The man before Kieran was tall and big but his face was ugly and ferocious.
His cracked mouth revealed a mouthful of rotten yellow teeth, the bloody longsword in his hand and the head on the ground made him look ferocious.
However, Kieran looked at him calmly.
It was because his own strength was enough to deal with the danger before him and also because the man revealed some clues.
The man might look ferocious but he didn't have any real killing intent.
Even when the man stared at him like that, Kieran didn't feel uncomfortable, like there was a sharp blade on his back.
In simple words, the man was putting on an act.
As for why?
The Sanctuary's trial?
Other than that, Kieran couldn't think of any other answer.
"The trial started the moment I boarded the ship?"
"Then..."
"Is this part of it as well?"
Kieran looked at the head beside his feet. Azinder was clenching his teeth in pain, it seemed like he was in extreme pain before his death.
If it was really a trial, Azinder wouldn't have died.
Even the one who fell into the water before might be part of the trial as well.
Though, the blood that flowed out from the head was real.
Kieran's sense of smell was the only thing that he would not be wrong about.
As for the head itself...
When Kieran picked it up and touched it with his finger, he could tell whether it was real or fake.
"It's made from burnt mud?"
Kieran asked in shock.
When the man tossed the head away, he didn't hold it lightly. Given the hardness of burnt mud, the head should have been smashed into pieces.
Obviously, something special was added into the head.
"When did you notice?"
The aggressive intruder helplessly put down the bloody longsword in his hand when Kieran checked the head and looked at Kieran with a confused gaze.
The voice belonged to Azinder!
Since he was exposed, there was no need to hide anymore. Azinder removed the disguise on his body and returned to his original appearance. He couldn't help but ask, "Did I make any mistakes?"
In fact, as the examiner of the first round, Azinder thought he did a good enough job.
Whether it was his grasp of timing or the configuration of his tools, everything should be flawless.
The other trial-takers who had been tricked proved this point.
But Kieran.
Although he had sensed that Kieran would not be easy to deal with, he had personally made a move. However, he had not expected that he would still mess things up.
"There's no killing intent. The killing aura is just a facade."
"Now can you tell me what's happening here?"
Even though he had guessed most of it, Kieran still wanted to hear the complete story.
"The moment you boarded the ship, the trial will begin. Let me reintroduce myself, the trial's first examiner, Azinder."
Shrugging, Azinder introduced himself once more.
However, he didn't extend his hand like last time. Instead, he bowed in the ancient Knight's salute.
“2567。”
Kieran stood up straight and responded with the appropriate etiquette.
"The famous Bird of Death, Inferno Demon, is even more powerful than I imagined."
"Congratulations!"
"As the only person on the ship to discover my weakness, you have passed."
Azinder said with a laugh.
"Finding an opening is the condition to pass."
Kieran asked.
"Of course not."
"Bravery, justice, wisdom, mercy, as long as you possess any one of them, you will pass."
"However, it's a pity that the trial-takers on the same ship as you don't have these qualities. They are cold and unwilling to lend a helping hand to the toiling sailors on the ship. They also lack true bravery. If there aren't enough benefits, they will only be a bunch of cowards. And when more benefits appear, they will be completely bewitched!"
Azinder shook his head.
"Just one of them is enough."
Even though Kieran didn't know much about the Saint Knight of the Sanctuary, according to Kieran's guesses, it shouldn't be as simple as just having one.
"If it was a few hundred years ago, all four of them must be present but now …"
"The Sanctuary has gone through 1500 years of history and the reason why it wasn't affected by the fault wasn't just because of its remote location but also because of its adaptability."
When Azinder said those words, he didn't look arrogant.
It was a helplessness mixed with awkwardness.
However, Kieran could tell that Azinder was still hiding something.
Though, Kieran was tactful enough to not press the issue.
If Kieran were to press the issue with his current identity, he wouldn't get any useful information and it would make the seemingly friendly conversation as awkward as Azinder's expression.
So, Kieran changed the topic right away.
"Can you tell me more about the trials?"
"Other than the title of Reserve Knight, Boller didn't tell me anything else."
Kieran asked the question that he wanted to know the most.
"Of course."
"As the one who passed the first trial, 2567, you have the right to know what you know now. We will depart soon and we will arrive at the trial island tomorrow at sunset, which is also known as Final Island. There, you will face the next trial."
Azinder said.
Kieran raised a brow right away.
"This is all I know now."
Kieran emphasized his words, trying to emphasize whether Azinder neglected anything.
After all, Azinder's words were like nothing.
"Yes.
That's all you know. "
"In fact, as for what the next trial will be, even I as the examiner of the first trial, have no idea but I can give you a personal suggestion. You better rest up before you go to Final Island tomorrow."
Azinder said in a serious tone.
However, he didn't explain further, he stood up, picked up the head and walked out.
After the door was shut, Kieran was left alone in the cabin again.
He slightly frowned and pondered.
Kieran was dubious about what Azinder said, even he as the examiner of the first trial, had no idea.
Because it contradicted the personal suggestion that Azinder gave him.
Though, it didn't mean that Azinder was lying.
It might also be Azinder giving him hints based on his previous experience.
But regardless of whether Azinder was telling the truth or not, Kieran knew what was coming next was the main show.
What happened before him was just the appetizer.
"Final Island."
Kieran muttered the name that brought him a sense of foreboding.
The ship started to move again.
It was moving forward a few times faster than before.
Obviously, Azinder didn't need to pretend anymore since he had completed his mission.
The ship moved forward at full speed.
The night passed and the sun rose.
Then, when the sun was about to set again, a small island appeared in front of the ship.
Under the afterglow of the setting sun, the icy surface and the small island that was also covered in snow were dyed red, as if the island was on fire and looked like it was bleeding.
Meanwhile, Kieran who was waiting on the deck and inspecting the small island changed his expression.
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