Chapter 58

Chapter 32 – Ambush

“The Gate of Truth!? Are you talking about those fanatics who worship demons!?”

Carlos spoke with a cold tone, but his words turned the Dean and the Hunters pale.

“That’s correct.”

“How did these heretics get mixed in with the orphanage’s caravan?”

“We’re not sure yet, but they clearly have done this before. Among those pulled from the underground prison, there was one who had been doing this for almost half a year. The method is very simple: wait in a place, someone tells them the address, hands over the goods, and ensures they reach their destination safely; the pay is quite generous.”

Carlos glanced indifferently at everyone, then continued.

“In the merchant team heading to the Winter City, only two of the actual heretics died when we seized the supplies. The rest are just merchants who make money at the cost of their conscience. They can’t even offer sacrificial blood, so they don’t count as part of the Gate of Truth.”

“Coincidentally, I happened to be at the diocese at that time and met Mr. Carlos, who had just interrogated the criminals. After discussing it, we came together. Mr. Dean, Mr. Hunter, I believe this isn’t a coincidence. It’s likely that the heretics have infiltrated the orphanage’s supply line. If that’s the case, it means the Church itself…”

Charles didn’t continue his sentence, just gave a meaningful look at everyone, then fell silent.

“But… I don’t know what’s going on,” the Dean said, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, “These heretics were supposed to be active in the East Continent. How could they be related to the orphanage?”

“Most of the orphanage’s supplies use the Church’s special channels, which are relatively easy to check and almost impossible to expose.”

“But I still can’t figure out why these fanatics would transport water lilies to the orphanage.”

“The heretics are extremely vicious, mostly desperate people. If they want to secretly enter the West Continent and do something under the Church’s nose, the orphanage is an excellent starting point. Water lilies are highly profitable; even if they face great risks, they have ample reason to do so.”

“How could the merchants designated by the Church possibly mix in?”

“This is what we need to find out next.”

“Mr. Carlos, Mr. Charles, are you suspecting me?”

“Suspicion is too strong a word, but this matter is serious. We just need your cooperation, Mr. Dean.”

“How can I assist you?”

“Who usually handles the reception of goods for the orphanage?”

“I usually let the caregivers or monks handle it… no fixed personnel, anyone with time helps out, and sometimes I go myself.”

“What about the list of merchants who transported supplies in the past?”

“It’s in my cabinet.”

“Can I accompany you to take a look at those lists?”

“Sure.”

“These fanatics won’t focus only on the Winter City. Perhaps there are issues with the merchants in other places as well. I need to inform Sister Teresa as soon as possible. Tonight, I’ll take the children to the diocese to record it, and return early tomorrow morning. Please take this seriously and investigate the root cause before the situation gets out of control. I suspect these fanatics might be after more than just gold… Anyway, Cata Loroma must not be affected.”

“Then we should also head back to the workshop and report this matter as soon as possible.”

“Just keep it quiet. Mr. Hunter only needs to report to the Duke.”

“Understood.”

Charles hurriedly got into the carriage with three children and left.

The two hunters also returned to the workshop after greeting us.

Dean asked the caregivers to move the boxes to the orphanage nearby. At this moment, Carlos said to me, “Little Hill, do you want to come with me?”

But I had no intention of responding to him.

Why would I bother with such boring tasks? As long as the children are safe, I don’t care about the Church or heretics.

Let Carlos deal with it.

I felt exhausted after all the exertion and arguments, and wanted to replenish some energy. I hadn’t eaten dinner yet.

Thinking of this, I rubbed my stomach unhappily.

I was hungry.

Time to go back.

“Hey, answer me!”

Hearing Carlos’s annoying voice again, I turned around and glared at him fiercely. I quickly took two steps forward and kicked a fist-sized snowball on the ground.

Then, as if nothing had happened, I continued walking away.

“…Are you mad, little miser.”

I faintly heard Carlos muttering behind me, and my step paused slightly.

…Who is he calling a miser!

He actually dared to insult me!

I instinctively wanted to turn around and scold him, but suddenly remembered that I had decided not to speak to him.

So I clenched my teeth and quickened my pace, almost running.

After a few steps, I heard him shout again, “Do you even know the way… Hey, wait a minute, this

“Here you go!”

Huh? I turned around with some confusion, and a golden item flew towards me.

I instinctively caught it and looked at it closely. It was exactly what he had been holding and playing with, something resembling a token.

“This is the church’s ultimatum. Keep it safe.”

I pursed my lips.

… Tch.

I thought it was chocolate. How boring.

“Be careful on your way back.”

You don’t have to tell me.

…………

The moonlight cast moving shadows.

Fine snow began to fall again.

There were no ostrich-drawn carriages on the way back, and I didn’t want one either.

Walking alone in the snowy night, there wasn’t much to do. There was nothing to think about; I just walked.

It had been too long since I felt this way.

I glanced around at the charming snow scenery, noticing that the streets were almost empty.

The people of this world seemed to have rather limited nightlife. The bustling adventurer guilds and the underground dungeons filled with countless treasures from the story didn’t seem to exist.

Well, that much was obvious.

There should be taverns somewhere. If I had the chance, I could visit one and experience the atmosphere of a bar in another world.

Although my alcohol tolerance wasn’t great, a light taste shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Mmm… I’ll think about it later.

I gathered up my dress and jumped onto a narrow sidewalk. Stepping carefully along the three-finger-wide edge, I stretched out my arms to maintain balance as I moved forward.

Fine snow danced and landed on my furry cape and fluffy head.

Suddenly, a playful idea struck me. I condensed frost and froze the sidewalk into ice, then pushed off hard with my feet.

“Heh!”

I slid forward.

I thought I would slide all the way to the end of the street, but after only a meter or so, I stumbled and fell.

“Oh no—”

My little hands flailed in the air before I landed on my bottom.

The ground wasn’t dirty. The snow was soft and a bit cold.

I quickly looked around to make sure no one saw me, then breathed a sigh of relief.

Then I stood up, brushing the snow off my dress.

The sidewalk was dangerous, but the road itself should be fine, right?

Once more, mist rose under my feet, and the snow ahead instantly turned into a shiny ice surface. I crouched down and ran two steps before sliding “slip” across it.

Fun!

“Haha—”

Unable to hold back my laughter, I continued sliding. When I reached the corner of the street, I suddenly bumped into someone.

That person appeared to be a nearby resident. I wondered what they were doing outside at this hour. Their eyes changed rapidly from shock to amazement upon seeing me, followed by a stifled laugh.

“Pfft.”

My face immediately turned red.

How embarrassing.

“Little girl, are you a child of the Duke’s family? So late and still having fun here?”

“Uh, I’m heading back.”

“Do you need me to take you home?”

“No, thank you, Uncle.”

“Then be careful, don’t play around anymore, and get home quickly.”

“… Okay.”

I lowered my head and walked away quickly, taking small steps.

The rest of the way was much quieter.

The Winter City was vast, but its structure was simple. Schantel Castle was located at the northernmost part of the city, visible even from afar due to its prominent position at the foot of a snowy mountain. Even if one was not a three-sworded alga-head, one wouldn’t get lost as long as they kept their eyes closed.

After crossing several wide streets, I arrived at a small square.

I had passed through here when riding the ostrich carriage. It was not far from Schantel Castle now.

In the center of the square stood a five-meter-tall stone statue, vaguely resembling Duke Scalyger. I approached the statue and wiped the snow off its base with my fair hand. There was an inscription carved there.

“When I dreamed of changing the world, I didn’t know the most important thing was to change myself.” —Althas for the Winter Moon of posterity.

Huh!? Althas!

Did I wander off set?

I was startled and quickly cleared the surrounding snow. Beneath it was another line.

“In memory of the great grandfather Althas, the founder of the Central Workshop.” —Scalyger

This… how should I put it?

Was there another Frostfang among the twelve Moonblades in the Central Workshop?

Heh.

I shook my head, dispelling those absurd thoughts, then stood up.

Suddenly, I heard a faint twang of a bowstring from afar.

What was that sound?

The next moment, something came whistling towards me.

Still in a daze, my body reacted first. I quickly lifted my right leg and sidestepped.

Whoosh—

A crossbow bolt whizzed past my cheek, making a “ding” sound as it hit the statue’s base and bounced off, leaving a noticeable white mark.

I widened my eyes.