Identity Revealed
âUncle Bowens, howâs the situation?â Schikerâs gaze was set outside the city, at the battle between the Star ranks.
He had not advanced to the Star rank yet, and naturally lacked Leylinâs vision. All he could see was space continually being torn apart, the stray energy destroying the architecture. The defensive layer shook continually, and he couldnât help but look to Bowens in his worry..
âDonât worry, theyâre fine! Morning Star Magi will not act without benefits, and Saka and the other Star rank fire elementals canât match up to you Emberwings.â Bowensâ expression was slightly strange as he spoke.
âI guess I can relax now.â Schiker patted his chest, but his expression quickly changed. He had sensed something off about Bowensâ tone.
Bowens was much too knowledgeable about that black-robed person. On top of that, what did he mean by âyou Emberwingsâ?
As he turned around and saw the strange expression on Bowensâ face, his heart sank. âUâUncle Bowens, you⦠heart sunk. âUn-uncle Bowens, youâ¦â
*Schlick!* Before the words left his mouth, a black scorpion had crawled onto his neck as a black stinger piercing into an artery.
The defence of eighth level Fireplume turned out to be useless. Schikerâs eyes rolled up into their sockets, his consciousness lost.
âWhatâs going on? Officer Bowens has attacked Lord Schiker!â The few remaining military officials mental strength crumbled at this sight. If this was a nightmare, all they wanted was to wake up from it as soon as possible.
âThis Schiker is a spy who Iâve discovered long ago. Seize him! Do your duties!â
Bowensâ large hand quickly sought out the gem at Schikerâs neck, retrieving the key with the phantom image of a phoenix within it. His words caused the minds of the military officials present to short-circuit.
The illegitimate son that their leader thought so highly of, their Lord Schiker, was⦠a spy?
Many of them felt like they had just heard the joke of the year, but seeing the flame-ringed Bowens, the could not bring themselves to laugh.
âOfficer, please let Lord Schiker go!â
Bowens was not completely in charge here. While the remaining Star rank commanders were either trapped outside or dead, their subordinates were still around. Even if Bowensâ own subordinates approved of his actions, these people would not.
âWhat? You want to attack me?â Energy at the tenth level of Fireplume exploded forth, and a large amount of flames formed the terrifying phantom of a phoenix. The energy was similar to a domain of flames, and put the entire area under Bowensâ control.
The official who had spoken of his suspicions was merely at the ninth level of Fireplume. Even though he was considered powerful among Sky ranks, he was nothing in front of Bowens.
He took several steps back, face flushing red as he stood straight, âYou have restrained Lord Schiker for no reason. Please provide proof that he is a spy, or elseâ¦â
âOr else?â Crimson rays flashed, and the official who had just been speaking disappeared. All that was left on the ground was a pile of ashes.
âDid you really think I wouldnât kill anyone?â Bowens sneered, carrying the unconscious Schiker and heading towards the back of the residence. Many officials looked around at each other, but none followed.
Leylin looked at the other two dukes from their hiding spot in the shadows, âWhat do you think?â
Gilbert spoke slowly. âBowens is probably Jupiterâs Lightningâs real spy. Loke was most likely just a bait.â
âMm! And whatâs more interesting, heâs practised Fireplume to the tenth levelâ¦â Leylinâs eyes glowed with curiosity. He had needed the A.I. Chip to modify Fireplume to harmonize with his point mass. How had this person done it? Furthermore, he couldnât have survived for so long as a spy without even Scarlet Eye finding out if he didnât have an Arcane Art that dealt in bloodlines. That was intriguing as well.
âWhatever it is, Bowens picked a good time. Scarlet Eye is engaged, and the other Star ranks are fighting hard outside the residence. As long as Bowens has the fight outside under control, he had no need to fear for anythingâ¦â
Emma did not mention the rest of the military officials within the residence. In a Morning Starâs eyes, anyone weaker than rank 4 was an ant. She didnât think that they could stop him.
As expected, once Bowens showed that he was not to be trifled with, many of the officials retreated, unwilling to go forth.
Bowens snorted and went deeper into the residence. Those who dared to hinder him were burnt to ashes under his flames.
âWhat should we do next?â Emma glanced at Leylin.
She could not make much sense of this young man at all. He was good at tolerating things, for one. Were she here alone, she would have struck out long ago. How could she have restrained herself until now, when the best benefits were available? Furthermore, the techniques heâd used to conceal himself had duped even Bowens, which was amazing.
âWeâre obviously going to follow him.â Leylin chuckled, pointing at Bowens who was ahead.
âHeâs definitely a spy from Jupiterâs Lightning. He can be the scapegoat, taking all the damage from traps and conspiracies. We just need to follow him and get those firasource stonesâ¦â
âHaha⦠As expected of a student of mine. Leylin⦠youâre definitely very sly. I like it!â Gilbert burst out into laughter, looking delighted. Emma rolled her eyes at his response.
Bowensâ speed was very fast as he carried Schiker to a place that Leylin was familiar with. This was the area where Loke had used Gaiaâs Disc that day.
âCould it beâ¦â Leylin watched Bowensâ actions, realisation dawning upon him.
Soon enough, he saw Bowens take out a round plate, eyes on its surface formed from countless veins. He shook his head at Lokeâs previous actions, âThis is probably something used specifically to send equipment and confuse othersâ¦â
The earth split apart like an ocean, revealing a deep tunnel. Bowens smirked and darted in. Leylin and the two dukes glanced at each other and followed.
Very soon, the scarlet spell formation previously had appeared before Bowens, fragmented and drifting through the air like butterflies.
Bowens was very familiar with this place as he walked up to the huge secret room in the centre. A crimson spell formation in the middle of the room lit the place up, the light flickering at its edges.
A humming sound was produced as the formation let loose a layer of flames to block Bowensâ advance.
Bowensâ eyes only grew brighter at this. âItâs here!The barrier that Scarlet Eye set up himself.â
Blue light gathered at his hands, flickering. At the same time, Schiker woke up from this period of unconsciousness.
His eyes were blurred for a moment, but he still immediately raised his guard. âThis⦠The underground saferoom! Uncle Bowens, you actually betrayed usâ¦â
âLook closely, kid. Whoâs your Uncle Bowens?â âBowensâ sneered, his muscles and bones shifting. The red feathers that marked an Emberwing disappeared. In the blink of an eye, he had turned into a completely different person. The energy of a Morning Star domain burst forth.
âSo Uncle Bowens is already deadâ¦â With this sight, Schiker heaved a sigh of relief. If it really was Bowens who had betrayed him and his father, he had no idea what to do.
âHehe⦠Do you still not understand? I am Bowens, but Bowens isnât me! Whatever, the people of this land wonât understand even if I explain itâ¦â Bowens snickered, and that caused Schikerâs heart to sink further.
âIf not for needing the tenth and higher levels of Fireplume as well as the blood aura of the leader to break through this barrier, do you think Iâd have brought you here?â Bowens laughed coldly, preparing to make his move.
Schiker shook his head and closed his eyes.
âItâs better to wait!â However, a familiar voice sounded by his ear, giving him the illusion that something was wrong with his ears.
âLey? Didnât he die in the square?â Opening his eyes, he found âLeyâ in front of him, and somehow, there were traces of⦠fear, on Bowensâ face?
âI knew something was off about you!â Bowens watched Ley, his hands still trembling. Leylin had easily taken care of his attack, which that this person was at the same rank as him.
âMustâve been a wild guess. That bait Loke canât have given you that much information!â Leylin answered indifferently. As he was speaking, the characteristics of an Emberwing faded away. By the time he was done, he had morphed back into a black-haired, dreaded Warlock.
âAs expected, itâs one of the remaining devilspawn of the Ouroboros Clan!â Bowens gritted his teeth.
In the meanwhile, Schikerâs jaw had dropped. He was dazed at the sight of this unfamiliar Morning Star Magus.
âSo⦠So youâve been lying to me too? Haha⦠You, Loke, youâre all liars! Have you been treating me like a fool?â Schiker roared, large droplets of tears falling from his cheeks. The cold-faced instructor from before had all but disappeared.
âDid his mental wall crumble?â Leylin shook his head, but had no plans of explaining himself.
Whatever the case may be, heâd made use of Schiker and now heâd repaid that by saving the Emberwingâs life. In his mind, this act canceled out with all the help and guidance Schiker had given him.
He couldnât care less about Schikerâs thoughts. If the man was so dumb as to attack or obstruct him, he would not hold back.