Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, cutting sharp patches of light across the conference table.
The ghost of Religious Leader Seydou floated at the boundary between light and shadow, his translucent body growing increasingly ferocious with rage.
"Twenty-four warships sunk, the Pope fallen, twelve archbishops martyred!" Religious Leader demanded loudly. "If the Association turns a blind eye to this, how is that any different from sheltering a murderer?"
The conference room fell into dead silence.
Every hero present knew about the conflict between the Church and Wu Heng.
The situation had worsened and worsened. In a sense, the Church had brought it upon itself, while Wu Heng had only been forced into passive retaliation.
The leader of the Grand Text Society set down his porcelain cup with a clear ding. "The Priestess's death has not yet been properly investigated, yet you launched a holy war without consulting the Association beforehand. Now you expect the Association to arrest someone? There is no justification for it."
The Dwarf Leader of the Seekers followed up, "Don't forget, Claudio and I vouched for you aboard the ship."
Religious Leader's ghost fluctuated. "Then who will defend the Church's dignity?"
At the head of the table, Hadara'i slowly opened his eyes. As the ruling leader who had inherited the title of Sword of Justice, his expression was exceptionally grim.
He glanced at the ghost and said, "The Church launched a holy war against an Association leader without sufficient cause. You will bear the losses yourselves. The compensation promised to Wu Heng aboard the ship should also begin being prepared by the Church and handed over through the Association."
"You..." Religious Leader had just begun to speak.
Hadara'i's gaze snapped toward him. "Lilith has sent word that Zoltan, the exiled Vampire leader, has returned to Vampire territory.