71 Chapter 70: Char: Blood Moon Son? That's not me!

"Who allowed you, the Heretic Tribunal, to take away my people?!"

Lord Rod slammed his hand on the table in front of him, his expression dark.

Dressed in silver knight armor, he had just finished his daily training in the Tower of Judgment when he heard the news and rushed over.

Recently, due to being busy with the aftermath of the Ancient God Revival incident and investigating the whereabouts of the mysterious organization and the Savior Hero, he had not paid enough attention to certain matters in reality.

Furthermore, the actions of the Heretic Tribunal were carried out in secret, so he had not received any wind of it.

Justice Nidro looked at the shattered wooden table in front of him, took off his glasses, and sighed, "The trunk of an adult withered wood demon, soaked in deep-sea oil wax for three years to form natural patterns and coatings, costing no less than one hundred thousand gold coins."

"Remember to compensate."

"Get out of here, old man." Lord Rod sneered, taking a step forward, the aura belonging to a King's Knight enveloping the area, causing many passing staff members to pale in the face. "You can come up with such absurd reasons for heresy and apply them to that kid. What else can't you do?"

Feeling the pressure brought by this younger generation, Justice Nidro smiled faintly, "You broke through, huh? No wonder you have the confidence to come here and cause a scene."

"But you still refuse to call me 'teacher' after all these years, huh?"

"Do you deserve it?"

A hint of anger flashed in Rod's eyes.

He seemed to recall some painful memories, clenching his fists tightly.

After a moment, he continued, "It is precisely because I know very well what kind of demons the members of the Red Moon Cult are, that I am absolutely certain that the child has nothing to do with the Crimson Moon."

"Moreover, this is an internal matter of the Tower of Judgment and should be handled internally."

"Nidro, have you overstepped your authority?"

"Oh? Are you sure?" Seeing his former student's stubbornness, Nidro's face displayed a strange smile. "Leaving aside the matter involving heresy, which should be handled by the Heretic Tribunal, it doesn't count as overstepping my authority."

"As for that child, well... are you sure he is really just an ordinary person, as you believe?"

As he said this, a hint of shock flashed in Nidro's eyes.

It was as if he had just experienced something unbelievable.

"What do you mean?" Rod furrowed his brow and spoke in a cold voice.

"Talent and potential, from the moment people are born, these factors determine what level of achievement they can reach in the future."

"Perhaps there may be encounters in one's later life, such as being favored by the gods or ingesting ancient elixirs, but such cases are extremely rare."

Nidro waved his hand, and a clock-shaped magic matrix appeared on the ground. The minute hand representing minutes slowly rotated counterclockwise for two ticks.

In the next moment, the chaotic items on the ground and the shattered remnants of the wooden table were instantly enveloped in a silver-white light.

Then, to Rod's slightly astonished gaze, those items reassembled into their state from two minutes ago.

This old man's power has grown considerably.

Especially since, in addition to light magic, he also excelled in time magic as a secondary discipline.

This was a privilege of the high-ranking officials of the Radiant Court.

After all, as the goddess who governed the sun, time and the flow of time were within her authority.

Nidro gently rested his arm on the table, wearing a pensive expression. "I have investigated this boy, Char. When he was very young, he underwent the talent assessment of the district, and later, Mevis took a look at him when he was recruiting disciples."

"The evaluations concluded that he was mediocre."

"But since ten years ago, after his hometown was completely destroyed by an unknown invading force, he arrived in the capital and gradually began to show some unusual qualities."

"Although he concealed it well, we still traced that he once used the alias 'Cain' and was active on Mington Street, rapidly advancing his strength to the rank of a Knight and even a Grand Knight."

"He even has another identity with the same name, a renowned author from the St. Fley Publishing House."

"Based on this, he quickly accumulated a fortune and secretly searched for a batch of precious materials seemingly used for cult rituals, including Voidstone powder."

A hint of shock flashed in Rod's eyes.

He truly had no knowledge of Char's past.

"According to my conjecture, this boy is very likely to have encountered the Crimson Moon Cult after the tragedy in his home, becoming one of their members. He lost sight of his path in pursuit of revenge and desired to gain power."

Nidro continued to add.

After a moment of silence, Rod spoke in a low voice, "All of these are just your wishful speculations."

"Well then, would you like to see some decisive evidence?" Nidro smiled and said, "You will be absolutely shocked."

After a while.

Led by Nidro, the two arrived at the underground prison of the Heretic Tribunal.

Surrounded by thick soil and rock layers, it was almost impossible to escape from here.

The underground prison was divided into nine levels, and the deeper one went, the stronger the imprisoned criminals' powers and the more heinous their crimes.

After Char was detected to have the strength of a Totem Knight, coupled with his sensitive identity, it was no surprise that he was kept in the deepest level of the underground prison.

Since his arrest, he had not attempted to resist but complied with the arrangements of the Heretic Tribunal, remaining calm to the point where the knights who apprehended him found it somewhat unusual.

"... "

Standing on the highest platform, Rod directed his gaze at this dim and cold prison.

Then, his gaze locked onto one of the cells.

In the ninth level area, there were currently no other prisoners here.

Because such heinous criminals would usually be suspended on the faith pillars in the center square of the Radiant Court on the day of monthly trials, undergoing the judgment of the Holy Flame of Light and turning into ashes as per tradition.

The handling methods of the Radiant Court have always been cruel when it comes to heretics and cultists.

If nothing unexpected happens, Char will also encounter such a fate.

Under the faint illumination of the magical light source, he saw Char's current state.

Then, his pupils contracted!

Char was currently immersed in a freezing cold, with his hands and feet shackled, unable to move freely. He also had to endure a continuous stream of cold air, restricting his ability to act.

He had his eyes tightly closed, sitting quietly on the ground with his bare upper body, his expression calm.

But these were not the focal point.

What made Rod feel a chill down his spine was the crimson blood moon mark on Char's chest, accompanied by nine patterns, imprinted right in the center.

Rod's gaze trembled, and then he looked at Nidro, the Chief Magistrate, who remained silent by his side.

"Nine patterns?"

"That's right. When I saw it earlier, my reaction was similar to yours," Nidro sighed, "Nine patterns... That surpasses the number of Mansfield's patterns. What else can there be that holds a more esteemed position than their leader?"

The Son of the Blood Moon.

Both of them involuntarily thought of this term.

Having received unprecedented favor from the Goddess of the Moon, he was the representative of the divine in the mortal realm. In the past, he would have been revered and called a "saint."

Rod was deeply shocked by this news, and it took him a while to regain his composure.

Recalling what Sitar had said to him earlier, that this was his proudest student and he hoped Rod would take good care of him, Rod couldn't help but find it ridiculous now.

With the divine favor and the power obtained from evil rituals, Char's strength had unconsciously surpassed Sitar. The gap between him and Rod was now just one realm away.

The title of King's Knight was just a label, while this realm was commonly known as "Paladin."

"I want to have a few words with him."

After a long silence, Rod said in a low voice.

The Chief Magistrate Nidro nodded.

Then, the youngest presiding judge of the Tower of Judgment slowly descended the stone steps and arrived in front of the cell where Char was held.

"Do you still recognize me?"

Rod said slowly.

Upon hearing this, Char opened his eyes and looked at the man speaking in front of him.

The sensation of being immersed in the icy spring was unpleasant. A pervasive freezing feeling enveloped his entire body, rendering him unable to move.

However, compared to the agony of being consumed by the black mist, this sensation felt more like an itch.

"Presiding Judge?" After getting a clear view of the man before him, Char smiled and spoke.

"You're still willing to address me as Presiding Judge," Rod said expressionlessly, "but you have already betrayed the original intention of the Tower of Judgment and become a member of the heretics."

"I've said it many times before, I don't know what you're talking about," Char sighed and replied.

In fact, he hadn't met this Presiding Judge man many times. They had encountered each other once in the duel arena, and later, when he reported to the Tower of Judgment, Sally introduced him to Rod.

In the end, Char didn't feel much affiliation with the organization of the Tower of Judgment. Instead, he had used the organization's name to intimidate others a few times.

"Do you really not know the significance of the mark on your chest?" Rod glanced at the crimson mark and said.

Char was momentarily taken aback, then shook his head lightly. "I really don't know."

He only knew that he was now the prime target of surveillance.

"The Son of the Crimson Moon, a presence surpassing the leader of the Sect, Mansfield. Everything you have done represents the will of the Goddess of the Moon."

"I don't...," he sighed after a long silence, answering helplessly.

He genuinely didn't know the meaning behind this mark, nor did he know he had long been targeted by the judgment of the heretics.

It was only through Rod's explanation that he began to understand.

So this mark carried such significance, it was truly absurd.

Was Beatrice a masochist?

He had humiliated her, yet she still treated him like this?

This whole situation was so fucked up that he didn't even know where to begin.

Do I have to reveal everything that happened after going to the Abyss Palace?

If that were the case, the look in people's eyes around him might change from astonishment to horror.

Compared to the black mist and the witches, the Crimson Moon Sect immediately became a lowly existence. After all, there was a difference between causing trouble in a district and causing trouble across a continent, and I believe any normal person would understand that.

That's the true heresy.

So at this moment, Char was somewhat speechless.

Rod looked at him deeply and then said, "I will do my best to transfer you to the Tower of Judgment, but it may not be successful. After all, as a heretic, you cannot escape judgment."

"The Tower... the least tolerant of traitors."

"If I fail, you will most likely undergo the judgment of the Holy Flame of Light in a week, during the grand mass ceremony, in front of everyone's eyes."

"In any case, be prepared mentally."

After saying these words, Rod left the place.

Watching his retreating figure, Char smiled silently.

...

Mevis Manor.

"Has the time for judgment been set?"

A mysterious person dressed in a black robe sat on the sofa and said lightly to Mevis.

The collar of his robe was embroidered with a fragmented sun symbol.

But judging from the voice, it was clearly not the same person Char had encountered that day, the one who conducted the bountiful sacrifice. After all, this attire was the uniform of the higher-ups of the organization known as Twilight of the Gods.

Upon hearing this, Mevis showed an unusually humble attitude.

She smiled and replied, "Lord Isaac, it has almost been finalized. The time will be next weekend."

"Unfortunately, such a perfect vessel is wasted." The black-robed mysterious person named Isaac shook his head. "But since he is investigating the organization, he has indeed caused us some trouble. It would be better to kill him."

"Moreover, he is the chosen one of the Goddess of the Moon. If we have too much contact with him, perhaps She will detect something about us."

Mevis remained silent and nodded.

In fact, there was something she didn't say.

Char, as a male, is not suitable to be the vessel for the incarnation of the goddess. However, it just so happens that within the Helen Empire, the mainstream beliefs are predominantly goddess-oriented.

The gods of justice and judgment, the goddess of light, and the goddess of abundance all present themselves as female to the world.

Except for the god of wisdom.

But Char's body, which leans heavily towards being a knight, is also unsuitable to be the vessel for the supreme being of the Trinity.

Unless... it's a belief outside the Hellen Empire.

For example, in the southernmost kingdom of Jemal, known for its fierce and warlike style, everyone there worships the god of war. Anyone who is not a follower of the god of war is considered a heretic.

"I heard that the boy seems to have some grudges with you," Isaac glanced at her after a while and said indifferently.

Mevis lowered her head and explained, "his sister is vessel number eight, and he had conflicts with my disciple before, but it's not a big deal."

"True, there's no point in discussing these matters now," Isaac smiled. "After all, in a week, he will be bound to the Pillar of Faith in front of everyone's eyes, undergoing the judgment of the Holy Flame of Light."

"It seems that no one has ever survived the 'baptism' of the Holy Flame of Light, right?"

Mevis nodded. "After all, it comes from the purest light of the goddess, enough to incinerate all evil in the world."

When they said these words, neither of them reacted as if the term "evil" had any relevance to them.

After all, in their perspective, what they were doing was to save the world before the end times arrived.

After a while, Isaac stood up slowly. "I'll be going now."

"Aside from focusing on the Pillar of Faith, the next priority is to continue investigating the mysterious person we encountered on the day of the 'god-making faction.' It would be a great thing if we could recruit him to our side."

"After all, the gathering of individuals with the three divine marks has never happened before in history."

...

"Do you still have the mood to smile?"

Sally stood tiredly at the entrance of the prison cell, looking at Char submerged in the frigid spring, and said resentfully.

Three days after Char's arrest, she finally obtained the right to visit him by leveraging her position as a senior inspector of the Tower of Judgment.

For the past few days, she had been running around, using the power of her family or relying on the connections she had accumulated in the past, trying to clear Char's name.

"You've been through a lot."

Char unabashedly looked at the girl before him and said with a smile.

During the days he was captured, he didn't experience any severe torture, just imprisonment.

Feeling the efforts made by someone outside for his sake, Char was deeply moved.

Sally snorted, "Save those words for when you get out."

Char scratched his head. "I guess, maybe, I probably can't leave the Heretic Judgment Hall as an ordinary person, right?"

At Sally's signal, the guard opened the door to the cell.

Wearing a purple dress, Sally walked slowly into the cell, approached Char, squatted down, and reached out to hold his hands, which had turned slightly pale from being soaked in the frigid spring.

"In theory, that's correct," Sally furrowed her brow, attempting to dispel the chill with her own body heat, but it had no effect. "After all, the mark on your chest is irrefutable evidence that cannot be forged."

"What should I do then?"

Char gently squeezed Sally's fair and tender hand, trying to console her.

"The trial of the Holy Flame of Light is absolute. So far, no one has survived it. In other words, once you are escorted to the Pillar of Faith, there's no turning back."

"Meaning, I'm doomed to die?"

Char pondered and spoke.

"Not considering leaving a legacy before dying, like having a child for the Adelaide family?"

Sally looked at the slightly haggard boy in front of her and let out a soft sigh.

"How would that be possible?"

Sally gently tugged at the fabric on her chest, revealing a small patch of milky, smooth, and fair skin. "For example... me?"

"Truly a wicked woman."

Char blinked and replied with a smile.

Just then, Sally suddenly moved forward a little, resting her head lightly against Char's chest, curling up her body with her knees drawn to her chest, and nestling against his chest.

Feeling the warmth of her delicate body and the lingering scent of violets, Char let out a sigh.

"Actually, I..."

He was about to confess and tell Sally the reason why she was so infatuated with him, that it was due to his charisma points.

But Sally extended her finger and gently pressed it against his lips.

Afterward, with his arms embracing her, Char held Sally tightly.

"Hold me," she whispered softly.

Char remained silent for a moment, then gently embraced Sally.

The two of them shared an intimate moment, as if they were a true couple.

Then, Char suddenly heard Sally's soft voice whispering in his ear, "I have a dagger hidden in my chest. Take it out and use it to hold me hostage. We can escape from here."

"There's a carriage parked in Wil Street, three blocks away from the headquarters of the Holy Flame. It will take you to a place where you can escape from the capital."

"Are you out of your mind?" Char replied in a barely audible voice.

At this moment, the guards at the door had already cast wary glances and tightened their grip on their long spears.

"You said it yourself, I'm a bad woman," Sally said with a seductive smile, extending her pink tongue to lightly lick Char's earlobe. "Since that's the case, helping with a prison break or something like that, isn't it normal?"

"Alright, let's get on with it quickly. I'll cooperate with you," Char said.

Sally gently lifted her budding chest, and the handle of the dagger slowly emerged from the middle.

Char let out a soft sigh.

Just like her mother, her daughter was the same.

What did this Violet family owe him in their past lives?

Char gently let go of Sally, and in her unbelieving gaze, he supported her shoulders and said sternly, "Don't jeopardize your future for me."

Sally's eyebrows trembled slightly, and then a misty sheen appeared in her eyes.

Because just now, Char had given up on his last hope of escape.

From now on, even if Mansfield personally led the Red Moon cult to this place, they would only meet with total annihilation.

The thought of not being able to tease this young man anymore, not being able to enjoy his foot massages, not being able to kiss him again, Sally, as the bad woman she was, inexplicably felt a hint of panic.

At this moment, she felt as if her heart was being squeezed by a hand, causing her discomfort.

She didn't know why she was feeling this way.

"Idiot, bastard, don't you want to live?" She pounded Char's chest while her eyes turned red, continuously scolding him in a voice tinged with a hint of tears.

"I won't die," Char chuckled and pulled the Violet girl into his embrace. "Let's make a promise."

"Just a little while ago, I made a promise with someone else, and as an extension of that promise, I assure you."

"I, Char Adelaide, will not die."

"I will definitely live and come to see you."

...

"Hey, hey, have you heard? That famous Char, he's actually a member of a cult?"

"Yeah, I was stunned when I heard that too. It seems to be related to the Red Moon Cult?"

"Well, he deserves it. He deserves to be caught by the Inquisition of Heresy and burned alive on the Pillar of Faith."

"Who can argue with that?"

"Perhaps even his so-called talent was obtained through evil sacrifices. Otherwise, there's no way to explain how he could defeat Miss Angelica."

"The Blood Moon cultists are truly despicable. And he even claims to be the contemporary Son of the Blood Moon. How many innocent lives have been stained by his hands?"

"On the day of the Grand Mass at the Radiant Court, which happens to be on Sunday, are you going to the central square to watch the trial?"

"I'll go. It's good to join in the excitement."

"By the way, has the identity of the anonymous hero who saved the capital been revealed yet?"

"Not yet. Otherwise, we would have heard the news first."

"It's ironic when you think about it. Although they say that the hero might just be an ordinary citizen among us who silently saved the city in times of crisis, it seems that we still have evil beings like Char, the Blood Moon cultist, among us."

"Don't be ridiculous. That guy is not even worthy to be compared to the hero."

Overnight, the news of Char being a cultist spread throughout the entire academy.

The discussion about the unnamed hero who defeated Angelica was overshadowed by the heat of this news.

Char's reputation, which was once favorable, instantly turned overwhelmingly negative.

Some students who had long been jealous of him went to great lengths to tarnish and insult him, as if being his classmate was a disgrace.

The faction that had previously supported Char in the academy became silent.

In this situation, it was considered a show of goodwill not to distance oneself, as they had caught him red-handed. Although it was still unclear what crime he had committed, being a heretic was something that couldn't be washed away.

Within just two days, Char, who was once regarded as a genius for defeating Angelica, had suddenly become a pariah like a Blood Moon cultist, universally condemned.

People were not interested in waiting for the whole truth to come out, nor did they believe in any possible reversal. Instead, they quickly occupied the moral high ground and accused him from above.

At the same time, inside the academy's dormitory.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

Sylvasta anxiously knocked on the door of Char's apartment.

As she looked at the graffiti and words of humiliation smeared across the door, she let out a sigh.

After a while, the door opened slightly.

Dahlia's somewhat haggard face appeared at the door.

After recognizing who it was, she apologized with a smile, "I'm sorry for letting you see me in such a state."

After welcoming Sylvasta into the room, Dahlia bowed slightly and answered.

"Are you okay?"

Sylvasta took a step forward with concern and held Dahlia's small hand.

...

After a moment of silence, Dahlia's body trembled slightly, and she rested her head on Sylvasta's shoulder.

"I-I really want to see him. I want to see Young Master... Waaah..."

She cried tearfully, intermittently speaking.

"When we go back tonight, I will ask... ask Father to arrange this." Sylvasta comforted the maid, "And it's not the end yet. Don't lose hope."

"I've been trying my best to rescue Char."

Sylvasta said softly.

At the same time, a resolute glint flashed in her eyes, as if she had made a difficult decision.

Back in the dueling arena, she had told Char that if he won the duel, she would reveal a hidden identity she had kept buried for sixteen years.

And now, it was time to use that identity.