Chapter 125: The Inquisition’s Shadow

Alice Liddell sat in the classroom, listening to the lecture. Though the class was nearing its end, her mind still wandered.

Upon her return to the academy, she had immediately tried to inquire about Jeanne Decker’s whereabouts. However, her efforts had yielded nothing; the senior students in the Inner Academy only informed her that Jeanne Decker was “on leave.”

Furthermore, Count Dunois, who served as the head of the Inner Academy’s Paladin Department, was also present during today’s lecture. Alice Liddell knew him to be Jeanne Decker’s direct mentor.

Considering the information provided by the Mad Hatter, the “Flaming Sun Knight” who had summoned heavenly fire upon her yesterday was likely the Count himself.

Undoubtedly, yesterday’s events had brought trouble upon Jeanne Decker, and it was likely no small matter.

Yesterday, the Mad Hatter had mentioned being ambushed by the Inquisition. The individuals involved even included high-ranking figures from the Inquisition, which forced the Mad Hatter to forcefully activate his Third-Tier power.

This implied that the Inquisition was also involved in yesterday’s incident. Perhaps some of those who arrived on the scene were members of the Inquisition.

This undoubtedly confirmed the Duchess Liddell’s and the Mad Hatter’s earlier suspicions and conjectures: the Inquisition likely had the ability to deal with the Killer much sooner.

However, they had deliberately allowed the Killer to operate for a period, seeing a deeper-rooted organization behind them. It was a strategy of casting a long line to catch a big fish.

Regrettably, the ‘big fish’ they ultimately reeled in was the leader of the Tea Party, who possessed half the power of a Third-Tier being.

Crucially, if anyone from the Inquisition had witnessed Jeanne Decker’s selfless act of protecting her and allowing them to escape, then Jeanne Decker might now be undergoing trial in the Divine Wrath Iron Prison.

Given Jeanne Decker’s identity, associating with a heretic was tantamount to committing high treason.

To make matters worse, the Mad Hatter had slaughtered five Inquisitors just yesterday, causing the Inquisition immense loss of face. If the Inquisition suspected Jeanne Decker of being connected to this “heretical organization”…

Alice Liddell dared not imagine the consequences.

By the time she snapped back to reality, she realized that class had long been dismissed. Only a few scattered students remained in the classroom, chatting amongst themselves.

She quickly gathered her books, stood up, and left the classroom.

“Um, Miss Liddell…”

Just as she stepped out the door, she heard a timid call.

Alice Liddell turned her head in surprise, seeing Leah, Martha’s younger sister, standing in the corridor, cautiously observing her.

“Ah, Senior Leah,” Alice Liddell greeted her, lowering her gaze.

She sensed Leah’s apprehension and tried her best to appear polite and approachable, aiming to reduce any perceived distance.

Although Leah was Alice Liddell’s senior, her background as an impoverished immigrant meant she couldn’t compare to a great noble like Duke Liddell. Normally, in this academy, they would have had no reason to interact.

“Excuse me, do you know where Senior Jeanne went today?” Leah whispered, her eyes betraying undisguised anxiety.

‘Just as I thought,’ Alice Liddell mused. The moment she saw Leah, she understood the reason for her visit.

Yesterday, Jeanne Decker had gone to rescue Martha, leaving Leah to wait anxiously at the academy, sleepless through the night.

Yet, no matter how long she waited, neither Jeanne Decker nor Martha returned. This was undoubtedly the worst possible outcome for her, as it likely meant both of them were in trouble.

She had repeatedly visited the guard room to question the academy’s garrison knights, but the only reply she received was, “We are still unclear on the progress over there. We haven’t received any news. Please wait patiently.”

Now, she had come to ask Alice Liddell simply because Alice Liddell had shared a room with Jeanne Decker last night. She knew it was unlikely she’d get answers but saw no other avenue.

“Well, I’m not entirely sure. I’ve actually been looking for her too, but I can’t find her anywhere,” Alice Liddell replied, against her true feelings.

She sympathized with Leah, but given her current identity, she couldn’t reveal any information to her.

Jeanne Decker had likely been taken by the Inquisition. As for Martha, she was safe; after being rescued by the Mad Hatter, she was currently under the protection of the Tea Party.

The Mad Hatter had promised Alice Liddell that he would find a way to properly settle Martha, who had become a ‘Blessed One of the Abyss.’ However, shortly after they returned to the city, the Inquisition began enforcing martial law and patrolling.

Alice Liddell had been forced to part ways with the Mad Hatter, returning to her own apartment, while the Mad Hatter took the unconscious Martha to a Tea Party stronghold.

Alice Liddell wasn’t sure which specific stronghold Martha had been taken to. Perhaps it was the Old Ram’s shop, or another hiding place.

“Oh… I’m sorry to have bothered you.” Leah lowered her eyes, turning to leave with a hint of disappointment.

Alice Liddell watched her retreating figure and sighed.

She resolved to contact the Mad Hatter later and try to arrange a reunion for Leah and Martha.

With that thought, she turned and ascended the stairs; her next class was on the floor above.

As she reached the second-floor corridor, she heard several exclamations. Someone was shouting, “Oh my god, those are people from the Inquisition! Are they here to arrest someone from the academy!?”

The words sent shivers down Alice Liddell’s spine. Having become a witch and an Abyssal cultist, she had grown exceptionally sensitive to the term “Inquisition.”

After yesterday’s events, she had constantly worried about having exposed herself, fearing the Inquisition would come knocking. Now, the Inquisition had actually arrived!

She saw many students emerging from their classrooms and gathering in the corridor, looking out towards the academy grounds. After a moment’s thought, she too stepped forward to the railing and gazed towards the main gate of the school building.

Then, she saw Leah, who had just spoken to her, facing two enforcers from the Inquisition with a look of terror.

Alice Liddell’s eyes widened. ‘The Inquisition… they’re here for Leah!?’

From this distance, she couldn’t hear their conversation, but she saw Leah shake her head in disbelief after the two enforcers said something. Immediately after, the enforcers, one on each side, lifted Leah and roughly escorted her towards the Inquisition’s carriage nearby.

The murmurs around her filled Alice Liddell’s ears:

“Oh my god, arrested!? What did that girl do?”

“If the Inquisition is after her, what else could it be?”

“No way? Someone here is involved with heretics?”

“Regardless, that person is finished.”

“Wait, isn’t that Leah, who helps out at the pancake stall? The one from the Faculty of Law!”

Suddenly, someone recognized Leah.

“Damn it, I’ve bought from that stall before, there won’t be any problems, will there!?”

Another person instantly panicked.

“Shh, quiet! Don’t let the Inquisitors hear you!”

These whispers made Alice Liddell acutely aware of the common fear people held for the Inquisition.

Leah’s apprehension was likely due to Martha’s situation. To be so roughly escorted away, it seemed the Inquisition intended to take strong measures against this innocent girl!

Alice Liddell hitched up her skirt and ran down quickly. However, by the time she burst out of the school building’s main gate, the Inquisition’s carriage had already vanished.

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