Meditation Technique... is extremely suspicious!’

Seeing this, Santiago, who was standing nearby, got a thoughtful look on his face. It was as if he had seen this strange Magic that made people disappear somewhere before.

’A Wizard of the Ghost Soul School... is that a Secret Technique school?’

’I didn’t expect this kid to be a top figure in the Ghost Soul School. Lisi sure has some good luck.’

"Captain, he..." Hector pointed at Wei’en.

"Yes, I believe so," Santiago nodded. He didn’t elaborate, instead saying, "Let’s go. We’re heading to the Natali District."

"Okay."

Wei’en pulled Tina along with them, the corner of his eye glancing toward a nearby street. ’Another one from the Vasquez family?’

[You have been targeted by Nette Bax’s killing intent. Evaluation: Female, pretty, great body, very strong killing intent... Reward: Survival Points +5.]

’Great body?’

’When did the system get interested in this sort of thing?’

After they had all left, a slender figure emerged from a dark alley, glaring with hatred at the backs of Wei’en and his group.

"Wei’en... The next time we meet, I will make you pay!"

Meanwhile, in a tavern not far across from her, Clelia watched this scene with a seductive smile, crossing her fair legs and swirling the wine in her glass. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

’His power has improved again. No wonder he was able to escape from Bolsen.’

’Truly impressive,’

’It seems our Eternal Life Association is about to welcome another powerful member...’

’The Ghost Soul School... what’s so great about a trashy school like that!’

...

...

"I’m sorry. Regarding what I promised you, I’m afraid I have to let you down."

Once again, they were in the bell tower of Krimms Cathedral. Ales was holding a small keg, gulping down mouthfuls of barley beer.

Seeing him like this, Andrews felt an inexplicable sorrow. "It seems you’ve already made your decision. Is it worth it?"

"It’s not about whether it’s worth it or not. The world keeps turning no matter who’s gone. Just like this Cathedral would still be standing in the Caster City State even without you, Archbishop Andrews."

"That’s not necessarily true..."

Ales raised the keg and laughed. "Come on, it’s already come to this. Don’t look so glum, Andrews."

"Cheers!"

For a moment, it was as if they were young again, drinking deeply and recklessly spending their youth in the afterglow of the setting sun.

"Ales, I’ve never understood why you’re so prejudiced against us from Dawn."

"Prejudiced?" Ales mulled over the word, his world-weary eyes filled with disdain. "Is that how you see it?"

"Even though so much time has passed since that incident, you still think it was Dawn’s doing..."

"Andrews, surely you don’t want me to save my final battle for you, do you?"

His voice was chilling, like perennial ice, cold to the very bone.

"I’m sorry," Andrews sighed. "I just don’t want you to take your curtain call like this. Besides, the Caster City State still needs you."

"But wouldn’t this be exactly what you all wished for?"

Ales sneered. "For so many years, the Council has capped the number of recruits for the Secret Investigation Department, the Noble Committee has cut our funding, and as for you from Dawn..."

"You’ve been inciting the residents of the city-state, turning them against the Secret Investigation Department, haven’t you?"

"That’s because you’re too uncompromising. You should know, when your teacher was around, everyone supported him. But you, you refuse to align with any faction, save for the Governor."

"My teacher was willing to bow his head. I am not. That’s all there is to it."

Ales watched him with a cold indifference and set the keg aside. "When I found out that the loss of control of the forbidden items was intentionally orchestrated by you bastards, I stopped holding out any hope for you."

"..."

Hearing his words, Andrews closed his eyes in pain and said bitterly, "That was an accident. No one wanted it to happen, just like..."

"Enough!" Ales growled. "I didn’t come here to listen to your explanations."

"I just don’t want..."

CRACKLE!

A dazzling silver-white light tore across the sky, and a surging wind rushed into the bell tower.

DONG, DONG DONG...

In this way, the evening bells of Krimms Cathedral were rung.

Andrews sighed and said no more.

"The red moon has risen, Andrews."

Ales’s entire body seemed to transform into lightning, flickering with a dazzling, silvery-white electrical light. His short, graying hair appeared to lengthen under the glow, and a tiny spark connected him to the night sky, which was already tinged with a red blush.

BOOM!

A thick layer of dark clouds suddenly gathered over Caster, and the flicker of lightning could be faintly seen within them.

And beneath these dark clouds, a red moon ascended, as if to adorn the inky black cloud cover, shining with an eerie light.

Andrews pressed his lips together, bowed slightly, and performed the rare Dawn salute. In a low and slow voice, he said, "I will bear witness!"

I will bear witness to greatness, bear witness to a legend, bear witness to time itself...

In your youth, despair and fear could not strike you down.

As a young man, you were shrouded in passion and the will to fight.

In your prime, you were a mortal man who fought like a god of war.

And now—your name resounds throughout the entire West Coast!

I will bear witness to your greatness, forge your legendary name, and sing praises of your time with the radiance of Dawn—Ales Kilibali!

Ales had a complex look in his eyes. Without looking at his old friend beside him, he said, "Andrews Herzog, goodbye."

Before his voice had even faded, his body had transformed into a brilliant streak of lightning, stretching from the bell tower of Krimms Cathedral all the way to the Laos District.

The dazzling bolt of lightning instantly illuminated the entire Caster City State, making even the glow of the red moon in the night sky pale in comparison. It was like the sword of a thunder god, plunging violently into that cursed land!

BOOM, CRACKLE, BANG!!

After a long while, the lightning slowly dissipated...