The echo of silver-bell-like mad laughter rang out across the lower halls of Lichtenstein Castle.
“You pack of beaten dogs, why aren’t you laughing now?!”
The Imperial Priestess, a devout follower of the Rebirth Church, jeered gleefully at the challengers.
It was as if all the grievances and humiliations she had endured from morning till afternoon had finally been released.
At her side, the noble mage girl of the Empire—once her teammate—had already awakened.
The young mage wasn’t a cultist; she had only been deceived. Her expression when the truth was revealed had been proof enough of her innocence.
Still, the challengers did not trust her. She too was bound, though not as harshly treated, so she hadn’t been left unconscious for long.
Now, she only sat with her head lowered, utterly despondent.
It was more than the pain of betrayal.
It was the feeling of one’s last, fragile hope shattering like a reflection on water.“You…!”
The Executioner raised his axe in fury at the priestess’s taunts—then, as though his strength had left him, he let it fall with a heavy thud against the floor.
They had no energy left.
Even when mocked by a cultist, they could summon no fire to fight back.
The situation was far too dire.
Slowly, they all realized—
At the final moment, the Lawyer had hesitated. He couldn’t bring himself to watch them die and so hadn’t unleashed a truly dangerous epic card, only scaring off the Saintess of Destruction.
And looking at the results now—
Perhaps it would’ve been better if they had staked their lives, fighting to the end in the cathedral.
But none of them could blame the Lawyer.
Because maybe… that’s just who he was.
No matter how clever or calm, he couldn’t bear to send his comrades to their graves with his own hands.
That tenderness—so soft it could almost be called foolish—was his only weakness.
His fatal flaw.
And yet, it was precisely this that made him feel so very human.
It was why they were willing to fight at his side—why they’d even go before him into death.
“No matter… next time, we’ll definitely defeat the Saintess of Destruction.”
“Whoever goes first, let’s meet as brothers in the next life.”
Tragic resolve filled the cathedral. They all knew: this farewell could very well be the last.
By tomorrow morning, some of them would already be gone.
The only small comfort, the thin strand of hope they clung to, was the Lawyer’s composure—his calm and easy demeanor that never wavered.
None knew what he was truly thinking.
Was he only pretending to keep up their spirits, or did he actually have some plan left?
But if he had a plan… why had he not told them?
Watching him earlier rush straight into the kitchen, it had felt more like—“Things are what they are, might as well eat first.”
Well.
This was the fate of meeting the Saintess of Destruction—it was nearly unwinnable.
If blame was to be laid, then it was on the sheer evil of the Rebirth Church.
Everyone had already done their utmost.
“The sun’s about to set, isn’t it.”
“Yeah.”
“Strange… I never noticed how beautiful the sunset looks from this castle.”
Their murmurs and bittersweet laughter filled the air, a smile of helplessness on every face.
Huperion, watching from the side, twitched at the corner of her mouth.
Unlike them, she had spent much more time with Lan Qi.
These people didn’t understand Lan Qi’s kind.
That bastard was definitely laughing to himself right now.
When he looked calm, he really was calm—not the slightest bit of pretense.
Of course he had a plan. The situation was nowhere near as hopeless as they thought.
But seeing the mood these challengers were sinking into, Huperion didn’t dare break it.
To speak the truth now would only make everything unbearably awkward…
“Turns out the forests really do glow orange at sunset.”
Huperion’s face carried a trace of sorrow, her gentle smile like that of someone remembering a person who would vanish with the night. She looked in the same direction as the others, adding her voice to their sighs.
So even if she was perfectly clear inside, she could only call on her acting skills—blending in, pretending to be just as resigned as the rest.
If her performance was good enough…
Maybe someday she could even fool the Goddess herself. After all, her merit had already been docked beyond repair.
“You may all wallow in your self-deception, enjoy your last fleeting peace. I swear, the Saintess of Destruction will show you what true suffering is!”
The Imperial Priestess shrieked again, cutting through their quiet.
Looking at the challengers finding camaraderie in their despair only made her anticipation grow. She longed for the moment, five days from now, when they would see one by one their companions die in agony.
Night would fall soon.
And once it did—
That merciless Saintess of Destruction would make these pitiful fools beg for mercy, stripped of all dignity, regretting ever being born!
It was at this moment, when the cathedral was thick with tension, that Lan Qi finally returned from the kitchen.
He seemed faintly puzzled by the strange atmosphere, tilted his head slightly, but didn’t dwell on it.
He was the kind of man who clocked out and immediately relaxed.
Still easygoing as ever, Lan Qi strolled over to the sofa and sank into it with languid comfort.
In his hand was a glass of freshly chilled grape juice.
At once, all eyes turned to him.
The Priestess glared with venom, as if she’d found her ultimate enemy.
But Lan Qi only lazily lifted the glass, sipping slowly.
The crimson juice chilled with ice sent wisps of mist curling along the crystal. Droplets slid down the glass, making even the parched priestess swallow with thirst.
After savoring a sip, Lan Qi finally met her furious stare with his own calm gaze.
“You’re talented. A pity you chose the wrong path.”
His words carried the regret of a teacher lamenting a student gone astray.
“There are still five nights left. Lady Adelice will slaughter you all. Don’t bother with your pretenses!”
The Priestess’s voice was sharp with certainty. In her mind, she and Adelice’s power guaranteed their victory.
“Really?”
Lan Qi tilted his head slightly, smiling as he asked in a tone of mild surprise.
It was the kind of voice one used when humoring a small child.
“Lan Qi—!! You’re only able to act tough for now!!”
Just seeing his face, all the humiliations of the day burned fresh in her memory. She shrieked, teeth grinding as though they would shatter.
The others, watching Lan Qi’s calm, teasing demeanor, could feel their own unease grow sharper.
This was not a calm just anyone could hold.
And then—
BOOM!!!
From the jungle outside came a thunderous explosion, smoke rising in thick clouds.
Every head snapped toward the cathedral’s great windows in reflex, eyes fixed on the scene beyond.