Super Righteous Player
Chapter 896 - 433: Test of Human Nature

Chapter 896: Chapter 433: Test of Human Nature

It was probably because Nicholas II’s goal was not just "to enter Blood Butterfly Valley."

But to go to Blood Butterfly Valley "with enough test subjects."

Destroying this nameless village was merely to gather materials.

If he were to attack human settlements outside—unless it was underground, it would almost be impossible to gather so many "materials." He would definitely be discovered by people before he could start his experiments.

This nameless village was on the edge of civilization.

Even if the entire village was destroyed, it wouldn’t be discovered for two or three days; and even if it was discovered, it wasn’t certain the discoverers would report it.

Annan had already checked the whole village.

Nicholas hadn’t taken any valuables—they were all piled up in the middle of the village, in a blank square. Thus, they weren’t burned.

Anyone entering the village could see this pile of valuables.

They just had to take any part of it... they might not dare to report this news, otherwise, they themselves would be regarded as "suspects." So after taking these treasures, they might even intentionally help Nicholas II cover up the traces, disguising the traces of the villagers leaving.

The people who would come here were either merchants or adventurers. They were highly likely not to ignore this fortune.

Conversely,

Even if they truly ignored it—what about the people who came to investigate?

The village was not poor.

They monopolized the cursed materials of the entire mountain range and had numerous wild beasts to hunt. This wasn’t even a restricted hunting area... They could even be considered wealthy, and all the wealth gathered together was enough to tempt the minor nobility who could act as "guarantors," let alone the law enforcers.

Conversely—

How could they prove that they hadn’t taken part of the valuables?

How could they prove they didn’t know the murderous "bandits"?

Under the temptation of this treasure, even the law enforcers might waver. They might want to silence the reporters right here...

—After all, as "agents," what they lacked was money.

As long as they had enough money, they could rid themselves of the agent status, become their own guarantors, become a person of higher status. Moreover, this was a windfall that could change the fortune of their entire family.

Moreover, this was deep in the mountains, where no one would see.

And no one would care about these villagers—they were probably all dead or abducted. It was even better if they were dead.

This was exactly "unclaimed wealth".

Not far away, there even were the "people of Nata County" to take the blame.

Annan had to admit, although Nicholas II was only a thought form, his control over human nature... was indeed precise enough.

The readily available, glaringly plump on the ground... a "gift" that seemed blatantly telling him, "for sealing mouths and helping me conclude."

In that moment, the desire to become wealthy overnight, the desire to change fate, both swelled.

At the same time, the aversion to trouble also took high ground.

No one wanted unrelated troubles to affect them.

They feared others’ suspicions if they knew about it.

Scared of idle gossip, scared of inviting trouble.

Scared that they did nothing but still had to take the blame—

If it weren’t for the "Faceless Poet," who always claimed to be Annan’s companion, coming to leak the information first, it might have been months before they found out.

"...I know."

Annan looked forward, murmuring, "His thinking is correct."

Even Annan couldn’t demand others to see this fortune on the ground and remain unmoved.

It was indeed money that wasn’t so reassuring to hold, but it was neither stolen nor robbed.

It only required "keeping silent."

As long as you did nothing, took the money, and turned back to leave... you could earn in one night what you couldn’t earn in ten lifetimes, ascend to be a person of higher status. It could also prevent you and your family from falling into a vortex of trouble and disaster.

Who could resist such temptation?

Annan indeed could.

He said he wouldn’t take it, and he wouldn’t.

But Annan also knew that he couldn’t demand others to do the same—that would be moral kidnapping. Not to mention, they didn’t know what Nicholas was doing, or what consequences his research would bring if successful.

Ignorance is not a crime.

In this regard, Nicholas II had won half the battle.

He had broken the seal of the ritual and arranged this "scene," which normally could delay a few months’ time.

By then, perhaps Annan and the others were still investigating the artificially erased traces by those behind them.

Wasting precious time amid massive lies that confused each other—until Nicholas finished his research.

But the Faceless Poet had shattered this lie at the first opportunity.

He gave Annan an opportunity of "the mantis stalks the cicada."

If Annan wasn’t wrong, the Faceless Poet probably wanted to see him abandon those children who had lost their homes and all their family members, waiting for Nicholas to find the result.

He might have already prepared mocking words about his cold-bloodedness, or sarcastic remarks like, "That’s so typical of you."

But Annan chose a different path.

This was not about opposing the Faceless Poet.

If Annan wasn’t wrong...

The Faceless Poet’s "partner," "accomplice," "colleague" was not himself from the start... but rather the "Black Annan" of the first loop.

"I must have disappointed you."

Annan muttered softly, took a deep breath, and walked forward.

"Your Majesty, where are you going?!"

Jacob, who had stood behind Annan staring blankly at the treasures, suddenly raised his head in alarm, looking towards Annan who was walking alone towards Blood Butterfly Valley: "Aren’t you waiting for the reinforcements?"

"They are already on their way."

Annan answered, "They are a bit slower than us—because they were first teleported to Nata County. But they are on their way, and the fastest should enter here in three minutes."

"Then, Your Majesty, just wait here a few more minutes..."

"—I am going to rescue someone first."

Annan said, glancing at the treasures piled up like mountains: "And these things, should be considered the properties of those children.

"If they are dead, then naturally they can be seen as compensation for us, the avengers. But if they are not yet dead, these things still have owners.

"You can take some, and they too can take some when they arrive. But in the end, it must be with the children’s consent before anything is taken. Once there are slightly more of them... you bring them along and catch up with us."

Annan looked calmly at Jacob: "You can find my tracks, right?"

After exchanging looks with Annan, Jacob shamefully lowered his head.

"...Yes, Your Majesty. I can..."

He realized it.

Annan had detected his greed but did not want to associate with it...thus he chose a method of "turning a blind eye" and quietly left.

Perhaps those reinforcements also harbored some greed towards these treasures.

Annan did not want to stop them, nor did he wish for them to restrain themselves from touching the treasures due to his face and authority...he recognized people’s greed, accepted this desire, yet refused to join in it.

Realizing this fact.

Jacob realized... the fire of greed in his heart seemed to have been mostly extinguished by his conscience.

"—I will definitely catch up."

Jacob looked up again, speaking resolutely.

Annan’s lips slightly curled upwards.

He knew Jacob was a clever man. He already understood why Annan was leaving at this time.

It was just to save face for him and those players—unsaid, unexposed—like parents who are fully aware of their child’s secret misdeeds.

"I will take responsibility to rescue the children."

Having said that, Annan turned around.

He walked briskly toward Blood Butterfly Valley, waving his hand back at Jacob.

But Jacob did not know...

Besides this reason.

Annan also wanted to talk privately with Nicholas II before the players arrived.

About things that were not necessary for the players to know, to avoid increasing their psychological burden.

Players as champions of Justice need only defeat the demon lord.

About who the demon lord once was, what the demon lord wanted to do, there was no need to understand or discuss.

For instance...

Annan wanted to know, why Nicholas II suddenly decided to do such a thing.

At first, Annan had thought he was a harmless and amiable person.

What did he really want to do?

As Annan neared Blood Butterfly Valley, he felt his left shoulder gradually heating up.

The "Infinity" symbol on his shoulder, along with the depths of his pupils, both began to emit light.

He even felt his heart gradually becoming heated.

Annan from the heart, wanted to question the other about some things.

—He wanted to penalize something, judge something.

Not for the sake of justice... it might also be, just for himself.

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