Saint Vede Harbor

"Me?" Xia Lin froze for a moment and pointed at himself. "Evil?"

His face was full of confusion.

Xia Lin did not consider himself some great saint, but evil? That judgment was going too far, wasn't it?

"You must be mistaken." Celia immediately stepped forward. "Xia Lin is our captain. He has saved countless lives!"

"That's right." Kade also moved to Xia Lin's side. "He is the savior of New Stefan, the hero who defeated the red dragon Anlin. There must be some misunderstanding here."

But the surrounding officials and soldiers did not see it that way.

"Everyone, step back!" Deputy Director Calvin shouted sternly.

More than a dozen fully armed soldiers swiftly surrounded them, their spears aimed at Xia Lin.

Farther away, the ballistae atop the two white towers slowly turned in their direction as well.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense to the extreme.

The young Priest still had his hand raised, pointing at Xia Lin, his face filled with terror.

"I am not mistaken!" His voice trembled. "I sensed it clearly! That evil aura—it was like... like the Abyss itself was inside him!"

"My brother." He looked at Kade, his eyes full of pity. "You must have been deceived by him! Evil is best at disguising itself! You must wake up!"

Kade's expression darkened. "I have not been deceived. I swear on my honor—"

"Enough!" Calvin cut them off. "Until the matter is clarified, all of you shut up!"

He walked over to Xia Lin and looked him up and down.

"What is your name? What is your identity?"

Damn it... could it be because I absorbed that Demon Lord's soul fragment?

Though curses were flying through his mind, Xia Lin remained calm on the surface. He slowly raised both hands to show that he meant no harm.