Chapter 556

He could only watch helplessly as those once-friendly villagers transformed into hideous, sworn enemies.

"Zeon, you killed Zella, you deserve this," a middle-aged woman spoke through gritted teeth, eyes burning with the flames of hatred, "Did you think you could save people with those evil arts? You will only bring disaster and death."

"I didn’t... I really didn’t..." Adam defended himself weakly, but before he could finish, another flurry of punches and kicks interrupted him.

He squeezed his eyes shut, letting the pain erode every inch of his skin and every nerve, he felt as if he were being torn into countless pieces, each bearing endless agony and despair.

The evil qi inside his body churned, desperately wanting to erupt.

But if it erupted, all these people would die.

Then he would be walking down that old path once again.

In the endless darkness, Adam’s consciousness gradually blurred, but the indignation in his heart burned fiercely like a raging fire, every breath brought severe pain, yet he seemed unable to feel it, only the chill in his heart was more piercing than any physical injury.

Clang!

The heavy sound of an iron door closing pulled him from the chaos back to reality, cold stone walls surrounded him, in the narrow space, only a faint beam of light filtered through a high window, illuminating his scar-covered face.

Adam opened his eyes, after being beaten unconscious, he had been locked in a cell, waiting for unknown punishment.

He curled up in a corner, letting his thoughts drift, he recalled his times with the villagers, those happy moments had now become the most distant memories.

"Zeon, you still couldn’t escape this ordeal after all," he smiled bitterly, voice hoarse and low, he had thought his help could bring hope to this village, but never expected to become the public enemy.

He had still failed.

When it came to grasping the human heart, that Evil God was still a notch above him.

"Zella..." he muttered to himself, heart heavy, if all of this was something truly experienced...

That innocent and kind-hearted girl had died just like that because of Leon, his heart must have been filled with endless guilt and self-blame.

Adam understood that if this continued, Leon’s inner self would descend into infinite darkness.

Time in the cell seemed to stand still, every second felt as long as a century.

"Leon’s fate is truly miserable," he smiled bitterly, a trace of absolute resolve flashing through his eyes, he knew that perhaps he could not change the current situation, but he could choose how to face it, he could use his own methods to prove Leon’s innocence, even if the path was fraught with thorns.

The Evil God should not underestimate humanity.

Right at that moment, a flurry of urgent footsteps broke the silence, the cell door was violently pushed open, and a strong beam of light shone directly inside, stinging his eyes.

He looked up to see several soldiers clad in armor standing at the door, expressions solemn.

"Zeon, you are suspected of murdering the villager Zella, we are under orders to escort you to the tribunal to stand trial," the leading soldier spoke in a deep voice, tone devoid of emotion.

Adam did not resist, he stood up silently, letting the soldiers escort him out, he knew this would be his last chance to prove his innocence.

It was also his last chance to win this round against the Devourer of Desires.

He had to seize this opportunity, regardless of the outcome, he was going to bring the truth to light.

...

Adam understood that this was the original trial, after massacring the villagers, Leon must have had the exact same idea, wanting to make up for mistakes by doing good deeds, but he still failed.

With Leon’s abilities, he truly could not handle such a situation, already corrupted by evil qi, although he had experienced the sinister nature of the human heart, he was still young, it was his first time facing something like this.

Adam was bound by coarse iron chains, making every step exceptionally heavy, he walked through a dark and damp corridor, flanked by tightly shut stone doors, the occasional dripping water was piercing in the silence, like mockery directed at him.

However, his gaze was exceptionally firm, although this path was covered in thorns, it was his only way to wash away his grievances, the first confrontation between him and the Devourer of Desires had raised its curtain.

At the corridor’s end, a strong beam of light shone from the doorway, making him squint, he seemed to have a deep affinity with prison cells, ending up in one every so often, after walking further, he finally arrived at the judgment hall.

Blinding light illuminated everything, making the room look clear and austere, up above, dignified and solemn, a magistrate in a dark green robe sat rigidly on the central high platform, his gaze was sharp as a falcon’s, scrutinizing every soul that entered.

Adam was escorted to the defendant’s stand, the clanking of iron chains echoed through the courtroom, sounding jarring, he looked around, the villagers’ faces were angry, apathetic, or curious, but mostly held an indescribably complex emotion, among these people, many had received his help, he had even saved some of their lives.

"Zeon, you are suspected of murdering the civilian Zella, what do you have to say?" The presiding magistrate’s voice was deep and powerful, echoing throughout the courtroom.

Adam took a deep breath, straightened his back, and stared straight ahead, though his voice was weak, it was exceptionally firm.

"I am innocent, Zella’s death was neither what I wished for, nor was it my doing, although misunderstood and attacked by villagers blinded by hatred, I still hold justice in my heart and a persistent pursuit of the truth, I request the court give me an opportunity to bring the truth to light and restore my innocence."

An uproar broke out in the courtroom, the villagers whispered to one another, discussing animatedly, some were furious, while others looked doubtful.

"How could that be? I saw him kill Zella with his own hands, her body was covered in evil qi."

"I saw it too, that black evil qi... just looking at it felt ominous."

"He’s a monster, what’s there to put on trial? Just execute him directly."

...

The presiding magistrate lightly banged his gavel, signaling for everyone to quiet down, his gaze was profound, as if he could see through people’s hearts.

A/N:

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