A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 950 - Chapter 950 Chapter 659 This is the Tribunal

Chapter 950: Chapter 659: This is the Tribunal! Chapter 950: Chapter 659: This is the Tribunal! Duanmu Huai sized up the man before him, whose spirit was haggard, face sallow and thin, with a perpetually furrowed brow that would not unfurl. Upon seeing this, Duanmu Huai let out a cold snort and spoke.

“It seems the issue with Locke Town isn’t as simple as just stillbirths.”

“………”

The mayor trembled at the sound of Duanmu Huai’s words, but before he could open his mouth to respond, Duanmu Huai had already turned to the two individuals perched on his shoulder.

“Ogis, Gavi.”

“Present.”

“What is it?”

“From now on, I want you to seal off all the entrances and exits of the town. Anyone who tries to leave, no matter their reasoning, is to be executed without discussion until the Tribunal’s investigation is complete. No one is permitted to leave!”

“Understood.”

“Got it.”

As the sound of his voice faded, the two girls vanished in a flash. Hearing Duanmu Huai’s command, the mayor was astonished and looked at Duanmu Huai with surprise.

“Wait, this……”

“I’ll say it again, this is the work of the Tribunal.”

Duanmu Huai coldly interrupted the mayor’s protest.

“We are not the charity-driven, compassionate philanthropists like the Knights of Tyler or Tom. For the Tribunal, any sign related to Chaos must be thoroughly investigated. Now, do you want to report the situation to us immediately, or do you choose to just stand here and wait for death?”

“Wow……”

An stuck out her tongue in response to Duanmu Huai’s threatening words and poked Mary and Greiya.

“Mr. Knight is so fierce……”

“Yeah, it’s rare to see him be this harsh with someone……”

Mary nodded in agreement; in her world, Duanmu Huai rarely spoke to others in such an unquestionable tone. Even with An and Greiya, it was rare for Duanmu Huai to exert such pressure on someone they had just met. It was a bare threat, without an ounce of leeway.

In fact, this was the daily norm for a Judge, especially after it had been ascertained that there were signs of Chaotic invasion here. Duanmu Huai immediately assumed the role of a Judge, and if necessary, he would even completely destroy the entire town to prevent the spread of Chaos. Compared to that, what was the big deal about raising one’s voice a bit? Didn’t that just show he was fully sated?

“Yes, yes……”

The mayor had never faced such a terrifying threat before, let alone the fact that Duanmu Huai stood more than twice his height, further enhanced by the intimidating presence of his pitch-black Power Armor with the Skull Head emblem. Far from the courteous Knights, this was a stark contrast, and by now, he was shaking all over, hurriedly nodding his head vigorously.

“I, I understand. I’ll tell you everything… In truth, quite a few people have died in the town……”

“Oh?”

With the mayor’s halting narration, Duanmu Huai finally understood the current situation in Locke Town.

Initially, Locke Town indeed had many stillbirths, and some people had sought help from the Temple and the Church, but to no avail. Just like the lady who sought help from the Temple of Tyler, they were ultimately unable to give birth to healthy children.

But the situation hadn’t changed, in fact, it worsened. Soon, people were found dead in their homes, all of whom were the women who had miscarried previously and their families. The scenes were too gruesome to behold, with almost every body ripped open, as though attacked by some vicious beast.

And it was for this reason that Locke Town had been completely shut down, forbidding anyone from entering. Now, the townspeople were in a state of panic, with some claiming that Demons were to blame, while others thought it might be the work of forces hostile to Locke Town. But they were just a mining town, and scarcely had any minerals left, let alone a wealth of them.

“Attacked, murdered, and all the victims were from families who had miscarried before?”

Duanmu Huai furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment.

“Are there still pregnant women in the town now?”

“Yes, there’s still one… but she has given up hope and is just waiting for the judgement of fate.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Duanmu Huai nodded and then looked toward the others.

“Mary, Greiya, go and talk to that woman–especially Mary. Observe carefully and see if there’s anything to gain.”

“I understand.”

Although Duanmu Huai didn’t make it very clear, Mary understood what he meant and nodded, setting off with Greiya, led by a Guard down a nearby alleyway.

“As for you……”

After issuing his orders, Duanmu Huai turned back to the mayor.

“Take us to see the bodies.”

“Of course.”

Guided by the mayor and several Guards, the group proceeded. Soon, they crossed the main road and arrived at the town square. Just as the mayor had said, the whole town appeared deserted, with most people locking themselves inside their homes, peering out of their windows with frightened gazes at these strangers who had suddenly appeared.

However, there were some who hadn’t stayed at home. As they reached the town square, Duanmu Huai saw several townspeople gathered around an old man, who was disheveled and gaunt in appearance but radiated a wild sense of excitement.

“I’m telling you! This is the Day of Ending! We’re finished! Humanity is done for!”

“Who is that old man?”

Duanmu Huai coldly glanced at the old man who continued to shout fervently among the crowd and asked, to which the mayor sighed helplessly in reply.

“His name is Hull, an old farmer, but ever since this incident occurred, he has been claiming to have foresight, to see into the future or something of that sort… and so he spouts this nonsense in town daily.”

“Oh……”

Duanmu Huai let out a curt hum and then walked over, while at the moment, the old man did not notice Duanmu Huai’s approach and kept ranting passionately to the people before him.

“On the third evening, at the eighth disappearance, death descended from the darkness, and all heretics shall rot upon the earth! This is a prophecy! A sign of the arrival of a new god! For the heretics, he is like a bloodthirsty giant with eyes aflame, but for those who believe in him, he is a kind shepherd, protecting his followers!”

People originally had their doubts about the old man’s words, but when they saw Duanmu Huai approaching from behind the elder, several of them look aghast, trembling as they knelt to the ground.

“I, I don’t want to die! I am willing to follow this new god. May I ask what his name is?”

“I don’t know either!”

The old man shook his head.

“But follow me, do as I say, and God will see your good intentions!”

“I’ve had enough!”

At this moment, a farmer roared, interrupting the old man.

“I’m sick of your nonsense! I don’t want to hear your stupid talk!”

“Then the curse will fall upon your head! You will die within a few weeks; the new god told me so! Only a very few will be trusted and saved! The rest will die in darkness! Just like the others! He’s coming! He’s almost here!!”

“Oh? Is that so?”

At this time, Duanmu Huai had already walked behind the old man and began speaking with a cold sneer.

“Then, what else did this new god tell you?”

“He is here to purify evil! To follow him……”

Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, the old man thought it was just another listener asking, and with an excited grin, he turned his head–only to freeze in place the instant he saw Duanmu Huai. However, before the old man could respond, Duanmu Huai reached out and firmly grasped him, staring at him with eyes that blazed a crimson glow.

“Wretched heretic, who allowed you to spout nonsense here?”

“No, no, let me go!”

The old man struggled desperately to break free from Duanmu Huai’s grip, but it was in vain.

“No matter who you are, you cannot stop me! Continue to intimidate me! Whether you push me down, oppress me, kick me, or strike me, I will stand up again, even more resolute than before, proclaiming the arrival of the new god! When your souls are in danger, I will strive to tell the truth to everyone! I’m telling you, the new god will keep me unharmed! You can do nothing to me———-!”

However, the old man’s words were never finished, because in the next moment, Duanmu Huai’s hand effortlessly twisted the old man’s head around one hundred and eighty degrees like opening a bottle cap, turning him into a corpse. He then threw it on the ground. Witnessing this scene, the people who had been gathered around screamed, with many of them turning and running away in fright.

In the blink of an eye, all the onlookers had scattered.

“Mayor.”

Duanmu Huai didn’t care at all about the fearful glares directed at him from the sidelines; he turned his head and fixed his gaze on the mayor, who seemed to still be in shock, standing dumbfounded nearby.

“Hang this heretic’s body up. I want everyone to see, this is the fate of those who preach heresy!”

“Ah, yes, of course… I understand.”

At this moment, the mayor seemed to be completely terrified by the aura of murder emanating from Duanmu Huai and hurriedly nodded before signaling the guards. Two guards immediately came forward and quietly carried away the old man’s body.

“Alright, let’s move on.”

No one spoke; the mayor led the way in silence, with Duanmu Huai and Ann following. Ann finally couldn’t help but poke Duanmu Huai gently.

“Mr. Knight, Mr. Knight?”

“Hmm?”

“Why did you kill that old man? To me, he seemed like nothing more than a rambling fool.”

“He could also have been a potential follower of the Chaos Evil God.”

Duanmu Huai appeared unconcerned by Ann’s question.

“If he truly was a follower of the Chaos Evil God, letting him go might have caused the deaths of millions in the future, which is why I killed him.”

“But… what if he wasn’t?”

“Then he wasn’t.”

“Huh?”

Ann was taken aback by Duanmu Huai’s indifferent response, and Duanmu Huai turned to gaze at her.

“The Tribunal doesn’t act as the messengers of justice; do you remember? Our purpose is to protect humanity at all costs. This ‘at all costs’ also means…”

Here, Duanmu Huai lowered his voice.

“Even if a hundred innocents are mistakenly killed, we must not miss a single one, because negligence with that one could lead to the deaths of thousands later on. Do not pity them or heed their innocent cries–a hundred innocents dying at the hands of the Tribunal is better than one person bowing down to the Chaotic Demon.”

“But won’t this make us feared?”

“It doesn’t matter. The Tribunal is not the messenger of justice, nor a hero. We will not be adored, revered, or worshipped. We will be met with disgust, fear, and curses. But it’s all irrelevant because we are merely doing our duty. To combat chaos and protect humans is our responsibility–it is that simple.”

Duanmu Huai shrugged and then looked up again, while Ann sighed.

“This path is indeed not an easy one.”

“Of course, which is why the goal is important. When you have a clear goal, nothing else matters.”

As they talked, the group had arrived at the cemetery, and even through the rusted iron fence, the rows of freshly dug graves were visible.

“Alright, forget those trivial matters.”

Duanmu Huai patted Ann on the head.

“It’s time for us to begin our work.”