The interesting paladin is so naive. Fonte didn't mind revealing some secrets to the other party before they died. "That lawsuit wasn't as people know. To win, someone secretly used supernatural power to do some tricks and caused that lawyer to die suddenly the night before the trial. Don't tell me your Holy See knows nothing about this. The use of supernatural power can't escape your surveillance. I am the best example."
If supernatural power had been involved in that lawsuit, the Holy See could never have been indifferent. Cybertron thought the other party was clearly slandering to avoid punishment from the Holy See. "Even the parties involved in that lawsuit thought there was no problem. You are lying and trying to deceive a paladin. This will only deepen your sin."
"I kind of like you. You're different from the hypocritical idiots of the Holy See," Fonte noted, realizing that the naive paladin didn't seem hypocritical. It didn't seem that their encounter had reached the point of needing a fight. "Since you mentioned one of the parties in that lawsuit, then surely you've met Mr. Clark. That kind-hearted old man knows nothing about supernatural power. Because he believes the Holy See would never let supernatural power interfere with worldly affairs, he chooses to believe it was an accident."
Cybertron didn't interrupt, not wanting to wrong any good person. He needed conclusive evidence before passing judgment. At the very least, he had to listen to the other party's explanation.
"And I have conclusive evidence proving that supernatural power was indeed involved." Fonte tossed the iron plate he had obtained from White to the paladin.
Cybertron stayed cautious, watching the other party as he bent down to pick up the iron plate. It emitted a faint glow—the holy light sensing the presence of supernatural power. "What is this?"
"Something found on that poor lawyer. He received it from a strange girl the night before the trial, but he was deceived. That girl is a wizard. This iron plate is the real reason for his sudden death. I believe your holy light can sense it." Fonte suddenly changed his plan; perhaps he could get this righteous paladin to work for him.
The supernatural power on the iron plate was unmistakable. Cybertron's heart began to waver. The other party presented powerful evidence, implying that the defendant in that lawsuit, Alkmaar himself, had violated the Holy See's most sacred rule—letting supernatural power interfere. And the Holy See couldn't have been unaware, meaning it was also complicit in the conspiracy.
There were traitors in the Holy See who were not loyal to God. When the lawsuit occurred, Cybertron had been a child, but Altot had already become the cardinal in Brot City. This meant that the traitor was likely his respected current cardinal. The shocking secret left Cybertron in disbelief.
Fonte noticed the paladin's confidence waver. He took a step closer. "Poor paladin, it seems you know nothing about this. I believe you will work with me to bring the truth to light. You're an upright person and would never allow the Holy See and your God to be disgraced."
Cybertron trembled and pocketed the iron plate. He had to investigate this thoroughly. Looking at the approaching wizard, he said, "In any case, you used supernatural power without permission, and you haven't registered with the government to obtain an identity badge issued by the Holy See. Clearly, you've violated the rules."
Fonte halted and sincerely apologized. "Yes, I know I've violated the sacred rules of the Holy See, but believe me, I only want to reveal the truth and resolve this matter. I will personally go to the Holy See and accept my punishment."
Compared to the wizard's mistake, the involvement of supernatural power in the lawsuit was far more unforgivable. Cybertron could distinguish the severity. He raised his head and regained his composure. "Alright, how far have you investigated? Tell me."
Fonte shared everything he knew with the paladin. "We can go together now. I'm sure you'll find the answers you need and prove I'm not lying."
Cybertron opened the registry of wizards in the underground world and frowned. "You were deceived. The man who gave you directions was Elon Musk."
Fonte was stunned. He never expected this result. The old wizard was actually Elon Musk. He had been tricked, and the other party already knew someone was investigating the events of the past. Elon Musk wouldn't sit still.
"Damn it. I was actually tricked by an old man," Fonte fumed, furious that his intelligence had been bested by an elderly wizard.
"Going now might still be in time," Cybertron said as he quickened his pace through the complex sewer system. Fonte followed, vowing to make the old man pay.
When they returned, the door was locked. Knocking yielded no response. Cybertron drew his holy sword and split the bolt. Pushing the door open, they found nothing left inside except a large pot. The thick green liquid was gone too.
Fonte trembled with anger. "Damn it. He escaped and took everything with him."
After the young wizard left, Elon Musk knew danger was coming. He instructed his rat companions to pack up and slip away through the narrowest gaps. As a silver-raven-badge wizard, he had mastered advanced transformation magic and could turn into a rat.
As dawn approached, Fonte and Cybertron formed a temporary alliance. The paladin was determined to uncover the truth. Anything disrespectful to God would face his judgment, even Alkmaar.
Fonte suggested that Cybertron not inform the cardinal of the Holy See to avoid tipping anyone off or risking Cybertron being framed for knowing too much.
Cybertron agreed. He had just solved the doubts in his heart. Why had Altot stopped him from investigating the supernatural persecution of Donning? It turned out Altot had betrayed God and sided with evil. Both incidents, involving supernatural power, ultimately pointed to Alkmaar. Cybertron wouldn't let it go.
Elon Musk fled to a friend's laboratory, Turan's, seeking shelter. "I've run into trouble and need to hide here for a while."
He instructed his companions to bring his witchcraft materials into Turan's lab, cluttering the already small space. Turan shouted, "Tell your companions to be careful not to break my things!"
Elon Musk, unfazed, laid down. "Old buddy, help me. My advanced transformation magic isn't working well. I can't change back to my original form."
Turan dipped a bit of sticky liquid from a bottle and sprinkled it on Elon Musk's fur. Musk finally reverted to human form, but several burn holes appeared in his clothes. He yelled as he took off his coat, shaking off the liquid. "Damn it. You burned my coat!"
"My friend, what happened? What danger are you in?" Turan asked.
Elon Musk realized the coat was unsalvageable and tossed it aside, looking panicked. "You wouldn't believe it—someone's investigating the lawsuit from back then. A wizard."
"Who would bother with something so old?" Turan suggested, "Maybe you should contact Altot in Brot City and let him handle it for you."
"I planned on that, but I need to lie low for now," Elon Musk replied, picking up a piece of bread and munching on it. "I'll write to Altot later."
Fonte wasted two full days in the sewers before deciding to report back. He wrote a report on his findings about his spice business rival. Changing into clean clothes, he met Luke at their arranged meeting spot.
"Here's the information you wanted. Maybe I can solve this problem for you while I'm at it," Fonte offered, hoping to secure a higher position in the Alkmaar family, giving him more opportunities to gather incriminating evidence. But he needed some success first.
"No need. Sir already has someone in mind," Luke declined Fonte's offer and left.
"As expected, the task was given to that ally named Donning," Fonte thought. He decided to inform his temporary ally about the inside details to help him gain Alkmaar's respect and keep his ally reassured.
Donning received a letter from Fonte. The opportunity had arrived—Alkmaar was going to use him for something important. Donning left the apartment, heading to Lucas's residence under the pretense of visiting him.
Upon entering, he was greeted by the ice-cold beauty. "I want to see my friend."
Mace couldn't understand why Fonte was chosen for the investigation while the heavy responsibility of dealing with the opponent disrupting the spice business fell on this young man. What was Mr. Alkmaar thinking?
But she had to follow Luke's instructions. "Mace, you need to be nicer to that young man—not just in the traditional sense. You have to act like you, the ice beauty, have been won over by his tenderness and fallen in love with him. Then give him the important task. Agree to any conditions he proposes."
Remembering Luke's orders, Mace became enthusiastic, walking up with a sweet smile. "Mr. Donning, Lucas is lucky to have a friend like you."
Donning knew this was the ice beauty's act to fulfill Alkmaar's plan of lulling his nerves, making him believe he had succeeded.
"Thank you. But you seem a bit tired," Donning played along with the act.