She took a deep breath, suppressing her surging anger, and the flail pendant at her side hummed slightly.
Her voice was like tempered steel, clear and cold, and every word carried her resolute will:
"Linus Bode, priest of the Dragon Slayer Diocese stationed in Osborne Town."
"His crimes are threefold: dereliction of duty, allowing the mass distribution of a potion of unknown origin, suspected to be the cause of the disaster, within the quarantine zone; deception, covering up the truth, and shirking responsibility. After the monster mutation broke out, instead of protecting the people, he retreated into self-preservation, spreading panic; and murdering his followers. His decisions directly or indirectly led to the corruption of the souls of countless adventurers and their deaths from the mutation!"
"The evidence is irrefutable. This morning, according to the Holy Light Church's 'Trial Ordinance', he was executed on the spot!"
Her words were firm and decisive, without the slightest hesitation, and her eyes were as sharp as a sword as she stared directly at Ben Fuller.
Ben Fuller's frown deepened, and a look of mixed pain and disbelief appeared on his face.
He slowly shook his head and sighed, and that sigh seemed to carry a thousand-pound weight:
"Execution... execution on the spot..."
He repeated the word, his voice filled with regret and disapproval. "Sister Ruby, Brother Kyle, I understand your anger and anxiety in the face of disaster. However, rules are rules, and order cannot be violated!"
His voice suddenly rose, carrying a hint of the majesty of a superior, and his eyes became sharp.
The gentle mask cracked, revealing the cold edge within:
"Linus Bode, no matter what mistakes he made, he is first and foremost an officially appointed clergyman of the Dragon Slaying City Diocese!"
"His trial should be conducted by a higher-level church court, or an emissary from the Holy City Inquisition, after thorough investigation and evidence collection!"
"Although the investigators sent by the Holy City Monastery have supervisory responsibilities, they do not have the authority to directly execute clergy of the same rank across dioceses! This is a serious violation of church hierarchy and judicial procedures!"
He took out a scroll sealed with the Holy Light Church's special wax from his wide sleeves. It was a copy of the report Linus had sent out earlier that distorted the truth.
He lifted it gently, as if holding a heavy piece of evidence:
"Furthermore, Father Linus' report also detailed the suspicious actions of the two of you in this incident—the unauthorized introduction of the drug, the lifting of the quarantine, the incitement of chaos, and even the mysterious disappearance when Osborne Town needed a clergyman the most!"
"You are also major suspects in this incident! Before the truth is revealed, your actions have pushed you even deeper into suspicion!"
The invisible pressure spread like a real tide as Ben Fuller spoke.
He deliberately directed the pressure of an eighth-level divine magician, like an icy spider web, precisely wrapping it around Ruby.
He knew that Sister Blazing Flame was like a walking holy flame, with a character as strong as fire, and could not stand being suppressed or slandered.
What he wanted was for her to lose control!
As long as she dared to attack him, the archdeacon, in public, even if she only showed a strong intention to attack, he would have enough reason to subdue her on the spot, or even "accidentally" injure her severely!
As for Kyle, he didn't dare to take action directly.
But this Kyle is acting together with Ruby!
By then, Kyle, the current chief of the Holy City Monastery and the disciple carefully trained by that master, will be completely dragged into the quagmire, and even the reputation of his master will be tarnished!
This is the real purpose of his trip!
Taking advantage of the chaos in Osborne Town, he made a powerful move for his faction on the chessboard of power struggle in the Holy City!
Ruby's body instantly tensed up, like a fully drawn bow.
The holy light on the flail pendant burst out with dazzling light uncontrollably, and the scorching breath caused the surrounding air to begin to distort!
Her black eyes were burning with anger, almost bursting out.
The deliberately targeted pressure was like a poisonous sting piercing her nerves, provoking her pride and anger as a Sister of Blazing Flame!
"you--!"
Ruby growled between her teeth, and the flail in her right hand was slightly raised, with the bright white Holy Flame of Judgment flickering at the tip!
At this critical moment!
A steady, strong hand gently pressed down on Ruby's wrist, which was gripping the flail.
It's Kyle.
He didn't look at Ruby, but his golden pupils stared calmly at Ben Fuller with a steady look, as if he had already seen through all of the other party's calculations.
The gentle holy light on his body flowed quietly, not deliberately resisting, but forming a strange resonance field, like the calm surface of a lake, silently bearing the pressure deliberately exerted by Ben Fuller for Ruby.
"Your Excellency," Kyle said, his voice low, yet clear enough to penetrate the tense atmosphere. His voice was undeniably calm. "Your doubts are not without reason. The hierarchy and procedures of the Church must indeed be respected."
He changed the subject and his eyes became sharper:
"However, you've also overlooked one point. Father Linus Bode's crimes are directly related to the possible negligence or even... cover-up by the higher-ups of the Dragon Slaying City Diocese."
"Where did his dealings with the Lisbon family, the Holy Grace Magic Pharmacy, and the report that attempted to slander the Holy City envoy originate? Until the truth is fully revealed, you, as the Archdeacon of the Dragon Slaying City Diocese, are also under suspicion!"
Kyle took a step forward, holy light faintly flowing around him. Although the magic power was not as strong as Ben Fuller's, it carried a dignified majesty.
"You have no right to detain us, just as we have no right to try Linus across borders. Forcibly detaining us at this moment will only put the Dragon Slaying City Diocese in a more passive position, solidifying the suspicion of shielding and framing him!"
His gaze passed over Ben Fuller and fell on Elaine, who was watching the show with great interest not far away and even feeding the little black dog a small piece of cheese bread.
"For the sake of procedural justice, and to ensure the fairness of the investigation is not interfered with by any party... I propose that the Osborne Town Adventurer's Guild, a neutral third party, serve as a temporary notary."
"The guild will send someone to accompany both of us to await the arrival of the Holy City Inquisition's messenger in Osborne Town!"
Kyle's voice was firm and decisive, with an unquestionable determination:
"During this period, we, including Your Excellency the Archbishop, and all the people you bring with you, must accept the supervision of the Guild and are not allowed to leave Osborne Town without permission!"
"Until the Holy City Inquisition arrives and reveals all the truth! What do you think, Your Excellency the Archdeacon?"
Ailian paused slightly in his chewing, and a hint of surprise and deeper amusement flashed in his obsidian eyes.
She licked her fingertips covered with bread crumbs, her eyes moving between the two factions of the Holy Light Church, which were at loggerheads, and a meaningful arc appeared at the corner of her mouth.
The "kindness" on Ben Fuller's face finally froze completely.
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