Chapter 896: Antidote
Uptown Quarter.
In the dark of the night, Adamâs ghostly figure zoomed through the shadows of the buildings, making his way towards his destination.
He mostly stuck to the alleys, as the main streets were still filled with tourists despite the time being past midnight.
The cityâs armed forces patrolled every major street and even the emptier ones. Needless to say, security was very tight within the city.
Sometimes, Adam would jump from one rooftop to the other; other times, he would silently make his way through the sewage tunnels.
He couldnât afford to be seen at the moment.
For if he were, he would instantly be identified. There were far too many crazed fanatics of the Dark King walking through the city.
Secondly, and most importantly, for what he was going to do later tonight, it would be wise for him to remain concealed.
Depending on how Halbert Dawson played his cards, Adam would decide whether to kill him or allow him to live.
Although it would be favourable for him if he didnât have to kill the old man.
Adamâs eyes narrowed as he used concealment spells to cover every inch of his body. He crouched low, gathering immense strength in his legs, and launched into the air.
Gliding tens of meters above the highest building, he could see the entire Uptown District.
It was like a dark sea dotted with countless tiny lights. As for Ravenfell as a whole⊠it was several times bigger.
Gazing at the city that looked like a living, glowing behemoth, Adamâs dark eyes flashed with complicated emotions.
What will become of this city when everything settles?
Is the battle⊠inevitable?
Could I have changed this outcome?
But howâŠ
I donât even know who I can trust anymore.
The fact that Headmistress Godfrey had turned out to be a cultist had dealt a heavy blow to Adam.
Experiencing such a betrayal, it was easy for the healthy and reasonable suspicions in his heart to turn to paranoia.
Nowâs not the time to think about her, he mused.
One step at a timeâŠ
The cool wind brushed against his face as he descended. Moments later, he landed soundlessly on the tiled roof of a nearby building.
Sliding down the slanted surface, he dropped gracefully into the alley beside it.
He looked up, his cold gaze landing on the three-story, heavily guarded mansion in the near distance.
This was Halbert Dawsonâs house. Now that he was appointed as the Councilor, his house was personally guarded by the armed forces of Ravenfellâall of them seasoned Mana Liquefaction Magi.
But infiltration had never been an issue for him.
Adam might have hesitated if he were still a Mana Liquefaction Magus, breaking into the house of a Mana Vortex Magus.
But now?
Adamâs lips curled into a cold, cruel smirk.
You better have a good reason, Dawson.
Or elseâŠ
I wonât mind labeling you as a Cultist and murdering you for the sake of Ravenfellâs safety.
***
Inside his study on the topmost floor of the manor, Councilor Dawson sat on a rocking, wooden chair, reading a compendium on magical herbs and ingredients.
From time to time, his gaze would shift to specific areas in the study, making sure everything was in order.
A craft glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at those inconspicuous points.
He returned his gaze to the book in his hand. But his attention was somewhere else entirely.
The elderly herbalist focused all his attention on the large window in the room. He had kept it unlocked on purpose.
After all⊠he was already expecting the arrival of the Dark King.
Halbert admitted that what he did today was a risky gamble. However, the evidence he held against Adam was just as considerable.
Or, at least thatâs what he liked to believeâŠ
He hoped to use that leverage to tip the scales in his favor.
Just as Adam had speculated, Halbert indeed wanted something from him.
Or else, if the new Councilor was so righteous, he would have already presented the evidence to the rest of the council.
Right at that moment, a gentle gust of wind blew through the study. Dawsonâs hand involuntarily trembled, and a faint smile found its way to the corner of his lips.
He set the book down on the small, round table beside him, then lifted his gaze toward the window.
There, standing calmly with his arms crossed and leaning against the bookshelf, was a figure dressed in black, watching him with an indifferent expression.
âCount Constantine,â Dawson flashed a polite smile.
Adamâs eyes narrowed. He extended his Sphere of Resonance, scanning not only the study but the entire manor.
There were a lot fewer guards than he was expecting.
Moreover, he found something peculiar nestled in between books on the shelves.
His eyes flashed with understanding.
I see, so thatâs what you were planning to do, he mused.
He decided to play along.
âHerbalist Dawson, or should I say⊠Councilor Dawson,â said the raven-haired youth with a forced smile, his eyes flashing with hints of nervousness.
He paused for a moment before asking meekly, âI wonder why you invited me here so late at night?â
Dawson frowned. Things were not going as he had imagined. But he quickly composed himself and answered, âAre you sure you donât know?â
Adam pretended to be confused for a few moments. He tilted his head and asked with a trembling voice, âI-is this regarding Brigham Flynn?â
He paused for a moment, his eyes flickering with hope, âDonât tell me, are youâŠâ
His words trailed off into a whisper.
This time, Dawson was seriously confused. He didnât think Adam would be so foolish as to directly talk about such a sensitive topic.
He didnât dwell on it too much, because this was exactly what he wanted!
The elderly man displayed a solemn expression. âCount Constantine, I know⊠I know what you did!â
His eyes seemed to be blazing with righteousness, and it seemed as if he would do anything to avenge his predecessor.
âI know youââ before he could continue, he was interrupted.
âYes!â Adam spoke with desperation, his eyes glistening with emotion.
âYes, I did as you instructed! I poisoned that innocent soul just like you ordered me to! So, pleaseâŠâ
He clutched at his chest, tears threatening to fall from his eyes.
âSo, please, I beg you! Give me the antidote! I donât want to die the same way Brigham Flynn did!â