Witch Training Manual: My Water Magic Is Wrong

Just as public opinion was about to reverse, Caruso once again turned his attention to the woman below.

"False accusation! This is a false accusation! You escaped convicts, I haven't even investigated your escape, and you dare to turn around and accuse me?"

However, Carroso had no effect.

An egg flew out.

Someone shouted "Smash them!" and immediately a deluge of eggs rained down on St. George's porch.

Carrosso's face was ashen, but he dared not order a direct, violent crackdown. In the current situation, any use of violence would only solidify St. George's infamous reputation.

Once his anger subsided, Wayne turned to face the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please hear me out. Just now, the goddess gave me guidance. She said these people should not be abandoned; they deserve to be saved. The rain that is about to fall will be a gift from the goddess!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the magic circle in Wayne's palm suddenly lit up, and a pale blue beam of light shot into the sky from the center of the circle, exploding high in the air, and golden raindrops began to fall.

Those prisoners who were originally listless regained their rosy complexion at a visible speed after being soaked in the rain.

Soon, some people also personally experienced the miracle.

"My back... my back doesn't hurt anymore! I've been bent over for most of my life, but I can straighten up now!"

"The scars on my face... they're gone! Look! They're really gone!"

"The goddess has appeared! It really is the goddess appearing!"

One voice after another rang out in the square.

The crowd began to surge forward.

They surged not toward St. George's gate, but toward the direction of Wayne. Some reached out trembling hands to touch the hem of his robes, some knelt down and kissed the stone steps at his feet, and some raised their hands, tears streaming down their faces, their cries of "Messenger of the Goddess" echoing throughout the air.

Carrosso stood rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed somberly on Wayne, saying nothing. He knew he had utterly lost this confrontation in the square.

As for the other three cardinal elders, their expressions were also varied. At this moment, deep within their consciousness, a clear, cold female voice was echoing slowly and deliberately.

"The three of you had better stop watching this show here. He is the man I chose. I know you each have your own motives, but I advise you to end it here with him."

The three cardinal elders stood side by side, exchanged a glance, and quickly understood each other's thoughts.

Staying in this drama any longer will only drag me down with it. St. George's reputation is ruined, but the reputation of the Cardinals cannot be ruined along with it.

"Let's go." Noah spoke first, flicking his sleeves and turning to leave. The remaining two followed without hesitation, and the three figures quickly disappeared around the street corner from the edge of the crowd.

Before leaving, one of them sent a telepathic message to Carrosso: "From now on, there's nothing we can do to help you. Clean up the mess yourself, Carrosso kid."

Carrosso stood there, his sideburns slightly disheveled.

He did not try to stop him.

He knew that the three cardinal elders had only stayed with him this far out of consideration for their years of camaraderie. If things dragged on any longer, even the Council of Cardinals would be dragged into this mess.

On the stage, the healed girls descended the steps, supported by their families. The Countess of Durham held her daughter and wept uncontrollably, while several members of the minor noble families gathered around, laughing and crying.

The paladins who had been lined up to block the door now stood still, none daring to step forward or speak, and could only watch helplessly as the "prisoners" were led away one by one.

At this moment, Carroso's eyes were filled with malice; he wished he could kill the person in front of him immediately, but he dared not make any rash moves.

Because he saw the executioner behind the crowd.

The figure in the black cloak stood quietly in the shadows of the street corner, his face obscured, but the faint aura emanating from him was like an invisible rope around the back of his neck—he was the king's personal executioner.

On the other hand, Wayne had no intention of giving up.

He looked at Carrosso again.

"As for you, Cardinal Carosso, you attempted to murder an important nobleman of the kingdom, incited prisoners to attack the Marquis's mansion, and abused your power to frame innocent civilians. You are guilty of multiple crimes. I think it is necessary for you to come with me to the kingdom's prison for a proper talk."

Just as Carroso was about to speak, Edmund stepped forward from behind him and blocked Carroso's path.

"I did it! I did all of this!"

He met Wayne's gaze, his tone resolute: "I have always outwardly obeyed but inwardly disobeyed my teacher's orders. I released those death row inmates without his permission; the attack on the Marquis's mansion was entirely my doing! My teacher knew nothing about it!"

Carrosso stood behind Edmund, his expression unchanged, but the fingers gripping the scepter tightened slightly.

"Oh?" Wayne's voice rose slightly at the end. "You planned this all by yourself? Then tell me, how did you contact those death row inmates? How did you establish contact with them? How did you, an assistant bishop, obtain the dungeon key and control over the array?"

Edmund wanted to continue arguing.

"Emond, that's enough."

Edmund turned his head sharply.

"teacher--!"

"You've disappointed me so much. I never imagined you would do something like this."

Edmund's pupils dilated suddenly.

He wanted to say something more, but Carroso didn't give him the chance. The bottom of the scepter paused at his feet, and a silver arc of light swept across the stone steps, precisely piercing Edmund's chest.

Edmund's voice abruptly stopped.

He glanced down at his chest; there were no wounds, no bloodstains, but his eyes were rapidly dimming.

Immediately afterwards, Edmund fell straight forward, crashing onto the stone steps and remaining motionless.

The panel then appeared.

[Caroso - Current Status]

[Inner monologue: Edmund knows too much. If he's taken to the kingdom's prison, those deep-seated old grievances will inevitably be dredged up sooner or later. It's better to keep him silent than to make him talk.]

[Note: Edmund knew he was going to die, but he never expected to die so soon.]

[Note 2: Carroso handled it very cleanly. The arc of light left no trace, not even blood. The cause of death could be explained as "suicide out of guilt" or "sudden heart attack." He even planned out the aftermath.]

After reading and understanding, Wayne fell silent.

He never expected Carrosso to be so ruthless, killing his disciple who had followed him for many years without hesitation.

However, at this moment Caruso began his masterful performance: "Emond committed suicide out of guilt, and I failed to stop him in time. As his teacher, I am deeply saddened. As his teacher, I also bear responsibility for the crime he committed, and I will personally submit a written apology to the Cardinals afterwards."

Wayne did not respond.

He knew that with Caruso's current foundation and power, even if he resigned from his position as head of St. George, his influence within the Vatican would not be completely eliminated in a short period of time.

But if they continue to pursue and drive Carosso to the brink, and if a sixth-tier saint really fights back desperately, most of the people present today will probably die.

Knowing when to stop is the safest option right now.

"Now that the culprit has been brought to justice, Cardinal Carosso, we shall meet again."