In the Outer City of Ecstasy, before the city gates, an eerie silence prevailed, interrupted only by the distant sound of crashing waves.
Sossia and Bird Feather fell into a contemplative silence.
Both were aware of the massacre of the Piga family; Bird Feather had witnessed it firsthand. Yet, a fortnight prior, it was merely the demise of the Piga family.
How, then, could it be that... they were all dead now?
Once Bird Feather regained her ability to speak, she inquired with repeated urgency:
"Are you saying all the Dead Sea nobility? Surely, Lord, you must have misspoken?"
Seeing the expressions on their faces, Chu Yan believed that further elaboration would be fruitless and opted to lead them to the Inner City for firsthand observation.
The three of them walked past the opulent Piga estate, meandering through the residences of other nobles.
Nine out of ten rooms stood empty!
In stark contrast to the bustling Outer City, which housed the former impoverished residents, this place was as quiet as a desolate city or a graveyard, with only a handful of startled elderly clerks cautiously taking their walks.
Had they truly all perished?
Covering his eyes as if weeping, Chu Yan feigned sorrow. Though no tears fell, he managed to summon a semblance of "despair so profound that one cries in silence."
Through his fingers, he covertly observed the reactions of the executioner and her maid.
After they had traversed the desolate fortifications, Sossia finally confirmed: the local noble families, who had once held sway, were indeed all gone...
The dire conditions at the Dead Sea border were notorious, even known to those from the inland regions; a pervasive malaise permeated every stratum.
The only commendable aspect was that the monstrous creatures from the Dead Sea had not breached this area, suggesting that the former nobility had contributed significantly to its preservation.
The executioner, who viewed Chu Yan as a naive lamb, could hardly believe that, after only a few months in such a place, he had managed to eradicate all troublesome elements!
After a prolonged silence, Chu Yan finally spoke:
"Just a week ago, elite-level monsters emerged from the Dead Sea. This time, it was the Sirens, more formidable than ever; their enchanting songs directly ensnared the minds of the nobles.
They became unable to recognize their companions, perceiving everyone around them as monsters, which ignited a bloody conflict.
While I defended against the creatures on the frontlines, by the time I returned, only one sword-wielding taboo practitioner remained among the nobility. He triumphed in that battle, and I executed him."
The handkerchief, previously used to dab his forehead, was now pressed to his eyes as he wiped away nonexistent tears of sorrow.
He twisted it, extracting sweat, which could plausibly be claimed as tears.
Sossia and Bird Feather struggled to respond; the nobles' coincidental demise raised too many questions.
However... this was the Dead Sea, and as long as the blame could be placed on the monsters, everything would be understandable.
Sossia adjusted her black steel dragon mask and pressed for further details:
"Lord, you mentioned resisting monsters on the frontlines? Elite-level monsters?"
"Yes."
Chu Yan was compelled to nod; this served as his alibi—despite his capabilities not being sufficient to contend with the Sirens.
Shanoya's initial probing strike at the Sirens could be likened to a mere scratch, while Chu Yan's magical attacks were akin to a gentle rub.
"What actions did you take during the battle?"
"I provided considerable support to the taboo practitioners!"
"Be more specific."
Couldn't she ease up on the relentless questioning? It was challenging for him to articulate... Chu Yan stammered:
"Um... cheering them on."
Bird Feather, recording the exchange, suddenly snapped her pen in surprise upon hearing Chu Yan's words.
She apologized, offering a polite yet awkward smile, and retrieved another pen, continuing to document the conversation.
It was indeed a challenge for her; due to her master's "unsavory dealings" with Tiffany, Bird Feather had to ensure the records were presented in a favorable light, naturally requiring some embellishment.
[As elite-level monsters once again ravaged the borders, threatening the inland territories, Lord Chu Yan and the taboo practitioners arrived at the frontlines.
The battle was perilous, and even the taboo practitioners felt disheartened. Fortunately, with the Lord fighting alongside them, sharing life and death, they pushed through, ultimately vanquishing the Sirens that emerged.]
Chu Yan raised his hand to speak, complying obediently:
"Well... at this moment, I am still regarded as the Lord of the Dead Sea. Given the tragic losses among the nobles, may I request some form of compensation?"
"?" Sossia.
"¿" Bird Feather.
Noticing the atmosphere shift, Chu Yan promptly adjusted his tone: "No hurry on that; it was merely a casual question."
Ah!
Sossia sighed deeply within.
She genuinely questioned whether Tiffany had been secretly assisting him with subsequent matters, but during these days, Tiffany had been consistently in her office, leaving no time for mischief.
Could this little rascal be so "capable"?
The maid's voice broke Sossia's train of thought:
"Master, how should we record the fate of the Dead Sea nobility?"
"Collectively perished in the line of duty."
"Understood..."
The maid continued to write furiously, and Sossia wondered how such a simple phrase—"perished in the line of duty"—could occupy her for so long, piquing Chu Yan's curiosity about her notes.
At that moment, the executioner launched into the next segment of her inspection, asking:
"The demise of the Dead Sea nobility is now a settled matter, irreversible. What about the ensuing chain reactions?
This is tantamount to the disappearance of an entire city's clerks, resulting in manpower shortages across various positions. How will we address the handling of ordinary magical creatures?"
To this, Chu Yan responded:
"There is no issue on that front. Initially, I was quite concerned; the nobles' deaths represented a severe blow for me as the Lord.
However, I soon realized that their absence did not impede normal operations at the Dead Sea border."
Just then, it was time for the daily monster-clearing routine.
A few children from the Outer City approached, equipped with weapons from the Dead Sea, bouncing playfully and greeting Chu Yan.
Thus, Sossia witnessed those children effortlessly exterminating the monsters along the seashore.
They were undoubtedly the "Dead Sea Armed Forces" reported earlier.
This scene astonished Sossia, or rather—captivated her!
The Dead Sea had indeed been transformed by Chu Yan's actions; he had eradicated the nobility, dismantled the existing hierarchy, and misappropriated sullied weapons.
His methods were nothing short of extreme.
Yet, just as the former Dead Sea border had maintained a precarious balance, this new, strange equilibrium emerged following the disruption of the old order!
How astonishing!
There remained a lingering concern: once Chu Yan departed, who would manage this place?
The taboo practitioners? Would it not become a den for the fallen then?
Nevertheless, this concern was minor; the Dragon Flame family could dispatch subordinates in due course.
However, it would be challenging for the new nobility to wield the same overwhelming authority as Baron Piga, since the local residents were now capable of addressing various minor magical crises.
Before arriving, Sossia had thought Tiffany too forward in demanding a perfect score outright.
Yet, after conducting her inspection, even discounting Tiffany's involvement, the responses provided by Chu Yan were still impeccable.
Despite the chaotic processes, the final output was commendable.
Considering the Dead Sea's perilous nature, it indeed warranted a perfect score.
What remained to be confirmed was the defining characteristic of the Dead Sea border—the taboo practitioners.
Though informed by Bird Feather that Chu Yan had integrated well among the taboo practitioners, Sossia felt it necessary to witness it herself.
She remarked:
"Now, please take me to tour the prison castle once more."
Having navigated through so many phases without difficulty, Chu Yan felt considerably reassured; a visit to the prison castle was the aspect he felt most confident about.
After the Blood Moon incident, his relationship with the prison companions had improved significantly.
What had once been distant had now drawn closer; he had successfully met with several reclusive taboo practitioners.
What was once intimate now drew "in" a distance; cough, cough...
"Please follow me!"
Chu Yan led the way.
...
Meanwhile, in the Lord's castle.
Due to the executioner's visit, those who had planned to step out for a stroll chose to remain within the castle to show Chu Yan a measure of respect, avoiding wandering about outside.
It would indeed be unreasonable if their leisurely stroll led to a reduction in Chu Yan's final score.
However, staying in the castle did not equate to remaining confined to their rooms.
Seizing the opportunity, Jeanette, Omiya, and a few other seldom-seen companions congregated in the Lord's bedroom to discuss matters concerning Chu Yan's impending departure.
Following today, Chu Yan's trial assessment would conclude, and he would undoubtedly leave alongside the executioner.
The Dead Sea border would surely require a noble presence; would they send new troublemakers thereafter?
Unaware of Chu Yan's decision to apply for a permanent post, they were understandably anxious, primarily concerned about potential inconveniences.
"There aren't enough chairs here, so you'll have to make do and sit on the bed while we discuss Chu Yan's fate..."
As the owner of the bedroom (having arranged it herself), Shanoya began explaining Chu Yan's decision to her companions.
At that moment, the door swung open.
"The exterior has merely undergone significant changes; the castle itself remains largely unchanged, just as it was when you last visited.
This is my room—a rather ordinary bedroom, and..."
Chu Yan's words trailed off as he beheld a gathering of affectionate "older sisters" on his bed and turned to glance at the executioner and the maid behind him.
He suddenly found himself at a loss for how to explain the situation.
"Executioner Lady, normal interpersonal relations should not affect my score, should they?"