Round 32: Compromise

In front of the Red Robe Mage’s stronghold, tensions had reached a boiling point.
“No matter how you try to twist your words like a venomous snake, you won’t escape the punishment of the Glorious Lord today! Step aside, Red Robe Mage! In the name of gods, I’ll use my sword and facts to expose your lies!” Fiona remained mounted on her red horse, showing no intention of dismounting for negotiations. Her high-held head suggested she was well-prepared for this encounter.
“You bitch! If you’ve got the guts, come at me! Stop acting so arrogant,” Kani snapped at the paladin who had once captured her. “No matter how much you show off, you’re still just a woman exposed by a man…”
Kani’s more vicious insults were cut off before they could be spoken. A white light screen that seemed to cover the entire sky suddenly filled Kani’s eyes. The blinding brightness left her unable to see anything for a moment. She almost thought she had fallen victim to some illusion—after all, a Red Robe Mage skilled in illusion magic being fooled by a paladin would be a laughingstock.
Fiona spurred her horse forward and raised her sword. It was only out of restraint due to the paladin’s code of conduct that she didn’t slash the dwarf woman’s head off as soon as she unleashed that pure white holy light. She had had enough of Kani’s offensive insults and had tolerated these sinister Red Robe Mages for far too long. This time, she was determined to crush their arrogance completely and prevent the goodness and order of Deepstream City from being challenged again!
The light screen spread outward toward the Red Robe Mages. Not only Kani, the Tattooed Warrior, and the mercenaries guarding the stronghold were affected, but even the activated gate behind them was illuminated by that holy light, becoming increasingly aggressive. Its stone arms swung wildly. If not for the fact that the gate was still connected to the stronghold, it would have burst through the ground to launch an attack.
Fiona, mounted on her horse, now resembled a dazzling miniature sun. Kani stepped back several times, hiding behind the Tattooed Warrior. Her mouth and hands moved nonstop as she quickly established defenses against physical and magical attacks. At the same time, she drew a thin staff from her robe—the acid contained within was enough to scorch Fiona’s pretty face beyond recognition.
“Ladies, can’t we all be a little more rational? Do we really have to argue like shrews?”
Morrill’s clear voice echoed, followed by ripples like water waves—the light screen was blocked by an invisible barrier, or rather, it dissipated. Fine flames burst at its edges, forming a dazzling fireworks-like curtain. As the holy light clashed more intensely with Morrill’s counter-spells, a flash of light, like that reflected by soap bubbles, surrounded both of them. Finally, darkness returned to the area. Yet everyone present still retained in their minds the spectacular visual images left by the clash between magic and holy power, leading them to consider what would happen if a full-scale conflict truly broke out…

Fiona stepped back two paces on her horse, the deep red warhorse snorting as well. The white light still flowed over her chain armor and sword, though much softer now, no longer blindingly intense. The female paladin’s lips trembled slightly, seemingly at the limit of her patience.
“Threatening kind merchants who abide by the law with force before there’s solid evidence doesn’t seem like the behavior of a true paladin.” With Moriel as the boundary, a clearly defined circle of magically cleansed dust appeared on the street.
The white horse knight, who had remained silent behind, suddenly stepped forward. Fiona, on the verge of action, immediately calmed down upon noticing her move. Moriel also stopped Kani from making a move, and the two, still gripping each other by the collars, stepped back from the cliff’s edge at the same time—temporarily.
“Miss Moriel… may I address you that way?” The knight dismounted and stroked the horse’s icy mane to soothe it, which was becoming uneasy due to the increasingly agitated activated gatehouse behind Moriel. As Milia removed her mask to reveal her delicate face, she also gazed at Moriel, who was smiling with her arms crossed, with her calm eyes.
The robed mage nodded slightly. She could see in the female paladin’s eyes something that Fiona lacked. Honestly, she was somewhat worried that Fiona might act recklessly. Undoubtedly, paladins abided by the laws of Deepflow City, but it was also undeniable that the robed mage had broken the law. Although she had already shown force that if war really broke out, chaos would inevitably sweep through half of the commercial district. Even if it could eventually be proven that the robed mage was the mastermind behind the drug trade, such a situation would severely damage the reputation of the Dawn Knights—yet who could know what the Divine-Blessed Woman thought? After all, they usually didn’t interact with mortals.
“I’m Milia of the Dawn Knights, Fiona’s companion,” Milia said softly, yet everyone heard her clearly, as if the wind were whispering in their ears. “Someone once told me… the law is like sunlight, shining on both good people and bad. The problem of magical drugs must be controlled—it’s the consensus of all people in Deepflow City. Deceptive arguments and tough stances won’t solve anything; they only hinder fair investigations and trials. If the robed mage truly has nothing to do with drug trafficking, then why can’t she show sincerity to prove it?”
“If someone stands in front of me on a tall horse, the sunlight will only shine on her, leaving me submerged in unfair darkness. And I believe that in Deepflow City, whether noble or humble, poor or rich, no one will talk about sincerity when swords are pointed at them,” Moriel retorted sarcastically. She had heard someone mention Milia’s name somewhere—this female mage didn’t like the name.
But Milia didn’t take it to heart. It wasn’t difficult, especially after having dealt with a steel half-demon who didn’t know how to speak unless he was mocking others.

“We’ve captured some suspects from the Shirek Church.” Milia decided not to argue with Moriel over trivial details—after all, the Red Robe Mage was known for his cunning tactics of twisting facts. “They accuse you and the Mage Kani beside you of bringing large quantities of magical drugs to sell to them. The Dawnlight Knights have been authorized by the Deepstream City Lord’s Alliance to crack down on the growing trade in magical drugs in the port area. So, we are now searching the Red Robe Mage’s business base under Deepstream City’s laws…”
“Shut up! You ignorant bitch!” Kani snapped angrily. “The Red Robe Mage will have autonomous rights as soon as he establishes a base in Deepstream City! You’re declaring war on the Red Robe Mage Order!”
“But the Red Robe Mage Order also recognizes that Deepstream City’s laws apply to everyone within its walls. If someone commits a crime outside the base, that base isn’t a haven or sanctuary for them,” Milia said calmly, unprovoked by Kani’s insults like Fiona was. Kani had no real power, which was why the dwarf woman dared to be so brazen and demand things through threats. Both she and Moriel knew that recklessness in Deepstream City would only lead to merciless punishment, just like the Shirek Church had suffered. Only order could counter order—regardless of morality.
“The followers of Shirek are considered madmen and thugs by every civilized person in Deepstream City. Their words alone can’t prove I’m guilty.” Moriel was now full of confidence. It was a good sign that everyone agreed to follow the rules of the game… If things really turned hostile, she wouldn’t only lose the support of the Red Robe Mage Order but might also have to leave Deepstream City or hide from Xinbu’s pursuit—something she didn’t want to face. “If you start such a fuss based on baseless accusations, everyone behind me can prove that Kani and I didn’t leave the business base tonight. What do you say to that?”
“Yeah, who doesn’t know the Shirek followers always talk nonsense! Bitches who slander good people!” Kani joined in, happy to stir up trouble since she wasn’t the one in charge of the conversation.
“Stop spouting nonsense! Shut your… mouth!” Fiona, riding on her horse, was face red—she must have barely suppressed the urge to charge over and slash Kani with her sword.
“Haha, what, drawing your sword? Are the holy warriors going to attack the merchants’ guild? That would be big news in the business district!” Confident that she had prepared thorough defensive spells, Kani proudly waved her acid staff, aiming its diamond-shaped tip filled with corrosive acid at Milia. “Come on then! Let me show you my disgusting faces…”
The acid staff flew forward. It wasn’t because Kani was so excited she trembled or had forgotten how to use it—instead, the staff was suddenly snatched from her hand by a powerful force. The intense friction against her skin made her cry out in pain.
Everyone who reacted quickly followed the flying acid staff’s path.

“A foreign spear?” The staff landed in the hands of a tall figure on a nearby rooftop. He stood there, spinning the highly acidic staff like a windmill. The cavalry erupted into chaos; the horses beneath their riders grew restless, raising their heads and stamping their feet, seemingly frightened by this shadow that had appeared silently. Their reaction hadn’t been this intense even when facing the activated gatehouse—and with so many people present, none had noticed when that human-shaped shadow had climbed up the roof!

Fiona drew her long sword with a sharp clang. Pure white flames ignited on the blade, forming a beam of light like a searchlight as Fiona pointed her sword at the shadow. Yet even such intense light couldn’t reveal the figure clearly, as he had already jumped down—so high that it seemed he was about to fly into the night sky.

The ground shook violently.

Ignoring Moriel’s helpless gaze and the others’ astonishment, 47 turned his head completely to look around. “You wretched bitch, I’ve got you now…”

“Unfortunately, not yet.”

Two soldiers guarding a secluded alley felt a sudden chill. By the time they regained their composure, a female paladin in silver armor, without a helmet, had calmly passed by them—by the gods, it was just an alley wide enough for two people to walk side by side! Did she have no thickness at all?

“Damn it! I’ve had enough!” 47 pointed the highly acidic staff he’d snatched from Kani at Zhen, who had silver eyes, seemingly intending to strike her, but couldn’t find a trigger. That thin metal rod was even less useful than a brick.

“Sister Zhen?” Fiona dismounted, sheathing her sword immediately, completely ignoring the aggressive 47. Milia also turned her somewhat puzzled gaze away from 47 and bowed respectfully to Zhen as she approached.

Moriel noticed that not only Fiona and Milia but all the paladins in silver armor were saluting this silver-eyed paladin—a treatment even Cassium, the blue-armored paladin they encountered during the last confrontation, hadn’t received. It seemed she was a highly respected and powerful ally among the paladins… But why was she with 47? And why didn’t 47 seem hostile toward her?

Milia. Moriel turned her gaze back to this calm yet slightly melancholic girl. Damn it, it seems I need to pay closer attention.

Kani rubbed her hands, wisely choosing not to get angry at 47 instead starting to complain like a child, “Oh! You’re back, 47! Look at how these people have bullied us! Your mistress is about to be taken away by them unjustly! Destroy them! Let the blood of these foolish paladins paint a beautiful red carpet on the ground!”

Milia turned around abruptly. 47? That name pierced her ears like a lightning strike, causing a brief shock in her mind before vanishing.

Moriel keenly noticed this, as well as 47 waving at Milia as a greeting. Damn him!

“Milia, your breathing is rapid,” Zhen said softly, taking Milia’s hand and feeling her fingers were icy. “What’s wrong?”

“No, Sister Jane… I’m fine.” Milia steadied herself and met those dark red, flame-like eyes across from her.
“Are you Miss Moriel?” Jane stared at Moriel with her silver eyes, her gaze and voice equally empty. “This Mr. Forty-Seven… is he your construct servant? I’m Jane Fonda, a Holy Warrior of the Dawn Knight Order. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Don’t listen to her,” Forty-Seven interjected. “She’s a Lolita; all three of them are Lolitas.”
“Shut up,” Moriel snapped, silencing Forty-Seven’s nonsense. Noticing Milia’s flickering gaze beside Jane, the female mage suddenly felt the situation, disrupted by this interruption, back under her control. “So, who’s in charge now, the three of you?”
“Milia.” Jane tilted her head slightly, catching Milia off guard.
“I…” Milia hadn’t expected Jane to still let her take charge and was somewhat unprepared. Forty-Seven’s sudden appearance had also disrupted her thoughts. “But now…”
“It’s unacceptable that you have no solid evidence yet insist on conducting an unjust search of a Red Robe Mage Guild stronghold with high autonomy,” Moriel said, refusing to give her opponent a chance to counter. “Miss Milia, we’ve already discussed this issue, haven’t we?”
“Yes, but the discussion yielded no result.” If it had been Milia a few months ago, she might have been at a loss, but facing Moriel’s aggressive stance, she quickly regained her composure. “The credibility of a witness’s testimony shouldn’t be determined by their personal character. Such disputes are meaningless. We have authorization from the Lord Alliance, and you can also produce documents proving the Red Robe Mage Guild stronghold’s high degree of autonomy. Why not let the facts speak?”
“If proving the facts means trampling on our dignity, then we prefer war.” With those words, the atmosphere grew tense again.
“However, unnecessary bloodshed is certainly not what we wish to see…” Moriel slowed down, as if considering something, before speaking more clearly, as if resolved: “To prove my innocence, as the new head of the Deep Stream City Red Robe Mage Guild stronghold, I’m willing to go with you and cooperate with your investigation.”
“But be aware,” she added coldly, “I’m doing this out of goodwill, not fear. You will never set foot inside the stronghold, as that would be a severe violation of the Red Robe Mage Guild’s principles. Well, I’ve made my choice. What about you? Will you take my hand in friendship, or spit at me?”
The three Holy Warriors remained silent for a moment.
“Fiona, order everyone to withdraw, including the spies,” Jane said finally, in a calm yet unyielding tone. “But, Miss Moriel… I hope your construct servant will accompany you as well.”

“Sure!” Before Moriel could react, 47 happily agreed. Not only that, he grabbed Kani by the collar and said, “You come with us too. If the boss takes the blame for the gang, the underlings should show some loyalty as well.”
Moriel glared at 47, then turned to order the mages and guards at the base, “Suspend all business activities until I return… There must be carriages at the base, right? Get one ready—I don’t want to be tied to a horse and dragged away.”
In the spacious carriage, 47 was pulling Kani’s face around with his hands, causing the dwarf girl pain so great that tears welled up in her eyes.
“Say that again?” Frustrated, he used both hands. “Is it really true that aside from the boss and those two clowns, the whole gang is just a bunch of idiots who only know how to talk nonsense?”
Kani racked her brain for any spells that might help her escape this situation but couldn’t think of any, so she could only endure innocently—Why wasn’t Moriel saying anything? Couldn’t he stop this guy?
“Shameful! And you even have tattoos? Your worthless existence is like a shrimp playing with a ball—useless.” It seemed 47 was determined to give the dwarf girl a lesson in ideology. “What’s so great about going to someone else’s territory? I’ve heard of a bearded man who dared to drink at his enemy’s place with just a knife, and I’ve also heard of a pretty guy who could fight his way in and out of a million-strong army with a spear… And yet you’re dressed in red, looking so dejected. Were you boiled?”
Kani listened, half-understanding, not daring to say a word. If that seemingly more ferocious metal monster made a mistake, her face would be torn off like an orange peel… He was definitely some kind of Behemoth, Balor, Fire Wyrm, or a monster born from their hybridization—just shaped like a human!
Damn… Every minute felt like an eternity. Now, contrary to her wishes before getting on the carriage, Kani only hoped the destination would arrive soon.