Ch.458New Blue

After that, the investigation team led by Ceylon began to thoroughly investigate the truth of the matter.

With an attitude of not missing even the smallest flaw.

However, no matter how much they investigated, how could they find anything problematic?

Among the things we had done, the only issues were entering the city without permission and Hush killing the poor people, but only we knew about that.

After all, we had burned all the bodies of the poor except for three or four that could serve as evidence, and even performed funeral rites for them.

Before we arrived, the Crusaders had detained some poor people to provoke the kidnappers… but there was no problem since they fed them well, took care of them, and silenced them.

As for distributing the Church of Grimnir’s assets, unless we had embezzled some of it, there was nothing to criticize since we had established strict criteria and distributed everything to the city residents.

If this action were to be defined as an overreach of authority, then the goods distributed to the citizens would also be products of that overreach and would have to be reclaimed…

Unless one wanted to be as reckless as the Church of Grimnir, this wasn’t a choice a proper cleric could make.

Both morally and practically.

Giving to the poor is a virtue that realizes God’s mercy.

Denying and taking it back would be an evil act that no religious person could choose.

At least, it was impossible for a Paladin who served the god of justice.

Besides, if they tried such a thing, the churches to which the search party belonged would face tremendous criticism.

Even a pet dog bares its teeth at its owner when food is given and then taken away—how much more so with people?

In the end, all the investigation team could do was purify the remnants of the cult.

The cathedral, which had been designated as a restricted area, and the sacred objects of the Church of Grimnir that had been collected because they were difficult to dispose of.

After completing his investigation, High Judge Ceylon declared by his authority that all these things were products of heresy that must be destroyed.

It was the moment when the Church of Grimnir was officially recognized as a cult.

After making his declaration, Ceylon literally demolished the empty Grimnir cathedral.

“Astraea, who hates evil and protects good, establishing order and justice on earth. Here, the products of evil karma that should be punished cast shadows of sin. Show them the strictness of your scales.”

As Ceylon recited a quiet prayer, a ring of light appeared above the cathedral in response, emitting a golden radiance.

The miracle granted only to the high judges of the Church of Astraea, the Light of Judgment.

From within the ring of light spread in the air, a stream of holy light poured down like a waterfall, striking the cathedral roof.

– CRASH!

The pointed spires scattered in all directions, and the penetrated roof collapsed inward.

The windows, unable to withstand the impact, shattered all at once, sparkling brilliantly.

That’s more powerful than I thought.

It wasn’t at an absurd level where it could demolish the entire cathedral in one blow, but it still had the destructive power of a high-level spell.

They say the power of the Church of Astraea’s miracles varies according to the depth of the target’s sins, so it seems the building itself was judged to be a hotbed of sin.

I watched the collapse of the cathedral while smoking a cigarette next to Lacy.

—-

After leveling the cathedral with the investigation team members, Ceylon then destroyed all the sacred objects of the Church of Grimnir without exception.

The Mask of Wisdom, a sacred object that taught magic appropriate to the wearer’s level.

The Sage’s Horn Cup, said to grant brilliant inspiration when filled with alcohol and drunk.

The Robe of Deception, which absorbed incoming spells and converted them into one’s own mana.

They had effects so useful that calling them sacred objects was no exaggeration, but since they could only be used by followers of Grimnir, they weren’t particularly valuable to us.

With this final act, Ceylon, having completed all his duties, decided to return to the Holy City.

“I confirm that the eradication of the cult, the Church of Grimnir, was carried out according to proper procedures. The only remaining issue is the discussion of administrative authority over Nasiriya… but as that is not within my jurisdiction, you should consult with the Church of Ceres later. According to Holy State law, Nasiriya was originally a city jointly governed by the Church of Grimnir and the Church of Ceres, so I believe the Church of Ceres will soon request the return of the city. I hope you will make a wise decision.”

It was like someone who had been kicked out shamelessly saying this was originally their house so get out, but what could we do if that was the Holy State law?

“Thank you for your hard work, Lord Ceylon. We are grateful for the fairness of the scales.”

Lacy simply smiled and offered light thanks to Ceylon as he returned to the Holy City.

I had expected him to cling to every little detail and tear into us like a dog, but once he confirmed there were no issues with the evidence and investigation results, he surprisingly accepted it cleanly and withdrew.

“There is nothing to be thanked for. As a servant of Astraea, being fair in all matters is simply the natural order. Well then, may you be at peace until we meet again.”

After a brief farewell, Ceylon glared at me one last time before turning his head and leaving Nasiriya.

I smiled wryly and bid him farewell with cigarette smoke, feeling that I would clash with him someday.

=======[ Alhebron ]=======

After news of the Church of Grimnir’s destruction spread, several cardinals were so shocked, terrified, anxious, and bewildered that they couldn’t sleep.

They had suspected that Lacy might cause some trouble when she suddenly left the Holy City on a pilgrimage… but they never imagined she would create such a major incident.

They gathered in the conference room every day without fail to discuss how to handle the situation and future measures.

“That devilish woman must be expelled immediately!”

Cardinal Rosoff of the Church of Ceres shouted, pounding the table.

Considering that the Church of Ceres would benefit most from the fall of the Church of Grimnir, his attitude could be seen as ungrateful.

“Devil? That’s excessively blasphemous language. Have you forgotten, Cardinal Rosoff? Though she serves a different deity, she is a saint candidate who received the Stigmata of Elpinel. She cannot be called a devil.”

Ernliter Zaiseus of the Church of Astraea criticized Rosoff’s statement.

Though they were both cardinals of the Holy Solar Alliance, given his character that valued order and propriety, such language was difficult to tolerate.

“Look at what has happened since that woman returned to the Holy State! Five, five cardinals have disappeared from here. Can you dismiss this as mere coincidence?”

Rosoff pointed to the half-empty seats.

His trembling finger and desperate voice clearly showed his fear that he might be next.

“One committed suicide, two were expelled by you, and another was already gravely ill before being confined. Isn’t that right? I cannot help but think that blaming Elmaine Stardolf for this is unfounded slander.”

Seeing this, Raiher of the Church of Imela let out a hollow laugh and defended Lacy.

He too hadn’t expected Lacy to cause such a major incident as bringing down an entire church, but he was secretly satisfied since their standing had improved as a result.

By destroying an entire church with just seven or eight people, she had essentially proven that the military power of the Church of Elpinel remained strong.

Thanks to this, the position of the Church of Imela, which was in the same boat as the Church of Elpinel, had also become more secure.

Secure enough to openly criticize a cardinal of the Holy Solar Alliance.

Unable to refute this criticism, which was the truth itself, Rosoff clenched his mouth and seethed.

Watching this, Zaiseus sighed deeply in dismay.

“…While I don’t agree that Cardinal Rosoff’s suspicions are correct, I do agree with the expulsion itself. She is disrupting the order of the Holy State and causing unnecessary confusion, so if we cannot punish her, sending her away would be the best option.”

“Cardinal Zaiseus, Cardinal Rosoff, you have no such authority, and Acting Authority Elmaine Stardolf has no obligation to comply with your expulsion order. You are aware of this, aren’t you?”

Kraibel of the Church of Ausrine frowned and objected.

To expel a core figure from another church from the Holy State required the agreement of at least a majority of the cardinals.

In other words, it had to be formally proposed and receive six votes in favor.

That is… from all the remaining cardinals.

“There’s no need to issue an expulsion order.”

Carnius Gustav, the cardinal of the Church of Saulite who had been quietly listening to the meeting, spoke with a hint of a smile.

“Have you all forgotten why Elmaine Stardolf returned to the Holy State? Wasn’t it to explain the establishment of the unauthorized Imperial Diocese and to gain recognition for its continued existence? So… if we withdraw the hearing and guarantee the existence and independence of the diocese, she will naturally return to the Empire. We can then clean up the chaos in the Holy State after she leaves.”

“That’s…!”

“…Indeed, a clever plan. If we officially recognize the diocese and promise to support the Empire, she would have no reason to remain in the Holy State.”

The cardinals who wanted Lacy to leave nodded in agreement with his opinion.

Though it was essentially a declaration of surrender, they judged it better than allowing Lacy to continue running rampant within the Holy State.

Raiher and Kraibel could offer no rebuttal.

It was a checkmate with no escape.

If they opposed the diocese’s continued existence, they would be criticizing Lacy who was on their side, but if they agreed, their core strength would be lost.

“Does everyone agree? If there are no objections, this meeting is conclu—”

“Urgent news!”

Just as Cardinal Carnius was about to end the meeting with a satisfied smile, someone outside pounded on the conference room door and shouted in an urgent voice.

Carnius clicked his tongue but ordered the messenger outside to enter.

Whatever it was, if it was serious enough to interrupt the cardinals’ meeting, it must be no small matter.

The messenger who entered with permission was a Paladin of the Church of Astraea, and he must have rushed here in quite a hurry, as his face was pale and drenched in cold sweat.

“Speak. What matter brings you here?”

The Paladin knelt, bowed his head, and reported in a voice that was almost a wail:

“A riot has broken out in Arad! Citizen mobs and church knight orders have clashed, and followers of the Church of Kranus have joined the mob, causing the situation to spiral out of control!”

A wave of shock swept through the conference room.