Chapter 36: I Suspect You Have Fallen!

Someone was murdered, and must Herbert, as the prime suspect, explain to everyone that he is innocent?

Logically, he should.

But there are many ways to explain.

Cooperating honestly and voluntarily providing evidence is one way—and the safest.

But Herbert will not choose it.

He does not need to, and absolutely cannot beg others to believe him.

That would be too humble, too passive—entirely surrendering his fate to be twisted at their whim.

There are too many people in this world who do not care how many bowls of noodles Liu Zi ate; they only want to see Liu Zi slit open his own belly.

Herbert, who carries too many secrets, can never surrender initiative to others.

He cannot gamble.

The ascetic monks may stand on the side of justice, but not all of them harbor good intentions.

So Herbert chose to strike first.

You suspect me?

Fine.

Then let me prove it to you—let you see my “purity”!

So he raised his hand.

When the holy mark, symbolizing “purity,” glowed in the Grand Tribunal Hall, all suspicion and accusations would collapse on their own.

He did not speak these words aloud, but everyone could read their hidden meaning in his calm, mocking gaze:

Come, look.

Open your dog eyes and see!

Look closely—is I the blasphemer you claim me to be!?

Paired with that final calm question, its impact was devastating, plunging the entire hall into uproar.

But this was not enough.

When you hold the upper hand, do not grow careless; striking the final blow in one relentless surge is the truth.

Say it three times—finish them! Finish them! Finish them!

Herbert looked at the two accusers, their expressions frozen by the holy mark, and pressed forward with another question:

“Are you suggesting that He too has become a fallen deity?”

Herbert stared at them solemnly and said in a low voice: “If that is so… then I suspect you have been corrupted by a fallen deity.”

“I suspect you have fallen.”

And this—this was the true killing blow.

Since you intend to cast me into dishonor, do not blame me for striking without restraint.

You doubt my purity? Then I will directly doubt whether your faith is pure!

Since ancient times, only magic can counter magic.

Then let it begin.

Let the magic clash!

Ivanka, Jeffs: !!?

The two suddenly accused of falling into corruption panicked immediately and rushed to defend themselves:

“Wait! What are you talking about!?”

“I have not been corrupted! I have not fallen!”

But no matter what they said, Herbert gave no reply—only silently watched them, as if carefully observing fallen ones.

Herbert made his stance clear:

You may suspect me—I do not care.

But you are doubting the deity who blessed me—that I will not tolerate!

“…”

The previously restless hall fell utterly silent, leaving only the two men’s desperate pleas echoing.

Their voices grew more anxious, more tense.

“Wait! Believe me! I truly have not been corrupted!”

“Why… why won’t you help us explain!?”

Everyone’s expressions shifted slightly; many turned away their gaze, ignoring their words, trying to hide themselves.

Facts speak louder than words.

Could there truly be such a thing as “a holy knight beloved by the divine, bound by oath, yet secretly a blasphemer”?

Impossible.

Even entertaining such suspicion is doubt of the divine—and a grave insult!

This is the true blasphemy.

So the truth is clear… no further proof is needed.

Herbert is innocent.

He has been wronged!

As for Ivanka and the others, most monks still believed they had merely mistaken an innocent man and had not become the “fallen ones” Herbert accused them of being.

Perhaps there was some misunderstanding.

But clearly, the wronged party had no intention of letting them off so easily.

In the end, most silently turned their gaze toward the Punishment nun on the dais, hoping Father Caplan could restore order.

In this world, where goddesses are slightly more numerous, women may also serve as priests.

“…”

Throughout, Caplan had watched silently, her expression unchanging.

Finally, when Ivanka and Jeffs also realized the gravity of the situation and joined the others in looking at her, she slowly shook her head and said calmly:

“Fellow believers, Herbert has proven his purity—he is not a blasphemer. This matter is closed.”

She ended the topic outright, settling the matter.

Then Caplan turned to the two panicked men and asked slowly:

“And you two… Ivanka, Jeffs—do you have anything to explain?”

The same words. The same calm tone. Only the identity of the one questioned had quietly shifted.

At this point, both men had calmed somewhat, knowing this would not be easily resolved—but they could only press forward with their defense.

“Father, I—I am truly innocent! I never meant to suspect him! He merely appeared there!”

“I—I am the same! Please believe us!”

Caplan studied them intently, golden light flickering in her eyes; after a moment, she nodded.

“Indeed, I detect no trace of deceit…”

The Punishment nuns of the Tribunal possess a special ability—equivalent to a permanent lie-detection spell in their eyes.

Hearing this, Ivanka and Jeffs brightened, about to exhale in relief—when Caplan shifted tone and added:

“But we cannot be careless. You two will first go to the Pool of Atonement for purification. If proven untainted, you will then proceed to the Interrogation Chamber, where I will personally examine you.”

Oh no…

Their expressions froze; the faint smiles that had just appeared twisted into grimaces.

A trip through the Pool of Atonement, then the Tribunal’s Interrogation Chamber—with the priest herself conducting the review… they would lose a layer of skin either way.

After announcing this to the two “lucky” men, Caplan turned directly to Herbert without concealment: “Herbert, are you satisfied with this resolution?”

Hearing this, the boy who had just been so forceful immediately lowered his head and replied respectfully: “I humbly accept Father’s judgment.”

Caplan did not ask if he accepted it—she asked if he was satisfied. This was effectively asking outright whether his anger had been appeased.

In plain terms, the punishment for Ivanka and Jeffs was compensation for Herbert’s wrongful accusation.

The priest had already shown great face—settling the matter on the spot, not saying “internal investigation, wait for notice.”

When a staircase is offered, one must descend it.

What could Herbert possibly answer?

Of course—he accepted gladly.

Moreover, Herbert would never reveal his original intentions to the crowd.

Truthfully, he had never planned much—only hoped to lock the two up for a while… cough.

Who cares? He won!

(End of Chapter)