Chapter 371: Vigilante

The following day, the entire City of Acryon buzzed with the shocking news of one of the most famous pleasure houses in the red-light district, The Velvet Dreams, burning to the ground and the subsequent liberation of the slaves imprisoned within it.

Word quickly spread through the streets, carried by the lips of every man, woman, and child.

In the bustling Grand Bazaar in the Outer City, small groups of people huddled together speaking in hushed and excited tones.

A middle-aged woman spoke with admiration sparkling in her eyes, "Did you hear about the vigilante?"

"How could I have not?" A man replied excitedly. "They're calling him Black Vengeance!"

"Ah, what an appropriate name," marveled another person. "They said he dressed in black from head to toe and even had the blessing of the twin moons, Selene and Luna!"

"He's a true hero if you ask me," a man exclaimed, "taking down that despicable couple that imprisoned innocent women for who knows how many years."

At another location within the market, a group of merchants were also discussing Adam's deeds of last night.

Thanks to them, word got around pretty quickly overnight. A merchant's network was vast, to say the least.

"It's about time someone took action," said a plump merchant dressed in lavish clothes.

The people around him shared the same sentiment.

"Hmph, we've needed heroes like him for a long time."

"This is what a Magus should be like!"

"Here, here!"

In one of the taverns located in the Outer City, the patrons debated in a very lively manner. They leaned over tables, ale mugs in hand, discussing the actions of the Black Vengeance with great enthusiasm.

"Burning the whole place to the ground?" A man grumbled as he slammed his mug on the round wooden table. "Isn't that going a little too far?"

Another man, a middle-aged dwarf, stroked his beard and replied with complicated emotions, "Indeed. His actions make him no different than the evil-doers that he killed."

"That's right!" A drunken man from the side commented, "I even heard there were a few casualties inside the building—hiccup—as a result of the building burning—"

However, he was viciously interrupted by one of the barmaid who was overhearing their conversation from the other side of the room.

"Shut your mouth!" She retorted, "He freed those slaves! Did you see how many of them there were? How dare you fault him for that?"

Another woman chimed in, "That's right! Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire!"

The drunken man who had made the previous comment shrunk back, "But it's a fact that some people died in there..."

"Hmph!" The barmaid harrumphed. "The people who go to such places and engage in such indecent actions aren't your model citizens either.

"Haven't you heard? There's a rumor going around that the Rollins couple allowed their patrons to kill the courtesans blatantly.

"What the Black Vengeance did was the right thing! If it were me, I would have dealt with all those perverted bastards. Hmph!"

Scenes such as this were playing out all throughout the Outer City. Adam's actions had won these people's support and admiration.

However, within the walls of the Inner City, it was a different story altogether.

Here, the reactions were mixed. Wealthy nobles and powerful Magi discussed the events of last night with unease.

"Such actions cannot be condoned," said an elderly Magus who was having a meal with some friends in an opulent restaurant. "They undermine the rule of law that the Empire has set down. More often than not, they can lead to chaos."

Yet, within the same restaurant, a group of young Magi, hailing from affluent families, could be seen whispering amongst each other with reluctant approval.

"I must admit, it was disgusting what they did to those poor women," said a young woman, "the fact that the Rollins couple were able to continue with such illegal activities for so long is very concerning."

Another young Magus couldn't help but nod in acknowledgment. "Perhaps this will prompt the enforcement authorities to act more decisively from now on."

"We can only hope."

The atmosphere in Acryon was filled with mixed emotions. Streets and alleys that previously used to be quiet were now filled with lively conversations.

Even now, in the red-light district, people would walk up to the burned-out remains of the Velvet Dreams and talk about how viciously the Rollins couple had been hung and burned to their deaths here.

The Magi from the Sentinels, donning their silver armor and red cape, could be seen guarding this place. They were going through the remains of the building, hoping to find any clues on the vigilante named Black Vengeance.

However, everything would turn out to be futile in the end.

In every nook and cranny of the city, the Black Vengeance's actions from last night were the topic of the hour.

Some admired him, calling him a true hero.

While others admonished him, calling him a dangerous outlaw.

Last night's event had thoroughly touched the city to its core. Everyone in the city, even the most ignorant, now knew of the Magus called Black Vengeance.

Meanwhile, the man in question was leisurely strolling through the cobblestone streets of the city harbor.

Unlike every other day, however, today Adam was wearing loose white robes instead of his usual attire.

For obvious reasons.

The breeze from the ocean brushed past him, making his raven hair gently flutter. The youth breathed in the salty air with a faint smile on his face.

He grabbed the wine gourd hanging from his waist, uncorked it, and took a large swig.

"Haa! It tastes surprisingly good today!"

Suddenly, he saw a small group of Sentinels approaching him from the front. Their expressions were solemn and their hands were on the hilts of their swords.

Adam remained calm as ever.

When this group of red-caped Magi was only a few meters away from him, he suddenly stepped to the side and politely made way for them.

The Sentinels only glanced at him for a moment before walking away, seemingly in search of the Magus who had turned the entire city upside down.

Adam glanced at these Magi's departing back, his lips curling up into a mocking smirk.

When he turned back around and was about to head toward his destination, he found that a figure was already standing in front of him.

The youth wasn't surprised, however. He had already sensed this person in his Sphere of Resonance.

Hudson stood before the youth, his face twisting in frustration, but his eyes shining with respect and admiration.

"What happened to you?" Adam taunted the man. "Did you not sleep well?"

Hudson gritted his teeth, seemingly about to pounce on the youth and deliver a beating any moment now. But in the end, he sighed and then turned around, walking away.

"Follow me. Some people would like to see you."