Chapter 59: The Price of Conviction

Drip, drop.

Raindrops rhythmically struck the ceiling, like a broken drumbeat. Some water seeped through, kissing the floor tiles.

Purple strands of hair lay scattered across her lap. Her dull eyes stared blankly, with nowhere to settle.

‘Was this her end?’

Una did not want to die.

Her fingernails dug into her pale skin, leaving deep, bloody marks. At least this pain offered a temporary reprieve from her terror.

She had witnessed the agony of a person being hanged.

Chris Hino’s face had turned purple, his eyes bulging as if they would leap from their sockets. His detestable handsome face was utterly disfigured, oozing with repulsive fluids.

Una did not want to end up like him. She truly, truly did not.

Her bloodshot eyes darted towards the wall. This dark, imposing wall appeared in her vision like a savior.

‘Crashing headfirst into it wouldn’t be a bad option.’

She sat up, then lunged towards the wall.

However, she was stopped.

Una tumbled to the ground, staring blankly at the wretched individual who had prevented her attempt.

That person possessed long, faded golden hair. Their face, gaunt from exhaustion, had lost its luster, yet their pale green eyes retained a vibrant spark. They held Una’s legs tightly, preventing any further movement.

“You want to kill yourself?”

A beautiful male face appeared before her, yet Una knew that behind this visage was a perplexing woman.

“Alexei, let go of me.”

“No.”

Alice’s expression was grim. Despite her petite frame, her strength was considerable, and she forcefully dragged Una back.

“I hope you haven’t forgotten our great doctrine: suicide leads to hell.”

“I don’t care anymore.”

Una brushed away the tangled hair from her eyes. She sat on the floor, her legs splayed in a peculiar ‘duck sit’ posture.

‘To hell then. Una never intended to go to heaven anyway. Heaven is reserved for people like Lady Alena; I am merely a stepping stone to her ascension.’

“I remember you confidently telling Chloe on the carriage that you weren’t afraid of judgment,” Alice remarked coolly, leaning against the wall.

“I didn’t want her to worry.”

Una rubbed her eyes, two distinct tear streaks remaining on her face.

“I don’t want to die.”

“The heretics you murdered thought the same.”

Alice looked at Una with cold eyes. Una buried her head in her knees, her feet freezing.

“They deserved it,” Una retorted without hesitation.

‘How could the lives of heretics compare to hers—an Inquisitor chosen by God? These worshippers of false gods deserved death. No, they weren’t even worthy of being called human.’

“Then you deserve this too.”

“I… I judged them on behalf of God.”

“And when that judgment falls upon you, why do you suddenly fear it? If you truly adhered to God as you claimed, shouldn’t you embrace death with joy?”

Alice’s logical words choked Una. ‘Yes… how could she kill heretics without batting an eye, yet be so terrified of her own predicament?’

Una lowered her gaze, her lips trembling slightly.

“So, sit down peacefully, repent your sins, and await the end that awaits both you and me.”

“Well said.”

A metallic clang echoed from outside the cell. Una glanced fearfully towards the doorway, where only profound darkness lay.

She focused her gaze. A person stood there, clad in black armor that blended seamlessly with the surroundings.

The black knight removed their helmet, revealing the delicate face of a young woman.

“Constantine.”

Alice uttered her name coldly.

Una drew a sharp breath. This was Lady Alena’s Black Knight: Constantine. Her feelings towards Constantine were less of aversion and more of profound fear.

Though highly skilled in combat, Lady Alena never entrusted her back solely to Constantine. She was typically tolerant of heretics and deviants, yet could reduce them to ashes in an instant.

Others labeled Una a ‘madwoman,’ but Constantine was far more deserving of that title.

“Repent! Only repentance can save you!” Constantine declared loudly, spreading her arms. Moonlight streamed through the cell’s sole window, illuminating her face.

“With deep remorse for God, confess your sins. Only then will your fate be somewhat softened.”

“Alright.”

Alice stood up, snapping her fingers. Her appearance reverted to that of a young girl. She pressed close to the iron door, her face intimately close to Constantine’s.

Alice pointed at Una and said, “Your dear Inquisitor has murdered many innocent people in the name of purging heretics. If that is her sin, then what about me? What is my sin? Is it merely for not standing with you traitors at the Curia meeting?”

Her eyes widened slightly, her tone fierce.

Constantine, however, remained impassive, her brows slightly furrowed.

“You should be well aware why the cardinals who supported Alena and those who opposed her are now united in condemning you as a heretic.”

“Wh-why?”

“Who among us is the real traitor? You, who betrayed Lady Alena,” Constantine stated, her voice as cold as ice.

“You betrayed Lady Alena?”

Una’s eyes widened in disbelief. No one in the Central Curia would ever doubt that Alexei was Alena’s most steadfast supporter.

But facing this sudden accusation, Alice fell silent. She lowered her gaze, her body trembling slightly.

Constantine, standing opposite her, began to speak volubly: “Angelica severely wounded Alena, and then Cliff ambushed and killed Alena in Avros Territory. Don’t you think this script is missing a crucial link?”

Alice remained silent.

Constantine raised a finger, taking up the thread of conversation. “That is motive. We have been active for nearly twenty years, so why did they only act now? The only two people who could connect the Elder Council and the Central Curia are you and I.”

“You mean, Alexei orchestrated all of this?”

Una trembled all over.

However, Alice, at the center of the unfolding drama, covered her face.

“Hahahaha…”

Her lips stretched into a crazed smile, her eyes fixed on Constantine.

“It seems you understand nothing.”

“You…”

Constantine stared coldly at Alice, seemingly about to say more, but Alice cut her off.

“To enlighten the world with religion? The Central Curia can only influence Saint Fros and Eledis. Do you truly believe the barbarians of the Ugur Khanate would accept such complex doctrines? Further east, the Levant states worship hundreds of gods. The cost of the Holy Church’s forced infiltration… Inquisitor, you have already shown us.”

“For heretics and infidels, the Central Curia only brings malice, bloodshed, and slaughter. Your Eastern Crusades, ostensibly for God, were in reality merely a means for bishops and brigands to seize wealth.”

Alice’s icy tone suggested that the events she described had nothing to do with her.

“The Holy Church only creates conflict. Therefore, I conclude that your path has utterly failed.”

“So, you sold out Lady Alena?”

Before the words had fully left her mouth, Una lunged at Alice with the speed of sound, fiercely gripping her collar, which was already soaked with a transparent fluid. ‘It was you!’

Madness surged through her. Una seized Alice, repeatedly slamming her against the cell door. Blood trickled from Alice’s hair.

Just as Alice’s head was about to collide with the cell door, the door swung open.

Constantine swiftly scooped Alice into her arms, then decisively slammed the cell door shut.

Una, like a rabid wolfhound, fixed her bloodthirsty gaze solely on Alice.

“It seems I’ll have to separate your cells,” Constantine said coldly.

Alice’s eyes were dead, staring blankly at Una.

“Thank you for your repentance. Now, both of you, prepare for tomorrow’s trial. Good night.”

Constantine carried Alice away, leaving only the fading sound of footsteps echoing in the profound darkness.

Una’s hand slid down the bars, creating a scratching friction. The force was so great that sparks even flew from the metal.

Just like the raging inferno within her heart.