Chapter 390
Chapter 390
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 390
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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The trial proceeded swiftly.
I personally served as the judge, and Viscount Harton's lawyer, after initially claiming that the death penalty was too harsh, fell silent.
Those in the know would understand—this trial was nothing more than a formality.
The witnesses and evidence were airtight, and not a single noble from the city council stepped up to defend Viscount Harton. He was their business partner and rival all at once. In exchange for me turning a blind eye to the nobles' bribes and crimes, Viscount Harton would be executed.
Viscount Harton's wife sat there with a fatigued expression, avoiding his gaze. She'd been tangled up with me in bed until this very morning. My semen was probably still brimming inside her pussy.
Viscount Harton's wife was set to inherit his title and 40% of his estate. The remaining 60% was mine. I'd originally planned to leave her with 20%, but my nights with her had been more than satisfying.
"...Therefore, I sentence Viscount Harton to death. Any objections?"
I glanced at the five nobles attending as observers.
Since this was a trial executing a noble, their consensus was required. If even one objected, the trial would be postponed, and I'd be unable to preside—the judges would take over instead.
"..."
As the nobles remained silent, Viscount Harton grew visibly anxious. Bound to his chair without limbs, he bellowed at the top of his lungs.
"You lot! Anyone will do! Raise an objection for me! I'll repay the favor, I swear! Hurry! Now!"
"..."
"Is this how far our faith in each other goes?! Haven't we done well together all this time? We can keep succeeding! Please! Object! Object!"
"..."
The nobles stayed silent.
"Bridget!"
He called out to his wife.
"What have you been doing while I was locked up? You should've done something to save me!"
"Sob... Sob sob..."
"Stop crying and do something! Arrrgh!"
I watched his desperate outburst and banged the wooden gavel three times.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Aaaah! Inspector! Just this once! Please spare me! I'll do anything!"
"Soldiers. The verdict is in. Are you just going to stand there?"
The soldiers moved in, dragging Viscount Harton toward the square.
He was hanged from the gallows prepared in the plaza.
???
After the trial, I had to deal with the nobles swarming me. Their faces were stiff with tension. There were no earls or higher in this district, so I could wield my authority freely.
They might curse me as a madman inwardly, but having witnessed Viscount Harton's execution, they'd do their utmost to stay on my good side.
"Inspector, I know a fine restaurant. Care to join me for lunch?"
"I heard you enjoy dancers, so I've been searching for the best ones."
"I have a gift I'd like to present to you. Could you spare me some time?"
I brushed off the nobles and summoned Romleng.
"Apologies. I have prior plans with Romleng here. I'll visit another time."
I headed to the Pishang family estate with Romleng.
Romleng's sister-in-law was a beauty who could rival Viscount Harton's wife. Soft brown hair, slightly drooping eyes that exuded a gentle, affectionate aura.
'Heh heh... Time to get to work.'
It wouldn't be difficult. I'd find leverage on the Pishang family and use my authority to oust Romleng's brother from the family head position. For his sister-in-law, I'd demand her body in exchange for not killing the head.
'Perfect.'
???
By evening, I went to find Lizette. Once again, I was her special guest, receiving her blessings.
"Another great outcome this time. Everything you do will go smoothly."
After the dance, I took her to a restaurant. Rumors were spreading throughout the city that Lizette and I were an item.
As I sliced into my steak, she asked,
"You're heading to the Labyrinth of Destiny tomorrow?"
The labyrinth beneath the city, said to offer glimpses of one's fate. I'd come to this city precisely to enter it.
"I planned to go today, but something came up, so tomorrow it is."
"Do you believe in fate, Inspector?"
"Yeah."
In the real world, I'd shake my head no without hesitation, but this was a world from a fictional work. Novels had grand plotlines, which were essentially fate in another form.
"That's unexpected. I heard that entering the Labyrinth of Destiny doesn't guarantee seeing your fate... I pray you glimpse yours there."
"Thanks."
Clink.
Our wine glasses touched.
After escorting her to her upscale inn, I rubbed the back of my neck, lost in thought.
I'd dug up info on Lizette. She'd appeared out of nowhere two years ago. She wasn't an exile—she was a continental native.
Exiles spawned at 'Zone 1, Temple of Beginnings' upon entering Atlantis. They were recorded immediately. Lizette had no such record, proving she was a continental.
'Even if she changed her name, there's no way someone with her looks wouldn't stand out. Lizette popped up in Zone 4,407 two years ago.'
Zone 4,407, Reed Grass Plains.
A peaceful, tranquil zone with no monsters. It featured a large lake perfect for fishing. Visitors usually came for two reasons: a healing vacation or to spend their remaining days in peace.
'Lizette's known for traveling all over Atlantis. And she never did anything flashy like dancing.'
So why suddenly start as a dancer here? Money troubles? Unlikely. She'd traveled fine until now—no way she'd suddenly run short.
'I asked Okjeong about Lizette, but she doesn't know her.'
I'd told Okjeong to speak with the Throne, the Blue Bird that Summons Storm Clouds. But the Throne seemed to ignore her—no response despite multiple calls.
'...Speculation isn't wise. But if it's true...'
A smile tugged at my lips.
???
I plunged into the Labyrinth of Destiny without hesitation.
The labyrinth had a few rules.
One: Never follow someone else's will. Choices must always come from your own intent.
Sounds plausible, but bullshit.
According to the setting document I knew, just walking through had an effect. With luck and opportunity, you'd glimpse your fate.
Another: No matter how scary, don't panic—keep moving forward. Multiple exits existed, and stumbling around for 4-5 hours would eventually lead outside.
'First, stick to the left wall...'
I followed the left wall relentlessly, taking left turns at junctions. I passed a few people but ignored them. No need to engage.
'Out. Five-way split.'
I took the fourth path from the left. This time, I hugged the right wall.
'Second of three paths...'
My steady steps faltered. My vision glitched with noise, then something unfamiliar appeared.
A red scene. Something was there, but the heavy static made it indistinct.
Vision normalized.
'...Is that my fate? What does it mean?'
I stared into space, but nothing reappeared. I gave up and resumed walking.
About two hours later.
Three paths emerged.
The first was pitch black. Visibility zero—like a path to the abyss.
'Feels like a monster might jump out, but it's empty. At some point, you'll teleport elsewhere in the labyrinth.'
The second had crystals embedded in the walls. Walking it vividly recalled forgotten memories—even from birth.
'Great for uncovering birth secrets. If I went in... real-world memories or avatar ones?'
Intriguing, but not my goal. No testing.
The third was rimed with frost. Just standing at the entrance sent bone-chilling cold through my body. Normals would enter and bail immediately—unprepared, you'd freeze solid.
'I'm prepared.'
I pulled the red cloak from my inventory.
I'd commissioned the ironroot dwarves to craft it for this exact moment.
Draping it over my shoulders banished the cold instantly.
'A-rank lives up to the hype.'
I stepped into the frosty cave.
Per the setting document, this path collected fate's dregs.
Residues from those who resisted fate but ultimately surrendered—lingering thoughts and fate fragments.
A frigid wind howled. I pulled the cloak over my head, enduring the chill.
The deeper I went, the colder it got.
'A-rank cold resistance falling short...? Thought it'd be close, but damn.'
My breath froze mid-exhale.
No sensation.
'Mental-type, probably.'
Nothing to me with Mental Resistance.
My body temperature plummeted. After a moment's thought, I unleashed brain lightning.
Crackle!
Using the electric heat as a makeshift warmer. It worked, but mana drained fast.
Fate dregs kept assaulting me. Mana depletion was rough midway, but I survived.
Overcoming them yielded rewards. Stats rose by over 10 points—satisfying.
Finally, a dead end.
'Fuck. Frostbite on my fingers.'
A radiant orb of light floated in the dead end. I reached out with my numb, blue fingers. No sensation left in them.
'Doctor would've yelled to amputate immediately.'
My hand touched the orb. It seeped into my palm and vanished.
'Got it!'
The space shifted.
Frozen walls and floor melted instantly; the heart-stopping cold vanished without a trace.
Frostbitten hand healed; mana surged through me.
Fate Destroyer was no ordinary power. Single-use, but enough to finish most Thrones.
'Useless against top-tiers like Zeus, but still a win.'
Buoyed, I sought the exit.
'Head back, crush a baron..., squeeze the ones who didn't bribe me... Huh?'
Water pooled on the floor. Source unknown, but rising steadily.
I frowned, pressing on. It soon lapped at my toes.
'What? Because I got Fate Destroyer? No, setting doc didn't mention this.'
Water reached my calves.
Then seven men blocked my path. Crude weapons in hand: daggers, kitchen knives, hammers.
"Ahhee... Heh heh... Kill you... Heh heh..."
All utterly deranged.