Atop the Holy Mountain, the atmosphere at the Church headquarters was so oppressive it was suffocating. As the party directly responsible for the deterioration of the situation in the Central Continent, the Church was being swept by an overwhelming tide of public condemnation.
They could not even shift the blame. According to the Human Alliance's internal division of responsibilities, the Dwarf Kingdom happened to fall within the Church's jurisdiction, and they had volunteered to take on this task themselves.
The Church had been so proactive not only to take the opportunity to weaken the Ruthenia Kingdom, but mainly to expand its own influence.
It was terrifying for a religious organization to lack a presence.
Especially now that a rebel had emerged on both the Southern and Northern Continents, each constantly seeking to overturn their sacred status. The Church had even more need to make its presence known.
Yet judging from the current situation, things had not gone as planned.
Through this war, the Church's influence had indeed expanded. The declining Ruthenia Kingdom had been infiltrated by them until it was riddled with holes.
Unfortunately, unforeseen developments had occurred in the Dwarf Kingdom. Things had not followed the established script, destroying the Church's favorable position in one stroke.
Had they not trusted their allies too much and failed to guard against enemies in the rear, allowing the Dwarf Kingdom to exploit the opening, the situation in the Central Continent would not have deteriorated so suddenly to the brink of collapse.
Having suffered such a huge loss, the nations of the Central Continent naturally would not let the matter rest. Since they could do nothing to the Church through action, they struck back through public opinion.
No matter the final outcome, the Church had to give everyone an explanation after such a