Kaisania City Council, a small lounge in the side hall.
Several noble councilors sat on the sofas, whispering anxiously among themselves.
Since the Empire’s restructuring, these men were no longer feudal landlords; they were only allowed to keep a small parcel of land and some decision-making power. Yet, with their solid foundations, they quickly found ways to regain footing in the industrial society.
Some commoner councilors stood nearby, heads bowed like lackeys.
These were mainly newly risen guild leaders and entrepreneurs—puppets supported by the nobles to rise to prominence, not truly representing the interests of ordinary people.
Quis, Grandmaster of the Kaisania Knights.
Bishop Part, head of the Kaisania Holy Church.
Luca, commander of the city defense forces.
“Bishop, I just received news.”
After a long silence, Quis was the first to speak.
His voice carried an intimidating weight, instantly silencing the room except for the faint sound of breathing.
He wasn’t clad in knight’s armor, but his physique was enough to fill out his formal attire, like a great bear with its claws retracted.
“The Judgement Office branch was attacked. My men found nothing but corpses inside.”
“…Who did this?”
At the mention, Part’s aged face twisted slightly, his right hand tightening fiercely around the staff’s handle.
Everyone present was stunned for a moment, then shifted their gaze toward their leader.
Those gathered here were all supporters of Bishop Part’s plan.
They believed in Part’s so-called “Divine Revelation,” that the realm of the Order’s Lord, worshipped by the Holy Church, would soon descend upon Kaisania.
That was why they supported Part’s plan.
This “Dragon’s Favor” would elevate them beyond humanity, making them inhabitants of the divine kingdom.
It wasn’t deception—after all, Part himself was utterly convinced of it.
It only required a small sacrifice… those fools who dared oppose or disbelieve the “Divine Revelation.”
So he betrayed the Judgement Office branch to the True Hand, making it a “shield” to cover the plan.
As long as nothing happened openly to the Judgement Office branch, the Holy Capital wouldn’t intervene, and the plan could continue peacefully.
As for the unstable elements inside Kaisania?
First, very few were even aware of the situation; those who noticed anything unusual were all restrained by Part through various means.
The only unforeseen variable was that Saint…
But she was now under the Knights’ watch as guardian of the Soulless; if anything happened, Quis would be immediately informed to stop her.
One could say almost everything in Kaisania was under Part and his collaborators’ control.
Yet Bishop Part had not anticipated that someone would break into that Abbey, the one that, once discovered, allowed no return, and wipe out all the fanatical warrior monks and remnants of the True Hand.
…Is Solis dead as well?
Or did he betray them?
“They were desecrators, Bishop.”
Quis said solemnly.
“The knights found many blasphemous images, inscriptions, altars… but since the Abbey was largely destroyed, they had mostly lost power. The monks undoubtedly fought back… but it seemed ineffective, and some were corrupted to varying degrees.”
Part had not told anyone about his cooperation with the remnants of the True Hand.
In truth, he did not trust those who had gathered around him for mutual benefit—not even as much as the True Hand remnants.
This might sound strange, but for a desecrator who had long been placed on the chessboard of Fate’s Lord, the “colleagues” felt more familiar.
“…The Church’s purification squads will rush to the scene as quickly as possible.”
Part nodded.
News of the Judgement Office incident would probably reach the Holy Capital soon, but given the long distance, even by train it would take two or three days.
In other words, he had enough time to complete the plan.
“Then I’m relieved. But Bishop, this matter is serious. Once the Imperial Capital and Holy Capital learn of it, they will surely send teams to investigate… What should we do then?”
Quis was not afraid of being discovered for what they were doing, but feared that the “grace” he deserved might have to be shared with more people because of this.
Part had said that the blessings granted by the gods were limited, just as they showed favoritism and preference even among the divine.
No one wanted needless competitors; if he couldn’t ascend to become one of the divine citizens, all his efforts would have been for nothing.
“…Wait a little longer.”
Part clenched his teeth.
“Wait a little longer. The Divine Revelation tells me that what we want will arrive soon—today itself.”
Setting aside this small incident, Part had gathered his followers here today for one purpose: a certain item.
Boom!
At those words, the door was abruptly thrown open.
A woman in a long robe with a hood hurried inside, placing a large box on the table.
The heavy thud immediately drew everyone’s attention.
“The thing you wanted… I got it, Bishop Part.”
Everyone exchanged glances.
An unsettling aura emanated from the box.
But considering it was the “legacy” of the True Hand, a gateway to the Sea of Souls, their strong desire overwhelmed their inner caution.
No one suspected a trap.
…After all, this was the “Divine Revelation” spoken of by the Bishop himself.
Bishop Part struck the ground forcefully with his staff and looked toward the Knight Grandmaster.
“Looks like what you said isn’t quite right, Grandmaster. Solis isn’t foolish enough for that.”
Then he turned to the woman.
“Reese, where is Solis?”
“…Probably… killed.”
“Who?”
Part’s eyes widened.
“A red-haired woman… couldn’t see her face clearly. But I barely escaped with great effort.”
The witch pressed her heaving chest, nervous as she spoke.
“…Oh, and Bishop Part, about what you promised me—shouldn’t you—”
Pfft.
The witch lowered her head, eyes wide in shock as the dagger pierced through her chest.
“Thank you for your effort, witch.”
Part waved his hand dismissively.
Quis then kicked Reese’s slender body to the ground and beheaded her in one motion.
The Bishop sneered at her lifeless form, then swept his gaze across everyone in the room.
“Prepare yourselves to welcome the descent of the Divine Kingdom.”
*****
Baron Freeman lightly swirled the red wine in his glass.
“You failed, Elcardo.”
“Yes.”
In response to the baron’s accusation, the red-haired female mercenary instead gave a wide, confident smile, like a housewife who had just finished wreaking havoc at the market.
She leaned lazily against the wall, eyes scanning the flowers placed beside the employer’s sickbed.
“The witch you sent me to find ran off long ago.”
“…Then bring her back, Elcardo.”
Baron Freeman inhaled deeply.
“That witch holds an item that could affect all of Kaisania… even the entire Empire. It’s a dangerous catalyst that could hasten our goal! You should never have let her go so easily!”
“It’s easy to say, but I have no idea how to catch her.”
Elcardo shrugged.
“You know, though the Blood Demons have some unique abilities, even a clever woman can’t cook without rice. Since she’s unharmed, I have no way to track her location.”