Without a doubt, the arrival of the Holy Light Church delegation injected a bit of vitality into this once-declining city.
The smarter and more perceptive clergy in particular immediately connected it to the bishops' unusual behavior lately, and realized that this might also be an opportunity for themselves.
After all, if the two churches truly merged, the Holy City would surely escape its previous state of lying flat and waiting to die.
It might even rise again thanks to its unique geographic position at the center.
The only question was how many benefits their half-dead church could secure in the negotiations.
Of course, where there were supporters, there were naturally opponents.
Some radicals had always believed that the Holy City had become such a miserable mess entirely because of the Holy Light Church.
They began secretly conspiring with officers and soldiers, planning an "uprising" to directly assassinate Artoria and her entourage, while also wiping out all those surrenderist bishops among the upper ranks.
As the sun slowly sank beyond the horizon, night descended once again, and undercurrents began stirring throughout Holy City Rapona.
Together with the Yoma and Awakened Beings hiding among the ruins and ordinary people...
This city, once lifeless and stagnant, suddenly became incredibly lively.
Even someone like Clare, who did not pay much attention to changes in the outside world, sensed that something was off.
But as a Claymore who had come to execute Yoma, she did not forget her mission and duty. She quickly left the inn to try contacting the church's client so she could obtain firsthand information.
As for Laki and Allen, they were left behind in the inn room.
Laki stayed because he currently had no combat ability whatsoever and would only be a burden if brought along.
Allen, on the other hand,