**Chapter 96: Hidden Danger!

Gawain's scornful smile and mocking gesture instantly infuriated Deronsta.

Boom!

A crimson light surged from the high priest of the "Flesh Church," like boiling water, its terrifying aura forcing the Pine Nut Hotel's owner to retreat repeatedly.

Swart rolled on the ground, curling up and not daring to move.

Even the members of the "Flesh Church" were affected.

The sand and stones on the ground were blown away, pelting the surroundings.

"Everyone!"

"Everyone, find this bastard for me!"

"Kill him!"

The high priest of the "Flesh Church" roared.

When had a mere insect dared to mock him? And Sidock was truly a failure! After the church invested so many resources into his promotion to "Flesh Priest," he fell into a trap and died in his first battle.

"Trash!"

"He's such trash!"

The high priest of the "Flesh Church" raged inwardly.

He had heard the explosion clearly. It was obvious that Sidock had been killed by that insect after falling into a trap.

This only fueled the high priest's anger.

"No!"

"I want him captured alive!"

"I'll turn him into a flesh puppet!"

The high priest of the "Flesh Church" roared again.

All the members of the "Flesh Church" responded and got to work, while the Pine Nut Hotel's owner, who was shielding his face from the flying sand and stones, had a flash of light in his eyes.

Then, when the hotel owner lowered his hand, his face showed both anger and regret.

"High Priest, I’m willing to help!"

The Pine Nut Hotel's owner spoke up.

The high priest of the "Flesh Church" turned to look at him, and noticing the expression on the hotel owner’s face, the boiling crimson light slightly subsided.

"Lord Steinbeck, your goodwill shames me."

"An insignificant insect dared interrupt your promotion."

"Rest assured, the ceremony will begin shortly!"

"And…"

"When I turn that insect into a flesh puppet, I’ll hand it over to you to command!"

The high priest of the "Flesh Church" promised.

"It’s I who should be ashamed. In this world full of ignorance, my lord is the only truth. Receiving my lord's blessing is my honor—compared to what I’ve done, it’s nothing."

"So, I will definitely bring that guy here!"

"Only when I see him turned into a flesh puppet with my own eyes can I accept the blessing with peace of mind!"

"And I want the whole world to witness the process, so that my lord’s glory will spread across the world even faster!"

After the Pine Nut Hotel's owner finished speaking, he looked at the high priest of the "Flesh Church" with piercing eyes.

The high priest was momentarily stunned, then a look of appreciation appeared on his face under the crimson light.

Working with the Pine Nut Hotel's owner was always pleasant! Every time, it was so enjoyable!

He was always thinking about the church.

Moreover, he was very good at managing.

Such a rare talent.

Unfortunately, how much sanity will remain after the transformation? He'll likely only be a killing machine.

The high priest of the "Flesh Church" couldn’t help but feel a trace of regret, but he had no intention of giving up the idea of transforming the hotel owner—he valued the man’s wealth even more than his loyalty to the church.

Some "impoverished nobles" have wealth far beyond what most people imagine.

And with his management, he has businesses all over Tessin, including the capital, "Bode."

The moment he first revealed his wealth, the high priest decided to help him achieve his "extraordinary" dream.

Especially after verifying that everything he said was true! Although in some areas, he had deceived the hotel owner, they had already signed a contract.

"In the eyes of my lord, no one can resist a signed contract!"

The high priest of the "Flesh Church" thought silently.

Finally, he decided to grant the Pine Nut Hotel's owner's request.

It was a kind of alternative charity.

Let him use his will to accomplish one last thing!

With that in mind, the high priest of the "Flesh Church" said, "I’ll wait here for your triumphant return!"

"Yes, High Priest!"

"I will definitely return victorious!"

"After all, I have the perfect 'bait'!"

The Pine Nut Hotel's owner pointed confidently at Swart beside him.

Swart, trembling on the ground, shook even more violently after being pointed at, but the sheriff still raised his head and gave Deronsta a flattering smile.

That kind of ingrained pettiness made the high priest of the "Flesh Church" frown.

Suppressing the urge to kill Swart on the spot, the high priest asked, "Who is he?"

"He’s Swart, Gawain's friend. I unintentionally saved him on the way here, originally intending to use his identity as sheriff to help the church better control Lust."

"But now, he will serve a more important purpose!"

The hotel owner bowed as he spoke.

"So, he is Swart?"

"Excellent!"

"Go on then!"

The high priest of the "Flesh Church" knew about Swart.

---

Originally, such a lowly person wasn't even worthy of him knowing their name, but just like Goethe, in order to better arrange the situation, Swart's name was also remembered by the High Priest.

"I'll be back soon!"

The owner of Pine Hotel grabbed Swart and quickly left the square.

Watching the back of the Pine Hotel owner disappear, the High Priest of the 'Flesh Church' then turned to look at the towering 'Gate of Flesh.'

"Keep an eye on him!"

The High Priest's voice emanated from the scarlet light.

Immediately, a shadowy figure disappeared into the darkness.

He gave charity, allowing the other to carry out one last act of will; naturally, there was no problem with that, but...

It must be under the radiance of my Lord!

...

Görde was not surprised by the support sent by the 'Flesh Church.'

Even though the opponent displayed far greater strength than an ordinary 'Child of Flesh,' Görde was mentally prepared.

Moreover, Görde had already prepared a retreat plan for himself.

A 'Secret Realm'!

A 'Secret Realm' that could be entered at will.

Even setting aside the one currently on cooldown, there were still two more!

This meant he still had two more chances!

Based on the difficulty he had experienced in the previous 'Secret Realm,' the remaining two should be well within his ability to handle. In fact, with the experience he had accumulated, these two 'Secret Realms' might even be easier.

Thus, Görde was full of confidence.

But what happened next shocked Görde.

As he was retreating, using the vision of the [Raven's Spirit] to confirm the position of the 'Flesh Church's' pursuers, he saw...

He saw 'himself' leading the 'Flesh Church's' reinforcements into a trap and directly eliminating them!

In an instant, Görde was stunned.

Who?

Who would do this?

Görde frowned.

Undoubtedly, someone was using him to set a trap!

And it was a trap targeting the 'Flesh Church!'

After the 'Flesh Church' summoned the 'Gate of Flesh,' someone began targeting them!

Although he didn't know what the other party's intentions were, their bold move gave Görde a feeling of being enveloped in a conspiracy.

"Was this a spur-of-the-moment decision?"

"Or..."

"Was it planned all along?"

Görde leaned towards the latter.

Because if it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision, the other party would be too terrifying.

It would mean that his every move was under the other party's watch!

Only in this way could the other party accurately manipulate the 'Flesh Church's' reinforcements, leading them into a deadly trap.

Even now, he might still be under the other party's watch.

It's possible that the entire Luster is under their control.

In that case, his 'secret' would certainly not be hidden from the other party.

Görde believed that even if someone had complete control over Luster, they wouldn't remain indifferent to the 'Mad King's Ring'—after all, anyone would recognize its value compared to a city and seven worlds.

So, if the other party knew, they would definitely come to kill him and seize the 'Mad King's Ring.'

But such a situation hadn't occurred.

This indicated that the other party had planned this all along!

So...

Such a plan must involve someone he knows.

He squinted his eyes, thinking about potential candidates.

Morey? Mrs. Pence?

No reason or motive.

Kyle?

Probably still unconscious.

Scylla?

Although this woman had multiple identities, her intelligence wasn't high enough for such a scheme.

Swart?

Hmm...

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

After eliminating several impossibilities, a figure emerged in Görde's mind.

The owner of Pine Hotel!

He wasn't familiar with the other party.

They had only met once in person.

But that one meeting left a deep impression on Görde.

The other party's safe yet highly efficient combat style was something Görde had always sought but never obtained.

Aside from that, there was the attitude the other party displayed.

The other party should have had the ability to kill the 'Killer in the Mist,' but they didn't. They merely retaliated against the 'Killer in the Mist' for playing tricks and then left.

This gave Görde the impression of a high blow landing lightly.

It should be noted that the 'Killer in the Mist' was out to kill the other party at that time.

Would the other party be so magnanimous towards someone who wanted to kill them?

Görde didn't believe it.

Unless this was also part of the other party's plan.

The other party wanted the 'Killer in the Mist' to live.

And then...

Kill him?!

A flash of insight suddenly struck Görde's mind, and the image of the imposter involuntarily surfaced from the depths of his heart.

Kill him!

And take his place!

Then, complete the other party's plan!

Almost instantly, Görde grasped the key point.

But then the question returned to the beginning:

What does the other party want to do?

With no relevant information, Görde quickly gave up thinking about it. He then pressed himself against the shadows.

In the [Raven's Spirit] vision, a person appeared, staggering down the street.

It was...

Swart!

(End of this chapter)