Hiding his identity or fleeing wasn’t wise—cornered foes might unleash chaos, and drawing stronger Church forces would be real trouble.

Besides, the one watching him surely knew who he was. Lyn dropped the pretense, letting his true identity deter the others.

From their reactions, he’d already seen these knights weren’t united.

Seeing no fight in the rest, Lyn drawled lazily, “Since you recognize me, can I go now?”

“Wait!”

The lead knight rose with others’ support, his gaze icy. “You’re not leaving.”

“Knight Norton…”

The others hesitated, but Norton cut in coldly: “The Church has issued a Demon Purge Decree. Everyone in this zone must be vetted before departure—even you, Belmond.”

His righteous tone made the knights feel a pang of shame.

Lyn paused. “Just curious—would you say that so boldly to my sister’s face?”

Norton: “…We’re discussing your investigation!”

“Right. Just picking on the weak.” Lyn watched Norton’s face turn ashen, then added slowly, “I admire your fragile sense of justice, Knight Norton. But I’ve urgent business. No time for your games.”

His sarcasm stung the other knights too—they all shared that “fragile justice.”

Then Lyn spoke up: “As a Belmond, I swear on my family’s honor: I have zero ties to the Abyss you’re hunting.”

Relief washed over the knights. Lyn had given them an out—Belmond’s word was trustworthy.

*Or rather, they had no choice but to trust it.*

They were just Church grunts. Arresting a confirmed Abyss collaborator? Fine. But provoking the Belmond dynasty? Especially with rumors of Lyn’s vindictiveness? When they’d first recognized him, part of them had already wanted to retreat. Investigating him was pure hassle.

“Is that so?” Norton’s smile turned glacial. “If you’re truly uninvolved with the Abyss, Lyn, why skulk in this backwater disguised like a fugitive? Hiding something?”

Xing Luo instinctively stepped forward, tiny fists clenched—but Lyn pulled her back into his arms. “What I do in the wilderness,” he said flatly, “isn’t your concern.”

“Is Lyn *unable* to explain… or unwilling? What secrets are you guarding?” Norton pressed, eyes sharp as blades. But just as he moved to corner Lyn mentally, a knight yanked his arm.

“Knight Norton… Lyn might have… private matters here.”

They swallowed hard.

Earlier, they’d noticed Xing Luo when she stepped forward. Then, seeing her melt against Lyn’s chest after he pulled her back—their attention snapped to her fully.

Beneath the hood was a girl of impossible beauty. Her sweet, innocent face held a trace of satisfaction, flushed faintly pink. Golden irises gazed up at Lyn with unmistakable adoration—a honeyed allure that made hearts skip.

Their eyes dropped to the smooth calf peeking from her cloak. Imagining what lay beneath that tightly wrapped fabric, bitter envy twisted in their guts.

*So this is noble life?*

Decadent. Depraved. Seeking thrills in the wilds…

Lyn caught their lewd stares. Glancing down at Xing Luo sheltered in his arms, he realized their filthy assumption.

*Damn it.*

These “holy” knights—so full of filth, their faith must be weeping.

Just then, the system pinged in his mind:

*Lust +1!*

“???”

*My body’s still messed up from that damn influence…*