#420
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420
If a group with public trust and authority criticizes another of equal or greater status, they will simply nod and think, ‘There must be some problem between the two.’
However, when a second group appears that supports the first group, and a third group appears and even provides different reasons, the story changes.
Even those who had maintained neutrality changed their stance at that time and cast a skeptical eye on the opponent who was shot at all at once.
The greedy human powers are slandering and insulting Lumen’s representative who has a sacred duty.
It was the temple’s attitude to appeal in that way, and it was close to its policy, but it was unreasonable to remain ignorant and say that it was not true at a time when evidence was presented.
I thought the Empire and Rinosa would be worth a try, but I didn’t expect Basor to show up, so the temple fell into chaos.
Unlike the splendid and noble empire of Rinosa, which is old-fashioned, Basor is known as a country of rough and barbaric warriors.
Far from being calculating, they expressed their willingness to participate in the war while discussing the ‘honor of the Sword Saint.’
That decisively drove the wedge.
Of course, from Basor’s point of view, Rinosa is not his concern, and the empire is just a country full of people who show off with their corrupt bodies.
It was such a surprising fact that three countries that implicitly looked down on each other joined hands.
However, they only joined hands from the temple’s perspective, and they were just aiming their arrows at the same goal.
In addition, following Beneta who secretly raised his hand saying that there seems to be a problem with the temple, other countries are also accusing the temple of its atrocities as if they are joining the trend.
It was natural for weight to be focused on one side’s statement.
In such a situation, the fact that Helmut had a seed of darkness was somehow buried and became insignificant.
The bad thing is the temple, and it is the temple that is trying to interfere in the internal affairs of Linosa by capturing the house of Saengte.
Sprouts of darkness and all, something to find out if they really exist and if they are really dangerous.
As long as they could use this opportunity to take revenge on the temple, that was all. Most people didn’t care who Rinosa’s successor would be.
After all, Rinosa is a small power, and it is not a country big enough to cause problems if a successor with a slightly dangerous personality ascends to the throne.
It’s just that the temple itself was not aware of it because it was so accustomed to being tyrannical, but there were so many people sharpening its sword at the temple.
A temple that exists in every country. Priests belonging to that temple would get away with using the temple’s immunity even if they had an accident or committed a crime.
Even if complaints and accusations continued, the temple often ignored them as an authority, saying that it would look into the facts and take disciplinary action internally.
No matter what kind of heinous crime is committed, such as murder, rape, arson, theft, etc., the only thing a priest receives is disciplinary action.
It was rare for a priest to be imprisoned or excommunicated.
It was not that there were no honest and faithful people inside the temple, and there were quite a few, but even those people had their arms bent inside.
They were all members of Lumen’s family, and they were able to embrace some shortcomings for the greater good.
Also, since there are attempts to undermine Lumen’s authority everywhere, this may have been an attempt to discredit the priesthood.
Even if they truly committed a sin, priests are those who dedicated their lives to the temple.
They are also human and may deviate from time to time, but it is enough to pay for their sins through atonement and prayer.
From the beginning, the temples were people who believed that they existed above humans.
Lumen, who saved the world from the devil, gave them the authority, authority, and glory to reign over humans.
However, what had been slowly cracking was now on the verge of collapsing.
Everyone was aiming arrows at them as if they were surrounding them.
It can’t go on like this. Something had to be done.
That sense of crisis led Shinjeon to make an extreme choice.
“No matter how rough the waves are, we cannot retreat from the temple. Destroying those who possess the power of darkness is our mission and the value of the temple’s existence. No matter what the people of Inse say, we have noble intentions, and we must uphold Lumen’s will to protect this world.”
At a round table meeting where all the high priests were convened, High Priest Levina spoke in a resolute tone.
The other high priests who heard her also nodded with stern faces.
“Lumen has not given us an answer, so I guess this is a test for us to keep our faith.”
“That’s right.”
“I agree.”
“If the temple has made a mistake, it is our immediate task to correct it, but that cannot be an excuse to tolerate the power of darkness over royalties.”
High Priest Agato stood up. He placed his hands on his round table, his eyes filled with firm conviction.
“Then everyone means the same thing.”
The ones here are the ones closest to Lumen. He was the representative of the great God.
A decision fell heavily from his mouth.
“The temple, as the army of God, will establish Lumen’s authority.”
And that decision soon reached Linosa.
*
“I guess the temple has no intention of making excuses anymore.”
Xian, who had been collecting information as Helmut’s assistant, shrugged his shoulders.
“I heard that outsiders are restricted from entering this temple. High-ranking priests dispatched to other countries were also ordered to return. “It is said that inside, there are armor-clad paladins walking around with bloodshot eyes.”
Area nodded.
“We are preparing for war. “I knew they wouldn’t back down.”
Aren’t they the ones who have been chasing Heike, who is said to be the deity of the temple, for so long?
Because she was partially aware of her mistakes, she did not take revenge. If Heike had had his way, the temple would have felt threatened.
War. Helmut pondered those words sweetly.
A battle on such a large scale will definitely be a unique experience. Expectations arose.
War is even more meaningful when the opponent is a huge, deep-rooted enemy called a temple.
No, in fact, I think I’ve been waiting for the moment to point my sword at them.
Because they were the ones who simply decided his fate as if he were an absolute child.
And those who brought about the second betrayal.
Magritte and Michael each accepted their price. So the temple also had to bear the cost.
Helmut was now ready to destroy that absolute.
“The rumors have already dissipated. They said they were collecting supplies. “The expedition will probably take place within a day or two.”
As Xian spoke with a cautious expression, Area pointed out.
“The temple cannot reach Rinosa without passing through the empire.”
Passing through the territory of the empire without the emperor’s permission is an invasion. The empire, which was only looking for an opportunity to eliminate the temple’s immunity, would not tolerate this.
The temple will first have to face the empire with its eyes on fire.
“There is a way to do it through magic, right? “I will use that method.”
The temple was an unusually powerful group equipped with both wizards and swordsmen who used divine power.
If you look at it, the priest was a holy magician, so it was reasonable to solve the problem with magic.
Area, the wizard, realized it right away.
“Are you saying you want to open the gate?”
“Yes, a huge amount of sacred power will be consumed, but there is nothing that a temple cannot do since it has been pushed to this point. Rather, it’s an opportunity to show off their power, right? We can send troops regardless of the distance. Something like this.”
It’s not just a large-scale spatial movement, but if you open the door by jumping over the distance.
Their army will step into Linosa’s territory.
Their plan would be to advance to Latona and end everything before the Empire even takes action.
“Is there any basis?”
“According to the Wizards Association, among the materials collected from the temple, there are things that can be used to open the gate. “They made that guess first.”
Naturally, the Wizards’ Association does not have a good relationship with the temple.
They were of great help in understanding the dynamics of the temple in Linosa.
Area frowned.
“It’s hard to stop them from opening the gate. “I don’t know where the gate will open.”
Latona’s royal castle can block external invasions with magic. So it won’t be near the royal castle.
However, it is impossible for even an archmage to defend the entire Rinosa using magic.
If it were a temple, the shallow barrier would be torn like a piece of paper and the gate would be opened.
“You will know as soon as the gate opens.”
In the end, the battlefield will be Rinosa. He might not receive much cooperation from other countries.
As soon as they enter Linosa, even if reinforcements are sent from other countries, it will take time.
The Black Wing Knights and Latona’s forces alone cannot block the temple’s elite.
This is a calculation that excludes Helmut and his group.
[Can I fight now?]
Elaga stretched out her legs and exposed her claws. Her pure white claws were quite sharp.
Helmut responded.
“What if you’re going to fight in cat form?”
If a white leopard the size of a house appears and attacks the temple, spouting magical energy, those who see the sight will be confused as to which side is the ally.
Although there was a time when the high priests controlled monsters in Basor, it was probably something they wanted to hide.
Controlling monsters is considered something only a warlock can do.
Moreover, the fact that Rinosa possesses such a large number of monsters will raise caution in other countries.
Elaga is a secret weapon. It had to be kept hidden until the last moment. Hoping that that final moment never comes.
‘I also don’t want to take advantage of him.’
Helmut also had a delicate conscience.
Although I was reassured by the presence of Elaga, I did not take him out of the Forest of Pahe to use him as a weapon.
I no longer want to be treated like a pet or a child who needs help from Elaga.
I didn’t even want to imagine how condescending and abusive Elaga would be if I let him come forward.
[This appearance is enough to deal with weak humans.]
Elaga was confident.
Helmut imagined a cat that would have been seen sitting on a luxurious sofa in a noble house jumping up and scratching the paladin’s face on the battlefield.
It seemed like it would be an unusual sight, enough to take away the nerves of those fighting the battle.
Helmut declared, somehow gathering his clouded mind.
“I’m enough on my own.”
“Yes, that’s right. “You alone are enough.”
Somehow, Area nodded.
“You don’t need me either, right?”
“… … okay.”
Helmut answered, feeling a subtle sense of betrayal, even though he thought it would be better for Area to be in a safe place.
Area, with a meaningful smile, spoke to Elaga.
“Then that’s good. Elaga has something to do with me.”
