Chapter 36: The Curtain Falls
“Unbelievable,” the Investigator paced back and forth, his expression grim. “Simply unbelievable, Commander Rolof.”
“I deeply mourn their sacrifice, but it is the truth,” Rolof said, his voice low, his expression one of profound grief. “It was my fault. I was careless…”
“No, Commander Rolof, you are not to blame,” the Investigator said, shaking his head with a sigh. “I thought, with you present, it would be a routine execution. But I never imagined the Savage Lands would collude with the Abyssal Demon Realm…”
“Truly unbelievable.”
Yesterday afternoon, Rolof had returned, gravely injured, with a report that had shocked even the Emperor.
The Crown Guard unit sent to carry out the execution had been almost completely annihilated, a joint attack by the Savage Lands and demons, with Rolof as the sole survivor.
“As the execution was about to take place, the beastkin intervened. I led the Crown Guard in a desperate battle, but we were ambushed by demons they had secretly allied with…”
“In the end, although the execution was completed, it came at a heavy price.”
The Empire had immediately launched an investigation.
The evidence was clear: a fierce battle had taken place between the beastkin and the Crown Guard, and the knights’ cause of death was indeed soul annihilation.
The captains’ bodies were even more heavily tainted by demonic power, almost transforming into Fallen Demonspawn after death.
Everything matched Rolof’s account, even swaying the Emperor, who had previously been certain the Savage Lands wouldn’t ally with the Abyss.
The Savage Lands offered a completely different story, pointing their fingers at Rolof, accusing him of being corrupted, of colluding with demons to kill his own comrades.
But they had no concrete evidence, and after a thorough examination, Rolof showed no signs of demonic corruption.
With both sides offering conflicting accounts, the matter was put on hold.
“Rest assured, Commander Rolof, the Empire has the utmost faith in you. His Majesty has ordered a full investigation to clear your name,” the Investigator said, his voice firm, then he snorted. “As for those barbaric beastkin… hmph, I always knew they were up to no good.”
“I trust His Majesty’s judgment,” Rolof said, his head bowed, his expression hidden.
The Investigator nodded. “Commander Rolof, take these next few days to recover. His Majesty will need you to oversee the capital’s defenses during the Imperial Festival.”
With that, the Investigator left.
After a long silence, Rolof looked at his arm, the Demonic Runes still writhing beneath his skin, spreading throughout his body.
“So it has come to this…”
The potion Isabelle had given him had suppressed his Demonic Runes, allowing him to pass the examination.
But now, it was wearing off.
He was practically a demon, though it wasn’t immediately obvious.
Only another demon could tell.
Or rather, only another demon could smell the “stench” of his inferior, corrupted demonic bloodline.
“Since I’ve come this far, I have no choice but to continue.”
“Princess Lilia, I don’t want to end up like you…”
…
“The Savage Lands and the Abyssal Demon Realm… colluding? What a joke. That’s impossible,” Bai said, her brow furrowed as she read the report. “It’s more likely the elves of the Bewildering Forest would side with the Abyss.”
After changing her appearance with the rune, she had returned to the shop with Ara.
She had been prepared to spin a tale for Leticia about Ara’s sudden appearance, but Leticia had simply glanced at her, commented that her size was similar to Bai’s, so no new measurements were needed, and didn’t ask any further questions.
Now, Ara leaned against Bai, while Leticia sat nearby, happily sewing—another dress-up doll for her to play with.
Ara’s beauty was striking, but she was shy and often hid behind Bai, so she didn’t attract too much attention.
And her features, her purple hair and eyes, weren’t as conspicuous as Bai’s silver hair and dark-gold pupils, so she didn’t need a transformation rune.
“The Bewildering Forest is also an unlikely ally,” Leticia added casually. She had commanded the front bordering the forest and knew the elves better than anyone.
“It was just an example. That’s why I said it’s impossible,” Bai said, remembering the strange scene at the execution ground. She had initially thought Ara was responsible, but the report attributed it to the Shadow Demons’ abilities.
And Ara herself didn’t seem to be aware of her own powers, only that when she wanted to kill someone, her hands… moved on their own.
“If that’s the case, then there are still some… inconsistencies… Could it be, as the Savage Lands claim, that Rolof is the one who colluded with the demons?”
She thought of the Rolof she had seen in the past few days. Besides his insistence on blaming the Shadow Demons, which was suspicious, there were no other flaws in his behavior. He was exactly as she remembered him.
Except for that strange feeling of aversion she felt towards him…
“You can investigate yourself. If you need my help, just ask,” Leticia said cheerfully. “Little Lin Yan said you’re a capable young lady. She trusts you.”
“Lin Yan… alright. If I need your help, Lady Leticia, I will ask,” Bai said.
Ara, though silent, was listening intently, her ears perked up.
She noticed Bai’s tone change when she mentioned “Lin Yan.”
“Did… Bai make a new friend while Ara was gone…?”
“Or is it something else…?”
“Is she more important than Ara…?”
Ara pouted, a feeling of unease settling in her heart, and she hugged Bai tighter, her hair brushing against her cheek.
“Ara, that tickles… hahaha…” Bai, unable to contain her laughter, burst into a rare, genuine smile.
Just then, a knock came at the door, followed by a soft, familiar voice.
“Lady Leticia, may I come in?”
