"Did you see how the church people arrived?" Schiller looked at Batman and asked.
"Helicopters." Batman said, "There were probably over two hundred of them. Nearly all of them spread through the village. The important people have likely occupied the church. Their defenses are tight, so it'll be hard to break through directly."
"Yes, and we can't show ourselves carelessly either." Schiller thought for a moment. "Once they disarm us, we'll be completely at their mercy. We need to cause them some trouble."
Schiller thought that Old Siltec had been gone for so long; there was no way he had made no moves at all. He had definitely contacted the church, though it was unclear which faction he had reached out to. But the church had certainly received his message.
The Oracle definitely did not want Old Siltec to expose what was happening in the village, because she had not yet gotten what she wanted. If the information fell into the Pope's hands, she would be at a disadvantage.
"Do you think the Oracle knows what Old Siltec is planning?" Schiller asked.
"I think she not only knows, but has been on guard against it for some time." Batman said, "Old Siltec's attempt to profit from the disaster challenged the church's authority. He has already crossed her bottom line."
"You think she'll silence him?"
"Without question."
With a bang, a large case was set on the table. Its front lock was opened, revealing stacks of green bills inside.
"Thirty thousand dollars as a deposit. It's all here."
Bruce stepped forward to verify the cash, then turned to the man. "You paid readily. Looks like he's been giving you trouble again lately."
The wealthy businessman they had kidnapped before looked awful. After a moment of silence, he said, "I was nearly