Chapter 119: The Grand Inquisitor’s Trap

The Killer clutched his wound, casting a terrified glance around. Unbeknownst to them, they had been completely surrounded by Inquisitors.

Having observed their predicament, the Mad Hatter merely clapped his hands with a smile. “Even the Grand Inquisitor has graced us with their presence. Isn’t this spectacle a bit overly extravagant?”

His eyes fixed directly ahead, locking onto a black-robed Inquisitor among the assembly.

This Inquisitor’s attire was no different from the two Senior Inquisitors leading the encirclement. Yet, the Mad Hatter instantly perceived that this individual’s soul was not on the same level as the others.

It was Grand Inquisitor Nicola, the current Head of the Heresy Inquisition and the Second Prince’s introductory mentor as an Inquisitor. He held the fourth rank within the ‘Bishop’ class, known as a ‘Proxy’.

“I never imagined it would be you,” Grand Inquisitor Nicola began, his voice even. “It’s been eight years since we last met, hasn’t it, Mad Devil?”

“Huh? What are you saying? Mrs. Wind can’t hear you clearly!” the Mad Hatter exclaimed, cupping a hand to his ear in an exaggerated gesture.

“Feigning ignorance won’t help. I remember your spiritual form. Though I can’t fully perceive you, I recall every detail. I’d recognize you even if you were burned to ashes,” Nicola stated calmly. “It seems we’ve caught an unexpectedly large fish.”

“Everyone wants to catch a big fish, but not everyone can stomach it,” the Mad Hatter cackled eerily. “Let me tell you, some fish devour people!”

“You, who once assassinated three Senior Inquisitors, certainly have the right to say that,” Nicola responded, his tone low and chilling. “Today, it’s time for you to pay for their lives.”

The Killer stared at the Mad Hatter in shock. It sounded as though the leader of their tea party had been quite radical in their youth, committing deeds far beyond anything he could ever hope to accomplish.

“But wasn’t that because you killed my friends first? Besides, I’m not the person I used to be. I’m a pacifist now, you know. Weren’t you here to help me catch the Killer?” The Mad Hatter scratched his head, feigning distress. “Here’s an idea, then; why don’t you hear me out?”

“Don’t waste our time. No one will listen to your sweet talk,” Nicola replied coldly.

Nevertheless, the Mad Hatter continued, undeterred. “Esteemed Inquisitors, you’ve worked so hard tonight. Why not return home and get some rest? I’ll handle this fellow properly. It would benefit everyone, wouldn’t it? You save yourselves trouble, and I won’t have to exert myself eliminating all of you. A good bargain, don’t you think?”

The Mad Hatter’s words plunged the scene into a momentary silence, which Nicola then broke with a laugh. “Eliminate us? You are as humorous as ever.”

“Oh, dear, that’s the problem with too many jokes,” the Mad Hatter’s voice still held a playful lilt. “When you’re serious, others still won’t take you seriously.”

“You failed to advance due to our interference. To this day, you and I remain at the fourth rank. Facing such a numerous siege, what right do you have to speak such words?” the Grand Inquisitor retorted icily.

He was convinced his opponent shared the same rank as himself: ‘Bishop’ versus ‘Warlock’, two opposing classes where neither held an inherent advantage.

The breaking point of this balance lay in their numbers. The twenty Inquisitors Nicola brought were no mere decoration; they were the elite of the Heresy Inquisition.

This ‘Mad Devil’ would have no chance this time!

“Leader…”

The Killer spoke with difficulty, addressing the Mad Hatter.

“Use me. I’m willing to risk my life to kill these damned Inquisitors!”

“That’s kind of you, but no. With your skill, even risking your life wouldn’t make much difference,” the Mad Hatter dismissed him lightly.

He snapped his fingers, and a contract materialized before the Killer.

“Your personal safety guarantee,” the Mad Hatter said earnestly. “Sign it, or I can’t promise you won’t be taken down with me.”

The Killer hastily grasped the contract. Its content was simple: for the next hour, as long as the Killer did not attempt to escape or harm the Mad Hatter, the Mad Hatter would not kill him.

Given the Mad Hatter’s arrangement, the Killer had no choice but to agree to the contract.

“No survivors! Attack!” Grand Inquisitor Nicola commanded.

Simultaneously, he unleashed his domain, and a translucent, square cage abruptly appeared, ensnaring both the Mad Hatter and the Killer.

This was the ‘Imprisonment Punishment’, an ability of the ‘Judge’ within the ‘Bishop’ class.

The Grand Inquisitor didn’t expect it to fully trap an opponent of equal rank, but by the same token, breaking free would certainly not be an easy feat for the Mad Hatter.

The two Senior Inquisitors beside Nicola also moved in unison. Both were of the sixth rank: one, a ‘Silver Guard’ of the ‘Paladin’ class, and the other, an ‘Elementalist’ of the ‘Mage’ class.

The Silver Guard raised their spear, enhancing it with their ability and summoning holy fire to entwine around it, preparing to hurl it at the Mad Hatter.

The Elementalist pressed their hand to the ground, guiding the power of earth elements through the soil towards the Mad Hatter’s feet.

Meanwhile, the other Inquisitors activated their respective abilities.

Facing such an onslaught, the Killer had completely given up hope. Yet, the Mad Hatter burst into uproarious laughter.

“Well, well, this scene is as lively as a festival! I suppose I’ll add more fuel to the fire to liven things up!” He grinned wildly, his laughter growing increasingly exaggerated.

The next second, the Silver Guard hurled their spear. Simultaneously, a colossal hand made of rock suddenly erupted from the ground behind the Mad Hatter, enveloping him and the Killer as if to crush them.

The Mad Hatter neither dodged nor parried. Instead, he merely tapped his staff on the ground.

In that moment, everyone present heard a faint, ethereal chime.

The space behind the Mad Hatter suddenly warped. Then, a massive, suspended gateway appeared behind him, shattering the cage created by the Grand Inquisitor and instantly crushing the giant rock hand summoned by the Elementalist Inquisitor. As for the Silver Guard’s thrown spear, it was drawn by a strange gravitational pull towards the floating portal, then passed through it and vanished.

This was ‘Gate of the Abyss’, the ‘Apostle’ ability of the third rank of the Abyss.

Black smoke seeped from the crevices of the Gate of the Abyss, and several demonic servants appeared within the mist. A third-rank Apostle could freely summon the Gate of the Abyss to distort space and interfere with others’ powers, and also use it to summon multiple demons to form a squad for battle.

“You—” Nicola was stunned. He hadn’t expected his opponent to unleash a third-rank ability.

“Who told you I was the same rank as you, a fourth-rank?” the Mad Hatter shrieked, laughing maniacally. “To deal with me, at the very least, you should have sent your Ninth Saint, who leads you all, just like last time!”

Unlike his usual playful madness, his wild laughter now held a cruel edge. Frenzy consumed his eyes, and rationality slowly peeled away. Forcibly using a third-rank power was not without consequence for him, but to resolve this situation, he had no choice but to use his full might!

“Now, let the slaughter begin!” the truly deranged Mad Hatter declared, his voice filled with eager anticipation.