The Broken Halo

After killing the Second Officer, Simon quickly controlled the wind to prevent the detection staff from striking the ground, then he carried the corpse and brought it behind a set of stacked containers.

Killing the Second Hazard Officer could have repercussions in the near future, but Simon chose to kill him rather than leaving him unconscious.

If he was unconscious and not dead, he might might awaken too early or be discovered while Simon remained inside Black Horn.

A dead demon stored inside a spatial ring would create none of those problems.

’Fortunately for me, he was just a Supreme Archfiend.’

Simon removed the demon’s mask and studied his face before the Sword Daemon’s mask changed to that of the Second Officer. He then wore the demon’s mask before inspecting the dark clasp.

Fortunately for him, the clasp had no formation or array that would disrupt his plan.

He placed the corpse inside his spatial ring, put on the Second Officer’s garment, and adjusted the padding around his shoulders. The loose material hid the small differences between their builds.

He copied the Officer’s earlier voice with wind, then he picked up the detection staff and returned to the backyard.

The containment captain and First Hazard Officer had already entered through the inner door. The apothecary owner stood nearby with his assistant, both watching anxiously.

The captain looked at Simon.

"Did you find anything?"

"Nothing at all ," Simon replied in the dead demon’s voice. "Whoever entered left before we arrived."

The captain gave a short nod and pointed at the poisoned needle.

"I and First have already inspected the building. We-"

BEEP!

BEEP!

BEEP!

Before the captain could finish his words, a loud beeping sound came from the ring he was wearing. The ring was a communication device.

Everybody’s expression changed, especially the captain who knew what the sound meant. Before the captain could say or act, a hurried voice escaped from the ring.

"Containment breach in Lower Ward Three! Every active unit is to return immediately!"

The captain’s expression darkened and he quickly spoke.

"What happened?"

"The Fourth Shroud attacked two ward guards and sealed the treatment chamber!"

A crash sounded through the ring, followed by several distant shouts.

Then another voice shouted.

"The Black Banner prisoner has also regained consciousness."

The Containment Captain’s expression darkened at the words he heard .

"How did the prisoner wake up?"

"We don’t know," the voice from the ring replied. "His monitoring formation suddenly reacted after the Fourth Shroud entered. The chamber’s internal cleansing array has been reversed, and we can’t force the door without risking the prisoner’s life."

The captain cursed beneath his breath.

He turned toward the apothecary owner.

"Lock the inner door and keep everyone inside. Another unit will take over the yard."

The owner’s face became pale.

"How long will that take?"

"Until Black Horn decides you can leave."

The answer was cold enough to stop any further questions.

The captain looked at the poisoned needle buried in the wall, then removed a small red marker from his case and threw it toward the ground. The marker opened before touching the stone, creating a thin barrier around the contaminated area.

The captain glanced at Simon and the First Officer.

"First, Second, we’re returning."

Simon and the First Hazard Officer immediately moved and responded at the same time.

"Understood."

Less than a minute later, the three demons left Malkir Apothecary, and they moved through the western district at full speed.

Simon stayed slightly behind the First Hazard Officer, matching the dead demon’s earlier breathing rhythm while keeping his movements controlled.

The Black Horn Office soon appeared ahead.

Red formation lines covered its dark walls, while the enormous horns above the entrance emitted a dark glow.

The western service gate was already closing.

"Returning containment unit!" the captain shouted.

A guard looked toward them and immediately raised a white flame inspection staff.

The captain pressed the ring on his finger against the gate formation. Three symbols appeared above it, representing every member of his active unit.

The First Hazard Officer’s clasp released a dull pulse.

To Simon’s relief, his clasp did the same.

The white light of the white flame swept over his body.

It pressed against his entire body, garment, and the Sword Daemon’s mask that was acting as the face of the Second Hazard Officer.

Simon remained calm as the guard inspected him and the others.

A few seconds later, the inspection ended.

"Clear!" the guard shouted.

The gate opened just enough for the three demons to enter, and the moment they crossed, it slammed shut behind them.

Black Horn no longer resembled the quiet and orderly Office Simon entered with Sonya earlier.

Officials ran through the corridors with weapons in their hands. Reinforced doors closed section by section, while red lights moved along the floor and pointed toward the lower levels.

The captain did not slow down.

"We’re going to Lower Ward Three."

They followed the crimson lights across the floor and entered a sloping corridor. The deeper they descended, the heavier the building’s suppression formations pressed against their body.

He matched the First Officer’s pace and kept his breathing steady.

Nobody had a reason to question him yet.

Lower Ward Three smelled of blood and medicine.

Several guards stood before a reinforced door, while two wounded demons were being treated beside the wall. Ossik was also there. His coat was torn near one of his wrists, and the coldness in his eyes had become far more noticeable.

"The Fourth Shroud destroyed the controls from inside," he told the captain. "The prisoner is still alive, but we can’t see what is happening in the chamber."

"Can’t the runemasters do something about this?" The captain asked with a frown.

"Not quickly enough."

Ossik pointed toward two narrow maintenance hatches on opposite sides of the corridor.

"Those lead inside, but the chamber is currently filled with a dangerous poisonous gas that can even affect Minor Greater Demons to a certain extent, so only Hazard Officers can enter safely."

The captain looked at them.

"First, take the western passage. Second, use the eastern one. Reach the chamber and wait for my order. We might have to break down this door."

Simon nodded and opened the eastern hatch with the clasp on his chest.

The passage was narrow and dark. He moved through it in a crouch until quiet voices reached his ears.

A metal grate appeared ahead.

Through it, Simon saw the vice-leader strapped to a raised treatment frame. One swollen eye was open, and a black needle rested against the side of his neck.

The Fourth Shroud stood beside him and his lips moved.

Simon could hear his words.

"I obtained information from my sources that it was a demoness who attacked the nest," the Shroud said quietly. "You recognized her. Give me her name."

The prisoner struggled to move his broken jaw.

"She called herself... Sonya... Honourable Sonya... A kragh."

The Fourth Shroud became silent, then a faint smile appeared beneath the hood.

"I see. Sonya huh. She’s a top priority among the current recruits. I’ve heard of her."

The Fourth Shroud hummed softly and began tapping the frame softly.

"However... the voice that spoke through the Warden’s Bone was male."

Simon’s gaze turned cold.

"So our unknown stranger is most likely one of the two demons travelling with her."

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