STM 166

Extra editions were distributed in numerous places, announcing that Adeye Lu declared to perform a miracle, but few people believed it.

Even though reports spread that Grand Duke Kun used a divine beast’s power, the result was the same. People even considered the reports about Grand Duke Kun to be false.

“A divine beast only gives power to the family it chooses.”

This premise was a truth that nobody could deny. No matter how many people witnessed the miracle at Crystal Lake, they couldn’t easily abandon their faith in the divine beast families.

More importantly, they claimed that Adeye Lu performed a miracle as Salvation. In particular, the person who expressed the most disbelief regarding this rumor was from one of the divine beast families, Grand Duke Sarne.

“The number of monsters pouring out was on a scale that humans couldn’t handle. Most of our mercenary unit was busy fleeing, and I would have fled too if I hadn’t injured my leg.”

Right now, a mercenary who had been at the Crystal Lake was testifying about the situation at that time.

“But because of that, I could see the moment of the miracle. A stream of water quickly flew and struck the monster that tried to attack me, and it disappeared as if it were absorbed into the monster. Then, the beast flipped over and…”

“Are you sure it was water? Did Kun Tairok really use water?”

“Yes. That’s not all. Grand Duke Kun created a tornado pillar that soared to the sky, sucking in the monsters and destroying them in one fell swoop. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“Nonsense.”

“No, it isn’t. He definitely used water…”

“Throw this guy out! He dares to spread lies about the sacred divine beast’s power. Teach him a lesson so he can’t wag his tongue ever again!”

The mercenary shouted outside the door that he was innocent, but his mouth was silenced by the soldiers. Grand Duke Sarne glared at the door before he looked at his subordinate.

“Did you contact Duke Kilu?”

“No. I only received answers that he is away.”

Ha! Grand Duke Sarne couldn’t contain his anger and pushed the objects on the table away with his hand.

Clang!

Tea cups and glass bottles rolled on the floor. He was truly shocked. Kilu and Hoiga were so confident that they would get rid of Tairok and all of the Adeye siblings, but they went into hiding? He couldn’t suppress the anger that welled up in him at the thought of being tricked.

“Grand Duke Kun can’t use Borhumi’s divine beast power. I haven’t even heard of a person from another family using a divine beast’s power, and it isn’t in any records.”

At his subordinate’s words, Grand Duke Sarne turned around fiercely.

“Of course it’s nonsense. If we could take another divine beast’s power, our Sarne family would have attacked other families instead of stupidly trying to find the divine beast all this time.”

“Should I capture other witnesses?”

“Forget it. Send people to Crystal Lake instead. Since Adeye Lu said he would perform a miracle at the lake, confirm exactly what kind of trick he’s playing and report back.”

Yes. When his subordinate bowed his head and prepared to leave, Grand Duke Sarne asked as if he had just remembered.

“Did Bayan contact us?”

“The last report was that she confirmed Black Bear’s traces left Kun’s land.”

Grand Duke Sarne gritted his teeth in anger again. He had joined Kilu’s plan because Kilu asked him to get rid of Tairok. And then what?

“How long is she going to play hunting with Kun eating all of Borhumi?! Call her back immediately.”

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The promised day arrived quickly. Near Crystal Lake, the remains of the monsters still remained, yet to be cleared away. But the place was teaming with people, flocking to witness the miracle of Salvation.

I wasn’t the type for a stage, receiving that many gazes made me uncomfortable. However, even as an introvert, I had a driving force that pushed me to step onto the tightrope.

It was the craving to see the traitor’s stomach turn. He must have received all kinds of reverence while pretending to be Salvation. How much will it hurt to hear my news?

But that wasn’t enough to make me laugh. I was planning to set out with Tairok by my side to make a scene.

He might cry his eyes out in frustration if he saw his unrequited love standing by my side. As I swore such petty revenge, I peered outside from inside the barracks. Suddenly, a warm breath brushed against my ear.

Ah!

I turned around in surprise and saw Tairok’s smiling face.

“You startled me.”

Even though I frowned, he didn’t care and snuggled behind me. Then he leaned in close and whispered in my ear.

“It’s better than being scared.”

“I always say this, but I don’t have anything to fear.”

“Even outside?”

He probably thought I was scared after seeing the people gathered outside. Of course, it was burdensome.

“It’s not like monsters are swarming. So what?”

“Then what’s bothering you? You didn’t even notice I came in.”

He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me toward him. I reflexively twisted my body and kept a distance from him. He looked displeased, but in my experience, I shouldn’t give that guy any openings.

“I’m not scared of having many people, but it’s a bit burdensome.”

I changed the subject and pointed outside with my chin.

“Is the snake divine beast still not visible?”

Yes. I nodded. However, I wasn’t anxious just because the divine beast wasn’t visible. All the non-human beings I met so far came and went as they pleased, so it would be stranger if they came when I called.

That was why I was fascinated by the bear who stuck stubbornly to Black Bear’s side. All the other non-human beings wandered around everywhere.

“I don’t need a divine beast. I have the key.”

I touched the key on my chest with my hand. I wasn’t worried about what I would do if this key didn’t react. Strangely, I felt like I was going to fill the lake with water today. It just felt right. The time had come.

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A crowd filled the area around the lake. Enya looked around with a displeased expression, then turned to the direction of the protagonist who would soon appear.

This was all because Adeye Lu announced in the newspaper that he would perform a miracle today. Was there any reason to cause such a big fuss? Even nobles who had avoided tge area until recently because of the monsters came to visit, accompanied by escorts.

People seemed to regard the day’s events as mere spectacle, rather than anticipating them. The only ones who felt a sense of reverence, as if it were a sacred ritual, were the soldiers who witnessed Tairok’s miracle.

But even after witnessing that miracle, Enya still harbored prejudice against Adeye Lu. The one who annoyed her the most was this guy, Haas.

“Lord Lu’s feet will hurt if he walks to the bottom of the lake.”

This guy was completely obsessed with Lu, and he was willing to give up his soul for him.

“Hey, just keep quiet. What kind of Salvation can’t even walk on his own?”

“Hug! Enya!”

Haas called out to her in fright and looked around.

“Watch your mouth. You’re saying such disrespectful words to Salvation, the divine beast will be angry. It doesn’t leave those who try to harm Lu alone. Didn’t I tell you? At the imperial palace party…”

Enya quickly stopped him, as she had heard this story hundreds of times before. There was no need to take action. The protagonist everyone had been waiting for was finally appearing.

“Your Salvation is coming.”

Haas abruptly turned his head around, and the onlookers’ gazes turned to a single figure walking toward the lake. Some looked expectantly, while others, mockingly, watched his every step.

How was he going to seal the rift? Was he going to call a divine beast? Everyone expected he would gather people and give a long speech saying he was Salvation, but Adeye Lu didn’t care about his surroundings.

He simply walked to the lakeside, knelt down, and held out his hand. His mouth moved as if he were muttering something.

That was all. He didn’t do any flashy or grand rituals to show people who had been waiting for a long time since the morning. However, the result of that simple action made everyone held their breath.

Water began to pour from Adeye Lu’s hand. It started out as a small stream, but as it touched the ground, it quickly swelled, as if drawing hidden water from the dry, cracked earth, forming a vast lake.

Those who had been blankly watching instinctively realized that the crystal-clear blue water was proof of the divine beast’s presence.