Chapter 273

Words : 1979 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

Two months ago, just a few days after the unilateral announcement from the temple, there was a brief commotion in the capital. “What’s going on?” “Your, Your Majesty. It’s just that...” An incomprehensible set of coordinates was connected through the royal communication crystal directly to the king. The sudden contact, through unknown means, sent the communication room staff into a state of panic. It was only after Logan himself stepped forward that the person within the communication crystal revealed himself, and his identity was truly beyond everyone’s expectations. [I am a servant of the God of Fire and Food, Anima. My name is Austin Pruitt.] It was a typical introduction for a priest, but the weight of that name was different. One of the mere nine Cardinals in the world. With a slightly stern look, Logan had no choice but to respond. “We are already aware of the temple’s announcement. Do you have anything else to say apart from the official communication?” The answer to his question was quite unexpected. [Not everyone in the temple follows the Pope’s decision. I contacted you independently to aid Maclaine.] Of course, such words could not be immediately trusted. “What do you mean by that?” [I mean to inform you that there are those who wish to restore the corrupted clergy and the priests who have become distant from the people back to their rightful place.] “I’m sorry, but that’s hard to believe.” [...I thought you might say that. Therefore, to build trust with Your Majesty, I would like to provide some information.] “Information?” [The current Pope is not moving the temple with just a single purpose. The dispatch of the Inquisition. How many of the true intentions behind it are you aware of, Your Majesty?] “Uh...?” The words that continued from Cardinal Austin were very intriguing. [Investigations into the ‘Forsaken’ have been spoken of for years. But it was the opinion of most reasonable priests that it should be a careful study to interpret the will of God.] Austin paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, and then continued in a measured voice. [Claiming that there is land abandoned by God itself is blasphemy against the absolute nature of the Nine Deities, according to doctrine.] “The Pope has twisted the doctrine? Would there be a reason for that?” [The Pope wants to flaunt the power of the temple. The real purpose is to display a might that has not been projected outwards for over 50 years and to solidify his influence over the eastern part of the continent, even if it means taking drastic measures to expedite the process.] The rest of the words barely reached Logan’s ears. “...Using our kingdom as a stepping stone, you say?” [That’s correct. The head of the dispatched Inquisition, Esel Fabrun, is a materialist unworthy of even the priesthood, let alone a cardinal position...] “I am already aware of that fact, Your Eminence.” Logan cut him off, but from that moment on, he became incredibly interested in this Cardinal Austin. Seeing him get so excited while speaking of Esel Fabrun started to build a sense of trust. [Ahem, ahem. Is that so? Anyway, he will find any excuse to brand them as heretics.] “Expanding an investigation that should have been conducted into a larger scale to achieve other goals... Well, if I were not the one being implicated, it would seem a clever move.” Should he prepare for an all-out war with the temple? A gloomy thought naturally crossed his mind. As most advisors believed, the temple’s publicly known armed forces accounted for nearly a third of the entire empire’s military strength, which meant they could confront the eastern 8th Legion, the western 7th Legion, or even the central imperial army head-on. If it came to an all-out war with such a temple, even if they won, there would be no strength left to prepare for an imperial war. In other words. The country would be ruined. “It all seemed too good to be true, and now it makes sense why.” Though rage boiled inside him, Logan quickly composed himself. He hadn’t had an easy moment since his return. There was too much at stake to fall to despair over such a situation. “So, what assistance can you provide, Your Eminence?” [What?] “If informing us of the Pope’s intentions is all the help you can offer, then I appreciate it, but it doesn’t seem like much. I have to prepare for the possibility that your suspicions are incorrect.” [Ah, of course. Fortunately, I believe there is something I can do.] Cardinal Austin’s confirmation brightened Logan’s expression, but the following words left him puzzled. [Another minor objective of the Pope in this event involves Bishop Ilya.] “Excuse me?” [Bishop Ilya. There are rumors spreading among the priests that the bishop, who was sent back for committing a taboo, has received a stigma.] “Stigma, you say...?” [A sign that the will of God has descended to this land. A blessing where the symbol of God is etched upon your body and your divine power surges. It can even be seen by the average person as a soft halo.] Logan then remembered the changes he had seen in Bishop Ilya back in the Raphan territory. ‘The symbol of God, I’m not sure, but the halo was clearly there...’ [If Bishop Ilya is truly confirmed as a saint, she will automatically gain the position of a Cardinal. The Pope most likely plans to pressure her for her violation of the taboo and then rescue her to receive her loyalty.] “What?” [Given that the temple is already under condemnation for corruption and the unjust persecution of innocent priests, making the returned bishop into a saint could mitigate public opinion.] “Ah...!” [Of course, if there is no stigma, she will simply be sent to a religious tribunal.] “...Whether it’s a stigma or not, I’ve seen the halo.” Logan didn’t fully grasp the significance, but upon hearing his words, Cardinal Austin’s face lit up. [Really!? Hahaha! Much of my unease has been dispelled.] That laughter only raised more questions for Logan. “What does Bishop Ilya have to do with the assistance you’re talking about, Your Eminence?” [If she is truly revealed to be a saint, I plan to center our reform efforts of the temple around her. I’ve collected records of corruption, exploitation, and crimes committed by the Pope and his cronies. With those documents as our foundation, if the saint, myself, and many other high-ranking priests claim impeachment of the Pope, the Pope’s overreach towards Maclaine will also become an issue.] It was an offer like rain during a drought for Logan. But still... “...The Pope won’t step down so easily, will he? From what I understand, the majority of the Cardinals are the Pope’s loyalists.” [We have conclusive evidence, and the support of a saint and many high-ranking priests. All reasonable priests will follow us.] The problem was that Cardinal Austin seemed to imagine a field of flowers flourishing in his mind. ‘I’ve seen very few of those reasonable priests.’ However, there was a possibility. The kingdom’s crisis could be significantly averted with the political turmoil within the temple alone. And then... ‘Impeachment, impeachment. Why does that sound so familiar? From a past life... Ah!’ Suddenly, a ray of light illuminated Logan’s mind, and a memory from his past life surfaced. Information that could certainly help in this situation. Of course, that alone would be insufficient, so he would need to employ more strategy... “This could turn out well; we might be able to offer assistance from the outside as well.” A shrewd smile appeared on Logan’s face. [What?] While the companion with flowers in his head had his uses, at least he would not give up because of present difficulties. And those difficulties could be handled by a collaborator like himself. ‘Even if this news is false, I have nothing to lose.’ With a dangerous smirk, Logan accepted Austin’s offer. Now, two months later, Logan was reaching out to Austin again. “The heresy investigation team is completely under my control. Now is the time for you to show what you promised.” [...Everything is contingent on the rumor about Bishop Ilya’s stigma being true, Your Majesty.] Logan smiled faintly as he began to speak, but for some reason, Cardinal Austin showed a weak side. As the time approached, he seemed to grow anxious. Logan brightened his smile and comforted him. “I have seen it with my own eyes. Don’t be tied down by worry, Your Eminence.” [...I will trust you, Your Majesty. Then, I will personally welcome her...] “No, that would be problematic. I’ve already had word sent ahead, so please make contact only on the eve of the religious interrogation. It would be strange for a Cardinal to personally meet with a heretic.” [Oh, right. Haha. I must be nervous. I overlooked such an obvious fact...] While the old clergyman’s naive demeanor was concerning given his status and age, ‘Well, I’m not really affected anyway.’ Logan was preparing a significant move that could turn the dangerous spark of the Pope’s impeachment into a raging wildfire, ensuring that the plans Austin’s faction wanted to carry out would come to fruition. Viktor had directly confirmed with Ilya about this. That the halo he had seen was indeed a divine stigma. No matter how things turned out, Bishop Ilya was bound to enter the central heart of the temple. Whether on the Pope’s side or not. ‘Maximizing the chaos from this...’ The temple would no longer have the capacity to concern themselves with Maclaine. “When the day to ignite our strategy is set, contact me again. We will coordinate our support.” [Yes, thank you. Once the date is fixed, I will immediately let you know.] Who knows if he’ll like it? Logan’s smile was enigmatic as he responded to an invigorated Austin, who cut off the transmission. Watching the extinguished communication crystal, Logan let out a heavy sigh. “I hope there are no more variables.” Every time it felt like they had overcome a hurdle, another hardship would strike. It seemed like an excessive spiritual toll to pay for changing the future with every grueling stress endured. ‘Maybe because I’m also lacking...’ Under the changed future in his hands, there had been incidents that did not exist in his previous life. He could never have imagined that children like Stella would become an excuse for the temple’s invasion. ‘I cannot get trapped by the temple here.’ The real crisis was only a few years away. He had to end this variable with minimal losses and create the maximum fighting force possible. At the very least, the empire’s eastern 8th Legion must be repelled convincingly. It seemed within reach, and now he couldn’t collapse under another such variable. ‘I have overcome every event. There’s no reason this time should be any different!’ After returning, he had worked to protect his family and house. After many events, all that had expanded into protecting the country, but the task remained unchanged. There was no other way. Logan resolved once more and left the communication room. “If another transmission comes from the same coordinates, inform me immediately. And tell Damian Nadal to come to the palace at once.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” The moment Cardinal Austin’s preparations are complete, they would set off a major explosion on this side. To bring the idealistic Cardinal’s plans into reality with a significant enough impact. “Now all I have to do is wait for the right time.” His fist trembled as he clenched it tightly, almost bursting veins.

Chapter 273

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