Staying in the house and waiting quietly to see what the wizard with the silver crow emblem is going to do, Donning waited for an entire day, but nothing happened in the town. He inquired about it and found out that the wizard with the silver crow emblem hadn't even gone out.
"It seems that I have to go out and inquire about the news." Donning drank the spotted stone potion, a formula taught to him by Uncle Egros. The spotted stone potion, a mixture of multiple magical materials, can hide supernatural powers. This formula was developed in Kaeserta and had never been shared outside.
Just as he was about to leave, there was a knock on the door. After opening it, the hotel attendant said respectfully, "Mr. Donning, a gentleman wants to see you..."
Before the words fell, a strange face appeared behind the attendant. The man had a badge of the Holy See on his chest—a copper sword badge. The holy sword engraved on the badge revealed solemnity: a paladin of the Holy See. They had sent someone, and they had found him.
The attendant turned around and stopped Cybertan. "Sir, non-hotel guests are prohibited from entering the guest area..."
Donning calmed himself and showed a gentlemanly smile. "It's okay. He is my friend."
After sending the attendant away, Donning extended his hand politely. "Sir, have we met before?"
Cybertan looked at the young man before him—wearing a straight suit and a top hat, his handsome face was enviable. But there was no sign of what he most wanted to see. There was no trace of supernatural power on Donning. No reaction from his palm. He wasn't the person Cybertan was looking for. He had been deceived by that prostitute.
"Sir, are you okay?" Donning observed Cybertan standing like a wooden post. He guessed the paladin was wondering why there was no reaction from supernatural power. The spotted stone potion had worked.
"Sorry to disturb you." Cybertan confirmed this wasn't his target and turned to leave.
Suddenly, Donning had an idea. "Sir, judging by your badge, you are a paladin of the Holy See, right?"
Cybertan stopped, turned around, and saluted, removing his hat. "Yes. What is it?"
"God bless. You came just in time. I've been troubled by something strange for a while, and I was wondering if I should go to Brot City to inform the paladins of the Holy See." Donning enthusiastically invited Cybertan inside.
He recounted his encounter with the necromancer and took out the robe left by the low-level necromancer. "Look, this is it. It's so terrifying. I still have nightmares."
Cybertan held the robe, and when his fingers touched it, a faint light appeared on his palm. He was excited. He had finally found his target.
"Do you have any clues? These nightmares are driving me mad," Donning said, noticing Cybertan's reaction and knowing his new plan had trapped the paladin.
Cybertan put away the robe and said solemnly, "Do you have any enemies?"
Donning, realizing the implications of this question, decided against telling the paladin about his feud with Cuff, as it would only get Cuff imprisoned. He shook his head, feigning confusion. "I... I'm just a traveler. I haven't been in Goldshire for long. How could I have enemies?"
Seeing this, Cybertan reassured him. "Trust me, sir. After tonight, you'll sleep peacefully. I won't let evil taint this world. I swear to you in the name of God."
"That's great." Donning, still feigning innocence, saw Cybertan out. Getting the paladin to kill Cuff's wizard without lifting a finger was perfect. Once the wizard was dead, the paladin would leave, and a desperate Cuff would surely collapse.
Now, Donning turned his thoughts to the wizard with the silver crow emblem. It was crucial to find out his intentions. By the way, he would tell the wizard there was a new traveler in town. Things were getting interesting.
Tulan's hotel wasn't far from Donning's. He knocked on the door upon arrival.
When Tulan opened the door, he seemed to have forgotten Donning. "Who are you?"
What a forgetful guy, Donning thought but greeted him respectfully. "Allow me to introduce myself. We entered the town together that night."
Tulan finally remembered. "Ah, it's you. Kind young man. Haven't you traveled far?"
"Before everything is ready, I prefer not to travel far. I have something important to tell you," Donning said, sharing his encounter with the paladin. "I didn't catch his name, though. Not very polite, but he must be the creditor you're looking for, right?"
Tulan, excited, grasped Donning's hand. "Young man, thank you for remembering my affairs. If I recover my debt, I'll treat you to a drink."
"Anyone hearing your story would've done the same. I simply did what anyone would," Donning replied courteously before leaving, eagerly anticipating the night's events.
Late that night, the town was deathly silent. Even the chirping of insects had ceased. The sky was darker than usual, as the clouds had covered the weather in the evening. Now, even the moonlight was hidden, leaving only darkness upon the earth.
In that darkness, Cybertan, on horseback, left the town. He had tracked the source of supernatural power from the robe. Tonight was the perfect opportunity to act.
With conclusive evidence, everything became clear. After eliminating this dark wizard who violated the Holy See's laws and abused supernatural power, he could return to Brot City to report his mission.
The sound of horse hooves echoed through the earth as Cybertan approached the dilapidated high tower hidden in the dark forest. Rain began to fall as he dismounted, tying his horse to a nearby tree to avoid startling the enemy. He knew wizards had extraordinary hearing.
As the raindrops fell, Cybertan's footsteps were camouflaged. He approached the tower, holy sword in hand, the blade emitting a faint glow.
At the door, Cybertan knocked, and when he heard footsteps inside, he took a step back to ready himself for a charge.
With a creak, the door opened, and Cybertan thrust his sword without hesitation.
The person who opened the door was pierced through the chest. His eyes widened as the faint light on the holy sword grew stronger until his body turned into a pool of thick water. In the water, an ugly mouse twitched a few times before dying.
Cybertan raised his left hand, and a faint light covered the dead mouse. It vanished.
He climbed the worn steps, which groaned under his weight, until he reached a door at the top. Cybertan knocked it open with his shoulder, rolling inside.
"Boom."
A black current shot past him, hitting the door and turning it into splinters.
Standing up, Cybertan raised his holy sword. "For violating the Holy See's laws, for blaspheming God's will, and for abusing supernatural power in the secular world, Caposo, I judge you in the name of the holy light."
Caposo held a black wooden staff, the skull on top glowing faintly green. His expression was incredulous. "A Paladin of the Holy See? This is impossible. Count Cuff said he'd bribed the Holy See. Could he have deceived me?"
Cybertan sneered. "Your evil ends here."
The holy sword glowed brighter as Cybertan thrust it toward Caposo's chest. Caposo slammed his staff to the ground, and his body vanished in a cloud of thick black smoke, reappearing near a table.
"My lord Paladin, this must be a misunderstanding! I'm not targeting ordinary people. Please believe me!" Caposo pleaded desperately.
Cybertan sneered, not believing a word. "Do you think you can deny your guilt in the face of the holy light? Caposo, accept the judgment and retain your dignity."
Knowing his fate was sealed, Caposo realized bribery was no longer an option.
Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves echoed outside the tower. Despite the rain, the hoofbeats were unmistakable. As they drew nearer, they abruptly stopped.
Both Cybertan and Caposo sensed a new presence—someone powerful. Caposo thought of Count Cuff. Perhaps this was his last hope.
Cybertan, meanwhile, sensed the supernatural power of the newcomer. Could it be the wizard's accomplice? The holy light in his palm intensified. Though outmatched, his resolve grew. As a paladin, he had sworn to defend the authority of God with his life.
Tulan stood before the high tower, letting the rain wash over him. His purple robe was soaked, and the ground had become muddy. He sensed the paladin above.
Reaching into a small pouch, Tulan pulled out green-glowing powder and scattered it on the ground. The muddy earth ignited with faint green flames, encircling the tower. Though cold to the touch, the fire could consume everything.
"Let this paladin burn in the nether fire," Tulan thought, standing outside. He didn't need to witness the agony of his victims.
But then, someone stepped through the flames. Their robe was charred and tattered. Another figure followed, also in disarray but with a determined expression.