{T/N: This arc will last until chapter 210...}
....
"The Sanctum is tracking a mercenary named Carrigan, the leader of a Romanian criminal syndicate with his own private armed forces. He is involved in arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and human trafficking."
After confirming that Sean wasn't joking, Master Manderly handed over all the intelligence gathered by the London Sanctum to the young man... though he still didn't believe this person could actually deal with Mephisto, that infernal lord who plagued the mortal world.
"Human trafficking in Eastern Europe is rampant. Carrigan collaborates with the Russian mafia and Albanian gangs in the sex slave trade. These armed syndicates, smuggling rings, traffickers, and pimps form a dark economic chain. They abduct and deceive young girls from conflict zones and impoverished nations before selling them to underground brothels in Western Europe; Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands..."
The elderly master brought over stacks of books. Though the Sanctum had adapted to modern times, they still preferred paper records for archiving.
He glanced at the attentive young man and explained, "Mephisto made a contract with a Romanian girl named Nadya, promising her freedom and life in exchange for bearing his child. Once that child grew strong enough to serve as a vessel for demonic power, that scheming hell-lord could descend into the material world in that young body..."
"...But something went wrong. Perhaps out of maternal instinct, Nadya fled with the child. Now both the Sanctum and Carrigan are searching for them."
"Hmm, so the Sanctum sent multiple sorcerers, yet all failed?" Sean was surprised.
The London Sanctum commanded numerous enforcers, like the Knights Templar and War Angels, all specialized in hunting and exterminating supernatural threats. They had nearly wiped out the vampires and werewolves that once plagued Europe, leaving only a handful of bloodlines surviving...
"After the Soviet Union's collapse and the Balkan Wars, Eastern Europe's order crumbled into lawless chaos. Carrigan works closely with the Russian mafia and Albanian gangs, operating a human trafficking and sex trade empire radiating from Brussels across Western Europe..."
"...In Italy alone, their monthly profits reach 9 300 euros... all built on darkness and blood. These people maintain private militias capable of clashing with actual armies."
Master Manderlay sighed helplessly as he pointed at a photo of a cold-eyed man, "We sent many sorcerers to retrieve the child, but on their turf, the Sanctum holds no advantage. Worse, they have covert ties to dark creatures."
Sean lowered his gaze and flipped through the files. The mercenary Carrigan was suspected of dealings with vampires and werewolves, selling abductees from war-torn nations as 'blood bags' for vampires, or tossing them into kill-clubs where the wealthy hunted humans for sport.
Werewolf bloodsport had become one of the hottest entertainments in recent years.
For just 100 000 euros, you could get a loaded gun and a victim to slaughter. Or, if hands-on wasn't your style, you could hire a 'butcher' from a roster and stage a real-life battle royale.
"Why hasn't this evil been stopped?" Mordo, standing nearby, had veins bulging on his forehead. Such brazen cruelty shook his righteous heart.
The dark-skinned sorcerer, who had spent most of his time in Kamar-Taj, had never witnessed such depravity firsthand. His fists clenched, wishing he could send these monsters straight to hell.
Before Master Manderly could explain, Sean (still reviewing files) spoke flatly, "Sorcerers aren't gods. The Sanctum maintains the world's order, not acts as its police. Even gods can't erase sin from human hearts. What more do you expect from mortal sorcerers?"
"But—"
"Master Mordo, do you know what hides behind a well-organized, profit-churning black market?" The young man's face was cold as marble, "A mercenary that became a warlord and a few armed gangs are just the grunt workers. Without protection from higher powers, governments would've crushed this trade long ago..."
"...These people snatch girls and laborers from Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, Kosovo... Eastern European syndicates ship these 'fresh meat' to Western Europe's underground brothels. And it goes deeper. After being drained in brothels, victims get sold to organ-harvesting clinics or left to die on streets."
"...Migrants? Most become slave labor. Some go to kill-clubs for the elite's amusement. The 'premium stock' (young men and women) goes to vampires as blood bags or toys. Unlucky ones get turned into monsters, or become playthings for werewolves..."
Sean shut the file, his voice icy, "Shall I continue?"
Mordo slammed a fist onto the mahogany desk, his eyes bloodshot. He has always believed supernatural creatures were sorcerers' greatest foes, the ultimate evil. Yet he had never imagined humans could surpass demons in cruelty.
"The Ancient One must've told you... Darkness can't be destroyed. It coexists with you." Sean's stern expression softened slightly as he traced the sprawling criminal network, "Mephisto's plans go beyond rebirth. Something deeper is at work..."
"I find myself... eagerly anticipating this Eastern European trip."
Clapping Mordo's shoulder, Sean turned to Master Manderly, "Book me a ticket to Romania. A land of vampires, werewolves, and warlords sounds like a perfect vacation spot."
As the young man left the study, Mordo gritted his teeth. His gaze fell on a painting behind the desk... a hellscape empty of demons, its horned inhabitants instead walking the earth as humans. The grotesque style was hypnotic.
"Master Manderly, book me a ticket too." Mordo's voice was steel, "Perhaps he's right. Sometimes, humans are worse than demons... My duty as a Sanctum sorcerer isn't just fighting monsters, it's sending scum to hell."
The old master hesitated before nodding. Strangely, he felt the departed young man was the real demon, one who effortlessly swayed hearts. It made him shudder...
"May the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit protect you." Clutching his crucifix, he murmured a prayer...
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