But she dared not go home, because her parents were also members of the church, and in fact, after hearing about her talent, she was "offered" to them by her parents. Not knowing how many of their people were still in the city, she dared not return to the city and could only run outwards. As a result of prolonged hunger, she eventually fainted on the main road… After hearing Dona's words, Kanna finally understood why Dona had that look in her eyes when she returned. It was the deepest despair, a sorrow greater than a dead heart. Moreover, even if she claimed to have no connection with the Abyssal Church, her parents were both members, and she had even seen those monsters from the "Abyss." The church would never let her leave without being certain she hadn't been corrupted.
So in the church, she would either become a breeding machine or face a dead end. Even if the church were defeated, in the hands of the Inquisitor, her greatest possibility would still be that of a caged bird.
"It's not over yet. You really don't have to be so desperate. What if there's still a turning point!"
Even Kanna herself barely believed this comfort, but at the moment, there was no other way.
Dona shook her head, no longer speaking.
Faced with this situation, Kanna also felt a sense of powerlessness. She fumbled in her pocket, pulled out a lollipop, and offered it to Dona.
"Have a candy! Grandma used to say if you're unhappy, eat a piece of candy. Sweetness always brings a feeling of happiness."
Dona was startled at first, then gave a helpless smile. She had just told such things to a child; how could she understand? But she did feel a lot lighter after speaking.
She took the candy from Kanna, unwrapped it, and put it in her mouth—it was so sweet. She just wondered if she would ever have the chance to taste it again.
Meanwhile, Kal'tsit left the upper floor after her conversation with the Tower Keeper.
Upon exiting, she was surrounded by a group of people.
"Lady, please come with us. Don't refuse this offer, after all, if we were to fight in the middle of the street, it wouldn't look good for anyone's reputation." The leader, looking up, spoke with an arrogant tone.
"Heh heh! Since when did Iberians learn the ways of Siracusa!" Kal'tsit, with her arms crossed, showed no fear.
The leader took out a small knife and gestured with it in front of her, threatening impolitely, "Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. You wouldn't want a few scars on that beautiful face of yours, would you!"
Kal'tsit looked at the other party coldly, without saying a word.
"Are you coming or not!" Seeing people pointing and gossiping about the situation, the man grew a little anxious.
"Heh! I suggest next time you want to invite someone like this, go to Siracusa and learn more, instead of just showing off with a few superficial tricks…" Kal'tsit looked at the man before her, who was acting like a clown, feeling a headache. This person was probably a complete idiot, not even bothering to lead the way, just knowing how to babble nonsense.
Finally realizing the reason, the man's expression was quite something. He glared at Kal'tsit hatefully. This woman was not simple; with a few simple actions, she had turned a passive situation into an active one. Even though she was alone and surrounded by his group, it ended up looking like they were her subordinates leading the way.
Old Liberi upstairs saw everything below, but he could only sigh from above. He couldn't leave here, otherwise, those cultists would surely extend their reach into the Lighthouse. So he could only watch as Kal'tsit was taken away by those people.
Kal'tsit followed those people all the way, and when she reached her final destination, her pupils constricted.
This place was precisely the City Hall of Rock Bay Town.
As Iberia was a theocracy, every city had two brains. Now, the Monastery, one of those brains, had already been confirmed as corrupted. The situation at the City Hall was previously unclear, but now it seemed it too must be thoroughly rotten.
With this thought, Kal'tsit walked into the City Hall without a change in expression.
Upon entering, she couldn't help but frown. Although her sense of smell couldn't compare to a monster like Kanna, the strong smell of saltiness mixed with putrefaction inside was so intense that one didn't need much discernment to know how bad the situation was within.
As she entered, the main doors slowly closed. The curious people who had been watching Kal'tsit being surrounded and led inside dispersed. In their eyes, Kal'tsit must have committed a crime and been caught red-handed. As common folk, they dared not provoke the noble lords of the City Hall.
Inside, Kal'tsit noticed that everyone around her looked at her with undisguised malice. She couldn't help but sigh.
She had originally intended to be discreet, investigate things, and then leave. Whatever happened here would be a matter for the Iberians and the Inquisitor; she had no desire to get involved. But given the current situation, it seemed impossible to avoid it entirely.
Stepping into the main hall, she saw a dozen people surrounding her from all sides.
"Lady, two matters, we hope you can give us a satisfactory answer," the man at the front, in his thirties and holding a walking stick, raised two fingers and said with feigned elegance.
"Firstly, what did the old man in the Lighthouse tell you? We hope you can tell us word for word. Secondly, I see the lady is also a cultured person, and I hope you don't mind us taking up a little of your time. I'd like to introduce you to our church… Don't be nervous, in our church there is no class oppression, no superior or inferior; we are all treated as 'comrades'…"
The man's voice rose and fell, as if giving a grand speech.
"Abyssal Church, it is indeed you rats," Kal'tsit's eyes showed no ripples. In her hand, a dark, rhomboid stone trembled slightly.
Hearing Kal'tsit's words, the man paused slightly, his face instantly turning dark. The people around him also looked at Kal'tsit with murderous eyes.
"What do you understand? The Inquisitors of Iberia care about nothing but slaughter, and what has the church done besides collecting taxes? They've done nothing! While the church has granted us eternal life. Look at my face, who would think I'm over fifty years old! Envious? This is the grace given to us by the 'Abyssal Church' you dismissively speak of!
Since you refuse to become a comrade, then there is only one choice left: become food for the Abyss!"
As he shouted, the floor of the City Hall grew damp, and the people around, with twisted faces, rushed towards Kal'tsit. In the shadows, an indescribable hand slowly extended. The entire hall, which had been bright moments before, instantly became gloomy and dim, as if entering an underwater world.
Seeing this situation, Kal'tsit showed no panic. She stepped forward, dodging an attack from a tentacle that suddenly emerged from behind, then threw the stone in her hand to the ground.
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