Somewhere in a spacious room, vibrant carpets covered the floor, while countless suits of armor and weapons adorned the walls. A massive emblem of a radiant sun blazed upon one wall, and on the opposite side hung an enormous, detailed world map. Religious motifs decorated every corner of the room. Beneath the emblem of the sun lay a broad desk, behind which sat a man in crimson clerical robes. He was a strikingly handsome man, with short golden hair and sharply defined features. His clean-shaven face appeared to be in his early thirties, and his gaze carried a natural sharpness. Sitting upright with poise, he focused intently on the official documents atop his desk, occasionally picking up his pen to annotate them. Standing before him was a cleric in high-ranking robes, partially armored beneath. His head shaved clean, the cleric stood with a solemn expression, watching the seated man’s actions as if waiting for something. The only sound in the room was the quiet rustle of writing, and the tense silence thickened the air. “So… the pilgrimage at Rachel Valley this month went smoothly, then?” Finishing his note on one document, the man raised his head and addressed the figure before him—Blake. Blake paused briefly before answering. “Yes, Your Excellency Hilbert. Though there was a slight delay due to the matter in Summer Tree, the pilgrimage has now concluded successfully. During the event, a certain nun preaching the gospel was chosen as the central figure for public appearances. She was even given the nominal role of leading the pilgrimage ceremonies. To provide her with a higher status for these appearances, the Rachel Valley branch held an early promotion ceremony, raising her to Senior Deacon.” “Overall, while this pilgrimage differed from past years, it was quite successful. That little nun seems to have gained considerable renown during the event. It’s likely that, when the pilgrims return home, her story will spread even further—and with it, the impact of the Summer Tree affair will grow in other nations.” Blake spoke with gravity, while Hilbert raised an eyebrow, his eyes gleaming faintly as he muttered. “Heh… seems Amanda has truly set her sights on promoting that little nun. Makes sense—she’s the perfect PR material. It would be a waste not to make the most of it.” Hilbert spoke with a calm detachment. Hearing this, Blake couldn’t help but protest. “Her Excellency Amanda is clearly using this little nun to expand her influence. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before it interferes with our work. Your Excellency Hilbert, are we just going to sit back and let this happen?” “Of course we are. What else can we do?” Hilbert replied lightly. “They’ve already gained the upper hand with this Summer Tree incident. There’s no point in clashing head-on over it. Trying to wrestle it back now would look bad—both in front of the faithful and in the eyes of the Holy See. Let it go, Blake.” He set down his pen and casually unfolded a newspaper from the desk. Blake, somewhat indignant, muttered. “That Summer Tree publicity—Amanda basically got it handed to her. We had the military operation locked in, but no one expected the interference from the Abyssal Serpent cultists. It ruined everything. Such a shame…” Hilbert kept his expression neutral, his eyes scanning the paper as he spoke slowly. “There’s nothing to regret… It was a small opportunity. If we lost it, so be it. Another chance will come. Conflict is the norm in this world, not peace. In the borderlands, places like Summer Tree—or worse—are always out there. “In the thousand-year history of the Church, idealists like Amanda have always appeared—those who try to sing a different tune on the road paved by fire and sword. But as long as the irreverent exist, conflict and rebellion will never cease. Their song will never reach a conclusion.” Still reading, Hilbert’s tone remained composed. Blake paused in thought before speaking again. “You mean… we don’t need to worry about Her Excellency Amanda or that little nun. We just wait for the next opportunity?” “Exactly. And we won’t have to wait long. In fact—there’s one right now.” As he spoke, Hilbert spread the newspaper across his desk. Blake leaned in to read the headline: “Unrest in the Kingdom of Addus Continues. Rebel Forces Seize Capital of Yadith. King Mahand’s Whereabouts Unknown.” Blake blinked, surprised, then muttered. “This is… the rebellion in Addus from a few months back in North Ufiga? It’s gotten this far already? If this is the opportunity you mean, then that rumor must be true. The rebellion in Addus is linked to heresy?” “Of course it is. Without heretical support, how else could the rebels have advanced so quickly? Recent intelligence from Addus confirms that the Savior’s Advent Sect has been very active there. They’re heavily involved in this uprising.” Hilbert spoke in a calm tone, then turned his gaze back to the newspaper article. “Not long ago, the aristocratic faction in Addus sent envoys to Holy Mount, appealing for military aid on the grounds that the rebels were seeking support from heretics and intending to place one in power. On the other hand, the rebels also sent a letter saying… they had no desire to be enemies of the Church, claiming their sole goal was to overthrow the corrupt royal regime. But when it came to matters of heresy and faith, their stance suddenly became vague.” So said Hilbert. Hearing his words, Blake’s expression grew serious, and he promptly spoke with severity. “Faith is not a matter to be left vague—it must be clear. If they are entangled with heresy or even intend to install heretics into power, then holy war is inevitable! Even a borderland nation like Addus must at least maintain a clear and public stance on faith. Your Excellency, with this, we are fully justified in deploying our forces!” Blake spoke with the utmost seriousness, as though eager to march on Addus that very moment. But Hilbert, unhurried, continued speaking. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺 “Yes… they can’t even clearly state their religious stance during formal communications. That alone is enough for us to accept the Addus aristocrats’ request and launch an expedition to purge the heresy… “Now that the Holy Seat has ascended to the upper realm to seek divine guidance, more of the decision-making power has temporarily been handed over to the Cardinal Council. Affairs related to Addus fall entirely under my jurisdiction. The aristocrats’ joint petition, the rebels’ vague attitude, the evidence of heretical activity in Addus, combined with my influence in the Council… altogether, this is more than enough to push through a new crusade. Amanda won’t be able to stop it…” Hilbert spoke steadily. Blake’s face lit up with clear excitement as he responded directly: “Then, Your Excellency… when do we march on Addus?!” To Blake’s surprise, Hilbert’s answer defied expectation. “March on Addus? Heh… I’m afraid we’ll have to wait a while for that…” “Wait a while? But… why wait? Didn’t you say, with all these conditions, passing the motion to deploy should be effortless?” Blake asked in confusion. With the Holy Seat currently absent in the upper realm of the Three Saints, the Cardinal Council was now the highest decision-making body of the Church. Hilbert, being one of the most influential cardinals, should easily be able to push through the Addus crusade decision. Crusades were supposed to be swift—quickly decided, quickly launched, quickly judged and purified. Delay was not Hilbert’s style. Blake was bewildered by Hilbert’s words. But Hilbert’s next response shocked him completely. With a mysterious smile, he chuckled and said, “Because… in the Cardinal Council, I didn’t propose military action. In fact, when Amanda spoke up urging caution in handling Addus and restraint in the use of force, I agreed with her.” “What…” Blake’s eyes widened. He instinctively stepped back two paces, utterly stunned that the man before him would say such a thing—that he would agree with his long-time political rival. “Your Excellency Hilbert… surely, you must be mistaken…” “Of course not. I agreed with Amanda at the meeting, stated that the Addus affair should be handled with care, that force must not be used lightly. Moreover, I even took it a step further, proposing that we dispatch a delegation to Addus—not only to mediate between the warring parties and strive for peace, but also to re-educate ordinary Addus citizens who may have been misled by heretical ideologies, giving them a chance to return to the Lord’s embrace…” Hilbert spoke slowly and leisurely. Blake’s disbelief grew stronger, until it turned into outright astonishment. Looking at the dazed Blake before him, Hilbert smiled and continued. “And to demonstrate the sincerity of the Church to the Addus people, I recommended that the leader of this delegation be none other than the currently radiant Gospel Evangelist of the Holy Mother—Vania Chafferon. With her prior success in converting tens of thousands in Summer Tree, surely she can now use her passion to bring enlightenment to the heretics of Addus as well.” Hilbert spoke with ease. At first, Blake remained stunned, but after a moment he began to sense that something was off. After thinking it through, sudden clarity struck him, and his expression changed dramatically. “Yes… that little nun Amanda favors—the one who converted Summer Tree by sheer luck. If we put her on the front lines to deal with Addus, the moment things go south, her reputation and influence will plummet. All of Amanda’s propaganda centered around her will go to waste! She herself will suffer serious fallout!” Blake blurted out, having now fully grasped Hilbert’s plan. He wanted to use this opportunity to knock the nun Amanda had so highly elevated right off her pedestal and weaken Amanda’s growing influence. Blake knew well that the reason the nun succeeded in Summer Tree was entirely due to the Abyssal Church. They had manipulated Summer Tree into opposing the Church, and after their schemes were exposed, Summer Tree sought reconciliation—using the nun as a means of retreat. That’s how she ended up “converting” tens of thousands. Many higher-ups in the Church were aware of this. Thus, Blake knew: Vania, that little nun, was lucky—nothing more. She didn’t have the ability to truly convert thousands. She lacked the power. She was just a well-packaged flower vase—meant to look good for show. Pretty on the outside, hollow within. A pretty façade for public appeal—but nothing more than an ordinary nun inside. Obviously, Hilbert understood this too. The best way to deal with a flower vase? Elevate it even higher. Prop it up higher than Amanda had planned. Place it somewhere it absolutely doesn’t belong. Somewhere she’s completely unsuited for. Then… let her fall—shatter. Appointing her as the Church’s special envoy to resolve the internal conflict in Addus, responsible for handling heresy and even mediating between warring factions—that was a role far beyond the nun’s station. One in which she would inevitably fail. Hilbert knew: the internal turmoil in Addus could never be resolved by a mere nun. That’s why he wanted to send her. That’s why he would use all his power within the Cardinal Council to make it happen—just to watch her fail. After she fell, Hilbert could always express regret—say how the situation in Addus had dashed his noble hopes—and then turn around and raise the banner of war once more. In doing so, he’d accomplish three things: first, he would suppress Amanda’s rising influence. Second, he could still go to war and expand his own power. Third, he would uphold his image as one who abhors violence. Compared to immediately launching an invasion, this was by far the superior option. “Amanda wants to elevate a flower vase? Then I’ll gladly help her lift it even higher. When the wind tips it over, she’ll be the one crushed beneath the shards.” Relaxed in his chair, Hilbert spoke as though everything were already in his grasp. “I’ve already arranged for both internal and external media under our influence to start generating buzz—news that the Summer Tree preacher will be heading to Addus. Once that’s combined with Amanda’s own propaganda, I imagine the wave will be enormous. I’m quite looking forward to it… watching Amanda be drowned by the tide she created herself.” So said Hilbert, then shifted his gaze to the world map hanging on the wall. His eyes settled on the northern part of the Ufiga continent in the south—eager for what would happen next.