My older sister is a villainous rich girl

In her haste, Olive didn't even have time to ask him why he didn't retreat outside with the others before Wayne jumped into the smoke first.

She stamped her foot angrily, but still obeyed his command.

At the bottom of the cave, thick, grayish-green smoke continued to swirl around Wayne. He used earth elemental magic to create a fragile spherical protective shield around his body to block the smoke, but the rapid depletion of his internal magic pool made him realize that such resistance was just a drop in the ocean.

Suddenly, a piercing wail that went straight to the soul rang out from the depths of the smoke, as if it had pierced through the skull and entered the brain. Even Wayne couldn't help but stagger a couple of steps before he could regain his balance.

What is that?!

He had gone far enough, but still hadn't reached the bottom.

In the dim light, a huge, dark shadow leaped out from the ground, like a giant crocodile that had been lurking underwater for a long time and finally found the right opportunity to capture its desired prey. A nauseating stench emanated from its gaping maw.

Wayne raised his right hand, and a vast amount of magic condensed in his palm. A dazzling beam of light pierced through the giant shadow from above, tearing a large hole in it.

"—!"

The massive monster was momentarily blurred by the heavy blow, but it quickly solidified again, and an even more piercing shriek echoed throughout the cave.

Enraged, it turned over, flipping what appeared to be its abdomen to reveal a dark red, bloodshot eye that stared intently at Wayne.

hum!

The scene before Wayne surged, and in an instant, all the unpleasant memories surfaced one by one. His emotions felt like they were being torn apart and stretched, or like they were being struck repeatedly by a heavy hammer. In the end, it was as if even his own thoughts had become part of the surrounding gray-green matter, gradually assimilating with it.

"So hungry...so hungry, so hungry, so hungry, so hungry, so hungry, so hungry, so hungry...I want to eat, I want to eat, I want to eat, I want to eat, I want to eat, I want to eat..."

Extreme hunger suddenly overwhelmed all his senses. He felt that his head, hands, feet... even every inch of his skin had become a mouthpart for eating, trying to absorb and fill his empty body with everything it could touch.

Wayne seems to have disappeared.

This is a ravenous demon that has been starving for countless years and wants to devour everything.

"Come, child...come...let everything in this world be united into one through my (your) body..."

A voice from the depths of his being called to him.

Joy, sorrow, anger, fear… all emotions were digested like food, and he gained a profound, empty peace. There is no more joy in the world, and therefore no more sorrow; no more light, and therefore no more darkness; in the moment of losing everything, he had gained everything.

I (you) no longer need to worry about how to face this world. All those fears and attachments I (you) have will become a part of me (you), forever with me (you).

fart!

Colorless, transparent flames erupted from Wayne's body, and the viscous smoke that tightly enveloped him also burned as if it had been ignited.

He reopened his eyes and met the dark red eyeballs so close to his face.

He saw the scene deep within those pupils.

The cries of countless people, the despair of countless people, the lingering attachment and reluctance to leave this world—all ultimately transformed into the ravenous hunger of this shadowy figure before us. It is the lingering shadow left behind by all those who perished here, the yearning of another world for this one.

As expected of the legendary, extremely evil dark magic, if one were to succumb to its allure for even a moment, one would be accepted as a small part of this shadow, just like the countless souls it had devoured in the past.

But in that case, one's own existence would be erased, and everything that constitutes a "human being" would lose its meaning.

“You’re too ugly, I don’t want to look like you,” Wayne said.

……

"boom--"

The ground shook violently, and the entire mountain forest collapsed. Amidst the flying rocks, a beam of light shot out like a miracle, illuminating the dark night sky, and a figure could be vaguely seen within it.

"Seal it!" Olive reacted immediately.

The magic enhancement device activated at full power, and a magic circle separated the dark hole exposed by the collapse, causing the pillar of light in the night sky to dissipate.

Wayne landed somewhat awkwardly.

His eyes were bright, and although he looked breathless and not in good shape, there were no obvious injuries on his body.

Olive relaxed a little, and then couldn't help but complain, "That was too risky! If you hadn't made it out, I don't know how I would explain it to the King."

"Alright, Senior Sister! I'm fine, aren't I?" Wayne didn't say much more. "The problem isn't solved yet. Let's maintain this sealing array and send someone to inform the Holy See as soon as possible."

He weakened the power of "that thing," otherwise these mages wouldn't be able to seal it. If it broke the seal, the consequences would be unimaginable.

With dark magic resurfacing, it's safest to have the Holy See clean up the mess.

As for those rebels who are hiding inside and unwilling to come out, we can only wish them good luck.

“Okay.” Olive understood the gravity of the matter and frowned. “Since there is dark magic here, there should be dark mages among the rebels, but we haven’t encountered any yet. Perhaps they have other remaining forces lurking around. You need to be extra careful in the coming days.”

Chapter 716 Successor

"Dark magic..."

Cardinal Elfman put down the letter in his hand, his expression somewhat strange.

Sitting across from him was his usual carefree and irreverent demeanor, his words and actions completely at odds with the solemn and sacred atmosphere of the Vatican. "Elfman, what do you think this young man is thinking?"

"Perhaps it's just fulfilling the terms we agreed upon beforehand?"

The two sides had already secretly reached an agreement on providing them with the convenience to research dark magic, and Elfman just didn't expect the opportunity to come so quickly.

"But since he openly sent a letter asking for help, everyone would silently assume that a light mage should step in to resolve this matter, and right now the only light mage in the Holy See is our Pope."

“His Holiness the Pope cannot leave the Vatican, and our inquiries can also handle this matter.” Elfman said indifferently, “Merren, you should put away your unnecessary curiosity and gossip; it will not do you any good.”

"Alright, alright, Your Excellency, you have a point." Mellen looked rather bored.

“I will personally lead the team to see him,” Elfman quickly decided. “If he can cooperate with my plan, I don’t mind providing him with some support.”

“He will become a dark mage someday,” Mellen reminded him.

“But he isn’t yet,” Elfman said dismissively.

He had waited far too long for the opportunity to study dark magic, and he could not afford to miss such a golden chance.

“The Cardinals were still debating whether to prioritize the search for relics and those favored by the gods, or the search for dark mages. Wayne Wincher has provided us with a compelling reason to persuade the others. We can use this opportunity to build a cathedral in Buffalo, since there are many people and eyes in the Vatican, and it will be more convenient to conduct research outside.” He looked at his friend, “Mellen, I can only trust you in this matter.”

Murren's gaze calmed. "If you feel it's necessary, then I will go, but I'd like to know who will take my place in the Cardinals."

Although the twenty-first seat is only the last seat, it is still the Cardinals, the true center of power of the Papacy.

“Willard. He has enough reputation and is someone His Holiness the Pope relies on. People who have done good for the Papacy should be rewarded.”

……

Buffalo, a few days later.

Wayne was in a very bad mood at this moment.

Not only because the person from the Vatican was not Tasia, but also because of the very strange good news presented to him.

—The rebel leader Inofan has been killed by Viscount Frode.

It wasn't that he didn't want to see the remaining rebel forces wiped out, but the whole thing seemed strangely smooth, and his intuition told him there was definitely something wrong.

He recalled the room of Inofan that he had investigated at the rebel headquarters, which showed absolutely no signs of human habitation.

He could only order Viscount Freud to bring Inofan's body to Buffalo to verify his identity. Fortunately, the dungeons of the Radiant Palace held some captured rebel prisoners, many of whom claimed to have seen Inofan in person.

The entire city of Buffalo is now immersed in the joy of a decisive victory. The nobles have begun to celebrate lavishly, distributing fine wine and food in the streets, while the common people sing and dance, filling the air with a festive atmosphere.

Whether there was genuine sincerity involved, or whether it was merely a top-down performance by the local aristocracy to expedite their departure, remains to be seen.

However, he had indeed achieved unprecedented success this time. The rebel headquarters was destroyed in one fell swoop, and the rebel leader was killed overnight. Even the Vatican officially awarded him an honorary medal in recognition of his contributions to suppressing the dark magic.

The king's reward and the order to recall him to the capital will likely be issued soon, and his days of staying in Bufania are numbered.

He still feels it seems somewhat unreal.

“Urben, send invitations to the nobles of Buffalo according to the list I gave you, along with my generals. I will be hosting a three-day banquet at the Palace of Radiance to celebrate this glorious victory.”

Regardless, the army he brought from the capital to quell the rebellion had finally achieved success after a long and arduous journey, and the whole city was celebrating. As the commander-in-chief, he couldn't afford to spoil everyone's fun with a stern face.

The recognition and rewards that are due should naturally be given.

As for the nobles, whether they had welcomed Wayne's arrival before or not, some were now delighted that they would no longer be threatened by the rebels, while others were relieved that they had weathered the crisis safely. Their joy was understandable.

Then let's just give them another chance to curry favor with us.

From the moment Wayne left the capital, he received a constant stream of invitations from the nobles of Bufana to host a banquet for him. However, Wayne did not want to be disturbed, so he had previously declined all the nobles' invitations.

Now that the main force of the rebels has been wiped out and the army is about to return home, it doesn't matter if we see these people again.

There is nothing wrong with it.

This suggestion was exactly what he wanted to hear; even if Wayne hadn't brought it up, he was already planning to suggest holding a victory celebration.

He was still carrying out the task assigned to him by Minister Franz; if he couldn't create an opportunity to make contact with the target, how could he possibly take action?

Urban glanced at the list in his hand and, sure enough, saw the person he wanted to see. He then carefully put the list away.

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

As a strategist, he hadn't actually offered much useful help; this young man before him was beyond his expectations. Given time… no, perhaps not even time, as long as he returned to the capital with this glorious victory, he could immediately become a rising star capable of influencing the capital's situation.

Behind Wayne Wincher, the support of Seiki Academy, Duke Wincher, Minister Franz, and even the Papacy has been unknowingly gathered. Even His Majesty the King should not underestimate him. Such illustrious power is truly dazzling.

If he was somewhat dismissive of Wayne when they first met, he now fully understands that people cannot be generalized.

But fate always takes unexpected turns, and no matter how invincible one's power may be, it will eventually dissipate. This was true for Archduke Laird back then, and it is likely true for Lord Wayne Wincher today as well.

With a strange sense of emotion, Urban looked up and stared intently at Wayne's face as he wrote the letter, and suddenly froze.

"What, is there something else?"

When Wayne saw him staring at him blankly for a long time without leaving, he assumed that Wayne still had something to say.

"No! I...I'll go right away." He immediately turned and left.

For some reason, Urban's reaction was somewhat flustered.

Chapter 717: A Glimpse into the Lives of All Beings

Royal capital of Lornes.

Upon seeing the battle report sent back from the southwest, His Majesty the King pondered for a long time.

"It's so late, aren't you going to rest?" Mrs. Cherry gently draped a coat over him and tenderly massaged his temples to soothe his tired spirit.

Under His Majesty's favor, Lady Cherry, as his mistress, now resides in the palace and moves freely within its walls. In stark contrast, the disgraced Queen has raised no objection and lives a secluded life, seemingly vanished from public view.

Lady Cherry has almost completely revealed her identity, and she now handles all the occasions that should have been attended by the Queen, which has subtly changed the atmosphere within the royal family.

Upon hearing his beloved's question, the king finally let out a long sigh.

"Cherry, the war in the Southwest is coming to an end. Wayne has achieved an unprecedented victory in the fight against the rebels."

He closed his eyes, focusing on enjoying the tenderness.

He wasn't the type to discuss politics with women, but he simply didn't know who else he could confide in.

The hand pressing on the temple paused for a moment before continuing.

"He is so accomplished at such a young age, solving a problem that we couldn't resolve even after sending troops to quell the rebellion time and time again. If I had a daughter, I would also want him as my son-in-law." The king's thoughts were complicated. "Although incompetent ministers are detestable, being capable is not necessarily a good thing."

“Those rebels are nothing but petty thieves who are insignificant.” Lady Cherry was as understanding as ever. “It is because of your command and support that the kingdom’s army has been able to win every battle.”

"You do not understand."

However, His Majesty the King did not need her to understand; he only needed her to listen quietly.

“The Wincher family has deep influence in the military. In recent years, I thought that with the death of the old duke and Elliott’s withdrawal strategy, their influence would have diminished. But now all of this undoubtedly tells me that Duke Wincher still has the power to easily shake the kingdom, and even the Papacy seems to have an ambiguous relationship with him…” He muttered to himself, a look of fear rising in his eyes.

But in the end, he didn't say anything more.

“I don’t really understand that much—it seems the king’s life isn’t so easy after all, but I just hope you can be happier.” Lady Cherry smoothed his furrowed brow with her hand, then gave him a sweet kiss, and said reproachfully, “Don’t bring up those troublesome things in front of me today. Why don’t you wait until tomorrow to discuss them with your ministers?”

Hearing the little girl's coquettish complaint, the king once again forgot his unpleasantness and laughed in relief.

……

As dusk drapes the Radiant Palace in a hazy veil, its tallest and most prominent spire seems like the first candle lit in the world, announcing the arrival of night to all of Buffalo.

From the largest square in the city, Vidia Square, all the way to the main gate of the Palace of Radiance, a long, winding line of torches stood upright, reflecting off the gleaming silver blades of the guards with their chins held high.

However, there is no fighting tonight, and the revelry belongs to everyone present.

Under the orders of that special envoy, all food and drink will be served without limit tonight, and men, women, and children throughout the city will share the same joy.

But there are always some people who are happier than others.