Chapter 293: Chapter 269: Tracing via the Soul Contract, an Unshirkable Responsibility

"This kind of deep-seated pollution at the soul level is like the inside of a container that has been corroded by strong acid. Even if the acid is drained, the scars remain forever."

Nearby, Royce Aston had already sheathed his blazing holy sword, but the mountain-like, oppressive aura around him had not dissipated.

As a most devout Sun Knight, he held a natural affinity for Jon, the Divine Favored. Upon hearing Jon’s analysis, he immediately nodded emphatically.

"If you have a plan, His Highness Jon, please speak freely! For justice and the glory of our Lord, we are duty-bound!"

"That blasphemer must pay the price. We cannot allow him to continue lurking in the shadows of the continent with such dangerous Power!"

Jon’s gaze swept over the others, finally resting on the unconscious Carina.

He softly uttered two words.

"Soul Contract."

Claudio and the other two were slightly stunned.

But Jon continued speaking.

"The Power of a Soul Contract lies in a deep connection and absolute control at the soul level."

"I have been on the receiving end of a Soul Contract, so I understand this intimately. Once the contract is established, the recipient can perceive every mark upon the Contractor’s very soul, as if reading an open book."

His gaze swept past Royce and Finian, finally settling on Claudio’s verdant eyes.

"Therefore, once the Soul Contract is formed, the ravines of Power left by the ’Governor’ and the blasphemous taints left by the ’Dream Weaver’—all branded deep within her soul—will serve as the clearest signposts."

"We could even follow these spiritual scars to trace the ’outline’ of that rat, and perhaps even unearth his true name, hidden in filth."

Upon hearing this, a subtle flicker of change finally crossed Claudio’s aloof and indifferent expression.

"This is far from a conventional method, but logically, it is entirely feasible."

"Besides, there is one more thing Jon didn’t mention—"

His gaze shifted to the two solemn Saint Professionals as he nodded slightly.

"That blasphemer is no self-taught Professional. He is an ’Archmage’."

Realization dawned on Finian and Royce.

Compared to other professions that rely more on individual talent, the path of a Mage hinges on systematic learning and a massive accumulation of knowledge.

In other words—

"To combine Evil Magic with orthodox Arcane Magic to such a degree, and to control an evil entity of this level, the Governor must have a profound academic background or a core inheritance from a powerful organization of Mages."

The Elf Mage’s words were like a stone cast into a dark pond, sending ripples through the hearts of Finian and Royce.

"His Power’s characteristics, his casting habits, even his preferred schools of knowledge—all of these must bear the distinct brand of his training. And every time he controlled this body and used his Power, he would have inevitably left traces of them behind."

"If we can analyze these traces through the Soul Contract, and then use our intelligence network to filter the possibilities..."

He trailed off, but his meaning was clear—the "Governor" wasn’t some phantom who appeared from nowhere. He had to have a well-known and respected public identity in the world of Mages.

Holy Light swirled in Finian’s molten-gold eyes. He nodded slowly, the glow from the halo of golden flames behind his head intensifying slightly, casting his deeply-lined face in a more solemn light.

"Lord Claudio is absolutely right. Such scholarly attainment is beyond the reach of any recluse."

"This person must have a respected identity out in the open, however—"

The High Priest’s gaze shifted to the unconscious woman on the ground as he mused.

"The core of a Soul Contract is ’consent.’ The complete opening and surrender of a soul cannot be coerced through Power."

"We don’t even know when this woman will awaken. Even if a fragment of her soul remains, how can we ensure that, once conscious, she would willingly offer such irreversible allegiance?"

Royce Aston’s brow furrowed as he added,

"Furthermore, even if she were to agree, either by succumbing to her circumstances or through some manner of exchange, the person accepting the Soul Contract would have to directly confront all the foul imprints her soul now bears."

The remnants of a mere Evil Mage would be one thing, but the remnants of an evil entity are no laughing matter!

Even they couldn’t guarantee their own sanity if their souls had to face those ancient, evil entities!

However, at that moment, it was Jon who acted.

He took a decisive step forward, and in an instant, all eyes were fixed upon him.

The dim light of the sky fell upon his upright form, coating his sharp profile in a hard, metallic sheen. Deep within his ice-blue eyes, a calm light shone like an undercurrent surging beneath ancient, unmelted ice.

"I proposed this method. It is only natural that I bear the risk and responsibility."

Jon lowered his gaze, looking at Carina’s pale, tormented face.

"A Soul Contract requires consent. It also requires an ’anchor’ strong enough to receive and analyze those chaotic imprints."

"Her soul is deeply polluted and fragile. The will of an ordinary Contractor could never withstand the mental Impact from the evil entity’s will that they might encounter while tracing it back, let alone precisely peel away the traces belonging to the Governor."

"But—"

He raised his left hand. A brilliant light flared, illuminating the other three and the astonishment on their faces.

"I am a Divine Favored. My soul is protected by Po Ao. There is no risk for me."

The light bloomed from the back of Jon’s left hand. It wasn’t a violent torrent, but a condensed radiance that shone from within, like liquid gold.

An exquisite Sun Sacred Pattern surfaced on the skin of his hand. Pure, faithful Divine Power flowed through every line. Its form was identical to the depictions on the Sun Church’s murals, yet it possessed a completely different quality, for it carried the "personal presence" of a deity. It seemed not to be a brand on his flesh, but rather something Woven from the purest morning light, pulsing with the very breath of life.

"Our Lord above!"

Finian breathed, as if he had just witnessed the gates of the Divine Country itself swing open.

Without a moment’s hesitation, the white-haired old man dropped to one knee before Jon, bowing his head low and silently reciting the doctrines of Po Ao.

The equally devout Royce Aston moved in near-perfect sync with him.

With a clang of heavy plate, the Saint Knight’s imposing figure bent like a collapsing mountain. He pressed his right fist, clad in holy white Arm Armor, against his heart and bowed his proud head. His face, once firm as a rock, now showed nothing but pure reverence.

Claudio was no believer and performed no such rites, but he couldn’t stop his long, pointed ears from twitching slightly.

He stared at the sacred pattern, his thin lips pursed.

’This is... a stigma... a mark bestowed by a Deity personally...?’

"Yes."

Jon’s gaze swept over the three men and their varied reactions. Having no desire to be mysterious or keep them in suspense, he answered directly.

"After I entered Heta County City, I went to the Sun Church. There, I had an audience with the Sun God himself."

"This mark was a personal gift from Him."

’Knowing Po Ao’s usual generosity, a conversation with Him naturally involved more than just this sacred mark that symbolized my status as a Divine Favored. I received plenty of other good things, but those were my true trump cards, not to be revealed casually.’

His understated demeanor naturally carried an irrefutable authority in the eyes of the other three. ’He met face-to-face with a deity. Whatever he says must be right.’

In that moment, all their doubts vanished.

Jon wasted no time. He prepared to deal with the unlucky woman on the ground, who, while not dead, wasn’t far from it.

But before he could act, a quiet voice spoke up from nearby.

"Please wait, His Highness Jon. I have some information I must share with you first."

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