Let Go of That Girl!

Torrent carried Lucian and Melina, who was in soul form, swiftly over the first half of the distance.

Then it began to descend slowly. Just as they were about to reach the pillars of the ancient ruins, it seemed to run out of momentum, falling short by only a meter or two.

The constricting sensation around Lucian grew heavier and heavier, and he was nearly unable to breathe.

Torrent remained completely calm. Like a dragonfly skimming the water, it stepped on the air and landed gracefully and nimbly atop the pillar.

Torrent used a double jump. It was super effective!

Lucian also let out a sigh of relief—in the literal sense.

Though he had no idea why he had been so nervous that he could barely breathe, extreme sports were bound to be nerve-racking.

Lucian pulled Torrent's reins, turned left, and patted Torrent's neck toward a rocky outcrop.

Torrent understood and easily climbed up with two consecutive jumps.

They pressed onward and soon reached a flat road. The rest of the journey would be much easier.

They were already two or three hundred meters from the Bridge of Sacrifice, so there was little need to worry about being discovered.

But Lucian still kept close to the rock wall and made his way to the edge of the Grace.

After touching the Grace, Lucian rode Torrent onto the road.

Lucian intended to search the road for Irina.

Before long, a figure appeared in Lucian's sight.

Beautiful pale golden hair was tied into a ponytail, her eyes were wrapped in several strips of cloth, and a few loose strands clung to her pretty face with sweat.

A leather robe draped over her graceful body, linen trouser cuffs peeking out beneath it, while pointed black leather boots covered her feet.

It was Irina, daughter of the lord of Castle Morne.

At that moment, she was alone, slowly making her way forward while holding onto a low stone railing by the roadside. Because of her impaired eyes, she stumbled even with the support.

But behind her, a figure clad in black armor and a hood was rapidly approaching. Yet Irina seemed unaware, completely defenseless.

Lucian recognized the black-robed figure. He was a Confessor who obeyed the Two Fingers.

Lucian did not think he was there to protect Irina.

Especially when the man spotted Lucian and drew his straight sword, Lucian became certain that his intentions were hostile.

Obviously, the Confessor had used the Assassin's Approach incantation to erase the sound of his footsteps.

Irina was blind and could only rely on her hearing, so she could not possibly notice him.

Lucian immediately patted Torrent, urging it to charge toward Irina at full speed.

At the same time, Lucian shouted at Irina:

"Someone's behind you! Protect yourself!"

The Confessor also broke into a run, and Assassin's Approach could no longer conceal every sound.

Irina heard hoofbeats coming from far ahead and had initially thought she was saved, but the man's shout instantly drained the color from her face.

Someone had actually been following her. Just moments ago, everything had been silent.

At the same time, faint footsteps suddenly came from behind her.

Irina could tell that they were nearby sounds being concealed, not footsteps from far away.

Irina did not dare hesitate. Clutching the sacred seal in her hand, she used the incantation—Rejection.

Golden energy gathered around Irina before erupting with a boom. The shockwave sent the Confessor flying backward.

That was close.

Lucian silently sighed. The Confessor's blade had nearly touched Irina's fragile body.

Fortunately, Irina's Rejection incantation had sent him flying in time.

The Confessor quickly rose from the ground, but in that brief moment, Lucian had already arrived on horseback.

Riding Torrent, Lucian blocked the way in front of Irina.

"Are you all right?"

Irina's face was pale and her entire body trembled. It was obvious that she had been badly frightened.

Yet she still shook her head bravely, signaling that she was fine.

"It's all right now. As long as I'm here, no one will hurt you."

Lucian dismounted and supported Irina's hand, helping her onto Torrent's back.

The Confessor frowned at the sight.

"This has nothing to do with you."

Lucian gripped a Ritual Straight Sword at each side with both hands and drew them in a crossing motion, their tips naturally pointing toward the ground.

"Now it does."

The Confessor grew somewhat irritated.

"For the sake of us both being Tarnished, I don't want to kill you. But if you insist on being stubborn, I'll have no choice but to kill you first."

Hearing that, Irina became even more terrified. After all, this person helping her was only a stranger. If he spared himself for the sake of a fellow Tarnished, or simply to save his own life, and handed her over, then Castle Morne would truly be beyond saving.

"Heh heh, hahahahaha!"

Lucian laughed heartily.

"Getting desperate, are we? If you were really that strong, why not just rush over and cut me down? Besides, even if you kill me, my horse will still carry her away."

"No matter why you want to kill this girl, you've already failed, trash."

The Confessor instantly turned red with rage. Shield in one hand and sword in the other, he charged forward.

"You understand nothing! I am carrying out a great mission!"

Lucian used one sword to catch the Confessor's blade, while thrusting the other toward the armpit of his sword arm.

The Confessor hurriedly raised his shield to block the strike.

But Lucian lifted his foot and kicked the shield. Though it did not knock him down, the shield's defense had already been breached.

Lucian did not let the opportunity pass. With two swift thrusts, he pierced the Confessor's body, and two jets of blood spurted out.

"That's it? With this little strength, you dare talk about a mission? You're going to make me laugh my teeth off."

Seeing that he was no match for Lucian, the Confessor changed tactics.

He began earnestly trying to persuade Lucian:

"I hadn't planned to tell you, but I was ordered by the Two Fingers to kill that girl."

"As Tarnished, you should know what that order means. Do not commit an unforgivable mistake. Stop now!"

Lucian said nothing and merely watched him quietly.

The Confessor thought there was hope and continued:

"Let me kill her. Once I complete the mission, I can vouch for you and give you a chance to meet the Two Fingers. Perhaps you might even have the chance to become one of the Two Fingers' blades, just like me."

"We walk the right path. If you can see the guidance of Grace, then you should not remain so stubborn!"

Lucian nodded.

"You're right."

A smile immediately appeared on the Confessor's face, while Irina felt as though she had plunged into an icy abyss.

"But I refuse."

The Confessor's smile froze on his face.

Lucian sprinted before the Confessor, his twin swords whirling in an impenetrable storm.

The Confessor's medium shield could only cover his vital areas. His legs and hands, exposed beyond the shield, were slashed open again and again, and the flowing blood steadily drained his life away.

"Why? Why won't you obey the Two Fingers' command? Everything I said is true!"

"You bastard! Recusant!"

The Confessor's defenses completely crumbled. He could not understand why the man before him was such a madman.

Lucian found an opening and slashed the Confessor's throat with one sword.

An expression of disbelief was forever frozen on his face.

"I follow guidance ≠ I follow the Two Fingers' guidance. Inequality wins instantly."