Above the night sky, Hero flapped her wings anxiously, her golden-red feather wings cutting through the starry sky, trailing a stream of light.
Behind her seemed to come calls of her name, but even without the curse being activated, Hero's mind was entirely occupied by the help signal, flying straight towards the direction from whence the signal came, as if every second was crucial.
[Nightmare Sage's trap]
[Setup (Intelligence+Level)]
D410+60=d410(42)+60=102
Previously, the absence of the Cruising bishop, she thought it was due to his busy schedule and felt somewhat regretful, but it turned out that there was an incident at the Church.
What exactly happened? Was there a terrible criminal, or another powerful Magic Creature invasion?
Thinking of the Church helping her block the Nightmare prophecy before, Hero couldn't help but speed up even more.
Meanwhile, the outdoor venue she hastily left behind, after being quiet for a few seconds, rapidly became heated, guests looked at each other in confusion, some bewildered, some bracing themselves.
At that moment, with the stage empty, the figure of the Count appeared, his arrival somewhat quelled the gradually rising noise.
The Count, stepping forward briskly from backstage, squinted his eyes, watching the dot of flame representing Hero becoming smaller and smaller in the night sky, almost disappearing on the horizon.
[Count's Reaction (Ruler+30)]
D380+50+30=d380(43)+50+30=123
"...To rush to the rescue without hesitation is good, but impulsive and resolute should not be confused."
After a pause, the Count's tense expression relaxed, shaking his head with a bit of helplessness.
"After all, still a young person, needing time to grow and guidance from the elderly," said the Sergeant walking up beside the Count.
He had become used to such moments, his first instinct was to chase after her, but seeing the Count's expression, he suppressed the impulse, adopting a stance ready to act at any moment.
In the Kingdom, being "adult" biologically and socially are not the same.
Although since the age of eleven, some legal restrictions are relaxed, but more significant rights and responsibilities, especially the inheritance rights of the Nobles, often have to wait until they are older and mature before they can genuinely undertake them.
"That's true," the Count nodded in agreement, then his expression became solemn.
[Count's Next Action—]
2. Magic Potion Rain for forced alertness
10. Critical Success♛/Extreme Failure
The Count's gaze was penetrating, his wine-colored pupils rippling with the radiance of Wisdom, not flustered by Hero's sudden action at all.
Under his gaze, the noise at the venue also quickly subsided, many experienced Soldiers already fully detached from the relaxed mood of the banquet, tensed up, with sharp eyes, entering a readiness for immediate deployment.
And the Count did not disappoint their expectations, his calm voice spread with the help of magic amplification.
"Immediately convey orders to the municipal department, set all Magic Crystal Stone Lamps in the city to maximum brightness.
"Mage team, use the Directional Shock Technique to wake all residents on Hero's flight path—I will compensate them later.
"Archers, launch Flash Arrows, ensuring all along the way areas are without Dark."
Orders were passed without explanation, yet were executed accurately and efficiently, Soldiers immediately sprinted out, powerful waves of Magic Power spreading across the venue.
The Count watched this scene with an unchanged expression.
'Only Hero's Stigmata is flashing, while the rest of the Church Professionals are not—this is a trap targeting her.'
'Based on Hero's interpersonal relationships and her activities on the Border, excluding Goblins, the only group with motive and suspicion is Black Gate.'
'Black Gate's Remnants have been cleaned up several times, though there's still some strength left, it's nearly impossible for them to launch a direct Assault on the Church. There are few options left unless they seek external support or risk everything to cause Chaos... or both.'
'Hero's path is straight, indicating the source of the Chaos at the end of her destination... is it the prison? But that's not the point.'
'No matter how they provoked the Chaos, the real trap would certainly not be in the prison. The prison's defensive forces and the brief time wouldn't allow them to set up against Hero.'
'It's on the way; they will act while Hero is single-mindedly rushing along, but even at night, it is hard to imagine these hidden and exposed guys being able to kill a Phoenix... Transfer, Space Replacement? No...'
"— It's Dreamshift, this is the most feasible plan."
The Count nodded slightly, speaking again.
"To be safe— there's a Magic Potion in Hero's luggage, use Illusory Origin Magic on it, then treat it with Fogification Technique and Spread Spell, I want to ensure that everyone in the entire city district near Hero's flight path is awake."
[Effect — (Critical Success+30)]
D380+50+60=d380(242)+50+60=352
[Nightmare Sage's Resistance (Targeted-30)]
D410+30=d410(157)+30=187
Note: Difference 100- escape, 100+ get injured, 150+ unable to leave the city
At this moment, the prison is still in complete Chaos.
The Cruising bishop who tried to sneak in but got discovered, after several exchanges with the guards, seemed to sense some discordance, hesitating in his actions.
But before he could regain clarity, the manipulating Magic Power twisted his mind, instantly forgetting to defend, the clerically dressed bishop was struck by a guard's attack.
Although this blow was not fatal, due to the Cleric Robe, the prison guards harbored no killing intent.