Chapter 268: Proving Innocence

He was a Beastfolk. Nova slowly turned around.

Standing behind him was a tall and menacing figure—a Lionkin. His appearance was intimidating, with a powerful build and a wild, ferocious presence.

He wore rough, beast-like attire similar to Vaorak’s, making him look less like a noble and more like a predator that had walked straight into the throne hall.

The Lionkin stared at Nova with his sharp eyes before speaking.

"I came here with a message from my Emperor, but I thought I would help with this interrogation in case you really are the Slaughter Monarch."

"And if not, then you don’t have to fear me at all," Korr said.

This was Korr, one of the most powerful individuals on the Beastfolk Continent and a Level 2 Sovereign. He was one of Vaorak’s commanders and was currently on a mission.

He had been the only commander present on the Beastfolk Continent when it was attacked by the Eclipse Order. Korr had defended the continent by himself and killed many enemies, though he couldn’t protect everyone while fighting at the same time.

The other commanders were currently away on their own missions.

"Nova Valencrest, you don’t have to worry. I hope you understand that this is only a precaution," Leonis said from his throne.

But contrary to everyone’s expectations, Nova smiled. It was a genuine smile, not a fake one.

"You don’t have to worry. This doesn’t scare me... and I understand the precaution."

"Hmm, I like this kid. I hope you’re not that guy, or I’ll have to kill you," Korr said.

Nova’s smile widened.

"What makes you think you can kill the Slaughter Monarch if figures like Demon Lord Kharos and Caelan couldn’t even catch him?"

Nova’s words caused everyone to gasp. Was he really talking to a Sovereign like Lord Korr as if they were friends? Did he not fear him? He was even questioning Korr’s strength.

And more than that, why did he sound as if he were praising the Slaughter Monarch? This made many of them suspicious, but they weren’t as worried now that a Sovereign like Korr was present.

Everyone waited to see if Korr would become angry.

Instead—

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

Korr burst into laughter.

"Yeah, I wouldn’t be so sure. But I feel that guy is just good at running and hiding. He could probably kill a Level 1 Sovereign, but I’m a Level 2. I’ll just have to catch him off guard."

Nova said nothing. He thought this guy looked wild, but unlike many others, he clearly had brains as well.

"Anyway, let’s get finished with this stuff. I need to talk about something important with King Leonis," Korr said.

Nova nodded and turned back toward the crystals. He focused on them for a moment before looking at Alaric.

"Do I put both hands on them at the same time, or do I do it one by one?"

"It would be better if you do them one at a time. Place your right hand on the crystal and inject a little of your mana into it," Alaric answered.

Nova put his hand on the crystal on the left and injected his mana into it. Soon, the results were projected into the air.

[Potential Rank: C]

[Affinity: Lightning]

As the results appeared, those who supported Nova immediately spoke in his defense.

"See... didn’t I tell you he was innocent? Look, it’s the same result we have in our data."

"Yeah! Now tell us, you bastards. At this point, you’re just insulting the poor kid!"

"Yeah, yeah... it’s only one thing. Let the other crystal do its thing first, then we’ll completely believe he’s innocent."

From a wise perspective, those defending Nova might have seemed foolish. He was still suspicious, and there was no reason to completely clear him based on a single result.

Yet after seeing the first result, many people began to wonder if they had been wrong about him. Even Leonis and several ministers were surprised.

Korr also raised an eyebrow. Even Albert and Ron couldn’t believe their eyes. Only Alaric’s expression remained unchanged, as if the result meant nothing to him.

When Nova looked at his face, however, he immediately felt that something was suspicious.

Theodore was also shocked by the result. Seeing it, he finally believed Nova when he had said that there was nothing to worry about.

Nova really was a lawbreaker who could even alter his potential rank.

The last time Theodore had checked, Nova’s potential had been ranked B back in Frostholme. He had believed it had increased since then, though Theodore didn’t completely understand how Nova’s power worked.

What he did know was that Nova’s abilities were far beyond his—and perhaps anyone else’s—comprehension.

Meanwhile, Nova’s Absolute Appraisal Eyes always active. He focused more closely on the crystal. He hadn’t examined it carefully before, but now that he did, he noticed something.

The crystal had been altered slightly.

{Hmm... what a cunning guy. I don’t know why, but this guy was trying to get you into big trouble.}

Liya’s voice sounded in his mind. Nova was also surprised.

If it weren’t for his Absolute Appraisal Eyes, he would have been in serious trouble, and all his peace of mind would have been lost.

That old bastard Alaric had manipulated the crystal on the right.

If Nova—or even an ordinary human—were to inject mana into it, it would show them as a Demon. Nova immediately sent his thoughts through voice transmission.

"I don’t know who told you to do this, or if you’re doing it on your own accord, but you just made the biggest mistake of your life by altering that crystal."

Alaric’s eyes widened in shock. Horror filled his eyes. He didn’t know how Nova had discovered it.

Was he really the Slaughter Monarch?

"Is something wrong, High Priest?" Nova asked with a nonchalant expression.

"N-No. Nothing is wrong. You may continue," Alaric replied. But inwardly, he sneered.

I don’t know how you found out about it, but you’re already finished. Once that crystal shows you as a Demon, Lord Korr will kill you on the spot.

Nova noticed the sudden change in Alaric’s expression and immediately understood what was going on.

What should I do, Liya?

{Don’t worry. The crystal is filled with demonic energy, which is why it will show that result. When you put your mana into it, it will detect the demonic energy.}

{ So, just absorb all the demonic energy inside it swiftly. With your control over demonic energy, that will be a piece of cake.}

{Then inject your normal mana and wait for that bastard’s shocked reaction... hehehe.}

Alright. Nova silently followed her instructions. Nova placed his hand on the crystal.

The amount of demonic energy inside it was very small, so he absorbed it in less than a second. Now that the crystal was clear, he was free to continue.

One last time, he looked at Alaric, who had an evil smirk on his face.

Nova gave him a mocking smile before, under the watchful gazes of everyone in the throne hall, injecting his mana into the crystal.

Soon, the result was projected into the air.

[Race: Human]

"What?!"

Alaric couldn’t control himself, and his shocked voice rang through the entire throne hall.

Although everyone wasn’t completely convinced by the first result, it had already made it clear that Nova was likely innocent. And now, with the second result showing that Nova was a human, there was almost no reason left to suspect him.

After all, no one should have been able to alter this result.

Nova could have altered it if he wanted to, but since he was currently in his human form, there was no need. However, seeing Alaric’s reaction was another matter entirely.

The High Priest had reacted as though he had been completely certain that Nova would be exposed.

That alone surprised everyone.

"What’s wrong, High Priest?" Nova asked, folding his arms with a questioning expression. "Were you so sure that I wasn’t human for you to have such a great reaction?"

Everyone else in the throne hall wanted to know the same thing.

**

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