While it might seem a bit unfair for one person to be both the presiding judge and the executioner, Ed felt that Nuolun's willingness to give a guilty verdict before beheading was already a very fair and just approach, considering the historical context.
The Stained Ones head rolled all over the ground, and a gasp of surprise erupted from the local residents of Blue Gum Town.
Everyone thought it was just a simple public humiliation, but they didn't expect them to be beheaded so decisively.
Seeing the four headless corpses lying on the ground, the faces of the local townspeople did not show the joy Nuolun had expected.
The fact that a group of people could so easily kill these priests who usually acted arrogantly does not mean they were good people, but it does mean they were a far more terrifying group.
However, intimidated by the imposing presence of the Soul Returner and the Holy Crusaders, they dared not turn and run.
Based on their experience, they knew that doing so would likely make them the chickens used as a warning to others.
Following the previously agreed-upon procedure, Nuolun began to explain the situation in detail to the residents of Blue Gum Town.
The panic on the faces of many townspeople gradually subsided after listening for a while.
Meanwhile, outside the crowd, the players who had gathered around were already buzzing with discussion.
With Ed's biased perception, they weren't particularly moved by the idea of heads rolling on the floor.
Although the bloody reality remains unchanged, in the players' minds, it's not much different from killing a monster in a blocky world and getting a head ornament.
As for what they discussed...
[ That's Good Then ]: "If I understand correctly, those four guys are really dead, right? They shouldn't be resurrected like Yiden, right?"
[ Radish's Opponent ]: "Yes, but why do you sound a little sad?"
"I'm not really sad, I'm just wondering if that means we can kill four fewer monsters?"
"Oh, that's really true. By the way, when will the new Dungeon be released?"
"It should take some time, I think. It seems like they're still training these newly captured Fallen One in White Wax Town..."
What will the training cover? Who will provide the training?
"It's said that new enemies have appeared in the [ Gloomy Sanctuary ] Dungeon. Upon closer inspection, everyone realized it's a new batch of minions, all of whom are the Fallen One we've captured recently."
"So that's how the training is... Does this mean every town will have a Dungeon from now on?"
"While that's a possibility, I don't think the production team would go that way—they always like to come up with new ideas. Besides... if they designed it that way, wouldn't Blue Gum Town have no boss?"
"That makes sense. These churches are all currently empty. Hopefully, they'll come up with some interesting settings later."
"Yeah, I'm so tired of playing Yiden now, I could beat it with my eyes closed."
"I'm still practicing solo play, and I feel my agility is a bit low. I'll add two points next time I level up. By the way, blindfolded playthrough? What difficulty level are you talking about?"
"It's easy."
"... trash."
Holy City, Holy Soul Hall.
The setting sun shone through the translucent dome of the Holy Soul Hall, casting its warm light upon the leaves of the many Soul Tree.
A thriving Soul Tree suddenly trembled at a certain moment, and then its very top part silently separated from the main body and fell to the side.
The Soul Tree, having lost its main trunk, withered rapidly, emitting a light similar in color to sunlight, and soon became a dried-up plant specimen.
The light was quickly spotted by the patrolling guard of the Holy Soul Hall. He was first stunned for a moment, then muttered to himself in disbelief:
"Dead?"
After looking around to make sure no one else had seen it, he quickly went to the tree and confirmed that it was indeed dead from being beheaded.
The guard glanced at the sign Soul Tree and confirmed that it belonged to a bishop from Blue Gum Town in the Aduolin Province.
A bishop died just like that!
This is no small matter.
The last time something similar happened was also in the Aduolin Province, only in the White Wax Town. The bishop and several other priests were burned to a crisp by an unknown force.
The guard quickly picked up the Soul Tree along with its container and hurried out of the Holy Soul Hall.
A somewhat aged figure suddenly appeared before him, and the guard paused, puzzled, and asked:
"It's not dark yet, why are you here, senior?"
The old man guarding the Holy Soul Hall looked at this junior, then at the Soul Tree in the other's hand, and silently extended his hand:
Leave it to me.
"Senior, the death of this Soul Tree..."
"I know, that's why I said, 'Give it to me.'"
The old man's tone was indifferent, but the young guard felt a chill run down his spine.
He had a rough idea of what might be going on, but he didn't want to get involved.
He reached out and handed the Soul Tree to the old man in front of him, dramatically clutching his stomach and giving a wry smile:
"It's good that you arrived early today, senior... I'm really not feeling well today, so I'll head home first."
"Good."
The old guard nodded and watched the young guard disappear at the exit of the Holy Soul Hall.
The old man glanced at the identification tag on the container, then strode to the location of all the priests' Soul Tree in Blue Gum Town, and quickly found the other three Soul Tree that had already died.
"Is this the 'change' the Cardinal spoke of?"
The old man muttered to himself, preparing to report the matter after dark.
A few hours later, he saw the young attendant again, who was using a symbiotic plant resembling withered branches to help him work overtime.
"Mr. Samuer."
The old man gave a greeting, and the young attendant immediately looked up from the large amount of written materials:
"It's you. What's up?"
"Yes, I have something to report to Luxiusi."
Upon hearing this, Samuer looked up and glanced at the elderly guard again, seemingly wondering why someone of his status could obtain a promise of an audience with Luxiusi.
A new, withered branch stretched out from behind him. Though slender, the branch was incredibly resilient; with a hook and a flick, it pushed a chair behind the old man.
"Please tell me briefly what's on your mind first. I can't let you see Luxiusi so easily; it's my duty as his attendant."
The old man didn't think there was anything wrong with what Samuer said. After all, the three cardinals were all very busy people with countless affairs of state. He was just a nobody, and it was already rare to receive their advice. Now, it was no problem to get past the hurdle of serving them.
He thanked him, sat down in a chair, and then placed several Soul Tree on the table in front of Samuer:
"This afternoon, the Soul Tree of a bishop and three priests in Blue Gum Town, Aduolin Province, died. Luxiusi previously instructed me to keep an eye on the Soul Tree in Aduolin Province, so I've come to report."
Samuer raised an eyebrow:
"At the same time?"
"The whole process took no more than a minute."
Samuer looked at the several Soul Tree that had died in exactly the same way and also saw traces of certain techniques that had been given special meaning.