“Perfect.”
Via clutched the Silver-rank magical core infected with abyssal aura and left Boss Goren’s shop.
This single core was her most important starting capital.
As long as she had it, all the effort she had put in during this period was completely worth it.
Most importantly, she had saved a considerable amount of money that could now be used to set up her Magic Workshop, cutting down a lot of part-time work hours.
“I need to get back quickly.”
With that thought, she quickened her pace, planning to head to the underground black market’s docks, find a boat, pay a little, and leave.
Yet when she neared the docks, she discovered a huge crowd gathered ahead, and it was extremely noisy.
“Something’s wrong. There weren’t this many people at the docks earlier, were there?”
Via frowned; an ominous feeling rose in her heart.
“P-please, stop!”
“I won’t sell anymore—I swear I’ll never sell again!”
“Please don’t take me to the Holy Land! I beg you, I know I was wrong! For the sake of God, forgive me just this once—I’ve repented!”
Via heard countless pleas for mercy.
She saw the vendor who had earlier tried to peddle strange potions to her now pinned to the ground, his face pale, his body trembling.
The people holding him down were—
Holy Knights wearing armor bearing the emblem of the Holy Land?!
“Why are they here?”
Via’s eyes widened.
Her mind buzzed as if it had exploded.
Why was the Holy Knight Order from the Holy Land here?
Besides the Holy Knights, members of the Enforcement Guard were also present. Together they had completely sealed off the docks.
“Forgiveness? Heh.”
The Holy Knight stepping on the vendor raised a war hammer blessed with holy aura, his face full of icy contempt.
“Everyone in this world has a chance at forgiveness—including you, you scum who peddles hallucinogens. Our duty is to deliver you into the presence of the Lord God. There, you may personally beg Him for mercy.”
“No—no…… AAAAAAHHHH!!!”
The descending hammer cut off the vendor’s despairing scream. With a heavy THUD, his head burst open like a watermelon. White and red fluids splattered across the Holy Knight’s armor.
Everyone present was stunned into silence.
Even the lawless thugs of the underground black market didn’t dare breathe loudly at this moment.
The Holy Knight Order, subordinate to the Holy Land, was the Holy Land’s enforcement arm. Their usual duties were to follow God’s will: fight magical beasts, punish heretics, and purge evil from the world.
Anyone labeled evil by the Holy Knight Order—noble or not—would meet a terrible end.
“Kyaa!!”
Some with weaker constitutions screamed at the bloody sight and turned to flee.
Seeing someone run, others feared ending up like the vendor and chose to escape as well.
After all, almost everyone here had dirty hands. Falling into the Holy Knight Order’s grasp meant nothing good.
“Capture these suspicious evildoers—let not a single one escape!!”
Captain Monica of the Enforcement Guard raised her hand and issued the order to her subordinates.
“Yes, Captain Monica!!”
The Enforcement Guard soldiers responded in loud unison and charged forward, suppressing the panicked, fleeing crowd.
“Captain Monica, is the intelligence you provided accurate?” The Holy Knight sheathed his bloodstained weapon and approached Monica.
“There should be no mistake. A few days ago, according to an informant, a magical core infected with abyssal aura flowed into the underground black market. Combined with the recent Demonized Being incidents, we can conclude… someone definitely plans to use that dangerous core for something,” Monica replied.
“If that is truly the case, then not a single suspicious person in this underground black market can be spared,” the Holy Knight said mercilessly. “Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty escape. We will not tolerate even the slightest trace of Demonized Beings—any hint must be eradicated.”
“…”
Via overheard the conversation between the Holy Knight and Monica; a chill ran down her spine.
“Hm?”
Monica noticed a black-robed, masked figure lurking in the corner. For some reason, she felt she had seen this suspicious person somewhere before.
“Don’t move! Raise your hands and submit to questioning!”
“Damn it.”
Via inwardly cursed—she had been discovered after all.
She turned and melted into the darkness of the corner.
“Capture that suspicious black-robed masked person!!” Monica shouted sternly.
The Enforcement Guard soldiers sprang into action and gave chase.
The Holy Knight also sensed something unusual.
“We pursue—do not let that one escape!”
…
…
“What rotten luck. Is my luck really this bad? The moment I get what I want, the Holy Land starts hunting me?”
Via darted through the narrow alleys of the underground black market, sweat beading on her forehead as she glanced at the Holy Knights pursuing her.
If they caught her and discovered the abyssal-infected magical core she carried, everything would truly be over.
First, she would be escorted back to the Holy Land for a grand inquisition and undoubtedly branded a heretic.
Unlike most heretics who were dealt with secretly, as Sylvia’s daughter attempting to touch the abyss, this would be a gravely serious incident.
She would likely face public trial and then undergo “holy purification.”
This holy purification was not some gentle purification spell to cleanse the soul—it meant having the meridians in her hands and feet severed, being bound to a cross, and roasted for three full days in sacred flames.
If one survived the holy fire, it proved both body and soul had been purified, and God had forgiven all sins.
But anyone with a brain knew—no one survived that!
“This is our final warning, suspect! Stop immediately and raise your hands above your head for inspection, or we will use force!” the Holy Knight behind her bellowed.
“No good—I need a plan!”
Via stripped off her black robe and mask, hanging them on the wall to buy a little time.
She planned to sprint through the upcoming alley corner and shake off her pursuers.
But when she rounded the corner, she froze completely.
Directly ahead were members of the Enforcement Guard.
“Hm? Movement over there?”
Hearing the noise, the Enforcement Guard soldiers started walking toward the alley.
Enforcement Guard ahead, Holy Knights behind—both sides closing in.
“Is this the end?”
Via had nowhere left to run.
Listening to the approaching footsteps, she leaned against the wall, biting her cherry lip, small fists clenched in bitter frustration.
At this moment of utter desperation, a hand suddenly covered her mouth. A faint, feminine fragrance drifted into her nose.
At the same time, a girl’s voice whispered in her ear.
“Shh—don’t make a sound.”