City Lord Gavin of Dorey City was walking toward the center of the banquet hall, intending to make a few announcements to the guests in attendance. However, as he casually glanced toward Eng, he noticed Ed standing beside him.
Gavin immediately furrowed his brow, his face showing a deep expression of disgust. He quickly walked over to where Ed was standing and said:
"How did you get in here? You're not welcome here. Get out!"
Instantly, every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on Ed, including Karot's and Andrew's.
At that moment, Karot's face was filled with a malicious smile. He clearly remembered when Ed had slandered him in front of so many people before entering Dorey City.
Although Ed had spoken the truth, Karot wouldn't admit it. After all, what did it matter if those from his world died? Those who didn't have the qualifications to be Hunters had no value, and becoming slaves was the best outcome for them.
He hadn't expected Ed to survive, let alone become a Hunter, but now that was a bit of a surprise. However, it didn't matter—Karot was already a low-tier Silver Hunter.
Ed was unlikely to be stronger than him. All Karot needed was to find the right moment, and he'd figure out a way to deal with Ed.
The other upper-class citizens of Dorey City began to murmur among themselves. They were discussing Ed's past as a slave. It seemed that Ed's presence in such an esteemed setting was an insult to their status.
Even though Ed had once been a sought-after target by the major Hunter associations, these people wouldn't let their pride and disdain be diminished in the slightest.
At that moment, an exceptionally mocking laugh echoed through the banquet hall. Duke Morton couldn't help but laugh loudly, saying:
"How ridiculous! A group of idiots so utterly stupid, yet at this moment, they're driving out the only smart person. It's simply laughable."
"Ed, I know exactly what each of them wants and how pathetic and vile they are, but you—what is it that makes you want to stop me so badly?"
Instantly, the atmosphere in the banquet hall grew strange.
The majority of those present had no idea what Duke Morton meant by these words.
City Lord Gavin of Dorey City even wondered if Duke Morton had gone mad, calling them all fools while declaring that Ed was the only smart one.
Eng, the guard beside Finniel Morton, was shocked by Duke Morton's words. His expression changed suddenly, and he glanced at Ed.
Duke Morton's strange behavior made Eng realize that everything Ed had told him was true.
The greatest danger had always been right beside them!
Just as Eng was about to take action, Duke Morton suddenly raised a finger and placed it in front of his mouth, then said:
"Don't be in such a hurry. Before the show officially begins, we need an opening speech to give the audience a rough idea of what's going to happen next."
"Ed, how about you take care of this part?"
Ed looked at Duke Morton, whose demeanor was wild, then glanced at the confused expressions of the other guests in the banquet hall. Taking a deep breath, he slowly said:
"Vil, you want to sacrifice all of Dorey City's residents, but you must have other accomplices. Besides Reve and Arya, there should be a Piper as well."
As soon as these words left his mouth, the entire room fell into an uproar.
Many people couldn't help but shout loudly:
"Ed, what are you talking about? Has your mind snapped?"
"Sacrifice? I've heard that you're hallucinating, thinking that Deputy Captain Reve is some kind of monster!"
"Exactly, President Arya, Deputy Captain Reve, and Lord Duke Morton could never do something like what you're saying!"
Especially Karot, who glanced back at his mentor Arya before turning to Ed and shouting angrily:
"You're a lunatic! You slandered me earlier, accusing me of all sorts of baseless things! Ed, what you just said proves that you're a complete madman!"
"I was really doing it for your own good. I didn't expect you to not appreciate it, but to resent me instead. People like you don't deserve to be Hunters!"
As he spoke, Karot's face showed a hint of excitement. He hadn't expected Ed to go so crazy, slandering Duke Morton, Arya, and Reve.
Now, he could twist the situation around and turn Ed's earlier accusations of him selling his companions into slavery into proof of Ed's madness and false accusations against him.
Clap, clap, clap. The sound of applause echoed.
Duke Morton clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "Did you see that? These people are all fools, hahahaha."
"Alright, the show is starting. Everyone, take your places!"
A sense of foreboding instantly spread through the hearts of everyone present. Some people looked up in confusion, glancing around.
Suddenly, the glass in the banquet hall shattered. Countless crows with blood-red eyes flew in from outside, circling above the hall, their presence like a suffocating dark cloud.
Reve's figure appeared at the entrance of the banquet hall, his face expressionless as he looked at everyone present.
But it wasn't over yet. A strange screech echoed through the hall.
A creature flew in from outside—its upper body resembling that of a beautiful human woman, with large breasts exposed, while its lower body was that of a fierce bird, covered in thick feathers and with a pair of eagle claws gleaming with a cold light. It landed next to Duke Morton.
The harpy's voice was raspy as she spoke:
"Has it finally begun? Vil, you've done well."
Vil seemed to have not heard the harpy's words. He shook his head, and with the movement of his head, the haunting sound of a flute began to play from above the City Lord's mansion.
The sudden turn of events caused everyone present to tense up. Their hearts began to race, and they instinctively opened their mouths, their faces filled with disbelief.
Especially Karot, who slowly turned his head to look at his master Arya and swallowed nervously.
A stiff smile appeared on Karot's face as he spoke to Arya:
"Master, you know, no matter what you do, I'll stay by your side."
Without hesitation, Karot tried to join Arya's side because he knew very well that each of these creatures had immense power!
Arya, Reve, the sky full of red-eyed crows, the harpy, and the eerie sound of the flute made Karot feel certain that the four guards of the Morton Family would not be able to contend with these creatures!
Karot moved his body, intending to approach Arya, but no one stopped him. However, when he reached Arya's side, she immediately kicked him without hesitation.
Karot's body was sent flying backwards, rolling across the floor until he came to a stop at Ed's feet.
Splash! A mouthful of bright red blood spurted out. Karot's eyes were filled with disbelief, clearly not expecting that Arya, who had always been kind to him, would hurt him.
As Karot looked up at her, Arya's face showed clear disgust as she coldly said:
"You disgusting fool, get away from me!"
She then glanced at Finniel Morton beside her, allowing her guards to surround her.
Arya walked over to Duke Morton's side and said, "I've done what I promised. Now it's time for you to fulfill your part of the bargain."
"Now that Finniel Morton can no longer resist, the other four Gold-level Hunter guards of the Morton Family won't be a match for you. My part in this is over."
Duke Morton smiled, then took out a rod that glimmered with a metallic sheen, about thirty centimeters in length. Without hesitation, he threw it directly at Karot.
The rod moved with incredible speed, embedding itself in Karot's body before he even had time to react.
In an instant, Karot's body convulsed, his facial muscles twisted in agony, and he let out a piercing scream as if he was enduring unimaginable pain.
Duke Morton extended his hand, pointing at the horribly suffering Karot, and slowly said to Arya:
"When the conversion rod starts to glow, it means that this person's energy and Hunter qualifications have been completely absorbed. You just need to use the same method—insert the conversion rod into your body, and you'll gain his energy and qualifications."
"As long as he is the legendary 'Chosen One,' you will gain the abilities of the Chosen One."
As Ed heard Karot's agonizing screams, he instinctively lowered his gaze. He saw that Karot, seemingly seeing a glimmer of hope, gritted his teeth and begged:
"Ed, help me, please, save me!"
"I was wrong, I know I was wrong, I'm sorry, I apologize, please forgive me!"
"Save me, it hurts so much!"
"I'm going to die, I'm going to die!"
Tears, snot, and the disgusting stench of urine filled the air around Karot. The intense pain his body was enduring caused this reaction, and this indescribable agony prevented Karot from pulling the conversion rod out. His body had lost all control.
Ed, listening to Karot's cries for help and pleas, remained expressionless.
Just moments ago, this man had arrogantly declared him a madman, refused to acknowledge his past actions, and even reversed the truth, painting Ed as the villain.
Help him?
Ed was no saint. He felt no sympathy for Karot as he endured his current suffering.
It turned out that Arya had made Karot her disciple in order to obtain the potential power of the Chosen One that might reside within him.
It was likely the same reason she had chosen to collaborate with Vil.
Ed never could have imagined that Arya, who had returned from Holy City with Finniel Morton, was actually an enemy!
A sense of despair began to rapidly spread throughout the banquet hall of the City Lord's mansion.
If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.