Demon Barrier Particles, as the name implies, can only destroy and pollute the smallest constituent units of Magic Power in the air.
If a Mage is in a place filled with Demon Barrier Particles, they will be triggered to experience a potentially fatal Magic Power deficiency and Magic Power obstruction disease.
In other words, this is a deadly poison aimed at Mages.
And the time needed for the poison to act is... two seconds.
In less than two seconds, Rhode was already feeling uncomfortable.
His heart was beating irregularly, his lungs and respiratory tract felt unbearably dry, and various discomfort symptoms emerged...
Mira was experiencing the same symptoms, but fortunately, the two could still move and quickly flew out of the area filled with Demon Barrier Particles.
Rhode immediately cast various halos on himself and Mira, using Healing Magic.
The two sat on the ground, trying to resist the erosion of Demon Barrier Particles, but the symptoms were not alleviated.
The Magic Power restoration effect of the Crown of Insight can treat Magic Power deficiency, but no amount of restored Magic Power is of any help against Magic Power obstruction.
High-intensity use of magic could even exacerbate the discomfort symptoms.
Rhode was not panicked; if Healing Magic didn't work, there's still Alchemy Technology Sub-Dragon.
But...
"Receiving Satan's Soul!" Mira acted after realizing Healing Magic was ineffective.
"As expected, this works." She clenched her fist, feeling the symptoms completely vanish.
"Then... after the magic is lifted?"
"Of course, it's fine." Mira lifted the magic without any issues.
"That's good, then I..." Before Rhode could finish his words, he took a couple of light breaths due to discomfort in his respiratory tract.
Mira immediately received Satan's Soul again, and before Rhode could react, she cupped his face, pressed her lips to his, and then... sucked forcefully.
Slurp~ slurp~
Rhode knew his wife was assertive when receiving Satan's Soul, but didn't expect her to suddenly pull this move.
Until a second later when he felt the discomfort disappearing, Rhode realized what Mira was doing.
He shamefully embraced his wife, relaxed his body, and let her suck.
Black particles, indistinguishable to the naked eye, were sucked out of Rhode's mouth by Mira, making his whole body feel relaxed.
He initially planned to solve it with Alchemy Technology Sub-Dragon, but now... Alchemy what? What Sub-Dragon?
Mira released Rhode, licked her lips, and asked, "How are you feeling? Is there any discomfort left?"
Mira, in Satan's Soul state, had dark red lips, and the black pattern on her face looked like cracks, exhibiting a wild beauty.
Thus, Rhode said seriously, "For safety's sake, I think you should suck a bit more, in case there's residual toxin."
On normal occasions, Mira would roll her eyes at him, accusing him of being improper.
But in Satan's Soul state, Mira showed a mischievous smile, directly holding Rhode's chin and biting towards him.
...
Demon Barrier Particles affected not only Mages, but mountain pheasants, wild rabbits, and other small animals also began to flee chaotically, only to suddenly collapse during their escape.
Though rare, they too possess Magic Power within.
If the Demon Barrier Particles continue to spread, an extensive area nearby would become an animal exclusion zone.
Fortunately, after Mira sucked from her husband a few times, she flew back to the polluted area where the Demon Barrier Particles, like a trained entity, converged into misty clusters and were entirely sucked into her mouth.
The forest air suddenly became fresh, Rhode touched his slightly sore lips from being bitten earlier, and smiled wryly:
"I seem to have married a naughty woman who can drink, fight, and also suck poison from Demon Barrier Particles."
Mira landed beside Rhode and lifted her Receiving Magic, asking, "What were you saying just now?"
Rhode glanced at Mira's unchanged waistline and said, "I was asking if you still want to have dinner."
She rubbed her belly and, somewhat vexed, said, "This stuff shouldn't make me fat, right?"
"Let me see."
"Ah!"
Rhode directly picked up Mira and tossed her lightly, then caught her again, seriously saying, "Hmm, no weight change at all. Things Satan's Soul eats have nothing to do with Mira-Jan."
"There you go again with your twisted logic." Mira felt comforted but pondered for a moment before wrapping her arms around Rhode's neck and asking, "If that's the case, does Satan's Soul kissing you count as cheating?"
"Then tell her," Rhode looked into Mira's eyes, "To try to push me all the way out."
Mira jumped out of his embrace, blushing and accusing, "Improper!"
It's uncertain who started this topic.
As they spoke, the two returned to the gang's base, where most gang members had already been slaughtered. Even those who were barely alive either perished from the aftermath of the battle or were poisoned by Demon Barrier Particles.
The entire Kuza Gang was annihilated.
Rhode dispatched wild creatures to patrol the surrounding forest, ensuring no Demon Barrier Particles remain, and collected the gang members' bodies to carry them off the mountain.
The official sent by the King specifically to help clean up was visibly shocked upon seeing these bodies.
He knew the newly appointed Count had immense power but hadn't witnessed such severe casualties among gang members brought back by him.
Furthermore, the way they died was so tragic.
"We weren't the ones responsible." Faced with the other's fearful eyes, Rhode explained, "A very dangerous figure has come inside the Kingdom."
"I see..." The official, uncertain but obedient.
"Please investigate these individuals' backgrounds thoroughly," Rhode said, "By the way, could you give me a list with all the recorded gangs?"
"Certainly, Count!"
Rhode received the list the next morning, which included all the notable gangs in Gioa Kingdom.
Of course, those eliminated over the past half month were not included.
Rhode and Mira, taking the list, began a new round of high-efficiency gang eradication.
Yes, the two had temporarily altered their schedule again.
Upon discovering traces of the Gate of the Underworld, they naturally had to investigate thoroughly.
The only clue is the opponent's contact with the gangs, which meant Rhode had to work overtime.
Hence, Gioa Kingdom's gangs had their good days numbered as they had the fortunate chance to meet the former Fiore's First Beauty Mage.
Moreover, random encounters with the Ten Wizard Saints were offered.
There was even a very small chance of witnessing the rare scene of a Ten Wizard Saints failing a magic spell due to unfamiliarity.
The gangs were thrilled.
The King, officials, and civilians of Gioa Kingdom were also joyfully thrilled.
Unfortunately, many nobles were recently troubled by the King, or else they would likely be thrilled too.
Apart from gang eradication, Rhode took time to write down information about the Demon, especially highlighting the danger of Demon Barrier Particles, then copied the letter into several copies and handed them over to the postal company to send to other Ten Wizard Saints.
Rhode now had a tiny privilege where he didn't need to worry about addresses when mailing letters if he simply mentioned who to send them to.
He even mischievously sent a business-only letter from a 'colleague' perspective to his President, completely devoid of any mention of when he would return.