Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1186: The Blessing

Ensuring that the Sin of Lust had no way to flee by sealing the entire city was a daunting undertaking.

The risk of Lust detecting their presence and abandoning the city was high, so every move required extreme caution.

The three dragons remained silent for a time, weighing the potential dangers of their strategy.

Finally, Ash broke the silence. "If we enact the seal rapidly, we might succeed... but if we aren't fast enough, it will escape before we can trap it."

Drazek folded his arms across his chest. "That is fine... we can proceed gradually. Bit by bit. We will block the exits, sever the communication lines, and slowly pull the net tight. Lust won't realize what is happening until the trap is closed."

Zerel gave a sharp grin. "Very well. But I won't be holding back if it reveals itself. Vale told us to be careful, but I refuse to let this Sin treat us like a joke."

They settled on this approach, as the three of them were best suited for direct, head-on combat. Unfortunately, the Sin of Lust operated through more subtle and deceptive means.

Had they been facing the Sin of Pride or Wrath, the situation would likely have been much simpler...

The following day, Ash initiated her phase of the operation. Clad in the guise of a traveling scholar, she returned to the local temples.

While engaging the priests in conversation, she stealthily funneled her nature Qi into the root systems beneath the city. Gradually, the trees and vines surrounding Harake thickened, quietly obstructing secret paths and sealing off underground tunnels.

Under the cover of night, Drazek prowled the back alleys...

He allowed his shadow aura to bleed into the stone walls, barricading the escape routes used by Lust’s followers. He avoided killing anyone, but he ensured that any soul attempting to sneak out of the city became hopelessly lost in a labyrinth of endless shadows.

Zerel chose the most conspicuous path. Disguised as a human, he moved through the noble quarters, attending various banquets. Each time he departed, strands of lightning would shed from his hair, forming a hidden mystical barrier designed to intercept or block his foes...

Naturally, this barrier was only sensitive to those tainted by the aura of Lust.

To the aristocratic elite, everything seemed normal. However, to the dragons, each measure was another bolt locking the cage shut.

A week passed as the city was systematically isolated.

Eventually, the Sin of Lust noticed something was wrong when it began losing control over several of its puppets...

One evening, the three dragons convened once more in the courtyard.

Drazek looked visibly energized.

Locating Lust was notoriously difficult because the Sin acted like a parasite, clinging to the souls of those it had already corrupted...

Even if the Dragons pinpointed the Sin, it could simply jump to a new host, rendering their pursuit futile.

Finally, however, they detected movement.

“I’ve sensed the Sin growing agitated... I believe a major move is coming,” Drazek noted with a smirk. This was a positive development. The Sin had clearly realized it could no longer smuggle its pawns out of the city...

If Lust intended to flee, it would have to manifest its true form, which would immediately reveal its location. Once that occurred, the Dragons would not miss the opportunity to seize it...

After all, the Sin's only defense against their detection was its ability to hide as a parasite within a mortal vessel, jumping between victims at will.

But with the barriers and seals in place, these infected pawns were trapped. Sooner or later, Lust would be forced to use brute strength to break out...

“Lust must be feeling the pressure now...” Ash whispered.

Zerel, who was growing impatient for a confrontation, was hopeful they could soon return to the Shadow Domain...

“Let’s push her even harder... If she wants to hide behind her followers, we’ll smoke them out until she shows her face.”

Ash shook her head in disagreement. “No. We are immortals... If we begin massacring mortal followers, we will be burdened by heavy karma.”

Unfortunately, they couldn't recruit local Arcanists either, as they would likely be corrupted by Lust and turned into additional sources of power.

“Wait... what if we provide a blessing to an Arcanist? We don't have to engage Lust’s apostles or pawns ourselves...” Ash proposed.

Drazek and Zerel both stared at her, caught off guard...

It was a concept they hadn't even considered!

As Dragons, their instinct was always to act independently... the idea of using a disciple or a proxy to fight on their behalf felt alien to them.

Their usual method was to resolve issues with overwhelming force rather than elaborate schemes.

“So... we find a suitable candidate and use them to eliminate the pawns?”

“Exactly... since we won't be the ones doing the actual killing...”

The three exchanged looks, agreeing that this was an excellent way to thin the ranks of Lust’s apostles.

***

Desmund was a native of Harake City, the son of a healer and a craftsman.

His family resided in the western district, a place filled with the unending clamor of taverns and merchants. He was a handsome young man with calm eyes and sharp features, though his path had been difficult.

Despite his looks, tragedy struck when he was seventeen in the form of a plague. His mother, despite her skills in healing, succumbed to the illness. His father passed away shortly after.

By the end of the month, Desmund was all alone. He scraped by with manual labor—hauling crates, scrubbing tavern floors, and guarding trade caravans—but the void left by his family remained.

Currently, his unkempt appearance and long hair made him nearly unrecognizable.

By the time he reached twenty, Harake City had begun to transform. Eerie events occurred in the streets, and the people he once knew seemed changed. Their eyes were vacant, and their joy felt artificial.

He didn't realize it at the time, but the rot of Lust was spreading.

One night, while returning from the docks, Desmund was intercepted by three strangers...

He had been looking for a new job, hoping to utilize the crafting skills his father had taught him.

“Hmm?” Desmund paused, eyeing the trio.

He wondered if he was about to be mugged. However, since his pockets were empty, he felt little fear.

As they approached, Desmund saw they appeared somewhat ordinary. There was a robed scholar, a figure in a cloak, and a noble-looking traveler with hair like gold. Yet, they radiated an overwhelming presence.

“You,” the scholar spoke softly. “You have endured great loss, yet the light in your soul remains. You are an ideal candidate.”

Desmund's brow furrowed. “What is it you want with me?”

The cloaked figure drew closer. “We require an agent. Someone who can move through the crowds without drawing eyes. Someone capable of fighting the rot taking hold of this city.”

‘Rot in the city?’ Desmund shook his head. He had an inkling of what they meant, but he didn't see how he could help...

“Fight? I’m not a soldier. You’ve got the wrong man.”

Even if he had the ambition to become an Arcanist, he lacked the funds to buy a Philosopher’s Elixir and forge an Arcanist Body...

Nevertheless, the noble traveler offered a small smile. “That won't be an issue. Not if you accept our deal.”

‘Is this some kind of scam?’ Desmund wondered. But with nothing left to lose, he figured he might as well hear them out.

They soon explained his mission. He would be sent to deal with those who had been brainwashed by the Sin of Lust—an Evil Entity spreading a spiritual plague throughout the city...

‘So an Evil Entity is behind this... I knew something felt wrong...’ Desmund thought.

They informed him that he would receive their divine blessings and that his task was to eliminate those infected by the sickness...

“Is there no way to cure them?” Desmund asked. If they were merely sick, execution felt extreme. He hoped to save them instead.

The three strangers conferred briefly before nodding.

Now, his duty was to purify their spirits and souls. If the corruption was minor, they would survive, liberated from Lust’s influence. However, if the rot had taken firm root, the purification would incinerate them, resulting in death.

Desmund wavered. “So... I might end up killing them anyway. But... that seems fair...”

He was slightly startled by how quickly he was accepting the situation! He didn't even know if these three truly possessed the power they claimed.

The scholar nodded. “Correct. But it is a better fate than certain damnation. Without help, they will be entirely devoured.”

Desmund bowed his head. He had no desire for violence, but he couldn't stand by while his city fell apart.

After a long pause, he gave his consent.

True to their word, the three strangers bestowed their power upon him. As they placed their hands on his shoulders, a torrent of energy flooded his system. His veins burned, his perception sharpened, and his Spirit Strands were suddenly ignited!

“This is...”