**Order Level 10!**
Sean took a deep breath. Even he, who was usually calm, felt a flutter of panic.
One was Level 9, the other Level 10.
If those two fought together, he and Ignia wouldn't stand a chance even if there were ten of them. Were these two the masterminds behind this whole incident?
"Master Isley!" Ignia called out the name of the man standing beside Wiseman.
Sean didn't recognize this person, but since he was standing with Wiseman, he was clearly on the same side.
"It's you."
Sean glared at him with fury.
"You were the one who organized those civilians into a riot and supported them from behind?" The anger in his heart was still undeniable—not just because of the little girl and her companions, but also because of the man's attitude right now.
"You can't say that, Baron Weigel." Wiseman smiled, shaking his head as he slowly stepped forward.
In Sean's eyes, Wiseman had always maintained a **[Neutral]** disposition. Because they had crossed paths before, it hadn't quite reached **[Cold]** , and even now, facing him as the hidden figure behind the scenes, it still hadn't turned into **[Hostile]** .
Perhaps in his eyes, someone like Sean wasn't even worth considering an opponent!
"As for the rioters, you should ask our Earl Hamilton. He's the one who created today's situation. Even if I weren't here, someone else would have become their ally."
"What do you mean?"
Sean watched as the two before him displayed a **[Smug!]** state, while the motionless Baron Hamilton was also showing **[Lost in Memory!]** , **[Anger!]** , **[Regret!]** , and other complex emotions.
Faced with Sean's pressing question, the man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked over to Earl Hamilton's side.
Today, he looked even worse than when Sean had last seen him. His entire body was almost completely stiff, his skin paler and more withered. His eyes and head could still move, but his arms and legs were trembling constantly.
"What's wrong, Earl Hamilton? Afraid to tell others? That's right! After all, this isn't exactly a glorious matter. You can't let other nobles know... You have to keep playing the role of a leader who loves his people and unites the southern nobles, don't you?!" He said with a laugh.
"It was you... you made me cause that mistake ten years ago."
Being catatonic didn't mean he couldn't speak. Upon hearing the mockery, he struggled to respond.
"A mistake? You see it as just a mistake, my dear Earl? You still care too much about your own pride."
Wiseman walked up to him and provocatively tugged at his beard.
"Ten years ago... Are you talking about the plague in Leo Village ten years ago?" Ignia, standing beside Sean, spoke up.
She was also afraid, but she couldn't help asking when she heard their conversation.
"Very clever. No wonder you're Ashiu's outstanding disciple... It's a pity. I originally liked talented students like you." Wiseman looked at Ignia, his face still wearing that seemingly kind smile.
"So the civilians rioting outside are the survivors of that incident?"
Sean connected the dots based on what the man had said.
"Not entirely, but close... That's the brilliance of our Earl. Back then, to obtain something, he had his wizards unleash a plague that wiped out most of the village overnight. He claimed it was caused by an external outbreak. Ruthless, isn't he?"
"That was your suggestion. You made me do it..."
"But the final decision was yours! And it was you who wanted the Cain Tablet! What's the point of arguing about this now, my lord? The people who hold a grudge aren't after me."
Earl Hamilton struggled with his broken body, but the man shot him down.
And Sean caught a key detail in their exchange...
The Cain Tablet!
His mind instantly flashed back to what Lucille had said about the legendary witch in Tyremian, and the image in the painting she had given him.
That ancient magical artifact, engraved with dense text like a compass.
"You destroyed an entire village just for something like that?" Sean said.
He had already heard from Lucille what kind of person the Cain Witch was. He was just asking to confirm the man's story.
"Your description isn't accurate, Baron Weigel... Our Earl used the Cain Tablet to trade with Prince Philip for the prosperity of the entire city of Koga. He used it to bring ten years of thriving growth to the whole city. Remarkable foresight!"
He suddenly glared coldly at the slumped Earl.
"You just never expected that the village you once persecuted would unite to take revenge on you. To keep the Tablet's existence a secret, to get that item from the explorers, you unleashed a plague on the entire village. And ten years later, they planned to use the same method to retaliate against you!"
Wiseman suddenly turned his gaze toward Sean...
"I almost forgot. Whether it was the rat incident or today's, it seems Baron Weigel has a unique insight for spotting things that are hard to notice."
Finally...
After listening to him talk for so long, he had turned the conversation back to him.
"Is that so? I think I'm just unlucky. Nothing ever ends well."
So that was it. The **[In conversation...]** he had seen when the giant rat appeared was referring to him.
"Hmph. Indeed."
From start to finish, the two had shown no intention of fighting, but Sean estimated that if they did, he wouldn't have a chance to escape. One was Level 9, the other Level 10.
They were practically at a godlike level. Still, Sean was trying to stall for time.
If that Red Dragon Witch returned, there might be a turning point!
"At least before I die, there's one thing I still don't understand. I hope to get an answer from Master Wiseman before the end."
"What confusion do you have?" the man asked curiously.
"If the rioters you mentioned are the survivors of Leo Village, why did you help them? What connection do you have to that existence?"
Sean's question actually amused the man...
A **[Manic Laughter!]** state accompanied his chuckles.
"Of course not. I just told the villagers the truth and helped them carry out their revenge. More importantly, I wanted to test the power of the Cain Tablet... You see our Earl, don't you? His current state is the result of being burned by the Tablet's power after touching it."
Sean had seen Earl Hamilton once before, but Ignia was seeing him for the first time...
This state of being alive yet half-paralyzed was even worse than the last time Sean had seen him.
Was this the power of that magical artifact?
It was practically a curse!
And yet, this was something wizards fought over.
Wiseman gently stroked Earl Hamilton's face, as if casting a spell.
The Earl's body began to shake violently...
His muscles swelled...
A **[Chaos~]** and **[Mutation~]** progress bar appeared.
"Baron Weigel... believe me... I didn't... I didn't..."
Unable to move, he could only let the man cast magic on him.