Baator Hell Promotion

In the center of the stage, a pale Judith floated silently in a white cocoon of light, her dress soaked in blood. The assassin's blow was so brutal that half of her abdomen was pierced. If you didn't look closely, you wouldn't even notice that her chest was still rising and falling.

Maintaining the white cocoon of light was a group of three paladins, led by two priests. Each member of the group was surrounded by a dim light, which flowed from their palms pressed to the ground to the crystal at the center of the magic circle.

The silvery-white light was like a water lily growing out of a crystal. Its slender stems sprouted pure wings of light, gently wrapping Judith inside, and relying on the selfless dedication of the clergy to maintain her last breath.

"Is Salia not here yet?!" Hu Leda asked again, her slightly plump face covered with anxious sweat.

"Bishop Salia lives in the Wave District. Maybe the road is too chaotic." A gilded knight tried to comfort the anxious sexton, but was met with two cold stares.

"You, you, and you..." Hulerda habitually raised his shaved eyebrows, raised his chin, and directed the remaining three knights who were not participating in the treatment, "There's no need for you to stay here. Go find Salia. Even if you have to carry her, you have to bring her here!"

The knights looked at each other. Hu Leda was not their superior, but they did not want to conflict with her at this time.

"Madam, an assassination has just occurred here. We need to protect the safety of you and your brothers in the church!" The leading knight tried to persuade the stubborn Huleda, but ignited her anger.

"I don't want to hear your excuses!" Her voice became increasingly sharp. "The assassin has been caught, and there are so many elite knights here. You really don't need to make excuses for laziness and cowardice!"

Her words were so extreme that even the knights channeling energy frowned at her. The gilded knights didn't bother to argue with her, instead looking directly at the knight commander who was kneeling on one knee.

The Knight Commander rubbed his aching head and waved them off. Everyone was working hard to keep Judith alive, and he simply didn't have the energy to dwell on such trivial matters.

Huleda watched the knights leave in anger with pride, but the faint joy she gained from power was soon replaced by worry and panic. She restrained herself from looking at Judith in the light cocoon, fearing that she would see her die.

A month ago, Judith was just an obscure, mediocre poet. But after a journey to the orc's lair and suffering, she became the epitome of a perfect being. It would be a lie to say Huleda wasn't jealous, but seeing Judith like this, she felt somewhat relieved that she wasn't the one standing out from the crowd.

Edim took a breath, feeling a little exhausted, his throat dry. All the clergy present who could cast healing spells could only heal external injuries.

Archbishop Eichmann was certainly capable of turning flesh into bones, but he was far away in the cathedral in the Old Lighthouse District. Even if someone reported the news in the first place, Judith would not be able to hold on until he came.

Now, their only hope is Bishop Salia, who lives in the Wave District. She is the best healer of the Church of the Perfect Man besides Archbishop Eichmann. Although she does not have Archbishop Eichmann's magical power, she is responsible for preserving the precious regeneration potion, which is enough to save Judith.

Perhaps the Perfect One had finally shown mercy to his followers. From deep within the dark corridor came the sound of armor rubbing against each other and the voice of a woman, which filled Hule with joy.

"Lady Salia!" She squinted her eyes to see who was coming and shouted into the corridor, "Excuse me, the situation here is very urgent."

However, the only answer she got was the singing that was getting closer and closer.

Several healers looked at each other, not knowing what was wrong.

The visitor didn't make them wait too long. A very ordinary-looking woman in maid's clothes walked to the light with her head lowered. She was immersed in her own world, humming a song while knitting the work in her hands.

There were two golden helmets hanging on her belt. The friction sound just heard was made by the helmets colliding when she walked. What made everyone horrified was that the helmets were covered in blood and dripped all over her skirt.

"Who are you!" Hu Leda shouted in shock and anger, but her body unconsciously stepped back. She had already begun to regret letting the knight leave.

The sexton's call finally awakened the woman who was immersed in her own world. She raised her head, revealing a featureless and confused face.

"Shh," she held up a finger, "you're interrupting my work."

"Answer my question!" The sexton took out the icon hanging around his neck and held it in front of him, his clenched fists trembling slightly.

The woman's speed was so great that Edim could only make out a whirlwind of mottled light. The icon shone with golden light, and a radiant shield emerged, blocking the woman's fist.

The next moment, with the sound of shattering glass, the shield exploded into a sky full of fireflies. The woman grabbed the sexton by the hair, and before anyone could stop her, she pressed Hu Leda's face to the floor and rolled over ten feet away.

When she stopped, a long dark drag mark appeared on the smooth stage floor.

"There was once a poet who traveled throughout Hell and saw the punishments for various crimes." The woman straightened up, her voice like a chant. "He said, 'Those who talk too much will go to the eighth hell.'"

After saying this, she dipped the material she had been compiling in Hu Leda's blood and brought it to her head.

It was a headband woven with golden thread and a fabric that had originally been white but had now turned dark red. In the center of the headband was a golden statue familiar to all the believers present. However, the statue was now split in two, losing its brilliance.

Yidimu's heart sank, and he thought of the worst possibility.

"You killed Bishop Salia?"

Upon hearing this, the light of the magic circle flickered - all the spellcasters were shocked by the news, and even Judith in the light cocoon woke up in a daze.

"Sallya? Who is that?" the woman asked in confusion, then showed an expression of sudden realization.

She pointed to the headband on her head and asked, "Are you talking about the owner of this portrait?"

No one answered her, but she didn't need anyone to answer her, she answered it herself.

"Kill her!" Her tone was like she was slaughtering a hen. "She wanted to hurt me, but I was defending myself."

After saying that, she stretched out her arms and showed the scabbed hole on her abdomen to everyone.

"Besides," the woman licked her lips, her eyes curved, "I will kill all of you. Do you want to resist?"

"You!" The Knight Commander's blood was boiling. The energy, bad news and anger almost made him unable to breathe.

The woman laughed so loudly that she doubled over. Her madness made Edim feel increasingly dangerous, so he gently pressed his left shoulder.

"I'm just kidding!" The woman finally stopped laughing and shook her finger at the Knight Commander. "All I want is..."

"she"

She pointed to Judith in the cocoon of light.

"From now on, I'll give you a timer," the woman casually pointed at the pastor in the middle. "You, start singing 'The Milkmaid.' I won't attack you until you finish. You can run away, seek help, or hold your ground."

"Of course, you don't have to sing," she said, smiling at the sullen-faced pastor, "then I'll take you to see the perfect person now."

Author's words: The healing array here can only maintain life and heal external injuries.

Judith was shot through, so treatment alone is useless and regeneration is needed to save her.

Chapter 164: The Debt Collector

The woman drew her sword and pointed it at the livid priest, her head tilted, a childlike eagerness on her face.

"Don't you want to sing? Then I'll test the strength of your magic circle."

Edim shuddered. Even though he wasn't a priest specializing in miracles, he could clearly see that this makeshift magic circle couldn't withstand an attack. If the magic power lost its balance, not only would Judith's life be in jeopardy, but all the healers would also be vulnerable.

The knight turned his head reluctantly and heard the hoarse and humiliating voice of the priest behind him.

"Milkmaid, get up early in the morning..."

"I swear!" The Knight Commander's eyes were blazing, his teeth chattering. He had never suffered such a humiliation in his life. "No matter who you are! No matter where you flee to! I will never tolerate such blasphemy."

The woman yawned at this. "It's alright, knight. Feel free to take more vows. Just a reminder, the singing continues."

"I will not abandon the wounded," Yidim said firmly. "My life is of no value, but I will not stand by and watch my sisters in the church being murdered by you."

His expression was resolute and resolute, but the woman noticed that the other four healers behind him didn't look so happy.

"Your fearless sacrifice is commendable." She looked at Edim approvingly, but her words were full of sarcasm. "But who are you to make decisions for your brothers in the church?"

"I can see that you are favored by the heavens, knight." The woman lowered her voice. Now she was like a lazy cobra, surrounding four immobile white mice. "Perhaps you can escape from me, but can your brothers in the church also?"

Everyone could tell she was trying to provoke them, but no one contradicted her.

"Of course, you can give it a try. But now all your energy has been supplied to this half-dead corpse. I don't know if I can defeat the four of you combined. But before I die, it should be no problem to take away two of you. Do any of you want to give it a try?"

The Knight Commander and the elderly female priest who hadn't sung changed expression. They knew the enemy was telling the truth. Furthermore, even if they managed to survive, Judith, without the healing power, would still surely die. It would be no different from simply giving up.

"Mr. Knight," the woman said, sensing the Knight Commander's authority, "she decided to remove another brick from the crumbling tower. "I believe you are protecting all these people. Now that the Perfect People have lost a bishop, can you afford to lose five more powerful pillars of the church tonight?"

Judging from the Knight Commander's reaction, she knew she had hit a sore spot.

In this world, everyone possesses magical powers. However, those who awaken to become true spellcasters are invariably elite. Regardless of the deity's church, the vast majority of clergy lack spellcasting abilities. Even in a major city like Emerald Harbor, the number of individuals who have earned the favor of the Perfect One and performed miracles of healing is no more than twenty.

Cold sweat soaked the Knight Commander's shirt, and his increasingly depleted strength caused a throbbing headache. If it were emotionally charged, he would have chosen to abandon Judith, a burden, without hesitation. The healers here were all brothers and sisters he had known for a long time. Even if a bossy, ordinary person gained prominence for a while, he would never be able to match his brothers in the church.

However, he couldn't be scared off by a few words like a coward. He would be burdened not only with guilt but also with endless accountability.

"I'll stay here to maintain the magic circle. You guys leave quickly," Edimu said startlingly. He looked the woman straight in the eye. "I'll hold her back. You go gather the knights. We'll definitely be able to rescue Lady Green Harbor in time."

He hadn't said anything else, but everyone present understood that Edim had decided to use his life to stop the enemy.

The Knight Commander even felt a secret sense of relief. Ultimately, this burden was no longer his to bear. One Stigmata Knight remained, and whether or not Judith was saved, it would be enough to give an account to the Archbishop.

Without further ado, he decisively pulled his hand away and helped the pastor, who had been kneeling for a long time, to his feet. Others followed suit.

Every time a healer left their post, the cocoon of light grew thinner. After the last priest left the circle, Edim could no longer hold on. He landed on one hand, gasping for breath.

The Knight Commander put his feet together, saluted Edim solemnly, and promised, "Hold on, child. We'll be back soon."

Then he took the healer and walked away backwards while staring at the woman vigilantly.

"Edim..." Seeing the others leave, Judith called out softly because of Edim's heroic act. Her eyes were filled with tears, not knowing whether it was fear or emotion. "I don't know, I don't know how you feel about me... I always thought you had no feelings for me."

"Edim..." the woman parroted Judith's tone. "Run, little knight. Your companions are gone. You won't be able to hold on until they come back to save you."

The knight wanted to answer, but he tried several times and couldn't open his mouth. The invisible burden almost completely defeated him.

"You...get...away from me!"

Edim roared angrily. A roaring silver gale erupted from him, sending the woman flying.

The knight fell to his knees, the stigmata burning his shoulders. Sweat dripped into his eyes, making it almost impossible for him to see the enemy.

The woman was practically blown back into the tunnel she had come from. When she stood up, wisps of black smoke were coming out of her body, her skin was burning, and a being with lighter skin and darker hair walked out of the human skin.

"Dear Edim," Hopper's smile was as familiar as ever. "It's been a long time since we last met."

"Oh, and you, silly Judith. You look like you're dying of stupidity."

Judith looked at the perfect demon in disbelief. Anger and shame almost made her faint again. She turned to look at Edim, hoping to see that the knight was as angry as he was.

"It was you," said Edim, looking more confused than angry. "You arranged the assassin? What do you want?"

Hopper swung her sword into a flower, shedding the last trace of her human form. She spread her wings and gracefully walked towards the knight. Edimu couldn't help but blink. Even though it wasn't his first time seeing her, he was still amazed by the demon's obvious evil and beauty.

"No, dear." The voice of the succubus was much deeper than her human form, causing the knight's eardrums to vibrate with numbness. "I assure you, I never orchestrated the assassination of Judith."

Judith snorted in disgust and said, "The devil always wears sheep's clothing."

She came closer and closer, her almost white skin as bright as moonlight. Ignoring Judith's glare, the succubus squatted down and stared at the knight sitting cross-legged.

"So you simply want to insult a perfect person?"

The succubus laughed at his naiveté.

"No, no, no, dear, I'm here to collect a debt."

Chapter 165 The Knight's Answer

The knight looked even more confused. "What debt? Do I owe you anything?"

"Of course it's Judith's soul. Now that she has Eichmann's approval, perhaps her value will increase."

"No, you can't," the knight said calmly, even with a hint of laughter in his voice. "We have a bet, and I'm betting my soul..."

"I bet you can save Judith's soul within a year," Hopper finished for him, then threw up his hands. "Alas, I've decided not to take this bet."

Hearing this, Judith's eyes widened, and her face changed from disgust to deep fear. She murmured to herself: "No, you can't, you can't hurt me..."

Hopper shrugged, ignoring Edim's murderous gaze, and sat down beside him, shielding the knight with her wings like a neighbor's sister. But the words that came out of her mouth made the two of them feel like they were in an icy cave.

"Of course I can't hurt you directly, stupid Judith. But I don't need to attack you. For you now, I just need to..."

She stretched out her slender white hand and grasped the wrist that Edim had been holding on the magic circle.

"All I need is..." she repeated, glancing triumphantly at Judith, "one gentle pull, and you're in hell."

"After all, what can you possibly do to stop me? An incompetent poet who can barely move?"

Judith's face, pale from excessive blood loss, quickly lost the last bit of color.

"You did this on purpose. You cheated all the healers. That was your goal." Edim's eyes were red with anger. He understood the purpose of the Lust Demon's performance. "I won't let you succeed."

Hopper's face turned cold, which made the knight's heart skip a beat.

"Your defense of her disgusts me, Knight," she snapped coldly, "Your stubborn behavior has already devalued your soul!"

"What do you think you're upholding? Kindness? Or justice?" Hopper's rebuke fell like an icy rainstorm. "Your limbs are paralyzed, your companions have fled, your god and his followers are nothing but villains who exploit the weak and commit crimes. Did you stop this foolish woman when she showed off her power in front of the aliens? Did you stand up for your fellow believers when they drove the halflings off the land? Has your kindness made the world a better place?"

The knight was stunned. Hopper's words touched upon his most hidden concerns. Did he really have the ability to save others? Did he really have the courage to say no to all the injustice?

The demon smiled cruelly, she knew she had won.

Edim was one of the most authentic paladins she had ever met. What was particularly remarkable was that his faith lay in goodness itself, not in any particular deity. Her words wouldn't be enough to convince him, but she could certainly interrogate him.

And he himself seems to be unaware of the faith. Hopper only needs to wait for an opportunity when his belief in God conflicts with his advocacy of goodness, and then his soul will go to hell.

The succubus stood up and faced Judith. She still had some time to play with her prey before those cowards could call for help.

Looking at Judith's increasingly terrified eyes, Hopper drew her sword and took the first step. However, a sharp pain prevented her from taking the second step.

She looked down and saw that the magic circle had drained all of Edim's strength, and he couldn't even stand up. But he chose to open his mouth and bite the demon's thigh.