Translator: Cinder Translations
...
"I'm not a witch!"
The girl exclaimed in a breakdown, as if the term "witch" carried a tremendous curse.
"Heh heh!" Quintus strode over, grabbing the girl by the arm and lifting her forcefully before covering her mouth.
"Young Master Foster, you needn't trouble your guards here. We'll take her to the church's dungeon for a thorough interrogation."
With that, his purification team members showed no trace of their earlier wariness towards the guards, but rather displayed lecherous expressions.
Quill frowned deeply, seemingly contemplating what to do. Dealing with witches was no small matter.
At that moment, a voice rang out, "Release that poor girl, you scoundrels!"
It was Liszt, who walked up to Quill with righteous indignation, anxiously saying, "Captain Quill, I can testify that these so-called purification team members were bullying the girl. Their claims of her being a witch are simply fabricated to deceive you."
"Doesn't he realize it?" Quill thought to himself.
With someone stepping forward to testify, Quill hardened his face and questioned Quintus:
"If you accuse her of witchcraft, what's the basis for such suspicion? I cannot allow a law-abiding citizen to be thrown into jail without just cause!"
"That..." Quintus was momentarily speechless, and then his anger flared up. The young master from the Foster family was being too disrespectful. Quill had tolerated his show of power at first, but repeatedly refusing to back down was challenging. Was the church so easy to bully?
Witchcraft suspicion? Did he need to fabricate a reason? Quintus knew that his group wasn't exactly adept at making up excuses; they were more skilled in violence.
While Quintus and his team were at a loss, Quill snorted coldly and said, "Let me handle this myself!"
He then pulled out a milky-white stone.
Could it be? Could he actually have that? The purification team members widened their eyes in shock.
"This is a Demon Detection Stone!" Quill announced loudly in the hall.
"As long as there are traces of witchcraft on this girl, it will be easily detectable!"
The hall was filled with astonished voices, with everyone focusing intently on the milky-white stone. As expected from a member of a prestigious family, he carried such a rare item.
With that, he brought the stone to touch the girl's forehead.
However, Quintus pulled the girl behind him, saying in a hostile tone, "Captain, you are greatly insulting us—servants of the gods!"
Quill retorted, "I have no intention of insulting anyone! I am merely fulfilling my duties as a member of the guard!"
Both sides were stubborn, unable to back down.
"Young Master Foster!"
A cold voice interrupted, drawing Quill's attention.
Everyone turned to see a person in armor slowly walking in.
With his entrance, the temperature in the hall seemed to drop.
Someone noticed the silver leaves pinned to his armor and remarked, "It's a holy knight of the church!"
"Sir Vileus," Quill called out the person's name.
The knight walked up to him and saluted, "I apologize for the trouble caused by our people."
He then glanced at Quintus and ordered in a commanding tone, "Bring her forward!"
Quintus, seemingly stunned since the knight's arrival, trembled as he muttered, "But... but... Sir Vileus..."
"Do you dare defy my orders?"
"No, no, no! I would never defy your orders, Sir Vileus."
He nervously pushed the girl he had restrained earlier forward.
Quill swiftly touched the stone lightly to the girl's forehead.
Everyone's eyes were glued to the stone, while Quintus quietly swallowed his saliva.
Seconds ticked by, and the white stone showed no change.
Quill looked at Quintus with a piercing gaze.
"Young Master Foster..." Quintus, now lacking his previous composure, stammered in panic, "If the person has not been in contact with witchcraft recently, the Demon Detection Stone will not react."
"Quintus, since she hasn't been in contact with witchcraft recently, have you found any other traces?"
Before Quill could speak, it was the knight who interrogated Quintus.
"Uh... Sir Vileus..."
Quintus stuttered, cold sweat on his face, unable to provide any explanation.
"Sorry! Sir Vileus, I... I was wrong, I've embarrassed you!"
He suddenly knelt on the ground, begging in a tone of regret.
Without allowing him any further explanation, the knight kicked him in the chest, sending Quintus flying.
"You are not just embarrassing me; you are tarnishing the image of the Holy Church!"
The knight's tone grew colder. Turning to Quill, he said, "Young Master Foster, please handle him for disturbing the peace. It is your right."
"Thank you, Sir Vileus!"
Though Quill said this, his tone was noticeably distant. He knew this person and was well aware of the fervent zeal concealed beneath the knight's seemingly just exterior. Such zeal could sometimes lead to irrationality.
The knight said nothing more, gave a dismissive wave, and left.
Quintus' associates quickly followed, keeping their distance, and hurriedly departed. Quill didn't mind; his focus was solely on Quintus.
"Thank you! Thank you, Young Master Foster! You will surely be rewarded for your good deeds!"
The girl who nearly got taken for a witch was on her knees, repeatedly thanking Quill. For her, it was a near escape from disaster.
"Be careful in the future."
After offering a few comforting words to the girl, Quill instructed his subordinates to take the dejected Quintus away and then turned to Liszt.
"By your accent, you're from the Northwest Bay?"
"Yes, sir, I am from there," Liszt responded hurriedly.
Quill smiled, "Well, I have a good impression of your region for certain reasons, so..."
He suddenly adopted a serious expression: "Here's a piece of advice—stay low-key in Horn's Bay, especially avoid getting involved in church-related matters. Right now... it's a special period."
"I... I understand... Thank you!"
In fact, Liszt already deeply understood this.
"Remember my words. Of course, I do appreciate your act of justice today, but..."
Quill patted his shoulder, "Even when standing up for others, you must act within your means."
"I'll be more cautious next time," Liszt's face flushed with embarrassment.
"Fall in!" Quill signaled, leading his group away.
"Phew!" Liszt wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
"You idiot! You nearly got us killed!"
He received a hard punch to his back, accompanied by his companion McKinley's voice.
"McKinley? You're still here? I thought you ran off!"
"Calling you an idiot is an understatement! Am I the kind of person who runs away? Ugh, let's leave this dangerous place first, and we'll settle accounts later."
The two hurriedly made their way through the now lively hall and out, as people along the way raised their glasses in tribute to Liszt.
"Northerner, well done!"
"A toast to justice!"
"A toast to standing up for others!"
It was unclear whether they were truly honoring him or mocking him.
(End of the Chapter)
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