So Did I

Run!

Run quickly!

If they don't run now, they'll really be slaughtered like pigs!

In an instant, those black pigs frantically scampered away in all directions, their little legs pattering against the ground.

Seeing this.

Nanako couldn't possibly let them escape. She stepped forward, pointed with her small hand, and shouted: "You wretched black pigs, none of you are allowed to run! Disciple! Let's go! Time to catch some pigs!!"

It only took about ten minutes.

One by one, the squealing black pigs were tied up with ropes.

One after another.

Strung together in a line.

A staff struck the first black pig's bottom.

The pigs behind followed along, crying o(╥﹏╥)o.

They were all on the verge of breaking down.

But they couldn't understand.

Why were they suddenly cursed to become black pigs!

Why were these bastard mages unaffected!

Something was definitely wrong!

Something must be wrong!

And at that moment.

Footsteps echoed from the end of the street.

Soldiers in armor, led by a knight, were quickly approaching.

The black pigs trembled.

It's the town guard soldiers!!

It's the knight captain!

It's their people!

Their battle with the Winter Spring Valley mages must have attracted their attention.

They're saved!

They're finally saved!

The black pigs immediately started squealing excitedly.

"What's happening here?" asked Alex the knight, frowning as he dismounted and cautiously approached.

"Who are you people! Where did you come from?!"

Nanako glared, about to answer.

Lynn smiled slightly, taking the Winter Spring Valley insignia from his master's hand, and said: "We are mages from Winter Spring Valley, and this is Nanako, an executor from our valley."

Upon seeing the insignia, the knight was stunned.

After confirming its authenticity.

He immediately straightened his posture, performed a formal knight's salute, and said seriously:

"So you're guests from Winter Spring Valley. My apologies. I am the honorary knight of Lakeside Town and the garrison commander here. You may call me Alex."

Lynn glanced at the insignia on his chest and smiled, "You're from the Order Church?"

Alex nodded, his expression solemn: "Yes, I'm a knight of the Order Church, though it's just a title. I've never had the chance to study at the church headquarters."

Lynn immediately understood.

It seemed Saint Anna and her group were high-ranking officials sent by the Order Church.

After arriving at this small town, they immediately took control of the garrison forces here.

"Oink—Oink—" The black pigs let out loud squeals.

Help!

Help us!

Whack—

Lynn kicked away one of the large black pigs.

Seeing this, Alex asked puzzled: "May I ask what happened here? And these black pigs?"

Lynn's expression turned serious: "It's a curse. We had just arrived here and planned to meet up with our people before investigating, but unexpectedly, we encountered Secret Source mages who had already set up an ambush!"

Upon hearing this, Alex was shocked: "Secret Source mages?!"

Lynn nodded, saying gravely: "Yes, those Secret Source mages attacked us, and we were forced to fight back. But those mages were so bizarre that we almost got wiped out..."

Then.

He pointed to the magical girl beside Nanako and said:

"Look how badly she's injured?"

The black pigs were all stunned.

Alex frowned, pondering: "Secret Source mages... Indeed, I remember Lady Saint Anna mentioning this. The reason they came here was because they discovered traces of Secret Source..."

The black pig that was Saint Anna immediately squealed: "Oink—Oink—"

No!

That's not it!

Don't listen to his made-up story!

We are the Spell Breaker squad!

Lynn kicked it again.

He said seriously: "Yes, the reason we survived this time was truly thanks to Saint Anna's Spell Breaker squad!"

Hearing this, Alex was surprised: "You met Lady Saint Anna?"

Lynn nodded, saying earnestly: "Yes, those Secret Source mages tried to curse us, but Saint Anna's Spell Breaker squad arrived just in time and helped us reflect the curse back at those Secret Source mages in the critical moment, and that's how we were saved!"

Then Lynn pointed at the black pigs.

"These black pigs are those Secret Source mages!"

The black pigs: "(ΩДΩ)!!!"

Nanako: "!๑Ő௰Ő๑)!!!"

She understood! She finally understood!

Her crafty disciple was turning black into white, perfectly wrapping up the whole situation!

So powerful!

This was truly amazing!

Alex was even more shocked.

His gaze immediately fell on those black pigs with utter disgust.

He gritted his teeth hatefully: "I see, as expected of our church's elite Spell Breaker squad. These damned vermin... I... I'll cut you down!"

In an instant.

He raised his greatsword, ready to chop off the black pig's head.

The pig that was Saint Anna shouted in shock: "Oink—"

No!

It's not like that!

Don't listen to his lies!

We're not Secret Source mages, I'm Saint Anna, we're the Spell Breaker squad!

But just as the sword was about to behead the pig.

Lynn stopped him, saying seriously:

"Captain Alex, please calm down. Saint Anna took the Spell Breaker squad to chase after the escaped Secret Source mages, and she specifically instructed us not to kill these pigs yet!"

"We need to interrogate them to find out who's behind all this, that's what's most important!"

Alex immediately came to his senses, taking a deep breath, and said with complexity:

"I apologize for my impulsiveness. Indeed, Lady Saint Anna's consideration is very thorough. If we can't root them out completely, killing these few pawns would be meaningless."

The black pigs were dumbfounded.

So...

Were they saved...

But would he be that kind? Something felt...

Lynn said: "Indeed, we should torture them first, and after hundreds of rounds of severe interrogation, we can kill them later!"

The black pigs: "(ΩДΩ)!!!"

So this was his plan all along!

Alex nodded, saying seriously: "I was thinking the same thing. Brother, would you mind if I start torturing them now?"

Lynn said gravely: "Of course not, in fact, I was just about to suggest the same!"

The two reached a perfect agreement.

The next moment.

The grinding-teeth soldiers immediately stepped forward, grabbed the squealing black pigs.

Then pinned them down and started beating them mercilessly.

Though they couldn't kill them now.

A good beating was absolutely fine!

Immediately, pig-slaughter-like screams filled the sky.

"Oink—Oink—"

"Gentler! Gentler! Don't kill them!" Lynn said concernedly: "We still need to torture them later! If necessary, heal them with a healing spell and continue beating!"

"Take it slow, hit where there's more meat, hey, young man over there, no need for the cleaver!"

After a full ten minutes of beating.

Alex was almost tearful as he walked forward, extended his hand, and solemnly shook hands with Lynn, saying:

"You are a good person, and a rational mage. I very much hope we can work together with Winter Spring Valley to perfectly resolve this unusual incident!"