Episode 558
“What do you mean, this is strange?”
Gef widened his eyes as if he didn’t understand.
“….”
Raon turned his head again without answering his question. After examining not only the woman’s body but also other corpses, he rested his chin.
‘It’s all the same as expected.’
The bodies had their necks and wrists roughly torn off, as if to show that they had been attacked by the blood demons of the White Blood Cult. If I had looked at it without much thought, I would have thought it was the work of the White Blood Cult.
But if you look closely at the wounds, you can see where the guys who did this made a mistake.
‘There is a difference between the time the injury occurred.’
Wounds caused by biting the wrist or neck to suck blood appeared later than the wounds that caused the death of warriors by puncturing the heart or cutting the back.
‘That doesn’t make sense.’
Because the blood demons of the White Blood Cult are more likely than not to eat the blood and flesh of living people.
The blood festival held by the White Blood Cult is an event in which living people are sacrificed to the blood god, so fresh blood must be drunk.
In other words, the blood and flesh of the living, not the dead, must be torn off, and most of the corpses here have had their wrists or nape of the neck torn off after death.
‘Who planned this?’
As we checked not only the young woman but also other corpses, it became even more clear.
‘And the most important thing is…’
Raon swept down the requiem sword worn behind his waist with his left hand.
‘The requiem sword doesn’t cry.’
The Requiem Sword can detect subtle blood energy that even I can’t feel, but right now, this guy only felt sorry for the dead and was not angry at the White Blood Cult.
It was clear that the members of the branch were not attacked by the White Blood Cult, but by monsters trying to disguise themselves as White Blood Cultists.
“that’s right.”
Martha looked at the corpse of the middle-aged warrior and nodded.
“The people here were not harmed by the White Blood Church.”
“What is that…”
Dorian took a step back in surprise.
“When white-blooded bastards use blood techniques and bite the flesh, the blood vessels expand outward to allow more blood to squirt out.”
Martha continued, pointing to the nape of the corpse.
“But everyone here has their blood vessels blocked. They may have torn it with their teeth, but it wasn’t the work of the White Blood Cult. “It’s fake.”
She shook her head with conviction.
Raon smiled slightly as he looked at Marta, who boldly declared that it was the work of the fake White Blood Church.
‘Have you continued your investigation?’
Martha immediately realized that it was not the work of the White Blood Cult. It seemed like she had continued to study the White Blood Cult in order to save her mother.
“She’s right.”
Raon agreed with Marta’s words and turned his attention to Gef and Bells.
“If you look at not only the blood vessels, but also the cuts on the wrists and neck, they appear after death. That’s not how white-blooded bastards who drink the blood of the living behave. “This is not the white blood religion, but the actions of those who want to act like the white blood religion.”
It was shown to everyone here that the inside of the wounds on the nape and inner neck were slightly different in color.
“How did you know that?”
Marta tilted her head as if curious.
“Of course you should know.”
Since the White Blood Cult was the main enemy, constant investigation was essential.
“Hmm…” As soon as
Martha heard those words, she frowned and jumped back as if she had heard a strange noise.
“What’re you doing?”
As Raon was laughing, Bells approached the corpses. I felt a cool, heavy energy, as if I was not in a good mood.
“….”
Bells slowly examined the corpses without saying a word and then stood up.
“I think what you two said is correct.”
He looked at Raon and Marta in turn and nodded seriously.
“I’ve never met a white-blooded person, so I don’t know about the blood vessels, but the time the wound occurred is definitely different. “It seems like someone was trying to frame it as the work of the White Blood Cult.”
Bells sighed, acknowledging that their thoughts were wrong.
“If you haven’t experienced it, you might not know.”
Martha waved her hand as if it was no big deal. When Belles acknowledged it first, she reacted gently, unlike usual.
“….”
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Bells taking a polite stance toward Marta.
‘Did you really not know?’
Bells’ nickname is Jang Hyeon-geom. I couldn’t understand how someone who had a calm and cool personality and would become the next head of the Rakion family could fall for this level of trickery.
‘There’s no need to be suspicious, but it’s better to be careful… hmm?’
Just when I thought he was someone to watch out for, an unknown odor wafted from Bells.
The horrible smell that seemed to be creeping out of a pit where trash was piled up was a sensation that lasted only for a brief moment. No, it disappeared after stimulating the soul.
‘what?’
Raon looked at the others with his eyes wide open. Burren and Martha Dorian were right next to Bells, talking calmly as if they didn’t feel anything.
‘Am I the only one who felt that bad smell?’
-This king also felt it.
Lars clicked his tongue with an annoyed look in his eyes.
-Now it is the smell of polluted demon energy.
‘Contaminated Magi?’
-It is an ugly smell that has been polluted by pure Maggi being covered with filth. It was so distorted that I don’t even know what kind of person it was.
The guy touched his nose, saying he smelled something dirty.
‘Magira…’
The only groups that use demon energy on the continent are the Black Tower and the Demon Club.
However, since it is possible to use artifacts written by demon energy, you should not assume that it is that way.
‘No matter what, we must not let down our guard.’
I looked at the corpses again just in case, but I couldn’t sense even the slightest demonic spirit. I felt like I had to slowly uncover what secrets Belles had.
“Mr. Gef.”
Raon turned his gaze to Gef.
“What happened to the mountain vegetables that were said to be in the south?”
“Ah, I heard the news earlier that they destroyed the entire mountain village and ran away.”
Gef answered with blank eyes, as if he still couldn’t believe it wasn’t the work of the White Blood Cult.
“I guess the investigation should start there.”
Buren clicked his tongue briefly.
As he said, I had to investigate the mountain, but I had a feeling that I wouldn’t find anything even if I went there.
“First, let’s return these people to the family first.”
Raon rolled back the tent covering the body and closed his eyes as if in silence.
“That’s right. “That’s right.”
Dorian nodded, saying that was correct.
“After that, how about going to my family? “There will be no place to stay around here.”
Vels approached Rimmer, asking to go to the Rakion family in the east.
“Hmm…”
Rimmer licked his lips to see what he was thinking, then looked away.
“Raon. What do you think?”
“Let’s go.”
If you were suspicious, the right thing to do would be to watch a little closer.
Raon chewed his lips as he looked at the dead family swordsmen without even closing his eyes.
‘Whoever the opponent is. ‘I will avenge you.’
* * *
Raon and Gwangpungdae left the Shinnigan branch only after asking the merchant dealing with Sieghart to allow the dead people to return to the family.
Because each and every dead person was examined, it was only when the moon was rising to the center of the sky that I was able to enter the Rachion family.
It was late and thick darkness enveloped the world like a curtain, but the interior of the Rakion family, filled with lights, was as bright as day.
“Welcome to Rakion.”
Bells bowed his head seriously but not excessively and opened the front door, which was as red as the sun.
‘This side is also enormous.’
The size of the Rakion family was also different from ordinary families.
It feels like looking at a royal castle rather than a family. Although it was smaller than Sieghart, it had buildings and facilities on a scale that could not be compared to that of most families.
As I was walking along Jungang-daero along Bells, the prosecutors around me bowed their heads in a respectful manner.
As befits a family renowned for its long-sword skills, the spirit of all the warriors was sharp and sturdy.
“This is Gajujeon, where the head of the family stays.”
Wels stopped in front of a majestic building like a spire built in the innermost part of the family. It looked as if he was stabbing the sky with a long sword.
‘This place…’
Raon rubbed his fingertips while listening to those words. A strong energy was coming out of that building, as if it had been sharpened like a knife.
“Hmm.”
Bells cleared his throat briefly and knocked on the door with the red lion on it.
“Matriarch. “We have brought guests from Sieghart.”
“Come in.”
A heavy voice, as if a pendulum were attached to the voice, came out as an immediate answer. It seemed like it was coming from right behind the door or from the end of a long cave.
“yes.”
Bells nodded, opened the door and went inside.
Raon glanced at Gwangpungdae and entered Gajujeon, following Bells.
Unlike Sieghart, the Gajujeon itself seemed to double as a throne room, and no other rooms were visible, and only the road leading to the central platform was visible.
Gorgeous. It is a space that seems to reflect that word. Every single strand of the red carpet was alive, as if you were stepping on grass, and on both sides were lined with works of art whose value could not be measured just by looking at them.
“Welcome back.”
A red-haired old man stood up on a platform that seemed to be made of gold instead of stones.
Although he was not very tall, he had a fierce spirit that felt like a mountain rising, and unlike the wrinkles on his face, his eyes were full of life.
“I am Juan, the matriarch of Rakion.”
Juan Rakion looked down at the entire Gwangpungdae and gestured arrogantly.
“I meet the head of the Rakion family.”
Following Raon’s greeting, the Gwangpungdae bowed its head to Juan.
“It feels good to see tall heroes.”
Juan looked at Rimmer, who was standing blankly as he was greeted by the Gwangpungdae.
“It’s been a while since you returned home.”
“Ah…”
Rimmer frowned as soon as he heard the word ‘returning squad’.
“It’s Gwangpungdaeju now. “Can you please call me properly?”
“Oh, I made a mistake. “Because I’m old.”
Juan Rachion chuckled and waved his hand.
“Then you are the dragon slayer?”
His dark gaze turned from Rimmer to Raon.
“It’s definitely a different level. “If I hadn’t seen it in person at the age of 21, it would have been hard to believe it.”
Juan’s neck shook as if he was genuinely surprised.
“Since the dragon slayer and the lightsaber are visiting, it would be a good idea to hold a banquet.”
He muttered that he couldn’t sit still on such a happy day and that he needed to set the table for drinks.
“sorry.”
Raon came forward and shook his head.
“Since we lost the gasols, there is no time to drink alcohol. Please understand.”
I carefully expressed my intention to refuse.
“Uhm, that’s right. “I almost made a mistake.”
Juan slapped his forehead and laughed.
“I’m sorry. At this age, nonsense often comes out. Please understand.”
He said he was sorry and called Bells.
“Bels.”
“yes.”
Belles heard Juan’s call and went up to the stage.
“What happened? “Are the people who attacked the Shinnigan branch actually white blood?”
“It wasn’t.”
“no?”
“yes. “I found out something thanks to prosecutors Laon and Marta…”
He reported everything that happened in Sinigan to Juan.
“You idiot!”
Juan gritted his teeth and punched Bells in the face. With a sound like a drum exploding, blood flew out from Bells’ mouth and soaked the red carpet.
“If you can’t understand even one thing like that, what an embarrassment you are in front of the guests!”
He slapped Bells’ cheek once more as he turned his face and screamed.
“Hmm…”
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Juan and Bells.
‘The main opinion was that although the force was strong, it was short-tempered and short-tempered. Strangely enough, he said he knew his own dishes well.’
The man named Juan was exactly as written in the black market and non-banquet information.
However, I had no idea that he would insult and use violence against Bells, whom he had chosen as his successor, in front of Gwangpungdae, an outsider. He was a more ignorant person than I thought.
“I’m sorry you went through such unnecessary trouble because of this guy.”
“no.”
Raon shook his head as he looked at Bells’ back, who was lowering his head.
“You must be tired, but I think I held you there too long. “For now, let’s rest today.”
Juan straightened his wrinkled face and gestured to the butler behind him.
“Come this way.”
The butler quietly bowed his head, opened the door to the family hall, and guided Gwangpungdae outside.
“Ah yes…”
Gwangpungdae was unable to say anything due to the awkward atmosphere and followed the butler out of the throne room.
Raon slightly turned his head before leaving. Juan and Belles stood cross-legged back and forth and said nothing.
‘The relationship between those two is…’
* * *
“Yes.”
Rimmer stretched out on the sofa in the lobby of the annex.
“It’s been a while since I came here.”
“Have you ever been here?”
The crane approached Rimmer’s side as if curious.
“huh. “I came here once when I was under subjugation.”
“Subordination? “So you fought Rakion?”
“okay. “It was when there were no wrinkles on the matriarch’s face.”
Rimmer smiled and nodded.
“At the time, Rakion was a family that was starting to rise. They were very confident, and because our positions overlapped, they clashed with us often. In the end, an all-out war broke out, and we won and received them as vassals.”
He lightly recited what he had experienced as if it were from a history book.
“It’s a wonder they survived.”
Marta tilted her head as if she was hearing this for the first time.
“Rakion was strong and didn’t use any strange tricks. “I guess the head of the family liked the fact that I always fought from the front with only force.”
Rimmer rolled his eyes upward as if recalling that time.
“I see.”
“I didn’t know that.”
The prosecutors seemed to have thought that the Rachion family would have followed Sieghart first, and they were in vain.
“By the way, Bells, will you be okay? “It looks like the Rakion matriarch is very angry…”
Dorian swallowed dryly, as if he was worried.
“You are a man without common sense.”
Marta also frowned as if she didn’t know that Belles would get hit.
“It’s ugly.”
Runan mumbled that she didn’t like Juan and glared at him.
“Unlike Bells, it was too extreme.”
“I know. “You beat my son in our presence…”
“He seemed like a person who lives by his temper.”
Not only the leaders, but all the swordsmen of the Gwangpungdae cursed the head of the Rakion family and muttered that they felt sorry for Bells.
Raon narrowed his eyes as he listened to the consistent opinions that Belles was pitiful and that the Rakion matriarch was in trouble.
‘Did you really want this reaction?’
For a moment, the viewpoint of the Gwangpungdae was switched from Sieghardt’s branch to Wels and Juan.
It almost made me think that he had deliberately hit Bells to show the image of an ignorant and reckless matriarch.
Wow!
Raon clapped his hands lightly, attracting the attention of the Gwangpungdae swordsmen.
“Thank you for your hard work today. “You must be in great shock, so go and rest now.”
“Am I really resting?”
“What’s going on?”
“I know. “I thought we would train today as well….”
The prosecutors widened their eyes, surprised that Ra-on had told them to rest.
“Can you order it for me?”
“Hmph!”
“Oh no!”
“I’ll go right away!”
When Raon turned his head and asked if he would order it, the prosecutors quickly shook their heads and ran to their rooms.
“The leader should stay.”
Raon made a surprise move, leaving Burren and Marta Runan on the sofa.
“What’s going on?”
Buren tilted his head as if wondering why they were the only ones left behind.
“I’m a bit suspicious of the Rakion family.”
Raon told the leaders everything he had thought about so far.
“Actually, the reason the branch was established in Sinnigan was probably initially to keep Rakion in check. “As time passed, the Rakion family became quiet and became less famous.”
“that’s right.”
Rimmer nodded with surprised eyes.
“As soon as we subjugated the Rakion family, we immediately established a branch to keep them in check. Decades passed, and since Rakion did nothing, everything was forgotten. “How did you know that?”
“Because that’s natural.”
Raon said it was no big deal and lowered his hand.
“Then isn’t the Rakion family the first to be suspected when the branch is attacked?”
Buren frowned at Raon.
“Because that’s generally what I think. There are many opinions that think the Rakion family is not a suspect. “Looking at you now, no one is suspicious of Rakion.”
Raon calmly shook his head.
“More than anything, the problem is that Bels Rakion did not recognize the White Blood Cult’s wounds.”
Even if I had no knowledge of white blood religion, I couldn’t understand how I could have missed the large difference in time between injuries.
The biggest suspicion was, of course, Magi, but since it was something I felt alone, I didn’t say anything about it.
“The Rakion matriarch just seems like a person with a dirty personality, but I can’t believe that someone who beats her son in front of guests would devise such a trick.”
Marta twisted her mouth, saying that the Rakion matriarch seemed like a simple person.
“Even that could be acting.”
Raon looked at the three leaders in turn and traced the table with his finger.
“And above all, traitors don’t have much time.”
“You don’t have much time?”
“okay. “You all know that we hunted down a family traitor not long ago, right?”
“okay.”
“Everyone knows that now that the internal organization of the family has been completed, it is time to look after the vassals. “There is a possibility that those impatient people got caught by the branch and attacked the branch before they could do anything.”
Although there was no evidence as to exactly what happened or that Rakion was the culprit, there was enough reason to be suspicious.
“Then why are you here? “It could be dangerous.”
Runaan asked a reasonable question with blind eyes.
“It could be dangerous. But…”
Raon curled his mouth as if he had been waiting for that question.
“Because there are things you can only find out by coming here.”
-rice!
As soon as he said that, Lars, who had been sleeping drooling, suddenly woke up.
-I starved all day today, so let’s eat first! Isn’t that the most important thing?
‘…Please just sleep.’
