CH16

Baron Buck suppressed his anger, trusting Emil's words completely.

Anyone could deceive him, but not Emil.

"A traitor? Yes, I know there's always been one in the castle. But… what can he do to me?" Baron Buck stood on the high platform, his gaze intimidating, making no one dare to meet his eyes.

He had maintained control over Dur Valley for so many years not by the number of guards but by his strength as a great knight.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

A strange sound, resembling but not quite like hoofbeats, echoed through the quiet banquet.

A brown-haired man in a black robe appeared, riding a strange creature. The creature was hairless, with silver-white skin and bat-like wings on its back.

The brown-haired man, covered in freckles, smiled and said, "Sorry, I was delayed by some spell materials. I'm Malcolm O'Neill from the Green Cottage."

Malcolm dismounted and patted the creature's head encouragingly. "Good job, go on."

Seeing the strange looks from those around him, he smiled and explained, "Oh, most of you probably haven't seen this. It's called a Thestral, a creature visible only to those who have seen death. Isn't it cute?"

The crowd was silent, filled with fear.

Malcolm had appeared out of nowhere as if riding the Thestral from the void.

"A wizard?" Baron Buck asked, his face serious.

Malcolm looked at him and smiled. "Yes, I'm a Level 1 wizard from the Green Cottage. But you probably don't know what that is, or who Malcolm is, so you won't fear me. For example, you can still talk to me, which is nice."

"After all, you're just natives of the Carlson Continent. Did you know, on the map, Carlson Continent is only as big as my little finger? Oh, and you might not even know the name of the land you're standing on. Why am I telling you this? Let's get to business."

He rubbed his fingers, producing a transparent crystal ball.

"You're Buck Salla, right?" Malcolm asked politely.

Baron Buck remained composed. "Yes, that's me."

"Oh, good." Malcolm nodded, scratching his head awkwardly. "I'm sorry, but I've been hired to kill you and your entire family. My apologies."

The crowd fell silent, Malcolm's words delivered so casually, as if he were discussing exterminating an anthill.

"What would it take for you to spare me and my family? Whatever Simon offered, I'll double it!" Baron Buck clenched his fists, sweat forming on his forehead.

Malcolm sighed. "He offered something you can't: his soul, willingly enslaved. A strong-willed person like you would never submit."

"A soul?" Baron Buck wondered if he had heard correctly.

"Yes, a soul filled with intense hatred for you. Such a soul is perfect for spellcasting, and it lets me test my spell model's perfection," Malcolm said excitedly, gesturing wildly.

No one dared interrupt him, not even the birds in the surrounding forest.

After his excitement subsided, Malcolm looked around awkwardly. "Ah, I've talked too much again. Sorry for the delay. Let's begin, shall we, Mr. Buck?"

"I won't go down without a fight!" Baron Buck drew his sword and struck.

The full-force strike of a great knight was too fast for Helag to see.

If he faced it, even with Deep Blue's warning, he wouldn't react in time.

But Baron Buck froze mid-strike, his expression fixed.

Malcolm shrugged, spreading his hands as the crystal ball floated before Baron Buck. "Barbarians are always so rude and impulsive."

"Though time is short, let me explain my spell, the Bloodline Curse. It kills all those within three generations of the target. It requires the target's blood and a soul filled with hatred for the target, willingly bound by a soul contract. These conditions are rare, but I met them quickly."

"When Simon came to me with a token, I almost dismissed him. But his hatred for you was perfect for my spell experiment, so here I am."

"Now, let's begin!"

Malcolm spread his arms, chanting softly. The crystal ball spun rapidly, then stopped.

Baron Buck's mouth opened unnaturally wide, as if something was forcing it.

[Warning! Strong magic source detected!]

To Helag, the scene was terrifying.

Malcolm was enveloped in immense magical power.

A magic-formed pillar extended from the crystal ball into Baron Buck's mouth.

Baron Buck's blood flowed through the magic conduit into the crystal ball, which turned red as it filled with his blood.

The ball seemed small but never overflowed, no matter how much blood it absorbed.

Baron Buck, once robust, shriveled to skin and bones, shrinking significantly.

The sight horrified everyone present.

Screams and panic erupted as fear gripped the crowd.

"We were too naive… too naive…"

Helag watched, feeling that everything they had done was laughable.

Baron Buck thought an alliance with the Duke of Tulip would save him, but to a wizard, even a king was just an ant.

Who cares about an ant's thoughts?

"Baron!" Emil's anger overcame his fear, and he drew his sword to charge.

Melissa, on the platform, tried to reach her father but collapsed in fear.