Chapter 127

Chapter 127: Return

“Alright, enough sighing. It’s time to get down to business.”

In the portrait gallery, after a brief moment of reflection, Dorothy finally began the necessary work after a major battle—cleaning up the battlefield.

Just as Dorothy was about to start, a series of footsteps echoed from the dark corridor nearby. She looked over and saw a familiar figure.

“Miss Dorothyia, are you alright? I heard a huge sound just now; what happened?”

Vania, clutching her sword, panted as she ran over. The massive noise that shattered all the windows in the villa had scared her so much that she had fallen to the ground. After hesitating for a moment, she grabbed her sword and rushed toward the source of the sound. Due to the effects of the bl**d-Eating Sigil wearing off, she was out of breath from running.

“Oh, it’s Sister Vania. Don’t worry, it was just the noise from the battle. No need to be concerned.” Dorothy said straightforwardly as Vania approached. Vania couldn’t help but think inwardly,

‘It’s quite noticeable, isn’t it? Usually, battles don’t make such a racket.’

Although she thought this, seeing that Dorothy was unharmed, Vania decided not to ask further. After all, Dorothy’s statement implied she didn’t want to elaborate.

“Um, you mentioned a battle. Were you also attacked, Miss Dorothyia…?” Vania asked with concern, to which Dorothy nodded.

“Yes… I encountered the guy who survived your gunshot. But he’s dead now.” As she spoke, Dorothy glanced at the body of Lue lying amidst broken bricks and bl**d. Vania turned her gaze and was stunned by the sight.

‘This… This is the cult leader! The one who can transform into a beast! This seems to be a Black Tier ‘Cup’ Extraordinary Being! Higher than me and the one I fought before… He’s… dead?’

Vania thought anxiously, recalling Lue’s performance in the chapel. He appeared to be the head of this small cult society, far stronger than an ordinary apprentice, likely a Black Tier existence. Yet, this young girl had defeated him alone!

As she pondered, Vania also noticed the broken walls and swallowed hard.

“Did… Did you do all of this, Miss Dorothyia? Pardon my impertinence, but what level of Extraordinary Being are you?”

“I already told you, I’m still just an apprentice like you. I managed to defeat him mainly because his dream-world mimicry was destroyed, causing his mental state to weaken and his abilities to decline. I owe my victory to divine protection… Praise my Lord…” Holding her chest, Dorothy mimicked Vania’s prayerful tone, attributing her victory to divine favor. Vania panicked slightly upon hearing this, but respecting the divine, she joined in the prayer.

“Ah… Praise my Lord… Praise my Lord…”

“Alright, we shouldn’t linger here. The An Yin Bureau and the Church might arrive at any moment. Let’s finish our business and leave quickly,” Dorothy said with a smile, watching Vania pray. Vania looked up, puzzled.

“Business?”

“Gathering the spoils of war.”

With that, Dorothy approached Lue’s corpse and began looting. Thanks to her passive Identification Technique, she easily gathered most of his possessions.

Among them were three Extraordinary Items: a ruby cane tucked into his waist, a black candle, and a copper bracelet. There were also several Sigils, Spirituality Storage Items, and some money.

After thoroughly searching Lue, Dorothy walked out of the room with the items under Vania’s astonished gaze.

“Hmm… Where are you going?”

“Of course, there’s more downstairs. Oh, where did the one you defeated d*e?”

“It was… on the other side of the corridor I came from.”

“Good, let’s hurry. We need to finish and get out quickly.”

As they spoke, Dorothy activated her Zombie Puppet ring, controlling the corpses in the house to help gather the loot.

With the zombies’ assistance, Dorothy thoroughly searched the villa, acquiring numerous items including two Secret Transmissions, a considerable amount of money and Sigils.

Due to the darkness, Dorothy didn’t search every corner meticulously. There should have been a secret room or something similar containing even better items, but she lacked the time to find them.

This was because Viscount Field’s exposure meant the An Yin Bureau would surely locate this place once they had regrouped. To avoid being trapped again, Dorothy didn’t have much time to spare.

Finally, Dorothy and Vania checked on the children in the chapel. After Vania confirmed they were only unconscious due to the interrupted ritual, they both breathed a sigh of relief. Dorothy then used the zombies to carry the children to another room, where they waited for the An Yin Bureau to arrive.

In the dimly lit chapel, Vania watched the rescued children being carried away and felt a sense of reflection.

‘Because of our intervention, these children are finally saved? And the evil cultists will be punished… Regardless of their true intentions, their followers truly performed acts of salvation…’

Then, Vania looked at the Holy Mother stained glass window, defiled by a bloody wolf’s head, and continued to reflect.

‘Merciful Holy Mother, although I worship another deity and should be judged as a heretic, I can still perform acts of redemption and save lives. You taught me that actions speak louder than words. If you see my situation, surely you would understand…’

Vania thought, her mind simple. Although she seemed to worship another god, she still genuinely did good deeds. Given that you taught that actions outweigh words, you must understand my actions despite my heresy…

Thus, after patching up her mindset, Vania felt less psychological pressure from worshipping another god. Since receiving the divine revelation, she had lived in constant fear within the church.

After settling the children, carrying a bag of loot, Dorothy and Vania got back into their carriage. Dorothy instructed Edric, dressed as the coachman, to light the lamp and drive them back on the road.

When Dorothy arrived at the Viscount’s large estate, she had entered cautiously. When she left, only the children remained alive inside.

‘Sigh… Regardless, the Holy Communion affair has finally come to an end. Now, let’s hurry back.’

Sitting in the carriage, Dorothy finally relaxed and drove out through the gate, entering the dark forest beyond.