Chapter Fifty-Five: The Rift (Part Two)

Grant and the Revolutionary Army originally did not attract the Church’s attention. Situated on the border with the orcs and located in the impoverished mountainous region of South Ktexibius within the orcish lands, even if there were theoretically travelers from other worlds, the Church was unlikely to devote significant manpower and resources to investigate. More often, their focus remained on human territories or other regions influential to the continent’s political landscape. Thus, at first, Grant’s presence in the Gaul region went unnoticed by the Church.

However, everything changed when the Revolutionary Army and Grant made a stunning breakthrough, repelling the defending forces of Landis and capturing Gaul City. This victory caught the Church’s eye, especially the Tribunal, which wielded extensive autonomous authority over heresy trials. Despite internal opposition—some argued that Grant’s actions objectively benefited the Church by tying down Landia, and a few even suggested temporarily courting him to jointly attack Landia—the current head of the Tribunal, a resolute hardliner, refused to tolerate heresy or apostasy and was determined to dispatch an enforcement squad.

Those within the Church who believed Grant could be leveraged delayed the Tribunal’s full intervention, requesting support under the pretense of an imminent campaign against Landia. Consequently, the Third Enforcement Squad was sent with only a small detachment. Since Grant led the Revolutionary Army, the Tribunal’s chief did not explicitly order this squad to execute him immediately upon confirming his apostasy or heresy, but rather to prioritize investigation. This was not out of fear of Grant’s forces—who were numerous—but because deploying only a small unit to eliminate such a powerful adversary would be overestimating their capabilities.

Yet, the Third Enforcement Squad thought differently. Having just completed a successful mission in the north, they were surprised to be reassigned to the wild borderlands with the orcs. Upon learning their task was to investigate an apostate, they harbored intentions to eliminate the target outright. This approach would avoid a second trip after confirming the target and demonstrate their prowess beyond the Cardinal Council’s mandate, which only required investigation. Within the Tribunal, defying orders was not forbidden if the results surpassed expectations. Failure meant harsh punishment for challenging authority, but success made one a hero, a paragon of unwavering devotion to God. The Tribunal cared only about results, not process, and any means to achieve the goal were permissible.

Historically, the enforcement squads—empowered by the Church and rigorously trained—rarely encountered unmanageable foes. Even during the Lionheart Rebellion over a decade ago, they cooperated with the Cardinal Council to quash the revolt, despite suffering heavy losses that nearly disbanded two squads. Thus, the Third Enforcement Squad, upon receiving their assignment, resolved to complete the mission decisively by killing the apostate.

They first assisted Bishop Child in Valencia by assassinating Martin, then, pursued by local guards, fled swiftly to the Gaul region. After investigating Grant’s background and deeds, they concluded he was likely a traveler from another world and began planning his elimination.

Yet, with the Revolutionary Army controlling Gaul, assassinating Grant was no easy task. They had to wait patiently until an opportunity arose. When Grant left Gaul City to inspect cannon casting and, due to Hegel, ventured alone into the remote forest, the Third Enforcement Squad finally moved.

Unaware of the prior conversation between Wei Wuji and the traveler, the squad seized the moment when Grant was deeply engaged in combat with Wei Wuji—a perfect chance to strike.

The Inquisitors unleashed the Binding Decree to immobilize Grant completely, while three enforcement officers struck with full force. One weakened his magical resistance, and the other two launched divine attacks. This tactic proved highly effective. Under the Binding Decree, reducing magical resistance was certain to succeed, and once the level-four divine spell took effect, the subsequent Shining Net and Light of Heaven attacks became at least one tier more devastating.

Such coordinated tactics were a hallmark of the enforcement squads, especially in ambush scenarios. Individually, no Inquisitor could kill such powerful foes outright, but together, they often succeeded. They were masters of killing, striking with lethal precision, fueled by their faith—these Tribunal enforcers and inquisitors spared no effort to accomplish their mission.

Yet, they underestimated Grant. Despite the onslaught, he only faltered for a breath’s length. Though the Shining Net and Light of Heaven enveloped him, striking accurately, at the last moment a fierce battle aura erupted from him, drastically weakening the spells’ effects. The remaining damage was almost negligible, thanks to his extraordinary Dragon Elephant Prajna technique.

Still, there remained chances to kill Grant. For instance, Wei Wuji, who had been fighting Grant, could have intervened decisively. Grant was now burdened with defending against this sudden assassination attempt. Though his aura was formidable, if Wei Wuji struck fully, he was the only one on the battlefield capable of dealing him serious harm.

Fortunately, Wei Wuji did not act. Proud as a Golden Core-level cultivator, his pride would not allow him to exploit such a moment. Both he and Grant were confident in their ability to defeat each other fairly.

Instead, Wei Wuji chose to capture another traveler—Mr. Hegel. Yet, even without Wei Wuji’s intervention, one of the enforcement officers had cast the Shining Net, an area-effect attack. With Grant restrained by Wei Wuji and immobilized by the Binding Decree, the momentary pause left Hegel unprotected. The Shining Net’s power, indifferent to collateral damage, inevitably struck him, posing a fatal threat despite not being the primary target.

When Wei Wuji seized Hegel, he found the man’s life force nearly extinguished, his bodily functions severely compromised. Unlike Grant or Wei Wuji, this traveler had no exceptional abilities beyond some military knowledge—his cultivation was no different from an ordinary person.

The Shining Net had already ravaged most of his vitality. Unless a top-tier divine spell, white magic, or some arcane technique could sustain his life, or Wei Wuji extended his time through some art, survival was impossible. But Wei Wuji intended to kill him; as long as this moment passed, even the highest divine magic could not save him.

It was clear Wei Wuji would not save him. Hegel knew this too, feeling his life ebbing away. Struggling, he forced out his final words:

“Please, tell Sisley I am not her father. My name is Gao Minghui…”

Even in his fleeting last moments, the traveler named Gao Minghui looked at Wei Wuji with hopeful eyes, longing for an answer.

Wei Wuji nodded faintly, but before any response came, life slipped away completely, leaving only a corpse in his grasp.