Testing and the End of the Meeting

After most of the ninth-rankers returned to the venue, the few ninth-rankers who had suddenly begun fighting became the focus of everyone's attention.

Some tried to flee, only to be restrained by several ninth-rankers acting together.

"Then why were you all fighting each other?"

Saint Messiah III narrowed his eyes, which glowed with white radiance, as he looked at the hostile ninth-rankers. Yet his tone retained the gentleness characteristic of a Holy Knight.

"Hmph, it was only for that book. Didn't your people just try to intercept it as well?"

After casting a somewhat shifty glance at the Saint Messiah Pope, a ninth-ranker from the Federation spoke with outward fierceness masking inner weakness, attempting to elevate the matter into a conflict between the Three Great Empires.

However, to his disappointment, after his words fell, none of the Federation's many ninth-rankers present responded.

"This was merely an accident, Your Majesty Saint Messiah. Their personal actions do not represent the Federation's position. I will do my best to ensure such a situation does not occur again."

Still, for the sake of the ninth-rankers from his own camp, the Federal Speaker reluctantly stepped forward to smooth things over for them.

"Then let us consider it an accident for the time being."

A trace of barely perceptible disgust flashed through Saint Messiah III's eyes, but he did not press the matter further. Instead, he shifted his target.

"However, regarding what just happened, I believe certain people need to give us an explanation. We all know that the appearance of that thing was no accident.

"Only those who received invitations could enter this place. So who was it that originally brought that book in?"

"Who knows? Perhaps your people brought it here long ago."

The few ninth-rankers showed no kindness toward the Pope's question. The