Although the military merit reward mentioned by Chris was extremely tempting, Dudian rationally gave up the idea of claiming it. He wasn't sure whether the Knights of Light had found any clues about him from that alchemist's secret room. Although he had burned the place down, the traces of the explosion wouldn't disappear. If he claimed the reward and was then taken in front of the Knights of Light for interrogation, he might reveal some flaws.
Moreover, he had that alchemist's notebook in his trouser leg. Once it was searched out, the consequences would be unthinkable. He just wanted to stay as far away from those Knights of Light as possible.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. If he had known this earlier, he wouldn't have kept this notebook. In that case, he could have made up a reason for his escape after claiming the military merit and perhaps managed to get away with it.
"An opportunity related to being a knight..." Dudian sighed in his heart, feeling a bit regretful, but he gritted his teeth and dismissed the thought.
"Dian, this is great..." Zach was full of excitement on his face. He was just about to continue when he was stopped by a stern look from Dudian.
Zach, Mekin, and Shamu were all taken aback. However, after several months of getting along and the ten-day survival training, they had already developed a tacit understanding. They could understand Dudian's meaning with just a glance. However, they couldn't help but feel confused. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It could be said that a golden path leading to the highest symbol of a commoner's status had already been laid at Dudian's feet, and he only needed to take one step forward!
This was something that many people dreamed of!
However, under Dudian's gaze, the three of them looked at each other and didn't say anything more. During this period of getting along, they had already trusted Dudian. Although they found it incredible and puzzling, they didn't try to stop Dudian's choice.
Chris frowned slightly when she saw that there was no response from the crowd. Just then, a voice suddenly sounded: "It's me. It was me." The speaker was a short boy, raising his hand with a somewhat nervous expression.
Chris let out a sigh of relief. She took a deep look at him and smiled. "Congratulations. The reward will be recorded in your household registration by Instructor Tob. Now, let's watch how the Knights of Light punish the devil."
As her words fell, a person slowly stepped out of the previous huge black carriage. It was a young man in silver-white armor. He had a handsome appearance and a tall, straight figure. As he walked, the armor made a soft sound, emitting a pleasant clinking noise, full of charm.
All the children's eyes showed excitement. Compared with the proud nobles, commoners admired the Knights of Light who were full of justice and kindness even more.
Dudian looked at this young Knight of Light, but his mind was thinking about the previous things. Could it be that the alchemist Chris mentioned wasn't the one he had encountered? Or was that short boy pretending to be the one who escaped and claiming the credit? Whichever it was, Chris didn't seem to have the intention of verifying it. She believed the boy just because he admitted it. This made Dudian feel a bit regretful. If he had known it was so simple, he would have claimed it. He blamed himself for thinking too much.
He sighed secretly, but knowing that the opportunity was already gone, he could only put aside these thoughts. Anyway, life was only once, and it was always right to be cautious. As for the military merit... He shook his head and threw these thoughts away. At this time, the young Knight of Light had already come in front of the alchemist that Tob was stepping on. With a faint smile on his face, he slowly drew out the knight's sword at his waist, raised it high, and the sunlight reflected colorful lights on the blade.
"I, Melk, in the name of the Holy God of Light, sentence the devil!"
"Light will eventually drive away all darkness!"
He chanted softly, and the sword in his hand gathered strength. Suddenly, he swung it down.
With a puff, the head of the alchemist, who was already on the verge of death, was immediately cut off. Blood spurted out from his neck, and his body fell to the ground. The blood gushed into the sandy soil.
Such a bloody scene made many children take a step back in fear, but soon they became excited again and shouted the words on the cover of the Holy Book of Light: "Light will eventually drive away all darkness!!"
The voices rose and fell, gradually becoming more orderly, echoing throughout the desert.
Dudian didn't want to be found out to be different, so he also joined in and shouted softly. However, in his heart, he silently thought: "Don't you realize that the blood that person shed is as red as yours!"
In this world, public trials of criminals were very common. Whenever the tribunal judged heinous criminals, it would attract countless onlookers. Perhaps in this world with monotonous entertainment, this was also a kind of "excitement".
Soon, the Knight of Light named Melk finished judging the alchemist. After wiping his sword clean, he turned and left.
Dudian and the other children were then taken back to the Scavenger Special Training Ground in a black carriage under the escort of Tob and Chris.
After returning to the dormitory again, everyone felt that this small room, which used to look shabby and simple, was actually so warm and secure.
...
...
"I heard that a total of eight alchemists were captured this time," Darsani leaned on the soft chair and said with a smile. "This is a merit even I envy. You were the cooperator in this operation, so you can also get a share. I believe that after this batch of special training ends, you will be promoted to the Hunter School. Then you'll have a tough time disciplining those'monsters'."
Tob smiled bitterly. "You're joking. This is just a drop in the bucket for you. The main credit for this time is attributed to that genius from the Mel family. Today, he even judged a two-star alchemist in public."
"It seems that the Mel family is going to rise again..." A smile appeared at the corner of Darsani's mouth. "I heard that a three-star alchemist was killed by another alchemist, and a child escaped from him?"
"That's right," Tob said with a sigh. "That child has been taken for interrogation by Chris. We should be able to find some clues. Being able to kill a three-star alchemist is most likely another alchemist. According to what the Knights of Light said, the scene was destroyed by a terrifying devilish force. I hope it's not a four-star alchemist."
Darsani narrowed her eyes slightly. "Four-star alchemists haven't been active outside for a long time. If there was a four-star alchemist in the desert, I'm afraid you and this batch of Knights of Light wouldn't have been able to come back."
Tob took a deep breath and smiled bitterly. "Next time something like this happens, I hope you can give me a heads-up in advance so that I won't be kept in the dark again."
Darsani yawned. "I'm tired. You can go and get busy."
Tob smiled bitterly and could only respectfully retreat.
...
...
"Great Wall Calendar Year 291, Disaster Rain Season."
"The experiment is already prepared. I have completely mastered the structure of the human body. Today, I will conduct an experiment on my own body. Soon, the name 'Rosyard' will be forever engraved in the Alchemy Hall, immortal. And I will become the new Creator..."
When there was no one around, Dudian secretly flipped through the alchemist's notebook. This entry was the record of that alchemist conducting an experiment and refining his own body. From the scribbled quill pen writing, it could be vaguely seen that his hand was shaking. It could be seen how excited and thrilled he was at that time.