Cheryl’s post soon appeared on the Mage Forum’s Motionless Library sub-forum. But, the post did not receive any response even after three entire minutes.
That was understandable. Even though there was a certain amount of time difference between the Nation of the Holy Church and Norland, it was very late into the night for the people of Norland.
Not many people would sign onto the magic network at such a late hour. That said, there were some mages that had ‘cultivated’ the habit of checking out the magic network before sleeping.
Because of their habit, when they saw Skotan Nun’s cry for help post, many people were jolted awake from their beds.
‘Miss Skotan, did you leave the Heresy Tribunal and arrived at Norland?’ Replied by: Whispers of the Magic Canon
‘Correction. She should have ‘escaped’ to Norland. Judging from the content of her post, Miss Skotan is currently being pursued by the inquisitors of the Holy Church.’ Replied by: Short Touch Wand
‘Where are you at? Perhaps there are people in the vicinity that could help you out.’ Replied by: Firebringer
Cheryl was stunned when she saw the massive amount of replies that appeared beneath her post. Very rarely does she become stunned like so. To an assassin, being stunned was very dangerous.
As Cheryl read the replies to her post, the written words created by the simplest magic runes of order, she felt a complicated sort of feeling.
Perhaps, in a certain corner of the city of Norland, a mage that was a total stranger to her, someone that she had never met before, had placed down what they’re doing or gotten up from their bed and began to worry for her safety all because they’ve came to know Skotan Nun from reading the ‘Diary of an Inquisitor.’
But, worrying for her was one thing. Whether or not they’re willing to risk their lives to help a stranger they’ve never met before was something completely different.
‘I’m in the alley behind a store called Crocker Wands.’ Replied by: Skotan Nun
Cheryl knew what she was hoping for was not realistic at all. But, she was unwilling to give up on her final hope.
After she sent that reply, she felt the auras of the inquisitors approaching the alley.
“Teresa, quickly come to my side.”
Cheryl immediately grabbed Teresa’s hand. She pulled her and hid in a pile of discarded components, a garbage pile.
The garbage pile just so happened to be under the shadow of the alley. Cheryl covered Teresa’s mouth and suppressed her aura as much as she could. Quietly, she listened to the movements in her surroundings.
More and more replies were coming through from the Mage Forum. But, Cheryl no longer had the energy to concern herself with them. She was certain the inquisitors had entered the alley.
She could hear extremely soft footsteps, so soft that she cannot determine their location. During this period of time, she pulled out her dagger. She was prepared to risk it all.
It was another three-men inquisitor team. One of them was even an inquisition leader.
They did not discover Cheryl hiding in the garbage pile at the corner of the alley. But, they were certain the traitors were hiding in the alley.
The footsteps of the three inquisitors grew even slower. Cheryl felt that the only thing she could hear in the surroundings was Teresa’s anxious breathing.
When an inquisitor stood before the garbage pile, Cheryl knew that she would not be able to hide anymore.
Using the remaining power in her body, she rushed out the garbage pile. Like a serpent, she exposed her fangs and, with a movement uncatchable by the naked eyes, brandished her dagger and streaked a scarlet arc through the air. She sliced off the arm of the inquisitor closest to her.
But, the two other inquisitors immediately reacted to what happened. A gray colored attack shot out from the tip of an inquisitor’s staff. The small alley simply wouldn’t allow Cheryl to avoid the attack.
Her body was smashed onto the alley walls. Then, she fell onto a puddle of water. A large amount of tiny wounds appeared on her body. Blood flowed out from her wounds and dyed the puddled water red.
“Cheryl!”
Teresa rushed out the garbage pile. She wanted to run over to the fallen Cheryl. But, her arm was grabbed by one of the inquisitors. Once that inquisitor used the power of the gray mist, Teresa immediately lost consciousness.
Cheryl wanted to get up. Yet, the serious injuries to her organs and body made her unable to move well. Powerlessly, she fell back onto the puddle of water. She could see the inquisition leader slowly walking toward her.
“You’ve disappointed me, Cheryl... Why did you choose betrayal? Apart from the Heresy Tribunal, no other place will tolerate your existence.” The inquisition leader’s voice entered Cheryl’s ears. But, she had no heart to concern herself with what he’s saying...
Even Cheryl found it ridiculous when she thought about it. While she was on the verge of dying, she was actually reading the post. Or perhaps, it would be better stated that reading her post was the only thing she could do right now.
The Mage Forum’s post had covered her vision that was becoming fuzzy. Replies were rapidly coming through.
‘Crocker Wands... never heard of it. Does anyone know where it is?!” Replied by: Nightwatcher
[1. It seems like Joshua has two accounts on the forum, Nightwatcher and Firebringer. Either that or the author is mistaking the two names...]
‘Even if we knew where it is, would we be able to make it there in time? That’s the church’s inquisitors we’re talking about here. If we provoke those indiscriminate murderers, it’ll be very troublesome.’ Replied by: Mlok
‘This is Norland. The laws of Norland do not allow for public murders. Besides, do you all not wish to continue reading the ‘Diary of an Inquisitor?’ Replied by: Firebringer
As Cheryl read the series of replies, she couldn’t help but laugh. In the end, what the mages were most concerned with was her diary’s new entries. But, that was something she was proud of...
It was the only thing Cheryl was proud of in her entire life.
Using her fingers, Cheryl left her final two words on the forum.
‘Don’t come...’ Replied by: Skotan Nun
An inquisition leader and two inquisioners were not people that an ordinary mage could defeat. Even if there were really mages that dared to come to her rescue, they will only be caught up in dangers themselves.
Even if Teresa was dragged back to the Heresy Tribunal, those bishops wouldn’t do anything much to her. After all, Teresa was special...
As such, there was nothing for Cheryl to fear.
“Filthy traitor, what are you laughing about?”
The inquisition leader couldn’t understand why Cheryl could laugh like so before her death. He grabbed Cheryl’s neck and raised her up.
But, the only thing Cheryl could see in her vision was the nonstop replies coming through the mage forum.
‘Crocker Wands is located right next to the teleportation formation! Is there anyone near the teleportation formation?!’ Replied by: Wordless Book
‘My workplace is there. But I’m currently at home. Damn it! Why didn’t my damn stingy boss have me stay a bit longer at work today?!’ Replied by: Gold Coin of Eternal Rest
Cheryl’s vision grew more and more fuzzy as she read the replies. But, when another reply appeared, Cheryl was immediately jolted awake.
”I’ve arrived at the alley behind Crocker Wands!’ Replied by: Short Touch Wand
“...”
When she read that reply, Cheryl immediately raised her head and looked past the inquisition leader’s shoulder. She caught sight of a mage panting at the end of the alley.
Judging from that mage’s age and attire, he’s only a mage apprentice.
Damn it... Cheryl did not feel any joy at all. The reason for that was because an inquisitor was approaching that mage apprentice.
When the mage apprentice, likely the person behind the user ‘Short Touch Wand,’ saw the approaching inquisitor taking out his weapon, he was immediately alarmed and took multiple steps back. A frightened appearance appeared on his face.
It would seem that even though he had summoned up his courage to come here, it would still be impossible for him to face inquisitors with hands dyed with blood of hundreds or even thousands of people.
The mage apprentice began to regret... He regretted his decision to act like a hero to come to this place.
“A mage that came here by chance? Or perhaps, he’s your friend? Who would’ve expect that there would be someone that’s willing to come to the rescue of a filthy traitor like you.”
The inquisition leader tightened his grasp of Cheryl’s neck. Cheryl immediately felt like she was suffocating and began to whimper in pain.
Cheryl’s whimpering was heard by that ‘Short Touch Wand.’ Although he was only a mage apprentice, he was a man nevertheless. At this moment, he braved his fear and aimed his staff at an inquisitor.
Runes of boiling heat appeared around him. A fireball was shot out from the tip of his staff and toward the inquisitor. But, the inquisitor tossed forth a dagger and pierced through the fireball. The dagger penetrated the wall behind the mage apprentice.
Short Touch Wand’s cheek was cut open by the sharp dagger. Powerlessly, he fell on his butt. Fear covered his face.
“Lamentable knowledge-seeker, the next dagger will be aimed at your head. Scram!” said that inquisitor.
Short Touch Wand gulped down his emotions and stood up shakingly. The first time he did was not running away or continuing to use magic to resist. Instead, he wrote a reply on the mage forum.
‘They’re too strong!’ Replied by: Short Touch Wand
‘Get out of the way! Let me have at them! You’ll only be a hindrance!’ Replied by: Thunder Crystal
Who? Short Touch Wand did not expect for another person to come to this eerie alley. He followed the instructions of that post and ran away...
“Human friendship is such a fragile thing. Cheryl... in the end, you’ll have to go and repent for your mistake all alone.”
After the inquisition leader saw the mage running away, he ridiculed Cheryl.
Although she was choking, Cheryl could barely keep her mind calm. After hearing that the mage had escaped, she heaved a sigh of relief in her heart.
She didn’t want to implicate anyone, much less her beloved readers. As darkness gradually swallowed her field of vision, a bright light suddenly illuminated her eyes.
A great amount of runes appeared above the alley and formed a magic formation. But, that yellow magic formation was illuminated with electric lights.
Thunders exploded all over the alley as lightning struck the three inquisitors.
That was not a small fireball magic. Instead, it was a high level magic that took a long period of time to prepare.
The lightning numbed the inquisition leader’s senses with pain. He looked to Cheryl with shock in his eyes.
Their operation was perfect. There shouldn’t be any reason for mages to come to Cheryl’s rescue. Could it be that this traitor knew of some powerful mage in Norland?!
Struck by lightning, the inquisition leader was forced to let go of Cheryl so that he could move more nimbly to avoid the incoming lightning strikes.
After successive rounds of lightning strikes, the alley’s ground was covered with charred marks.
“Filthy sneak attacker...” The inquisition leader took a glance around. But, he saw no sight of the person who used the magic to attack them.
“Filthy? I don’t desire to be called that by you bunch of indiscriminate murderers.”
That mage was not planning to hide. She walked out from the shadows. To the inquisition leader’s surprise, that mage’s appearance was that of a thirteen or fourteen year old girl.
Even though the inquisition leader didn’t know how Cheryl knew such a powerful mage, her age caused her experience to be lacking and her battle tactics to be too childish.
To show herself before the inquisition leader all alone, the inquisition leader had countless ways to capture her...
“Your friend is truly foolish.”
The inquisition leader said to Cheryl who had fallen to the ground.
He took out his staff and was prepared to teach that arrogant little girl a lesson called ‘the consequences of trying to show off by yourself.’
“The... truly foolish person... is you.”
Cheryl resisted the pain on her body and said those words.
When the inquisition leader heard Cheryl’s words, he had a bad feeling. A great amount of magic fluctuations appeared in the surroundings. The fluctuations were not intense. Yet, their numbers were frightening.
The two inquisitors were waiting for their leader to command them to attack the young female mage of the thunder system. But, at that moment, several more mages slowly walked over to the young female mage.
“You... what did you do?!”
When the inquisition leader saw the mages that appeared, he had the thought of retreating. Among the mages were several that were emitting magic auras that absolutely does not belong to mage apprentices level at all!
They could very possibly be grand mages from Norland’s certain academy.
To the inquisition leader’s even greater disbelief was that he actually saw four dwarves among them... It was not only the front of the alley, many mages and dwarves had appeared atop the roofs too.
They were surrounded.
The inquisition leader remembered that Cheryl was only dispatched to Norland for a mission that lasted only a couple days! How could she become acquainted with all these mages and dwarves in a short few days...? Moreover, they’ve collectively decided to brave the danger of provoking the Heresy Tribunal to rescue her?
Cheryl did not answer him. She only let out a soft laughter. Before her eyes, the Mage Forum’s post was still being updated with new replies continuously.
‘You all only need to follow the sound of the thunders.’ Replied by: Thunder Crystal
‘Don’t panic. I’ve dispatched my people over.’ Replied by: Ash-colored Owl
‘Arcano Rooster! I’m on my way!’ Replied by: Blackiron Longsword
‘Everyone, get in here! There’s free card packs!’ Replied by: Longfrost Hammer
It would be impossible for an inquisition leader and two inquisitions to defeat all these mages and dwarves. But, before dealing with them, the inquisition leader needed to execute the traitor.
As such, he unleashed his gray mist. The gray mist turned into a sharp sword that pierced toward Cheryl’s forehead. But, after the sharp sword sliced through a couple of Cheryl’s hair, right when it was about to touch her skin, it was dispersed by another gray mist.
The inquisition leader looked toward the interior of the alley. The owner of that gray mist was slowly walking out from the other side of the alley.
“Who... are you?”
All these years he had used that ‘power,’ it was the first time it failed him. Having lost that power, he simply had no way to fight at all.
“Who am I?”
Joshua had just rushed over to the alley behind the wand shop from his Hearthstone Tavern. He slowly walked toward the inquisition leader. The imprint on his palm was emitting a dark light.
Joshua took a glance at Cheryl on the ground. Then, he turned back to smile at the inquisition leader.
“A nightwatch.”
“...Ridiculous!”
The inquisition leader no longer had the time to talk. The mages behind them were already preparing their offensive magic. The dwarves were also rushing over with weapons in hand. It was impossible for the two inquisitioners to stop them. He had no choice but to temporarily escape from this place.
Watching the chaos unfold, Joshua walked over to Cheryl’s side and supported her up.
“Before you fall unconscious, I have a question I wish to ask you.”
Joshua’s hands were covered by Cheryl’s blood. If she doesn’t receive treatment soon, she wouldn’t be able to last much longer.
“What... question?”
Cheryl knew that she was now safe. Thus, she’s succumbing to her desire to sleep.
“Are you going to post a new chapter tonight?” asked Joshua.
Joshua’s question jolted Cheryl awake from her sleepiness.