Chapter 475: Judgment Cross

Ximeineisi's cold and majestic voice echoed under the towering dome of the Dusk City Cathedral, like the bell tolling for judging heretics.

The air seemed to freeze in an instant.

Everyone's gaze focused on that silver hair as bright as moonlight, and Princess Ailin's expressionless face, with different expressions.

Sike Lai'er's heart had already reached his throat.

This "King's mounting paste" realized that he seemed to have provoked a storm far exceeding expectations.

And this actually wasn't his original intention.

He didn't want the Campbell family and the Church to tear their faces apart; he just wanted to use the Church's hand to beat down the Campbell family's arrogance... After all, the Kingdom of Lai'en still needed this invincible sword.

Not to mention, without the Campbell, who would guard the exit of the Whirlpool Sea for them, and suppress the Demon King in Lei Ming County?

It couldn't be that a collateral branch of the Dewalu family was sent over.

That would be better to let the Campbell family stay there!

At least the Campbell family had no claim to the Kingdom's title, even if it wasn't a weak claim that wasn't so reasonable.

Emerald pupils contracted slightly, and a chill gradually climbed up Princess Ailin's back.

She was about to open her mouth to say something, but Ximeineisi didn't give her a chance to explain at all, his index finger already touching the cross pendant wrapped in silver thorns on his chest.

"In the name of Saint Xisi..."

A low and holy chant sounded, and boundless majesty rushed toward the surrounding stone pillars and walls like a tide hitting a reef.

Hum—!

The invisible Holy Domain instantly shrouded the entire magnificent cathedral!

The air seemed to turn into viscous amber in an instant, and the holy pressure squeezed from all directions. The cathedral's stained glass windows seemed to turn into the keys of an accordion, playing the melody of a hymn.

Pure golden light shot out from Ximeineisi's eyes.

His thin body looked incomparably tall under the reflection of the Holy Light, as if an angel had descended upon him!

That was—

"Judgment Cross"!

The well-informed Palace Steward Sike Lai'er recognized that artifact at a glance, a look of panic appearing on his aging face, and he subconsciously raised his arm to block the dazzling light.

He did not know what the High Inquisitor intended to do.

He only knew that that holy power was difficult for even pious mortals to bear, and all evil would have nowhere to hide in front of it...

But why use it here?!

The surrounding executioners were ready for battle one after another, their right hands pressed on the sword hilts at their waists, posing a fighting posture to deal with the most difficult heretics.

They also didn't know what the Inquisitor wanted to do.

But according to past experience, whenever the Holy Domain descended around them, it was the moment they offered their loyalty to Saint Xisi!

However—

This time seemed different from the past.

In the middle of the light that was enough to purify everything evil, the upright Princess Ailin Campbell stood quietly like an immovable statue.

Her complexion was still as pale as a marble wall, and her tight face seemed to show a trace of pain, but it didn't look like it was caused by the Holy Light itself.

It was doubt.

Time flowed second by second, a drop of sweat slid across Ximeineisi's forehead, and the golden light in his eyes didn't decrease, but became more and more scorching.

That all-out posture seemed as if he was going to sacrifice his own flesh and blood to drag the angel down to the ground again.

Princess Ailin was still indifferent, just looking at him quietly, and even the trace of pain on her face had vanished, leaving only the coldness that even the sunlight couldn't melt.

The scene of the heretic being purified that was expected didn't appear.

The first to start wavering were the executioners around.

They had already unconsciously loosened their right hands from the sword hilts, looking at each other, exchanging confusion in their eyes.

The priests and nuns in the cathedral were the same; they were still confused about what the Inquisitor was doing until now.

Could it be that he suspected Princess Ailin Highness was an apostle of Chaos?

It was Princess Ailin who saved them; at least she contributed a part of her strength, and every citizen of Dusk City remembered this.

As the believers began to waver, the angel who descended on Ximeineisi seemed to be unable to hold on, and the golden light flickering in those pupils became smaller and smaller like the candle fire that had burned out.

The Holy Light shrouding the hall was like a receding tide, finally converging on Ximeineisi's chest, revealing those turbid eyes hidden behind the holiness.

Those eyes were full of surprise.

Ximeineisi looked at Princess Ailin in disbelief, looking at the silver-haired girl who was unscathed while bathed in the Holy Light, the shock in his heart was beyond measure.

How could...

No reaction?

Previously, he heard the report from the inquisitor who went to the Jing Shui Tan territory, saying that Princess Ailin could use the "Light of Praise" without any scruples, and he already had doubts in his heart.

Especially Princess Ailin's behavior of suddenly leaving Dusk City at the juncture of the Inquisition's arrival, and letting go of the Salvation Army and its party, made his doubts rise even more.

Now seeing this silver hair emitting an ominous aura, he could almost conclude with his rich ruling experience that this hero who once yearned for the Holy Light had finally sold her soul to Hell in exchange for power that didn't belong to her.

Even if she was to fight against Chaos, this betrayal was not tolerated by the Inquisition!

If it weren't for having more than ninety percent certainty, Ximeineisi would never have rashly used the artifact bestowed upon him by the Pope.

But now it seemed that he had really misunderstood her?

The reason why this guy could wave the Light of Praise without any scruples had no complicated reason, just because she was young and had a hard life...

The cold sweat hanging on his forehead dripped onto the floor, listening to the whispers gradually spreading in the cathedral, Ximeineisi's expression became more and more solemn.

【Judgment Cross】 had an unparalleled restraint on all evil things, and even if one had a trace of evil thoughts in their heart, they couldn't look directly at the cross on his chest.

For example, a certain Palace Steward who was moving his arm away from his eyes.

It was precisely because of this that his judgment didn't make Princess Ailin "reveal her true colors," but instead witnessed her piety in front of the statue in the Dusk City Cathedral!

Things were a bit big...

"I need an explanation."

The cold voice broke the silence, Princess Ailin stared at Ximeineisi's lowered head without blinking, and the disappointment written in her eyes had turned into indignation.

Ximeineisi knew he was in the wrong.

Without any solid evidence, using the Church's artifact to "judge" a hero with great military exploits, no matter from which angle, deeply hurt the feelings of the Lai'en people and the Campbell people.

He was silent for a moment, and finally chose the most straightforward way to calm the situation. Only to see him slowly lower his arrogant head, and spit out an extremely reluctant word in a hoarse voice.

"Sorry..."

Having said that, the doubt in his heart became heavier and heavier, as if walking into the Demon King's labyrinth.

Actually didn't work?

Really strange...

Looking at the lowered head of the Inquisitor, the executioners standing around were moved, as if seeing the sun rising from the west.

Their Inquisitor actually apologized!

This... this was too unbelievable!!

Princess Ailin stared meaningfully at Ximeineisi's lowered head, that look as if saying "this matter isn't over."

"The Campbell family will not forget today's humiliation, and we will tell our people what happened today truthfully."

She didn't entangle any more, just threw down a sentence coldly, and turned to walk outside the cathedral.

Sike Lai'er looked at the Inquisitor with complex feelings, then looked at Princess Ailin who walked out of the door, opened his mouth wanting to say something to ease the atmosphere, but his throat seemed to be stuck, not knowing where to start.

Although the Inquisitor had the component of making a fuss, this fire was indeed arched by him, at least he thought so in his heart.

Still that sentence...

It wasn't his intention that things would develop like this.

The people in the cathedral had different expressions, and every face full of thoughts was full of depth. They were either thinking about the future of the Kingdom, or thinking about the future of the Holy Light on this land, or just thinking about their own future.

The Church and the Campbell family had completed their first confrontation, even if this confrontation wasn't prepared, and the cause was just a misunderstanding.

At this moment, no one noticed that the heart of a certain female knight who had just stepped outside the cathedral door was also jumping to her throat.

Just as Mr. Kelin said.

The Church and the King no longer trusted the Campbell family...

Separated by two streets from the Dusk City Cathedral, on the attic of an inconspicuous hotel.

The real Princess Ailin Campbell was staring dead at the Holy Light that suddenly lit up and dissipated on the dome of the cathedral in the distance through the half-covered curtain.

Those emerald pupils were full of shock, and a trace of imperceptible sadness, as well as confusion about where to go...

Shala stood behind her, arms crossed over her chest, amber vertical pupils indifferently watching outside the window, her expression without waves.

Everything was just as the Demon King had predicted.

The Inquisition didn't give "Princess Ailin" a chance to explain at all; almost shortly after she stepped into the cathedral, the holy light descended from the sky.

If it were Princess Ailin herself standing there, this guy would either be dead or have half a life left...

The silence lasted for a quarter of an hour, until the wooden door of the attic was pushed open lightly, and a vigorous figure flashed in.

The person who

She was seen closing the door behind her, immediately kneeling on one knee, and then reaching out with her right hand to grab a spot on her jaw, pulling outward with force.

"Rip—"

A mask as thin as a cicada's wing was peeled from her face, revealing Theresa's loyal and slightly weary face.

That mask was a magical item crafted by Prince Kelin; it was said to use the bark of the extremely precious Tree of Life as material and could perfectly replicate a person's appearance.

As for that silver hair, it was dyed with alchemical pigments, also a product of Prince Kelin's handiwork.

Whether it was the Court Chamberlain Sike Lai'er or the High Inquisitor Ximeneisi, neither could be called familiar with Princess Ailin, and the latter in particular was seeing her for the first time.

For Theresa, who had followed by Princess Ailin's side for years, it might be difficult to deceive Prince Aidehua, but it was more than enough to fool outsiders.

"... Your Highness, that is how the events transpired."

In a heavy and respectful voice, Theresa recounted everything that had just occurred inside the cathedral, word for word.

Princess Ailin listened in silence, her fingers resting on the windowsill turning white from the pressure, much like her bloodless face.

Returning to Twilight City to face the Inquisition had been her idea; as for having Theresa go in her stead, that had been Prince Kelin's insistence.

At first, Princess Ailin had even felt that Prince Kelin was being too cautious.

Yet reality had dealt her a heavy blow.

The other party had not given her a chance to "reason" at all, nor even a chance to open her mouth to explain, directly utilizing the artifact of judgment.

Perhaps they had already obtained some kind of evidence, but were simply unable to confirm it...

Unlike the pale-faced Princess Ailin, Shala, who stood to the side with her arms crossed, wore a mocking smile at the corners of her mouth.

In truth, before the Demon King parted ways with her, this foolish woman had once engaged in a heated argument with the Demon King.

She seemed to have taken the Demon King's coaxing story of so-called "Sacred Compensation" as truth, truly believing herself to be some "Holy Blood Clan" resurrected by Saint Xisi, which for a time had left the Demon King, who had fabricated this story, feeling utterly flustered.

Of course, Shala did not feel it was the Demon King's fault; it was purely that this human girl did not know what was good for her.

She actually foolishly believed that the Church would believe her gibberish, and believe in her piety for the sake of the contributions she had made in resisting Chaos.

How is this any different from dreaming?

In any case, the Demon King had not figured out how to persuade this Miss Princess Ailin who would believe anything, so he had a flash of inspiration and pulled out this mask.

The two reached an agreement.

He would not stop Princess Ailin from testing the Church's bottom line, but she must first retreat to the Stillwater Shoal territory and wait until the situation in Twilight City stabilized before returning.

Secondly, her first contact with the Church must be handled by the loyal Theresa on her behalf.

Even if not for herself, let it be for her brother far away in Lei Ming City, and for the people of the Campbell Principality...

Now it seemed, His Majesty had once again guessed the outcome that didn't even need guessing.

"Your Highness..."

Theresa looked at Princess Ailin's taut profile, hesitated for a moment, and finally could not help but offer counsel.

"It is no longer suitable for you to stay here. The Inquisition will certainly not abandon their suspicions of you just because of one probe, and furthermore... they are highly likely to have reached a deal with the King. In any case, Twilight City is too dangerous; why don't you... temporarily retreat back to the Campbell Principality?"

Princess Ailin slowly shook her head; although those eyes still held confusion about the path ahead, there was one thing about which she had no hesitation.

"The people here still need me. I cannot watch these compatriots who have only just walked out of purgatory turn around and crawl once again under the ravages of the Inquisition."

"But, your safety..."

Theresa wanted to persuade her further, but a cold, clear voice suddenly interrupted her.

"She is indeed not suited to leave at this time."

Shala, who had remained silent, had walked to the window at some point and pulled the half-drawn curtains shut, plunging the entire room into shadow.

Theresa widened her eyes, looking in surprise at this guard who served Prince Kelin, unable to understand why she would say such a thing.

In her view, the current Twilight City was no different from a Demon King's nest for Her Highness Princess Ailin...

Shala did not look at Theresa, but followed the Demon King's previous instructions, speaking in a cold, clear voice in a measured manner.

"The most dangerous place is, conversely, the safest; Ximeneisi's 'Judgment' happens to be an opportunity for Princess Ailin."

"But—"

"He would rather use an artifact to probe a hero who saved the province without any basis, than point the artifact Saint Xisi bestowed upon him at the apostles of Chaos. And just a short while ago, this hero burned her own life potential to save the myriad people of the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng... This matter will soon spread throughout Twilight City, and when that time comes, the ones who will be put on the defensive will not be us, but them."

Theresa wanted to ask Shala back how she could be so optimistic that the citizens of Twilight City would think this way; the current Church had sent theologians from the Holy City to the porridge-dispensing stalls, tirelessly preaching to every citizen who came to collect porridge.

They had already nailed the mouths of every citizen in this city to the cross; there would simply be no rumors unfavorable to the Church spreading out.

Yet when Theresa saw those resolute pupils, the question that had reached her lips could not be asked.

She just felt...

This Miss Shala was not speaking out of optimistic speculation, but had sufficient confidence to say those words.

"Wait a moment..."

Princess Ailin's expression was somewhat conflicted.

She turned her head, avoiding Shala's gaze, her voice dropping, "On my body... indeed flows the blood of the unclean, even if this was not my intention."

A knight cannot lie.

And this was the greatest knot in her heart.

She could righteously resist those slanders, but she could not deny the fact that she was no longer a "pure human," nor could she tolerate needing to rely on deception to obtain a reprieve.

This sense of guilt made her naturally feel inferior when facing the Church, even if she believed the Inquisition's methods had crossed the line.

A cold sneer curled the corners of Shala's mouth.

"Her Highness Princess Ailin, I do not wish to argue with you about your purity; you only need to answer me, of the words I just said, which one was wrong?"

"I—"

"Did they or did they not point an artifact at a hero who had saved this place, while standing idly by when Chaos was rampant."

"..."

"Did they or did they not do this without any trial and without any basis."

"..."

"You can say this was not their intention, but this is the fact! Including the fact that you burned your own life is also a fact! Even if you do not cherish your own life, please consider those who do cherish it... I am speaking of your brother, and your father who has already passed away."

In truth, "Kelin's" original words did not include the last sentence.

However, Shala felt that if she didn't add such a sentence, she would be unable to resist hissing at this person who didn't know what was good for her.

Princess Ailin also felt she had been somewhat selfish.

Especially since Shala's words left her with nowhere to hide her shame.

She had been considering her own honor, but had not considered those who loved her deeply... besides her two brothers and her late father, there was also Kelin.

He had said he would stand by her side forever along with the Kelin Principality. If she were burned to death by the Inquisition, how would that Prince conduct himself?

A flash of pain crossed Princess Ailin's face, but it ultimately transformed into strength, just like the knight who, after crawling naked out of the succubus nest, was still determined to live strongly and return to her lover's side.

"I can cooperate with you... what should I do?"

She could not care about her own honor or disgrace, and could even offer up her own life.

But she could not tolerate letting her brother and Kelin, who supported her, bear the charge of "harboring a heretic" because of her existence.

Even if her soul were to fall into hell...

She would still defeat the Inquisition!

Watching the little knight lady "falling" bit by bit, a satisfied smile finally appeared on Shala's not-very-expressive face.

"For now... you don't need to do anything; you only need to stay here with Theresa, follow Prince Kelin's arrangements, and be a puppet at his mercy."

"At, at his mercy?" Princess Ailin's face turned red instantly.

She did not wish to think in strange directions, but her mind uncontrollably conjured up imagery, followed by the appearance of a carpet paved with roses.

Wait—

Isn't the rhythm a bit too fast?

Theresa looked at Shala in a daze, pointing her index finger at herself.

Wait a moment—

Me too?

"That's right."

Shala did not pay her any mind, only looking at the hero-turned-knight lady whose brain had been fried, answering in a calm voice.

"He has already planned everything for you."

"He said, he will protect you."