A dull longsword and a heartbroken villager

The uncle could easily climb over this high wall with just a jump.

But at this moment, the uncle's movements froze, as if something was pulling him back.

The soul was stunned at the same moment, as if it had been targeted by a terrifying monster.

In that brief moment of hesitation, Ma Qi managed to escape the chaotic scene.

"Tsk..."

“Director Visage, I request permission to search for Machibuzer throughout the capital,” the deputy director said, speaking into the communication array on his collar.

“Permission granted,” Visage’s voice came from within the magic circle.

"Guard, give chase!"

"Okay." The gatekeeper scratched his head, looking somewhat helpless.

What exactly happened just now?

“Now, the Empire’s attention can be shifted to this matter.” Shar smiled, pursing her lips.

"Your Holiness, everything is going well. This gives us enough time to search for the angel."

They have already thrown out all sorts of false clues, diverting the investigation elsewhere.

For example, it could be transferred to Ma Qi.

“And also, we must carry out our grand plan,” the assistant priest said.

Then their figures blurred into the crowd and disappeared.

It was as if these two people had never been there.

---

Ma Qi left the academy with an extremely complicated expression on her face.

Resentment, greed, madness, and fear.

Ma Qi leaned against the wall of the alley, panting heavily.

In no time at all, Ma Qi had run far away from the academy.

The speed boost from the spell was quite good, and with the red markings making him as agile as a limb, escaping through the city was incredibly easy.

"Are you having fun, Machi-chan?" Shar rested her chin on her hand and sat down next to Machi with her legs crossed.

"What about the promised strength? What is this?!" Ma Qi's voice was sharp as she gripped Sha'er tightly.

The insecure Maggie was initially lured into joining the church by Shar.

Small shadows can easily be magnified into evil and madness.

However, Ma Qi soon became weak.

The priest chanted a spell, which exhausted Ma Qi.

Having faith in a god allows one to use corresponding divine arts, but that doesn't mean one can't use magic.

High-ranking religious believers often possess divine arts and magic.

"Aaaaaahh ...

“Of course you can. Given some more time, you can become stronger and better satisfy your desires,” Shar said softly.

This insecure girl is quite easily tempted into the abyss of depravity.

His frenzied state is absolutely amazing.

That deeply buried, distorted aesthetic desire struck Sharle as a revelation.

"Alright, priestess, let her go," Shar said.

The priest squinted his eyes and silently experienced the effects of the spell.

Ma Qi braced himself on the ground, his face filled with resentment and malice.

The voices around her continued to fuel Ma Qi's dark thoughts.

The red markings that had spread across Chiguo's body disappeared without him even noticing.

"What an open-minded child, completely naked."

“There’s nothing to hide.” Maqi looked at Shar with disdain.

“You’re right, but I still think the clothes are very beautiful.” Shar smiled.

“Is this all the power the Lord has?” Machi looked at Shar.

"The Lord's power is endless, dear Machi-chan."

"You just haven't shown your full potential yet."

“These divinely bestowed tattoos cannot be used so simply and crudely,” Shar sighed.

"Use it more, more imaginatively, to satisfy your desires."

Sarah gently stroked Maggie's long hair.

“Degradation is a wonderful thing,” Shar’s voice was as sweet as honey.

It's more alluring than a whisper in your ear.

Maqi's eyes widened as she greedily savored the aura emanating from Shar.

Machi still has value, or rather, she was created from the beginning to divert the empire's attention.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt your conversation." A flippant voice came from not far away.

The sound echoed in the alleyway, layer upon layer.

It was a man wearing a blue-black overcoat named Betley.

“But seeing so many things I hate most is an uncontrollable excitement.” Betley took off his sunglasses, coldly staring at the three people in front of him. “The Fallen Lord—some say it's a giant hand leading to the abyss of depravity.”

Some say that its black armor is the true desire of the world.

"Legend has it that the 'Fallen Lord' divided his blood among the five apostles, allowing them to live and fall to earth, where they fulfill the duties of earthly messengers."

“The messengers preached the doctrines, which led the believers to spread depravity.”

"The doctrine holds that depravity is a return to desire, a return to reality, and the elimination of hypocrisy."

"When everything is in decline, that is when the world is most real."

Betley spoke softly, walking step by step toward the three of them.

The footsteps were so clear.

“Sir, you seem quite familiar with our doctrines. Do you also wish to join our church?” Shar chuckled.

“I’m not only familiar with the doctrines of your ‘Fallen Lords,’ but I’m also familiar with the doctrines of various religions.” Beatrix shrugged.

“That’s quite erudite, sir,” Shar said, looking at Betley with interest.

“However, please don’t interrupt me, there’s more to come.” Betley put a finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture.

"However, depravity does not lead people back to reality, but simply brings out the evil side of people and lures out those deeply hidden evil thoughts."

"The essence of 'Dopna' is not entirely depravity, but rather a complex mixture of evil, sin, and other intricate elements."

“To call it a return to reality after falling into depravity is going too far.” Betley spread his hands, making a helpless expression.

"You're playing with people's minds."

“Sir, defaming the Lord is a heinous act.” Although Shar still smiled, her tone was filled with anger.

"The Lord's teachings are good, and no one can refute them, nor are they allowed to refute them."

“Are you angry? I’ve met many cult members before. They get very angry when their god is said to be wrong.” Betley continued walking.

"As expected, cult members are all incredibly fanatical."

"So fanatical that they'd do anything without thinking?"

Unwittingly, they arrived at a distance of twenty meters from the three of them.

His coat swayed, and Betley held no weapon in his hand.

Betley doesn't look like a mage either.

“I’m in a good mood this time, so I’ll tell you something,” Beatrix chuckled.

"Do you know why I'm so familiar with the doctrines of various religions?"

"Because I've read through all the religious texts I know, and it took me several years to thoroughly understand them."

"Although I feel nauseous when I look at the doctrines."

“But it’s all worth it to get rid of you idiots.” As soon as he finished speaking, Betley appeared in front of the three of them.

Neither Shar nor the priestess reacted in time, let alone Machi.

“It’s time to hunt, you cultists.” Betley touched the bracelet on which his pocket watch hung.

““The Curtain of Doppne,” Beatrix said, extending the index finger of his left hand.

The surrounding light suddenly dimmed, and countless murmurs arose.

Besides Shar, the deacon and Machi also looked very unpleasant.

The magic surged erratically within his body, and his mind continued to fluctuate.

The priest was certain that if he didn't calm his mind, his magic would immediately overflow and go berserk.

"Holy Maiden, this is...our divine magic!!" The acolyte was filled with astonishment.

“Yes, it’s a high-level divine spell of the Lord.” Shar frowned and looked at Betley.

“You absolutely do not have faith in my Lord, without faith… it’s impossible for you to use divine magic,” Shar said in a deep voice.

Divine arts can only be obtained through the gifts of the gods, and their use requires the permission of the gods' will.

Belit looked at Sharon with a mocking expression, his eyes revealing a deeper meaning.

“I never expected to run into high-ranking officials, high-ranking officials of the church.” Beatrix laughed.

"You know quite a lot, but many things aren't absolute, are they?"

Well, I'm in a very good mood right now.

"After killing you, this saintess, I'll wipe out your entire church."

"Pull it all out."

Betley's expression suddenly turned ferocious, like a vicious lone wolf awakening.

No, it's even more ferocious... the rage of an avenger.

"Then this divine spell is useless against you. I was originally planning to use your divine spell to punish you."

“Really? That’s really…” Sharle wanted to say something, but the words caught in her throat.

Because Sharle saw Beatrix's expression.

Madness, obsession, yet unparalleled clarity—this contradiction is precisely what Betley embodies, making it impossible to refute.

Everything around her seemed to be shaking, and although she knew it was just an illusion, Shar still felt fear.

Betley's aura materialized, pressing down on the hearts of everyone present.

"Ahhhhh!!! Don't come any closer!!!" Maqi was the most vulnerable one, and she screamed in terror when she saw Betley's ferocious expression.

Betley raised an eyebrow and took several steps back.

Where he had been standing, countless sharp spikes sprang up, with red patterns entwined around them.

“Getting stabbed would be a bit troublesome,” Beatri said, arms crossed, looking at Shar.

That's what Betley said, but no one sensed that Betley was nervous at all.

“Is there anything else to do? If not, I can kill you all.” Betley’s coat fluttered in the wind that swept into the alley. The wind that had swept into the deep alley stopped, and Betley raised his hand.

"The Claws of the Plague Source"

The scattered green fragments around them coalesced to form a massive beast claw.

Venom flowed from its surface, but did not drip down, as if it were tightly bound to the beast's claws by some force.