Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully
Chapter 133: Society of Blood’s Hand

Chapter 133: Society of Blood’s Hand

"So," the King’s voice was a low, dangerous rumble. "Albus has not only conspired against a loyal servant of the Crown, but used the sanctity of the Church as his shield. He has made a mockery of the Light and my trust."

He rose to his full height, his voice now booming through the hall. "Let it be known! The man known as the Grand Luminar is hereby declared a traitor to the kingdom! A warrant is issued for his immediate arrest! He will be hunted down and brought back to face royal justice!"

He then turned his fiery gaze upon Seraphina.

"High Archon Seraphina," the King commanded. "In the Luminar’s absence, you will oversee all duties of the Church within Luxia. Your first task is to assist the Royal Guard in purging the corruption from your ranks. Do not fail me."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Seraphina said, dropping to one knee, her mind reeling but her path now terrifyingly clear.

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In the week following the chaotic royal court session, the King’s justice moved swiftly. The New Chamberlain was stripped of his title and thrown into the palace dungeons, his assets seized pending a full investigation. The once-mighty House Vayne, along with House Valerius, were dissolved by royal decree; their titles revoked, their properties confiscated. Lady Vayne, her son Alaric, and Marquis Valerius vanished, becoming fugitives alongside the now-hunted Grand Luminar.

High Archon Seraphina, empowered by the King, began a ruthless, systematic purge of the Church. Acolytes and priests suspected of corruption were questioned, and several were quietly removed from their posts. The city, while still wary of the Creep, breathed a collective sigh of relief. The worst of the corruption seemed to be over.

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In the cold, damp depths of the Sunken Cistern, the mood was funereal. The inner circle of the Society of Blood was gathered, the tension in the torch-lit cavern so thick it was almost suffocating.

The hooded man sat silently on the stone throne. Before him stood a disgraced and furious Lady Vayne, a sullen Alaric, the fugitive Grand Luminar, a handful of hooded researchers, and the loyal Vyon.

"This is a disaster!" Lady Vayne spat, her voice trembling with rage. "All of it, ruined! Our titles, our wealth, our influence... gone! And it is your fault!" She pointed an accusing finger at the hooded man on the throne. "Your plans were flawed! Your creature, Vyon, was weak! This ’Riku’ has undone everything!"

The hooded man didn’t move. He simply lifted a hand and calmly snapped his fingers.

"Aaargh!"

Lady Vayne let out a piercing shriek, collapsing to the floor. She clutched at her chest, her body convulsing as if her very soul were on fire. The soul brand she bore was now an instrument of pure agony, activated by her true master.

The Grand Luminar and Alaric watched in horror, not daring to move a muscle. The researchers shrank back into the shadows.

After a long, torturous moment, the hooded man snapped his fingers again. The pain subsided. Lady Vayne lay panting on the cold stone, sweat beading on her brow, her earlier fury replaced by pure terror.

"Let me be clear," the hooded man said, his voice quiet but echoing with absolute authority. "Our previous strategy has failed. Your incompetence," he glanced at Vayne, "and this Riku’s interference have forced my hand. The time for subtlety is over."

He rose from the throne, his presence dominating the cavern.

"Our research on the Creep was meant to create the perfect soldier—a being of immense power, completely loyal. We were years from perfecting it. But this Riku has left us no choice. We will accelerate the timeline."

He turned to the lead researcher. "The prototype. The giant’s body we reanimated with the most potent variant of the Creep. Is it stable?"

The researcher trembled. "My Lord, it is... volatile. We cannot guarantee control. To unleash it on the city would be catastrophic!"

"Good," the hooded man said, a chilling smile in his voice. "Catastrophe is precisely what we need."

He looked around at his terrified subordinates. "Fear has been replaced by hope, thanks to this ’Whisper Healer’. We will remind Luxia what true fear feels like. We will unleash a monster they cannot fight, a plague they cannot cure with trinkets. In the chaos, no one will notice as we secure our final objectives."

"But sire..."

"No buts. We will release the Creep Giant into the city," he commanded, his voice final. "Tonight. At the stroke of midnight. Prepare right away."

"At once, sire."

--------------

The night was quiet at the makeshift overflow hospital near Luxia’s eastern gate.

Inside the repurposed warehouse, two smiling priests from the Church of Light sat on a crate, sharing a waterskin. For the first week in many weeks, the sounds of constant, racking coughs and pained moans had subsided to a gentle murmur. The number of patients was now down to a handful, and everyone was recovering well.

"I can’t believe it," the younger priest, Brother Theron, said, wiping his brow. "A week ago, this place was a gateway to the afterlife. Now... look at them. They’re actually sleeping peacefully."

The older priest, Father Michael, nodded, his gaze sweeping over the rows of patients, most of them now resting calmly, the angry crimson of the Creep on their skin softened to a dull blush thanks to the talismans they wore. "It’s a true miracle. Not from our draughts, but from these... Hummer talismans."

"Whoever this ’Whisper Healer’ is," Theron said with a sigh of relief, "they’ve done more for these people in a week than we managed in months. May the Light bless them."

Father Michael smiled wearily. "Indeed. For the first time, I feel like we might actually win..."

His words were cut short by a sudden, deep tremor that shook the entire warehouse, rattling the cots and making the lanterns sway violently.

BOOM.

It was a heavy, rhythmic thudding sound, coming from the direction of the Merchant’s Quarter. It sounded like a walking earthquake.

"What in the heavens was that?" Theron asked, scrambling to his feet.

BOOM.

It was closer this time. The priests rushed to the wide warehouse doors and peered out into the night.

Then, they saw it.

"What... what is that thing?" They shuddered.

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