My Substitute CEO Bride (Nash Calicraft) novel Chapter 2464

Malior agreed to Harkin's request. From then on, the elderly exorcist, Malior, and the group of children walked the path of exorcism as they protected their homeland. However, their good fortune was short-lived.

The Nihons' relentless invasion and pursuit began to overwhelm Malior. Despite his formidable strength and Harkin's protection, he struggled to care for the children. The responsibility of looking after them eventually fell to Maxim.

Maxim proved to be an exemplary elder brother. Although he seldom spoke about it, he deeply valued the younger ones. His bond with them was strong, and he took his role in caring for them seriously.

One day, Malior set out to visit the Goode family, which had significant influence in the East District that was located in the Northern Territory at that time. Malior's objective was simple. He wanted to unite the factions and resist the Nihon invaders together.

Thus, powerful families like the Goode, Twigg, and Wallace families gathered at the Goode residence to discuss plans for resistance.

Malior's trip lasted about two days, and he never mentioned what exactly happened during this time. He chose not to speak of it, and it remained a topic he avoided.

Maxim had no idea what had transpired. How could the combined might of several powerful families fail to repel the invaders? Despite his persistent questioning, Malior remained tight-lipped.

To make matters worse, after the family heads returned, rumor had it that all but the Goode family and Malior had gone mad. In an instant, the prominent families began to decline at an alarming rate, and many smaller families were completely disbanded due to the ongoing war.

Since that fateful day, Malior did not leave the confines of his home and dedicated himself to cultivating behind closed doors. He instructed Maxim and the others not to disturb him, which only heightened their unease.

Maxim could not help but wonder what had happened and why so many people had lost their sanity. Of course, Maxim did not think too much about it at that time.

One day, Malior suddenly emerged from his retreat late at night. The noise startled the disciples, waking them from their sleep. They watched with concern as their seemingly lost and hollow-eyed master stepped out.

“No, that’s unlikely. It’s almost impossible to release true energy intentionally when someone’s sleepwalking. Even if it’s being released unconsciously, it wouldn’t be enough to cast such advanced spells.”

“Then, what now...” Thresmund asked, trembling slightly.

Maxim confidently replied, “Don’t worry, nothing will happen. Our master is really powerful, after all!”

Although he said that, Maxim himself felt uncertain. He knew that if their master was under someone’s control, there was not much they, as disciples, could do. That would be the worst-case scenario, of course. For now, they would just have to observe.

As they continued to follow Malior, a thick layer of fog began to rise around them. Maxim grew more suspicious.