Lelia gently bit her lip with her pearly white teeth. She couldn't defend herself against her senior brother's accusation of betrayal. After all, their capture pointed to only one explanation: her treachery.
Heaven and earth be my witness—Lelia had never intended to betray her senior brother or master! Orphaned young, they were her only family. How could she do such a thing?!
Her gaze drifted to Silphiel. A flame of hatred slowly spread in her eyes as she stared at the Holy Maiden.
The Holy Maiden had glared at her with ill intent since the banquet began. Clearly, she was behind this!
Silphiel, this debt won't be settled easily today!
Senior brother and master, I'm sorry. Admitting our ties would mean my death too.
To survive, she had to insist these two were villains who murdered her attendants and disguised themselves. She didn't know them!
The Lindberg family, descendants of saints, had fallen from grace. But without solid proof, even Silphiel and Grace couldn't convict her on a Heretic's word alone!
Yes—denying everything would keep her safe!
Grace's shifting expression didn't escape Gao Ying's notice. He sighed inwardly. This woman was beyond saving. A loyal person would protect family like them, even at the cost of life.
Such cold severance proved her utter lack of heart.
Had she saved them, Gao Ying might have helped again. But she disappointed him. His heart was soft, yet none of these women deserved forgiveness.
Silphiel smiled sweetly, her clear eyes fixed on Lelia. Softly, she said, "Miss Lindberg, this Heretic claims you're one of them. How do you explain that?"
Lelia looked coldly at her senior brother. "Your Holiness and Your Honor, the Lindbergs may have lost glory, but we were noble descendants of the Holy Capital. How could we ally with Heretics? Their words are untrustworthy."
Her blond senior brother gasped, his gaze losing all warmth. "Faithless bitch! Your Holiness, arrest her—she's one of us!"
Silphiel wanted to, but publicly, a Heretic's word alone wouldn't convince the crowd.
She paused, a faint smile forming. She glanced at her close friend Grace. After a moment, Grace's lips curled into a cold arc. "Miss Lindberg, this is tricky. He insists you're a cultist. But I believe you. To prove innocence, execute them yourself."
As she spoke, Grace took a sword from a guard and handed it to Lelia, whose expression froze. Smiling, Grace added, "They killed your attendants. You have every reason for revenge."
Silphiel was thrilled with her friend's plan. She truly understood!
As Inquisitor of Heresy, Grace knew the Shadow Sect valued comrades deeply. Forcing them to kill their own often made them hesitate.
And a saint's descendant showing mercy to Heretics? Her true colors would show.
Gao Ying stepped forward, seeing Lelia's conflicted face. He argued with Grace, "Your Honor, what are you doing? How can you make Lelia kill here?"
Grace reasoned, "Hero! Don't disrupt the trial. She may have approached you with ulterior motives! The Heretic accuses her, she denies it—I must verify this way!"
Grace glanced at Silphiel, who nodded in agreement.
Grace pressed the sword forward. Seeing Lelia hesitate, the Inquisitor's eyes flashed coldly. "Miss Lindberg, do you lack courage to avenge your own? Or is it—"
"—they're right? Because they're comrades, you can't act?"
Silphiel nodded too. "Miss Lelia, with such hatred, if you don't act, even I can't defend you."
Lelia looked pleadingly at Gao Ying. Softly, he said, "Don't force yourself. This proves nothing."
No—it could prove something!
More nobles gathered. Noble ladies added insult to injury, hurling harsh words.
If Lelia couldn't kill them, the Inquisitor might not convict her now.
But later, Holy Capital rumors would bury the Lindbergs. The Inquisition would summon her for questioning.
Entering was easy; leaving wouldn't be.
Lelia wouldn't survive their interrogation.
Lelia closed her eyes slightly, letting out a soft sigh. When she opened them, her crimson eyes were calm as still water, not a ripple of emotion.
Silently, she took the sword from Grace, drew it, and pointed it at her senior brother and master.
Silphiel's smile froze. Could this woman really do it?
Lelia said coldly, "Your Honor is right. They were my attendants—murdered and replaced. As their master, avenging them is my duty!"
Silphiel's smile faded. "Then, Miss Lindberg, proceed."
Beside her, Rodrika urged, "Miss Lindberg, they're despicable! They plotted to assassinate the Hero and even planned to kill you after!"
Lelia was slightly taken aback. She knew of the assassination plot, but killing her to cover it up?
After six years together, their bond was deep. She dismissed it as Rodrika's lie to push her—unaware Rodrika had no reason to lie.
Lelia faced her senior brother, righteous. "You vile Heretics! Don't smear the Lindberg name. Though fallen, our noble pride remains. No one believes your lies!"
Proudly, she addressed the nobles. "Witnesses, bear witness: the Lindberg family vows eternal enmity with Heretics!"
Her words fell. Lelia's eyes sharpened. The sword pierced her senior brother's heart. Blood splattered her face, but her expression didn't flicker.
Her senior brother glared, eyes full of malice. "Lelia, we'll wait for you in hell!"
"As devout Holy See believers, we'll join our Lord's kingdom. Hell is for filthy Heretics like you!" Lelia withdrew the sword. He collapsed.
Gao Ying noticed little blood flowed.
The Hero's gaze sharpened. He understood. As her years-long travel companion, he knew Lelia's ancient martial arts well.
Fellow disciples sharing techniques wasn't strange.
Perfect—if alive, they'd be his XP. Gao Ying desperately needed XP bags. Two immobile, near-death ones were ideal for leveling.
After killing her senior brother, Lelia flicked blood off the blade. Efficiently, she thrust it into her master's heart.
Her master fared worse. Beaten badly by Rodrika, he was unconscious and silent as he fell.
Lelia returned the sword to Grace, staring at the bodies in the blood pool. Coldly, she said, "Your Honor, does this prove the Lindbergs' innocence?"
Grace took the sword, studying Lelia deeply. She chuckled. "I was mistaken. These Heretics are cunning—they nearly caused distrust among us faithful."
She glanced at Silphiel, whose eyes showed reluctance.
Aren't Shadow Sect members supposed to value comrades? How could she do it?
What could she say now?
The Holy Maiden ordered, "Dispose of these Heretic corpses."
Guard knights obeyed and left.
Silphiel smiled gently at the crowd. "Honored guests, apologies for the spectacle. The Holy See will cleanse the Holy Capital soon. No more rats scurrying about. Please, enjoy the banquet."
Lelia couldn't enjoy it. Silphiel soon noticed her troubled expression. Lelia claimed illness and left early.
Tch—clearly guilty!
With the Heretic incident stirring chaos, Silphiel and Grace exchanged glances. They had a busy night. Apologizing to Gao Ying, they excused themselves.
The banquet ended sourly. Gao Ying invited Rodrika to dance as a reward. To his surprise, her dancing was terrible—she stepped on his feet repeatedly.
Flustered, she explained, "I... spent all time training. I learned dancing as a child. I'm very sorry, Hero. I disappointed you."
Since she apologized earnestly, Gao Ying endured it. He had unfinished business tonight.
"Rodrika, is something on your mind?"
She nodded.
