Death Game: Starting as a Trickster, Pretending to Be a God

Chapter 802: Speedrun

"Thump!"

The solid wooden door of the Tribunal slammed shut with a heavy bang. In the hall that was filled with torture instruments and the skulls of alien races on the walls—looking nothing like a reception room, yet indeed used for entertaining guests—the Lilee Tribunal's Inquisitor, clad in a gray robe, led nearly half of the Tribunal's clerical staff to gather here.

"Welcome, Sir 'Schreiber,' holder of the Golden Cross Medal, to our Tribunal in Lilee City. Your arrival illuminates our humble Tribunal like the sun breaking through the clouds," the Inquisitor, who appeared ancient but spoke with exceptional fluency, said. "Lately, heretical cults have been plaguing the outskirts of Lilee, and dark creatures lurk in the shadows, stretching our Tribunal to its limits and leaving our frontline workers overwhelmed and exhausted! Your arrival is truly like rain after a long drought, sunlight bathing the earth. With your support, I believe we can swiftly sweep away the chaos in Lilee and restore peace and tranquility to the residents!"

"And this adventurer, Miss Phoenix, we also welcome you to Lilee."

The white-bearded old man delivered his speech like flowing water, then waved his hand grandly.

"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and pour water for our guests to quench their thirst."

Behind him, two logistical staff members of the Tribunal, holding copper kettles and iron cups, stepped forward, poured tea, and handed it to Lin Yu and Phoenix, who sat on the iron chairs.

Lin Yu took a sip and frowned slightly.

Let alone the white tea he drank in the Sleepless City, this tea couldn't even compare to the loose-leaf tea served in a small diner.

The water was astringent in taste and carried an earthy, metallic flavor.

The conditions in the Night Valley Realm were truly harsh.

He set down the teacup and gave a light cough.

"There's no need for such elaborate hospitality. We're here to eliminate cults and deal with dark creatures, not to go on a vacation," Lin Yu said.

As he spoke, the Inquisitor nodded slightly.

"Understood... These despicable cultists have indeed grown brazen recently, even attacking our escorted convoy right before your eyes," the Inquisitor said, pulling a book with a bright yellow cover from his chest. "I've heard from reports that the two of you are suffering from memory loss. Please allow me to personally examine whether your souls have any trauma, damage, or hidden contamination... After all, if any mishap befell you in Lilee City, it's truly a responsibility I could not bear."

As he spoke, he opened the bright yellow book and began to chant softly.

A faint white light emerged from the book, swirling around him and gradually expanding, enveloping Lin Yu and Phoenix.

A calm, pale golden glow rose from Phoenix's body.

On Lin Yu's body... thin wisps of black smoke began to appear.

However, the black smoke quickly dissipated for the most part, restoring a pale golden glow.

After a few seconds, the Inquisitor closed the book once more, then exhaled a long breath of black smoke.

"Is there anything abnormal?" Phoenix asked.

"Nothing abnormal, except that this Sir Schreiber still has some residual curse marks left by demons on him. I've helped remove part of it. While it can't be completely eradicated, it can be temporarily suppressed," the Inquisitor said, then smiled. "Alright, there's no problem anymore... You two are free to move about Lilee City. If you need anything, feel free to come to the Tribunal and request our support."

"Quickly give them their temporary credentials."

As the Inquisitor spoke, a member of the Tribunal stepped forward and handed two identification cards to the pair.

Lin Yu glanced at them. The card read "Cross-Jurisdictional Execution Certification for Tribunal of Heresy Members." Flipping it open, it bore the emblems of both the "Lilee City Tribunal of Heresy" and the "Holy Flame Church," with faint traces of magical fluctuations.

"Let's go," Phoenix said indifferently, standing up and placing her teacup on the chair.

"Thank you for the Inquisitor's permission. We'll complete the cleanup mission as soon as possible," she said.

Lin Yu naturally followed her lead.

Although he had obtained a high-status identity, he still knew very little about the details of the Night Valley Realm, so whatever Phoenix said, he followed.

Still, he couldn't help but feel that this whole process was way too fast and way too smooth.

As they stepped out of the Tribunal's gates, before Lin Yu could say anything, Phoenix spoke first.

"This 'Golden Cross Medal' of yours is way too useful... I thought it'd take at least half a day before they let us go," she said.

"This process is suspiciously fast," Lin Yu said, momentarily stunned by Phoenix's words, then replied in an even tone. "Is that so? What's the normal procedure supposed to be? I'm not really clear."

"Even if we were exempted from a full inspection, they should have kept us to question us more about the details of that ambush outside the city," Phoenix frowned. "But... it's as if they're deliberately letting us act on our own."

At this point, Phoenix herself felt something was off—she had only sensed a slight discordance at first, but the more she spoke, the more wrong it felt.

"Let me ask you this, Sister Phoenix. Have you been to Lilee City before, or any other southern city in the Maro Empire?" Lin Yu asked in a low voice.

"No, but I'm sure this isn't due to regional differences," Phoenix said, stopping in her tracks and looking back at the Tribunal's black box-like compound. "The three major churches and the Tribunal have developed to where they are today, and they do have some issues with rigidity and red tape... but they absolutely wouldn't be so perfunctory on such serious matters."

"So, is there something wrong with this Tribunal? Have they been corrupted or fallen?" Lin Yu asked in return.

"Not necessarily. It could just be that they want to hide some oversight or something... After all, while the 'Golden Cross Medal' can provide many conveniences, everything has two sides," Phoenix said seriously. "Maybe, from their perspective, they see you as something like a special investigator from headquarters. They don't dare to slack off with you, but at the same time, they don't want you to get too involved in their daily operations."

"That's one way to think about it," Lin Yu nodded.

But he still felt... it wasn't that simple.

If that were really the case, wouldn't the best solution be to wine and dine them while stalling for a few days?

"Regardless, the fact that they're letting us act freely works to our advantage in completing the mission," Phoenix sighed. "It's just... I originally thought that with your 'Golden Cross Medal' and my status as an honorary church member, we'd get a lot of support from the Tribunal and the churches."

"Now it seems we'd better act on our own and avoid contact with them as much as possible."

Lin Yu agreed with Phoenix's assessment.

He asked again, "So, where do we go to find help next?"

This semi-suggestive question immediately led Phoenix to naturally bring up the next destination on her plan.

"We still have at least three highly reliable helpers we can find," Phoenix said calmly. "Don't forget, besides us, there are three other players."