Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1173: The Golden Visitor

The two Chaos Immortals dispatched to probe the fatalities in Belial and Drelmar Cities were far from typical bureaucrats.

They functioned as specialized investigators, experts at flushing out infiltrators and hidden spies.

These two men were Immortal Seo and Immortal Aven, seasoned veterans of the western campaign fought by the Chaos Immortals.

Seo and Aven held a unique authority, distinguishing them from the arrogant officers who typically governed through raw violence.

Their reputations spanned the western territories under the dominion of the Chaos Immortals. They were particularly dreaded by those who dared to defy the rule of Chaos.

Seo had a penchant for dissecting and performing autopsies on captured foes, analyzing their techniques before wiping them from existence. He had personally unmasked dozens of Holy Arts fanatics who sought to purify the lands of Chaos.

Aven was known for his cunning and lack of mercy. He took pleasure in breaking practitioners of Transformation Arts who hid as vermin or insects, forcing them into the light before ending them. Furthermore, he had incinerated several Elemental Arts saboteurs who tried to interfere with the transport of resources.

Together, they were famously known as the "Eyes of Chaos"... investigators capable of detecting the scent of treason and snuffing it out before it could escalate.

Over the previous months, they had indeed neutralized dozens of operatives from rival Arcane Factions.

Holy Arts zealots attempting to sanctify cities had been caught and executed. Elemental Arts users trying to damage supply chains were tracked down and burned alive. Every Transformation Arts master who shrunk themselves into bugs to bypass security had been found and crushed under their watch.

If a spy existed, they would uncover them. If a traitor lurked, they would eliminate them.

Currently, they were assigned to solve the enigmatic deaths of Rhaziel in Belial City, along with Kharon and Velthar in Drelmar City.

They scrutinized the corpses with precision, using their Divinity to search for signs of a struggle. However, no wounds or external trauma could be found. The bodies were like frozen statues—lifeless eyes staring out, their Divinity snuffed out from the inside.

The investigators conducted a more thorough autopsy, stripping back the mental layers. It was then that they detected it... a faint trace of Arcane Energy clinging to the brain's remnants. It was a refined, subtle power, unlike anything they had previously seen.

"This isn't the work of Chaos Energy," one of them whispered. "It's... Psychic."

The other grimaced. "Psychic Arts? That's impossible. Such weaklings lack the power to breach an Immortal's mind. Unless..."

They traded significant looks. "Unless another Immortal cast it. Not just a common Psychic Arcanist, but a true master of the path. But... does such a person even exist in this world? Our intelligence is far too sparse."

The first investigator pondered the Order of the Oracle Hivemind, a secret faction composed of Psychic Arts practitioners.

"Could they be responsible? Their linked minds are formidable, but even they shouldn't be able to wipe an Immortal's will so flawlessly."

The second shook his head. "No. This feels different. The culprit might be utilizing an Arcana to mislead us. If they can slay three Immortals without a trace, they are a grave threat."

A brief silence fell between them. Then, thoughts of the possessions left by the three deceased surfaced, and avarice began to take root.

"Threat or not," the first remarked with a smirk, "Rhaziel, Kharon, and Velthar are gone. Their wealth, tributes, and resources... all remain without a master."

The second let out a dark laugh. "You're right. Why spend energy hunting a hidden killer when we can seize their assets? The mortals will continue to pay their dues. The administrators will keep sending shipments. And now, they will deliver everything to us."

With that, the pair partitioned the territories, ensuring that the flow of spirit stones, ore, arcane reagents, and food would be funneled into their own pockets.

"We are going to be wealthier than ever..." Seo's eyes shone with greed. "The others will assume we are merely restoring order to the chaos. In reality, we will be feasting on the remains of three fallen Immortals."

Aven nodded in agreement. "Let the ghost assassin continue his work. As long as we remain alive, we will inherit everything left in his wake."

Their selfishness was revolting. What had started as a murder investigation had morphed into a chance for gain. They no longer cared who was targeting the Chaos Immortals. All that mattered was that the tribute now belonged to them.

In their hubris, they failed to realize they had already been targeted by the very killer they feared.

***

Vale sat quietly in his rented quarters, contemplating the best moment to strike down Seo and Aven that evening.

Suddenly, a knock echoed from the inn door.

Vale felt a flicker of confusion as he sensed that the person standing outside was far from ordinary...

As he pushed his senses outward, he finally identified the aura behind the door. It belonged to a familiar presence...

Vale proceeded to open the door.

A man stood there, garbed in the unassuming robes of a wandering Arcanist. At first glance, he appeared quite average, but the underlying aura was impossible to mistake...

It was the Golden Immortal, Adam.

Vale kept his face neutral, though he felt a surge of internal surprise.

Naturally, Adam was not wearing his legendary golden armor. Much like Vale, he had opted for a disguise to move unnoticed through the crowds.

The two were not close acquaintances, yet they shared a commonality... both were enemies of the Chaos Immortals.

Vale observed him intently.

He truly had no certainty... he could only speculate that this man realized he was the one slaying Chaos Immortals and perhaps wanted to participate in the slaughter...

Adam offered a slight bow as he spoke to Shane.

"I apologize for the intrusion. I am aware you prefer solitude. However, I require your assistance."

Vale cocked an eyebrow. "Assistance?"

Adam entered the room and shut the door behind him.

Shortly after, he voiced his concern...

"There is a Celestial Spell Model that I no longer wish to keep..."

"Oh?" Vale found himself intrigued by this revelation...

Removing a Spell Model was a significant undertaking. It was exponentially more perilous when dealing with a Celestial one!