Book 2: Chapter 4 (8/8)

The Dryardian Empire also had more than five hundred million troops in their Navy force that constantly patrolled and were ready to attack any ships that dared to come within one hundred miles of their seaway territory. The reason the Demi-Humans constantly launched major invasions to other nations was that the population of their nation kept rising. They have to invade other countries to find more slaves and lands for their people.

Flumen city of Bifjorkian Theocracy. Inside the Holy Mage’s room.

“Lord Clerico, I have planned on using this.” Holy Mage Gwenn Bigham told Noe about the plans she had on how to test magic casters to see if they are Blood Mages or not.

“Look at you, all grown up now and can decide for yourself. I have been waiting for the Watcher to send her Messengers to take me to the higher realms when I advance into God-tier. The only thing that concerned me when I became God-tier was that the other Lords may attempt to overthrow you to appoint another Holy Mage.”

“Thank you for your loyalty, Lord Clerico. You and Lord Donoghan-”

“Kath Donoghan is an old fox. I have been friends with her for a very long time to know what kind of person she is. Don’t let her smiling innocent face deceive you. Always be careful when you are with her, alright?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“So when do you plan to start using this?”

“Immediately. One by one, we will test the Executioners first then we will move on to the members of the Colors.”

“It will cost a lot of Large Mana Potions."

"I understand, but it will be worth it."

"Very well then.”

After two weeks of testing, no Blood Mage was discovered working as Executioners for the Mage Council yet. Gwenn started to judge against her plan on whether it was working or not.

On the fifteen days of constant testing, Gwenn, Lord Noe Clerico, and Lord Kath Donoghan were present during the examination of Executioner David Bodwyn who had been loyally serving Lord Noe Clerico.

David held his head high as he walked into the meeting hall thinking the Holy Mage was about to assign him a quest. The test on finding out Blood Mages was conducted in secret. That was why besides Gwenn Bigham, Noe Clerico, and Kath Donoghan, no one else knows anything about it. The Executioners that took the test already had their memory removed to prevent information from being leaked.

David kneeled one leg as he said, “Holy Mage, I am here to respond to your call. Lord Clerico and Lord Donoghan, I pay respect to you both.”

Gwenn said, “Executioner Bodwyn, you may stand.”

“I thank you for your mercy, Holy Mage.”

“Do you know why I have called you here today?”

“No, Holy Mage. Am I going to be tasked with a mission?”

“No, you are here to participate in a small examination.”

“Oh? What kind of examination is it?”

“Just a test to see if you possess a Twin Soul or not.”

“Haha… I’m sorry, Holy Mage. I didn’t prepare for that kind of joke.”

Noe said, “David, she wasn’t joking. We have successfully constructed big Magic Crystals that are strong enough to test your Elemental Soul. All we needed you to do is hold the Magic Crystal for ten seconds with both of your hands.”

“But I am a Legend-tier magic caster. The Magic Crystal will explode as soon as I hold it, Your Grace.”

“Ay, trust me. I have tested this Magic Crystal myself by placing both of my hands on it for a minute and it didn’t explode. I am a level 100 Saint Conjurer Mage. If this Magic Crystal can stand against my magical power, it won’t have any problem to stand against your level 50 magical power, am I correct?”

“You are correct, Lord Clerico. But how do you know if it can test for the Twin Soul?”

“It will explode within five seconds after being held by a Twin Soul Blood Mage.”

“Have you successfully found a Blood Mage using it yet?”

“David… Why are you kept on questioning me? Don’t you even trust me, your Lord? Or perhaps, you are a Blood Mage that was why you were afraid to participate in this test.”

“My apology, Lord Clerico. I am not a Blood Mage and willing to participate in this experiment.”

Gwenn said, “Executioner Bodwyn, please hold the Magic Crystal for ten seconds using both of your hands.”

David tried the best he can to appear not nervous, but he couldn’t fool Kath. She observed every inch of his body and could tell he wasn’t acting normal. After two seconds of focus, David calmly held the Magic Crystal using both of his hands. Not even five seconds later, the Magic Crystal exploded as Kath stood up and furiously declared, “Blood Mage!”

Before David could have explained anything, Gwenn and Noe already surrounded him. Noe said in a disappointed tone, “You have served me well, David Bodwyn. But I didn’t know that you are a Blood Mage. I shall be the one to kill you.”

David immediately activated [Infused Blood] to tap into the blood pool of his Blood Pendant then casted [Vampire Lord Transmutation] to transform himself into a Vampire Lord. He had been secretly chanting for [Vampire Lord Transmutation] the moment he knew that he had to participate in an examination to find out whether or not he possessed a Twin Soul.

Gwenn and Kath didn't bother to interfere as Noe started fighting with David using his ten Wind Walkers. The fight didn’t even last for six minutes as David’s Blood Pendant and his mana pool reached depletion. Kath wanted to capture him alive, but David rather died than to betray his Blood Mage Guild. He then committed suicide by slitting his throat open.

Gwenn was so happy that her plan finally worked, she said, “We have done it! We have finally found a Blood Mage who infiltrated the Mages Council.”

Kath said, “Congratulations, Holy Mage. Your plan was excellent.”

Noe said, “Don’t get too excited. Wait for fifteen minutes before casting [Resurrection] on him and don’t forget to clear out his memory for the past thirty minutes.”

“Yes, Lord Clerico.”

Fifteen minutes later. Noe and Kath helped David stand up while Gwenn casted [Resurrection] spell on David and removed his memory for the past thirty minutes making him unaware that they have found out that he is a Blood Mage. After the [Resurrection] spell was casted, Noe quickly pours the Large Mana Potion into David's throat to help him fill up his mana pool. Kath then carefully set David to kneeled on one knee before coming back to her seat.

Approximately ten seconds later, David opened his eyes and saw he was kneeling one knee in front of Gwenn as Noe, and Kath were sitting on the Sovereignty Chairs of the meeting hall. David quickly said, “Holy Mage, I am here to respond to your call. Lord Clerico and Lord Donoghan, I pay respect to you both.”

“Executioner Bodwyn, Lord Clerico had told me many good things about you. I wanted to assign you a mission but I wanted to know whether or not you wanted to take it.”

“You can assign me any type of mission, dear Holy Mage.”

"I needed you to be by my side for the next several months. Will you do it, Executioner Bodwyn?"

"Definitely! Where are you planning on traveling, Holy Mage?"

"I'm not the one who was traveling. Lord Clerico will travel to the East to help the Commonwealth of Krorg, and Grand Duchy of Macmalian in fighting back the Demi-Humans' invasion. Lord Donoghan and her members will assist the Republic of Yfari to take back the other half of the North Island that was taken by the Dryardian Empire a million years ago. As you could have guessed, other Lords don't support me to be the Holy Mage. There is no one else I can trust besides Lord Clerico and Lord Donoghan. Lord Clerico told me that you are a trustworthy Executioner and he recommended me to use you."

"Understood. You can always trust me."

"Thank you for your loyalty, Executioner Bodwyn."