Conflux System: I Can Merge Anything

Chapter 134 134: The Emberlord Wasn't The Only One

A colorist makes his presence known even in a simple charcoal drawing.

But Zane wasn't a colorist and neither was he drawing anything.

He simply wrote two words on the gray wall behind him.

"The Relic?"

Everyone read them and Zane placed his hands on the table.

"As you already know, we have to find the relic in three days. But before that, I will clear some things first."

No one said anything and Zane carried on.

"In the diner, I mentioned that we will first look for the relic in the Cameron forest. But here we are. On the opposite side of it."

Everyone nodded.

They wanted to know.

But some smart ones like Hena, Draxus and Jammy already knew the reason.

"I wanted to throw them off." Zane revealed.

They wanted to know more and Zane continued.

"I talked about Cameron forest in front of the Priest in the diner. So if the Emberlord decides to send someone after me. To follow me. To see my movements. Their first guess would be the Cameron forest. And they will keep looking for me there. Of course, it's wishful thinking but it won't hurt if something like this happened."

Zane raised his shoulders.

"I really never went to that forest in my whole life. I just lied because I wanted them to stay away from me."

One hand was raised.

Zane rolled his eyes.

"No need to ask for permission to speak. Interrupt me whenever you want. No one is above anyone here. Even if I am in the front, it doesn't mean I am the strongest or biggest or richest. I am in the front because I know you will handle the matters from behind."

The hand went down and the man who raised it, spoke without any fear.

"Why do you think they will come after you now? The trial is over. If you find the relic, you will be fine."

Zane shook his head.

"Do you think they will let me go? The Emberlord will not tolerate one gutterborn fighting his authority. He didn't show it to his face but I know he will make sure that I don't find the relic in three days just so he could pass the verdict of me being a thief, ignoring the oath altogether and punishing me."

The questioning man went silent.

"That's why I lied in the diner. But forget that, there is a more pressing matter."

Zane leaned forward.

"I have no idea where the original relic is."

The basement stayed in silence.

Zane looked at Jammy.

"What?" The janitor asked.

"When I showed you the relic in Cinder row, you instantly called it fake. How? What gave it away?"

Jammy took a puff of his cigar.

"It looked normal. Too normal for something given by an Emberlord. I have seen enough rare items to know the difference."

Zane nodded.

He should have figured it out too.

The relic that the Emberlord gave shone brighter than ever and it was hot in touch. But after some time, the relic Zane was left with only glowed in the morning and it wasn't all that hot.

Zane narrowed his eyes.

"The Emberlord gave me the relic. I took it. I put it inside my pants. I went out with it. I didn't take it out. I prayed in a church. Met a veil heretic. Met Xavier. Dropped the idol of the First Flame and then got away with it. Wait. So I had the original relic until I was about to be killed in front of the church. And the only person who ever got the relic in his hands other than me yesterday was…"

Zane's brows shot up.

He jerked his head at Xavier.

Xavier matched his gaze.

The man was also looking at Zane.

Both of them had their eyes wide open.

"I think…" Xavier spoke.

Zane nodded.

"Yes. That is possible. But I have to be sure. I couldn't waste time chasing a false lead."

Everyone frowned as Zane and Xavier's words went over their heads.

But Zane didn't explain them.

"Those who work in the Citadel. Raise your hands."

Many hands were raised.

Most of them belonged to the middle aged gutterborns.

Zane eyed them and asked:

"Tell me, did any of you see or hear of many priests going to Grey Bloom to cure the rising corruption?"

They looked at each other and shook their heads.

All of them.

"No. Nothing like that. And even if the corruption is growing, the Priests only go for support. The Emberlords handle the main situation."

Zane held his head.

Now everything made sense.

"I am an idiot!"

He slammed his fist on the table.

He looked at Xavier and his jaw was clenched too.

"I should have paid attention. He clearly touched it. Tossed it. He played us, Zane. Me and you both."

Xavier punched the air.

Zane seethed his teeth.

Silence reigned in the basement until…

"Care to tell us what is going on?"

Tesla broke it.

Zane looked at him.

Then at everyone.

"When I dropped the idol, I was about to be killed. But then I showed the relic and was pardoned. But at that time, I didn't know the importance of it so I handed it to someone to make him see it more clearly. And that was the only person who held the relic in his hand other than me and the Emberlord."

Zane inhaled.

"Then he did something that dimmed the light of the relic and when I asked for it back, he tossed it over my head. I don't know why but maybe he did that to make me forget the texture of the relic or something else.

He constantly told me it was of no use to me. He constantly told me about the things that could be done with it. There was greed in his eyes and my fear of dying made me blind to that greed. Then he said he was leaving for Grey Bloom because the corruption was reaching the forest. Which was a lie, as you all said.

In truth, he went away with the Relic. If only I was less eager to reach home, we would have been having a different day today."

Zane stopped talking.

He took pride in reading people but today, he was reminded of his illiteracy

Jammy took one last puff and crushed the cigar under his foot.

Then he stepped forward.

"Who was he?"

Zane locked eyes with Xavier and both men replied in unison:

"The Flamekeeper Horum."