Chapter 226: The Execution Platform in the Square
"Springwood? I've never heard of this place." Gail's eyes were full of doubt.
She looked around.
Carefully manicured vegetation, neat cobblestone paths.
"This should be a quiet and peaceful little town."
Quiet and peaceful, huh...
The corner of William's mouth twitched.
This place had wiped out an unknown number of "Protagonist Groups" already.
"Let's look around nearby." He took the initiative to lead the way.
Although it was unclear why Freddy brought them here.
But as the nest of dreams, there must be many dangers here.
So William had to strike proactively.
Just as the two reached the park gate, they bumped into Henry and Pence.
The latter seemed to be having a dispute with someone, and the noise attracted many onlookers.
"No... you can't do this, otherwise Freddy will bring down punishment!" A lady cried out in panic.
At this time, the two knights were surrounding a black statue.
Round-brimmed felt hat, ugly face, sharp-bladed glove.
This was Freddy's classic look.
Not long ago, Henry and Pence woke up nearby. When the former found the statue, he immediately wanted to destroy it.
But was stopped by the people around.
"This guy is a demon; I must destroy it in the name of a Knight!"
"Oh God... are you going to implicate all of us to be tortured!"
At this time, William and Gail walked over from a distance.
After understanding the cause of the matter, William immediately looked at that lady.
"Why did you erect such a statue? And who is Freddy?"
But as soon as his voice fell, the lady opposite was full of disgust in her eyes.
"Stay away from me! You dirty priest!" She stepped back several steps as she spoke.
At the same time, the other onlookers also had similar reactions.
"Oh God, how could this person appear in the park? Can't come here for walks anymore!"
"Bah! Fallen and hypocritical guy, get out of here! Don't defile our grass!"
"That's right! Get out!"
People were as if they had seen a scorpion or snake.
A large open space quickly cleared out around William.
"Hey, if it weren't for a demon being here, I would applaud these people!"
Henry's eyes were full of pleasure.
"Of course, this isn't aimed at you, William."
William didn't care about the other party's words; he rubbed his chin and sized up the crowd opposite.
The third line of Freddy's nursery rhyme was—Five, six, grab your crucifix.
According to this clue, the Church in the original work obviously played the role of "Savior."
Therefore, it was unlikely for people to have such great malice toward clergy members.
William pondered inwardly.
He still wanted to try asking, but the people had already scattered and left, and soon only the few of them remained in the park.
"I can go up and grab a few 'informants' back." Henry said.
But William shook his head: "Before figuring out the reason, acting rashly might break some balance and thus cause unknown dangers."
"Same for destroying the statue."
After speaking, he walked towards the exit.
Henry stood in front of the statue holding his longsword, but after hesitating many times, he ultimately didn't strike.
"Hmph, a demon hiding its head and showing its tail."
He also sheathed his sword and left.
Outside the park.
Gail caught up with William.
"If I wasn't mistaken just now, that group of people is very likely the trapped teachers and students." She lowered her voice and said.
William raised his eyebrows upon hearing this.
"I have seen the file of one of them, can confirm."
"But they don't seem to be spirit bodies..." William thought out loud.
When he observed just now, those people clearly possessed human bodies.
Could it be that in the dream world, Freddy could even blur this kind of spirit body difference?
Because there were too many suspicious points right now, it was hard for William to draw a conclusion in a short time.
The four walked along the main street all the way towards the center of the town.
Along the way, they could frequently see items related to Freddy.
Promotional posters, shop signs, wall paintings; this nightmare monster existed in every corner.
Besides this.
William also received "Special Care" from the residents more than once.
Some who were more cultured just watched him leave with disgusted eyes.
More people cursed loudly.
Some more excessive guys even took off their undergarments and threw them out.
The corner of William's eye twitched, taking off a pink bra from his head.
Gail aside didn't make a sound, but she could no longer suppress the corners of her mouth.
"Actually, you can change your clothes." She spoke up. "Anyway, this is a dream."
"The Lord revealed to us not to care about other people's gazes; only devout belief can receive protection." William said.
Gail looked surprised, not expecting this priest's belief to be so firm.
But William was just "Talking tough."
He did want to change, but this black robe had long undergone his special modifications.
Every pocket and hidden compartment was filled with necessary holy artifacts.
Changing rashly might cause William to miss an opportunity to strike.
Left with no choice, he could only choose some secluded paths.
Town Center Square.
Quite a few people gathered here, surrounding a temporarily built high platform.
At this time, four people were tied to the wooden platform, and a local resident was reading out their crimes.
"The Bible, the Lord, the Church, these are the darkest and most evil things in the world!"
"They stifle our desires, control our thoughts, and turn us into hypocritical walking corpses..."
"Every resident of Springwood has the obligation to expel the Church! Think of your parents, your children; don't let them become the devil's rations!"
As soon as his voice fell, the onlookers erupted in fierce echoing voices.
"That's right! They are heretics!"
"Burn them!"
The reader pressed his hands down, signaling everyone to quiet down first.
"These four guys actually delusionally wanted to spread the vicious Bible belief in the town. Especially him!"
The reader came to the side of one of the tied people.
He grabbed the latter's hair, exposing the other party's face to everyone's gaze.
William narrowed his eyes; that person was exactly Wilton.
But at this time, there were many bruises on the latter's face, and bloodstains remained at the corner of his mouth.
At this time, the reader continued: "This guy actually dared to use Holy Water on children!"
A burst of exclamations instantly rang out below.
"What dirty character this is!"
"Holy Water can pollute people's thoughts and bring bad luck and plague; how many people has such an evil thing killed in the past!"
At this time, Wilton spoke with difficulty: "Non... nonsense, Holy Water is pure..."
Smack!
A slap interrupted his words.
"Heretic, you will receive a just ruling!"
"Hey! You're looking for the Church, why tie us up too?" A woman's questioning voice rang out nearby.
The reader looked at the other party.
Minority tribe clothing, heavy makeup on the face, and floral ropes decorating the hair.
"Hmph, witches are heretics just like the Church!"
Winona was startled upon hearing this.
"Hey! Why do witches still face discrimination even arriving in this place!"
The reader said: "Look at your accomplice; only people polluted by evil would grow into this shape."
He pointed to a short person.
"Mister, this is naked personal attack; I have dwarfism due to congenital dysplasia." Lombane explained seriously.
"Mr. Wizard, let's think of a way to escape first." Betty whispered, "I tried; can't use Holy Power."
She looked anxious.
Not long ago, Betty and Wilton regained consciousness, and then they met the two from the Witch Association.
To find the trapped innocents, they decided to go to the town center together to investigate.
But halfway there, the few were caught off guard.
Originally they thought they had some means, but when encountering danger, they found their abilities couldn't be used.
Thus it turned into the current situation.
Although it was unclear what would happen if they died in the dream, none of the four present wanted to try.
On the other side, the reader also proceeded to the final stage.
"Given the heinous crimes of these people, even just laws cannot forgive them, therefore I announce! The punishment of burning at the stake will be carried out on these four heretics!"
"Burn them! Burn them!"
The people shouted in unison.
"I really didn't expect that one day I would be on the stake with people from the Church."
Winona looked aside.
"Now you should finally be able to experience the feeling of being framed."
Betty frowned: "Ms. Winona, I have always believed that period of history was the Church's dark times, but right now let's focus on how to escape first."
"Escape? Unless your Lord really can appear, we are beyond saving this time." Winona had obviously given up.
"Can you guys really not interfere with the dream." Lombane said.
Betty shook her head: "I have tried many times, all failed."
Of course, she knew the theory of "having consciousness in a dream."
"If he were here, he should be able to think of a way..." Betty's eyes were lost, inexplicably thinking of a figure.
But the next moment her eyes widened.
"Father William?"
She saw William quietly lying prone on the roof not far away, accompanied by that woman from Light of Humanity.
She looked pleasantly surprised, hope igniting in her heart again.
Lombane and Winona nearby also noticed the anomaly, and soon the two were also energized.
"I... don't need him to save me." Wilton spoke with difficulty.
But the other three ignored him.
"Hey, this is my first time missing a man from the Church so much." Winona said.
"Act more normal, don't let Father William be discovered. We'll cooperate with him depending on the situation later." Lombane immediately spoke up.
On the roof opposite.
William also knew the few people saw him.
But he hadn't thought of a rescue plan yet.
At this time, the people in the square were all targets of this commission, so he couldn't attack the former.
Using "Dream Creation" should work, but William had used this move before.
Right now Freddy's whereabouts were unknown.
And the other party preparing this "Execution Show," the purpose was definitely not just as simple as convicting the Church.
Therefore, William wasn't in a hurry to make a move.
He observed the crowd in the square with [Messenger of Sins]; a dense dark green aura, like bile, lingered around the latter.
This was the characteristic of the "Sin of Disgust."
Wait!
Emotions!
William's eyes suddenly lit up.
He remembered the "Freddy" elements that could be seen everywhere in the town.
And in the previous confrontation, no matter what means this nightmare monster used, it would retain its iconic image.
Plus in the original work, the other party used "Fear" as a source of power.
Combining the above clues, William quickly had an idea.
On the execution platform.
The torches and gasoline were ready.
Amidst the noise, four executioners walked to Betty and the others.
"If that guy doesn't make a move, we're all going to die!" Winona's tone was a bit anxious.
"M... Maybe he ran away." Wilton couldn't even speak clearly because his cheek was injured.
He looked at the roof; William's figure was no longer there.
Betty was much calmer: "Hey! You claim the Church poisons people's minds; you have no evidence at all!"
She still tried to buy time.
This indeed attracted the attention of many people, and the reader was about to refute immediately.
But a voice rang out in the crowd.
"Hmph, you ignorant people should submit under the banner of the Church!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone present was startled.
The crowd quickly parted to both sides, highlighting four figures.
Among them, a priest wearing a black robe stood at the very front, holding a megaphone in his hand.
"Hey! Do you know what you are doing! Even if you want to turn traitor, you have to choose the right time!" Henry looked nervous and lowered his voice.
"Will... William?" Gail also looked surprised.
Not only them, but the four people on the stage were also incredulous.
"He... is the one who truly wants to kill us, right." Winona opened her mouth wide.
"Wi... lliam! You... this is smearing the Church!" Wilton hissed.
Lombane's eyes flickered, guessing the priest's true intention.
Betty widened her eyes; she still didn't believe Father William would be so reckless.
But obviously, she was going to be disappointed.
She saw William leap onto the stage with a jump, then turn to face everyone.
"Being able to believe in the Church is your fortune."
"From birth, you are full of filth and sin! Only the Bible can cleanse your bodies!"
"Starting today, whether men, women, or children, everyone must receive the baptism of Holy Water! Otherwise..."
William said in a cold tone.
"The Church will let you experience true pain!"
The air was quiet for a moment, then.
"Heretic!"
"Damn guy! Actually daring to threaten us!"
"Quickly send him to the stake too!"
Besides the dark green aura in the air, a touch of pure pitch-black also emerged.
This was the manifestation of the "Sin of Hate."
"Still needs a bit more heat." William muttered to himself.
Immediately after, under everyone's shocked gazes, he jumped off the execution platform and came to a mother and daughter.
"I'll start with you." William said in a calm tone.
Immediately after, he snatched the girl and pushed away the pleading mother.
"Given your disrespect to the Church, she will be punished on your behalf!"
William took out a glass bottle as he spoke, then pinched the girl's mouth open.
The latter looked terrified but couldn't break free at all.
"Let her go, you vicious priest!"
"Beast of the Church!"
At this time, public indignation was aroused, and it seemed a conflict would erupt in the next moment.
Seeing this scene, the few people who originally still believed in William also wavered.
Betty kept shaking her head: "Father William, you can't do this!"
But William sneered a few times, then pulled out the stopper and poured all the Holy Water into the girl's mouth.
"No!!"
The girl's mother knelt on the ground, her body constantly trembling.
"Don't think you can be spared." William threw the glass bottle aside, then gestured behind him with his thumb.
"These are all my companions; they will make you drink Holy Water."
Henry immediately shook his head and waved his hands: "Hey! Who's your companion? If you want to go crazy, don't drag us down with you!"
Winona also shouted: "I'm still tied up; this matter has nothing to do with me!"
"Since that's the case, then I'll do it for you." William spoke up again.
Then he waved one hand, and many grass ropes suddenly sprang from the ground, firmly tying up everyone in the square.
Immediately after, dozens of bottles of Holy Water abruptly appeared.
William spread his hands like an extremist believer.
"Taste the Holy Water, give your souls to the Church."
Then all the stoppers flew out automatically, and the grass ropes wrapped around the glass bottles and came to everyone's mouths.
Pain and despair surfaced on people's faces.
In the next moment.
Gulp... Gulp...
Holy Water was forcefully poured into their mouths.
And William also nodded in satisfaction.
☆☆☆
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