Chapter 171: A Tempting Offer

Alice Liddell scrutinized the two targets, falling into deep thought.

The task proposed by the Mad Hatter was far more challenging than she had anticipated.

Count Gina, for one, was certainly a formidable target. As for the Duke, given his status, connections, and involvement in unsavory underground dealings, it was unrealistic to assume he lacked any means of self-preservation.

Killing a nobleman of such high standing, moreover, would undoubtedly invite considerable trouble later on.

She already held two heretical vocations and was tasked with uncovering clues about the sealed lands within the Cathedral Academy. Rescuing Jeanne Decker from the Inquisitorial tribunal had already been an extraordinarily audacious act; committing another such deed would surely lead to more of the Duchess Liddell’s nagging.

Jeanne Decker, too, could not undertake this mission without apprehension, as she remained a wanted fugitive by the Inquisition.

The Mad Hatter observed Alice Liddell, discerning her hesitation.

He suddenly grinned, a knowing smile spreading across his face. “It seems your enthusiasm isn’t particularly high,” he remarked. “But what if I told you these two individuals were very likely the masterminds behind Jeanne Decker’s condemnation to the stake? Would that perhaps motivate you a little more?”

Both Jeanne Decker and Alice Liddell cast surprised glances at him.

“As I mentioned earlier, these people are involved in s*ave trade and smuggling, and the Duke Alençon is a thorn in their side,” the Mad Hatter explained.

“But that alone doesn’t prove they were behind it,” Alice Liddell countered, her brow furrowed. “Duke Alençon must have more political enemies than just them.”

“Allow me a friendly reminder,” the Mad Hatter said, raising a finger with a smile. “Jeanne Decker’s trial only began to go awry after Duke Alençon’s son presented false evidence of her committing witchcraft. Do you truly believe heretical artifacts of that magnitude are easily acquired? Could Pierre Alençon obtain them on his own?”

“The Chain Market!” Alice Liddell suddenly realized, exchanging a look with Jeanne Decker.

The ‘evidence’ Pierre Alençon had submitted back then had to be genuine, at least, for the tribunal to have a pretext to convict Jeanne Decker.

If the Chain Market’s channels could even smuggle barbarian slaves into the Imperial City for sale, then finding a way to acquire forbidden artifacts related to the witch class shouldn’t be too difficult for them.

“Another reminder,” the Mad Hatter added, looking at Jeanne Decker. “According to our investigation, Count Gina once studied at the Cathedral Academy and was a member of the renowned Embroidered Needle Fraternity, part of the Brotherhood. Yes, the same organization your treacherous sworn brother joined.”

Jeanne Decker’s fists clenched tighter as she listened. She recalled the bitter indignation and grief she felt when falsely accused at the trial. It seemed highly probable that these two were the true culprits, having likely incited Pierre Alençon’s jealousy against her and then provided the ‘evidence’ of witchcraft for him to make the false accusation.

More importantly, these individuals had caused her adoptive father, the Protector of the North, to lose power. They had also hired and sponsored barbarian raiders, leaving her homeland villages and other settlements in the North vulnerable to barbarian bandits once more.

Compounded with the trafficking of living beings, these people were utterly despicable scum!

If all of this were true, she would have a thousand reasons to slay these two, even without the Tea Party’s assignment!

Jeanne Decker’s resolve was now firm. The Mad Hatter then turned to Alice Liddell. “Oh, there’s something I forgot to mention. The Iron Warlord Army isn’t asking for our help for free; they’re willing to pay. If you’re interested… I can have them procure the monster materials you need for your advancement.”

Alice Liddell was slightly taken aback. “Even Sixth Order materials?”

Even with the Duchess Liddell’s wealth and intelligence network, she hadn’t been able to acquire Sixth Order monster materials for Alice Liddell.

“Indeed,” the Mad Hatter smiled. “The Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom is vast but sparsely populated, with extensive undeveloped wilderness and a large number of wild monsters. It’s not like the Empire, where knight orders are specifically tasked with eradicating monsters near towns. There are many warriors among the barbarians who make a living as monster hunters. We, the Monster Slayers, formed an alliance with the Iron Warlord Army, and they’ve always provided us with monster materials. I can’t promise 100%, but the chances of getting your advancement materials are very high. A good deal, wouldn’t you say? But let me warn you, obtaining Abyssal Sixth Order materials is quite difficult, as it requires you to extract the soul directly from a living monster.”

“Alright…” Alice Liddell nodded, then suddenly noticed something. “Wait, you said… ‘we’?”

She gestured between herself and Jeanne Decker.

“Yes, we can also get the materials for Jeanne Decker’s Sixth Order advancement,” the Mad Hatter said, a faint smile on his lips.

“You know how Holy Knights advance?” Alice Liddell’s eyes widened.

“More or less,” the Mad Hatter shrugged. “I generally know the advancement methods for Holy Knights from the Ninth Order to the Fourth Order. In fact, there’s a considerable number of ‘Iron Knights’ in the Tea Party’s Northern branch.”

“How could you possibly know? That’s a secret of the Church!” Jeanne Decker exclaimed, equally astonished.

“Indeed, the advancement methods for bishops and Holy Knights are Church secrets. Only the Saints’ Assembly, which secretly leads the Church, fully possesses them. The remaining knowledge is partially held by the Emperor, the Pope, and a small number of cardinals. However, by a rather fortunate coincidence, in my youth, to avenge a companion, I once led a team to assassinate a cardinal. I extracted their soul and read a portion of their memories,” the Mad Hatter said, a distant look in his eyes. “That particular cardinal happened to possess the Holy Knight advancement methods.”

Alice Liddell and Jeanne Decker both gasped in astonishment.

The Mad Hatter had no reason to lie about this; he had likely experienced such earth-shattering events in his youth!

“Wild youth, a truly wild youth,” the Mad Hatter sighed, patting the top of his head.

“Advancing to the Sixth Order…” Alice Liddell mused, deep in thought.

The Mad Hatter’s conditions were undeniably tempting.

As a ‘Witch,’ she had already met the ritual conditions for advancing to the Sixth Order; she merely lacked the necessary potion ingredients.

Having come this far, there was no turning back. She needed power. Only with power could she protect herself, save others, and change the things she wished to change!

When Jeanne Decker was condemned to the stake, Alice Liddell had profoundly felt the frustration of powerlessness. If the Mad Hatter hadn’t intervened, she would have been forced to helplessly await news of Jeanne Decker’s death, experiencing the same agony Jeanne Decker had endured.

The same had been true when she herself was falsely accused and unjustly imprisoned. Without actively seeking the power to change her circumstances, she would forever remain mired in the quagmire of helplessness.

“Understood. I will complete this mission diligently,” Alice Liddell affirmed, nodding forcefully.

“That’s the spirit! Your noble status will be very helpful in carrying out the mission,” the Mad Hatter chuckled happily. “Now, I’ll briefly go over the intelligence we have. Afterwards, you can discuss it yourselves, and then we’ll formulate a plan. Oh, have you familiarized yourselves with each other’s abilities yet? Since you’ll be teaming up, you should train and coordinate more together.”