Ch.439Leaving the Holy City

“You’re planning to leave the Holy City…?”

As expected, Agnes couldn’t hide her bewilderment when she learned of our upcoming schedule.

“Yes. Staying in Alhebron would just be a meaningless waste of time. Just like we annihilated the Council of Dream Utopia in Holon, we plan to head to other cities and cleanse them to gain support for our church.”

“…Is that possible? The only cities worth mentioning are Nasiriya, Arbil, and Barseba… and except for Arbil, the other two are occupied by the Free City Legion. I don’t think they’ll allow Lady Elmaine to enter.”

That was indeed a problem.

There was no guarantee that the Free City Legion, which was reportedly fortifying their cities as if preparing for war, would let Lacy and me—who were closer to enemies than allies—enter.

“Besides, even if you do enter, finding traces of the enemy won’t be easy like with the Council of Dream Utopia. With Lady Elmaine and Baron Median approaching, what fool would be walking around openly? They’d hide themselves thoroughly, not showing even a strand of hair.”

From Agnes’s perspective, it was a valid point.

Even street drug dealers go into hiding when police crackdowns occur, so how much more would heretics?

Moreover, this wasn’t just regular police—it was equivalent to sending in a tank division.

If it were me, I’d either flee the city entirely or stop all activities and lie low.

Of course, it was already too late for that.

“I’ve already taken measures for that issue. I’ve had my followers infiltrate and investigate their movements. They’ll inform us about the whereabouts of those enemies who’ve gone into hiding.”

Lacy responded calmly.

As she said, the Special Crusader of Seals operating in each city had deeply infiltrated the criminal underworld.

Although they hadn’t yet uncovered the masterminds behind these criminals… it was only a matter of time, she said. They were more capable than expected.

…And more loyal than I could have imagined.

Anyway, with the Special Crusader of Seals, tracking the enemies’ traces wouldn’t be too difficult.

If anyone starts moving frantically when news of our arrival spreads, we can start by tracking them.

“And regarding city entry… I’ll have to negotiate that. They may not welcome us, but having already made enemies of three churches, I don’t think they’ll choose to isolate themselves further by antagonizing us as well.”

As usual, Lacy had a plan.

Well… everyone has plans, when you think about it.

Everyone naturally has plausible plans.

Unless their skull is filled with noodles instead of a brain.

It’s just that success or failure depends on one’s abilities and luck.

Just look at me—my plans always sound reasonable.

The problem is they get half-tangled every time due to misfortune, mistakes, misjudgments, and coincidences.

—-

After hearing Lacy’s complete plan, Agnes accepted it and left.

She said she would return after convincing the stubborn priests of the Church of Menes to join us.

She said it wouldn’t be easy, but she’d try her best.

Lacy seemed a bit displeased but didn’t outright object.

“After I return to the Empire, she’ll become the Holy Maiden of the Holy State… establishing a favorable relationship now would be beneficial in many ways.”

“Well, I suppose it’s better to take her with us than leave her in the Holy City. I’m also concerned about the disappearance of Paulus’s body.”

Learning that he was the 2nd Apostle was shocking enough, but what followed was even more disturbing.

Beheading, dissection, and now a missing corpse.

This sounded more like a conversation between organ traffickers than Holy Maiden candidates.

But the content mattered more than the tone.

“Agnes seems to think someone from the church took it, but I wonder…”

“You think Paulus might still be alive…?”

I nodded.

At first, I thought he might really be dead, but the news of his missing body convinced me otherwise.

Perhaps he somehow revived after some time and escaped the cathedral, or something like that.

The 2nd Apostle, whose identity I couldn’t even discover, dying before I could deal with him? That seemed unlikely.

My life doesn’t run that smoothly.

“Even Isabella, the priestess of the Evil God, had the power to revive multiple times. Despite being ambushed, I doubt someone called an apostle of the Ancient God would die so easily. Don’t you think?”

“Indeed… that witch was incredibly tenacious. It’s fortunate that Baron Median’s technique nullified her powers; otherwise, she would have been impossible to kill.”

Actually, that woman isn’t dead.

Not that she’s alive either.

Unable to die or live, her soul is bound as Ophelia’s plaything, being toyed with daily.

“Right. So, we can assume Paulus has also revived and is hiding somewhere. Though he probably can’t move openly.”

Given that his death has been publicly announced, he can’t show his face in public.

A man whose head was severed suddenly walking around alive—anyone would see it as heretical sorcery.

That’s probably why he quietly fled.

If priests who aren’t his subordinates discovered him, it would cause an enormous commotion.

“…Should I order the Crusaders to search the Holy City?”

Search, huh?

I’m not sure that’s a good idea.

“It would be dangerous and likely fruitless. If Paulus is even half as skilled as Isabella, he could easily handle a couple of Special Crusaders. He might have already left the Holy City.”

“You’re right. I hadn’t considered the possibility that he might have left the city.”

Lacy nodded, slightly parting her lips as if she hadn’t thought of that.

The usual Lacy would have immediately considered this, but the shock must have been significant.

Well, I already knew the 2nd Apostle was a former cardinal, but for her, this was completely new information.

She had been searching for Isabella’s minions, and suddenly an apostle of the Ancient God appeared—it’s understandable she’d be taken aback.

“So let’s focus on the immediate tasks. I understand your anxiety about what he might do, but he’s not the only problem we’re facing right now.”

I’m anxious too… but we can’t postpone other issues just to hunt for him.

We can’t waste time searching for someone who’s hidden his face and gone into hiding.

—-

Five days passed.

Our first destination was decided to be Nasiriya.

The major city we first visited, jointly governed by the Church of Ceres and the Church of Grimnir… now occupied by the Church of Grimnir.

The cardinals of the Holy Solar Alliance opposed Lacy’s trip, but they couldn’t stop her when she insisted on going on a pilgrimage to strengthen her faith.

The Church of Kranus and the Church of Vimos remained silent, while the Churches of Imela, Menes, and Ausrine supported Lacy’s actions, even postponing hearing-related schedules.

To stop her would require preparing for civil war within the Holy City.

Still, they seemed to have given in too easily… there might have been other reasons, but I couldn’t know.

Belth and Lilies decided to stay in the Holy City.

They said someone might try to reinstate Drexler while Lacy was away.

“Nigel, Leonore. You two stay here and help Belth. Understood?”

It was a valid concern, so I also left the two of them in the Holy City.

I wasn’t comfortable with just Belth alone.

With three Masters, they should be able to handle most problems that might arise while we’re gone.

Leonore and Nigel seemed to want to come with me, but when I subtly gestured toward Demian and Millia, they reluctantly nodded.

Yes, I understand—even you wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving those two in charge.

Demian and Millia have no issues with their skills, but their behavior is… unreliable.

Like children left by the water—turn your eyes away for a moment, and they might cause trouble.

After finalizing the personnel for Nasiriya, we left the Holy City that night by carriage.

Accompanied by Agnes, who had somehow convinced the priests with all sorts of stubbornness and sophistry.

She was fully armed like a Paladin, wearing a dark blue robe, with an impressive crescent-shaped shotel hanging at her waist.

Though her skills as a knight weren’t exceptional, as a Holy Maiden candidate, her holy power would be on par with Lacy’s, making her equivalent to a high-ranking Paladin.

Me and Lena, Demian and Millia, Lacy and Agnes.

Though only six in number… this force could rival an army.

“Um, I’m here too…”

Ah right, Hush, you’re here too.

It’s dark, so I couldn’t see you.

Now I understand why stealth is your specialty.