My Substitute CEO Bride (Nash Calicraft) novel Chapter 2462

A hundred years ago, Maxim's master at the time, Malior Young, was walking alongside a young Maxim after attending the ceremony to divide the anti-magic stone.

The two were walking back to the East District when they passed a small village. Malior suddenly sensed an intense smell of blood in the air.

“Hold on,” Malior said, pausing abruptly.

“What is it, master?” Maxim asked curiously.

Malior pulled out a talisman from his sleeve. The paper talisman floated up into the air, glowing slightly.

“Just as I thought. The village ahead has likely been massacred,” Malior said, his tone cold and grim.

“Master, should we…” Maxim hesitated.

“The murderer has already left,” Malior stated calmly.

“But what if there are survivors? Shouldn’t we check just in case?” Maxim urged.

“No, there’s no need. Let’s move on—" he began to answer but was interrupted.

At that moment, a faint crimson mist floated into the air from the village.

“I see! Follow me, Maxim!” Malior said, his sharp eyes narrowing.

Maxim followed closely as they entered a small temple in the village.

Inside, they found a wounded mink demon lying motionless on the floor, her body covered in gashes.

“The mink demon, Harkin…” Malior murmured. Being an exorcist, he recognized the creature.

Confused, Maxim looked at his master and asked, “Could this be the demon that slaughtered the entire village?”

Malior stared at the injured mink demon for a moment, pondering. "There's a bloody scent around her, but… it’s hard to say for sure."

Frustrated, Maxim insisted, "But she's a demon! Shouldn't we, as exorcists, carry out our duty? What’s holding you back, master?"

"Don’t worry, we’re not bad people. We’re exorcists. What happened here?" he asked gently.

"Exorcists..." the children murmured, uncertain.

"Yes, we followed the scent of blood. What exactly happened?" he continued.

The boy standing at the front remained silent, but then a little girl behind him spoke up.

"I-It was the Nihons... They came to the village and started burning, killing, and looting everything. Lady Harkin saved us, but…” the little girl explained.

Malior slowly walked toward Harkin and examined her. "There's still a faint trace of energy... Have the Nihons reached this far? Where are they now?"

The girl continued, "Lady Harkin killed most of them, but there were a few men in black who seemed really strong. They were the ones who hurt Lady Harkin. They're heading toward the mountain over there."

"I see." Malior nodded. Then, he turned to Maxim. "Maxim, protect them. I’ll be back soon."