The obese bishop pointed at Esther. "Witch," he declared, "your sins are clear. You wielded witchcraft, bewitched hearts, and committed forbidden, lewd acts. You angered the gods, bringing plague and famine to our lands. You are Redfang Castle's evil messenger and source of misfortune. Your crimes are beyond forgiveness—no trial needed! Today, we question your ties to her—that woman named Leona. Answer truthfully. Perhaps the gods may show mercy. Hell awaits you, but you might escape its cruelest depths."

The goatee-bearded noble spoke up. "Speak! What is your relationship with Leona, the apprentice swordswoman under my command?"

According to Lodis's intel, the goatee-bearded man was Viscount Longbeiguo, lord of Redfang Castle. But the massive, unsettling figure behind him was unknown—even Lodis had no records of him.

"Speak up!" the masked giant forcing Esther to kneel barked in a dialect.

Esther's expression was indifferent. She gazed at Leona, a trace of deep affection flickering almost imperceptibly. "She is Leona, a swordswoman of Redfang Castle," Esther said. "I met her a few times there. That's all. I know nothing else."

The bishop chuckled. "Esther, you crafty witch. Still lying? If you only met a few times, why would she risk her life to save you? That makes no sense! Speak—is she your lover?"

"No."

"Then what is your relationship?"

"No relationship."

"Bullshit! Who is your lover?"

"I won't say," Esther replied. "I'm already condemned to death. Why reveal my lover's name?" She knew her fate; instead, she felt strangely at peace.

"Esther..." Leona bit her lip, gazing sadly at Esther. But the frail Leona was pinned down by two burly men, utterly powerless.

"Scum! Confess properly, or you'll taste pain!" The handlebar-mustached armored warrior stepped forward and punched Esther hard.

Staggering from the blow, Esther nearly fell but was caught by the masked giant. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as she lifted her head. "I'll soon face execution," she said. "If you want me to die quickly, hit me harder."

Esther's delicate face was covered in bruises, no longer beautiful as before. Yet it radiated contempt for these brutal authorities and pride in protecting her lover.

The battle-hardened warrior saw the look in her eyes and was shaken. He knew no method could make her yield. He looked helplessly at the noble and shook his head.

Viscount Longbeiguo spread his hands. "Very well. Insufficient evidence to convict Leona of forbidden lewdness. Take her back to Redfang Castle; we'll try her another day for attacking the witch's guards. Your Grace, proceed with the sentence."

The bishop stepped forward and prayed solemnly, as if justifying his cruelty.

"Sentence—Esther, for forbidden lewdness, you shall be stoned! For witchcraft, burned at the stake. For both crimes, first stoned to death, then burned. Execution immediately! Witch Esther, any last words?"

Esther remained silent.

"Witch Esther, in your final moments, will you repent to the gods and beg mercy?"

Esther's sorrowful face gazed up at the sky, a mocking smile on her lips. She turned resolutely to the bishop and nobles. "I am innocent. Why repent?"

The bishop snorted angrily and waved his hand. "Execute her!"

The giant pulled Esther up, placed a black hood over her head. In that final moment, Esther looked at Leona—clenching her teeth, tears streaming down, on the verge of collapse. Esther shook her head slightly, then nodded with a faint smile.

The hood secured, they pushed her to a sandy clearing. Around her, a crowd of adult male villagers gathered, each holding stones of various sizes. Piles of stones lay scattered on the ground.

Behind the crowd, Feyn Senior watched, breathing heavily. I grabbed her hand. "Senior Sister, wait a little longer."

"Thud!" A stone struck the hooded Esther's head. She staggered but barely stayed upright, not uttering a sound. The thrower was an old man—someone Esther had cured of the plague months ago.

"Wait!" Leona, about to be led away by burly men, suddenly stopped.

Viscount Longbeiguo waved his hand, signaling the villagers to pause.

"Sister," Leona said, gazing at Esther with deep affection and resolve, blood seeping through the hood. "I can't leave you alone after all."

"Silence! Leona, what did you just say? What did you call the witch Esther?" the bishop asked.

"I called her Sister."

"Is she your blood relative? Which side of the family? Be clear!"

"No, we have no blood relation," Esther said calmly, yet sorrowfully.

A uproar erupted across the crowd.

"Leona! Why call her Sister?"

"Mmm—no—don't—" Esther groaned, muffled by the hood, shaking her head frantically.

Leona's heart ached. She gazed at Esther with sadness and deep affection, then turned to face the crowd. "Because... Sister Esther and I are lovers."

"What!?" Instantly, the crowd erupted into chaos—shouts of condemnation, uproar, curses, and jeers filled the air.