530 Beginning

530 Beginning

Lumian observed Burmans head, frozen in surprise and relief. He removed the Flog boxing gloves and the Symphony of Hatred, as well as ended the Niese Face.

Donning the silver Lie earring and retrieving a white bandage, Lumian wrapped it around the burned wound on his right chest and his bloody left hand.

Crimson flames surged around him, engulfing his dripping blood and splattering flesh.

Throughout this process, Lumian gathered the nearby corpse fragments that Burman had scattered and piled them beside the head.

He had been calculating the time. If Burmans Beyonder characteristic still hadnt materialized, he would have to move the corpse pile to the forest beside the Andatna volcano.

This was because the Flog boxing gloves attracted the attention of certain hidden entities, enabling them to command dangerous creatures to attack.

In the past, Lumian would have had to leave the scene as soon as he finished using the Flog boxing gloves, but the battle lasted only a short time. The Flog boxing gloves had already been stowed into his Travelers Bag, allowing him to wait a little longer.

Lumian observed various colored light spotslight purple, pale-white, and pitch-blackemerge from Burmans head and the scattered corpse pile. Among the items on the ground and torn clothes, Lumian found a diverse array of objects.

There was a miniature brain, blood-dyed and resembling brass, a retractable pitch-black telescope, ointment and powder in metal canisters, a short bone scepter, a peculiar badge encircling the sun with bones, a soft-cover notebook in an iron box, an ordinary-looking golden ring, and scattered gold and silver coins...

The deposit certificates and paper cash had likely been destroyed by the explosion and the inferno.

Lumian carefully stowed each item away, sensing that three possessed superpowers. Merely coming into contact with them triggered various adverse reactions.

Thankfully, I had no intention of prolonging the battle with Burman from the start... Him using these mystical items later would have been troublesome... To deal with such a half-mad and resourceful enemy, I must end the battle swiftly and deny him a chance to recover... Some items were likely gathered by him, while others might have been taken from Fidel... Lumian concluded, finally picking up the dented and cracked iron box.

Inside the soft-cover notebook lay a blood-stained treasure map. With a brief glance, Lumian suspected it to be a sea map leading to an island in a specific sea area. It contained records of weather patterns and markings of safe sea routes.

Could this be the fake treasure map sold to Burman by Mark Benito? Lumian mused. Flipping to the first page of the dark soft-cover notebook, he encountered scrawled words:

My mind isnt reliable all the time. I tend to forget many things. I must record all relevant knowledge and prevent them from being forgotten.

Lumian refrained from delving deeper. He carefully stowed away the fake treasure map and the soft-cover notebook.

Lumian noticed an ordinary-looking golden ring adorning Burmans left ring finger in the corpse pile.

It bore a striking resemblance to the gold rings found in the pile of spoils. They varied in size, texture, and quality.

Lumian instantly grasped the situation.

He removed the golden ring from Burmans finger and tied it to another golden ring with a piece of wire he had on hand.

He approached the grayish-black volcanos crater and silently tossed the rings into the reddened depression.

At that moment, Burmans Beyonder characteristics fully materialized, merging with parts of his corpse, resulting in two distinct items.

One was a light-purple transparent left eye, while the other was a pale-white right eye veiled in darkness.

Lumian carefully stowed away the two Beyonder characteristics, taking hold of Burmans head before vanishing from the spot.

Silently, the remaining parts of Burmans body ignited, enveloping the grayish-black volcano in crimson flames.

More than 200 meters away, Lumian retrieved the golden straw hat that had been blown by the strong wind.

As he secured it on his head, he swiftly disappeared.

This time, he appeared on the road outside the Andatna volcanos steam locomotive.

Lumian glanced up at the grayish-black volcanos crater, witnessing the golden-red sunset, resembling flowing lava, receding faster than expected.

The mountaintop swiftly darkened.

In the cathedral of The Fool in Port Farim, not far from Quartier des Black Pearls, Lumian, adjusting his golden straw hat, approached the towering half-giant bishop donned in a half top hat and black trench coat. In a deep voice, he said,

I want to repent.

The half-giant bishop, with light-blue eyes and a towering stature exceeding 2.5 meters, regarded Lumian for a moment before nodding. Follow me.

He led Lumian into a specialized confessionala windowless, pitch-black chamber.

I dont wish to repent in the dark, Lumian calmly said, removing his golden straw hat.

The half-giant bishop ignited the candles, sealing the door shut.

Pa! Lumian tossed a head with pale-white fur and vacant eye sockets to the half-giant bishops feet.

Did you commit murder? the half-giant bishop inquired in a mellow tone, giving the head a brief once-over.

No, I just want to help him repent. Lumian gestured towards the bloody head, oozing yellow pus. Hes Demon Warlock Burman.

Burman? Only then did the half-giant bishop closely inspect the head, recognizing distinct features.

He fell silent for a few moments before stating, You want the Church to assist you in claiming the bounty from the Intis government?

As I mentioned, Im here to repent for him. His bounty is part of his penance. Lumians voice remained unchanged.

The half-giant bishop struggled to comprehend.

Lumian retrieved most of the items acquired from Burman from his Travelers Bag, leaving behind the dark soft-cover notebook and the fake treasure map.

Clatter. These items, some endowed with superpowers, some valuable, spilled onto the ground.

Theyre also part of Burmans penance, Lumian explained simply. I want to use the bounty and the money exchanged for these items to establish a charity fund to compensate those who have been harmed by Burman, or their relatives. If theres any excess, please use it to help the homeless children.

The half-giant bishop, sporting a top hat and trench coat, fell silent for a few seconds.

The Demon Warlock bounty stands at 600,000 verl dor. These items hold considerable value too. Together, they could fetch nearly 1 million verl dor. Its a substantial sum for anyone. Enough to ensure you dont have to take further risks. Are you certain about donating it to us and establishing a charity fund?

Lumian didnt directly answer the half-giant bishops question. Instead, he reiterated, This is Burmans penance.

Alright, since you trust our Church, well comply with your wishes, the half-giant bishop, named Theis, said. Remember my name and feel free to monitor the charity funds progress closely.

Lumian gazed at The Fools Sacred Emblem in the confessional, pressed his hand to his chest, and gave a slight bow.

Praise The Fool!

He then closed his eyes and prayed, Great Lord, I implore you to punish the world for their sins and watch over our compensation. This isnt atonement; its self-punishment...

Lumian repented earnestly for a while before straightening up. He opened his eyes and turned to leave.

What shall be the name of the charity fund? the half-giant bishop hurriedly inquired.

Lumian took a deep breath and replied, Helen, the Helen Charity Fund.

Do we need to inform the authorities about who killed Burman? the half-giant bishop cautiously asked.

No need, but theres no requirement to deliberately obscure the clues for me. Lumian didnt look back. He put on his golden straw hat and exited The Fools cathedral.

That night, Lumian once again entered the bar beside Sun Square known as Pelican.

Batna Comte, as usual, sat at the bar counter, sipping on Golden Somme sugar wine. Beside him was a girl dressed as an adventurer with adorable facial features.

Lumian walked over and joined Batna and the other patrons. He smiled and snapped his fingers at the bartender.

A glass of Golden Somme.

Batna glanced at him and remarked, Someones in a good mood.

Indeed. Lumian received the golden syrup from the bartender and tapped the table with the bottom of the glass. Then, he stood up and raised the glass. Everyone, Ive encountered two things worth celebrating today.

He spoke with enthusiasm and joy, The first is that I completed a commission worth more than 100,000 verl dor!

Impossible... Batna and the female adventurer beside him exclaimed in unison.

This bounty was even higher than Black Baronets bounty. How could it be accomplished in a day?

Moreover, Batna knew that Louis Berrys employer, Fidel, was already deceased. How could he have received a new commission?

Lumian continued in a passionate tone, To celebrate this, Ill treat everyone at the bar counter to a glass of Golden Somme!

Nearly ten adventurers and patrons expressed admiration. One of them teased, Regardless of the truth, I believe you!

The others chimed in.

Lumians smile widened.

Second thing to be happy aboutIve woven a tale to deceive a group of fools!

Suddenly, the expressions of everyone at the bar counter froze.

Lumian glanced at them and continued,But its true that drinks are on the house!

The adventurers and patrons booed, expressing that if they could drink for free, they didnt mind being fools.

Thus, Lumian spent 96 licks, or 4.8 verl dor, treating the twelve people at the bar counter to a glass of Golden Somme.

Observing Louis Berry, Batna silently muttered, Hes genuinely happy...

Late at night, aboard the Flying Bird, Room 5, first-class cabin.

Lumian returned to the barely habitable master bedroom, ignited the kerosene lamp, and retrieved the dark soft-cover notebook and the fake treasure map he had obtained from Demon Warlock Burman from his Travelers Bag.