Chapter 135: The Saintess’s Plight

The next day, Alice Liddell entered the secret hideout of the tea party at Old Yang’s shop.

She went straight to the Mad Hatter.

Before she could even state her purpose, the Mad Hatter spoke first.

“You’re here to inquire about your Saintess friend, aren’t you?”

“Mad Hatter, based on your intelligence, are the rumors outside true?” Alice Liddell asked, her gaze fixed on him.

Since morning, a ‘public notice’ had been plastered across bulletin boards and alley walls in every district. It declared that Jeanne Decker, the Church’s Saintess, had been found guilty of witchcraft by the Inquisition, with irrefutable evidence, and was awaiting sentencing.

Concurrently, several private newspapers circulating in the Imperial City began to extensively publicize the matter. They sensationalized that the adopted daughter of the Alençon family—the Saintess chosen by the Church from the Holy College to serve as a public face—was, in fact, a witch colluding with heretical organizations.

Alice Liddell had taken sick leave that very day, rushing to the Mad Hatter to gather information.

“Your friend is still the adopted daughter of the Duke of the North, after all. Unless some leverage was truly found, no one would dare spread such rumors,” the Mad Hatter said calmly. “From the looks of it, the Inquisition must have obtained some crucial evidence.”

“But she can’t possibly be a witch!” Alice Liddell cried out.

“Then let’s rephrase it. What the Inquisition obtained must be sufficient fabricated evidence for a conviction,” the Mad Hatter analyzed. “This sudden surge of publicity is also highly unusual. Clearly, someone is orchestrating this from behind the scenes, aiming to make it impossible for the Church to easily resolve the situation. If you ask me, it’s most likely Duke Alençon’s political adversaries. They intend to push the Saintess to her death, thereby striking a blow against the Alençon family.”

“To her death?” Alice Liddell’s eyes widened, and she pressed on urgently. “What kind of outcome would that be in such a situation?”

“You should already know what the most severe consequence of the crime of witchcraft is,” the Mad Hatter shrugged. “Remember, she also faces the aggravating circumstance of betraying the Church. Now that political enemies dare to act so brazenly, Duke Alençon has likely suffered a setback in this political struggle. He probably won’t be able to protect this daughter.”

Execution by fire—the word now felt like a heavy stone, pressing down on Alice Liddell’s heart, suffocating her.

Victims of political struggles condemned for heresy were almost invariably sent to the stake.

She had spent days unable to gather any intelligence, and the first news she received was this terrible revelation.

Alice Liddell gritted her teeth in frustration. Given her connection to Jeanne Decker’s fate and the depth of her concern, she should have been able to divine the outcome.

However, many were clearly interfering with Jeanne Decker’s trial, including prominent figures from the Church and the military-political sphere. Among them, an unknown number were Blessed Ones of higher ranks.

With individuals of superior rank interfering with Jeanne Decker’s destiny, it was almost impossible for Alice Liddell, at her current rank, to successfully divine the outcome.

Ultimately, her power was simply insufficient.

How could she possibly rescue Jeanne Decker from the Inquisition now?

She began to seriously ponder her options.

“For you, this is an impossible mission. Don’t act impulsively.”

The Mad Hatter saw through her thoughts and began to dissuade her.

“She’s definitely been framed. If I can find a way to overturn the false evidence—”

Alice Liddell was cut off mid-sentence by the Mad Hatter.

“Then new fabricated evidence will appear, and you’ll be dragged into it as well. Think carefully. Heretical trials have always been a common tool for political persecution. How many heretical trials throughout history have truly been just? The crux of the matter isn’t Jeanne Decker’s authenticity, but the outcome of this political struggle. The persecution isn’t about the truthfulness of the evidence, but the victory or defeat in this political battle.

The people persecuting your friend are powerful enough to take down even a figure as significant as Duke Alençon. What can you, a mere Liddell, do? And don’t forget, she might be a fake witch, but you are a real one!”

Alice Liddell fell silent. She knew the Mad Hatter was right.

Jeanne Decker’s case was already a foregone conclusion. Alice Liddell couldn’t casually show herself before high-ranking individuals; trying to overturn Jeanne Decker’s conviction through normal channels was practically hopeless.

Yet, even knowing the reality, she couldn’t simply accept it.

At this moment, she finally understood what Jeanne Decker must have felt that day in Maplewood City, seeing Levi, who was doomed to die.

Just then, her witch’s intuition suddenly made her feel that the magic mirror she carried was being touched by some power—Queen Isola or Duchess Liddell was trying to contact her with another magic mirror.

“Excuse me, may I contact Her Majesty the Queen and the Duchess here?”

Alice Liddell first sought the Mad Hatter’s permission, as this was, after all, the tea party’s secret hideout.

“No matter. Nothing can be seen from this room, and besides, the Red Queen is already our partner,” the Mad Hatter granted.

Alice Liddell took out her magic mirror for divination. After a flash of mist, the figures of Duchess Liddell and Queen Isola immediately appeared in the mirror.

“Isola, Duchess Liddell…” Alice Liddell’s expression stiffened as she greeted them. Jeanne Decker’s plight weighed heavily on her heart at this moment.

“My informants in the Imperial City have given me news,” Duchess Liddell stated directly. “I’ll be blunt: abandon your friend. You cannot save her!”

Alice Liddell understood the Duchess Liddell’s intention in contacting her. Upon hearing of Jeanne Decker’s persecution, Duchess Liddell immediately thought that Alice Liddell would try to save her. The Duchess wanted to persuade her to give up the idea.

“Why would you refuse?” Duchess Liddell said. “Alice Liddell, I will be blunt as well. I won’t give up easily.” Alice Liddell frankly stated her thoughts. “I apologize; I know this violates our agreement—”

“This isn’t about violating an agreement; you’re seeking death!” Duchess Liddell interrupted, her brows furrowed. “Be rational. You don’t even have the possibility of risking your life to save her; you’ll only sacrifice yourself in vain.”

“I won’t be so irrational as to throw my life away for nothing. I’m thinking of a way. I just wanted to say that if there’s a method that requires me to bear a certain risk, I will do it,” Alice Liddell said earnestly.

“You… just when one matter finally ends, you start another drama for me. Must you always keep me on edge?” Duchess Liddell rubbed her forehead, quite vexed by Alice Liddell’s stubbornness. “You must understand, if you’re captured and forced to reveal everything, we will also bear the risk!”

“I’m sorry,” Alice Liddell apologized. She did feel a bit apologetic, but it didn’t change her current resolve.

Alice Liddell cautiously glanced at Queen Isola. Queen Isola remained silent, expressionless, and Alice Liddell couldn’t discern her attitude toward the matter.

Queen Isola noticed her gaze and spoke. “You, must you save her?”

Alice Liddell paused, then nodded silently.

“Your Majesty?” Duchess Liddell turned around. Even she couldn’t quite grasp Queen Isola’s thoughts at this moment.

After a long silence, Queen Isola finally closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. “Do as you wish. If you want to go, then go.”