Schemes

"The Star Praise Sect's sudden intervention this time may appear to have been an independent action on their part, but we all understand that the marquises must have been pulling strings behind this incident."

Watching the duke's ever-changing expression, Anvis finally voiced his thoughts.

"Since the marquises can invite the Heretic God Cult to intervene, why can't we bring the Circle of Truth into this as well?"

"...You should understand, Anvis, that the Circle of Truth's organizational interests are fundamentally irreconcilable with those of us nobles who rule the Empire. In the future, they are destined to stand against us."

After a long silence, Duke Carlot finally spoke.

He knew of Anvis's identity as the Man in the Mirror. Back when they had been in the Federation, Anvis had even asked him to secretly intervene and help capture the capital of the Rockhelm Kingdom.

But he had never expected Anvis to play such a dangerous game—to the point of personally joining the Circle of Truth!

"Besides, even I cannot see through the strength of that mysterious Circle of Truth Leader. If your identity is exposed by accident, you'll be in immense danger!"

"You're right, Father. But just like us, the marquises are also enemies of the Circle of Truth. And there was once a saying among the Empire's common folk: 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.'

"Even if we are destined to become enemies in the future, we can still engage in limited cooperation before then. We can use them as a blade to strike at our enemies."

Unmoved by the duke's warning, Anvis instead explained the benefits of doing so.

"Do you remember the intelligence I previously relayed to you? Heretic Cultists claiming to be envoys of Imperial Marquises once traveled to some remote border cities in