Humans always have a natural psychological reliance on familiar things. This stems from a survival instinct engraved deep within their genes since ancient times.
This psychological mechanism causes humans to subconsciously choose things they already recognize when faced with unknown dangers, because familiarity itself represents, “I once safely lived through this.”
Even if those familiar things are not necessarily safe now, the human brain will always tend to choose the known path over a completely unknown territory.
But Greg now deeply regretted following this damn instinct.
Carrying Wendy, he had run all the way, subconsciously choosing a route he was familiar with when deciding on an escape path—namely, the direction of the slums.
He had secretly followed Victoria here once before, so he had a decent understanding of the surrounding alleys. Indeed, using the complex terrain, he had quickly shaken off the knights pursuing him.
However, he never expected that while this familiar path allowed him to lose his pursuers, it would lead him straight into three people far more troublesome than any knights.
To make matters worse, a large number of Demon King Cultists were currently gathering in the surrounding alleys. Heavy footsteps and chaotic shouts echoed from all directions, drawing closer and closer.
There was no way he could abandon the three of them and flee alone now; that would be far too disgraceful.
But if he stayed to fight alongside them, how was he supposed to explain why he had specifically raided the execution grounds to rescue Wendy?
As Greg's mind raced, trying to come up with a plausible excuse, a crisp voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Hey, who is this suspicious guy? Are you one of those Demon King Cultists too?”
Lilith stood with her hands on her hips, her red ponytail swaying behind her head. She tilted her chin up slightly, sizing Greg up with a scrutinizing gaze.
Her crimson eyes were filled with vigilance and hostility, as if she would not hesitate to slap a fireball onto his face the moment he said the wrong word.
Although her intent was to interrogate him, it served as a reminder to Greg. He realized he was still wearing a face cloth, meaning they shouldn't be able to recognize him!
But then he realized a new problem: he couldn't speak.
Given how well Victoria and Vivian knew him, his identity would be instantly exposed the moment he made a sound.
Thus, he quickly made a decision. He gently set Wendy down from his arms, then leaned in to whisper a few words in her ear.
After listening, a hint of hesitation appeared on Wendy's face. “Do I really have to say that? But...”
Greg interrupted her, “Wendy, you wouldn't want your Lord Bishop's jailbreak to be exposed, right?”
“...”
Wendy fell silent for a moment.
She could actually tell from the looks the gray-haired lady and the blue-haired lady were giving them that her Lord Bishop's identity might have already been exposed.
But since her Lord Bishop wanted her to say this, he surely had his reasons.
Quite doting on Greg, she stood up straight, cleared her throat, and spoke in a somewhat mysterious and haughty tone:
“Mortals, feel honored—my Lord is in a good mood today and has graciously decided to lend you a hand.”
As a princess, Wendy's voice naturally carried a trace of nobility. Coupled with her deliberately haughty tone, it did indeed sound quite grand.
Vivian: “...”
Victoria: “...”
The two of them fell into silence.
Only Lilith responded with disdain. “Hmph! Who do you think you are? We don't need help from some highly suspicious characters!”
She snapped her head around, looking at Vivian for validation. “Right, Dear Sister?”
Yet, Vivian's expression was somewhat ambiguous.
Her ice-blue eyes lingered on Greg for a moment before she calmly looked away, saying in an almost casual tone:
“Actually... it's not out of the question.”
“!?”
Lilith's eyes widened, as if she had heard something completely unbelievable.
Based on her understanding, her sister Vivian was always extremely wary of strangers and would never easily accept help from someone of unknown origin.
Yet today, why would she...
Refusing to give up, Lilith whipped her head around to look at Victoria.
“What about you? Are you really okay with letting someone we don't even know stand behind us?”
Victoria reached up to scratch her gray hair, looking somewhat helpless.
She obviously knew who the masked man was. Although she didn't understand why Greg wanted to keep hiding his identity, she figured he might have some special plan, so she didn't bother exposing him.
She replied casually, “Eh... whatever, I guess.”
“???”
Lilith felt like her entire world was turning upside down.
Why were her sister and her rival both acting so naive today?
She opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but there was no time. The Demon King Cultists had already finished gathering.
Over a hundred black-robed figures poured out from various alley entrances, completely packing the narrow alleyway.
The leading cultist was a burly man wielding a greatsword engulfed in black flames. His cold gaze swept over everyone present. With a wave of his hand, he barked in a raspy voice:
“For Lord Demon King's ambition, kill them! Leave none alive!”
As soon as he spoke, the hundred-plus cultists charged simultaneously.
Lilith gritted her teeth. In the end, she could only glare resentfully at Greg, leaving him with a threat:
“You'd better not have any bad intentions, or I'll blast you to pieces with my magic!”
Then, she turned around, her hands igniting with blazing fire as she met the enemies rushing from the front.
Seeing this, Wendy also intended to step forward and help. “Lord Bishop, I can also—”
But before she could finish, Greg raised his hand, blocking her behind him.
Greg knew Wendy was strictly a non-combatant, so there was no way he would let her put herself in danger. He simply said:
“Wendy, just stay in the back. Leave the rest to me.”
“!”
Touched, Wendy looked at Greg's back. While it wasn't particularly broad, it stood before her like an unyielding wall.
That back seemed to tell her:
As long as he was here, no one could harm her. She didn't need to fight, she didn't need to worry, and she didn't need to do anything. She only needed to stay safely right there.
This feeling of being protected and cherished sent a warm current through her heart.
She nodded gently, then obediently stood behind Greg. Her gentle gaze rested on his back, and a peaceful smile naturally graced her lips.
Rate on N.U.
