A Sweet Girl Won't Be Fooled By The Villainess - [Vol. 1] Chapter 81

[Vol. 1] Chapter 81: Iron Will

 

Daelin’s desperate cries and pleas were of no avail. Even as she struggled with all her might, she remained bound to the stake by the cloaked figure.

 

Soon, people began piling wood and sprinkling flammable oil beneath the stake.

 

“Please, I beg you, don’t kill me, sob, sob, sob.”

 

“I was wrong, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have become a noble’s mistress. Please, give me a chance to change!”

 

“If I die, how much suffering will my child endure? I cannot die!”

 

Even though she knew begging was futile, Daelin continued to scream loudly in extreme fear. Her heart-wrenching cries filled the entire square, but none of the cloaked figures showed any sympathy. After all, who would sympathize with a witch known for her wicked deeds?

 

However, Daelin’s wails were soon silenced as one of the cloaked figures stuffed a cloth into her mouth.

 

Once the silence settled, Bishop Gerard spoke again. His face, however, did not carry the previous smile but instead wore a stern expression. “This witch’s name is Daelin. She once had a simple and happy family.”

 

“However, a simple life couldn’t satisfy her greed, so she sold her soul to the devil, becoming a noble’s mistress!”

 

“And that was just the beginning. She harmed innocent women, took lives, and eventually portrayed herself as a harmless woman, deceiving yet another noble.”

 

“Viscount Kelton, for the sake of this woman, neglected his own wife and children. He is still searching everywhere for her whereabouts, even pleading in front of the Duke’s daughter.”

 

Well, well! Ifia, upon hearing Bishop Gerard’s words, couldn’t believe that the unkempt noble who barged into Amelia’s presence that day was actually seeking to save Daelin! She had even forgotten the man’s name. The recollection only came swiftly due to the initial sympathy for the unkempt noble. However, as Amelia clarified, it was evident that this was merely packaging an ugly truth under the guise of love. The reality was that of a married noble and his mistress.

 

This kind of mind-boggling situation leaves a lasting impression! While Ifia mentally exclaimed “well, well,” Bishop Gerard continued with his accusations.

 

“A witch like her, who entices married men and leads them into obsession, must have her soul purified by flames!”

 

“Now, ignite it!”

 

With everything ready, as Bishop Gerard’s final decree echoed, someone immediately tossed torches into the piled wood. As the flames, fueled by kerosene, erupted, the square was instantly illuminated.

 

As the flames consumed Daelin’s shoes, her mouth, gagged with a cloth, could not produce any sound. She could only watch helplessly as the flames rapidly climbed upwards. The tongues of fire danced and leaped, occasionally reaching her beautiful golden locks, turning them into charred remains. The unpleasant smell filled the air, and Daelin’s expression grew even more terrified.

 

At this moment, regret started to set in. She shouldn’t have made things so obvious. If she had been more discreet, these people wouldn’t have caught any evidence, and she wouldn’t have been mistaken for a witch! And damn Rudeni! If it weren’t for Rudeni’s interference, she might have successfully escaped. In hindsight, she should have kicked Rudeni and Ifia down together!

 

She refused to accept death like this! If there were truly demons, now would be the time for them to come and save her! Regret and resentment brewed incessantly, coupled with the roaring flames, transforming Daelin’s face into a more grotesque visage.

 

In the intense heat of the flames, the cloth blocking her mouth loosened. Once it fell away, Daelin immediately screamed aloud!

 

“Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!” The sharp screams of the woman echoed through the entire square, but the cloaked figures found them anything but jarring. Instead, they excitedly cheered, celebrating their triumph over the demon. Shouting phrases like “May the gods bless every righteous person, and the divine child eliminate all evil in the world,” they drowned out Daelin’s continued wails.

 

Despite the enthusiastic celebration, Daelin continued to shriek in misery as the flames quickly engulfed her, burning away her clothes. Her hair was incinerated, and her flesh turned to charcoal. The agonizing screams only ceased when the flames destroyed Daelin’s vocal cords.

 

As the fire grew larger, Daelin succumbed to the flames, becoming a shapeless, blackened mass. The horrific scene prompted louder cries from other women, each now contemplating resistance. However, the cloaked figures easily subdued them and bound them to the remaining stakes.

 

With one stake already used, the remaining nineteen stakes soon found new victims.

 

“Mom, save me!”

 

“I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die!”

 

“Please, spare me. I’m only nineteen, I don’t want to die!”

 

“You lunatics, this is murder!”

 

The cacophony of desperate screams from the women created chaos, and in stark contrast, Ifia’s side seemed strangely quiet.

 

Perhaps due to the extended preparation time, Bishop Gerard appeared beneath the stake where Ifia was held captive without her noticing. He pushed up the glasses perched on his nose and spoke gently to Ifia.

 

“Ifia, your ability to influence the Duke’s daughter, Miss Barlen, and change her personality is the most formidable among all witches.”

 

“However, selling your soul to the devil requires purification.”

 

“After your death, Miss Barlen, in her misery, will see the truth. She is a perfectly elegant woman and will not be deceived by a lowly witch like you!”

 

Bishop Gerard mumbled below, leaving Ifia rolling her eyes in silence. She was too lazy to argue with these extremists. Adding sin where there is none, what a joke.

 

How did her normal and healthy interaction with Amelia turn into deliberately deceiving and confusing people as a witch? Besides, Ifia felt that Amelia was more like an enchanting witch herself. Sometimes, unintentional movements could make her blush and her heart race. Even whispers in her ear could send shivers down her spine.

 

Truly, Ifia thought, Amelia was a friend who could effortlessly captivate anyone!

 

Now, looking down at Bishop Gerard’s envious face, Ifia smiled and said, “You speak so well. Did you wipe your mouth after using the toilet?”

 

This remark successfully shut Bishop Gerard up. As he glared angrily, Ifia, unbothered, added with evident satisfaction, “Amelia only likes me. What? Did I hit a nerve? Even if I die, Amelia won’t spare a glance for someone like you.”

 

“Ugly on the outside, delusional on the inside.”

 

“Just wait, when something happens to me, none of you will escape. Amelia will avenge me!”

 

Bishop Gerard initially intended to enjoy Ifia’s miserable state before her death to console himself. He believed that the beautiful Miss Barlen must have been enchanted by the witch to acknowledge Ifia, a commoner!

 

When there was only one more witch to capture, someone handed the Bishop the information about Ifia. Gerard Abel carefully examined the document upon seeing the name of the Duke’s daughter, Miss Barlen, who was a prominent figure in noble social circles as the Empire’s Red Rose.

 

However, she was publicly seen protecting a commoner at the academy, even standing against other nobles for her. Moreover, she caused an entire family to disappear overnight without a trace! Such abnormal behavior must be the result of being enchanted by a witch.

 

Gerard’s plan was clear – capture Ifia, remove her from Miss Barlen’s side, and then burn the bewitching witch alive with flames.

 

Thinking that Ifia would soon turn into a charred mass, Bishop Gerard ceased his anger and burst into hearty laughter. Ignoring Ifia, who rolled her eyes, he briskly walked back to the elevated platform.

 

All nineteen witches were securely bound to the stakes, surrounded by highly flammable wood soaked in kerosene below. Waiting for Bishop Gerard’s command to set them ablaze.

 

“Pious disciples, it’s time to witness the magnificent fireworks of eliminating evil!”

 

Without keeping the people waiting, Bishop Gerard swiftly gave the order, and several torches were immediately thrown into the pile of wood. The combined flames from the nineteen stakes illuminated the square as bright as daylight.

 

The light exposed the terrified faces of the women, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.

 

“Ah, it hurts! Help!”

 

“I was wrong! I was wrong! I was wrong!”

 

“I don’t want to die! Ronnie is still waiting for me to come back, I can’t die!”

 

Amidst the women’s agonizing cries before death, the cloaked figures in the square remained indifferent, each excitedly extending their arms as if participating in a special carnival. Meanwhile, Ifia remained calmly bound to the stake, being the final act in this grim spectacle.

 

For now, she wouldn’t be burned alive just yet.

 

Silently watching as Fiona screamed in terror, her face eventually transforming into a lifeless mass of charred remains, Ifia didn’t feel particularly happy, nor did she feel extremely distressed. It was as if she were a bystander, witnessing a play unrelated to her.

 

The music ended, and the audience dispersed. All grievances came to an end with death.

 

[System, do you think I would have been kidnapped and accused of being a witch even if Fiona hadn’t caused this problem, because Gerard Abel is jealous?]

 

[Part of the reason lies within.]

 

Case solved! Ifia had felt it was unreasonable from the beginning. Even if Fiona framed her, it was implausible for all the cloaked figures to believe the worst about her at the academy. However, on the day she was kidnapped, the honey-selling man accused her of crimes. It seemed Gerard Abel had manipulated things, turning her into an unforgivable witch.

 

[System, you made me wait before, and now I’m about to be burned alive. Should I still wait?]

 

Even though she had unraveled why she was mistaken for a witch, Ifia didn’t feel joy. Instead, it was her final inquiry about the system’s previous advice to wait, questioning what exactly she was waiting for.

 

Yet, the system remained cryptic, not providing a direct answer.

 

[What’s meant to come will come. Don’t rush.]

 

[… If I don’t hurry, I’ll turn into charcoal!]

 

While Ifia spoke with the system, the women bound to the nineteen stakes had already ceased to breathe, becoming charcoal. The flames in the sky slowly diminished, leaving only the unpleasant scent of burning.

 

The only comforting aspect was that Rudeni, who had fallen unconscious, wasn’t present. Where could she have gone? However, the system had mentioned that Rudeni had only fallen into a coma, indicating she hadn’t died. No news is good news.

 

“These witches have been cleansed of their sins by the flames, and the gods will reward the divine children with health and safety.”

 

Bishop Gerard, like the leader of a sinister cult, spoke words that brought the cloaked figures to tears of excitement. Some were even moved to the point of crying and praying earnestly.

 

Excitedly, some of the cloaked figures took sticks and began destroying the charred bodies, shouting, “Judgment upon these witches!”

 

To be honest, witnessing this scene, Ifia felt absurdity. If someone had warned her about the terror of this cult before, she would have simply exclaimed in awe, but now, the shock was beyond imagination.

 

It seemed like these cloaked figures had lost their sanity, becoming fanatical lunatics. It was as if they had collectively lost their humanity.

 

Killing so many women, they were actually excited. For Ifia, who had grown up in a society governed by the rule of law, this scene undoubtedly challenged her principles. It made her feel like she was immersed in a particularly realistic witch-hunting game, witnessing a brutally bloody plot unfolding.

 

“We have protected the Sith Empire from the clutches of the devil!”

“The Adjudicators are the messengers of the gods. We will continue to hunt witches, leaving demons with nowhere to hide!”

 

Bishop Gerard continued his brainwashing speech, stirring the emotions of the people to the highest point before finally revealing the last arrangement.

 

“Only one witch remains. She has deceived the nobility and used her power to oppress others.”

“As a student of the Pulis Academy, she had a promising future, but she fell into a deal with the devil, which saddens the gods even more!”

“Now, by burning this witch alive, the gods will be completely satisfied!”

 

Listening to Gerard Abel’s speeches at this moment, Ifia disdainfully curled her lips. She thought there were quite a few charges listed before Daelin, so how come they were suddenly overlooked when it came to her? It was truly hypocritical!

 

[System, give me a clear answer. When will the rescue come?]

 

[Host, please be patient.]

 

[They are already preparing to ignite the fire. How can I stay calm???]

 

Initially, Ifia thought that the system’s mention of waiting for rescue referred to Prince Carloy and the Knights who had entered the mountains, rushing in at the last moment to save everyone. After all, they were very close to encountering the Knights when they were on the verge of crossing the hill.

 

However, as everyone else was burned alive, leaving only her, Ifia didn’t hear the system mention the Knights. This made Ifia begin to doubt whether she had guessed wrong.

 

But…

 

If not the Knights, then who else could it be? It certainly couldn’t be Amelia!

 

Although Amelia always intervened to assist in crises, the useless system was nothing more than a decoration. However, given the current situation, such expectations were entirely unrealistic. Amelia had left Darwa City, and the agreement was for her to return within a week. It had only been a few days, and she probably had no idea that Ifia had gone missing.

 

[Host, please trust the system, you will absolutely be safe.]

 

[……]

 

While Ifia remained silent, Bishop Gerard finished his impassioned speech, prompting the cloaked figures below to chant continuously:

“Burn her!”

“Burn her!”

“Burn her!”

 

Amidst the cries, everyone’s gaze shifted to Ifia. Bathed in the glow of the torches, their hearts were filled with anticipation, ready to witness the witch’s ugliness before her death – similar to those vile demons begging in humility. However, they wouldn’t show mercy. Instead, they would use flames to eradicate the wicked! Seeing their fervor, the gods who had always protected humanity would surely be pleased!

 

The more the cloaked figures thought about it, the more excited they became. However, Ifia, who was under their gaze, did not fulfill their expectations. Instead of crying out, she shouted back at them, “What are you looking at? Haven’t you seen a beautiful woman before, idiots!”

 

[……]

 

At this moment, Ifia had transferred her frustration with the system onto these cloaked figures. Regardless of who they were, she would speak her mind. This single curse from Ifia acted like a lit fuse, turning the cloaked figures from excitement to anger. They wished they could pull Ifia down and give her a beating.

 

“Divine children, do not be misled by the witch! These are the witch’s tricks!”

 

“Only the sacred flames are needed to eliminate the witch!”

 

After Bishop Gerard finished speaking, this time he didn’t let others take action. Instead, he personally held a torch and walked slowly and deliberately towards Ifia.

 

Wanting to create anxiety through slow movements, to make Ifia more desperate and shattered. However, unlike Bishop Gerard’s expectations, Ifia had no time to pay attention to him, she was frantically interacting with the system.

 

[System, damn it, it’s already this time, and rescue hasn’t come yet?]

 

[It’s over, it’s over, it’s over. I’m really going to die this time!]

 

[After I die, system, you can finally bind to another host, how about that? Happy or not?]

 

Regardless of Ifia’s words, the system remained silent, playing dead as usual. This made Ifia feel like she was about to explode!

 

Having forgotten the terrifying outcome of being burned alive, she focused on cursing the useless system before her demise.

 

“Witch Ifia, you are about to be purified. Is there anything you want to say?”

 

Unlike the swift pace of burning other women, everything slowed down when it came to Ifia. However, this was only Bishop Gerard’s personal desire to witness Ifia’s final struggle.

 

However, he picked the wrong person.

 

“Purify your mother. If I were a witch, you all would have been dead long ago. Stop chattering like idiots here. If you want to burn, just do it. You’re wasting time blabbering like a moron. I can’t be bothered to listen to your nonsense.”

 

“You’re a moron, they are all big morons. Do you know the pain of being surrounded by a bunch of morons? Hurry up and burn me, I don’t want to endure this pain anymore!”

 

Unlike the other women who struggled and pleaded before their deaths, Ifia directly sprayed words at Bishop Gerard and others.

 

Ifia’s face was filled with a frustrated expression, giving the impression that she wanted to die immediately, making everyone wonder if this woman had gone mad.

 

Bishop Gerard, angered by Ifia’s words, darkened his expression. Unable to get Ifia to plead for mercy, he didn’t waste any more time.

 

“Witch, repent for your sins with death!”

 

After saying this, Bishop Gerard ignited the wood with a torch for the final judgment of the witch. However, the wood beneath Ifia’s feet wasn’t soaked in kerosene, causing the flames to burn slowly. This gave Ifia more time to continue ranting at the system.

 

[System, the fire has been lit, I’m about to die.]

 

[I’m almost dead, why aren’t you responding? Have you already unbound and gone to find another host?]

 

[You truly are a cold and heartless system, lacking any bit of human touch!]

 

[Finally freed from me, a host who only knows how to lie flat and be rubbish. I bet you’re happily planning to set off fireworks. But don’t get too excited too soon, maybe the next host you bind to won’t be as good as me!]

 

Listening to Ifia’s accusations, the system couldn’t help but feel helpless. It observed the red dot on the map representing the Villainess, rapidly approaching this location. Judging by the burning speed of the wood, she could arrive in time. If the host hadn’t provoked Bishop Gerard, smartly delaying some time, perhaps the fire wouldn’t have even ignited by the time the Villainess arrived! However, the stubborn host had too much pride and couldn’t endure the injustice.

 

Fortunately, everything was still manageable!

 

While the system watched the red dot of the Villainess approaching rapidly, silently counting down, Ifia, feeling the rising heat, stopped her rant at the system and began recounting regrets in her life.

 

[System, if I die this time, will I lose consciousness forever?]

 

[Last time I died so suddenly, without saying goodbye to family and friends. Can’t you give me some time for a farewell this time?]

 

[I wonder if Lucy and Jessica blame themselves for my disappearance. System, can you let them know afterward? Even if they didn’t suggest going shopping, I wanted to go out and clear my mind, so there’s no need for them to blame themselves.]

 

[And also…]

 

Thinking of this, Ifia paused slightly and continued after a while.

 

[Also, apologize to Amelia for me. This time I broke our appointment. I hope that after I’m gone, she won’t be sad, and she should…]

 

Even when threatened with death by Bishop Gerard and others, Ifia remained unyielding, but now, thinking of Amelia, her eyes began to turn red. The overheating sensation made her feel suffocated, yet she stubbornly refused to lose consciousness.

 

[Tell Amelia to live well, eat on time, and stop being picky about food! If she gets too thin from hunger, even if I’m dead… System, I seem to be really dying now, I’m even seeing hallucinations]

 

As Ifia was contemplating her last words, she suddenly heard a loud animal neigh. When she looked up, amid the gradually spreading flames, she actually saw Amelia!

 

In mid-air, Amelia was riding on a dragon???

 

Just as Ifia felt like she was hallucinating, Amelia also saw Ifia bound to the stake. By now, the flames had burned holes in her white gown, and her once clear, dark eyes had lost their former luster.

 

In an instant, unable to control her anger, Amelia unleashed her hell realm, accompanied by the roars of three-headed dragon Azhdaha.

 

The thick, water-like viscous black magic immediately extinguished the raging flames.

 

While Ifia felt an instant coolness, she looked at Amelia in the sky with a puzzled expression, somewhat incredulous, and said to the system:

 

[System, not only did I see Amelia, but I also saw horns on her head???]