Chapter 162
She looked at Toyokawa Shoko: "Do you want to attend the United Nations General Assembly?"
Toyokawa Shoko immediately shook her head.
Her family is still in Higashi, who knows what negative consequences might arise.
"Then let our Continuance Director go," Hebe said. "But before that, we also need to have a group meeting to determine the next direction for Blanckug."
The world is about to undergo unprecedented changes.
Is it scary? Yes, it is scary.
238 I did it on purpose
It's terrifying, but what's so terrifying about it?
Morgan was the best candidate Hebe could find.
Who's next?
Mostima, the Communications Director, was not in Blanckug at the moment. Moreover, compared to the real world, her role as a "communications officer" was closer to that of an envoy from the hidden world.
Librarian Toyokawa Shoko needs to take over from Hebe herself in Blanckug.
As has been the custom for the past few hundred years, librarians never leave the island during their term of office.
What about going up?
From the First History of Egyptian lands, protector of the cities of Abydos, god of silence and the god of the dead, Anubis of the underworld, [Elegy] Nitocris.
Or perhaps it comes from the Higashi of the Third History, the revitalization of the "Takachiho Mountains," the prototype of Takama-ga-hara in the present world, the last dragon in the world after Cathay abandoned its dragon veins, Miss A-Long.
In comparison, Morgan's attendance, as one of the few remaining prominent figures in the world, was the best response Blanckug's side could offer.
Of course, Royal Sister herself certainly didn't think so; she only felt that Hebe's arrangement was very reasonable.
In the pure white foyer, three people sat around a table, with a cell phone on the other side.
The person on the other end of the phone was Mostima, who was in Paris.
As the librarian, Toyokawa Shoko, though seated in the main seat, was clearly not quite comfortable with it.
Hebe didn't care; as the Lord of Blankog, every part of this place belonged to her.
Morgan sat directly opposite Hebe, his hands clasped together on the table, his gaze intense.
"I have already set up the ceremony," Mostima said with a smile. "The results are remarkable. May we begin the meeting?"
The phone showed a video of a single room in a hostel, with views of the streets of Paris through the window.
The once bustling streets now appear somewhat desolate. At intersections, bright yellow police tape can be seen, and armed police officers with batons and riot shields are standing at each intersection, scrutinizing any suspicious targets.
Mostima walked around the single room with his phone in hand. Five candles were lit on the empty table.
A subtle fragrance wafts through the room, filling it with a gentle yet reassuring atmosphere. The afternoon sun streams in through the window, landing precisely on the potted plants on the windowsill.
Mostima took the phone and pointed it at the long rune that had just been written on the flowerpot.
That was a combination of runes known as the "Green Witch's Charm," which used four runes—"Sun," "Power," "Yew," and "Luck"—to create a protective barrier centered around plants.
For the next forty-five minutes, until the sun disappeared below the horizon, no occult method of measurement beyond daylight could detect what was happening inside the room.
This spell traces its origins back to the Normans of Northern Europe, its structure stems from the creation of the Oak Sage, and it imitates the April Archon, the Fisher King.
All the protective barriers are closely related to the Fisher King.
In fact, the planet's largest shelter—the atmosphere—is considered part of the Fisher King.
From this perspective, the ever-expanding ozone hole over the poles in recent years might prove that Fisher King's condition is still deteriorating...
But in any case, this government continues to protect the world to this day.
And these barriers that imitate Him remain highly effective.
"Wait a minute, download Tencent Meeting first," Hebe instructed her to download the blue software to her phone.
"Why?" Mostima's smile revealed a hint of doubt.
This is a question that Toyokawa Shoko also wants to ask.
In their view, the Green Witch spell that Hebe had Mostima set up earlier already had a very strong protective effect.
Why go through the extra step of downloading web conferencing software?
"Because of the Celestial Flint," Hebe replied.
The existence of the September Archon and the Celestial Flint led to a technological advancement of more than half a century worldwide.
With the development of science and technology, a series of high-tech groups have sprung up like mushrooms after rain.
In short, emerging technology companies such as Tencent, Apple, and Google can be seen as religious groups that believe in the September Archon.
One counterintuitive point is that the software provided by these companies has the power to counter divination and prophecy.
Of course, there is another reason why Hebe chose to use Tencent's meeting software.
—She deliberately wanted to reveal her intentions to the Cathay side.
As a new religious organization influenced by Celestial Flint, it would be virtually impossible for the Cathay authorities not to monitor it.
It's like the United States Federation conducting audits of its domestic companies.
Similarly, she had Morgan attend the meeting so that she could cooperate with Arthur —given Morgan's possessiveness towards her, she certainly wouldn't betray her.
As for the Higashi... Toyokawa Shoko's appearance was not the decisive factor; what truly influenced the decision-making of the entire Eastern Kingdom was the Republic of Zhendan.
Therefore, Hebe must win the support of Cathay... Although Cathay should be friendly to Blanckug, given the presence of the three rulers (quasi-rulers) Celestial Flint, Zhen Zhu, and Lie Bing, the relationship between rulers and states is not always consistent.
As for why Hebe was so determined to gain the support of Cathay, the reason is simple: she knew earlier than any other nation that the culprit behind this calamity that shook the entire Gaul was none other than Joan of Arc herself.
Hebe knew Eris better than anyone else, knowing that although He was suppressed in the present world, He was even more difficult to eradicate.
If there is anything that can completely eradicate Eris, there is only one way in the world: the Skyflint's Excommunication.
Not long before, the Morgan, the Bewitching Consort had fought a battle at sea with Crimson Dawn resembled the "Burning Witch" and also triggered the Punishment.
Unlike Morgan, who was severely injured and retreated, the "Burning Witch" even confronted the Eternal King Arthur for a long time... Anyone who isn't an idiot would easily suspect Joan of Arc.
But therein lies the problem: the constraints imposed by various countries on those who have attained high status are inherently ineffective.
If it were twilight, depending on the depth of their achievements and the history of their country, there might still be some room for negotiation. But Joan of Arc is now Crimson Dawn... Crimson Dawn who will burn all her achievements to the ground!
In this situation, how would you judge her?
Hebe tapped the table, signaling everyone present to be quiet.
She leaned back slightly, so that the phone camera could only show Toyokawa Shoko directly opposite her. After making sure that only her voice could be heard, Hebe asked Mostima to open the meeting software.
"Communications Director, please recount what happened in Gaul."
Mostima's smile faded slightly; she had already informed Hebe.
There must be a reason why Hebe brought this up again at this moment.
But she did not hesitate.
"I was in Orleans when the excommunication came," Mostima said. "Thanks to the mark, I saw it clearly at the time: it was the Burning Witch who seized the cardinal and brought about the excommunication."
Are you sure?
"I saw it with my own eyes."
Thump. Thump.
Hebe tapped the desktop again. "Administrator, what do you think?"
Her tone was a little strange, Toyokawa Shoko felt inexplicably embarrassed, but she still followed Hebe's prior instructions and "spoke freely".
"No matter what, the 'Burning Witch' caused such a tragedy, we absolutely cannot ignore it," Xiao Xiang said seriously. "If I were in her shoes, I would definitely agree with Gaul and the Holy City's opinion and impose further punishment on the 'Burning Witch'."
Hebe pursed his lips when he heard Toyokawa Shoko's soft, sweet speech.
No matter how many times you hear it, the ending of that "desuwa" sound is always unbearable.
"Perhaps what I'm saying might sound a bit harsh," Hebe said, "But have you all considered this—why would the Burning Witch appear in Domremy, Orleans? Why specifically the Orthodox Church? What ritual would involve burning at the stake on a cross?"
"With so many factors, can't we still guess the true identity of the 'Burning Witch'?" Hebe stared at Morgan, gesturing for her to speak.
In the corner of the video feed from the conferencing software, Morgan's pale hands stretched out.
The Fallen Empress's voice rang out softly. "Gaul Orleans, Domremy, the Joan of Arc Maid of Orléans who was framed by a branch of the Orthodox Church and ultimately died at the stake."
"It seems that the so-called Burning Witch is her."
"Joan of Arc," Hebe said the name with a complicated tone, "So it's perfectly reasonable for her to take revenge on the Orthodox Church."
"No," Morgan said. "Leaving aside why the Maid of Orléans fell into witchhood...why didn't she take revenge on the Orthodox Church directly in the past, instead of doing this now?"
Is it because it's challenging?
Morgan didn't want to be too impolite, but as the Burning Witch's former adversary, in her eyes, the difference between Joan of Arc and Celestial Flint was like that between a wildcat and a fully loaded truck speeding down a national highway.
Try your best to exhale, because you can't beat them no matter what.
"I suppose the Orthodox Church has a damned reason to do this." Hebe's tone was flat, but he abruptly changed the subject. "In recent years, the state of the April Archon has been deteriorating, with El Niño and La Niña phenomena occurring more frequently than usual. Ha, if you've been paying attention, you've probably noticed that earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, and geomagnetic storms are also gradually increasing."
"How does this conflict with her killing members of the Orthodox Church?" Mostima asked.
"And what is the duty of the Orthodox Church?" Hebe countered.
"Universal salvation," Mostima answered without hesitation, "Salvation of all mankind through sacraments, missions, teachings, and the protection of the world through charity... uh."
"It seems I don't need to say more," Hebe laughed. "The world is getting worse and worse, Orthodox Church can't escape the blame. Rather than labeling Joan of Arc as a 'Burning Witch,' I think it would be more appropriate to call her a 'savior Maid of Orléans.' Doesn't the Holy Scripture also record the Messiah's teachings?"
"'Though I poisoned you, I was actually saving you.'"
"It's still a weak argument," said Toyokawa Shoko. "Such a reason won't convince the representatives from the various countries attending the event."
"Why does it seem far-fetched?" Hebe asked patiently.
"Because... this isn't the fault of Orthodox Church, is it?" Toyokawa Shoko understood the implied meaning. "Protecting our homeland is an obligation that every country needs to fulfill. If the Orthodox Church relies solely on its own efforts, it's impossible to reverse environmental degradation as times change, is it?"
Hebe secretly gave Toyokawa Shoko a thumbs up.
Encouraged by Hebe, the administrator perked up. "So in this case, the Orthodox Church can only be considered lazy and negligent, at most it can only be labeled as dereliction of duty... If this level of crime is to be ruthlessly punished, then the number of people in the world who deserve to die is far too many."
"What you say makes a lot of sense, Administrator," Hebe nodded approvingly, "But the reality is not as you think."
"If the Orthodox Church is merely lazy, then they are truly innocent; but what if these Catastrophe were all deliberately caused by factions within the Orthodox Church?"
Silence.
Only Hebe's eloquent voice remained in the pure white foyer.
Cathay, somewhere.
"It seems that Blanckug's arrangement will be like this."
The somewhat dejected man handed the recorded report to the person listening nearby.
The man in military uniform flipped through the record sheet in his hand, carefully reading the words on it.
As he watched, a cryptic smile appeared on his face.
The man in military uniform raised his hand, twirling the curved horn on the top of his head, and handed the record sheet back.
What does Mr. Li think?
"Me? Oh dear, I'm just a lowly worker, I don't deserve your kind words Great Master." The man, known as "Old Li" by his colleagues, waved his hands repeatedly. "Great Master, you already have a plan in mind, don't you? Why listen to my nonsense?"
"All I want to say is that Blanckug has already laid the door open for us," the soldier said. "Although the Orthodox Church as a whole has been lax, it has worked hard for a long time and should not be killed off all of them. But if it can be proven that one or more factions of the Orthodox Church are actively undermining the stability of the world, then they absolutely deserve to be killed."
The soldier couldn't help but clap his hands as he spoke.
Clever, so clever.
The power of the Orthodox Church is too great; it would be foolish for anyone to try to contend with it.
But what if it's only a part of it? Then there's an opportunity to take advantage of it.
The charge of negligence is nothing to other countries.
For the Orthodox Church, which stands in the world based on the teachings of the Three Sages, the opposite is true.
—You keep saying you want to obey God's will, but now you turn around and become lazy?