Evelyn and her soldiers followed the traces of the advance pursuit team.
“Everyone, slow down,” Evelyn commanded as she paid close attention to the footprints left behind by the pursuit team.
The hoofprints, once widely spaced, began to narrow.
This meant the horses had slowed down.
“It’s highly likely the pursuit team either engaged bandits nearby or discovered a hideout,” remarked her escort knight, Chase.
“The pursuit team came to a full stop in this area,” he added.
“There might be a bandit hideout nearby. Be cautious—there could be traps. Stay alert from now on,” Evelyn warned.
“Understood,” the soldiers responded.
They carefully followed the remaining traces of the pursuit team, only to find something unusual at the end.
Deep in the forest, they discovered a tent in an unnaturally cleared area.
“The soldiers chasing the bandits must have entered that tent,” Evelyn deduced.
“What should we do?” asked Chase.
“Send a messenger pigeon to inform the main unit. We’ll proceed after that,” she decided.
Chase complied and sent the pigeon.
“It’s possible the pigeon won’t reach them. The others likely did the same, yet we’ve heard nothing from them,” Evelyn mused.
“There might be a barrier in place, or someone could be intercepting the pigeons in hiding,” Chase suggested.
“If that’s the case… we’re already playing into their hands,” Evelyn admitted.
The safest course of action was to retreat and return with reinforcements, but doing so risked letting the bandits escape.
Moreover, the soldiers inside the tent could still be alive.
This might be their only chance to save them.
“We’re going in,” Evelyn resolved after deliberation.
Though the soldiers, including Chase, seemed to think the decision was risky, none voiced objections at this point.
Everyone dismounted and cautiously entered the tent.
Inside, it was pitch dark.
Once the entrance closed, not a single speck of light remained.
Suddenly, a beam of light illuminated a stage directly ahead.
As Evelyn scanned her surroundings in the dim light, she found the setup oddly familiar.
A stage, curtains, and seating arrangements for an audience—it resembled the magic show she once attended with Kalian’s party.
“There doesn’t seem to be anything suspicious around here, but that makes it all the more suspicious,” Evelyn noted.
“There’s plenty of space to hide something,” Chase added.
“Where did the bandits and the pursuit team go? There’s nowhere else they could have gone.”
Evelyn’s eyes returned to the stage.
There, a magician’s top hat sat conspicuously.
It hadn’t been there before—when had it appeared?
As Evelyn stared at the hat, something suddenly emerged from within.
First, a foot clad in a shoe, followed by legs, a torso, and finally a head.
A person had stepped out of the hat.
All eyes focused on the strange figure.
“Greetings, everyone,” the masked figure said, lightly doffing his hat as he met Evelyn’s gaze.
Could this be the leader of the bandits that had been raiding the territory?
He exuded an ominous aura.
“Who are you?” Evelyn demanded.
“I am a magician,” the figure replied.
“An artist who explores the mysteries of the world and offers wonder to my audience.”
“Are you the leader of the bandits? Our soldiers must have come here—where are they?”
“You seem to have many questions. Allow me to answer them and begin the show without delay,” he said, snapping his fingers.
At that moment, the curtain behind the stage rose.
The soldiers sent by the Duke of Rose were bound and restrained on the stage.
Clang.
The soldiers with Evelyn drew their swords instantly at the sight.
“My, my,” the magician said in a regretful tone.
“I understand. I truly do. Seeing your comrades in such a state must be infuriating. But please, bear with me for just a moment.”
“Why should we wait? Explain yourself,” one of the soldiers demanded.
“I’ve prepared a spectacular show. Once you see it, your anger will fade, and everyone here will enjoy themselves.”
“That’s no explanation at all. What if I decide to cut off your head here and now?” Evelyn retorted.
“In that case,” the magician said, fixing his gaze on one of the captured soldiers.
The ropes binding the soldier suddenly tightened with such force that even his armor began to buckle.
Crunch.
“Aargh!” The soldier screamed in agony.
The magician shook his head with an air of genuine regret.
“Such a tragic outcome… Please, let’s avoid this unpleasantness. As my audience, you have a duty to see the performance through to the end.”
“You’re insane,” one soldier spat.
“I’m entirely sincere. You’ve been fortunate enough to become my assistants for this show. I wouldn’t want to damage you unnecessarily.”
The implication was clear: as long as he had hostages, resistance was futile.
Evelyn’s mind raced as she tried to figure out how to neutralize this magician and rescue the captives unharmed.
“Now, now… please, make yourselves comfortable. I don’t charge for the wonder I provide. All I ask for is your applause and cheers,” the magician said, his tone lighthearted yet chilling.
The silence stretched.
“Quiet, are we? Very well, let’s see how long you can hold out before my magic amazes you,” he said, unfazed, and began his performance.
The magician retrieved a cross-shaped box from the side of the stage and placed one of the captive soldiers inside.
“How about a little sawing magic, folks?”
“Let me out, you lunatic!” the soldier yelled.
“Oh dear, the assistant needs to stay quiet,” the magician said, slapping tape over the soldier’s mouth.
With exaggerated gestures, he closed the box and produced a saw.
He began sawing at the right-arm section of the box.
Thud, thud, thud.
The box shook violently, and muffled screams emanated from within.
The view was obscured, and there was no blood visible, making it unclear whether the arm was truly being severed.
When the magician finished sawing, he lifted the detached section of the box and displayed it to the audience.
“Behold! Here we have the right arm of the box. Now, do you think our assistant’s right arm has truly been severed?”
A sinister grin spread across his face as he continued,
“Or, let’s imagine this—what if I attach this piece to a different part of the box? What might happen?”
The magician placed the “right arm” section beneath the left-arm area of the box.
A foreboding sense of dread enveloped the room.
Evelyn knew she needed to stop this absurdity and eliminate the magician, yet she found herself unable to act.
No, it wasn’t just hesitation—she couldn’t move at all.
Watching this monster, she realized the truth: he wasn’t just a madman but a being so powerful that he could kill everyone in the room effortlessly if he wished.
“Ta-da! Feast your eyes on this!” the magician declared, opening the box.
Evelyn’s face twisted in disgust.
The soldier’s right arm was now attached beneath his left arm, as though it had always belonged there.
Realizing the grotesque change to his body, the soldier trembled with fear and rage.
“I can’t watch this any longer,” one of Evelyn’s soldiers growled.
He hurled a spear at the magician with all his might.
The mana-infused spear flew fiercely toward the magician’s heart.
“Throwing objects onto the stage is quite troublesome,” he said, removing his hat and effortlessly catching the spear inside it.
The soldiers closed ranks around Evelyn.
“Lady Evelyn, you must escape. We’ll hold him off,” one soldier urged.
“What nonsense are you saying?” Evelyn demanded.
“That creature is a monster. Unless we bring reinforcements, we stand no chance. Please, while we buy you some time…”
The magician interjected, smiling.
“Oh, I can’t allow that. Leaving before the show ends? How rude! I still have so many wonders to show you.”
He reached out to a bound soldier, placing his hand near the soldier’s mouth.
From there, the long spear that had been thrown earlier emerged, sliding unnaturally from the man’s throat.
The magician took the spear and hurled it back toward the soldiers.
The spear, now flying at a blistering speed, targeted an unguarded soldier—only for Evelyn to deflect it mid-flight with a precise strike.
“I had no intention of running from the start,” Evelyn declared, her voice steady.
“But I have no interest in watching your insanity either. Release my soldiers immediately, or I’ll fight you with everything I have.”
She summoned her mana, letting it swirl around her.
The magician raised an amused brow.
“Oh, such a fiery spirit. Very well, let’s continue the entertainment.”
Evelyn could sense the danger escalating.
She had no time to waste.
The earlier reconnaissance revealed that the bandits were connected to an apostle—a being far beyond ordinary strength.
Elsewhere, Wade, having scouted the forest, discovered the unnatural tent and entered.
The interior was arranged like a circus, and a man dressed as a magician stood casually on the stage, awaiting him.
“Welcome,” the magician greeted.
“Are you the so-called magician the bandits mentioned?” Wade asked coldly.
“That’s correct. I am an artist who brings wonder to the world.”
“Cut the nonsense. Release the captives—you know why I’m here.”
The magician chuckled, running a hand along the brim of his hat.
“You may be my sole audience, but worry not. I never neglect my performances.”
“You have one minute. Release them,” Wade warned.
“Now, now, no need to rush. Anticipation makes the experience sweeter. Let me introduce my assistants for this performance,” the magician said, snapping his fingers.
The curtain behind him rose, revealing the captured soldiers—including Evelyn.
She was battered, her armor damaged, and her face pale from blood loss.
“Wade…” Evelyn muttered weakly. “I…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle this,” Wade reassured her.
“I expected Kalian to come and rescue me… Didn’t he…?”
“Was that your concern?” Wade replied, his lips curling slightly at her sarcasm.
Despite her condition, she retained her sharp tongue.
The magician interrupted, grinning.
“How do you like my newest assistant? Though her beauty has waned a bit from blood loss, she’s still quite the spectacle. My apologies for her condition.”
“Enough.” Wade’s voice turned cold.
The magician spread his arms theatrically, about to begin another act—when his arm suddenly exploded.
He stared at the empty space where his arm once was, then turned his gaze toward Wade, whose hand glowed faintly with mana.
“I’ve had enough of your tricks. Ten seconds. If you waste my time again, the next blow will take your head.”
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