Chapter 324: Enmity

With the sudden arrival of this stranger, everyone who had gathered around the execution platform was stunned.

This was completely out of their expectations!

However, no one was more shocked than the Rank 2 Magi present. The reason being that they weren't able to notice the arrival of this Magus until the latter had made his presence known.

They scrutinized this newcomer, their expressions a mix of surprise, curiosity, and even fear.

It was a middle-aged man whose appearance was remarkably plain. He had the kind of face that would seamlessly blend in any crowd.

His features were forgettable—average height, ordinary build, and black clothes that were indistinctive.

However, despite his bland exterior, there was an unsettling aura about him. It was as if this man was enshrouded in a cloak of death and darkness.

Even standing still, he exuded an aura of ferocity.

Coupled with the undetectable presence that the man had displayed earlier, the Rank 2 Magi standing atop the execution platform immediately realized that he was an assassin.

As they thought of that, their backs were drenched in cold sweat. After all, it was very likely that if this man were to attack any one of them, even in broad daylight, they would never be able to realize it until after they were attacked.

Oswald Gracie was flabbergasted by this man's sudden appearance. But he was even more shocked by what the man had just said. "What... did you just say?"

The man didn't reply to him. Instead, he cast his cold glance at Morden who was sneakily trying to pull the lever of the guillotine blade, trying to kill Adam.

When Morden's gaze met his, his body froze. The next moment, he fell to the ground, his body covered in a layer of cold sweat, trembling incessantly.

When he locked eyes with the man, Morden could feel countless daggers stabbing at him from all directions. He knew for a fact that had he continued what he was doing, he would have instantly died.

After taking care of Morden, the man turned his head to look back at Oswald.

"On behalf of His Majesty, King Arnold III," he proclaimed, "I order you to stop the execution of Adam Constantine."

The entire place descended into silence upon hearing the words of his mysterious Magus once again.

And then...

The crowd erupted into a flurry of shocked whispers.

"W-What's going on?!"

"A representative of His Majesty has arrived!"

"The execution has been stopped!"

"What does this mean?!"

Oswald's eyes narrowed and he immediately walked toward this newcomer. "What proof do you have that you've been sent by the—"

His words were interrupted when the man showed his identity token that had the insignia of the Nightingale Royal Family on it.

Oswald hesitated for a brief moment before bowing his head. The other Rank 2 Magi standing on the platform also followed suit after they recognized the man's token.

Meanwhile, Adam, who had been still paced underneath the guillotine's blade, heaved a long sigh of relief. His shoulders loosened and he immediately started taking large mouthfuls of air.

He was under so much pressure just now that he had actually forgotten to breathe. He weakly raised his head and glanced at the Magus dressed in black.

Then, his lips curled up into a smirk.

At the same time, the Magus felt Adam gazing at him almost instantaneously. He turned his head and glanced at the youth. Then, he nodded his head ever so slightly.

The man then turned his attention back to Oswald. With a swift motion, he conjured a scroll bearing the King's seal and unfurled it. Then, he spoke with an authoritative tone that overwhelmed the loud chatter of the crowd.

"His Majesty has decreed a full pardon for Adam Constantine," he began, "the circumstances of this young man's actions have been reviewed and it has been decided that his life will be spared."

"What?!" Oswald blurted out in shock and anger. "That cannot be!" He then pointed his finger at Adam and roared, "That boy has killed my nephew in cold blood! How can His Majesty pardon him?!"

Not just him, even the rest of the Magi couldn't believe their ears.

The evidence couldn't be any clearer. It was a fact that Adam had taken Kevin's life. After all, it was nearly impossible for anyone to tamper with the results of the Soulmark Retribution technique.

"Are you questioning His Majesty?" The man asked with narrowed eyes, the aura around him instantly turning cold.

"N-No, that's not what I meant!" Oswald panicked and hurriedly bowed once again.

The man ignored him and shifted his attention back to the scroll. He began reading it once again, "It has been brought to our attention that the main culprit behind this is not Adam Constantine, but Kevin Gracie."

He then glanced at the crowd and continued, "You must all be aware of the sacred agreement reached by the forefathers of the four major races in the Southern Federation."

When Oswald heard this, his eyes widened in disbelief. And not just him, the rest of the Magi present were also beginning to understand the meaning behind the Magus' words.

The man's next words further reaffirmed their speculations.

"Any enmity formed within the Soaring River Secret Plane cannot and will not be carried out into the outside world!"

He paused for a moment before continuing, "All conflicts are strictly restricted within the boundaries of the secret plane. However, Kevin Gracie had violated this rule.

"Despite being sent on a mission to the eastern region of the Murky Mountains, Kevin had broken all protocol and secretly followed Adam in order to seek revenge."

The man then turned to look at Oswald and spoke with a cold expression, "You do know what this means, don't you?"

Oswald's body trembled and a drop of sweat trickled down his forehead.

The reason as to why all conflicts were restricted within the boundaries of the secret plane, was to prevent the unnecessary bloodshed birthed by the endless cycle of revenge.

But that is exactly what happened now.

"Ensure that His Majesty's will is followed," the man flatly muttered. "Understood?"

Oswald gritted his teeth so hard that his gums turned bloody. In the end, he could only reluctantly nod his head.

"...I understand."

The black-robed man nodded. The next moment, his body started to dissipate into wisps of shadows. Under the stupefied gazes of everyone present, he slowly vanished.

At the last moment, before he completely disappeared, the man glanced at Adam and sent a mental transmission.

'His Majesty said he really liked the wine you sent to him.'