Volume 2 Chapter 44: Plugging the Leak

Actually, Qin Lun had another purpose for dividing the nine demon hunters. In the doctor’s speculation, if the Albert Family were pushed into a corner and truly desperate, they might unleash a power beyond everyone’s imagination.

Therefore, Qin Lun showed a strong front, gaining the support of several demon hunters. Having a few sturdy shields became absolutely vital. In his mind, experiencing a life-or-death battle like the one with the Witch Maiar once was enough.

A mad serial killer who had spent most of his life isolated from society, living in prisons and mental hospitals, was slowly learning to understand hearts like a mirror and to control them with words. He was rapidly transforming into a true master of manipulating minds.

Compared to the immaturity Qin Lun had shown before, when he saw Hansen’s malice yet nearly caused them to fall out, it could be said he had improved greatly.

Qin Lun and the five demon hunters swiftly moved through the upper level of the Main Keep where the Albert family members resided. However, they stopped when they entered the hall on the middle level.

This hall was enormous—the very Banquet Hall where the demon hunters had been entertained earlier. Now, it gathered over ten servants of Albert Castle, including Laura, Elizabeth, Miller, and the old butler Jason. Standing at the front of the crowd was Baron Albert himself, who had just fled the Judgment Hall.

“Baron Albert, surrender. Don’t drag others in the castle down with you. The Exorcist Organization will give you a fair trial!” Qin Lun stepped forward twice. He placed his right hand over his chest, bowed elegantly, and said with a smile, “But first, allow me to thank you for your hospitality during this time!”

“Hypocrite! I won’t let you take my master!” Old Butler Jason bellowed, his eyes wide with fury. He pushed through the crowd and dropped to all fours on the ground.

“Jason, no!” Baron Albert gasped, reaching out to stop him, but he was too late.

RIIIP! Old Butler Jason’s black suit tore apart as the body beneath it expanded visibly. Thick, grey fur sprouted across his face, his mouth jutted forward, and his canine teeth and fingernails elongated violently. His pupils shrank into vertical slits.

“ROOOAAAARRR!” Boiling power and ferocity within him made him throw his head back and let out a long, drawn-out howl. The gentle, strictly proper old butler vanished, replaced by a two-meter-tall, heavily-muscled werewolf. Huge canine teeth dripping with saliva and claws as sharp as knives gleamed under the Banquet Hall’s lights.

“A werewolf with intelligence?!” Qin Lun’s eyes brightened, and he murmured to himself, “Not a magical creature… no signs of artificial modification… I see. This is a genetic mutation… the final piece of the puzzle I was missing!”

THUD! The grey werewolf that had been Old Butler Jason crouched, then transformed into a streak of black lightning as it lunged straight for Qin Lun.

Qin Lun lowered his head, seemingly deep in thought, completely oblivious to the werewolf’s attack. He kept muttering to himself. Only now, a figure darted out from behind him, leaping through the air towards the grey werewolf.

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! The sound of heavy, rapid impacts echoed through the air as the two figures met and instantly separated.

“UGH!” The werewolf let out a cry of pain and flew sideways. Its bulky body slid a long way across the Banquet Hall floor. One arm bent backwards at an unnatural angle, hanging limply at its side.

“Master Jason!” several castle maids screamed in shock, rushing forward to help the werewolf. Many male servants began to growl low in their throats, their eyes tinged with redness, seeming barely able to control their emotions.

Landing opposite the werewolf, a figure somersaulted once in the air and touched down in a crouch, shielding Qin Lun. It was a young demon hunter wearing leather gloves set with black iron knuckles. His silver hair brushed his ears, and an icy light flashed in his golden eyes.

“Your name?” Qin Lun smiled, crouching down. He pulled out a silk handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to the silver-haired youth.

“Lima. Lima Bolte, Sir Stan!” A ripple passed through the silver-haired youth’s golden eyes. He took the handkerchief, wiped a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth, and after a brief hesitation, lifted his head and declared, “My father died of the epidemic disease a month ago…”

“Lima, let us end this disaster together. Let your father rest in peace.” Qin Lun said gently, still smiling. He reached out to help Lima up, then suddenly turned to the other two demon hunters behind him. “And your names?”

“Andre Jacques (Jamie Moore), honored to fight alongside you!” The two demon hunters behind Qin Lun exchanged a glance. They placed their hands over their chests and bowed respectfully.

“Those could all be werewolves and other magical creatures, numbering several times our group. Are you afraid?” Qin Lun chuckled, pointing towards the over ten castle servants and the Albert family opposite them.

“Sir Stan, we won’t let personal matters hinder our duty like some people did. All evil creatures must be eliminated without mercy!” Lima’s fists, clad in leather gloves, clenched tightly, making the knuckles creak. His thin face became even colder, more solemn.

Hearing Lima’s words, the other two demon hunters hidden just outside the Banquet Hall doors sighed with bitter smiles. They walked into the Banquet Hall together and stood far behind Qin Lun’s group of four. They could choose neutrality between Qin Lun and the Albert Family, but they absolutely could not stand by and let werewolves kill their fellow demon hunters. Doing so would be no different from betrayal.

“All of you, stand down! The power the Albert Family gave you was not meant for fighting demon hunters!” Baron Albert roared at the servants, glaring at them fiercely until they quieted down. Only then did he turn and walk alone towards Qin Lun. “Doctor Stan, it seems I underestimated you. Those townsfolk beneath the castle… that must also have been your doing!”

“Baron Albert, have you thought it through?” Qin Lun narrowed his eyes.

“Yes,” said the Baron, his voice heavy with bitterness. “There’s no need for such bloodshed just for me. I’ll go with you. Please, you and Nova… and Meyer… calm those angry townsfolk down. Don’t let them destroy Albert Castle and the spotless reputation the Albert Family has held for centuries.”

“Of course, Baron,” Qin Lun replied smoothly, a slight upward curl appearing at the corner of his lips. A sharp glint touched his eyes. “However… besides yourself, I must also take another member of the Albert Family away.”

“Another member…” Baron Albert frowned, then comprehension dawned. “You mean my son, Stephen Albert? Alright… He’s locked in the lowest level of the Subsidiary Keep. Perhaps… you already know… he has become a werewolf.”

“Apostle 70053, you have obtained the precise whereabouts of Stephen Albert. Satisfaction met for the Satellite-level Plot Mission ‘Investigation’. Basic mission rewards have been delivered to your Storage Space. World Exploration Degree rewards will be calculated upon return to the Shattered Starry Sky.”

“Prompt: Apostle 70053’s first Guidance Mission is completed. You may return to the Shattered Starry Sky at any time. Requirements: Non-combat status, no Plot Characters present.”

“Prompt: Based on the intelligence currently held by the Apostle, the Satellite-level Plot still possesses the potential for elevation. Progress towards escalation to Planetary-level Plot has increased to 92%; progress towards escalation to Stellar-level Plot has increased to 71%. Successful escalation of plot quality will considerably increase World Exploration Degree rewards and enhance mission evaluation!”

Staring at the prompts that flashed across the Death Notice, Qin Lun’s face finally showed a hint of relief. His lips parted in a wide grin, revealing a set of perfectly aligned, gleaming white teeth.

“No, no, no!” Qin Lun smiled elegantly, shaking his head. “That other Albert I spoke of… isn’t Stephen Albert! I mean the one you’ve been desperately hiding and protecting!”

“Doctor Stan, I have no idea what you’re talking about!” Baron Albert’s heart sank like a stone. Dangerous sparks ignited in his eyes. “Where are Nova and Meyer? I must speak with them!”

“We are here!” came voices from the Banquet Hall entrance. Nova, Meyer, and Bonnie finally arrived. They had caught up.

“Nova, take me away. I won’t run again. I trust the Demon Hunter headquarters will give me a fair trial.” Baron Albert pointed listlessly back at the castle servants behind him and spoke calmly. “However, please spare them. They are merely my servants, bound by magical contracts. They are all good allies to the demon hunters and have never harmed ordinary people.”

“We believe you, Baron,” Nova nodded slowly after exchanging a look with Meyer. “But… Doctor Stan, do you have any further questions?”

Qin Lun turned. His glance at Nova and Meyer held profound meaning. The doctor’s perpetually pleasant smile, which had always felt like a spring breeze, now seemed to them like the face of a demon.

“Lady Nova, Sir Meyer,” Qin Lun began, his tone measured. “Our objective isn’t merely to capture Baron Albert, but to end this epidemic disaster plaguing the Aodia Region, correct?”

“That’s right,” Meyer replied, his expression darkening. “But if you think to use that to blackmail us…”

“Perish the thought,” Qin Lun interrupted smoothly, shaking his head. “I know you operate by your principles. All I ask… is that you stand quietly beside me and listen.” He then turned fully, facing the silent Bonnie. A shadow of genuine regret crossed Qin Lun’s features as he bowed deeply to the man. “Sir Bonnie… forgive me. You didn’t have to make this choice… not so soon. The silver lining… is that from this day forth, neither you nor your descendants need to bear the weight of his sorrow any longer.”

“Wellington Stan!” Baron Albert’s pupils constricted sharply. His face turned stone-serious as he demanded, “Just what do you know?”

“Originally, I had only suspicions… But now, I am certain. Because, just moments ago… I found the final piece of the puzzle!” Qin Lun walked to the window, gazing down at the lines of torches carried by the approaching townsfolk, already nearing the stone bridge below the castle. He spoke slowly, deliberately.

“Baron Albert. All along… you’ve been providing cover… for someone else. Cover for the individual truly responsible for unleashing this terrible plague upon the Aodia Region!”

“You lie!” Baron Albert trembled with rage, his whole body shaking.

“Whether I lie or not… I shall leave that for you, and for everyone here, to judge!” Qin Lun replied coldly, his gaze sweeping over Baron Albert before settling back on the others at the scene. “But then again… perhaps not even you fully understood what that person was truly doing. This whole tale… really begins from the moment I arrived at Albert Castle…”