I Became a White-Haired Loli 26

Chapter 26: “Vikarn” and the “Weapon”

Salred had been lurking near the building complex for a while. His primary objective in returning to Vikarn Port was related to this place.

So, when he saw the little girl, in whom he had taken an interest, also approaching the complex, his instincts told him she was more than just an ordinary child.

But as he was about to approach her, he noticed a Garrison Knight in officer’s armor following her at a distance. This made him reconsider.

He knew Xu Bai’s dagger belonged to the Garrison Knights. Even if she wasn’t a knight herself, she had strong ties to them.

Being followed by a high-ranking knight, whether for protection or surveillance, further emphasized her unusual status.

At this critical juncture, Salred didn’t want to attract attention or get entangled with the Garrison Knights, so he held back.

After Xu Bai and the mysterious knight left, Salred approached the old woman.

“Do you know that little girl?” he asked.

The old woman looked confused, shaking her head. “I don’t know her…”

“Alright.” Salred wasn’t discouraged; he hadn’t expected much.

The old woman hesitated, then continued. “Young man, are you thinking of going in there too? Let me tell you, a few years ago, some children…”

“Eight years ago, madam,” Salred interrupted with a smile, but didn’t elaborate, turning and walking towards the complex.

He looked up at the rising sun, reminiscent of the glimmer of hope that had emerged from the darkness of his fear so many years ago.

It was time…

The old woman froze, speechless.

“It was indeed eight years ago… but how did this young man know…?”

By the time she recovered, Salred had disappeared into the complex.

Of course, Salred knew. He was one of the children who had disappeared eight years ago.

Or rather, he was the only survivor, transformed into the half-human, half-demon he was now.

“If not for the organization’s orders, I would never have set foot in this nightmare again…” A bitter smile touched Salred’s lips.

Unlike other Demon Hunters, he hadn’t been forced into this life by demonic corruption.

He had willingly accepted the Demonic Runes when he had been desperate and cornered, right here, in this mist-shrouded complex.

This secret was buried deep within him, shared with no one.

“Retrieve the ‘Weapon.’ If retrieval is impossible, activate it on-site.”

Those were his orders: retrieve a weapon of mass destruction from “Vikarn.”

Having been inside the complex, Salred knew what the “Weapon” was, and he understood the organization’s plan.

It was a cruel fate for the “Weapon.”

“But, being able to see her again makes this trip worthwhile.”

Salred recalled the breathtakingly beautiful face he had glimpsed within the complex eight years ago, a memory still vivid despite the passage of time.

His figure disappeared into the complex, swallowed by the shadows where sunlight couldn’t reach.

…

Vikarn Port’s old district, where Lugner resided, was heavily guarded by the Garrison Knights.

Lugner lay in bed, his eyes half-closed.

A blade wound pierced his chest, expertly treated, yet refusing to heal.

The fight between Glaimond and Lugner had been short. The aged Lugner, without the Imperial Authority, was no match for Glaimond, wielding a fragment of its power.

Glaimond had even controlled his strength, inflicting a grievous, but not immediately fatal, wound.

Lugner knew his time was short. He could feel his life ebbing away, slowly but surely.

Yet, his expression was serene, his right hand resting on the large bag Sasha had brought, a sense of relief washing over him.

“Hey, old geezer, wake up.”

A familiar, sharp female voice startled him. Lugner opened his eyes slightly, turning his head to see Sasha standing by his bedside.

“You’ve come.”

His tone was flat, devoid of surprise, as if he had expected her.

“You still owe me something. Of course, I came.”

Sasha shrugged, reaching for the bag under Lugner’s hand.

But Lugner held on tight, refusing to let go.

Seeing the grayish-red blood seeping from his wound as he strained, Sasha relented.

“You took my goods, but you won’t give me what I want. What kind of deal is this…?” she muttered, releasing the bag.

“Miss Sasha, you know what that item entails,” Lugner said calmly, his voice raspy and weak, lacking its usual strength.

“I do, but I also need it, even if it’s from ‘Vikarn.’”

Sasha smiled, pulling a chair over and sitting down.

Clearly, the “Vikarn” she spoke of wasn’t Vikarn Port, or rather, not the Vikarn Port of the present.

“Miss Sasha, you know that place well. You know it’s forbidden,” Lugner sighed. “I don’t want this brought to light. I’ve worked hard for this, even sacrificed some innocent children.”

His grip on the bag tightened slightly.

“It’s inevitable,” Sasha whispered. “And others are interested in it as well, not just me.”

“The Demon Hunters? I know.” Lugner looked away, towards the ceiling, his voice drawn out. “Cough… They only know part of the truth. They believe that by entering ‘Vikarn’ and obtaining ‘her,’ they can solve everything.”

“They don’t realize that she is the source of all calamities…”

“So, is it better to be like General Glaimond?” Sasha’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “He knows nothing, yet he followed you to Vikarn Port, believing he’s in control.”

Lugner didn’t answer directly. “Knowledge can be a poison. Knowing more doesn’t always lead to a better outcome. This is the ‘curse of knowledge.’ Those who know the truth cannot comprehend the hope seen by the ignorant. All we feel is endless despair and a futile struggle.”

“Glaimond is fine as he is. He is my chosen successor, a mediocre Legendary Knight. That’s good.”

He didn’t mention who his first chosen successor had been.

Sasha’s expression turned serious, as if remembering something.

After a long silence, she sighed heavily.

Lugner looked up slightly, Sasha’s reflection shimmering in his cloudy eyes.

“As for what you want, I gave my word, and I won’t break it… I gave it to Glaimond, to let him familiarize himself with the power of ‘Authority,’ but he no longer needs it. Go and take it. I won’t stop you.”

Although Lugner was weak and frail, Sasha knew that if he wanted to stop her, even several Legendary Knights wouldn’t be able to take him down without paying a heavy price.

He was old, but until his last breath, he was a force to be reckoned with.

Sasha frowned slightly. “What about you?”

“Me? I no longer matter… Go. Although I’ve long since disregarded my own life, it’s not my time to die yet.”

Speaking seemed to take a toll on him, his voice now as raspy as a broken windpipe.

Sasha stood up silently, glancing at the bag Lugner clutched tightly, then her figure faded away.

Lugner hadn’t mentioned the demon girl named “Bai.” Perhaps he had guessed something but didn’t want to face it.

Only then did the Garrison Knights realize someone had breached the secured area. Alarms blared, shattering the quiet of the old district.