Howard’s eyes widened, terror flashing through them. He felt his heart skip a beat.
Because he realized that Zayne was not lying.
Everything Zayne had said was the truth.
And that directly contradicted every conclusion Howard had reached so far.
If Zayne was Shadowcaster, then how could Zayne have personally witnessed Shadowcaster explode into a cloud of blood right in front of him?
But if Zayne was not Shadowcaster, then how could all the clues Howard had investigated up to now be explained?
Back then, when Nia followed the traces of Hellfire all the way to the Investigation Bureau’s detention facility, every piece of evidence had pointed straight at Zayne.
Howard felt his mind turn into a tangled ss, like countless threads knotted together with no loose end to grab.
He clutched his hair, completely collapsing inside.
Had he really suspected the wrong person?
"If there’s nothing else, I’m heading out. Howard, let’s go get our feet washed together soti."
Zayne pulled his leg back from the technician’s hands, slipped on his shoes, and stood up to leave.
"Wait. What else do you know? Even if you’re not Shadowcaster, you definitely know Shadowcaster."
Howard grabbed Zayne’s clothes unwillingly.
"You guess."
Zayne smiled faintly, pried Howard’s hand away, and walked off.
If nothing unexpected happened, Howard would not bother him again for quite so ti.
By the ti Howard figured sothing out, Zayne would already be in university.
An investigator from Old Shipyard Port simply did not have the authority to investigate soone at Imperial Capital Academy.
In fact, within the entire Old Shipyard Port Investigation Bureau, Howard was the only one who still suspected him.
After leaving the club, Zayne flagged down another taxi.
"Take to Astrachior’s place."
The driver sighed the mont Zayne finished speaking.
"You’re going to pay respects to Astrachior too, huh?"
Zayne nodded and said nothing.
"Astrachior was a good man. After he ca to Old Shipyard Port, he did a lot of good things. He even boosted the local economy. Old Shipyard Port used to be way poorer than it is now."
The driver could not help but sigh emotionally. Nearly sixty years old, his eyes were already reddening.
"Don’t mind talking so much. I grew up in Old Shipyard Port. Back then, the whole place looked just like today’s slums. When I was a kid, I was so poor I didn’t even have enough to eat."
"Astrachior brought resources to Old Shipyard Port. If it weren’t for him, this place might have already been wiped off the map."
He slapped the steering wheel lightly, agitated.
"You tell , how does soone that good just disappear like that?"
Zayne remained silent.
Not every city was worth maintaining at all costs. If a city’s population fell too low, people would simply be relocated and the city abandoned.
Zayne had only been in this world for a little over a decade. He truly did not know much about Old Shipyard Port’s past.
He also had not expected Astrachior to be revered not only among awakened professionals, but also so deeply respected by ordinary civilians.
When Zayne arrived at the entrance of Astrachior’s courtyard, both sides of the path were already filled with dense rows of yellow and white chrysanthemums.
The entire courtyard was shrouded in grief.
At the center stood Astrachior’s morial portrait, his face still wearing that familiar gentle smile.
People surrounded it, their faces filled with sorrow and reluctance. So wept silently, others bowed their heads in prayer.
Many figures rarely seen in Old Shipyard Port had gathered here. Even the city lord, Tiger, stood among the crowd in a black suit, his expression heavy with grief.
Yet even with Tiger’s status, he could only stand in the second row.
The front row was occupied by unfamiliar faces, their presence overwhelming, faint light seeming to surround them, making it hard to look directly at them.
Their identities were clearly far beyond what a small place like Old Shipyard Port could produce.
Zayne walked straight in and stopped in front of Astrachior’s portrait.
When people saw him, expressions shifted, and whispers spread.
"Isn’t that Astrachior’s disciple? Absolutely disgraceful. After Astrachior’s death was announced, this guy was still partying at clubs. If Astrachior knew he had taken in a disciple like this, he’d probably regret it."
"Exactly. And today, of all days, he only shows up now? Clearly Astrachior ant nothing to him."
"Hah. National champion, my ass. Spit. Good thing he’s a short lived Forbidden Spellcaster. Heaven has eyes."
"Enough. He’s still Astrachior’s only disciple, after all."
Zayne ignored the insults and knelt heavily in front of Astrachior’s portrait.
Several powerful figures in the front row focused their gazes on him.
Anyone Astrachior accepted as a disciple could not be ordinary.
"Teacher... I’m late. Please forgive ."
Zayne’s eyes were complicated.
He had wanted to co pay his respects imdiately, but he could not.
The matters of the Gate of Apocalypse and the Origin Relic were too dangerous. He had to be careful with every step.
If the Origin Relic was exposed, his fate would be sealed.
"Are you done paying respects? If so, leave. You are not welco here."
Nia spoke coldly.
"And from now on, do not call yourself my father’s disciple. Do not use his na to deceive others. He has long since severed ties with a fraud like you."
The courtyard erupted in an uproar.
Many people looked at Zayne with disgust and ridicule.
"So Astrachior already expelled him? And he still has the nerve to co here?"
"Hah, I bet he knew important people would be here today and ca to get familiar faces. Didn’t you hear Nia? He’s clearly notorious for scamming people."
"If Astrachior can see this from beyond the grave, he’d be furious. How thick skinned can soone be? Why isn’t he leaving? Waiting for the feast?"
"Astrachior was so gentle. What kind of outrageous things must this guy have done to get expelled?"
The murmurs continued.
The powerful figures in the front row, who had briefly shown interest in Zayne, frowned and withdrew their gazes.
Without the title of Astrachior’s disciple, Zayne was no different from an ant in their eyes.
No one wasted ti on ants.
In an instant, Zayne beca the target of collective condemnation, as if he were truly unforgivable.
Yet Zayne remained unmoved and looked at Nia.
"I have no other intentions. I just want to see my teacher... to see Astrachior off on his final journey. Don’t worry. I won’t cause trouble. Once it’s over, I’ll leave."
Nia’s brows knitted tightly.
"Zayne. Are you deaf? I said you are not welco here."
"Get out."
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