Chapter 3

One guard led the way in front, another followed behind, and together they flanked Lucas between them, passing through the iron gate, walking along a long stone path, and into the main building.

The moment Lucas stepped into the hall, the Pan bloodline inside him suddenly stirred.

It was as if something on the upper floor of this building was sending out a resonance that only he could sense.

He closed his eyes and focused.

The Pan bloodline flowed through him, amplifying his hearing to an extraordinary degree.

He could make out the hushed voices of several people in the room upstairs.

One voice was hoarse and weary. "This isn't something medicine can fix. Ms. Colombo isn't sick — she's possessed by a demon."

Another voice chimed in. "We've tried exorcism rituals. Nothing worked. This demon is more powerful than anything we've ever encountered."

The first voice spoke again. "I've heard of the former bishop of the Cathedral of St. Seraphim — Father Michael. He's the most powerful exorcist in all of Harmony City. No one understands demons better than he does. If he steps in, Ms. Colombo might still have a chance."

"Then where is he?" a sharp, cold voice cut in.

"...I don't know. He retreated to the countryside a few years ago. No one knows exactly where he is. The Church has been searching for him for a long time, but they've come up empty."

Lucas slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He hadn't expected that old man Michael to have such a reputation.

Before he could think about it further, the sound of footsteps came from upstairs.

A tall man descended the staircase.

He appeared to be in his mid-fifties, his silver-gray hair combed back without a single strand out of place. His features were sharp, and his eyes were as keen as a hawk's.

He wore a dark gray suit, and his entire presence carried a commanding, almost oppressive weight.

Lucas looked him up and down. If his guess was right, this was the man who held power in the Colombo family.

"You're the one we sent for?" Oliver said, his voice flat and indifferent.

Lucas said nothing and gave a small nod.

Oliver walked to the center of the hall and waved a hand at the priest beside him. "Do it."

The priest immediately pulled a silver crucifix and a silver dagger from beneath his black robes and started toward Lucas.

Lucas instinctively took a step back.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

The priest didn't answer and kept advancing.

Lucas looked over at Oliver. "What's this — you're trying to kill me the moment I walk in?"

Oliver settled into the chair the butler had brought over, his expression still calm. "This is what you owe my daughter."

Lucas frowned. "Even if you want my life, at least let me know why I'm dying."

Oliver studied him for a moment. There was something unusual about this man's presence — something he couldn't quite place. Especially around the eyes, there was an odd resemblance to himself.

Finally, he raised a hand toward the priest, signaling him to stop.

"Fine. I'll tell you." Oliver held Lucas's gaze, his voice unhurried. "My daughter fell into the sea and was possessed by a demon. The priest told me that to kill this demon, I need to sacrifice the one who caused her harm."

Lucas was quiet for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"What's so funny?" Oliver's eyes turned cold.

Lucas looked at him with open contempt. "I'm laughing because someone played you for a fool and you don't even know it."

"What do you mean?" Oliver's brow furrowed.

"First of all — sacrifice as a way to drive out a demon?" Lucas said, his gaze sliding over to the priest standing beside Oliver. "You actually believe something that baseless?"

The priest immediately looked down, guilt written all over his face.

Oliver watched the man in front of him. He hadn't expected someone to stay this calm and clear-headed in a situation like this, and despite himself, he felt a flicker of regret.

To think the Moretti family had produced someone this bold. What a waste.

"And another thing—" Lucas continued. "Even if that were true, it wouldn't work on me. Because I'm not the one who hurt her."

The room went still. Everyone stared at him in shock.

"What did you say?" Oliver shot to his feet.

"I said, I'm not the one who hurt her."

"That Victor — how dare he play me like this!" Oliver let out a furious roar.

Everyone around him flinched, too afraid to even breathe.

They all knew what this meant. The Moretti family was finished.

Oliver turned and fixed Lucas with an icy stare. "If you're not the one who harmed my daughter, then you're of no use to me."

He waved toward the men in black by the door. "Kill him."

Two men in black stepped forward immediately, hands moving to the guns at their waists.

"Hold on."

Lucas showed no sign of panic. Instead, he moved steadily toward Oliver, a calm, confident smile on his face. "I know how to save your daughter."