Marcus was no Gray Rock Hyena, a low-level demon; he was indeed a level one Awakened, and the energy within him was definitely worth Duke's absorption.

If Duke did not absorb the energy from Marcus, it would seem quite unreasonable.

So he had to perform this act in front of the caravan. In fact, even when Finn and the other person saw it, they found it quite normal and did not think in any other direction.

They could never imagine that this scene was deliberately staged by Duke, nor did they think Duke was someone from the Other Plane.

As for Marcus's body, people simply thought it was completely crushed by Duke's Yellow Sand Giant Claw and mixed with the sand, leaving only some blood on the ground.

The once tense canyon became exceedingly quiet, as if everything was merely an illusion.

But everyone knew this was not an illusion; the figure standing before them, Master Jelot, was an exceptionally powerful level one Awakened.

Such potent Awakened Ability was enough to make him an esteemed guest in any giant city-state, a presence the entire caravan had to look up to.

Duke noticed that at the moment of Marcus's death, his Warhammer also dissipated into a stream of energy.

It seemed that this Warhammer truly wasn't a traditional weapon, but rather Marcus's Awakened Ability, commonly called Demonized Armor.

Demonized Armor is a common Awakened Ability, like Bal's giant Tower Shield, which is also a form of Demonized Armor.

The manifestations of Demonized Armor can vary widely, possibly appearing as swords, warhammers, bows, or any kind of weapon, or even like armor worn on the body.

Apart from having characteristics of weapons or armor themselves, these Demonized Armors often have special abilities related to the Awakened.

Typically, Awakened need to deeply explore their own abilities, continuously practicing to enhance their strength and enrich the way Demonized Armors are used.

Demonized Armors also undergo changes as the Awakened's strength increases, which is also their greatest reliance.

After finishing these, Duke looked around; the canyon was deathly silent.

Marcus, the leader of the Gray Forest Thieves who once terrorized the Gray Forest and struck fear into passing merchants, and his famed weapons, completely vanished from the world, leaving not a single intact corpse behind.

Only the wails of the wind through the cracks of the Rock Wall and the occasional bubble and crack of the still-congealing pool of blood remained.

The overwhelmingly strong scent of blood, mixed with dust and a trace of lingering coldness, formed a nauseating, hellish atmosphere.

All members of the caravan, including Bal and Finn, stood stiff as if frozen by a spell.

They looked at the figure standing atop the yellow sand, whose robe remained undisturbed by even the slightest dust, venerating him like a God.

Duke quietly stood there, the yellow sand around him flowing and settling like a living creature, silently covering and burying the grim corpses and bloodstains in the canyon, as the golden sunset cast a sacred yet chilling halo over him.

Effortlessly, he buried all the corpses of the Gray Forest Thieves underground, in the very place where they used to ambush passing merchants, conveniently erasing many traces.

Neither Finn nor Bal ever considered the question of Marcus's corpse or the bodies of the Apprentice Awakened, not daring to ask for energy, as they believed it had all been absorbed by Duke.

Duke's gaze finally returned to the slowly calming sandy canyon, as if nothing had ever happened.

He gently took a step, the sand at his feet moving like the most obedient steed, carrying him steadily towards the exit of the canyon.

"Let's go." His voice broke the stillness.

The caravan members awoke as if from a dream, hastily driving their frightened pack animals, clumsily following.

The wheels rolled over the sand-covered ground, still bearing dark red marks, making a soft rustling sound, as if treading on countless souls' remains.

No one dared to speak, or even look another moment at the divine-like figure ahead.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long, casting them into the blood and sand-filled canyon, silently reaching into the distance.

Hawke silently rode at the front of the caravan. Whenever he thought that he had employed Duke for merely ten gold lion coins, his face couldn't help but feel burning hot.

He now realized that such a small amount of money was far from sufficient to pay for Duke's services; in fact, a strong individual of Duke's caliber couldn't be simply hired with money.

As soon as they left the canyon, it marked the end of the Gray Forest Thieves as history, the bandits entrenched here for three years utterly obliterated.

Even if some members remained, without Marcus, the Gray Forest Thieves were nothing more than scattered sand, incapable of attacking any more caravans.

The fighting capability of Hawke's caravan was actually not poor. With over a hundred people and two Apprentice Awakened, it was not something ordinary bandits could rob.

However, because the Leighton Clan was unwilling to exert efforts to eliminate this force, the Gray Forest Thieves could remain active here for three years.

The latter part of the journey was quite peaceful, besides the occasional disturbance by minor demons, there were no significant surprises.

One month later.

"Master Jelot," Hawke urged his horse closer, his voice carrying obvious respect, "Ahead lies Goose Peak Castle."

Duke's gaze cast into the distance, where the silhouette of a massive fortress gradually emerged in the deepening dusk, built against the mountain.

It nestled between two steep peaks resembling swans' necks, guarding the crucial passageway to the prosperous inland.

The gray stone massive wall, weathered by time, bore scars of blades, axes, and energy burns, silently telling tales of countless battles.

From behind the battlements on the wall, giant metal ballistae showed savage fangs, while the watchtowers, like vigilant eyes, glimmered with a faint yellow light, scanning the desolate plain.

A raw scent of rust, dust, sweat, and cheap grease floated faintly on the night wind.

This was Goose Peak Castle, or rather the entrance to it; the fortress ahead was the origin of Goose Peak Castle's name.

Behind this fortress stood a gigantic city-state, the largest within the Leighton Clan's territory, exceptionally prosperous.

"Master Jelot, it's thanks to you that the caravan reached here safely and the goods were preserved. Upon reaching Goose Peak Castle, we will provide additional compensation as a token of gratitude," Hawke sincerely thanked.

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