The Hero thought for a moment and reached out to pull the Holy Scripture Cloak from her shoulder.

As she injected her Magic Power, the cloak, which symbolized status and was also a Magic Scroll, bloomed with a golden glow. The holy text on it detached from the fabric, swirling and rotating in front of the Hero, quickly forming into a circular Magic Array.

The Hero's gaze moved slightly, and within the array appeared a few lines of clear and elegant writing, briefly recounting the battle and the arrest of the Black Dream Key.

Once the description was complete, the array suddenly shrank into a ball of light, then shot up into the sky, transforming into a beam of light heading towards the Holy City.

"Are you going to take me back to the Judgement Court?"

Beside her, the Black Dream Key silently watched the scene until the beam of light disappeared over the horizon before speaking.

"Of course."

The Hero nodded. It was a one-time-use, ultra-long-distance Communication Scroll that every adjudicator was equipped with.

Even with the Church's powerful resources, only one scroll could be allocated for each mission. In an emergency, as long as the person was still in the Kingdom, they could communicate with the Holy City.

After notifying the Judgement Court, the Hero finally had time to inspect this mysterious Key of the Door.

The Black Dream Key's face beneath the veil was unadorned, carrying a simple and pure beauty. At this moment, her lowered head made her appear even more gentle, with no trace of the madness one would expect from an apprentice intending to destroy the Holy City.

"Let's go." urged the Hero, letting her walk ahead. "No matter what entanglements you have with the Divine Knowledge Saintess, that blessing is still effective on me—if you dare make any move, I will not hold back."

[Hero's Luck (3+)]

D10=d10(6)=6

1.5. I was once a Saintess Candidate

2.6. She never did anything to me

3.7. She doesn't dream

4.8. She killed my parents

9. You saved the Pope, didn't you?

10. Great Success/Extreme Failure

D10=d10(9)=9

♛: You saved the Pope, didn't you?

"I naturally understand that."

After being warned by the Hero and realizing she was now a prisoner, the Black Dream Key's mental state calmed considerably.

Her unadorned face was full of world-weariness, a feeling she seemed long accustomed to, waking up from a beautiful dream only to face harsh reality.

"I must thank you for sending me to the Judgement Court. This way, the Heresy Court can't easily say anything, especially since the spoils belonging to the next Saintess candidate can't be casually handed over.

"At least the Judgement Court upholds evidence and proportional punishment, and won't convict you just because of your thoughts." said the Black Dream Key listlessly.

"The Judgement Court also has the death penalty." the Hero reminded, puzzled.

The fact that the other had been lurking in the Holy City for who knows how long was understandable given her insight into the Church's structure and dislike of the Heresy Court.

But her current demeanor was confusing to the Hero. After all, as someone who plotted to conspire with the Great Demon and overthrow the Holy City, even if the Hero suddenly changed her mind and decided to decapitate her and play football with her head, it wouldn't break any laws.

As the escape tactics of the Black Gate are well-known, if the Hero provided a precautionary excuse, no one could contest it.

'Why not do it? I want to see her face die refusing to close her eyes.' another self was eager to try.

'You know it's a high-level communication; the Judgement Court will soon send someone. You should calm down a bit...'

Unaware she had narrowly escaped once again, the Black Dream Key felt inexplicably cold but still shook her head.

"I won't be sentenced to death. Not to mention the intelligence I possess as the Key of the Door, those previously imprisoned in the Eternal Falling Dream need me to rescue them one by one."

Stepping out of the forest onto the main road, the Black Dream Key's steps staggered slightly behind the Hero, revealing a self-deprecating smile.

"I never killed those people, maybe just for today. She must have seen it long ago: I don't possess grand abilities to take everything with me as I perish, just putting on an ostentatious performance like a clown, only to be easily captured once off-stage."

"Though I agree life shouldn't be lightly forsaken..."

Knowing the other's injuries hadn't healed, the Hero didn't rush the Black Dream Key, as what she needed now was to wait for the Judgement Court's people, being urgent might cause exposure.

But hearing the Black Dream Key sounding as if she'd abandoned everything except life, the Hero couldn't help but feel hesitant.

Perceiving the Hero's doubt and curiosity, the Black Dream Key was somewhat surprised.

"Weren't you investigating me recently, forcing me to leave the Holy City ahead of schedule... Didn't the old Pope tell you, you cured him?"

But looking down at the Ice Lock on her hand, she quickly realized.

"Indeed, how could he think... He probably thought you wouldn't even encounter me, let alone..."

"You know the Pope's illness?"

This time it was the Hero's turn to be utterly shocked; the Pope's corruption was a secret even within the Cathedral, known only to a select few who maintained a tacit understanding.

While it would explain the Black Dream Disciple's audacious infiltration, it was unlikely the other side was obliged to keep the Church's secrets. Leaking even some information might cause widespread panic and facilitate actions.

However, so far, the Hero hadn't heard any similar rumors.

"Hum… of course I know, because—"

[Relationship between Black Dream Key and Pope (4+ granddaughter, 7+ daughter)]

D10=d10(9)=9

"Because, I am his daughter."

The Black Dream Key said calmly, delivering words that caused the Hero's pupils to tremble violently.

[Hero's Surprise]

D70+30=d70(59)+30=89

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