Chapter 450 – Disappointed Kane

The difference between Kane’s “serious state” and his “playful state” was quite significant. The knight now had completely shed his cynical, clownish demeanor. Whether it was his eyes no longer squinting or his fingers tightly gripping the lance, everything indicated Kane’s current solemnity.

Seeing Kane suddenly turn serious, Punk swallowed back the provocative words he had prepared, feeling slightly puzzled. He was quite interested in Kane’s upcoming question.

He knew that things had developed to this point, and this fellow Kane could no longer continue playing dumb. His next question would likely directly relate to his true purpose! Moreover… this purpose held enough importance to make Kane travel all the way to this Raging Wave Sand Sea and risk investigating the Nightmare Cult!

However, regardless of whether Punk had already begun listening warily, Kane paid no attention to Punk’s emotionless gaze at this moment.

Now, the rarely serious knight was almost staring directly into Sorsend’s pupils. Then, he slowly asked in clear words:

“Perhaps this is somewhat abrupt and might not get an answer… but I still want to ask briefly—Mr. Sorsend, what purpose did you develop the ‘Nightmare Cult’ among the goatmen for?”

“Hmm?”

After hearing Kane’s question, not only did Sorsend find it strange, but even Punk slightly furrowed his brows.

It had to be said, Kane’s question was truly peculiar. At the very least, Punk found it difficult to understand why Kane would ask such a question at this moment.

No matter how one looked at it, what those goatmen believed in should have nothing to do with Kane. Even if they followed a Cult, Kane shouldn’t have any interest in interfering with such matters. Yet here he was, seriously questioning his enemy, which made both Punk and Sorsend feel rather perplexed.

Quietly turning to look at Sorsend, Punk also wanted to know how Sorsend would respond to Kane’s question. Perhaps there was an even greater conspiracy hidden within this matter.

But unfortunately, it seemed Kane’s question was destined to come to nothing.

Sorsend certainly knew the purpose behind establishing the “Nightmare Cult.”

On one hand, this cult with strong influence among the goatmen could help him identify individuals with exceptional talent for Abyssal energy from the vast numbers of ordinary goatmen to serve as test subjects.

Simultaneously, a cult located in a remote desert—though continuously spreading but always only controlling a small Kingdom and a group of goatmen—could perfectly attract adventurers one after another without alerting the Church of the true gods.

Thus, this Nightmare Cult was merely Sorsend’s “breeding ground” and “fishing bait.” As for what Kane was asking about… this sinister old man genuinely couldn’t understand at all.

However, not understanding didn’t mean he wouldn’t respond. Even though he didn’t know what answer Kane wanted to hear, Sorsend would still attempt to muddle through with a response to confuse his enemy.After a barely perceptible moment of contemplation, Sorsend immediately adopted a sinister and mysterious tone, proclaiming loudly:

“Heh heh heh… Young man, there are many secrets you should not delve into. You remain utterly ignorant of the Abyss’s power from start to finish. My goals and ambitions are beyond your comprehension—all you need do is submit to absolute might!”

Having spouted this nonsense even he didn’t understand, Sorsend maintained a cold smirk of total control while observing Kane’s expression.

Truthfully, Sorsend was also deeply curious about why Kane had traveled so far to fight him to the death. After all, Sorsend had no recollection of ever crossing paths with this fellow. Initially, he’d assumed Kane was some holier-than-thou paladin who couldn’t tolerate evil, but reality clearly proved otherwise.

At that moment, Punk was also staring intently at Kane alongside Sorsend.

Unlike Sorsend’s confusion, Punk found Kane’s question far more perplexing.

What puzzled Punk most was the knight’s inexplicable inquiry about the “Nightmare Cult’s purpose.”

What possible use could a cult created by a mage have beyond serving as a loyal faction providing resources? Or… did Kane believe it “should” have some other function?

But both Sorsend and Punk were destined to be disappointed in their attempts to decipher Kane’s motives.

Almost the instant Sorsend finished his ambiguous response, Kane’s intensely serious expression shifted into something complex.

Clearly, expecting a bunch of meaningless drivel to fool an extremely cunning Master-Level expert was utterly unrealistic. After carefully listening to Sorsend’s answer, what flashed in Kane’s eyes wasn’t the gravity Sorsend had anticipated, but rather… an indescribably eerie look.

Extreme disappointment, suppressed fury, profound resignation, inexplicable anguish, and anxious concern laden with worry.

These negative emotions flickered through the knight’s pupils. Though Kane quickly regained control and restored his usual smiling demeanor, there was no doubt that for that one second, his emotions had nearly breached containment.

Evidently, Kane was profoundly dissatisfied with Sorsend’s answer—the kind of dissatisfaction a master thief might feel after overcoming countless dangers to crack a bank vault, only to find it completely empty.

The moment Sorsend finished speaking, Punk even thought Kane was about to unleash his Battle Aura and thrust his spear recklessly.

Though he barely reined in his emotions, Kane could no longer maintain his initial air of detached calm.

In fact, the knight probably didn’t even realize it himself: even as his face maintained its perfectly brilliant smile as always, his voice had twisted into something more grating than unrefined steel.”Hey… Sorsend, was it?… Very good, very good… It seems I, your lord, have made an exceptionally rare mistake. Of course, there’s also the possibility that the bastard who gave me the information was playing me… But settling accounts with him will probably have to wait until much later! As for now… I suppose even if I sincerely said ‘This is a misunderstanding, my apologies for disturbing you,’ you wouldn’t let me leave, would you?… Damn it! I’m feeling extremely displeased!

But it doesn’t matter anymore. My original target is gone! Vanished! What’s replaced it… is simply the transferred rage of wanting to chop a certain disgustingly ugly fellow into mincemeat!”

As his speech grew faster and faster, Kane’s Battle Aura began transforming into a sharp tempest swirling around his armor. Within the cave’s confines, the continuously surging shockwaves of Battle Aura undeniably proved Kane’s fury. Finally, this anger born from utterly genuine disappointment burned away the mask of the madman Kane.

Now revealed on the knight’s face was a ferocious grin resembling that of a raging demon – just as Kane had stated, his original objective had disappeared! What replaced it… was the pure “transferred rage” of wanting to stab a certain nauseatingly ugly individual into bloody shreds!

(End of Chapter)