261,

After listening to Hilmirya's sobbing, it turns out that Hilmirya just wanted Forcia to be careful.

She wouldn't kill the thief, no matter how annoying he was. The gentle Forcia would not be so cruel.

To correct the impure thoughts of Cyclone and others, the Church of Water, for the love of the Water Goddess, used love as a way to correct them.

But little did they know, as soon as Forcia heard about it, his face changed and he immediately informed the Water Church Priest.

"I... I..."

Cyclone ignored Hilmirya, because at this moment, Cyclone didn't know what to do either.

But suddenly, Cabellus rushed over and shouted,

"I've got it! Hilmirya! You have a way to save us!"

Upon hearing this, the unease in Cyclone's heart momentarily eased, but the next second, he also felt helpless.

It was just his pride. Cyclone himself knew that this was not right.

To still feel painful because of his pride, such childish behavior was really unacceptable.

But it was Cabellus who came up with a solution, not himself, which made him feel even more useless and powerless.

"Hilmirya! Listen, you have to go immediately to the nearest Allen Army Rescue Team!"

"R-Rescue team?"

"Yes! Inform them! Allen's hero is here, they will definitely send people to rescue us!"

"Al-Allen's hero?"

"Yes! Although I know you may not believe it, just take a look!"

Cabellus pointed to Cyclone.

"He is Allen's hero! Cyclone Theodore!"

Upon hearing this, Hilmirya glanced at Cyclone.

The tear-stained Hilmirya lowered her head and did not respond to Cabellus.

"Hilmirya!!"

Cabellus yelled again at Hilmirya who did not answer him.

"Why... why until now!! You still want to deceive me!"

"Huh?!"

"I even begged the honored Priest, how can you not realize your mistake and continue to lie!"

Hilmirya wiped away the tears and ran off.

"..."

Cabellus was stunned, his last hope was gone.

"Now... we're done for!!!"

Just as he finished shouting, the ice was unfrozen.

"Finally, is this enough?"

"Thank you, honored Priest~"

Suddenly, two guards rushed in and, in an instant, Cyclone and the others were knocked unconscious.

When they opened their eyes again, it was already daylight.

Cyclone was tied to a wooden cross on a wooden platform.

Underneath the wooden cross were piles of firewood, and even though it was his first encounter with the stake, Cyclone understood that these things were all preparations for lighting the fire.

This is...

"Cyclone, my friend!!!"

Suddenly, a loud shout came from beside him.

It was Cabellus, hanging on another cross next to him.

"Shut up!!"

The guard punched Cabellus in the abdomen, causing him to be in too much pain to speak. On the other side of Cyclone was Mathews, who had passed out from fear.

"Burn them! Burn them!!" More voices joined in, continuously chanting, hoping for Cyclone's demise.

"Burn them! Burn them!!"

"Everyone sees it now! This is the fate of demons! The dark enemies, they will only be purified by the fire of justice!!"

"..."

With his hands and feet bound, Cyclone could do nothing. Death was just a few steps away, and now he couldn't think of anything, even if there was a way.

Time kept ticking away, and Cyclone became more aware of his own helplessness. With his head lowered, the outside voices no longer reached his ears.

Am I going to die?

No one answered the question in Cyclone's mind.

Am I really... incapable of doing anything...

Under the scorching sun, amidst the fervor of the crowd, sweat trickled down Cyclone's face.

All I've ever relied on is luck...

Cyclone understood this because he wasn't blind to the things he had done. He knew better than anyone. But this time, luck wouldn't come, and miracles wouldn't occur.

Because reality is just that cruel.

***