Chapter 191: Chapter 189: The Holy Daughter Is Here, So Just

Inside the prison next to the Star Ash Town Lord’s residence.

Walter brought Hilia, Vanessa, as well as Melina, the Law Enforcement Knight Order Captain from the Holy Court’s Huijin Divine Hall headquarters, along with five Knight Order members, into the prison. He opened the cell door and handed over the three heretics, who had already regained consciousness, to the Law Enforcement Knights.

Afterwards, he called over the people who were guarding the heretics last night and said lightly, "Tell me in detail, how exactly did you let them escape?"

The group immediately began talking all at once, explaining what happened last night. There were about a dozen people stationed in the whole prison; one said he didn’t know what happened and was suddenly knocked out; another said he saw the heretics suddenly become untied, used a magic to destroy the cell’s lock, then knocked them out; yet another said he pretended to be unconscious, watching the three heretics escape before his very eyes.

Walter nodded and said nothing. After listening, he looked over at Hilia and Vanessa.

Hilia clapped her hands, and the three heretics who should have fled far away walked back in from outside.

Some people’s expressions immediately changed.

Vanessa said coolly, "Come on, what happened last night?"

The three heretics were not very stable emotionally, but after glancing at Hilia, they all answered honestly.

"It was him who knocked out the others, he opened up the prison for us, he led us out, letting us avoid everyone and leave successfully."

The blame was directed at the one who said the heretics suddenly got untied, at the one who pretended to be knocked out, and also one who claimed to have gotten knocked out.

With the three heretics’ confession, these three’s faces showed drastic changes, a look of disbelief on their faces.

Not only these three, even the three heretics who only woke up this morning had baffled looks at the confessing trio.

What kind of inhuman torture did you suffer?

Why did you snitch so easily?

Did the Holy Court brainwash you?

As core members of the Mutual Aid Association, they were dumbfounded.

They thought, if it was them, they’d never expose the mole no matter what.

Not just them—even Vanessa, Melina, and the others couldn’t quite believe the trio would confess so readily.

Only Hilia knew the truth.

She knew Rose had cast Spirit Magic on the three, constantly wearing them down with the spell, eventually shattering their mental defenses; just like they’d gulped down three pounds of Water of Bewitching, whatever Hilia asked, they answered.

Physical torture might be bearable, but for these devout believers, mental torture was impossible to resist.

However, because they confessed too smoothly, Walter was a little worried they were framing someone innocent.

After thinking for a moment, he decided to question them himself.

But before he could even open his mouth, the three named subordinates suddenly erupted with intense polluted aura, trying to escape immediately.

Unfortunately, in front of one Tier Four, one Tier Six, a bunch of Tier Three, and a Tier Two Little Mage, they had no chance; they were effortlessly subdued.

After tying them all up, Walter said complicatedly, "I’m sorry, sirs, I didn’t expect there’d be Sect moles among my men, either."

Melina glanced at Hilia, then patted Walter on the shoulder, saying calmly, "It’s just three subordinates, you should be happy it’s not more."

Walter couldn’t understand Melina, while the stared-at Hilia glared at Melina angrily: "Archbishop Melina, that’s slander!"

"What are you saying, little Hilia?" Melina replied with a sweet smile.

Vanessa also looked at Hilia. Thinking back on everything she heard, what once had seemed coincidence now looked different. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

This must be some sort of special blessing from a God, right?

Vanessa’s expression was odd.

Good thing I never did anything, otherwise Hilia might have ratted me out, too.

Still, even so, the Divine Hall’s getting demolished...

Hilia felt Vanessa’s strange gaze and turned her head in a huff, ignoring the two of them.

"Lord Rose, am I really that ridiculous? Reporting on the High Priests of other Divine Halls—that’s their just deserts! Not just me, any of the others like Benovia would have done the same!"

"And this time, it was pure coincidence—who knew they’d be after the Star Dust Divine Hall’s free treatment! And that they’d sense the Heart of the Magic Puppet! How is this anything but coincidence?"

Rose tried not to laugh: "Yes, yes, you’re right about everything."

Hilia: "..."

The girl suspected she’d been blessed by Rose with some Evil God’s luck.

But she had no proof, and dared not say a word.

Fine, whatever, let it be.

Hilia fell silent.

Melina was brisk and decisive, directing the Law Enforcement Knights to tie up and take away all the heretics.

Before leaving, she patted Hilia’s shoulder, saying, "Hilia, you’ve really accomplished something big this time. The ’Shark’-level heretic of the Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association has long been a target of the Holy Court and there’s a bounty. For landing the biggest credit in taking down ’Shark’, Vanessa will get a great reward; you, as her assistant, will also receive a nice gold commission—should be dozens, maybe up to a hundred gold coins. I’ll report it to the Cardinal College; just wait to receive your gold."

"Really? Thank you, Sister Melina!"

Hilia instantly tossed aside all her annoyance, overjoyed, her words suddenly honey-sweet.

"Calling me sister? This will definitely get done for you."

After talking to Hilia, she looked at Vanessa and said, "Ms Vanessa, congrats on advancing to Tier Four. Interested in joining the Law Enforcement Knight Order? I can sneak you in through the back door."

Vanessa shook her head with a smile, "I’m used to life in Star Ash Town. Not planning to move."

Melina said, "Really? But after reaching Tier Four, you should be assigned to a bigger city as a bishop. In a small town, a Tier Three Mage is enough for a High Priest."

Vanessa’s smile didn’t change and she asked back, "Ms Melina, if the Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association wants revenge, can a Tier Three High Priest stop them?"

Melina also smiled, "If they want revenge, would they only send a Tier Four?"

"There aren’t that many Tier Four heretics around."

"Exactly. If the Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association wants revenge, it’ll come after you—you’re actually safer in a bigger city."

"It’s the same everywhere," Vanessa replied. "I’m better off in Star Ash Town, because it’s closer to the Star Spirit Forbidden Land. There might be more than just Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association strongholds inside. If you bring in a new Tier Three High Priest, are you sure they can handle any crisis from the Star Spirit Forbidden Land?"

Melina pondered for a moment before nodding, "True, but folks from Southern Border City or the Cardinal College may still reassign you, so be ready in advance."

"Thanks for the heads-up. Please also put in a good word for me with the Cardinal College. It’s much better for me to stay at Star Ash Town than be sent to Southern Border City. This is the first line of defense against the Star Spirit Forbidden Land—it can’t be abandoned."

"Okay, I will. Now that everything’s wrapped up here, it’s time for me to leave as well."

"..."