38 - Trapped

[Multiple Icy Blades]

In a street in the northern part of Harbor Town, Jenny spread her hands, and a dense array of diamond-shaped ice blades quickly materialized in the void, flying like locusts towards the guards blocking their path.

Amidst the wails of agony, several guards who couldn't dodge in time met their demise, but more soldiers armed with shields had already surrounded them.

Jenny clenched her white teeth, pulling her sword to parry a guard's long spear. She then took the opportunity to rush forward, twirling her blade to sever her opponent's neck. Blood spurted out, but at the same moment, another guard swung a longsword toward her.

The sharp blade gleamed before her eyes, but after fighting continuously for half an hour, the young girl had already depleted her physical and magical stamina. She had no strength left to turn and defend against the incoming longsword.

Fortunately, at that moment, a fierce camel-like creature charged out, instantly toppling the guard to the ground. Seated atop the creature, Dove immediately blew the wooden flute in her hand.

The circling flock of grey crows in the sky, as if guided by her, went berserk, diving at the shielded soldiers.

Sharp talons and beaks clawed and pecked at unprotected faces and necks, but they were just palm-sized birds. Despite their efforts, they struggled to inflict fatal wounds.

Taking advantage of this opening, the two of them had already shifted to another direction. Dove's face had grown paler, her hands weakly bracing against the camel-like creature, relying on it to move forward.

Jenny looked at her with great concern and sighed silently.

"It seems I owe you an apology this time, Dove!"

"I never expected that we'd not only fail to rescue Karl but also fall into the Church's trap..."

Jenny conjured a fireball to temporarily drive back the pursuing guards, and she was beginning to regret her decision.

It wasn't that she regretted trying to save Karl, but she regretted involving Dove in this mess.

A few days ago, upon learning that the Church had arrested Devil Worshippers and was preparing to execute them after Moonrise, Jenny had the idea of a prison break.

But with only her strength, she was too weak and had no chance of success. Dove's psychic magic was incredibly useful in this situation, allowing her to gather information, create chaos, or distract enemies by controlling creatures.

Jenny had planned the entire rescue mission based on this. She had Dove send crows carrying fire seeds to ignite important places like the granary, drawing the attention of the guards and causing chaos, before breaking into the prison to rescue the prisoners.

However, once they had started the operation, Jenny realized how mistaken she had been. The guards of Harbor Town were already well-prepared and their reactions were lightning-fast.

It seemed they had walked right into the trap set by the Church.

"No, it's me... I came here willingly." Despite trembling with fear, Dove, huddled on the camel-like creature, clenched her teeth and spoke.

She was terrified of death, but she also knew that it was Lynn's sacrifice that allowed them to escape the castle and live. So when Dove learned of the plan to rescue Lynn, Dove resolutely followed her.

The two young witches exchanged a glance, seeing the determination in each other's eyes. Jenny's grip on her longsword tightened as she encouraged Dove.

"Their assault is weakening. We might still have a slim chance to escape."

Dove nodded, tears glistening in her eyes, but she quickly put the wooden flute back to her lips and played it again.

The once formidable flock of crows, which had filled the sky, had dwindled to a hundred or so after several rounds of attacks. They could barely carry out reconnaissance tasks and couldn't distract the enemy any longer.

Almost all the pressure of direct combat had fallen on Jenny.

As if her prayers had been answered, the number of guards surrounding them began to decrease, and the intensity of their attacks noticeably waned. No one was attempting to charge at them fiercely anymore.

However, Jenny's expression grew increasingly grave. According to the information Dove had gathered, the soldiers had gradually encircled them, leaving only one escape route.

If they deviated from this path, they would face an unending wall of shields and a formation of swords. Even the most explosive fireball spell would struggle to break through.

Was the enemy toying with them, or were they planning an encirclement?

Jenny didn't know, but she was well aware that stopping would mean death. Continuing to run might offer a slim chance of survival, however faint that hope might be.

At the very least... she had to get Dove to safety.

Just as she was thinking this, Dove, seated on the camel-like creature beside her, suddenly began to tremble violently and shouted in terror. "It's Archbishop Anluke, the High Bishop of Norderland! He's here, just... just to our right!"

Jenny hesitated for a moment, then turned to see a dazzling white light rapidly charging towards them.

That was a second-tier divine spell, [Holy Light Impact]

[Frost Barrier]

Jenny managed to create an ice crystal wall with her right hand in front of her just in time, but the overwhelming white light was almost upon them!

The hastily cast first-tier protective magic appeared fragile under the power of the divine spell. It burst after just one or two seconds, and the tremendous force instantly sent Jenny and Dove, who were seated on the camel-like creature, flying.

Jenny hit the ground heavily, a sharp pain in her chest. A trickle of blood ran down her mouth, but she didn't have the luxury of caring about her own pain. She climbed up from the ground in a sorry state, positioning herself in front of Dove and glaring in the direction of the oncoming white light.

Steady footsteps approached from a distance. Amid the scattered ice crystals and dust, an elderly figure dressed in a gilded robe, flanked by a group of priests, appeared before them.

His mere presence exuded an indescribable sense of oppression...

Jenny's pupils contracted. Although the man before them had undergone significant changes in appearance and his age didn't match, she instantly recognized him based on his identity, attire, and Dove's warning.

The person before them was Archbishop Anluke!

The scene of being pursued in Ur Town was still fresh in her mind. His strength and terror needed no description. It was not something that a few apprentice witches like them could contend with.

What made Jenny even more desperate was that several figures appeared on their left as well. The one leading them was young, with a solemn face, and judging by their attire, they seemed to be a priest from the Church.

Both sides soon formed a circular formation, completely enclosing Jenny and Dove.

At this moment, Jenny and Dove were like birds trapped in a cage, with any possibility of escape entirely cut off!