Publicly execute a witch?
As the young envoy spoke those words, the scholars below instantly fell into chaos.
Those with background and influence immediately realized how absurd this sounded. According to the Holy Tribunal Church's traditions spanning tens of thousands of years, when encountering a witch, there were only two outcomes: kill her outright, or capture her and turn her into a Holy Grail. Publicly executing a witch who had already been brought under control was something that had never happened before.
It was pure self-harm with no benefit.
On the other hand, many of the younger scholars didn't find it strange at all. After all, whenever a catastrophe struck, didn't nobles always randomly pick innocent girls, label them witches, and burn them alive? In their eyes, what this young envoy planned to do was probably no different.
Casting a forbidden spell… and executing a witch? This guy's tone is really something, Hel thought to herself, while secretly activating her appraisal ability on him.
But the moment the information surfaced before her eyes, she saw the young envoy shoot a vicious glance in their direction. Immediately after, an overwhelmingly domineering wave of spiritual pressure crashed down upon them.
In an instant, the scholars around Hel all let out muffled groans—some even spat out mouthfuls of blood. The girls beside Hel collapsed unconscious one after another.
Seeing this, Hel quickly pretended to react like everyone else, coughing up a mouthful of blood as well. With some effort, she pulled the girls beside her into her arms.
The young envoy's voice grew even colder.
"It seems that someone felt curious about my identity while I was wearing the Eight-Winged Angel Mantle, and even dared to use a detection-type spell on me without restraint."
As he spoke, he deliberately swept his gaze over Hel's direction. Whether or not he had identified who was spying on him was unclear—after a single glance, he withdrew his eyes.
"Or perhaps the people of your three empires have been protected for too long on this blessed land of the Southern Continent, and have lost their reverence for the strong. If that's the case, then I'll generously enlighten you as to who I am."
As he said this, the young envoy once again casually glanced toward Hel, clearly still unwilling to give up his suspicion.
"I am John Remedy—Head of the Anti-Witch Department (Death Division) of the Papal Academy, the youngest professor of the Holy Tribunal Church in the past thousand years. The purpose of my visit is not only to completely resolve this plague, but also to personally send the witch who created it into her grave.
"So I do not wish for anyone to drag their feet while my plan is being carried out. If anyone does—whether intentionally or not—believe me, I will send that fool's entire family straight to hell along with them."
As he spoke, John released his spiritual pressure without restraint.
In an instant, everyone inside and outside the church—scholars and clergy alike—was crushed so hard they couldn't lift their heads. Even Irina, who was also at the Saint-tier, felt her heart pound in fear under this terrifying pressure.
As the pressure intensified, many people were forced to their knees.
But there were a few exceptions.
Hiness and the others had already been knocked unconscious earlier, now sitting slumped against the wall with Hel supporting them. As for Hel herself—she was naturally sitting there with them as well.
She had noticed that John's pressure only became truly overwhelming above one meter off the ground. Below that height, its strength dropped sharply. Even weaklings like Hiness and the others could endure it without much trouble.
It was likely intentional. After all, he still needed these scholars to work for him.
John cleared his throat and spoke loudly again.
"Ahem. Now, I'll explain the task assignments."
He proceeded to divide the plan into more than a dozen departments based on his needs. Even students like Hel's group, who were only there to fill seats, were assigned tasks such as corpse disposal or disaster refugee coordination.
Because Hel had subtly demonstrated some alchemical skill, she was even assigned to help refine node materials for the forbidden spell array.
This single move left her roommates utterly stunned.
As Hiness put it:
"We all came here to slack off as useless bystanders, but Hel, you secretly went and started competing internally behind our backs."
As for the others—Hiness's status was too sensitive, so she couldn't leave Savant City. Leflina was assigned to help resettle refugees around Savant. Only Tina didn't join them, because she still had to work for Hel.
…
That night, John summoned old Chui-de to the church.
Without any pleasantries, the moment he saw him, John issued an order in a commanding tone:
"Within one month, bring the Holy Grail of the Healing Witch here."
"B-bring it here?"
Chui-de froze. A bad premonition surged in his heart—one that had appeared the moment John spoke of publicly executing a witch.
"Is there a problem?" John raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased by Chui-de's hesitation.
"W-well, Lord Envoy… wasn't it agreed that the Healing Witch would be imprisoned in Chui-de City, and that the healing potions would serve as our reward for guarding her?" Chui-de asked carefully, terrified of angering the man before him, yet equally afraid of the unbearable loss the Chui-de royal family would suffer if they handed the Healing Witch over.
John clearly had no intention of wasting time arguing.
With a flick of his hand, a terrifying force of spiritual power condensed into an invisible giant hand, lifting Chui-de straight off the ground.
Watching Chui-de's legs flail helplessly, John's voice turned icy.
"Remember this: this is an order. I am not asking for your opinion. Either you bring the Healing Witch here within one month, or the Chui-de Kingdom will be wiped out. Do you understand?"
"Y-yes, my lord."
John released his grip. Chui-de crashed to the floor in a sorry state, but he didn't dare complain. He scrambled up immediately, bowing repeatedly as he accepted the order.
"York, go with him. Make sure the Healing Witch is brought here alive."
"Yes, young master."
The elderly papal envoy who had accompanied John nodded, grabbed Chui-de by the collar, and dragged him out.
Only after the two had left did John fall into deep thought once more.
According to the Church's investigation, there were no powerful individuals in that direction during the day, nor anyone suspicious near the church…So how exactly did that person evade my detection?