The more Simon read the confidential documents, the more dumbfounded he became.The Blood Heaven Cult's objective wasn't to acquire slaves or secure sacrifices.Their ultimate goal was war between the Divine Federation and the Dark Alliance.'I thought they were just crazy heretics with no real purpose, but they had such a scheme.'He thought it was ingenious.The atmosphere between the two factions was currently on a hair trigger. It felt like they were just missing one or two puzzle pieces for a casus belli to be complete, preventing war from breaking out.But what if the Blood Heaven Cult's train hijacking incident exploded, and the news that Necromancers from Kizen and the Dark Alliance were behind it was reported across the entire Federation?Hostility towards Necromancers and war sentiment would boil over, and at that point, even the Pope himself wouldn't be able to stop the war."This... a real war might actually break out."Metin, who was reading the documents beside him, seemed to share the same thought, letting out a groan."According to the documents, the Blood Heaven Cult intentionally leaked information to the Chief Inquisitor, so he would raid their headquarters. The Chief Inquisitor is one of the most extreme warmongers. He'll use this incident by any means necessary to start a war. It's like giving wings to a tiger.""...Is he really that extreme?""Yes."The boss of all Inquisitors, Chief Inquisitor Rate, was infamous in both the Divine Federation and the Dark Alliance.In his youth, he was a merciless warmonger who had hung countless Necromancers on red crosses. Now, as Chief Inquisitor, he was a radical who burned hundreds of Federation citizens to death in witch hunts every year.Simon rested his chin on his hand as he listened to the explanation."Just hypothetically. If we submit these documents as evidence to that person, Rate..."Metin shook his head."The truth doesn't matter to the Chief. He'll burn the documents immediately, and it wouldn't be strange at all if he killed us to silence us.""...Ugh."If Metin's words were true, persuasion seemed impossible.As Simon pondered, Metin put down the documents and sighed deeply."To be honest, I was also of the opinion that some degree of war was necessary."Metin gazed at Simon intently."But seeing the 'miracle' you performed changed my mind. I keep wondering if I've been too narrow-minded."Simon flinched his shoulders, then forced a smile and made the sign of the cross."I'm not sure what you mean, Father! Haha!"Metin chuckled at Simon's reaction. He's thoroughly hiding his identity.Simon's face turned serious again."Then, what if we inform the media about this evidence before the Chief Inquisitor raids the scene?"Metin nodded."Yes, I think that's the best option."Ultimately, it was a race against time.If people's anger and hatred towards Necromancers swelled after Rate's manipulation, then saying 'Actually, it was all the Blood Heaven Cult's scheme!' would be too late.It would likely be buried by the war issue or dismissed as a trivial conspiracy theory.However, if they first published an article about the Blood Heaven Cult, embedding the fact that they tried to pit the Divine Federation and the Dark Alliance against each other in people's minds, then any subsequent articles by Rate inciting Necromancer hatred would have less impact.They could also hope to generate a rebellious sentiment, urging people not to play into the Blood Heaven Cult's hands.However, one risk in this plan was that the Divine Federation's media was controlled by Efnel. Any article had to be approved by Efnel, which would take time to write.During that time, there was a risk that Rate could intervene and have the article rejected."It's done!"Just then, Lete shouted, raising both arms. Bright light flowed from the holy magic circle she had been touching, and the train's body began to rumble."Can you control it?""Of course! It'll be a bit slow, but I can even reverse it. More importantly, what was the conclusion of your investigation?"Simon told Lete everything they had found out. Her expression also grew serious as she listened."So, this incident was orchestrated by the Blood Heaven Cult to incite war between the two factions, and the person coming to handle this situation is the Chief Inquisitor, an extreme warmonger. Is that right?""That's right.""..."She fell deep in thought."I agree with using the media. But I think it would be better to entrust this information to an influential person rather than us, who have no influence, submitting it to the media.""...An influential person?""Yes. I'll contact an acquaintance of mine. They can influence both Efnel and the media, and they are someone who wants war less than anyone. Is that good enough?"Lete took out a communication crystal ball from her pocket and began to operate it.Static!A moment later, when the communication connected, Lete spoke with extreme politeness."Gratula mi Kivilis. This is Lete Shardena."Simon was surprised.That was a greeting reserved for high-ranking Priests.***"Yes, I understand."Click.The man who put down the communication crystal ball let out a faint chuckle.A room with no lighting. The office was extremely dark, with curtains drawn over the window.And the man sitting in the large chair was armed with heavy armor even indoors, with weapons strapped all over his body. His right eye showed only the whites, and he had short black hair and a stubborn, resolute expression."The time has come."His aide, who had been standing, responded."Did the Blood Heaven Cult hijack the train?""Yes."The man twisted the corner of his mouth. He was none other than Chief Inquisitor 'Rate', known as the man who had killed the most Necromancers in the world."The time of judgment is approaching."The Blood Heaven Cult intended to use the Inquisition Headquarters to start a war. The gist of their plan was to escape themselves, then call in the Inquisitors to collect evidence.But even before they leaked information to the Inquisition Headquarters, Chief Inquisitor Rate already knew all of it through his own intelligence network.Ultimately, every situation was unfolding in Rate's hands."Arrogant fools."He curled his lips."They thought they were using us, but we are using them. At dawn tomorrow, we will raid the Blood Heaven Cult without leaving a trace, and inform all media outlets that the Dark Alliance is behind the Blood Heaven Cult. Once the atmosphere is ripe, I will personally go to Efnel and have an audience with His Holiness the Pope.""Yes! We will prepare flawlessly!"Rate crooked his finger, and the curtains drew back, letting light into the window."Ugh..."As the darkness lifted, blood-soaked people were seen hanging on red crosses.Large nails were driven into their bodies, their fingernails and tongues had been pulled out, and there were traces of hot iron searing their flesh. There was no spark in their eyes, no trace of will to live. "Number 5415. Confessed.""Well done."Rate crooked his finger, and the Inquisitors dragged the blood-soaked people out of the office.Now, they would confess their sins in a holy trial, be executed, and finally be free from torture. After they were dragged away, only long trails of blood remained."Finally."Rate stood up. His massive three-meter-tall body towered. "The time for war is approaching."He touched his right eye, which showed only the whites.The wound inflicted by Neptis. He couldn't help but feel good thinking that the time was approaching when he would personally tear that woman to death with his own hands.Whoosh!Explosive divine power erupted from behind him. The standing Inquisitors flinched and backed away.'This is the rumored...!'Rate's divine power truly shone in wars against heretics.Limited to when he was fighting a war, Rate's divine power granted him 'infinity'. He traversed hundreds, thousands of battlefields without tiring. With an infinite supply of divine power, he endlessly rose and resurrected, striking down countless Necromancers. Victory was always his, the one who stood last."By next year, I will strike down all evil beings remaining on the continent!"Divine power was the will of the Goddess.The will of the Goddess was war."Prepare the executions! Carve the crosses! Paint them red!"He ripped his mouth into a grin."This year, the carpenters will be busy."***Night fell.Lete had finally figured out how to operate the magic circle and reversed the train, but it stopped shortly after.The problem was a lack of fuel. The pipe that supplied fuel to the train engine had been damaged during the fierce battle.Left with no choice, Metin selected a few strong men from among the passengers to manually refuel the train. There were quite a few trial and error attempts since all the crew members with relevant knowledge had died.While the fuel was being replenished, darkness descended, and night arrived.They had no choice but to remain inside the stopped train until the fuel was full. In fear that the Blood Heaven Cult's attack might resume at any moment, the passengers trembled.Lete gathered the Priests and Clerics who could fight inside the train and organized a temporary vigilante group, distributing the remaining food from the storage to feed the hungry passengers.There were no signs of attack yet. Simon, Lete, and Ellen sat in an empty passenger car with a gaping hole in the wall, watching outside while having a late dinner.Munch, munch.Lete was actually a good eater. After devouring a plate of steak, she opened another bento box beside her and spoke."I talked to that person again in the restroom earlier, and they said they're coming here personally."Simon's eyes widened."Oh, really? They're coming here?""I was surprised too. They're usually so busy and hard to move, but they said the situation seemed serious and they'd come right away."Even Lete herself sounded genuinely surprised as she spoke."How are they getting here?""They're using high-cost teleportation magic circles repeatedly to get here. They said they want to see the situation with their own eyes. So, after I get the train moving, I need to go lay down a teleportation induction magic circle near the Blood Heaven Cult's headquarters."Ellen, who had been diligently focused on her food, looked up in surprise."Th-that's too dangerous! Who knows how many of those terrible heretics there might be!""I can't help it. I'm the one who called them, so I have to take responsibility.""I'll go with you."Lete nodded at Simon's words."Would you? Then, once this is over, let's move to the Tree of Life. It's not that far from here."As they exchanged various stories, Simon excused himself to go to the restroom.As if waiting for this moment, Ellen's eyes sparkled, and she leaned forward."Lete, Lete! So, what's your relationship? You two work so well together!""Shut up. Do you want me to punch your jaw up to your nose?""Hmph, Lete is always so cold to me!"Lete leaned back in her seat and replied indifferently."It's nothing."That answer only fueled Ellen. She spoke rapidly."Oh, come on, it's nothing? You're risking your life to bring Simon, a Necromancer, all the way here! Logically, who would risk their life for a complete stranger?"Lete raised her eyes and corrected her clearly."It's a matter of my benefactor's life, and his son is merely a collaborator."As Lete answered, she sighed, wondering why she was even making such excuses."It's obvious, obvious. Grow up. I know what kind of connection you're trying to make, but it's not the fun picture you want.""Is that so?"Ellen chuckled."Then, can I confess to Simon today?"
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