Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 181: Chapter 177: [Major Event: Rebellion of the Scepter] Begins

The nobles’ enthusiasm for Jon and his Giant God Workshop was overwhelming.

They inquired about the details, settled on prices, and placed their orders.

Everything fell into place so smoothly that it felt a little unreal to Jon.

But with a moment to think, he could understand the source of the nobles’ impulsive, almost thoughtless, spending.

For those who had just endured a genuine terrorist attack, nothing was more precious than a sense of security.

And the Giant God Workshop—which could provide weapons, potions, and Mechanical Bodies, had its combat effectiveness verified in battle, and was endorsed by two powerful and highly respected nobles, Paris and Yed—was naturally their first choice for purchasing that ”sense of security.”

Whether it was out of a genuine need for security or as a show of good faith—a way to band together in a time of crisis—they couldn’t afford to waste time considering things like cost-effectiveness.

Eventually, Jon had to call over Rosalind to help him deal with the nobles, who were caught in a buying frenzy. He then slipped away from the crowd to take care of another matter: the interrogation of Adonis.

The men from the Sun Church arrived, with Reed and Julian leading them personally.

...

”Pastor Reed, Monk Julian, thank you for coming.”

Despite having a great deal to handle, Paris personally welcomed the arrivals from the Sun Church.

This wasn’t just because the current situation required the help of the Sun God’s followers, but also out of personal gratitude.

After their return to Birch Town, Jon had been attacked and knocked unconscious, and Emily, who had been in a state of [Seal], was placed in Reed’s care. For the past few days, Paris himself had spent every spare moment at the Sun Church, visiting his daughter as she underwent a slow Purification process.

As both Reed and Julian were serious, pragmatic men, they responded to Viscount Birch’s warm welcome with only a few brief pleasantries before getting straight to the point.

”Monk Julian, you lead the team to help Xia and Xina check for residual Evil Magic.”

”Mr. Jon and I will go see the heretic who wields Evil Magic.”

Reed gave his orders bluntly, then turned to Jon.

”Mr. Jon, I was briefed on the situation on my way here. Thanks to your timely intervention, the culprit didn’t escape.”

Instead of showing any pride at Reed’s praise, Jon simply gave a solemn nod.

”Reya was the one who actually dispelled the fog. She’s the real hero of the day.”

He then turned to Paris and said curtly.

”Let’s go. We’ll go take a look at that man from the Blood Eye Association.”

The stone steps of the Lord’s Mansion dungeon gleamed with moisture in the torchlight.

Several fully armed Knights saluted immediately upon seeing the group, the clank of their armor ringing out sharply in the narrow space.

The Knight Commander leading them took a step forward.

”My Lords, the prisoner has been unconscious the entire time. There has been no movement.”

Reed’s slender fingers brushed across the Sun Saint Emblem on his chest, his silver-gray eyes sweeping over the cell door.

”Thank you for your diligence. You’ve done well. Now, please withdraw to your guard positions.”

He then turned to Jon.

”Mr. Jon, how long will your [Light’s Seal] last?”

”In theory, as long as there’s no outside interference, it can last for more than fifteen days.”

Jon gestured toward the figure on the cell floor, who was enveloped in a Light Cocoon.

”However, I can adjust its strength to facilitate the interrogation.”

Reed gave a slight nod and took a small vial inlaid with golden Runes from his belt.

”Excellent. Let’s begin.”

As the cell door opened, the stench of rot and blood assailed them.

Adonis was suspended within the Light Cocoon, like an insect trapped in amber. His dark gray Magic Robe was in tatters, and the skin beneath was covered in blackened burns. His face was a mask of pain and horror, a clear aftereffect of being scoured by Reya’s Divine Power.

With a practiced motion, Reed poured the golden liquid from the vial into his palm and began to chant a prayer.

The liquid swirled in his palm like a living thing, gradually forming a small Thorn Sun Emblem.

Jon watched, fascinated.

’I didn’t expect this veteran Priest, the commander of the Defender Army, to have a trick like this up his sleeve.’

’This was the [Confession Skill], the signature Divine Technique of the Sun Church’s [Tribunal of Justice]. It could force its target to speak nothing but the truth.’

’It seems Pastor Reed has quite a history...’

Once the emblem was fully formed, Reed called Jon’s name.

Jon understood at once. He made a grasping motion with his right hand, causing the cage of light around Adonis to flicker. The part of the Light Cocoon covering the man’s head dissolved, while the rest of it contracted sharply around his body.

At the same moment, Reed extended his hand, which now shone with a golden light, and pressed it to Adonis’s forehead.

”AHHH—!”

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the dungeon. Adonis’s body convulsed violently, blood gushing from his mouth—a backlash from his earlier use of Evil Magic.

In a way, Jon’s [Light’s Seal] was the only thing keeping him alive. Otherwise, the man surely wouldn’t have survived long enough for Reed’s party to arrive.

But the Divine Technique was indifferent to his condition. The instant the emblem was branded onto Adonis’s forehead, his eyes went vacant and dull, and the interrogation officially began.

”Name.”

”Adonis Gavin...”

The ashen-faced young Mage murmured, his voice sounding distant.

Standing to the side, Paris’s expression changed dramatically.

’So he wasn’t an imposter? This man is really Sir Gavin’s second son?’

’Doesn’t that mean...’