Divine System: Land of the Abominations-Chapter 279: Mr. Know-it-all (1).

The Abomination writhed on the forest floor, its body pinned beneath Jacob’s boot. It was a Mirehound. The creature’s toxic mist glands along its spine had been crushed, leaving it unable to deploy its primary defense.

Jacob raised his waraxe and brought it down in a swing that opened the Mirehound’s belly from sternum to groin. The creature’s entrails spilled onto the dark earth, steam rising from the corrupted organs as they met the cool air.

The Mirehound didn’t die immediately. It thrashed and convulsed, its limbs scrabbling uselessly at the ground as Jacob methodically began peeling back layers of flesh with the edge of his axe.

Black blood pooled beneath the dying creature, soaking into the moss and dead leaves.

Jacob’s expression remained completely neutral throughout the entire process.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity but was probably only thirty seconds, the Mirehound shuddered one last time and went still.

Jacob stepped back and wiped the blade of his axe clean with a cloth from his belt.

Arthur stood a few feet away, his own quarry already dispatched. The Mirehound beneath his boot had died quickly. Arthur’s blade had entered through its open maw and severed the spine with a single precise thrust. Clean and efficient, completely unlike Jacob’s approach.

Arthur raised a brow at Jacob’s handiwork, then shook his head in amusement.

Noticing Arthur’s gaze, Jacob snorted and raised a brow. "What?"

Arthur’s smiled. "I just can’t help but wonder if torture is your favorite pastime."

Jacob sneered, "It’s certainly one of my favorites, just not the best."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he added, "Although I am not quite as fond of visiting the whorehouses and drinking dens much like you."

Arthur’s expression changed for a moment.

Then, seemingly to deflect, he turned to where Nero stood a short distance away.

Nero had already dispatched his own targets. Both lay dead with spear wounds through their throats. He’d been staring blankly ahead for some time when Arthur’s voice cut through his thoughts.

"Nero."

Nero snapped out of his reverie and turned to face Arthur. "Do you need me for something?"

A strange smile appeared on Arthur’s face as he walked toward Nero with an easy, confident stride. He reached out and placed a hand on Nero’s shoulder.

"Tell me," Arthur said, his voice carrying genuine curiosity beneath the playful tone. "Which do you think is the more productive pastime—whoring, or torture?"

Nero’s face paled instantly.

"This..."

His mind raced. How was he supposed to respond to that? This was clearly some kind of test or game between the two nobles, and he’d just been dragged into it as an unwitting third party.

Jacob snorted with an irritated look on his face and walked away, heading toward a large tree root where he could sit. Arthur continued to look at Nero with that fervent, expectant gaze, clearly waiting for an answer.

Nero paused for a moment, carefully considering his words. Then he spoke slowly, choosing neutrality over alignment. "I am not quite particularly fond of either..."

Arthur shrugged, seemingly unbothered by the diplomatic non-answer. "In that case, what do you do in your free time?"

Nero thought about it for a moment, then smiled wryly, "I am fond of reading books."

Jacob, who had seated himself on the root of a massive tree a short distance from where they stood, snorted loudly and spat onto the ground.

"No wonder you look like a damned pretty, fair-skinned twig," he called out with clear derision. "I’ve fucked whores with more hair on their chest than you."

Arthur burst out laughing, "Your taste in women is rather intriguing, Jacob."

Jacob’s expression fell immediately, his face darkening with irritation. He pointed at Arthur with what looked like genuine rage in his eyes, his mouth opening to deliver what was undoubtedly going to be a scathing retort.

But Arthur had already turned away from him, dismissing the reaction entirely, and was now focused completely on Nero.

"I’ve never heard of a common man that can write or read," Arthur said, "Most of those who can devolve into Heresy. Surely you are not one of them, are you?"

A bead of sweat rolled down Nero’s back despite the cool forest air. His heart rate picked up slightly as he shook his head with a smile.

"Of course not."

Arthur laughed and patted his shoulder again,

"I’m just pulling your legs."

Nero kept his smile fixed in place as he forced his swelling emotions to calm down.

Arthur continued, his interest apparently genuine now. "I would say I am quite learned myself. Tell me—do you enjoy the intricacies of political literature? Or is it circular history that intrigues you? Or perhaps you are more attuned with superficial prose folklore?"

Nero thought about it for a moment, trying to figure out how to answer without revealing too much. Then he hesitated, uncertain which direction to take the conversation.

Seeing this, Arthur chuckled and stretched his arms overhead, working out the tension from the recent fight. He called out to Jacob, "You wouldn’t mind if we took another break, would you?"

Jacob raised a brow, then clicked his tongue with obvious annoyance. "A bunch of sissies. Do whatever you please."

Arthur chuckled at the response and beckoned Nero to sit with him on a nearby tree root. The wood was thick and rough. A prime spot to have a seat and rest the legs.

Nero hesitated for a moment, wondering if this was wise, but ultimately decided to go along.

They sat, and Arthur settled in with a relaxed posture

"Could it be that you are on a quest for some forbidden knowledge?" Arthur asked, his voice taking on a slightly teasing quality. "Stuff like that is like ambrosia, you know... Once you have a taste of it, there is no going back."

Nero shook his head quickly. "No. I’m not after anything like that. I am..."

He paused for a moment as he thought about it for a moment. Then he continued, his voice steady, "I want to learn about sorcery."

Arthur’s expression changed slightly. The playful amusement faded, replaced by something more serious. "Is that so?"

Nero nodded, allowing his expression to turn serious as well. This, at least, was true. "As a member of a noble house, I am sure you know a lot about sorcery, even if you don’t practice it."

Arthur was silent for a moment, his eyes studying Nero’s face as if searching for something. Then he smiled, though this smile was different from the earlier ones.

"I do practice sorcery," Arthur said, his voice casual. "One could say I am quite well versed in it as well. But..."

A cold look flashed in his eyes,

"Such knowledge is worth its weight in gold. Even heirs to noble families have to work hard before they are given such. Did you think it would be that simple to receive it?"