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n556 Violent Beating

n556 Violent Beating

nThe encampment of the Fertility Order in Port Santa sprawled along the city’s edge, nestled near the suburbs. It claimed an entire street, complete with fields, orchards, and a variety of livestock, providing a self-sufficient haven for the nuns when they weren’t on missions.

nLugano gripped Ludwig’s hand and raised his eyes to the green vines entwining the cloister’s spire, with the Sacred Emblem of Life at its center. A simple depiction of a baby amidst wheat ears, flowers, spring water, and other symbols. Turning to Noelia, he uttered, “I was attacked. Just wrapped up my statement at the police station.”

nNoelia, adorned with a black hat adorned with white patterns, blending religion and combat, furrowed her brow and inquired, “Where’s Louis Berry?”

nRather than delving into the specifics of Lugano’s assault, she honed in on the whereabouts of Louis Berry, the great adventurer.

nLugano shook his head and replied earnestly, “I don’t know. He told me to come here after giving my statement and inform you that I was attacked.”

nNoelia’s expression shifted to solemnity.

n…

nIn the bustling port district, standing before the robust grayish-black edifice of the Fisheries Guild,

nLumian, now garbed in a white shirt, black vest, and brown pants, topped with a golden straw hat, casually strode to the building.

nThe two guards stationed here lacked guns, carrying only straight swords on their backs and daggers at their waists, blending in with the multitude of passersby.

n“Who are you looking for?” Both guards extended their hands simultaneously, halting Lumian’s advance.

nLumian couldn’t “comprehend” Highlander. Without hesitation, he drew his revolver, pointed it towards the sky, and squeezed the trigger.

nAmidst the gunshot’s echo, he slipped between the two guards, entering the castle-like abode of the Fisheries Guild.

nThe guards exchanged uncertain glances but refrained from intervening.

nOne of them dashed towards the port’s police station, while the other hurried into the grayish-black building, aiming to report to his superior and seek guidance.

nClutching his revolver, Lumian advanced at a measured pace. Beneath the puzzled stares of the staff, who hastily sidestepped, he traversed the hall and ascended the stairs leading to the committee member’s office.

nJust as he approached the second floor, a figure appeared before him.

nBronze-hued skin, broad and sturdy physique, black hair, and blue eyes characterized the young man who had aided the Fisheries Guild’s president, Juan Oro.

nHe was Fernandez Oro, the old man’s grandson.

nFernandez glared at Lumian ascending step by step, gritting his teeth.

n“How dare you intrude into the guild!”

nLumian paid him no heed. He maintained a steady pace, neither hastening nor slowing as he approached the entrance to the second floor.

nFernandez masked his expression, his back slightly arched, and his eyes appeared to radiate an ominous glow.

nSuddenly, Lumian sensed a significant dimming of the ambient light.

nSimultaneously, an intangible force descended from above, entwining around his feet, making him feel shorter and causing his body to sway. Fernandez, in contrast, seemed to grow taller, casting dense shadows that engulfed the corridor’s meager light.

nThud!

nAdvancing, Fernandez swung his right fist towards Lumian’s head.

nA gusty wind permeated the space, propelling the fist with hammer-like force, guided by an unseen magnet.

nLumian gazed upward as something within him erupted, shattering the binding force.

nHis thighs swelled suddenly, and his loose brown pants constricted. He grew taller seemingly out of thin air, sleeves and pants tightening around bulging muscles.

nBang!

nA left punch from Lumian met Fernandez’s incoming fist in a thunderous collision, causing the stairs to quiver and sway.

nFernandez, forced back two steps, bore no fear but a hint of joy on his face.

nRetreating, his eyes darkened with a touch of brilliance.

nRaising his left hand, a dark-green light swiftly concentrated on his unusually rough fingertips.

nThe light transformed into a ray, silently hurtling towards Lumian, momentarily immobilized by the collision.

nFernandez chose close combat from the start, creating an opening for the ray, capable of disrupting the human structure and inducing swift internal injuries.

nThe dark-green danger ray matched the speed of light. Lumian, unable to dodge in advance, could only watch as it struck between his chest and abdomen.

nYet, the dark-green ray pierced through, striking only an illusion.

nLeveraging the Ascetic’s accumulated strength in clashing with Fernandez, Lumian had seized the chance to arch his back and stand in place like an arc, deftly evading potential sneak attacks.

nIn this intricate dance, he even employed the Niese Face, creating an illusion of himself still standing upright!

nGradually, the dark-green ray dissipated, vanishing around the corner of the stairs.

nSuddenly, a crimson fire, nearly white-hot, erupted from Lumian’s body.

nTransformed into a fireball, he hurtled towards Fernandez, who had just regained his footing.

nFernandez’s pupils constricted, seemingly challenged by the blaze.

nSwiftly, he sidestepped, clenched his right hand into a fist, and yanked it down.

nAn invisible force tugged Lumian to the ground, but undeterred, he dispersed the flames, reappearing with feet firmly planted on the corridor floor.

nClang!

nHis massive form stomped heavily, causing the building to sway. In a single stride, he stood before Fernandez, who had just risen. His left fist, wreathed in crimson, nearly white flames, collided with Fernandez.

nWithout a moment to activate his superpowers, Fernandez raised his arms hastily to block.

nBoom!

nFlames erupted as Lumian’s punch sent the young man flying, crashing into the partially open side office, demolishing the wooden desk.

nCapitalizing on Fernandez’s disorientation and pain, Lumian followed, rushing into the office and delivering another punch with his left fist.

nBoom! Crimson flames, nearly white, illuminated the room as the punch explosively struck Fernandez’s chest.

nThe flames were contained by an unseen force, preventing them from entirely obliterating Fernandez’s chest. Instead, they crumpled, clouding the target’s vision.

nExpressionless, Lumian halted, gazing at the semi-conscious Fernandez. He raised his left hand.

nA colossal crimson fireball, nearly white, condensed rapidly, poised to act as a Reaper.

nIn the next instant, the fireball shot forth, homing in on Fernandez.

nAbruptly, it ascended, passing the target, and collided with the wall behind the desk.

nBoom!

nBlazing white and red flames burst through the glass window, the wall, and ignited outside the Fisheries Guild building, creating fiery clouds in the air.

nAlmost simultaneously, Lumian felt as though he entered a dark and profound void. Distant, resplendent stars blinked like vigilant eyes.

nOnce more, he confronted Juan Oro, an elderly man with deeply etched wrinkles.

nAt that moment, Noelia had rushed to the square where the statue of the waves stood, shouting towards the building with a fallen window frame,

n“Stop!”

nAt the sound of the combat nun’s voice, Lumian sighed with regret, swiveled his revolver, and holstered it under his armpit. Juan Oro and the surrounding void vanished.

nA few minutes later, Juan Oro emerged from the grayish-black building of the Fisheries Guild with his walking stick. In a deep voice, he addressed Noelia, “He attacked Fernandez. You must apprehend him!”

nNoelia cast a cold glance at the president of the Fisheries Guild and retorted, “Should I then invite Fernandez to the police station to assist in the investigation of the Aquina Street shooting?

n“All of you, calm down and jointly maintain order in Port Santa. Otherwise, do you think the Church can’t handle any of you?”

nIn the final words, the combat nun shifted her gaze to Lumian, issuing a warning as a gesture of fairness.

nJuan Oro fell silent for a moment before stating, “I don’t know anything about the Aquina Street shooting.”

nWith that, he turned and limped back to the Fisheries Guild with his cane, where many employees rushed to assist him.

nObserving this, Noelia led her combat team to “escort” Lumian away.

nOnce out of the port district, the combat nun instructed her team members to slow down and create some distance, walking alongside Lumian herself.

n“You’re making things difficult for us. Order, understand? Superficial order must be maintained.” Noelia raised her hand, pinching both sides of her forehead. “Fortunately, you didn’t really kill Fernandez. Otherwise, I would have had no choice but to carry out the arrest.”

nLumian chuckled and remarked, “If I truly wanted to kill Fernandez, he wouldn’t have survived until your intervention or Juan Oro’s rescue.”

nHis words held undeniable truth.

nNoelia was taken aback. After a few seconds of contemplation, she spoke, “Are you displaying your attitude, strength, and confidence for the onlookers? Simultaneously, do you wish for Juan Oro to misjudge your capabilities based on this encounter?”

nLumian remained silent. With a smile, he looked ahead and remarked, “Where did the former Governors of the Sea end up?”

nNoelia fell silent for a moment before answering, “On the surface, they were dispatched to various locations. However, according to our observations, it takes at least four to five months, or no more than three years, for these Governors of the Sea to mysteriously vanish without a trace. There are often no signs of a struggle at the scene, and their families remain unharmed.”

nDid they return to the sea voluntarily? Lumian smiled and said, “See, didn’t I gain something from dealing with Fernandez just now?”

nThe Church of Earth Mother now seemed more willing to share information.

nNoelia wasn’t upset. She smiled and added, “No one reveals all their cards from the start. Once your investigation reaches a certain point, we’ll provide more.”

nLumian stared at the azure sea beside him, contemplating for a moment.

n“You haven’t disclosed the intentions of your Earth Mother Church in this matter.”

nNoelia’s eyes flickered. Suddenly, she raised her hand and pointed at the arguing pedestrians ahead, shouting, “Street brawls are prohibited!”

nBefore completing her sentence, she sprinted over with her team, leaving Lumian alone.

nLumian scoffed and slowly shook his head.

n…

nLate at night, as Lumian was about to retire for the night, he heard the deep and hoarse voice of the Knight of Swords, as if suppressing something.

n“Clues to the whereabouts of the two targets have been found.”

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