Mystery Paradise: Wishing Power Demon-Chapter 280 - 279 Sanctuary (Part 1)

Chapter 280 -279: Sanctuary (Part 1)

Chapter 280 -279: Sanctuary (Part 1)

Chaoyang was about to speak when Ailuodi, who had been eavesdropping from outside the hall through his field of vision, suddenly interrupted, “Ask him if he knows who the woman guarding the door is. She doesn’t seem like part of the border forces.”

Chaoyang changed his words and repeated what Angel had said.

“Her… I do indeed remember her. When Airco came to check on my situation, he would always be very polite to her, calling her Lady Huohuo.”

Lady Huohuo?

“The house outside that was blasted to a charred mess, that was her handiwork.” mumbled Ailuodi, “If I hadn’t dodged quickly, I’d probably be a goner too.”

“Is that all?” Chaoyang waited a while but when no further information was forthcoming, he raised an eyebrow and asked.

“Uh… I really don’t know much about her, are you very interested in her? She is indeed quite attractive, probably in her thirties, but still full of charm. Did she also escape with Airco?”

“Enough,” Chaoyang cut off his words. This woman was clearly a follower of some divinity, and her abilities were no small matter, otherwise the column of wishing power would not have been projected directly into the sky. Additionally, he had never before seen the crimson light like hers, different from the beams of belief at Magnificent Castle and unlike the blood-red brilliance of the Evil God.

After pondering for a moment, he decided to change his question, “Do you know of any divinities whose worship is associated with flames?”

“Ah?” Lanqi was taken aback by the sudden shift in topic and after a pause he replied, “For questions about divinities, you’d have to ask my butler. Aside from the Goddess of Abundance whom I personally revere, I don’t know much about the other divinities.”

“Your people are dead, slaughtered by the Kingdom’s soldiers,” Chaoyang said expressionlessly.

“…” The Earl jumped, involuntarily shrinking back, “God protect us, they are… worse than beasts! Oh, I remember now, there seems to be a divinity related to fire, whose emblem is a flame, an anvil, and a sword, and whose followers call him Hand of the Forge!”

This guy… does he think I’m trying to intimidate him?

Chaoyang shrugged, “Uncertainty doesn’t matter, I need accurate information, not something you blurt out under pressure. I’ll find out about this matter later, and as for your proposal… I have to say no. The ruler of this city will be the Paradise Sect, regardless of whether it’s the Laurel Family or Duke Longjiu who wins the civil war, this will remain Free City of the Paradise Sect.”

“The Paradise… Sect?” Lanqi didn’t catch on, “What is that sect?”

“It’s normal that you haven’t heard of it, since my Lord has only just awakened. But familiarity comes with experience, and with more contact, you will naturally understand,” Chaoyang patted his shoulder, “Later, I will conduct a simple investigation, mainly to see if you have committed any serious crimes against your own subjects. If not, you’ll keep your title as Earl, and your assets won’t be confiscated, but you’ll definitely lose your fief.”

“No, no, no…” he sputtered, shaking his head frantically, “Do you… do you realize what you’re saying? I may not know what the Paradise Sect is, but what you’re doing is tantamount to making enemies with the two most powerful factions in the country at once! Once the news gets out, you and your sect will probably be branded as a Heretical Cult!”

Visit freёnovelkiss.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.

“Heretical Cults are backed by Evil Gods, and that’s not something you can change with just a few words,” Chaoyang retorted dismissively, “Actually, there’s another way for you to reclaim your position of power.”

“What way?”

“Join us, learn the rules and regulations of the Paradise Sect, start as an administrator and work your way up to the mayoral position of Thistlefort. In some ways, the mayor’s position is equivalent to your previous one, except it can’t be passed down to your children.”

Lanqi Brandon was stunned.

Did this sect actually believe it could continue to exist for long? They were even suggesting he work his way up – did they think this was a company?

“However, considering that you are quite familiar with the local culture, your starting point should also be higher than the average person. Undoubtedly, this is a respectable job, and if I were you, I would definitely not miss out,” Chaoyang finished speaking and headed towards the door. “Your family has already been sent to the shelter, go there to reunite with them, and wait for further notice!”

…

Having sat in the bedroom for quite a while, Lanqi realized that indeed no one was attending to him anymore, so he put down his chains and slowly made his way outside.

It seemed as though a great battle had taken place here; all the furniture had been burned to charcoal.

Passing through the relatively intact atrium, he arrived at the front yard of the residence, where the unpleasant smell of blood instantly invaded his nostrils.

There were bodies everywhere, covered in bloodstains.

Men, women, and even children. From the remnants of their clothing, he could identify that some of them were the servants who worked for him.

These people had been brutally killed by the kingdom’s garrison.

But their bodies were not left unattended; some civilians were moving the corpses, and they were directed by other civilians. Heaven knows how these fellows dared to step into the lord’s mansion.

Those people saw him, yet not a single one dropped what they were doing to salute him.

Perhaps it was because of his filthy appearance that he did not resemble a noble earl at all.

Lanqi stumbled out of the castle, taking in a sharp breath at the scene by the main gate! Uniformed soldiers of the kingdom were being loaded onto wagons, their bodies one after another, and far off lay mortuary wagons, over a dozen of them! They were slowly making their way down the streets, as if symbolizing the end of an era.

The destroyed bastions on either side of the gate, the sandbags riddled with bullet holes, and the caltrops emitting black smoke, all indicated that a major battle had taken place here. The intense sounds of gunfire he had heard earlier were not an illusion but rather a real clash where the Airco camp, a force of more than two thousand, had been annihilated within a day, vanishing without a trace.

The order of Thistlefort had been dissolved.

A chill rushed over Lanqi, making him shudder.

Even though the border soldiers had imprisoned him, they also represented a certain order, but now with that order gone, the earl knew all too well what the city could become. He grabbed a civilian at random, “Where is the shelter?”

“They say it’s… Acalian Sanctuary.”

Lanqi didn’t ask who “they” were but quickened his pace towards the direction of the sanctuary. It was located in the heart of Thistlefort, previously managed by the Church of Abundance. He didn’t know what the situation was now, but a few old pastors alone couldn’t ward off looters’ ambitions.

He must find his wife and children as soon as possible, then use money to hire some reliable mercenaries before returning to the castle’s underground chamber. Thistlefort could become a battlefield for gangsters fighting for power and profit at any moment, and once darkness fully set in, humanity would also be extinguished.

Lanqi had no doubt that the Paradise Sect had sufficient armed force to protect itself, but they couldn’t possibly bring new order to the city in a single day.

Perhaps the ensuing chaos was exactly what Mr. Zhao relished seeing. Amidst chaos, a small enclave of stability is the most precious resource. To obtain this resource, people would be compelled to become his followers.

The sporadic gunfire that rang out now and then was the best proof of this conjecture.