In this eerie atmosphere, they passed through a dense forest, and the view suddenly opened up before them.
This was a clearing, and in the clearing, a temporary camp was prominently stationed.
The camp wasn’t large; around a few simple tents stood several flags painted with the Emblem of the Holy Papal State.
Beneath the flags, the powerful fluctuations of holy power made the surrounding air heavy.
But to the “inspection team,” all of this appeared to be nothing more than cosmetic window dressing by Asphodel Prison.
“Hmph, a bunch of trash who can’t even find the source of the Heretic Fluctuation, yet they’re still camping out here… what a waste of resources.”
Kyle whispered disdainfully, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone around to hear.
His intention was to humiliate the Prison’s incompetence while showing off his own sharpness in front of Professor Elsa.
He even saw two prison guards leaning against trees not far away, their relaxed postures making it look like they were slacking off.
Such a lack of discipline!
Kyle was about to step forward and use even sharper words to expose their incompetence.
However, just as he finished speaking, the curtain of the largest tent in the camp was suddenly thrown open.
A handsome figure wearing a refined inquisitor’s uniform emerged from within, carrying a cold fury.
It was none other than Lucien de Valois.
“Just now, who was questioning the efficiency of the Inquisition?”
Lucien’s voice was like a knife dipped in ice, his gaze locked firmly onto Kyle. “Is this how the people of the Royal Academy of Magic learn their manners? Or is your academic research built upon wanton insults toward the faith of the Holy Light?”
He was furious, being practically cursed to his face.
The atmosphere instantly became tense, as if swords were drawn.
On one side was a frustrated inquisitor who had been holding in his anger after searching for so long without finding a single clue.
On the other side was the “surprise inspection” team from the Royal Academy of Magic, who were eager to make things even more complicated.
Fan Zhuo stood to the side, watching the scene unfold with only one thought in his mind.
Fight, hurry up and fight.
Of course, he was only thinking it…
Kyle was a bit stunned; he hadn’t expected his mockery to stir up such a hornet’s nest.
He could recognize Lucien’s identity—or rather, in the Holy Papal State, no one failed to recognize that unique Silver-trimmed White Robe, a symbol of one of the Inquisition’s highest honors.
An inquisitor of the Inquisition!
Faced with Lucien’s gaze, which seemed capable of freezing one’s soul, he found himself momentarily speechless.
He could feel the pure, extreme holy power emanating from the man, carrying a powerful majesty entirely different from the elemental-wielding mages like themselves.
“I…” Kyle’s face flushed as he struggled to defend himself. “I was just stating a fact. We at the Academy of Magic value efficiency and precision. If we were the ones investigating, we probably… would have located the energy source long ago.”
“Oh? Is that so?” Lucien’s mouth curled into a cold, mocking sneer. “Then I wonder what brilliant insights you’ve discovered in this forest with your ‘precise’ spells?”
He was already fuming, and now he had found a perfect punching bag.
Lucien paused, his gaze sweeping over the other mages behind Kyle, whose faces were equally unsightly.
“Did you find the growth rings of some tree particularly interesting, or perhaps a flower color that’s especially suited for your meaningless observation reports?”
“The Inquisition is hunting a Heretic that could shake the very foundation of the nation, while you lot are like a group of noble ladies on an outing, critiquing every flower and blade of grass.”
These words struck right at the mages’ sore spot.
On their way here, besides pointing fingers at monster ecology and offering self-righteous opinions, they truly hadn’t found a single valuable clue.
Professor Elsa’s face also darkened.
She could tolerate her student’s arrogance, but she could not tolerate him bringing shame upon the entire Royal Academy of Magic.
She took a step forward, subtly shielding Kyle. Her crimson mage robes looked like burning flames amidst the shadows of the forest.
“Lord Inquisitor, my student may have been offensive in his speech, and I apologize on his behalf.” Her voice was calm and forceful, carrying the characteristic rigor… and arrogance of a scholar.
“However, academic discussion should not be conflated with religious devotion. We are here to seek the truth, not to engage in meaningless verbal disputes.”
Lucien snorted coldly, a flicker of irritation crossing his eyes as his gaze swept over Professor Elsa.
As a genius from an ancient noble house, he possessed an inherent pride rooted in his bloodline, which was fundamentally different from the “upstarts” of the Academy of Magic who acted superior based on talent and background.
Compared to his noble and elegant sister… this female mage before him was practically boorish, save for her title as “Professor.”
“The truth?”
Lucien sneered, “Under the Holy Light, the only truth is the purification of all Heretics.”
Faith and academia, divine power and knowledge—these two contradictions, rooted deep within the bones of the Holy Papal State, erupted completely at this moment.
Seeing that a conflict was inevitable, Fan Zhuo, who had been silently watching the show, finally could no longer sit still.
He stepped slowly between the two groups. “Professor Elsa, Lord Lucien, please calm your anger.”
Everyone’s eyes focused on the young priest.
“In my view, whether it’s the Academy of Magic’s search for knowledge or the Inquisition’s protection of faith, the ultimate goal is to maintain the peace and order of the Papal State… We are all on the same side.”
Fan Zhuo bowed slightly, his posture humble.
“With the energy anomalies in this place, what we should be doing right now is setting aside our prejudices and working together to find the root of the problem, rather than wasting precious time and energy here.”
“After all, whether it’s academic achievement or meritorious service to the faith, both must be built upon solving the problem, mustn’t they?”
His words were seamless, providing an out for both parties while steering the issue back onto the right track.
Lucien looked at Fan Zhuo acting as the peacemaker, his expression somewhat complex.
He certainly didn’t want to waste time here with a group of mages, but their arrogance had crossed his line.
However, Fan Zhuo’s words gave him a way to back down.
“Hmph.” Lucien finally let out a cold snort and didn’t pursue the matter further. “Since Priest Fan Zhuo has put it that way, I won’t argue with you… However, investigating Heretics is the duty of my Inquisition. You had better not interfere with official business.”
“Of course.” Professor Elsa also reined in her aura, returning to her scholarly posture. “We are only conducting academic observations and will by no means interfere with the Inquisition’s business.”
A conflict that was on the verge of erupting was resolved just like that by Fan Zhuo’s few words.
Kyle glared at Fan Zhuo with jealousy and hatred. He felt as though his nose were red right now; if he wasn’t mistaken, the largest circus in the Holy City would have an act for him tonight—a pure clown!
Meanwhile, Fan Zhuo was the clever man who had shown “vision” in front of everyone, especially in front of Professor Elsa.
Kyle, who had always been fixated on his beautiful professor, could naturally sense the change in Professor Elsa’s attitude toward Fan Zhuo.
Professor Elsa was a well-known “face-con” within the Academy of Magic; he had only been accepted as her student back then because he was reasonably good-looking.
But over the years, not only had he failed to take things a step further, but because of their “teacher-student” relationship, he had desires he couldn’t act on.
Yet Fan Zhuo, an outsider, had fully captured Professor Elsa’s attention upon their first meeting…
This sense of jealous insecurity made his heart feel as if ten thousand ants were crawling over it.