Chapter 140: Forced to Take Action
Tsk, what’s the meaning of this?
Do they not trust me or what… if you don’t want to say it, fine!
Feeling a bit annoyed, I turned my head away, and then I spotted Teresa sneaking into a narrow alley with the clerics. They were moving quickly, probably trying to flank from the other side to prevent anyone from escaping in case of an emergency.
With me around, how could they possibly escape? But just to be safe, I suppose she’s not mistaken in doing that.
“Watch out, someone’s coming out.”
“Looks like they’re ready to pick up the goods… keep your eyes peeled.”
Hearing the woman’s conversation with the hawk-nosed guy, I squinted in that direction, and sure enough, two people emerged from the small building.
Leading the way was a strong man with a bald head and a bare torso. He had a cheerful smile as he walked and couldn’t stop chatting with the hat-wearing man. I leaned in to eavesdrop.
“Collaboration… trust… I’ll take this batch of goods…”
“Thank you for your continued support…”
The wind on the rooftop made it hard to catch everything, but I gathered they were making a deal.
The two approached the delivery van, and the hat-wearing man’s figure appeared tiny next to the strong man, but he was all politeness, almost trying too hard to impress, flicking his hair back in a way that felt oddly familiar.
…Ah! I remember, that’s the guy who came to Winter City’s orphanage to pick up kids, always bragging about himself!
I remembered him vividly, he was the administrator from Cataloma, what was his name again… how could it be him!
He’s part of the Gate of Truth?!
I glanced toward Teresa… she had reached the end of the alley with the clerics, observing the situation from the other side of the building. The distance was too great; I couldn’t see her expression.
If he’s an administrator, then that bragging guy should be her assistant… bet she’s not feeling great about this.
If he’s behind all this… no, just one administrator couldn’t convince Royal City to open its doors for these heretics; there had to be someone with real power backing him.
The hat-wearing man began directing people to unload goods, carrying four boxes toward the building. The boxes were sealed, so I couldn’t tell which one contained the Lotus Seed Grass… was it all a ruse to mislead?
Looks like it’s time to split up.
I turned back, ready to talk to the woman beside me.
Then everything changed in a heartbeat.
Two dirty kids suddenly burst out from a nearby house.
The kids were unkempt, their clothes a bit tattered, their long hair covering their little faces, making it hard to tell if they were boys or girls. They seemed to be playing and bouncing around, dashing towards the delivery van before anyone realized what was happening.
The two kids looked clueless, seemingly just curious about what the grown-ups were doing.
“This is bad…” the woman next to me murmured.
“Get the kids out of here, quick!”
But it was too late.
The strong man scanned his surroundings before signaling to his people, his hand moving towards the long sword at his waist as he quietly approached the kids.
“d*mn it!”
The woman next to me cursed, then I heard the hawk-nosed guy’s question: “What do we do now?”
“Ask nonsense? Get ready to act.”
I stood up, stretching my ankles.
Seeing the hat-wearing man hurry to the strong man’s side, he looked a bit anxious, mumbling something, and the next moment, a whistling wind rushed in.
Whoosh—
A golden arrow shot through the air, piercing the strong man’s shoulder like it was nothing. He was caught completely off guard, staggering a few steps as he tried to steady himself, glaring angrily towards Teresa.
A cleric slowly pulled back his right hand, still sparkling with golden light.
“Divine judgement… is he a dog of the church?!”
“Withdraw! Dammit, run!”
Where do you think you’re running to?!
Boom—
The ice beneath us erupted, sending my petite body airborne.
All I could hear was the gale roaring, forcing me to squint as I felt my upward thrust slow… pause… then start to free-fall.
I locked onto the strong man’s direction, my hands tightly at my sides, the icy flow rushing beneath my feet, propelling me like a cannonball straight down.
Whoosh—
Look out for my headbutt!
“I… bloody hell…”
I faintly heard his trembling exclamation.
Bang—
I smashed my forehead into his chest, his sturdy pectorals caving in with a sickening crunch, the sound of crushed bones echoing as his massive body hunched over, crashing to the ground moments later.
Boom!
Dust clouds erupted violently.
With the force of the hit, I flipped backward and landed perfectly, holding my breath as I quickly backed away to the side of the two stunned kids. They seemed frozen in place, tense and unsure.
I scooped one up in each arm, avoiding the Moon Step; moving at that speed could injure them. I turned and dashed toward the alley’s opening.
Chaos erupted behind us.
Men and women screamed, babies wailed. Objects clattered and fell, and the skittish horned horse stomped around. Above, the Sword of Kanli zipped through the air, and I could hear Teresa ringing her bell.
“Charles—!” someone shouted frantically, I recognized it as the strong man’s voice.
“You told me it was safe here! You dare to betray me—!”
“I’m not… I don’t know… what’s going on… why are the church people… I don’t know either…” the hat-wearing man’s voice trembled in helplessness.
“Let’s all d*e together!”
Boom—!
A wave of heat rushed past me, flames crackling and roaring.
“What… are you… what is this…”
“It’s on fire! I’m burning! Ah—!”
“Ahhh—!”
The wails echoed, and my heart raced, urging me to run faster while I shouted: “Don’t touch those flames—!”
Then I realized I’d said something ridiculous, quickly correct, “Don’t let him bleed!”
“How can we not bleed when we hit?!”
That sounded like the woman from the Sword of Kanli.
“Use blunt force!”
“Quick, quick! k*ll him, k*ll him!”
“Those people are on fire… save the women and kids first, hurry!”
“It’s too hot! We can’t get close… it’s too late…”
I finally reached the mouth of the alley and hit the brakes hard, my stylish boots screeching as smoke wafted up. Once I steadied myself, I set the two terrified kids down and said, “Run.”
But the kids’ legs were jelly; they plopped down on the ground, dazed.
I couldn’t worry about them anymore, at least this area seemed safe.
I turned to dash back, wind stinging my face, and kicked into the Moon Step as I rushed away.
The view was filled with deep brown flames, engulfing the path ahead and the surrounding buildings, the heat growing more intense as I got closer… these heretics were clearly no beginners, at least on Valar’s level.
Above the flames, I spotted a familiar golden bell… similar to the divine miracle the robed old man used on me, though much smaller. Even so, it was enough to render everyone below incapable of moving.
I saw a woman holding a baby kneeling on the ground, her face filled with despair as she stared at the inferno closing in, trying to escape but unable to even stand. The baby she clutched seemed to be struggling to breathe, its tiny face turning purple.
From a distance, I heard the usually gentle nun angrily berating, “Fools!”
