Witch Training Manual: My Water Magic Is Wrong

Day .

The caravan had ventured deep into the northern part of Frostmaple County, and the scenery along the official road became increasingly desolate. The withered yellow grass was knee-high, and occasionally one or two crooked trees could be seen, their bare branches stretching towards the gray sky.

Inside the carriage, Emma leaned against the window and looked out.

"Master, how much longer do we have to walk?"

Wayne looked up.

"Two or three days."

Emma pulled her head back and sighed.

"It's so far."

Lillian peeked out from under the blankets and yawned.

"This is nothing. Frost Town is in the far north, near the Frost Mountains. Once you get there, you'll know what 'far' really means."

Emma blinked.

"Have you been there?"

Lillian thought for a moment.

"I've never been there. I've only heard about it."

Emma said "Oh," and then leaned back against the window.

The carriage continued forward, its wheels making a rhythmic rumbling sound as they rolled over the dirt road.

Meanwhile, 500 miles away.

The city of Odrian.

There are an unusually large number of people in the city today.

The square in front of the church was packed with people, three or four layers deep, with even the surrounding rooftops and walls covered with onlookers, mostly teenagers. The crowd buzzed like a pot of boiling water.

A gallows stands in the center of the square.

The wooden frame was very tall, with a thick hemp rope hanging down from the crossbeam. The end of the rope was tied in a slipknot and swayed gently in the wind.

A person was kneeling under the gallows.

Casa Byrne.

Vicar General of the Southern Diocese.

Three days ago, he was one of the most powerful people in the city, with carriages and attendants, and people bowing and making way for him wherever he went.

He was kneeling in the mud, his hands bound behind his back, his robe crumpled and covered in mud and bits of grass. His bald head hung low, his expression hidden.

There was a lot of discussion among the crowd.

"Have you heard? The old bishop has stood up!"

"Really? Wasn't he paralyzed for three years?"

"It's true! I saw it with my own eyes! He walked out of that yard yesterday morning, both his legs were perfectly fine, and he was walking steadily!"

"The goddess has appeared..."

"What kind of miracle is this? If you ask me, it was that vice-deacon who poisoned him. The old bishop was paralyzed for three years, and he got better as soon as he became vice-deacon? There's no such thing as a free lunch."

"That's right, it must be his fault."

"And then there's Father Wayne's matter. Think about it, Father Wayne was doing just fine here, and suddenly he was transferred to Frostbite. What kind of place is Frostbite? Everyone who goes there dies! It must be that old bastard's doing!"

"Yes! That's him!"

"Damn it!"

The crowd grew louder and more agitated. Some began throwing things at the gallows: rotten vegetable leaves, rotten eggs, and small stones. Kasa trembled from the impact, but he couldn't dodge or speak.

His mouth was sealed shut.

The tongue is long gone.

The moment the old bishop appeared before him a day earlier, he knew it was all over. The man who had been paralyzed for three years had truly stood up; not only could he stand, but he could also walk and speak.

The old bishop didn't speak, he just looked at him.

Looked for a long time.

Then he waved.

The guards rushed in and pinned him to the ground. Some pried open his mouth, while others stuck pliers inside. After excruciating pain, his mouth was full of blood, and his tongue fell to the ground.

He wanted to shout, but he couldn't.

I want to explain, but I can't.

He wanted to beg for mercy, but he couldn't even finish a sentence.

Now he kneels here, listening to the curses of those around him, waiting for that rope to be put around his neck.

The old bishop walked out of the church from under the gallows.

He walked slowly, each step firm and steady. Three years of paralysis had left his legs not fully recovered, but he insisted on walking on his own, refusing any assistance.

He stood still in front of the gallows.

He looked down at Kasa, who was kneeling on the ground.

Casa raised his head.

Their eyes met.

Kasa made a "hoarse" sound in his throat. He wanted to speak, to beg for mercy, to explain himself, to say that his wife had seduced him first. But he couldn't say anything; only blood and foam dripped from the corner of his mouth.

The old bishop looked at him for a long time.

Then he turned around and faced the crowd.

"This man," his voice was hoarse, but everyone could hear him clearly, "has murdered bishops and persecuted church personnel; his crimes are heinous."

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then erupted into an even louder uproar.

"Hang him!"

"Hang him!"

"Hang him!"

The old bishop raised his hand.

The crowd quieted down.

"Execute."

The guards stepped forward, dragged Kasa from the ground, and pushed him onto the gallows. A thick hemp rope was put around his neck, and the slipknot was tightened. Kasa's face turned a deep purplish-red, his eyes widened, and he made a dying sound in his throat.

The wooden planks underfoot were pulled away.

His body fell.

The rope is taut.

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

Eight hundred miles away.

Inside the carriage, Wayne opened his eyes.

The panel popped up.

[Audrian News Flash - Noon]

Location: Central Square, Audreyen City

[Event: Archdeacon Casa was sent to the gallows]

[Crimes: Murdering a bishop, persecuting church personnel (referring to you)]

[Pre-execution condition: Tongue has been removed, unable to speak]

[Onlookers reacted with much discussion: "I always thought he was a bad guy," "Father Wayne was truly wronged," "Will Father Wayne be able to come back?" "The decree has been issued, it can't be that simple."]

The old bishop stood up. He's recovered faster than expected from what happened two days ago, and can now walk and speak normally. He publicly announced that your transfer order is null and void, and that he will report it to the Vatican.

[Note: Elena is unharmed; the old bishop didn't pursue the matter. It wasn't forgiveness; he simply had that kind of inclination. Although he'd been immobilized for the past three years, watching Kasa and his wife engage in sexual activity seemed to provide him with a unique kind of enjoyment. The reason for this can only be attributed to him being a nymph.]

Wayne turned off the panel.

His gaze fell out of the car window.

The sky was overcast, the forest sparse, and the distant mountain shadows were faintly visible. Five more days' journey lay ahead; he had plenty of time to think about what lay ahead.

The old bishop woke up.

Casa is dead.

This happened a few days faster than he had expected.

Good grief, I just helped you get revenge, and you turn around and want to take me back?

Is the transfer order now invalidated? Should he be sent back?

Should we go back and wait for the paladin to "escort" us?

Sigh, I'll forgive him since he was unaware of it. Otherwise, I would definitely find a chance to draw circles and curse him.

Emma came over and plopped down next to him.

"Master, what are you thinking about?"

Wayne looked down at her.

"It's nothing."

Emma blinked, her dark eyes shining brightly.

"Really?"

Wayne ruffled her hair.

"Of course it's true."

This morning, before dawn, a message popped up on the dashboard.

[Vatican Task Force Updates]

[Time: This morning]

Location: Fifty miles south of Adrian

[Personnel: Seven paladins, all with combat strength of tier three or above]

[Mission: Escort Wayne, an outstanding young clergyman from the Southern Diocese, to the Holy City for further studies]

[Estimated arrival time in Audrian: Before nightfall tonight]

[Note: The Paladin Commander, who led the group, saw your portrait and kept saying on the way that this mission was a really good one.]

[P.S.: There was a young knight in the task force who was reluctant. He felt he was a paladin, not a pimp. But there was no way around it; orders are orders.]

After reading the message, Wayne remained silent for a long time.

Then he smiled.

He laughed softly, with a hint of self-deprecation.

He had long seen through the truth of this world.

church.

The powerful and wealthy.

So-called faith.

That's all nonsense.