Chapter 98: The Witch and the Saintess

His immediate reaction was to fixate on Jeanne Decker, who was attempting to retreat.

Wielding his razor-sharp claws, he lunged forward.

Alice Liddell, however, remained remarkably calm, producing a vial of potion.

She had anticipated the Killer’s sudden surge of power, knowing that Mad Hatter had detailed the capabilities of a Seventh Order “Abyss” pathway user.

While she was aware Jeanne Decker had also reached the Seventh Order, there remained a distinct disparity in combat compatibility between the “Paladin” and “Warlock” classes, especially in a fight to the death.

In a simple exchange, Jeanne Decker might not have been at a disadvantage. Yet, in a struggle for survival, the “Abyss” pathway often allowed one to unleash power far exceeding their rank through self-sacrifice.

Moreover, at the Seventh Order and above, they could even use devil’s currency to enhance their attacks or heal themselves. Given these factors, the outcome predicted by the divination was hardly surprising.

Nevertheless, knowing these abilities allowed for the preparation of appropriate countermeasures.

Facing the maddened Killer, Alice Liddell unhesitatingly hurled the vial in her hand.

The bottle arced through the air, soaring over Jeanne Decker’s head and hurtling directly towards the Killer.

Normally, the Killer would have been wary of such an object, promptly dodging it.

However, consumed by frenzy, he lacked the presence of mind to consider such a thing. He merely swung his claw, intent on swatting away the bothersome projectile.

Before he could make contact, the potion bottle shattered.

Alice Liddell had activated her ability at precisely the right moment, causing the potion to boil and vaporize instantly, transforming into a noxious mist. This was a potent venom she had concocted, infused with her own blood!

Caught off guard, the Killer inhaled a mouthful of the poisonous fog, immediately choking. More critically, the mist irritated his eyes, prompting him to clutch his face in agony, letting out a piercing shriek.

During this opportune moment, Jeanne Decker finally reached Alice Liddell, widening the distance from the Killer.

“Thank you for your assistance…” she began, thanking Alice Liddell, only to freeze mid-sentence.

She had noticed the peculiar wings sprouting from Alice Liddell’s back and the small horns on her head. Upon closer inspection, she also spotted a tail with a heart-shaped tip extending from beneath her robe.

As a Paladin consecrated by the Church, Jeanne Decker immediately recognized these features for what they represented: a succubus! She was also well aware that, according to legend, succubi were in fact transformed witches.

The one who had saved her life was none other than a witch, deemed a heretic by the Church!

Alice Liddell had no time to spare for Jeanne Decker; her gaze was fixed intently on the Killer, contemplating her next move.

The tables had turned. The poison she had formulated was a deadly concoction, potent enough to kill upon contact with blood. Infused with her own blood, it was virtually incurable!

Yet, she dared not approach the Killer recklessly. The witch’s precognitive abilities sent a chilling premonition through her.

This ominous feeling pointed directly at the Killer before her, signifying that he still possessed enough strength to pose a fatal threat.

Her premonition was swiftly confirmed. The agony inflicted by the poison had allowed the Killer to regain a sliver of his sanity. His vision blurred, and he instinctively realized he had to retreat!

With this thought, he produced two more Soul Crystals. He crammed one into his mouth, tearing at his own soul to temporarily stave off the poison’s effects.

Then, he summoned Corrosive Flames into his palm, directly igniting the remaining Soul Crystal.

Having witnessed this technique before, Jeanne Decker gasped, instantly stepping forward to shield Alice Liddell. “Fall back!”

She once again invoked Divine Shelter, channeling every ounce of her strength to conjure the most impenetrable Holy Shield.

The surging Corrosive Flames erupted anew, crashing against the Holy Shield Jeanne Decker had summoned.

Alice Liddell stood behind Jeanne Decker, both using the Holy Shield as cover to evade the fiery onslaught.

The moment the Corrosive Flames dissipated, the Holy Shield also lost its power.

This time, Jeanne Decker unhesitatingly turned, embracing Alice Liddell and retreating. She feared the Killer might use the flames as cover to charge forward again, having just suffered a significant setback.

However, the Killer’s figure vanished from the bridge. Simultaneously, both women heard a distinct splash from the river below.

Jeanne Decker and Alice Liddell stared, wide-eyed, at each other. The Killer had actually jumped into the river to escape!

Both instantly abandoned any thought of pursuit. The Golden Water River was still shrouded in mist, and under the cover of night, capturing the Killer was virtually impossible.

Jeanne Decker gnashed her teeth in frustration. It was less that the Killer had escaped, and more that she had narrowly salvaged her own life from his grasp.

“Um, Saintess, could you… let go of me now?” Alice Liddell asked, a hint of awkwardness in her voice.

“Ah, my apologies!” Only then did Jeanne Decker realize her arm was still tightly wrapped around the other woman’s waist. She immediately released her.

The moment she let go, she noticed something amiss and instantly reached out to grab Alice Liddell again. “Wait!”

Alice Liddell flinched, quickly stepping back to evade her grasp. “What are you doing!?”

“Who exactly are you? And why did you help me?” Jeanne Decker stared intently at Alice Liddell.

“…” After a brief silence, Alice Liddell cautiously ventured a reply. “Just a concerned passerby?”

“Who are you trying to fool!” Jeanne Decker immediately exclaimed. “You’re a witch, aren’t you?”

‘It seems I can’t bluff my way out of this,’ Alice Liddell thought. Any masked witch appearing out of nowhere to disrupt a battle would naturally raise suspicions.

“What’s wrong with being a witch? Is the Saintess going to burn her savior at the stake?” Alice Liddell countered.

“It’s not that, but I want to understand why you saved me. You seemed to call him Jack the Ripper, didn’t you? What is your relationship with him?” Jeanne Decker fixed her gaze on Alice Liddell, taking a step forward.

Alice Liddell felt the pressure and took a small step back. “Saintess, don’t be so tense. You only need to know that my goal is the same as yours: to catch that Killer and make him pay for his crimes.

Don’t believe that all heretics are as evil as the Church claims. I don’t want to clash with you, and I hope you’ll believe me on this point—I did save your life, after all, didn’t I?”

Alice Liddell felt a touch of nervousness. She understood her friend’s righteousness and strict adherence to rules. If Jeanne Decker became stubborn about such matters, it would be quite troublesome.

Jeanne Decker pondered in silence for a moment, then finally nodded. “Alright, you are my benefactor, and I am willing to trust you…”

‘That’s more like it. She’s not entirely rigid after all,’ Alice Liddell thought, just as she mentally relaxed, Jeanne Decker spoke again.

“Then, can you tell me the Killer’s identity and background? And why are you pursuing him?”

“I’m sorry, I’m not at liberty to disclose that,” Alice Liddell replied.

Naturally, she couldn’t reveal any information from the Tea Party.

“Not even a little?”

“Not at all!”

“Then, can I see your face?” Jeanne Decker posed a new request.

“Of course not! Why do you want to see my face?” Alice Liddell was utterly surprised.

“Because…” Jeanne Decker narrowed her eyes at Alice Liddell. “I feel as though I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

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