14

Since I’ve decided to save the girl named Ruri, I’ll stand against the entire Angelic Faith!

They left Rothschild Manor and headed straight for the Angelic Faith’s holy site—the Tower of Judgement.

—A ring-shaped structure towering over the ruins of the Skyward City, named for the Mercurial Deity’s descent.

Legend said when calamity struck, the Mercurial Deity crashed down from the heavens, shattering the Tower of Judgement! It plunged from the ninth floor all the way to the sub-ninth level. To this day, believers could still see the bottomless pit piercing from the tower’s peak to its base.

Tonight, over a thousand Angelic Faith followers gathered at the Tower of Judgement. Most were the poorest of the poor. Now, they knelt before the pit, praying the Mercurial Deity would carry them to heaven. Aile scoffed at their devotion.

Yet their presence provided perfect cover. Leon, Naya, and Aile slipped into the tower disguised among the crowd.

Meanwhile, three levels beneath the Tower of Judgement—in the Heresy Tribunal Hall—

A white-robed Angelic Faith apostle, masked with a bird-headed visor, removed the hood from a girl’s head. She’d been chained here for a full day and night.

A pink-haired girl.

Her eyes fluttered open. Even the torchlight on the walls stung her vision. After a moment’s adjustment, she vaguely made out Archbishop Agonis of the Angelic Faith standing before her.

A man with a face like carved marble.

“Child, what is your name?” the archbishop asked calmly.

“Ruri—” Before she finished, he slammed a thick, hardbound Bible into her face.

“You deliberately hid your Sorcerer surname. Child, you must be truthful before God.” His tone instantly smoothed, as if he hadn’t just struck her.

“I’ll ask once more. Child, what is your name?”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. “Ruri Star-Chaser.”

A Sorcerer noble’s surname…

“Good. You may believe you’ve done nothing wrong—that you’re innocent? But! The sins of your parents are your sins. The blood of Sorcerers flows in your veins, and you must bear its punishment. Yet—! The Mercurial Deity is merciful! Pass God’s trial, and you shall be forgiven!”

As he spoke, Ruri was hoisted higher. Her feet dangled, unable to touch the ground. In the grim hall, torture devices lined the walls—bloodstained nail beds, an Iron Maiden oozing crimson… *God… is this how You test us?* Even blindfolded, the screams echoing through the past day and night had shattered her spirit.

“I truly hope you pass God’s trial, child. I have faith in you!”

The bird-headed man advanced, iron tongs gripping a glowing coal—

“Wait.” Ruri rattled her chains. “Don’t test me. I am who you seek—the Last Sorcerer.”

The hardbound book slammed into her face again.

“Child, do you understand what ‘Last Sorcerer’ means? Or will you lie to God?”

“I know. You’ll burn me alive.” Ruri’s face was blank. “I’m tired of suffering. Just kill me.” She lifted her chin. “Lower me. I’ll prove it.”

The archbishop signaled his apostles. Ruri was lowered and unchained from one wrist.

She murmured softly. A book materialized above her palm, hovering with an ethereal glow. Gasps erupted through the hall. One man stumbled back, shouting—“Magic!! Has magic truly returned?!”

“Do not fear! All is God’s will!”

The archbishop spread his arms like a saint.

“God guided her to us! Tonight! Before all believers, she shall be purified by flame! The Mercurial Deity will carry us all to heaven!”

Ruri said nothing. She only watched them.

“Release her,” the archbishop commanded. “The final hour is here! Notify the lowest-tier believers—raise the suspension ladder!”

Suddenly, the clash of combat echoed—a believer tumbled down the stairs, collapsing at the archbishop’s feet!

“Who dares?!”

“Sorry to interrupt.” Leon appeared, hefting the Light Roar Sword. “We’re here for the girl.”

The archbishop scanned the intruders—two women beside the man? Members of the Aeon Sect? With two thousand believers gathered above, they must have infiltrated.

*Heretics!* The archbishop’s face twisted with rage.

“You dare obstruct our holy mission—” Before he finished, an apostle lunged with red-hot tongs! Leon stepped forward. His blade flashed down in one clean stroke. Another dwarf-like apostle dodged Leon and tackled Aile! He raised a dagger toward her eye—Aile blocked his wrist—“I’ve got her!” Naya swung her staff, crushing the dwarf.

“Are you hurt?”

Naya quickly cast Shield of Light over Aile.

“Leon, and you—”

Naya turned. Aile had just scrambled up. The dwarf wasn’t dead—he’d feigned it! With sudden, savage strength, he dragged Aile down, rolling twice—then plunged into the pit…

“My god—Aile!?”

Naya peered into the abyss. No bottom in sight.

“She has Shield of Light… she should be safe,” Naya murmured, worry tightening her voice.

“We show no mercy to God’s enemies!” The archbishop raised his arm. “Fools who defy the Mercurial Deity! Your sin—” In that instant, his apostles sprouted identical angelic wings from their backs!

“Shall be paid with your lives!!”

The Twelve Angels of the Divine Court! Present!

“Whoa—whoa—actual angels?” Leon tightened his grip on his sword.

This just got complicated.

To be continued.