Recruitment? And the Final Truth

"That's right, I did it." Ansu felt there was nothing to hide.

Because Cecilia had deliberately refrained from using any so-called 'black magic,' she had dealt with Terry using only low-tier magic, and low-tier magic was completely legal within The Empire.

After all, the technical foundation driving the entire magitech industry was a complex magical rune structure composed of over a dozen basic 0-ring spells by a certain genius; the Emperor of The Empire wouldn't be foolish enough to ban magic entirely.

Only The Church, with its 'conflicting beliefs,' was so repulsed by magic, constantly preaching about the 'evils of magic'—a move that, naturally, annoyed the Emperor and the new elites who had grown wealthy from the magitech industry.

"You defeated Bishop Terry using only pure low-tier magic?" Leonard was somewhat surprised.

He scrutinized Ansu carefully, his gaze devoid of hostility and instead carrying a hint of appreciation. "It seems you are a genius when it comes to magic?"

"Bishop Leonard!" Freya didn't catch the subtext of his words; she was worried that Bishop Leonard's Demon Hunter Squad would take Ansu away. "Student Ansu is not a black mage! He is a good person who follows the Holy Light and values justice! I can vouch for him!"

"Freya, don't be nervous." Leonard hadn't expected such a strong reaction from her, so he smiled. "I didn't come here to arrest him."

"Then why did you come..." Freya asked, confused.

"For this student, Ansu, to be able to unleash such power with low-tier magic at his age—he is truly a talent worth molding!" Leonard praised as he looked at Ansu, then suddenly proposed:

"Since Freya thinks so highly of you, and you have such a connection with our Church, why not join my ranks and become a member of the Demon Hunter Squad?"

"Hmm?" Ansu hadn't expected him to offer recruitment.

It was worth noting that in the original plot, Vera had joined the Demon Hunter Squad; he hadn't expected it to be his turn this time. He had to admit that his family and this organization were quite intertwined...

"You don't need to worry." Seeing Ansu remain silent for a long time, Leonard assumed he had reservations. "My Demon Hunter Squad isn't without magic-based transcendents, and I am not as rigid as the other bishops of The Church. As long as you are willing to serve The Church and pass my tests, you can absolutely obtain the special authorization of The Church."

"Thank you for your trust, Bishop Leonard." Ansu smiled politely; he knew the Demon Hunter Squad was indeed an anomaly within The Church's system.

This organization focused more on pragmatism. To more efficiently hunt down the 'dangerous elements' hiding in society, they welcomed all forms of transcendent power.

Many members of the Demon Hunter Squad were even magic-affinitized individuals who had consumed magic potions and undergone modifications. For instance, [Hunting the Darkness - Vera] from the plot was a near-omnipotent combat monster who had mastered a bit of everything: magic, divine arts, and martial techniques.

Ansu was quite tempted by The Church's 'special authorization,' but he didn't want to join the Demon Hunter Squad and work for Leonard.

"I appreciate your kindness, but my main task right now is my studies. I will consider the matter of joining the Demon Hunter Squad." Ansu stated his predicament and politely declined the offer.

"Very well then..." Bishop Leonard felt it was a pity, but he didn't press the issue.

Afterward, he and a few of his subordinates inspected the room, chatted with Freya a bit more about the incident with Bishop Terry, and then turned to leave.

Now, only the three of them remained in the room.

Hearing the Church personnel gradually moving away, Cecilia raised an eyebrow. "This Bishop Leonard actually has some skill."

After all, few people could detect the magical aura she had deliberately concealed.

"He has more than just 'some skill'." Ansu's tone was profound. "The matter of Bishop Terry is not over yet..."

"You mean..." Cecilia was basically on the same 'frequency' as Ansu regarding this matter. She narrowed her eyes and asked skeptically, "This guy just now—is there a problem with him?"

"Ah? Is there a problem with Bishop Leonard too?" Freya couldn't keep up with the rhythm of these two at all. She opened her eyes wide in a daze. "But Bishop Leonard doesn't look like a bad person at all!"

Ansu looked at Freya helplessly. "Miss Saintess, do you judge whether someone is good or bad entirely by their appearance..."

"It's not that..." Freya's expression was conflicted. She looked at Ansu. "My instincts have always been very accurate... For example, the first time I saw Student Ansu, I knew you weren't a bad person!"

Cecilia burst into a laugh.

Could there possibly be a good person in the Echo of Truth Cult?

She wondered what kind of expression this Saintess would have if she found out Ansu's true identity.

Ansu looked silently at Cecilia. Cecilia held back her laughter for a long time before finally suppressing it, while Freya, observing their reactions, became even more confused.

"Freya... people are very complex. Don't make such simple judgments in the future..." Ansu said quietly. "These three bishops, even Paul, who is the kindest to you, are actually not that simple, let alone Leonard, who controls a violent institution like the Demon Hunter Squad."

"Since Terry knew about the cultist activities within Benalu City long ago," Ansu pondered, "then the Demon Hunter Squad, which fights on the front lines, has no reason to be ignorant. Leonard might have also sensed the threat of the Echo of Truth Cult long ago..."

Cecilia stopped smiling. She followed Ansu's analysis and said, "Even if Leonard isn't the mastermind, he is at least an insider, and perhaps even an indirect catalyst."

"That's what I think too." Ansu nodded solemnly.

Freya listened blankly to the discussion between the two, unable to interject at all.

"If we reverse-engineer the current situation, Leonard is indeed the biggest winner." Ansu tried to string together the whole truth. "Bishop Terry has become a reviled apostate, and of the three candidates for Pope, only the rather mediocre Paul remains."

"Freya." Ansu suddenly asked, "I've had you secretly keep an eye on the three archbishops for some time, even recording their daily routines..."

"I remember you described their personalities and hobbies to me. Tell me about Leonard's again, in more detail!"

"Um, okay!" Freya nodded.

Afterward, Ansu listened silently to Freya's description. When she reached a certain point, his brow suddenly smoothed out, and he had a sudden realization.

"He views the tenth Pope, Gregory, as his idol, and even hangs a portrait of this Saint Gregory in his room..."

"So that's how it is..."

For the past few hundred years, newly elected Popes rarely used their original names. They generally chose another name as their regnal title, selecting from legendary 'saints' or very famous historical Popes, using them as role models to continue a certain governing agenda...

Saint Gregory was a decisive Pope in history who led humanity out of darkness. If Leonard succeeded in taking the throne, his name would become 'Gregory IV'.

And the next Pope in the original plot was indeed Gregory IV...

That explains it.

Ansu's approach was still to use his advantage of knowing the plot to deduce the truth. If Leonard was destined to be elected Pope, then his suspicion was immense.

Gregory IV, a background character before the start of the main game, hadn't even shown his face. This was why Ansu couldn't link him to Leonard at first. This Pope only reigned briefly for three years before being assassinated by Cecilia, becoming a stepping stone for the terrifying reputation of the [Witch of World Destruction].

Ansu looked thoughtfully at Cecilia. If the original plot had played out, Terry still wouldn't have succeeded in killing Samantha, and the result would have been the 'Academy Tragedy'—a case of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice...

In the end, neither the powerful Bishop Terry nor Paul, who was responsible for the chaos in his diocese, emerged victorious. Leonard sat back and reaped the rewards.

The final truth, it turned out, was like this...