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  "Is Mr. Xi the wizard of Sai Er?" Hours passed, and Sai Er's expression was still one of astonishment mixed with incredulity, constantly muttering to himself: "How could he possibly be a person from the Red Robe Society?"

  "He himself has acknowledged it, and even our friend Anel Stfan didn't deny it." Saint Warrior Kamajo spread his hands: "You don't have to worry too much either, after all the witches won't do anything to him."

  "The problem isn't here... The problem is, Mr. Xien doesn't seem like an evil and sinister red-robed mage at all." The Holy Warrior said: "He has the chivalry and bravery of a knight, he absolutely can't be a bad person."

  Sera's face flushed as she recalled the events of that night, and her heart's image of the calm, gentle, and peaceful young man began to distort.

  As a follower of Tyr, regarding the most NB evil organizations on Faerun, such as the Cult of the Dragon, Harpers, Zhentarim, and Shadowmasters, one must do some homework. For the Red Wizards, who hold sway over an entire nation with their powerful rogue government, it is especially important to study them thoroughly. What kind of people are these Red Wizards? Selene had heard all sorts of rumors since she was a child and already had a certain impression.

  But upon learning of this news, the impression she had of him and the image of Penny Xien in her heart both collapsed and became blurred. This feeling left her at a loss - just not long ago, she still regarded him as an idol and role model.

  "Ciel is a big place, and all sorts of people can be found there. Even in the darkest regions, you might find freaks like Crystel. As followers of Til, we have to acknowledge that not everyone in that country is beyond salvation." Kamajyo spread his hands: "However, you should know that this organization's line of action is completely hostile towards us, and more importantly, we're also unclear about what Mr. Sien's true purpose is."

  "What could he possibly want?" Serra thought to retort, but suddenly found herself at a loss for words. Indeed, Penn had said nothing more than that he was going to investigate the Church of the Unseen, and now a red-robed adept appeared beside Serra, who couldn't help but think of other possibilities.

  "Ciela, don't forget what Lady Oslou told us just now. The demon worshipped by this Heartless cult is the same one that was released from underground in Alberta 40 years ago by the red-robed wizard, and the entire Heartless organization has an inseparable relationship with you."

  Kamajyo continued: "The Red Cloaks will have to take responsibility for this, and it seems they're still in cahoots with that demon..."

  Forty years ago, a major accident occurred in the capital of Sel, Alberta. At that time, the deceased Chief Sazastan was still carefully concealing his own witch body - except for a few chiefs and red-robed wizards who would know this secret, but after that night, all of this could no longer be hidden.

  Beneath Alberta lies a portal to another dimension, where a powerful demon is imprisoned deep within the realm. It's said that this demon was once a defeated Lord of the Abyss, and its power has been almost completely drained due to its long imprisonment. Xazastan wants to enslave it by creating a spell... Originally, this was a surefire plan, but unexpectedly, it ended in failure.

  "Witch, don't think you can control me!"

  That night, the angry roar came from the underground waterway and shook the entire Alberta province. Then an earthquake occurred in the upper echelons of the Red Robe Wizard Association, causing a great loss to Sazastan's reputation. He went into seclusion for a long time and his authority never returned to its peak.

  This demon escaped from the seal and has been in hiding ever since. A long time has passed, and many people thought it had returned to the abyss, but they didn't think it was possible for it to still be lingering in the material world.

  So the controller of the Unintentional Church is this guy, really isn't something that anyone would think of.

  Serra listened to Kama's words, originally with her personality, senior's teachings, she would definitely listen humbly, but now she only felt annoyed and couldn't hear a word.

  At the same time, she found that her trust in Penny Xien had been shaken, although it was a matter of course, but she felt annoyed and regretful about it.

  "In short, apprentice warriors, every person walking on Ferrum wears a mask to some extent, and everything is a disguise until we thoroughly recognize each other's true face. We must discern the truth and never be easily deceived." Kamael patted Sera's head: "This is the necessary vigilance of a Holy Warrior."

  "Alert?" Sierra recalled the scene by the river that night, her face gradually turning red. She thought she was sober and didn't believe Penny Sien would wear a mask that night, but the fact that he came from Ser still made her at a loss, even starting to distrust herself.

  "Why don't I go ask Mr. Xien myself?" Sara thought for a moment, her eyes gradually becoming determined: "Maybe he's hiding something, but I absolutely don't believe he's been pretending all along!"

  ……

  Not long ago, the witches were also discussing:

  "Lottis sister, you are so wise, and yet you recognized that traitor so easily."

  The witch sitting in the chairman's seat smiled indifferently, her eyes still profound.

  "But why are you letting him off?" Fourth-ranked Oslou, Babusha with a somewhat ill temper furrowed her brow: "Didn't you just say that the Unintentional Teachings were the Red Robe Mages' doing? It's clearly related to this little spy who's about to put on the red robe."

  "No, no, no, my dear sister, the internal affairs of our southern neighbors are not what we can imagine." Another witch, Norita, shook her head.

  "Those guys won't understand what unity means even after going through ten more years of bloody battles." Babusha hummed, "Besides, I don't think they can last that long."

  "Alright, you two sisters, how are you planning to deal with this red-robed apprentice? I feel that he doesn't have any hostile intentions." Norita shook her head.

  "No hostility? I also felt that he didn't seem to have any hostile intentions, but the Red Robe Mages are our sworn enemies and a considerable part of the predicament we're facing now is due to their meddling." Babushka sneered, turning to face Ouslo: "Sister, we should adopt some strict measures to deal with this spy."

  The Grandmaster Osleroth gazed calmly at Babusha for a moment, then turned to the silent Elder Oekruth: "Elder of the Madirian Forest, why do you remain silent?"

  "Hmm... just now, someone here told me to shut up." The elder stroked his beard and said this while glancing at Babusha, whose expression had become awkward.

  The big witch smiled:

  "Hehe... Don't take your straightforward sister's words to heart, elder, what are your thoughts?"

  "What's your take?" Oakley paused, tapping his cane: "I don't know what his purpose is either, but one undeniable fact is that he saved my life and the lives of all the villagers at Madilgan Outpost."

  "Is that so? Then there's no reason to be hard on him." The Great Witch waved her hand, about to speak, but heard Babushka say in a loud voice from the side:

  "Ladies and gentlemen, we are in a difficult situation and cannot let go of a sensitive person easily."

  "Returning kindness with malice isn't the style of the Witches' Association, no matter who the person is." Eurukrus grumbled: "Witch's Chamber, I know you have a vendetta against Sel, but please don't let your hatred interfere with Laisserman's principles."

  "I'm telling you again, Okuru, the elder has no right to discuss politics!" Babusha shouted.

  "Silence!" The Chief Witch banged on the table, and the noisy voices subsided. The Chief Witch opened her eyes, revealing the bloodshot threads that betrayed her fatigue and exhaustion. Since the internal strife broke out, countless absurdities had emerged within the witches' coven. At this critical juncture of internal turmoil and external threats, the Sixth Oslou had fallen, and even the wise and experienced Chief Witch, who had sat in the chief position for twenty years, felt drained of energy. Amidst her frazzled state, seeing the quarrel before her only added to her sense of mental and physical exhaustion.

  How did it come to this, that such a trivial matter could cause such a commotion, and that such an insignificant and weak apprentice of the law could make these tightly wound nerves so tense?

  "Everyone," Osler sighed, "if our southern neighbors were to see us now, they would be astonished, for they would find that we have contracted their evil habits."

  Barbara's anger suddenly subsided, and she sat back in her seat after a moment of stunned silence: "I'm very sorry... Sister Lottis, but... please think thrice before acting."

  "Very well, let this guest from Sel stay for the time being until our troubles are over and then we can send him away. After all, it has been a long time since we have had any formal wars, there is no need to be overly extreme in dealing with every person from Sel." The chief witch nodded her head, making the final decision.

  "Your wisdom will bring stability to the witches' coven, Great Othos." Okkros the elder said sincerely.

  "Since you have vouched for this guest's character, then please take responsibility for his affairs."

  The elder nodded slightly and accepted this appointment.

  "And then the witch started on the next topic: 'So let's discuss the matter of Mu Shengti...'"

  ……

  For Penny, these topics were too far away from him. He was now in a corner of the village with several old and worn-out masks of elderly women staring at each other. After the initial shock passed, there wasn't much fear left in his heart.

  Perhaps it was the excessive disguise of time that made him too confident, so when his identity was pierced, he was a little stunned. However, thinking carefully, this is also a matter of course. He can't expect everyone in the witch's temple to be fools, and having his identity pierced is not unacceptable.

  As for the consequences, since it wasn't something he could decide on, he didn't need to rack his brains over it. At most, when the timing was bad, he would think of a way to escape. And Okerus wasn't someone who didn't understand reason either. He thought he wouldn't receive any cruel treatment, and in fact, that was almost true - if the ones standing before him weren't these several grey-haired hags but rather gentle and lovely young maidens instead.

  "Listen up, Serb, don't you dare wander around, or I'll turn you into an idiot." An old witch threatened him viciously.

  Pang Ni Man nodded unintentionally, sat on the ground with a hum, and suddenly a voice came from the side: "Hey! Kid, can you hear me? I'm on the left, the left!"

  Pannie turned his head to see a minstrel several tens of feet away winking at him, while another message came: "Alright, kid, listen up, I'll summon a group of monsters to divert their attention later, then you take the chance to escape, got it?"

  Pannie felt a little relieved, having received the last message about the Heartless from the witch. He also confirmed that he didn't need to stay any longer, and it was really great to have someone's help. So, without leaving any trace, he turned his head back, nodded slightly, and when he looked up again, he saw another person appearing in front of him:

  "Mr. O'Kruk?"

  "This... dear guest, I'm afraid Laisserman is in a sensitive period." Eurukrus's expression seemed somewhat embarrassed: "We can only ask you to stay here for the time being."

  "It doesn't matter." Penny smiled after receiving the message from the bard: "I can understand."

  "It's great that you can understand." A look of relief appeared on Elder Okerus' face, but he hesitated for a moment, as if there was something else to say: "However, Panni, may I call you that?"

  "Of course, elder sir, is there anything you'd like to advise me?" Panni asked.

  "I think, four hundred years ago, the Letheman witches and the Red Robes were not so different... It's just that later they betrayed their faith in good beauty..." Ocrus spoke slowly, as if considering his words: "Panni, I'm thinking of saying, are you willing to abandon that bottomless Ser, or... take a different path. As you know, I am an elder of Letheman, and I have not yet found a successor."

  He then stared straight at Panni, whose face was full of strange expressions.

  "Elder." Panni coughed, also receiving the gaze of several other witches: "Am I to understand that you are trying to persuade me to defect from the Red Robe Society?"

  "Not bad, Penny. You clearly know what kind of place that is. Although we haven't been together for long, I know a kid like you would be very clear-headed about it not being the right place for you." Seeing that Penny didn't seem to care, Oakley persuaded her.

  "Elder, don't waste your breath on him, the Ser people deserve to suffocate in a ditch." The interrupting witch seemed to have a grudge against the Ser people, her tone was sharp and venomous.

  Ou Kui Si rubbed his nose and turned around: "Anyway, you should think it over carefully."

  What's on your mind?

  Panny curled his lip, indeed Ocrus's suggestion was a great temptation to him, but could he leave Sel? Spend the rest of his life being hunted by the Red Cloak madman? And there were Zhan Hua and Xi Ke...

  He sighed and pinched the gold coins in his tight pocket.

  He is not an easy man to shake.

  Heaving a sigh, he raised his head and suddenly saw the minstrel winking at him from not far away. His heart tightened as he knew the minstrel was ready to make his move, and the perfect moment to escape had arrived.

  "Mr. Xiān..." Just then, a hesitant voice came from beside him, Pan Ni turned his head and saw that the spirited holy warrior girl looked somewhat downcast.

  "What's wrong? You don't look too good." Penny smiled, and the girl's heart skipped a beat. Just this one smile, just like that night, was warm enough to make her feel even more convinced that her intuition was correct.

  "Mr. Xiān has never been one for deception; he's in the Red Robe Society, there must be a reason."

  The girl thought so and raised her head to say: "Mr. Xixien... you..."

  Beep! —— Beep beep beep beep!

  "Battle stations! Enemy attack!"

  The war horn of the Berserker burst out with a sharp sound, Pennie frowned and thought secretly that the bard had made a big fuss.

  He was soon aghast, for around the village appeared a dense throng of goblins and wolf-riders, with larger and more savage monsters looming in the background, all manner of creatures wildly charging into the village, slaughtering anyone who stood in their way. Soon, wails and blood filled the entire village!

  Moreover, a chaotic fog enveloped the small village from all sides. In just a few breaths, Penny couldn't see anything around her!

  A shrill, blood-curdling scream, a bloody, gruesome head rolled to his feet, the Holy Warrior bellowed in rage, drew his sword and leapt forward, blocking the giant blade of the wolf-like man with his own. His body was knocked flying by the counterforce into Penny's, who stumbled and fell to the ground, scrambling wildly for a moment before struggling back to her feet.

  It had come to this point and he realized that it was absolutely impossible for a troubadour's trick!

  The village was attacked!

  "Get out of here, fast!" Panni felt the fog, obviously caused by magic, start to clog his senses and yelled, grabbing hold of Saint Warrior who was still trying to charge forward, turning around and running!

  ……

  Looking for recommendations, it's rare for a Monday holiday, so I'll stay at home and write more.

  To correct the previous text, Zhan Hua Shi is 'Ring Master', not 'High-level Ring Master'. This mistake has been corrected. Old friends are notified, and new readers can ignore this notice.

  Moreover, Fish is very clear about what he writes. It may not satisfy everyone's taste, but it's absolutely not self-contradictory.