"Lock her up for now!"

After repeated questioning, Camille’s answer remained the same: she knew nothing. Yet Hill sensed this woman held secrets—secrets she refused to voice, perhaps for reasons of her own.

Hill glanced at the mayor, frantically wiping sweat from his brow. He seemed to be hiding something, but without proof, she couldn’t accuse him outright.

Camille offered no resistance as two militiamen led her away.

Hill then turned to the mayor. "What’s your opinion of Camille, Mayor?"

"Eh? Me? Well… I’m not sure how to put it…"

"Speak freely. No need to worry."

"I… I believe she’s the Sorceress we’ve been searching for!"

Just then, Sophia burst through the door.

"Mayor! By order of the Holy See, you’re under arrest! Cooperate with my investigation!"

Though Holy Knights and Vindictive Knights typically ranked below nuns, in extreme cases—like demon invasions—they could bypass protocol to deliver justice directly.

"Eh? But I haven’t done anything wrong!"

"Really?"

Rein dragged a sack forward and tossed it at the mayor’s feet.

"What’s this?"

"Open it yourself."

Trembling, the mayor untied the sack. A pink Tentacle slithered out, coiling tightly around his neck. The overweight man collapsed instantly, helpless.

"Help… me!"

"This was found in your home. Care to explain?"

"You… this… I… don’t know…"

"Then don’t blame us for not saving you."

Hill had been observing silently. Sophia’s actions were legally sound, and she’d suspected the mayor’s guilt—but not *this* severe. Under Sacred Empire law, illegally breeding Tentacles warranted immediate execution. Sophia only needed proof.

Hill moved. Her Dagger of Sealing flashed, severing the Tentacle around the mayor’s throat and pinning it to the floor.

*Thud.*

The mayor gasped, scrambling backward as the writhing Tentacle struggled against the blade.

"What proof do you have that *he* bred this?" Hill pressed.

"Search his house!" Sophia declared.

"Then let’s go. And you two—escort our *respected* mayor." Hill emphasized the last two words sharply.

***

At the mayor’s house, grotesque Tentacles snaked from the windows, recoiling from sunlight before lunging toward neighboring homes. Earlier, Rein had tossed a severed Tentacle fragment into the backyard pond. In the damp water, it grew a hundred times faster. Underground, the mayor’s controlled breeding had kept them contained—but now, they surged above ground.

"Explain this, *Mayor*?"

"I…"

Trapped, the mayor’s mind raced. He *had* bred them, luring girls from town as breeding stock deep underground. How had they surfaced? If this was a setup, why would Holy See agents bother with theatrics? Could the townsfolk…? No, they wouldn’t even know what a Tentacle was!

After a minute of frantic thought, he realized escape was impossible.

With a sudden roar, he hurled off the militiamen restraining him, snatching their short swords. His sweaty, slovenly facade vanished. His breathing steadied; sweat evaporated. This was no ordinary man.

"Vindictive · Breakthrough Star!"

Without stance or warning, Sophia charged. Golden Holy Light flared around her fists as she struck toward his face. The mayor dodged, blades flashing in counterattack. Sophia ducked, drew her own short sword, and slashed his waist.

"Rest in peace."

With one brutal motion, she split him in two.