Chapter 127: The Trial of the Parallel World

Nana’a said nothing, simply advancing slowly in the direction the man had pointed.

Though it was merely an illusion, it was still simulated based on reality. Perhaps she was now playing the role of someone from history.

Unwilling to let her experiment end here, Nana’a had no choice but to follow the current situation.

Behind her stretched a long army, their equipment exceptionally fine—likely the private forces of some noble, with a few church clerics mixed in.

Strange. Why would a noble’s private soldiers and church clerics act together?

Nana’a surveyed her surroundings and suddenly realized where she was.

This setting was unmistakably the Gria Volcano.

Gathering so many troops could only mean one thing: a campaign against the Flame Evil God.

In this goddess’s illusion, a minor deity like the Flame Evil God had been judged a parasite attached to Nana’a and cast out; Nana’a herself wanted something, but it was hardly possible.

The current situation was clearly different from her previous expedition against the Flame Evil God. Could this be the first time in history the church had crusaded against the Flame Giant?

The church had indeed crusaded once before, nearly wiping out the Flame Giants, but the Fire-Stealers had exploited the opportunity, leading to the later crusade by Silina and the others.

Nana’a knew very little about that first crusade in history. If this trial required her to follow history and crusade again, it surely wouldn’t be easy.

At this point, she decided to gather some intelligence first.

Nana’a instinctively looked at the man who had urged her earlier. Judging by his attire, he must be a high-ranking church official—perhaps even the leader of this expedition.

As for herself, accompanying him likely meant she was at least a personal guard or similar.

Thinking this, Nana’a cautiously asked, “Boss, what do we do now?”

“Boss?” The man looked puzzled, clearly unaccustomed to the address. “Nana’a, are you still half asleep?”

Damn. Her words were off; he was getting suspicious.

But the man didn’t press further; he simply explained, “Fine, I’ll explain once more. We’re only here to investigate the Fire-Stealers. Our main task is to find evidence of their worship of a pagan god. We only take action if they resist our investigation.”

“Understood, Inquisitor Nana’a?”

With that, the man made a throat-slitting gesture.

“Understood.”

Though he didn’t dwell on it and her identity wasn’t at risk, replaying his words made her realize her role was indeed that of an inquisitor named Nana’a.

Wait, what was that inquisitor’s name again?

Cold sweat broke out on Nana’a’s forehead. She realized she might have been wrong from the start: they were here to investigate the Fire-Stealers.

If she wasn’t mistaken, this must be a parallel timeline—one where Menglinna and Jijige hadn’t come, replaced by herself as an inquisitor leading troops to crusade the Flame Evil God.

If so, she’d better clarify a few things.

To confirm the high-level combat power on her side, Nana’a asked the man again, “Sir, where are Inquisitors Menglinna and Jijige? I need to speak with them about something.”

“You really aren’t awake today, Inquisitor Nana’a. Should you rest? I am Menglinna. What do you need from me?”

As the man spoke, the blur on his face faded, and Nana’a finally saw him clearly.

At 170 cm tall, he towered over her like a tree, but contrary to the image of a big, strong man, this ‘Menglinna’ was slender, with a fair, clean face that faintly held a feminine delicacy.

Comparing this male version of ‘Menglinna’ to the real Menglinna, they were about seventy percent similar.

What was wrong with this world?

Nana’a’s breath caught for a moment before she slowly said, “About this operation, I have a suggestion.”

“Of course.”

Facing this professional inquisitor, Menglinna was willing to listen.

Recalling the real world’s crusade against the Flame Evil God, Nana’a decided to replicate that approach: “Let’s just kill all the Fire-Stealers. They’re definitely connected to the Flame Giant.”

After all that, this was her suggestion? Menglinna, who had been holding out hope, rolled her eyes. “Didn’t we already have intelligence on that? Why else would we be here? And I already told you at the start—the old man specifically emphasized following procedure. We must not give them any excuse. So, no action until we have concrete evidence!”

“Haha, is that so?”

So this timeline’s Menglinna had a good relationship with her father, and those private soldiers were probably from the Meng family.

“You really aren’t awake today, Nana. Maybe you should stay in the rear. I feel you’re not in good shape…”

By now, ‘Menglinna’ had completely lost any trace of anger. Clearly, no one blames a sick person.

“No, no, I just had a moment of confusion!” Nana’a quickly waved her hands. “I’ll follow orders and fight well!”

Seeing her earnest plea, Menglinna just sighed. “Fine. Stay behind me then.”

Having aroused Menglinna’s suspicion, Nana’a couldn’t investigate on her own. She had suffered a major setback precisely because she knew this world’s plot too well. All she could do was endure silently.

The subsequent events weren’t much different from reality, except the numbers of searchers. With the noble’s elite troops conducting a thorough search based on pre-acquired intelligence, a large pile of evidence worshiping the Flame Evil God was piled up in the village square.

“Do you have any excuses?”

‘Menglinna’ stood at the front of the line, striking the ground heavily with his staff as if threatening the village chief.

“It is as you see. We accept punishment.”

To Nana’a’s surprise, the chief readily admitted his fault and prostrated himself, accepting any punishment.

“In that case, take them all back to the Inquisition.”

‘Menglinna’ waved his staff, and the soldiers surrounded the chief, preparing to lead him away.

The other villagers, who had been watching the spectacle, sensed trouble. Seeing the soldiers take the chief, they grabbed their packed bags and fled.

“Don’t let a single one escape!”

Under Menglinna’s command, the pursuit began.

“Wait a moment,” Nana’a couldn’t help stopping Menglinna. “Since we’ve confirmed their pagan worship, why not execute them on the spot?”

‘Menglinna’ gave a wry smile. “Of course, as an inquisitor, you have the authority to try them here. However…”

Clearly, the “authority” in his mouth meant “not really.”

After that remark, Nana’a couldn’t argue further.

Since he said so, she had to let things proceed.

By the time the soldiers had rounded up all the villagers, it was getting late. Everyone was herded into the village square.

The captain of the personal guard came to report to Menglinna: “Young Master, what should we do with them now?”

Menglinna glanced at the sky; the sun was near the horizon. “It’s getting late. If we hurry, we might reach camp before dark.”

“Yes!”

The captain nodded and began organizing.

But it was too late. The entire village was gathered together, and Nana’a suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.

The villagers were silent, then flames suddenly erupted from their bodies.

“Damn, they’re performing a sacrifice!” Nana’a grabbed Menglinna’s arm. “We need to act!”

Before Menglinna could reply, a huge explosion shook the village center. A flying piece of debris struck Nana’a directly on the back of the head.

Was this the end of the trial?

Just before losing consciousness, the only thing on her mind was regret.

When she opened her eyes again, she wasn’t back in reality. Before her was Menglinna’s androgynous face.

“Are you alright?”

The staff in his hand still glowed; he had just used a healing spell to revive her.

“Thanks, I feel a bit better.”

Nana’a stood up. In the brief moment she was unconscious, the villagers had fused into a massive flame humanoid.

With its single giant eye, it was unmistakably the Flame Evil God itself.

As the Evil God stood, a mere wave of its hand knocked back many of the surrounding elite soldiers.

Nana’a quickly grabbed the holy seal on her belt. None of her real-world items had come with her; her only weapons now were the holy seal and a chattering warhammer.

Recalling the real-world approach, she shouted to Menglinna, “Hit it with water-element magic!”

“Water?” Menglinna looked back. “Is anyone here skilled in water-element magic?”

Right. This ‘Menglinna’ was completely different from the real one, probably never having been an adventurer.

So he had no access to the Water Spirit Heart and likely didn’t know any water-element magic.

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