From the actual situation.

The church suffered almost no damage in the early stages of the war.

As a religious organization with a widespread influence, the church enjoys good prestige and reputation both in Entrode and Grid. Therefore, it can largely avoid destruction even in extreme situations.

However, this is war after all.

No matter how safe a place is, it becomes unsafe over time.

What Ronald saw at this moment was just that.

In front of the intact church building, a group of differently dressed rebels blocked the entrance, some of whom aimed their weapons dangerously ahead.

And the reason this already very agitated group didn't advance was the girl standing at the church's entrance.

Coincidentally, she was an old acquaintance of Ronald's—Audrey.

Thinking about it, it made sense.

Having received orders, this Inspector nun came to Entrode to aid in the cleanup of summoned creatures. Ronald had a brief encounter with her during the Arctic expedition.

After finishing her work deep in the Arctic, she naturally returned to the nearest Waterfall City Church to carry out other tasks.

It was unexpected for Ronald to see her again under such circumstances upon his return to Waterfall City.

"..."

"Mr. Ronald?"

At this moment, Ronald felt a tug on his clothes.

He turned to see Phil looking at him with a tense gaze.

"What should we do? It seems unsafe here too."

From little Phil's perspective, it indeed seemed so.

But Ronald had a different view.

With his keen perception, Ronald could confirm that the rebels surrounding the church were all ordinary people. Even if they had serious expressions and obvious threats, aside from the guns in their hands, Ronald did not sense the presence of any Casters among them.

——Looking at the church side.

Ronald knew Audrey's abilities.

He didn't think that the rebels could pose any threat to the church with Audrey's protection.

"Let's observe the situation over there, it should be over soon."

"..."

Ronald quietly reassured Phil, then continued to approach with the young girl.

Meanwhile, both groups at the church entrance were too tense to notice Ronald and Phil approaching from the shadows.

"Nun, you'd better step aside!"

"We're chasing a group of government dogs, are you standing with the church to help those hateful bastards?"

The leader of this rebel group was relatively calm.

Although he stared at Audrey with angry eyes, he didn't immediately launch an attack but scolded from his position:

"We are the army representing the people of Entrode!"

"I advise you to seriously consider whether you want to keep blocking us here!"

Audrey remained unfazed by the scolding.

Standing at the church entrance with arms outstretched, she stood unmoving like a crucifix:

"The church does not carry any political stance."

"As long as someone seeks shelter with good intentions, regardless of their side, we will treat them equally."

Audrey's speech was neither overbearing nor servile.

It also firmly declared the church's consistent neutrality.

But for the rebel leader, her words became a blatant defiance:

"So—you admit you're harboring government dogs?"

"And now you even want to stop us from going in to drag those bastards out!"

As he spoke, the rebel leader approached Audrey.

However, the nun did not waver, still speaking in her previous tone:

"Protecting the church and those seeking refuge here is my duty."

"I will not let you in."

Bam!

Faced with Audrey's uncooperative attitude, the rebel leader acted without hesitation.

Though he acted, the rebel leader was still restrained.

Instead of pulling the trigger on the nun, he swung the butt of the gun towards Audrey's face.

...

The blow landed hard on Audrey's face.

Under the forceful swing of the rebel leader, the nun's head immediately jerked to the opposite side.

But soon, Audrey firmly returned to her original posture.

However, at this moment, there was a very noticeable mark left on the nun's once beautiful face, with blood flowing from the wound on her face.

"..."

On the other side, Ronald watched with wide eyes.

He couldn't understand the situation—why wasn't Audrey resisting?

If it had been four or five months ago, her actions might have made sense due to the secrecy rules of the mystic side.

But now, with the fall of the Barrier Mountain Wizards, the rule no longer mattered. Moreover, careful consideration indicated that these rebels showed signs of having assistance from Wizards.

So in the face of such people...

Audrey didn't counterattack?

This made no sense!

The Inspector nun Ronald remembered was a specialized officer in this large organization focusing on combat, even handling tasks involving contact with the holders of the original texts.

Compared to the combat ability on the Grid side.

Even elite investigators are no match against Audrey in direct combat!

Yet such a strong Caster.

When confronted by a mere gun-wielding ordinary person, she chose passive endurance?

"Nun, move aside!"

"Do you really want to die here?"

This time, the rebel leader's expression was no longer calm.

What he wanted was to root out the government's dogs hidden in the church, not to endanger Audrey's life. Otherwise, he would have just shot her instead of using the gun's butt earlier!

Unfortunately, Audrey still refused to yield.

Standing at the church entrance with outstretched arms, letting the blood from her face drip onto her black nun's habit, her expression showed no change.

"I'm sorry, I won't let you pass."

"Fine! If you're so eager to die, I'll fulfill that wish, you fool!"

With words at this point, there was almost no possibility of negotiation.

The rebel leader stepped back a few paces, then pointed his gun at Audrey's head.

"I'll count to three!"

"One, two,..."

"Stop!"

At such a critical moment, Ronald finally couldn't hold back, stepping out from the other side.

However, the scene was different from what he had anticipated.

Before Ronald could speak, someone else stopped the rebel leader's action.

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