ROAR...

The scorching flames shot more than ten meters high, already licking the roof of the old church.

The temperature of the surrounding air rose rapidly.

The swirling mist roiled like a furious tide, stirred by the heatwave from the fire.

"Gustav!"

A cold, indifferent voice, imbued with holy majesty, suddenly rang out.

At the same time, a cloud of intensely cold air and mist quickly formed above the old church.

Snowflakes and frigid air swiftly pressed down.

Only then did the Flame Power of the Evil Spirit Fire Mage, Gustav, slowly recede.

But it did not recede completely.

Flames surged in his eyes, and his face rippled with fire like melting wax.

An Evil Spirit Fire Mage was an ultimate Controller of flames.

They could easily cast many powerful Flame Magic spells.

Not only could they grow by killing and absorbing Spiritual Essence,

but they could also advance by burning things to obtain Flame Essence.

"Zorn Corick!"

His eyes, which were literally spouting fire, stared daggers at Zorn.

Duke Mu Huo knew he was finished.

But what infuriated him most was his failure to drag that damned Zorn Corick down with him.

Duke Mu Huo was absolutely certain of his own deductions and instincts.

That damned Zorn Corick was clearly an Evil Spirit.

But he had concealed it with that damnable identity of a Fighting Master.

He wanted to force out Zorn’s true identity by attacking him.

But now, experts from all sides were watching him.

If he made a move, he would be the only one to suffer.

Meanwhile,

Reflected Lady Mable stepped in front of Zorn, guarding against a surprise attack from the enraged Duke Mu Huo.

Although Zorn was not weak, his opponent was a Level 5 Evil Spirit Fire Mage.

And Zorn was only Level 3.

Standing behind Lady Mable, Zorn calmly watched the Evil Spirit Fire Mage, Duke Mu Huo.

’Is this... all you could manage?’

’I thought you’d be able to dig up more!’

’If you had dug a little deeper, you would have discovered... that I was the key contributor who pushed the Church and Ogrande City Hall to strike a heavy blow against the Sun Church.’

’If you’d dug all the way to the end, your Church would have had to thank me on its knees.’

’Too bad! You just don’t have the skill or the means.’

Killing the fearsome Rat King Knight and harvesting its flesh and remains was not a crime, but an honor and an achievement!

And Zorn was not of the Evil Spirit Sequence.

That was the most crucial point.

This was why Zorn had brought Isaac along and hadn’t concealed much during their operation.

If no one dug into it, there would be no problem.

But if someone did...

...things would get very interesting.

Zorn could use this hunt to cloak himself in the "truth" that he had "digested the flesh of Egunus."

’I did indeed digest the "flesh and remains of Egunus" and strengthened myself.’

This was the "truth" that could be made public.

Using a "truth" to cover the real truth.

A perfect synergy with his Dual Sequence.

It would allow him to perfectly fend off any investigation, accusation, or slander directed at him.

’What?’

’You say I’m an Evil Spirit?’

’Right, right, right... you’re absolutely right.’

’I did indeed digest the remains of an Evil Spirit and used them to strengthen myself.’

Moreover!

From now on, any move Zorn made to acquire the flesh of an Egunus would be a perfectly legitimate hunt.

A hunt conducted in the name of "justice."

"Enough!"

Albert’s heavy, authoritative voice boomed like a bell from the side, piercing the gray mist within the old church and ringing in everyone’s ears.

His gaze swept across the room.

Then, his eyes landed heavily on Gustav.

"Gustav, you cannot call someone an Evil Spirit just because they are digesting the flesh and bones of an Egunus!"

"It’s just like how eating beef doesn’t make you a cow, and eating pork doesn’t make you a pig!"

"The Sequence is what is fundamental; digestion is merely a means."

"This Fighting Master is not of the Evil Spirit Sequence."

Marquis Albert’s explanation struck Duke Mu Huo’s soul like a heavy hammer.

It made the very flames on his body tremble slightly.

Then, Marquis Albert turned to the Bishop, who had come in person, and the several Vice Bishops, and spoke slowly.

"Everyone, Zorn Corick’s identity has been confirmed. He is indeed in possession of some Evil Spirit flesh and remains."

"But he earned it through his own hard work, fist by fist, using his identity and Sequence as a Fighting Master."

"Those Evil Spirit remains are the spoils of a hero of Ogrande City."

"I believe he has the right to dispose of those remains, and... from the looks of it, he has done an excellent job."

"Furthermore, as for Duke Mu Huo’s claim that Mr. Zorn and Lady Mable are connected to the Evil God Organization, the Sun Secret Cult, there is no substantive evidence."

"Does anyone have anything to add on this matter?"

Neither the Middle Rank Level Bishop nor the other Vice Bishops said a word!

Zorn himself had no connection or collaboration with the Sun Secret Cult whatsoever.

Where would any evidence come from?

It was true that Zorn Corick had digested the power of an "Evil Spirit."

But that did not make him an "Evil Spirit."

To slander Zorn Corick and claim he was connected to the Sun Secret Cult based solely on this point was far too tenuous.

Seeing that the Holy Fierce Sun Church representatives remained silent and offered no explanation,

a layer of frost gradually appeared on Marquis Albert Wilde’s face.