"Duke is not a heretic, Duke is not a heretic, Duke is not a heretic..."
Emma's wife, along with Emma herself, were easily tied up by Hilia and Marina.
Ordinary people have no power to resist against Mages; only the contamination on them can trouble a Mage.
If it were just Marina alone, perhaps it wouldn't be so easy to subdue the two, but with Hilia there, no wave of contamination could be stirred up.
"Still too weak. I can't purify the contamination, only suppress it."
Hilia sighed inwardly.
She planned to deal with things here first, then return to Xue Shan Town to seek the High Priest at the Divine Hall for purification.
Who knows if the Divine Hall in Xue Shan Town even possesses the ability to purify contamination...
"Miss Hilia, are they the real culprits behind the abnormalities at Lake Beia?" Marina asked, her expression complicated.
"No," Hilia shook her head. "That's not something ordinary people can do."
She kept glancing at the magic puppet binding the two, silently hoping Rose would offer some answers about the pair.
But Rose simply watched on, smiling.
When subduing Emma's wife, Emma's eyes also reddened, trying to resist—showing the same symptoms as his wife.
However, their condition wasn't quite the same as that of heretics...
To be contaminated isn't the same as being a heretic, but if there's a contaminated item worshipped at home, it's definitely heresy.
"I'll calm them down first, then ask them about the specifics."
Hilia walked up to them, her hands forming an upside-down heart shape, rosy lips parting gently. "Great Light God, I pray to you, grant me the power to cleanse this world's filth..."
"Holy Word: Purification."
A mass of white light slowly appeared between her hands, illuminating the pair. The red light in their eyes gradually faded, and they regained composure.
Concluding the ritual, Hilia looked a shade paler.
"Holy Word: Purification is a Tier Two Magic. Using it now is a bit of a stretch... I can only suppress the contamination, not eliminate it. I'll have to seek the High Priest..."
Thinking so, Hilia looked at the calming couple and asked, "Do you remember what just happened?"
Emma replied, his face full of panic, "I'm sorry, Mage, we didn't mean to, I don't even know what happened..."
"Cut the crap and tell us which heretics are behind you. Otherwise, for Beia Village, I'll cut off all your limbs and sink you in the Beia River!"
Before Emma could finish, Marina interrupted him roughly. She seemed furious, panting heavily, barely restraining the urge to beat someone.
"Heretics? What heretics? I have no idea," Emma said blankly.
Marina wanted to say more, but Hilia raised her hand, stopping her. "You stay aside; let me handle this."
She turned to the couple, picked up a cup of water and offered it, "Don't be nervous, have some water."
But with Emma tied up, it was impossible for him to accept. Hilia didn't mind, still smiling warmly.
Holy Word: Persuasion.
Soon, Hilia coaxed all the information out of the couple's mouths, even embarrassing childhood stories came spilling out.
They were not heretics, only long exposed to contaminated items and thus contaminated; all these items originated from their eldest son—Eric.
Including Duke's bracelet, which was also brought back by Eric when he traveled abroad.
"Eric absolutely can't be a heretic, that's impossible!"
Upon confirming that Eric was indeed a heretic, and very likely the real culprit behind the abnormality at Lake Beia, not only were Emma and his wife agitated—even Marina's expression showed frustration.
"Tell us about this Eric?" Hilia looked at Marina.
Marina nodded, speaking in a low voice: "Eric is the finest Sword Master I've taught in recent years. After graduating last year, he swore to me that he would find the noble benefactors who helped us, join them, and bring bread and magic to every poor and hungry person in the world."
"You mean, the mysterious group demanding every household display idols?" Hilia looked at the idol above Emma's fireplace.
That idol was not a contaminated object.
"Yes, Eric said he found those benefactors, found their organization!" Emma's wife exclaimed, excited.
"What's the name of the organization he joined?"
"Some sort of Association..."
"Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association?"
"I don't know..."
"These things here, they belong to the Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association."
"He joined the wrong one," Marina said through gritted teeth. "I know his character—Eric is a resolute Sword Master. If not for this, I wouldn't believe he really joined the Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association. There's only one possibility: he joined the wrong association."
"Do you know the name of that organization?" Hilia asked.
"I... don't know."
"They've been delivering supplies to you all this time, and you don't know?"
Hilia was shocked.
"Apart from several years ago, when I first arrived and encountered them face-to-face once, all subsequent aid—they left it quietly outside my house. Whether it was magic materials, spellbooks, or all sorts of food and money, they always left it quietly, never alerting us."
Hilia was confused now.
What exactly is this organization up to?
Charity work?
Or is it a new Sect?
Hilia finally couldn't help but ask Rose, "Lord Rose, do you know what this organization is doing?"
"They're doing charity," Rose replied, smiling. "You think it's a new Sect? Have you ever heard of a Sect that delivers food and seeds to ordinary farmers, and even helps build a Magic School for them?"
Hilia shook her head.
Delivering resources and magic to believers while building a Magic School in a remote mountain village—it all looked like charity work, since these people simply can't afford to keep a school running.
Hilia had also confirmed with Marina; tuition at the Magic School was merely 10 copper coins, with absolutely no other fees.
Of course, Marina wasn't paid either—this Mage lady was absurdly selfless.
The whole matter reeked of mystery.
Perhaps that mysterious organization had made Marina some kind of promise, a promise she simply never revealed.
After clarifying everything, Hilia untied the couple and confiscated all the contaminated objects, planning to concentrate and destroy them later.
Afterward, the two visited other homes to inspect them, finally discovering several other households with contaminated items—all confiscated.
Marina found an empty house and piled all the contaminated things inside.
"These need special flame to be purified. I'll go to Xue Shan Town and seek the Holy Court soon. Lady Marina, thank you for your help. You should take some rest now."
"Are you leaving right now?"
"Yes."
"It's already deep in the night—why not leave tomorrow instead?"
"No, I can't sleep until these contaminated items are dealt with."
"Then let me keep watch for you."
"No need—these things are worthless. They're only contaminated from prolonged contact with heretics or demons. Useless to heretics, useless to ordinary folk. Other than out of curiosity, there's no reason for anyone to take them.
Besides, I've already marked them—if anyone moves them, I'll know. Don't worry."
"Alright then."
Marina took her leave.
Hilia locked the place up tight, preparing to hurry to Xue Shan Town.
But at that moment, Rose's voice called out.
"Don't rush off; the heretics have made a move."
"What? There are more heretics?"
"Of course."
Rose looked at Hilia, a smile hovering on his lips.
"They're still right beneath your nose, slipped past your inspection."
"???"