4

The next morning.

Everyone from the town gathered in the Church square.

Not just residents of this town—people from several neighboring villages had come too.

They'd heard the Church was executing a witch and wanted to watch the spectacle.

The square was packed with at least a thousand people.

Vendors even set up stalls around the square's edge, selling food and drinks.

Like celebrating a festival.

In the center of the square was a massive lake.

It was the "Holy Lake" the Church had built a century ago.

Said to be used for judging heretics.

If the judged were innocent, God would let them float.

If guilty, they would sink to the bottom, never to be redeemed.

But in reality...

No one ever survived that lake.

Because the judged were all bound to massive stones.

The weight of the stone was enough to sink anyone to the bottom.

And the lake was extremely deep—said to be fifty meters.

Even the best diver couldn't hold their breath at that depth.

Much less with bound hands and feet.

This wasn't judgment.

This was execution.

The square surged with people.

Everyone wanted to stand at the front for a better view.

Some faces showed excitement.

Some showed curiosity.

Others showed schadenfreude.

"I heard that witch is beautiful."

"Really? Can we see her soon?"

"Of course we can—she'll be displayed bound to the stone."

"Tsk tsk, what a waste, such a beautiful woman."

"Waste nothing—she's a witch, she killed little Thomas!"

"Right, burn her!"

The crowd's chatter rose and fell.

Only a few people showed reluctance on their faces.

But they dared not speak out.

Because Church guards stood among the crowd.

Anyone who spoke for Alice would be arrested on the spot.

I was pushed to the very front by four guards.

They locked my wrists with iron chains and forced me to kneel.

Marcus had specifically ordered this.

He wanted me to watch everything in the most humiliating position.

I knelt there, watching the crowd.

Watching those we had once saved.

Blacksmith Joseph was in the crowd.

Seeing me, he immediately lowered his head, avoiding my gaze.

Baker Peter was there too.

He'd even brought his child, as if watching a performance.

And that little girl whose pneumonia Alice had cured.

She now stood beside her father, curiously watching the massive stone in the square's center.

These people...

Were all people we had saved.

But now...

Not one stood up to speak.

They were even anticipating Alice's death.

This was human nature.

Center square.

Alice was brought out.

She wore tattered prisoner's clothing, hands and feet bound tightly with thick hemp rope.

Two guards held her up, dragging her to the boulder.

The crowd erupted in boos and jeers.

"Look! The witch is out!"

"She looks so wretched!"

"Deserved it—who told her to harm people!"

"Burn her! Drown her!"

Alice was bound to the boulder.

The stone's edges were carved with Church prayers, the characters gleaming in the sunlight.

Her hands and feet were bound tightly with thick hemp rope.

The rope cut into her flesh, drawing blood.

Her face was deathly pale, lips purple.

The injuries from yesterday in the dungeon hadn't healed.

The bruises on her face were more pronounced.

Her clothes were stained with blood and filth.

She lifted her head and found me in the crowd.

Our eyes met.

She smiled at me.

That smile was weak, but gentle.

As if saying: Don't worry, I'm not afraid.

My fists clenched tight.

Nails dug into my palms, golden blood dripping to the ground.

"Silence!" Marcus stood on the high platform, raising both hands.

He wore magnificent red bishop's robes with a gem-encrusted bishop's crown on his head.

In the sunlight, his entire body seemed to glow.

Like a true saint.

The crowd gradually quieted.

Everyone watched Marcus.

He unrolled a parchment scroll, cleared his throat, and began reading the charges:

"Alice Rose!"

"Conspired with demons!"

"Used dark arts to harm people!"

"Murdered the innocent child Thomas!"

"Heinous crimes!"

"Today she will receive God's judgment—the lake trial!"

He paused, his voice becoming more authoritative:

"If she is innocent, God will let her float!"

"If she is guilty, let her sink to the lake bottom, never to be redeemed!"

The crowd erupted again.

"Burn the witch!"

"Send her to hell!"

"Avenge little Thomas!"

"God will punish her!"

Cheers and shouts merged together.

Like a carnival.

Marcus looked at all this with satisfaction.

Then his gaze fell on me.

We locked eyes.

His eyes were full of smugness and mockery.

As if saying: What can you do to me?

You can only kneel here.

And watch your wife die.

"Kevin!" I struggled desperately, trying to stand.

But four guards pressed me down hard.

One pressed his knee into my back, forcing me lower.

"Don't move!" he threatened in my ear. "Move again and we'll make her death even more painful!"

I could only watch helplessly.

Watch Marcus walk to Alice.

He crouched down, leaned close to her ear, and whispered something.

I couldn't see his expression.

But I could see Alice's.

She froze first.

Then her face turned even paler.

Her body began trembling.

Tears welled in her eyes.

But then...

She took a deep breath.

Used all her strength to spit at Marcus's face.

"Ptui!"

Saliva mixed with blood landed on Marcus's face.

The crowd gasped.

"My God! She dared do that to the bishop!"

"This witch is too arrogant!"

"The bishop will make her pay!"

Marcus slowly stood, wiping the spit from his face.

His expression turned dark.

Then...

He raised his foot.

Kicked hard into Alice's stomach.

"Ahhh—!"

Alice curled up in pain, but bound by ropes, couldn't move.

"Bitch!" Marcus kicked again, this time into her chest. "Still won't repent even now!"

"Teach her a lesson!"

Two guards rushed forward, raining punches and kicks on Alice.

She cried out in pain.

Some in the crowd began cheering.

"Well done!"

"Show her what happens when you offend the Church!"

"Beat her to death!"

Some couldn't bear to watch and turned away.

But more people watched excitedly.

Finally...

Marcus raised his hand. "Enough."

The guards stopped.

Alice slumped against the boulder, blood at the corner of her mouth, nearly unconscious.

Marcus took a deep breath and straightened his clothes.

Returned to the platform.

He raised his hand.

"Execute!"

Several strong men approached the boulder.

Began pushing the stone.

The stone was heavy, leaving deep marks on the ground.

Making harsh scraping sounds.

Bit by bit...

Moving toward the lake.

"No—!" I struggled desperately, trying to rush forward.

The guards' shackles cut into my wrists, blood flowing out.

But I didn't care.

I just wanted to rush forward.

Save her.

Protect her.

Take her away from this damned place.

But I couldn't.

If I exposed my identity now...

If I used divine power now...

All the previous endurance would be for nothing.

And...

Alice wouldn't forgive me.

She had said...

Don't kill for her.

Don't become a demon because of her.

But...

If I watched her die helplessly...

What kind of man was I?

"Kevin..."

I looked up.

Alice was watching me.

Her lips were moving.

Silently saying:

"I love you..."

"Don't be sad..."

"Live well..."

"Forget... me..."

The boulder was pushed to the lake's edge.

Just a few meters left.

The crowd fell silent.

Everyone held their breath, watching this scene.

Some took out handkerchiefs, ready to wipe tears.

Some clenched their fists, excitedly anticipating.

Others had already begun praying.

For Alice.

Or for themselves.

The boulder stopped at the lake's edge.

The next second...

It fell into the water.

My mind went blank.

Intense pain came from my chest.

Like something was tearing open my chest.

The seal...

Was collapsing.

"ENOUGH!!!"