Chapter 529 Revealing Everything
Though skeptical of Steven's accusations, everyone found themselves drawn to his words.
After all, it was Neil who had been stabbed, not them. And such a shocking claim—that Snowfall Cult orchestrated the zombie outbreaks—demanded explanation.
Theron and his team watched with particular intensity. The cause of the zombie crisis that had claimed Otha's life remained a mystery.
Finding the truth would honor their captain's sacrifice and give them something substantial to report to Silvercrest District leadership.
"Listen carefully," Steven announced, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "From the beginning, this was Snowfall Cult's conspiracy, and it all starts with Frostheart."
He swept his gaze across the gathered survivors. "Yes, Frostheart awakens Supernatural abilities and enhances potential. But its true purpose is far more sinister—when someone who has used Frostheart dies, their Supernatural ability transfers to Natasha!"
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"This is why Snowfall Cult distributed Frostheart so generously. This is why they've been relentlessly provoking conflicts throughout Starlight City—to cause more deaths!"
Steven's expression darkened. "Even sacrificing their own followers means nothing to them. Ordinary cult members are merely disposable resources—recruited in large numbers only to identify those with Supernatural potential, awaken their abilities with Frostheart, and then ensure their deaths so their powers return to Natasha."
"The cult members could all perish, and Natasha wouldn't care. She never needed them. She has something better." Steven's voice dropped to a contemptuous growl.
"A zombie army of her own creation! Unlike humans, these undead are completely obedient, powerful, and difficult to destroy. This is her true power!"
Silence fell as his words sank in. The revelation was too enormous to immediately accept.
Megan, Theron, and the others instinctively looked to Neil, searching his face for a reaction that might confirm or deny Steven's accusations.
"Lies!" Neil spat through gritted teeth. "Slander! How could Snowfall Cult possibly control the undead? If we possessed such power, would we have tolerated being suppressed by your factions all this time?"
He pointed a bloody finger at Steven. "You have no evidence—just your own twisted suspicions. I think you're the mastermind behind all this, Steven!"
The gathered survivors exchanged uncertain glances. Neil's argument made sense.
Snowfall Cult had been marginalized by the four major settlements, surviving only by trading Frostheart for basic necessities. How could they suddenly command tens of thousands of undead in just a few months?
Between Steven and Neil, Steven seemed the more suspicious party. His faction remained intact while others had suffered devastating losses.
"Near the Church of the Holy Ground," Steven continued calmly, "stands an abandoned building housing an enormous blood-colored vine. This Bloodfeeder Vine absorbs corpses and nutrients from the soil to cultivate Zombie Kings—creatures capable of spreading the virus and creating more undead."
He fixed Neil with a penetrating stare. "Snowfall Cult hasn't deployed this weapon until now either because they were waiting for the right moment or because the Bloodfeeder Vine wasn't fully mature."
Steven pointed directly at Neil. "You claim I have no evidence? Then prove me wrong. Take us to Snowfall Cult headquarters right now. We'll dig up this Bloodfeeder Vine and see the truth for ourselves."
Theron, Megan, Leonard, and Sebastian exchanged thoughtful glances.
They had all investigated that abandoned building during their defense of Snowfall Cult's territory, but found only what appeared to be a food-producing mutant plant.
Steven's words cast their findings in a disturbing new light.
"Neil," Megan said, crossing her arms, "if you have nothing to hide, show us as Steven suggests."
Leonard nodded. "The truth will be immediately apparent. If Steven is wrong, your innocence will be proven."
"I concur," Sebastian added.
Though the investigation team remained silent, their expressions clearly indicated their interest in examining the site.
They too had harbored suspicions about that location but lacked time for thorough investigation.
Neil's face tightened. Fighting through the pain of his chest wound, he replied, "And if there's nothing there? How will you answer for what you've done? You can't simply stab me and walk away."
A cold smile played across Steven's lips. "If I'm proven wrong and you're innocent," he said, eyelids lowered, "you can come for my life."
"You—!" Neil sputtered with rage.
Steven's brazen approach left Neil with few options.
The other faction leaders seemed unconcerned by Steven's actions—in this apocalyptic world, violence and theft had become commonplace. They cared only about whether Steven's accusations were true.
"Fine!" Dean shouted, standing beside Neil with fury etched on his face. "Snowfall Cult walks the path of righteousness—we have nothing to fear!"
He pointed a clawed hand at Steven. "But if you're wrong, I'll personally tear out your entrails!"
"No!" Neil suddenly cried, his voice strained. "We cannot let them near the Bloodfeeder Vine!"
The priests turned to him in confusion.
"The Bloodfeeder Vine is Snowfall Cult's lifeline," Neil explained desperately, glaring at Steven. "They're just after our resources. What if they try to steal it once we take them there?"
His voice hardened with resolve. "Steven, you deceitful bastard! If it's a fight you want, we'll give you one!"
He looked to his priests. "Attack! Show them Snowfall Cult is not to be trifled with!"
The priests, who had unquestioningly trusted Neil's leadership, charged forward without hesitation, psychic energy crackling around their hands.
"Perfect," Steven whispered, a deadly smile spreading across his face.
He had never considered Snowfall Cult's followers a serious threat.
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