The flames continued to roar, and thick black smoke billowed into the air as Cyril screamed in agony, his cries echoing for what felt like an eternity—almost an hour—during which they added more firewood and oil to the blaze.
The entire town hall was filled with the acrid smell of smoke, intermingled with the scent of burnt flesh.
Zhao Lun pulled out several masks and distributed them to those around him, then led the group further away to avoid the smoke.
As the fiery screams subsided, the thick black smoke began to lighten, eventually dissipating completely. The flames continued to burn for another thirty minutes before they finally extinguished, having consumed all the firewood. Only then could the onlookers see the aftermath of the blaze.
All that remained were wisps of ash, with no trace of Cyril left. The once-pristine white cross had turned blackened from the prolonged flames.
Someone brought fresh holy water to wash over the ashes, eliminating the last remnants of evil energy. After ensuring the ashes were cleansed, they also washed the soot-covered cross, restoring it to its former white state.
Once everything settled, it was already late, and the crowd of spectators had largely dispersed.
Zhao Lun and his companions, having witnessed the entire event from start to finish, remained even after others had left.
Carpenter had stayed with them throughout the ordeal, guiding them around the city without leaving their side.
"Let's go," he said.
Having satisfied their curiosity about the spectacle, it seemed pointless to linger, so he urged everyone to leave.
"I never imagined the stake would be like that. It was truly terrifying."
"Yeah, I can't believe I actually witnessed such a scene and managed to stay until the end! It's unbelievable!"
"Allen, what's going on?"
On the way, the ladies discussed the execution and reflected on their feelings. They were concerned that they had faced such brutal punishment without any strong emotional reaction, making them feel as though they were not reacting like normal people.
This was indeed unusual. They had expected to be overwhelmed by such cruelty, yet they had endured it and could even wait until the end without any adverse reaction.
A normal person encountering such a situation for the first time would surely be unable to look on without turning away, unable to withstand the horrific atmosphere, and possibly retching at the smell of "roasted meat."
Among the onlookers, some had indeed fled, unable to bear it, while others had vomited on the spot.
These "weaker women" were oblivious to how much their nerves had toughened.
"This is quite normal. You've all grown stronger. A powerful person wouldn't be fazed by such things."
"Moreover, the one who died was a fallen monster. Would you feel pity for a monster? No!"
"Over the years, you've been training constantly; you're no longer ordinary people. You just don't realize it yet. You lack the awareness of being strong. But that doesn't mean you aren't strong; in reality, you're already beyond the realm of ordinary individuals."
Zhao Lun spoke the truth, and it resonated with the facts. In his previous life, he had been an ordinary person, law-abiding and careful, following all local customs when out and about, avoiding trouble. He had never even killed a chicken while cooking, and horrific traffic accidents had left him unable to look.
His behavior had been a perfect representation of an average person.
If the former him had seen such events, he would not only have vomited but also closed his eyes, haunted by the screams echoing in his mind. Those sounds would linger, tormenting him and preventing him from sleeping.
Since arriving in this world, Zhao Lun had noticed that his nerves had indeed toughened, and he had become more resilient. Looking back at the terrifying things he once feared, he found it somewhat amusing, puzzled by how easily he had been frightened.
During their encounter with the bandits, listening to the cries of those being pecked by birds and witnessing the purification ritual at the town hall had not instilled any fear in him. Instead, it had piqued his curiosity, and once the events passed, he did not dwell on them.
This experience was based on his personal feelings, and with that experience, Zhao Lun was confident that his deductions would not be far off.
When they returned to the inn, night had already fallen.
Zhao Lun handed Carpenter a gold coin, which made the man beam with delight as he went to prepare the most lavish dinner for them.
The gruesome execution at the town hall had not affected anyone's appetite, and they devoured the sumptuous meal, clearing their plates. After dinner, Carpenter brought warm water, saying it was to wash away the soot from the town hall and eliminate any lingering strange smells.
Though they hadn't been impacted by the smoke, they accepted his kindness. The ladies indulged in a luxurious flower bath, filling the air with delightful floral scents.
Zhao Lun did not require any additives in his bathwater; he simply soaked in hot water.
With his abilities, he could ensure that he wouldn't be tainted by anything dirty. His bathing was not merely to cleanse away dust but to purify the lingering negativity in his heart, keeping his spirit in the best possible state, unaffected by the outside environment.
After enjoying a comfortable soak, he fell into a deep sleep and woke at the first light of dawn.
After a vigorous morning workout, Carpenter eagerly prepared breakfast for them.
Last night, Zhao Lun had rewarded him with a gold coin, a sum that could cover three months' wages for him. The purchasing power of a gold coin was immense, sufficient for an ordinary family's expenses for a year, and three years' worth for the poor. For Carpenter, it was a substantial amount of money, and since he had received it, he naturally wanted to do a good job for them, so he worked even harder.
After breakfast, instead of heading out, they listened to Carpenter recount the story of the fallen maiden they hadn't finished hearing the previous day.
"...The maiden was named Lilith. It is said that she possessed incredible power. Anyone who speaks her name will find her at dusk, and she will extract their hearts and drink their blood. Almost no one can stop her."
"Though rumors say she is dead, some have provided evidence proving her demise. Yet many still do not believe it, fearing her return. They dare not speak her name, referring to her simply as the Witch."
"Why are they afraid of her return? Because there are rumors that she has not truly died and will resurrect soon to take revenge on everyone in this land."
"Although the witch hasn't appeared, the frequency of monster sightings has increased, leading many to believe in the rumors."
As Carpenter shared this story, he avoided mentioning Lilith's name, even when introducing her to Zhao Lun and the others. He hastily wrote it down, quickly erasing it afterward, and from then on referred to her only as the Witch.
Clearly, he believed in the rumors and was anxious about the witch Lilith's potential return to seek vengeance on the city.
Fearing her retribution, Carpenter was cautious not to utter her name, worried that if he did, he might provoke her and lose his heart in the process.
"Sir, madam, I advise you not to speak her name either," he warned, wiping his brow, clearly anxious. Just the thought of invoking her name made him break into a cold sweat.
He feared that if the others uttered her name, he would also share in the ensuing misfortune. (To be continued.)