Rebirth : The Alchemist's Path

Chapter 51: Betrayal and the End of the Hall Master

When Orlo saw the long line in front of him, he couldn't help but frown.

There were at least three or four hundred people ahead of him. Would he have to wait until tomorrow?

"Let's go inside and check," Orlo said, preparing to walk straight into the shop.

However, Reggie quickly pulled him back.

"Hall Master, the owner of this shop is incredibly powerful. Since so many people are queuing up, we should probably wait in line as well," Reggie urged.

Although Hall Master Orlo held a high position in the Bork Empire, could he really compare to the Second Prince?

The man who dared to cripple the Second Prince wouldn't think twice about dealing with someone like Orlo.

Hearing this, Orlo became furious.

As the Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall, under the royal family, even dukes and counts had to show him respect.

And yet, a mere civilian shop dared to make him queue?

"Hmph! I want to see what's so special about this shop!" Orlo snorted coldly, pushing aside the people in front of him and striding toward the shop.

Seeing that Orlo was ignoring his warning, Reggie was helpless.

He knew his Hall Master's personality. Once he made a decision, nothing could change his mind.

At the same time, Reggie began to regret it. If something happened to Orlo, he would probably face the consequences as well.

The people in line ahead suddenly felt someone pushing them.

Turning around, they were about to get angry but quickly shut their mouths when they saw it was Hall Master Orlo.

Even Nat, who noticed Orlo, didn't intervene. Since Orlo had pushed him earlier, Nat felt some resentment and chose to watch as Orlo walked into his doom.

Soon, Orlo arrived at the entrance of the shop.

However, the people in line behind him all looked at him with mockery.

So what if he was the Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall? Didn't he see that even the Crown Prince was standing in line?

"You're the owner of this shop? I am Orlo, Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall. I've heard about your—"

"Get lost!"

Before Orlo could finish speaking, **Sylvus** cut him off with a cold voice.

Orlo froze, then sneered.

There were people in the Holy City who dared to tell him to get lost, but the person in front of him wasn't one of them.

"You've got guts, telling this Hall Master to get lost. Do you even know—"

"Meylan, cripple him and throw him out," **Sylvus** said calmly.

"Right away, boss."

*Whoosh…*

Meylan had been waiting for a chance to act.

As soon as **Sylvus** spoke, Meylan's figure flashed, heading straight for Orlo.

Orlo, not panicking, snorted and threw a punch at Meylan.

*Boom…*

"Ah… Ugh…"

The next second, Orlo let out a scream.

He spat out blood and was sent flying, his face full of shock.

"How… how can you be this strong?" Orlo knelt on one knee, looking at Meylan in disbelief.

Meylan was also a little surprised.

He had already gauged Orlo's strength and had thought that one strike would be enough to cripple him. Yet, it only seriously injured him.

However, upon seeing the magical armor Orlo was wearing, Meylan understood.

Half of his force had been absorbed by the armor.

"Too much talking!" Meylan snorted coldly and struck again.

With his Magus Emperor strength, Orlo didn't even warrant the use of magic.

"Come forth, Ironclad Rhino!"

Panicking, Orlo knew he wasn't a match for Meylan. He quickly summoned a bright light from his hand, and a spatial ripple appeared.

A three-meter-tall magical beast materialized in front of him.

"Roar…"

As soon as the Ironclad Rhino appeared, it let out a deafening roar, radiating the aura of a peak-level seventh-rank beast.

"Stubborn fool!"

Seeing the Ironclad Rhino, Meylan's eyes were full of disdain.

He struck the beast's head with his palm.

*Boom…*

A loud explosion echoed as the newly summoned Ironclad Rhino exploded before it could even react.

However, at that moment, Meylan used space-binding magic.

The fragments of the Ironclad Rhino's body remained frozen in place.

*Thud…*

The next second, Meylan appeared beside Orlo, landing another strike that sent him flying once more.

At the same time, Orlo's aura weakened significantly.

Moments ago, he had been a Nine-Star Golden Knight. Now, as he hit the ground, he was no different from an ordinary person.

Seeing that Orlo had been thoroughly crippled, Meylan waved his hand, and a spatial rift appeared.

The Ironclad Rhino's remains vanished from the scene.

Yet, the stench of blood lingered in the alley.

*Gasp…*

Witnessing Meylan's effortless display of power, the crowd was stunned.

If they had faced him, they probably wouldn't have survived the first strike.

Then they glanced over at Orlo, their eyes filled not with sympathy, but with amusement.

So what if he was the Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall?

He should have realized where he was.

Meylan calmly resumed selling the pills, as if nothing had happened.

At the same time, Reggie rushed to Orlo's side and helped him up.

"Hall Master, are you alright?"

Orlo was about to speak when he noticed two figures approaching. Upon seeing them, his expression tightened.

"Your Highness? Young Master Corvin?"

The ones approaching were none other than Crown Prince Nat and Corvin.

As for Kennan, he was still in line, holding a spot for the two.

"Orlo, you've got some nerve, pushing me just now," Nat said with a playful smirk, looking at Orlo.

Although Nat was the Crown Prince, due to Orlo's special position, even he had to show some respect.

But now things were different. Orlo had been reduced to a cripple.

In his current state, it was impossible for him to remain as the Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall.

"Your Highness, were you also... in line?" Orlo asked in shock.

He then glanced at Corvin, his heart filled with disbelief.

What had happened in the Holy City during his absence?

The Crown Prince of the Bork Empire and the young master of the wealthiest family were willing to queue with commoners.

How powerful must this little shop be?

"You should stop talking now. Captain Reggie, take Hall Master Orlo back to recover from his injuries," Nat said, glancing at Reggie.

A flicker of surprise crossed Reggie's eyes, but he concealed it well, so no one noticed.

"Hall Master, let me take you back to heal," Reggie said quickly.

Orlo hesitated for a moment, then looked once more at the shop at the end of the alley.

Finally, he snorted coldly. Once he recovered, he would surely report this shop to the Emperor and have it eradicated.

Soon, Orlo and Reggie left.

Meanwhile, Corvin and Nat returned to the line, continuing to wait.

...

"Hmph, why didn't you tell me earlier that such powerful people were in that shop? Once we're back, go and receive your punishment," Orlo said coldly as Reggie helped him along the way.

Reggie frowned slightly at those words but maintained a respectful demeanor.

"Hall Master, it's all my fault. Let me take you to heal first. There's a shortcut ahead; let's take that path," Reggie said, pointing to another alley.

Orlo looked in the direction Reggie indicated. It was another alley that looked abandoned, with no one around.

"Alright."

Orlo didn't think much of it. He also didn't want to walk through crowded areas, not in such a disgraceful state.

"What's the deal with that shop? Do you know anything about it?" Orlo asked as they entered the alley.

But Reggie didn't respond, continuing to support Orlo as they walked forward.

This made Orlo frown.

Just as he was about to speak again, Reggie suddenly stopped.

Orlo looked ahead and realized there was no way through.

"Didn't you say this was a shortcut?" Orlo said angrily. Now that he was severely injured, any delay could be fatal.

"Hall Master, this is indeed a shortcut... a shortcut to your death!" Reggie sneered, his aura exploding as he lunged at Orlo.

A few minutes later, Reggie walked out of the alley with a smile.

As for Orlo, in his crippled state, he was no match for Reggie and had already been reduced to nothing but bones.

"You can't blame me for this. I'm not the only one who wanted you dead," Reggie murmured as he wiped the blood from his hands.

Earlier, Reggie had received a magical message from Nat, instructing him to kill Orlo.

Nat also promised that once Reggie's strength increased a bit more, he would recommend him to become the next Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall.

Reggie wasn't sure if Nat's promise was genuine, but he knew one thing: this was a perfect opportunity to kill Orlo.

Orlo had always been overbearing within the Enforcement Hall, and many people resented him.

But due to his strength, no one could oppose him.

Now, with today's events, Reggie wasn't going to miss this chance.

Orlo, reduced to a cripple, still had the audacity to think he could punish Reggie. That was as good as seeking death.

---

That evening, in the palace.

"Father, you summoned me. Is there something you need?" Nat asked as he stood before Boone.

"Nat, Captain Reggie of the Enforcement Hall informed the Hall today that Hall Master Orlo was crippled at the Eastern Pill Shop. You know about this, don't you?" Boone asked, looking at Nat.

Nat paused for a moment before responding quickly.

"Father, I did indeed visit the Pill Shop today, and I happened to run into Hall Master Orlo. He violated the shop owner's rules and tried to force his way in. You know the temperament of the owner. He had his Magus Emperor subordinate cripple Orlo on the spot."

"Though I wanted to intervene, Orlo was stubborn, and there was nothing I could do. After Orlo was crippled, I had his captain, Reggie, take him back to heal. As for what happened after that, I don't know."

Nat spoke cautiously, then asked, "Father, how is Hall Master Orlo now?"

Boone stared at Nat for a few seconds, sensing that his son wasn't lying. Finally, he shook his head.

"He's gone."

"Gone? How is that possible? Should I personally interrogate Captain Reggie?" Nat asked quickly.

He was surprised to learn that Reggie had actually killed Orlo.

Since that was the case, Reggie could continue to take the blame.

---