"Oh? Not standard Holy Light, and mixed with some sort of... fluctuations from a mental imprint."
Douglas offered his assessment at leisure as he cast, as though he were analyzing a spell in a Hogwarts classroom rather than surrounded by enemies.
"It seems your research has come a long way since last time. You can already incorporate mental attacks into an environmental aura. Unfortunately, it still needs some work."
Sure enough, the female knight's attention was drawn to his words, and she did not interfere with his casting, whether out of confidence or because of what he had said.
"It seems our assessment of you was still too low."
For the first time, the female knight, Agnese Vieri, took a serious look at the seemingly casual man before her.
"Douglas Holmes, you are suspected of stealing the Church's secrets, inciting werewolf tribes to oppose the Holy Light, and colluding with corrupt elements within the Italian Ministry of Magic with the intention of undermining the magical order of the Apennine Peninsula."
Agnes's voice rang firm and forceful, as though she were pronouncing judgment.
"I, commander of the Third Battalion of the Order of Saint Sebastian-the Holy Shield, Agnese Vieri-now offer you one final chance.
Abandon your resistance and return with us to stand trial before the Holy Tribunal. This is your only path to redemption."
At those words, Douglas's smile broadened.
He helped the weakened Lupin up and let him lean against him before saying unhurriedly:
"Trial? Oh, no, no, no, Your Excellency the Holy Shield, you may have misunderstood me..."
Seeing that his words had caught her attention.
Douglas sharply flicked the wrist of his wand hand, which had seemed to hang so casually at his side.
"Move! Take the target alive!"
Alarm bells rang in Agnes's mind, and she