Chapter 245
“Please…” The guard bowed, opened the door, and gestured for them to enter.
Sera walked in, maintaining her graceful yet commanding posture. Her chin was lifted slightly, a cool confidence radiating from her as if she owned the very air around her. Her heels clicked sharply against the polished floor, each step precise and controlled, like a blade slicing through the air. The clicking of her white boots echoed clearly as she moved.
Vasoth followed closely behind her, curious as to why the city lord had summoned them so suddenly.
A faint prickle of anxiety crept up his spine, cold and insistent. His stomach twisted with a vague sense of dread. Whatever this was, it couldn’t be good.
Two desolate eyes stared at them as soon as they entered. Vasoth narrowed his eyes, observing the lord of this city.
A fanged mouth exhaled dark mist, and four thick horns adorned his rugged head, which was etched with fiery symbols. Forked nostrils flared within his curved nose.
A robust, tall body leaned against the window of the room, covered in armor from head to toe. The armor gleamed in the dim light, each plate etched with intricate demonic runes that seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive.
The demonic man stepped closer to them, his legs easily carrying his diabolical form. His boots hit the ground with a heavy, rhythmic thud, each step exuding authority.
He completely ignored Vasoth, his gaze fixed on Sera’s calm eyes.
“Miss Sera, I presume you are already aware of what your subordinates did?”
“Indeed. He will be punished accordingly once we return to headquarters,” she replied, not losing her composure.
Whether her subordinate had committed a mistake or not, the matter of punishment was up to her and the higher-ups. She needed to maintain her position in front of others.
“I certainly do hope for that. But…” The demon turned around, his back facing the two inquisitors as he continued, “the reason I have called you here is not that, but something else.”
Sera’s gaze sharpened, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly “What is it about, then?”
A burst of dark aura erupted from the city lord’s body, instantly filling the room with terrifying pressure. The force pressed down on Vasoth, nearly forcing him to his knees.
It felt like a mountain had dropped onto his shoulders, the weight pressing down on his chest until he could hardly breathe. It was overbearing, as if a mountain was weighing down on his shoulders; however, the next moment, the pressure ceased to affect him.
He looked up to see an equally ominous and powerful energy field surrounding him. He recognized it at a glance as the captain’s aura.
‘Incredible… this is the captain’s aura… such density, such power. This suffocation… it’s as if I’m standing next to a draconic beast.’
Draconic beasts, descendants of dragons, were known for their terrifying aura. To be compared to one in terms of aura was high praise.
‘But to think the city lord was this strong…’ Vasoth’s gaze narrowed. His eyes flicked between Sera and the city lord, assessing, calculating. The city lord’s strength was no joke either. To withstand the captain’s energy was shocking. Although he was being shielded by Sera, the city lord was clearly formidable.
“City Lord, are you rebelling against the demon lords?” Sera asked in a threatening tone.
“Haha… HAHAHAHA!” The city lord burst into maniacal laughter, making Sera frown. The laughter reverberated through the room, low and menacing, each note tinged with something dark and unhinged.
“What’s so funny?” she asked sternly.
“Funny? What’s funny? YOU DON’T KNOW?” He shouted, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
“Calm down and explain.” Sera remained unfazed.
To her, losing composure was weakness—a flaw she had trained herself to purge long ago. Losing composure was immature, in her opinion, especially for a city lord.
“…The western region of the city,” the city lord took a deep breath and continued, “it’s been wiped out.”
“Wiped out?” Sera raised a brow, confused by the meaning behind his words.
“All demons in the western region have been killed.”
“Impossible!” Vasoth shouted in horror, his eyes widening, a chill spreading through his veins.
This was also where he last sensed Drul going. If what the city lord said was true, then the one behind this was…
Sera was silent, not saying anything.
This was indeed a shocking matter—a grave matter.
“All demons are dead? Is that…” she hesitated, “…really the case?”
The city lord’s face twisted, his expression a mix of rage and despair. “Haah…” The city lord rubbed his swollen temples, gently scratching his horn.
“It’s true. I received the report from the northern guards who went to inspect. Every single demon—and by that, I mean every single demon, be it a guard, merchant, or civilian—all of them were found dead.”
A shudder ran through Vasoth, and he clenched his fists, trying to process the enormity of it.
“A pool of blood filled the western streets. It was a brutal and humiliating sight.” The city lord’s teeth cracked in anger.
“My wife… she too was killed.” He finally said it.
Sera closed her eyes. A slight crease appeared between her brows, the only sign of her inner thoughts. It looked like things had gone way out of hand.
She had to step in now. There were no excuses for their incompetence. They were in this city for a mission; although it wasn’t directly related, the security and order of the city naturally fell under the Inquisitors’ purview whenever they visited.
If she didn’t find the culprit now, it would escalate into a major issue at headquarters, especially for those eyeing her ambitious rise in the hierarchy.
‘Could it be a scheme?’ She didn’t dismiss the possibility. She had numerous enemies who wanted nothing but her downfall, so it wasn’t impossible that they would act in such a way.
Her mind raced, calculating potential threats, forming contingencies, but she kept her face calm and unreadable.
“How was the entire western region of the city murdered overnight without anyone realizing it? At least one demon should have been able to escape. Aren’t you partly responsible for this situation? Where were your guards? I’m sure your wife must have been a strong demon too.” Vasoth chimed in, forming a hypothesis.
He tried to keep his voice steady, but there was an edge of doubt.
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