Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1185: The Mission

Upon receiving word from the Order of the Oracle Hivemind several months ago regarding the potential awakening of the Sin of Lust within the Palham Empire, Vale acted without delay.

The Psychic Arts Faction had personally visited his Immortal Tower, setting aside their pride to request his assistance. In return for his help, they committed to maintaining a presence at the Academy, enhancing the curriculum through their teaching, and offering their prophetic foresight to support Vale’s grand ambitions.

Lust, however, represented a threat of a different caliber.

As one of the Seven Sins, it was a calamity capable of rotting the heart of entire nations if left to fester. Vale understood that this was a crisis he could not afford to ignore.

At that time, he called upon three of his most reliable companions:

Ash, the Ancient Nature Dragon, whose profound wisdom and composed nature made her a specialist in the art of discreet investigation…

There was also Drazek, the Ancient Shadow Dragon, whose mastery over darkness allowed him to drift through the world unnoticed, though his nature made him a potential target for Lust’s influence to a certain degree.

Zerel, the Ancient Lightning Dragon, was notorious for his aggressive and brash temperament, yet he remained unrivaled in terms of sheer velocity and destructive capability.

This trio was assigned to journey north to the Palham Empire, specifically to Harake City—the western region's most populous hub—where the manifestations of Lust appeared most concentrated.

Naturally, the dragons assumed human guises before stepping foot into Harake City.

Ash manifested as a tall woman with striking green eyes and hair reminiscent of autumn foliage, her simple robes giving her the appearance of a traveling scholar.

Drazek wrapped himself in black garments, maintaining his usual aura of mystery.

Zerel, conversely, opted for a more ostentatious look with his shimmering golden hair and sharp blue eyes, attracting gazes in his fine attire as if he were a noble on a journey.

***

Harake City thrummed with the energy of various pursuits…

The air was thick with the shouts of merchants peddling goods, the boisterous laughter spilling from taverns, and the melodies of music echoing through every alleyway.

Beneath this vibrant facade, however, a sickness lingered.

The three dragons did not need to exchange words to realize the atmosphere was suffocating. The gazes of the citizens lingered far too long, and their baser urges seemed to be triggered with unsettling ease.

Walking through the bustling marketplace, Ash’s brow furrowed. "This city is plagued by an unnatural craving. This goes beyond simple indulgence. It appears Vale was correct… the influence of Lust has taken root here."

After observing the surroundings, Drazek voiced his agreement.

"I can sense it in the breeze. A staggering number of promises are being bartered for coin and flesh. The Sin is harvesting power through these temptations. It is quite fascinating…"

Zerel tightened his grip, his knuckles turning white. "Then let us force it out into the light. I wish to conclude this and return home quickly."

Ash shook her head in disapproval. "No. Lust feeds on disorder. A blind assault might inadvertently provide the very energy it requires. It is currently being wary due to the presence of the Immortals, but if this Sin is backed into a corner, the entire city could suffer. Vale explicitly wants to avoid that outcome. We must find the source first."

The three dragons quickly devised a strategy, dividing their efforts to probe the abnormal happenings within the city walls…

Ash frequented the temples and gardens, engaging in conversation with herbalists and priests.

She discovered that numerous healers had forsaken their sacred duties, lured away by the allure of pleasure and riches. Even the holy groves had been tarnished, their guardians lost to a life of excess.

'The situation is far more dire than I anticipated…' she contemplated.

Meanwhile, Drazek infiltrated the brothels and taverns, eavesdropping on the local gossip. He unmasked the fact that entire organizations and guilds were being steered like puppets, their leaders captivated by a mysterious entity promising unending bliss in exchange for total fealty.

'A classic maneuver for such a Sin…'

Zerel spent his time navigating the noble quarters, where the feasts and banquets had devolved into scenes of increasing depravity.

The stench of moral decay was palpable to him…

He witnessed lords and ladies neglecting their responsibilities, entirely consumed by their secret, carnal distractions…

Every lead converged on a single truth… Lust was not merely lurking in the dark corners.

It was weaving itself into the very foundation of Harake City, tainting the commoners, the priesthood, and the ruling class alike.

****

As night fell, the three dragons convened in a quiet, secluded courtyard.

Ash was the first to report. "The clergy have been compromised. The temples have no intention of intervening. It is safe to say Lust has effectively silenced them."

Drazek nodded, his findings mirroring her own…

"The guilds are under a spell. This task would be significantly simpler if we weren't burdened by the need to protect human lives. Tsk…"

"Refrain from such thoughts… View this mission as a test from Vale," Ash countered.

Drazek offered a cynical smile before continuing. "In any case, the leaders speak of someone called the 'Radiant Mistress' who assembles them in hidden halls. That is undoubtedly Lust, or at the very least, its primary agent…"

Zerel gave a slow nod of confirmation.

He lacked any further nuanced information…

"The nobility are nothing more than playthings. Their extravagant feasts are actually rituals designed to bolster her strength. I feel it won't be long before she discards her mask; she has been meticulously constructing an empire of desire."

Ash closed her eyes, attempting to tap into the natural pulse of the world.

Regrettably, the Sin of Lust remained elusive to her senses…

The dragons persisted in their investigation, diving further into the city’s dark underbelly…

Eventually, within the slums, they stumbled upon a congregation…

Dozens of citizens were prostrate before a figure draped in flowing crimson silk.

Her voice was velvety and hypnotic, every syllable dripping with seductive charm…

"Desire is the only true freedom," she murmured. "Break your bonds. Give me your service, and I shall grant you ecstasies that no mortal could ever imagine."

The assembly trembled, completely captivated by her allure.

Drazek squinted as he scrutinized the woman…

She appeared too fragile to be the actual Sin of Lust… He eventually realized that the Sin was likely employing slaves or disciples to disseminate its corruption!

As they moved to intervene, the figure vanished into a cloud of mist, leaving behind nothing but the sound of mocking laughter.

"She is aware of our presence," Ash noted with a grim expression.

"She’s testing our resolve, is she…"

By this point, the well-being of the humans had become a secondary concern to them. Provided they were not the ones dealing the killing blows, the deaths of these mortals meant little to them.

Exasperated, the three Dragons decided they had seen enough…

"Let us place the city under a seal… As long as we do not directly slaughter the humans, we are still adhering to Vale’s principles…"