boom!

Arcs of electricity flashed, and thunder roared.

Like fireworks in the night sky. Dark light flowed across the earth, and dust flew up amidst the explosions.

In the smoke and dust, the monster's body was blasted into countless tiny pieces of flesh and blood, which scattered in all directions.

Immediately afterwards, the flesh and blood quickly solidified into chunks of black rock, turning into powder in an instant.

Enveloped in fear, the girl slumped helplessly to the ground.

After realizing what had happened, she looked incredulously at where her boyfriend had been standing.

There, all that remained was a withered human skin.

Her pupils trembled, and she burst into uncontrollable sobs.

At that moment, every resident in the area was so tense that they felt as if they were about to stop breathing.

They seemed to realize why the mages had been looking at them the way they had before.

Because they haven't completely escaped the threat of the monster!

These monsters may still be hiding under human skin, and among them.

Realizing this, the surrounding residents consciously kept a certain distance, their eyes revealing obvious vigilance and apprehension.

Even with family members, I can't completely trust them.

Seeing this, the surrounding monks all shook their heads.

In fact, the man just now was not deprived of his flesh by the believers.

Instead, after seeing the angels in the sky, he was brainwashed, accepted the distorted ideology of the righteous sect, and became a follower of the goddess.

Like him, most believers were assimilated in this way.

Some believers blindly worship the goddess without even having seen her.

It was precisely because they abandoned their physical bodies that they achieved unity of thought.

It was at that moment that the man abandoned his physical body and willingly became a twisted monster.

But that's not the only reason, since so many people present were unaffected, and he was the only exception.

Actually, the main reason is...

...

"What...me?"

Priscilla opened her mouth wide in surprise, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Previously, when Grand Duke Barlow revealed that Miss Gwen was the Libra of the goddess of justice, Priscilla was already shocked.

But she didn't expect that the reason why the entire Shulburn was invaded by that group of believers was not entirely because they were attracted by Miss Gwen.

Don't you find it strange?

"In just one week, they quietly infiltrated Shulburn and even replaced 100,000 people without anyone noticing."

This is incredible in itself.

Hearing the Grand Duke's words, Priscilla paused for a moment, then nodded.

Yes, that's right.

The kingdom has a guardian like the Grand Duke, though he is not as capable as the empire in keeping all believers out.

But something like the silent invasion of the kingdom by 100,000 believers should have caused some commotion.

Moreover, even their own families failed to notice anything unusual about those who were replaced.

This makes it even more illogical.

So, the real reason should actually be—

"They already harbor resentment towards you, believing you to be an evil that should be eradicated."

The Grand Duke, leaning on his cane, explained in a calm tone.

This situation is actually quite reasonable. The inhabitants of Shulbon are not much different from those of other territories.

We are all human beings, and even though the Shulbourne region is relatively fertile, it does not change the fact that it is human territory.

But Shulburne had a unique policy—prohibiting the enslavement of demi-humans.

This significantly elevated the status of demi-humans within Shulburn.

For example, many workplaces have started hiring subhumans.

Even their lord, Priscilla, carried a tiger-man with him as a demi-human bodyguard.

Some people believe that the improvement in the status of demi-humans will not affect their lives, so they do not care.

However, some people hate it to the core.

Especially in certain jobs, Asians have an advantage in labor and receive the same salary.

Therefore, many people would rather hire demi-humans than human laborers.

This has led to intangible effects.

In addition, the status of demi-humans as slaves in the kingdom was extremely low.

But now they have become official residents, taking over many human jobs.

Previously, laborers who could be bought for the price of steamed buns could even be subjected to brutal beatings and verbal abuse.

Why is it that these wild beasts are now able to sit on equal footing with us humans?

This was especially true when other regions still retained demi-human slavery, while only Shulbon carried out reforms.

This resentment deepened, with many believing the lord's decisions were extremely wrong.

When Priscilla's vampire identity was revealed, it gave these resentful people an explanation.

No wonder the lord cares so much about demi-humans; it turns out she herself isn't human!

Therefore, this group was the most vocal when the rumors were circulating, and they were the most eager to get rid of Priscilla.

They became even more convinced that their ideas were correct, and that Priscilla's decision was absolutely wrong.

Because of her vampire identity, Priscilla was regarded as the source of evil by them.

Even after the rumors were debunked, those people still insisted that Priscilla was a vampire.

This belief is deeply ingrained in their hearts and cannot be shaken off.

They only believe what they see with their own eyes.

Priscilla is not human; the evil vampires must be eradicated.

They see themselves as warriors fighting for the future of humanity, and therefore consider themselves to be on the side of justice.

And then—

"Under the influence of believers, they joined the cult of the goddess of justice."

The Grand Duke continued, his deep, slightly cloudy eyes gleaming with an all-seeing light.

Gripping the tip of his cane tightly with both hands, his gaze fell on Priscilla's shocked face, and he slowly spoke:

"Because they themselves deeply believe in the teachings of the goddess."