Episode 48. In a State Where Betrayal is Not an Option
“You truly… are quite remarkable.”
Verdian hadn’t expected Sirius to come out like this.
Not only rejecting joining the league but also insisting that the league must come under him first.
“Do you think you have the ability to do that?”
“Is there anything I can’t do?”
“Sirius, you seem to be unaware of what kind of organization the league is.”
Verdian sighed at Sirius’s nonchalant response.
“The league is a very powerful organization. You seem to be under the misconception that having won a few times in the eastern border regions equates to something, but with the league’s power, we could raze the eastern regions to the ground overnight.”
“That would indeed be a serious matter.”
Sirius replied calmly.
“With such power in an organization, one must lead it well to avoid straying off the right path.”
“…”
Verdian was at a loss for words, but it was only natural to Sirius.
During his time in the martial world, he had observed closely the atrocities committed by the Celestial Demon Sect and the Dark Shadow Clan.
“I didn’t realize you were delusional. My mistake.”
Verdian sighed again.
“Anyway, I understand that you have no intention of joining the league.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“But… in that case, it may be difficult.”
Verdian unfolded the fan he had been holding all along.
And he covered his entire face, even the lower part that wasn’t hidden by the mask.
“If that’s your stance… then I might not be able to spare you.”
“Is that possible?”
“Is there anything that’s not possible?”
Verdian chuckled lightly as he waved the fan.
“Don’t get too conceited just because you brought down Valerian, the 8th Circle Magician.”
“Are you a 9th Circle yourself?”
“……”
Verdian paused.
“I’m not the Poison King… I doubt I could be a 9th Circle.”
“Seems like the Poison King is a 9th Circle.”
“That’s right. Even if I haven’t reached the 9th Circle, it would be shameful to call myself a ‘king.'”
“They say the Regent is also 9th Circle. Is the leadership of the Alliance all 9th Circle?”
Although relatively remote, in the eastern region, Valerian of the 8th Circle was considered the highest level. If there were several 9th Circle magicians in the Alliance, as Verdian boasted, they could easily wipe out the east in no time.
“So, what level are you at?”
“Well, there’s no need for me to disclose that.”
“I’d say you’re around 7th Circle.”
“……”
Verdian fell silent.
Sirius’s prediction was accurate. Sirius could gauge Verdian’s skill by extending his Qi to assess Verdian’s Circle. In the martial world, they often assessed each other’s skills in a similar manner. Until now, it had been impossible due to his lack of skill, but reaching 2nd Rank now made it achievable.
“Impressive. To reach the realm of a magician at your age, did you use some special method?”
“……”
Being at the 7th Circle meant being at the forefront of a medium-sized faction. Among the 7th Circle magicians Sirius had met so far, none were as young as Verdian.
“Or perhaps, despite appearances, you’re actually much older?”
“I suppose… capturing you alive would be better than killing you.”
Verdian muttered in a stern voice.
“I’ll take you to the Poison King. He’ll be able to ascertain exactly what power you possess.”
“I have many questions I’d like to ask the Poison King as well.”
If Verdian had indeed secured 7th Circle magic at a young age, he must have used elixirs to artificially enhance his power. In that case, the Poison King would know of substances that could artificially boost magic power. As Sirius, who sought elixirs, he needed the Poison King’s knowledge.
“You have no right to ask questions.”
With that, Verdian waved the fan again.
But… he soon stopped abruptly.
“…?”
Through the eye holes of the mask, red irises flickered.
Watching that sight, Sirius slowly opened his mouth.
“Alright, I get it.”
“What?”
“The powder dispersed from the fan itself is harmless, but it seems to acquire toxicity by providing magical stimulation.”
“…!”
Verdian swallowed hard.
He had been caught spreading poison while pretending to have a conversation with Sirius… He was even seen through, down to the very principle behind it.
It was shocking.
“How…?”
“It’s a technique I’ve seen before.”
It was a story from his martial arts days.
A poisonous technique developed by the Venomous Demons of the Thousand Devil Sect.
They devised a plan by creating a medicine that, while normally harmless, becomes toxic when infused with energy.
“And you see, Verdian.”
Sirius spoke in a calm voice.
“You threaten to kill me, yet instead of attacking me, you just wave your fan around… Isn’t your intention too obvious?”
“…!”
Thud!
Sirius kicked the ground and leaped into the air.
Seeing this, Verdian urgently jumped away as well.
His movements were quite agile.
Just by catching the dagger Sirius had thrown earlier, it seemed like he possessed physical abilities far superior to an ordinary human.
“Why…!”
Why doesn’t the poison affect him at all?
Verdian frantically waved the fan.
As a result, a new poison spread around them.
The earlier one he had scattered was a subtle, colorless drug, hence its effects were weak.
But the yellow powder he now dispersed was a potent venom.
No matter how strong his resistance to poison was, if he ingested this, he would soon vomit blood and collapse…
“It’s quite potent.”
“…!”
Yet Sirius remained unscathed.
From Noble mtl dot com
Originally, the White Martial Lord, Sirius, had mastered a martial art that purified toxins to counteract poison.
Apart from toxins like the Indestructible Venom, which was impossible to detoxify, he could easily withstand even the venomous techniques of the Venomous Demons of the Thousand Devil Sect.
Most poisons could be neutralized with just two levels of internal energy.
“But still, there’s no need for you to ingest this. It stings the eyes too.”
“…!”
Whoosh!
As Sirius swung his arm vigorously, a gust of wind blew, carrying away all the yellow powder.
Verdian, astonished, fled into the forest, but Sirius’s pursuit was faster.
“Ugh…!”
Verdian brandished his fan to block Sirius’s pursuit.
This fan, personally crafted by the Venom King, possessed exceptional performance even as a weapon.
Having mastered close combat techniques using this fan, Verdian could overpower most magic swordsmen with just the fan alone.
Swish!
The fan unfolded with magical energy, slicing through the air.
With its sharp edge, a proper strike could leave Sirius covered in cuts.
“…!”
However, Sirius deflected Verdian’s fan with a short dagger.
Desperately, Verdian rotated the fan for the next attack, but Sirius effortlessly parried every move with his dagger.
“Ugh…!”
Grimacing, Verdian shook the fan.
As a result, powders of various colors dispersed around, obscuring his vision.
He knew Sirius was immune to poisons. This was an attempt to disrupt Sirius’s sight.
Despite dispersing valuable potions into the air, it was futile.
He had to defeat Sirius by any means necessary.
But…
“Ah…!”
Thud!
Breaking through the yellow powder, Sirius’s kick struck Verdian’s torso directly.
The impact sent Verdian flying, crashing into a tree.
Struggling to breathe on the ground, with Sirius leaping towards him.
“Ugh…!”
Sirius mounted Verdian’s back.
Then, using grappling techniques, he completely restrained Verdian’s limbs.
“Ugh…!”
Verdian tried to break free, but each attempt brought more pain.
He couldn’t even use magic in this state. He had dropped the fan and was helpless.
“Verdian, you said earlier you’d capture me alive instead of killing me.”
“Ugh….”
“In that case, I’ll do the same. I have many questions about the Alliance.”
Upon hearing this, Verdian attempted to ingest the poison he had hidden in his mouth.
The Venom King had given it to him in case of capture.
But Sirius’s fingers were quicker to dig into his mouth.
“It seems the thought process is the same, whether in this world or the other.”
Mumbling incomprehensible words, Verdian felt Sirius removing the poison from his mouth.
“You have many days ahead of you; it’s not time to choose death so easily.”
“Ugh….”
Verdian was already vulnerable, his mask removed.
Beneath it, his face was much more sinister than Sirius had anticipated.
“Verdian, let me ask you one thing.”
“I… I can’t respond…”
“It was said that the Weltenstein Assembly and its sub-organizations were kidnapping children to sell them off somewhere.”
“…!”
Sirius mercilessly obliterated the Weltenstein Assembly and its subordinates because they were involved in trafficking children.
“Lately, we’ve been capturing other organizations involved in human trafficking along with Kyan Agtas, but it was hard to determine where they were being taken.”
“…”
“Could it be that you’ve flowed into your alliance?”
There was no response from Verdiene.
Upon that reaction, Sirius sighed.
“Another reason has been added as to why we shouldn’t tolerate the alliance.”
Sirius recalled the Heavenly Demon Sect of the Wulin.
They would capture children to turn them into their soldiers or sacrifice them as research materials.
If the alliance was doing similar things, they should be treated like the Heavenly Demon Sect.
“I have no intention of handing over the alliance’s information to you.”
Verdiene, subdued by Sirius, said laboriously, “As a direct disciple of His Majesty the Venom King, rather than doing such a thing, I would prefer… death…”
“You fool, that’s just brainwashing.”
Sirius coldly retorted.
In the Wulin, he had seen many people who would choose death over revealing information.
However, there was a big difference between someone who made that decision for what they believed in and someone who had been kidnapped and brainwashed at a young age.
“Things won’t go as you wish.”
“Are you saying you’ll spare me and try to persuade me? Change my mind?”
Verdiene chuckled dryly.
“It’s pointless. If you spare me out of mercy, I will definitely strike you from behind.”
“No need to worry.”
He wasn’t particularly trying to show mercy.
Sirius placed his hand on Verdiene’s left shoulder.
Being mindful of the location of the Lao Gong acupoint in the palm of his hand, Sirius detected the circle present on Verdiene’s upper body.
“I’ll make sure you can’t strike from behind.”
“What are you talking about… Ah!”
The first stage of the Thousand Demon Divine Art, the power of the North Star.
The power that absorbs everything like the vast northern sea began to swallow Verdiene’s 7-circle magic power.