"What do you mean by this?" Marquis Relf's face contorted in disbelief at Lofan's words. "Have you been toying with me all along?!"
"Yes."
Marquis Relf felt his head about to explode, his heart overflowing with fury and terror.
"Hahaha! My apologies, Monsieur Relf. That was just a little joke." Sensing that further provocation might drive the Marquis to the brink of insanity and jeopardize their plans, Lofan ceased his taunting. "Though I must admit, I never expected Marquis Relf to believe me so easily."
Marquis Relf clenched his fists, his eyes burning into Lofan, longing to tear him apart. After a long moment, he regained his composure and realized the impossibility of his desire. Lofan had likely slaughtered over a thousand Fleuve Cendre residents by now; he couldn't possibly be affiliated with the Fleuve Cendre Faction.
Yet Lofan's motives and actions remained maddeningly unpredictable, driving Marquis Relf to the brink of frustration.
"But I should warn you, Monsieur Relf," Lofan added, "the longer I remain hidden, the easier it will be to find another collaborator."
"But you're different. This is your only chance."
"Do you think you've already got me cornered?!" Marquis Relf glared at Lofan, his face contorted in a ferocious grimace. Lofan remained completely unfazed and nodded.
"Exactly. You've run out of options."
Marquis Relf took several deep breaths, his eyes filled with terror as he stared at Lofan.
After what felt like an eternity, Marquis Relf seemed to age a decade in an instant, his body slumping into a hunched posture.
"What do you want me to do?"
Lofan's lips curled into a slight smile, though the mask concealed his expression from Marquis Relf.
"It's simple. Release them."
Marquis Relf froze, stunned by Lofan's words.
Without waiting for him to react, Lofan continued. "Those insects know the Fleuve Cendre environment like the back of their hands. Once they're out in the open, wouldn't it be trivial to control them?"
"I've already..."
"Enough," Lofan interrupted Marquis Relf. "Even a fool could see you were driving them away before, leaving them no way out."
"This time, I want you to invite them out!"
Marquis Relf's face flushed crimson with fury. "I, a dignified Marquis, stoop to yield to those commoners?!"
"Hah, then cling to your noble pride and die for it."
Lofan's icy retort silenced Marquis Relf completely, shattering his remaining resolve.
"What should I do after they emerge from Fleuve Cendre?"
Seeing Marquis Relf's complete capitulation, Lofan calmly outlined his plan.
"First, you must gather a vast supply of Pneumousia Energy for me..."
-
Lofan felt a surge of satisfaction as he used the quick return skill once more. If all went according to plan, a substantial amount of Points would soon be credited to his account.
Figuring Navia and the others should be back by now, he left his house to greet them.
"Teacher, why are you out here?!" Navia exclaimed, rushing forward to support him as she saw him standing before them with a kind smile. Her eyes were filled with concern and a hint of reproach. "You're still so badly injured! Didn't you promise me you'd rest properly at home?"
"Heh, I just couldn't help but worry..."
Navia fell silent. She noticed the weariness in Lofan's eyes, realizing he had already noticed the heavy losses they had suffered. The thought of the dozens of fallen comrades, none of whom had any family or friends, left her at a loss for who to deliver the news to.
The others were equally subdued. What should have been a straightforward operation had unexpectedly resulted in so many casualties. They opened their mouths to offer comfort to Lofan, but no words came out.
Silence reigned, an oppressive weight hanging in the air.
Finally, Navia helped Lofan back to his home, dispelling the suffocating atmosphere.
At Lofan's prompting, Navia recounted the details of their mission.
When she mentioned the serial suicide case, Lofan remained outwardly calm. However, Navia could see the suppressed fury smoldering deep within his eyes.
This was effortless for Lofan. By manipulating his hormonal balance, he could effortlessly transition into any emotional state, adding just a touch of acting to perfect the facade.
Lofan already knew most of the details of the operation, but he pretended ignorance and listened attentively, as if hearing it for the first time.
But when Navia described rescuing children from the Noble Estate—children who had been cruelly abused by the nobles—Lofan froze.
He had never imagined these nobles could sink to such depraved depths, preying on children. Did they even deserve to be called human?
They were worse than beasts!
Lofan had never been this furious. He might not be a saint, but he couldn't tolerate such utterly depraved behavior.
Fine, so this is how you want to play it!
This time, he didn't need to manipulate his hormones to reach boiling point. His rage was already overflowing.
"Navia, you still have the nobles' final confessions, right? Send me a copy when you have time," Lofan said coldly, his voice steely. It seemed he'd be working overtime tonight.
Against these subhuman beasts, he no longer cared about plans, strategies, or even Points. All he wanted was to eradicate these scum from the face of the earth as swiftly as possible.
"Understood, Teacher," Navia replied. Though she couldn't help but wonder why Lofan needed the confessions, she didn't pry.
After discussing some follow-up arrangements, Navia left Lofan's home to let him rest.
Some time later, she delivered the documents he had requested and departed again.
Lofan coldly scanned the list of names. A portion had been dealt with—their estates stormed and cleared by Navia and her team—but the vast majority remained untouched, beyond their limited manpower.
No matter, Lofan thought. Isn't it the teacher's job to do what the students can't?
Of course, some of them were bound to be falsely accused. Lofan already had a plan to verify their innocence.
As night fell, Lofan, who had been resting in bed for some time, suddenly opened his eyes.
The time for Judgment had begun!
Let the Hunt begin!
He tilted his head slightly as life slowly drained from his body...