Iver's group of more than a dozen people marched all the way down to the Fifth Ring without encountering any obstacles.
That instead made Sherlock frown slightly, feeling that something was strange.
"Your Holiness... how did you discover the location of that Curse Master?"
he asked to confirm.
The Saintess, her eyes covered by a white silk band, lowered her head slightly and explained, "Curse Countertracking—it uses a curse that has been dispelled to locate the approximate position of the caster. It's a common technique among Theocracy priests. Those on the Dedication Path can begin learning and mastering it once they reach the Third Level.
"Once the priests of Avalon reach the bishop level, they all come to the Theocracy for further study. Only then do they learn some of the mysterious arts that can only be learned here in the Theocracy... Iver will be able to learn them too."
"In other words, any bishop can master this technique?"
Sherlock pressed on.
At that, Iver realized what he meant. "Are you asking whether this could be a trap?"
"...That's not impossible."
Pure White frowned slightly and stopped walking.
She raised her head, seemingly closing her eyes as she listened to the howling wind.
Then Pure White opened her eyes and looked at Iver and Sherlock. Her expression grew slightly serious as well. "That Curse Master hasn't changed locations since completing the curse."
"That sounds even more like a trap." Sherlock gave his assessment.
He glanced at the Pope Guards and said tactfully, "Should we bring in more people?"
Hearing that, the young male elf leading the group immediately laughed. "No need."
"Indeed, there's no need."
Iver nodded. "It's more important that we don't let the other party escape. If there's a trap, we'll just break through it head-on."
Sherlock hadn't