The sky was dotted with heavy gray clouds, casting an oppressive atmosphere over the eastern camp. The air was thick with unease as a large number of Magi gathered outside Adam's tent.

Hushed murmurs rippled through the crowd as they talked about how Adam had committed the grave crime of taking the life of an ally.

To say that these people were repulsed would be an understatement.

Suddenly, the flaps to the tent opened and Oswald Gracie, the Rank 2 Magus, stepped out. His expression was cold and indifferent, yet the raging fury in his eyes could not be hidden.

When the Magi saw him, they all bowed in respect.

At the same time, they couldn't help but wonder just which unfortunate fellow it was that had killed someone related to a mighty Rank 2 Magus.

After Oswald, his brother, Morden, walked out of the tent, his fists dripping with blood. Of course, the blood didn't belong to him.

Finally, about a dozen Magi of the Gracie Family stepped out of the tent, their expressions full of rage. One of them was viciously holding a bloodied and battered young man by the hair and dragging him through the ground.

When the crowd's gaze fell on this young man, they sucked in a breath of cold air.

The youth's clothes were shredded, exposing his heavily burned skin. His face was completely swollen from all the beating he had received just now.

He was drenched in blood and cut an extremely sorry figure.

Yet, his eyes were calm and shone with defiance.

When Morden saw this look in Adam's eyes, he was truly enraged. He stomped toward him and delivered a vicious slap to him in front of everyone.

Then, he grabbed him by the hair and screamed at his face, viciously taunting him, "You're about to die, boy! You hear me? You'll be made an example of. Let the world know what happens when you dare to go against the Gracie Fam"

Oswald immediately interrupted his younger brother and spoke in a louder tone, "Let this be a lesson to all. This is what awaits those who commit the crime of killing an ally. The allied forces will never stand such heinous behavior."

He paused for a moment, making sure that everyone around was listening to him.

"Betrayal will not be tolerated.

"Justice will be served."

Everyone glanced at Oswald with grim expressions. Then, they gazed at Adam who was lying motionlessly beneath Morden's foot.

There was no pity in their eyes whatsoever. Their expression ranged from contempt to hatred. Not one person was sympathetic toward him.

A moment of silence ensued

And then the crowd erupted in a frenzy.

"Death to this traitor!"

"Off with his head!"

"He deserves to die!"

Seeing such a reaction from the crowd, Oswald nodded his head ever so slightly. Then, he began walking toward the headquarters at the center of the camp.

Meanwhile, Morden ordered his men to tie a rope around Adam's neck and drag him through the mud.

As Adam's face scraped against the mud and dirt, he could hear the chatter of the crowd around him. Their words carried sheer disgust and disapproval.

Despite everything he was going through, he was expressionless and only one word echoed inside his mind.

Endure.

Suddenly, a loud commotion was heard from the front and another group of Magi made their way through the crowd and confronted the Gracie Magi.

This new group was being led by two Rank 2 Magi!

One of them was a burly Magus with fiery red hair that was tied into a ponytail. He stomped toward Oswald and grabbed the latter's collar with blatant hostility.

"What the hell do you think you're doing to one of my men?!" Esmond roared in fury.

When word got to him about the situation between Adam and the Gracies, he knew for sure that this despicable Magus Family was once again up to no good.

After all, they didn't quite have a good reputation in the Southern Federation. He was certain that these people were conspiring against Adam.

Oswald's eyes narrowed and he radiated vast killing intent toward the red-haired man. "Let go of me before I cut your hands"

However, the words got stuck in his mouth when he saw another Magus, a female with auburn hair and light blue eyes, point her sword at his throat.

"Answer him before I cut your head," said Professor Kimberly, her voice laced with an icy chill that sent shivers down one's spine.

Oswald deeply glanced at the woman. Then, he muttered with a cold voice, "Adam Constantine is guilty of taking the life of my nephew, Kevin Gracie."

"Lies!" Esmond screamed.

But the next moment, his eyes widened in disbelief when a blinding white light shone around Adam after Oswald had cast a hand sign.

Esmond knew exactly what this signified, and he couldn't help but mutter in shock, "Soulmark Retribution!"

"Now get the hell out of my way," Oswald spat through gritted teeth as he pushed the man away.

All the color seemed to have been drained out of Esmond and Professor Kimberly's faces when they saw the white light appear around Adam. They knew exactly what that meant.

"Adam, you" Professor Kimberly spoke with a trembling voice.

Adam weakly glanced at her and then at Esmond, but didn't speak a word.

The evidence was right there in front of everyone's face. Even if they were a Rank 2 Magus and wielded immense strength, there was nothing they could do about it now.

Regardless of power or status, a soldier could not disobey the military code.

Esmond and Professor Kimberly could only helplessly stare as the Gracie Family Magi dragged Adam away.

On their way to the headquarters, they were confronted by yet another group of people - the Magi of the Roy Family.

However, they too were helpless in the face of clear evidence presented by Oswald Gracie.

As the group made their way to the center of the camp, more and more people started to gather and follow them. When they learned about the reason for this development, they were filled with loathing toward Adam.

Soon, the Magi of the Gracie Family had arrived at camp headquarters. There, an execution stand had already been prepared.

As the crowd parted and made way for this group, Adam raised his head and looked ahead. Seeing what awaited him, he couldn't help but nervously gulp.

A tall and foreboding apparatus stood atop the execution platform, its razor-sharp blade gleaming with a cold and unforgiving glint.

The guillotine.

With great struggle, Adam then turned his head in the general direction of Moon City, his eyes flashing with urgency and anxiety.

Damn it! Where are you?