Facing Off

Saint Grand Fort.

The bewildered believers had lost their faith.

Some murmured in a daze, some raged with righteous indignation, and others refused to accept reality. But one thing was certain: they no longer posed a threat to the royal family of Saint Grand Fort, nor to its greedy nobles.

The Creator of Light was not omnipotent.

What could be more terrifying than a bishop being killed in the midst of a miracle?

Even the most eloquent priest would struggle to dress that up with pretty words.

Everyone who had witnessed the miracle being interrupted would become a potential heretic and traitor to the Holy See—and a natural supporter of the Grand scholars.

High above.

At the summit, all the mountains lay beneath him.

After shouting himself hoarse, Reilo's voice had grown a little rough. He drew shallow breaths.

His excitement was impossible to contain.

Looking down at the believers plunged into chaos in every direction around Saint Grand Fort, he clenched his fists beneath his wide sleeves and did his best to suppress his exhilarated sneer.

"We've finally taken the first step. Then the second step should be..."

He slowly turned and gazed toward the center of Saint Grand Fort.

The brightly lit palaces and towers, and the imperial hall surrounded by countless stars.

Whoosh.

Corleon flew up and appeared beside Reilo.

"Leave what happens below to the city guards. From today on, there's no turning back for us, and no turning back for the Grand Duchy. Come with me to the palace to see His Majesty. We'll investigate the leak of the Radiation Weapon secrets."

Unlike Reilo, who was visibly excited, Corleon had become uneasy now that they had taken this step.

"Master, now that we've come this far, why are you the one getting cold feet?"

Reilo