"Clang--"
"Clang--"
In the evening, the church bells of Gran Faro rang out once again, their mournful tolling echoing through the air, Iberia began their daily evening prayers.
It's getting a bit dark.
"As you know, the Iberia sky is always overcast, especially now that it's night."
"... This place hasn't been repaired in a long time, why not apply for subsidies?"
"The dim environment cannot hinder our faith, and everyone diligently cleans the windows every day."
The old man stroked the church's French windows; the once-brilliant stained glass had been replaced by ordinary gray-white glass.
"Thank you for your contribution, Mr. Thomassen."
Father Thomassen, who always had a serious face in the eyes of the believers, actually smiled after bowing to the old man in front of him.
"Since it's your compliment, I'll accept it with gratitude."
"There's no need for that. As fellow travelers, we don't need to be so distant in our interactions."
"Hahaha, spare me, Your Excellency Carmen." Thomassen lit the candles in the church.
"If people found out I disrespected a Saint, my breakfast tomorrow would be porridge."
Squeak--
The sound of the doors opening echoed in the empty church. The priest smiled kindly at the people in uniform, lit his lantern, and left.
"Lady Carmen"
Dario bowed, Carmen did not respond.
"... Ms. Carmen."
"Dario? When did he arrive?"
Faced with her beloved student's expressionless, serious face, Carmen reluctantly withdrew the hug she had prepared.
"Judging from your expression, you've benefited greatly from this mission."
A month ago, my beloved disciple took the young Inquisitor to the south on a mission, originally intended to nurture the next generation, but now it seems that the two of them are encouraging each other.
"We have reviewed your report. Irene is a good girl, and she will become the youngest Inquisitor in the history of the Inquisition."
When talking about his beloved student, Dario's usually expressionless lips finally curled up slightly.
"She will become an excellent Inquisitor."
"Of course, we all believe you will be a good teacher."
Clang--
The glass bottle made a crisp sound as it hit the ground, and the empty bottle slowly rolled to their feet.
Carmen looked helplessly towards a corner of the church.
Inside the long-empty church, a burly man sat drinking heartily with a case of liquor.
This behavior is undoubtedly immoral, especially since there was Idol of a god right in front of him, but no one would criticize him.
"Gulp... gulp... It's been decades, and the State Church still hasn't shaken off their bad habit of spouting a bunch of polite platitudes when they meet."
"It should now be called the Inquisition, Your Alfonso."
"Stop arguing!"
The burly man casually picked up two bottles of liquor and threw them behind him, where they were caught steadily by the two Inquisitor.
"Let's get straight to the point. I hate pointless waiting."
"Your will, Alfonso."
The two sat down beside the captain, and only then was Alfonso able to see Carmen's face clearly.
"... Have I seen you before?"
"I did see you before, at His Majesty's investiture ceremony."
Alfonso's eyes widened slightly. Not just anyone could attend an award ceremony; it was more appropriate for this guy's age...
"[Iberia profanity!] You're that old man from back then? How have you survived until now?"
Dario's eyelids twitched, suppressing the urge to speak up and stop him.
Alfonso's remark is accurate; he appears young due to the influence of Seaborn, and his actual age should be over 90. Meanwhile, Carmen is still alive...
He recently celebrated his 112th birthday.
"Iberia needs her child, so we stayed until now."
"Ha! Didn't your gods help you?" Alfonso retorted sarcastically.
It wasn't my intention; it's just a habit I developed many years ago.
In that glorious Golden Age, sailors believed in fighting for their future on the high seas with their own strength, and their efforts were often attributed to divine protection.
Therefore, the quarrels between sailors and believers have always been an interesting phenomenon in Iberia.
In the end, it turned out that the sailors won.
When the raging sea swallowed the glittering gold, the believers who prayed to God did not receive salvation; in the end, they had to rebuild Iberia with their own hands.
Carmen was unfazed by Alfonso's taunts and had no way to refute them.
No one knows better than the Saints whether God exists; devout believers personally modified the Idol, adding a lantern and a sword to it.
There is no punishment, because the god they believe in does not exist.
A silence fell over the group, but thankfully they hadn't gathered because of religious differences. Alfonso uncorked the bottle of new wine once more.
"Did the Inquisition agree?"
"We are observing."
"Observe? Have you seen my fleet?"
Alfonso chuckled and pointed out the window; the church, perched high above, offered a panoramic view of the colossal creatures in the bay.
"We're back, we've returned with the Iberia of the past, and the gold that can crush the gloom is right before our eyes. Is there anything left to hesitate about?"
"You've been lost at sea for too long, you don't understand Iberia now..."
"But I know the Iberia of the past!" Alfonso growled, pointing out the window.
"Not with such low-rise buildings, not with such a lifeless populace, but even in the darkest midnight, Iberia was still brightly lit!"
"But what about now!?"
"Gran Faro, the towns you've been focusing on supporting still have large numbers of refugees. What's the situation like in other places?!"
"Alfonso!" Dario stood up, his eyes serious.
"This is not the teacher's fault."
All Iberia should thank Carmen, the old woman who stepped forward during the disaster and saved Iberia from being torn apart and destroyed.
If Carmen wanted to pursue wealth and glory, she could have become king long ago; in fact, everyone at the time hoped that she would become king.
He even rejected the believers' proposal to make him pope, choosing instead to renounce his surname and become Saint.
[Saint]
This title can represent a pioneer and a guide, but it lacks the connotation of a ruler.
Alfonso didn't understand the meaning of the title, nor did he know Carmen, but he would ask.
Somewhat comically, he neither borrowed history books nor asked the people, but instead chose Vane, an outsider.
Unexpectedly, the frivolous Vampire actually gave a serious answer.
"If you're from another country, you don't need to care about him... but if you're Iberia, no amount of respect is too much."
The extremely high praise is also the reason why Alfonso met here.
"... I apologize to you, great Iberia."
(Note: The Saints abandoned their previous surnames and chose Iberia as their successor.)
Faced with this apology from a hero who symbolized an era, Carmen sighed deeply.
"I did my best, Captain."
Communications paralyzed, financial collapse, drastic changes in landscape, famine and riots, rampant banditry...
In the aftermath of the catastrophe, Iberia could hardly be called a country. Faith managed to piece together the shattered remains, which was the limit of what was possible in that era.
Of course, things aren't much better right now either.
Not to mention the former governorate of Bolivar, even today's Iberia lacks a unified voice within its own borders, and the people within its jurisdiction still harbor suspicion towards the Inquisition.
Alfonso understands this all too well.
When the people of Gran Faro encountered disputes, they didn't seek help from the Inquisition, but instead turned to these old folks who had been missing for 50 years.
This was certainly influenced by the constant disruptions caused by the Church of the Deep, but it's hard to say how skillful the Inquisition's management was.
Therefore, Alfonso's view is quite simple.
"Since it's already in such a terrible state, why not take a gamble?" Alfonso's voice was low.
"The shipyard is still there. Based on the template of amphibious assault ships, we will prioritize the renovation of part of the Golden Armada. I assure you... we can complete the unification of Iberia within a month!"
Unification... what an alluring phrase, but Carmen clearly understood the price that lay behind it.
Many people will die.
"Weak!"
Alfonso's forehead veins bulged as he glared at the old man with a look of utter disappointment, as if he were about to throw a punch at him at any moment.
"If the sacrifice can bring about the recovery of Iberia, then it is worth it!"
"But we have no right to choose for the people of Iberia."
Carmen looked at Alfonso, who had stood up, and asked calmly.
Do you know what the Golden Age looks like in my eyes?
"..."
"False," Carmen answered herself.
"Those who were glorious, pioneering, and innovative... were all crushed by the disaster, and even the few who survived left Iberia."
"I am not a hero, and I was not the first to step forward in the disaster."
"It was those complacent citizens, looked down upon by the people of the Golden Age, who spontaneously organized the rescue efforts, and it was then that I came to understand what Iberia truly was."
Carmen's figure grew even more imposing; though seated, she appeared taller than Alfonso, who was standing.
"We, all of us here, are Iberia."
Alfonso sat down in silence and downed two bottles of wine in one gulp.
"Okay, Carmen, you're right, but are you really going to give up the glory that's within your grasp?"
Alfonso lowered his head, looking at his distorted reflection in the wine bottle.
"Aegir has already agreed that the Golden Armada will be at his disposal. The people do not trust you, so why is the Inquisition insisting?"
"... I am too old to have the will to win, or the strength to verbally defend honor, Your Alfonso."
Carmen leaned back in her chair, her eyes closed, appearing even older in the candlelight.
"Survival is the greatest honor, and I know the current situation in Iberia better than anyone else."
"Sufficient food, the funds needed to restore social order, the public's trust, and subsequent administrative management..."
"Even if your fleet can crush the obstacles, what will you do with the aftermath?"
Sooner or later, Carmen would have been willing to relinquish her rights; the Inquisition had no interest in it whatsoever.
The situation in Iberia was already in a state of disarray, allowing for harsher measures, since it couldn't possibly get any worse.
When things are finalized later, the Inquisition will have stabilized the current situation and have more room for trial and error.
But it just so happens to be now... at this most delicate juncture.
The prospect of installing a new king is tempting, but the cost of failure is unbearable.
It means placing all hopes on one person's shoulders, and if that person is unable to shoulder this heavy responsibility, the fragmented Iberia may forever lose the opportunity for unification.
Disappointed citizens will riot, the long-established order of the Inquisition will collapse, and worse—
The new king possesses the power to destroy all of Iberia.
Seaborn, an individual named Vane, has intricate connections with this dangerous race.
Iberia could no longer withstand the new, Great Silence.
Carmen's question left Alfonso speechless.
Even though he wasn't a government official, he knew that Carmen's concerns were important, and that some problems couldn't be solved by force alone.
From beginning to end, Carmen had only one real problem.
Is the man who brought new life to Iberia worthy of trust?
"A Vampire has been chosen as the king of Iberia," Carmen said flatly.
What does it sound like?
"... a disaster."
Alfonso covered his face, forced to admit that the original plan had been too hasty.
Given the Vampire's reputation alone, the news of the new king's ascension to the throne could very well spark a riot.
"There's no need to be so pessimistic," Carmen reassured her.
"Without prejudice based on race, the three Saints who came with me have gone to observe the other party, hoping to understand that person's attitude."
"You two need not worry about that."
Dario, who had been silent all along, spoke up, drawing the attention of the two men.
"Vane Wayne's mind is hard to fathom; he seems to have his own set of rules for doing things. I can't speak for other aspects, but I can guarantee one thing."
He won't go back on his word.
Carmen and Alfonso fell silent. Alfonso recalled the seemingly joking promise they had made, while Carmen seemed lost in thought.
"You mean designer David?"
The reason for the fleet's return was initially just a request from an old man, and Dario did not hide this information from him, but chose to tell him the truth.
It is precisely this point that has led many dissenting Saints to choose to wait and see.
Dario nodded hesitantly, without mentioning that Vane had once thought of destroying Iberia.
Let's go see him.
After some thought, Carmen came to a conclusion.
"Whether it's that gentleman, or designer David and others, people inevitably leave traces in the world, and these traces often reveal a person's true character."
"... Alright then."
Alfonso did not refuse. Looking back now, he realized that the initial agreement was too hasty; he hadn't clearly asked Vane what extent he could actually do it.
Moreover, it's uncertain whether the other party will agree.
He could make Iberia what it was, but what could Iberia offer him in return?
Thinking of the confession he saw in his dream, Alfonso shrank back uncomfortably.
And those strange quirks are also a problem.
Although he does not discriminate against homosexuals, his unusual need for a partner could easily become a reason for public attacks.
Thinking of the Aegir was training his crew, Alfonso put that concern aside again.
Putting aside prejudices, this approach is actually a good way to repair relations between Iberia and Aegir.
The three of them stood up and pushed open the door.
A strange discovery: people who should have been praying at home were now gathered at both ends of the road with great interest.
Has news of Lady Carmen's arrival been leaked?
Dario couldn't help but be so wary, but Carmen didn't seem to care. Instead, she felt a little gratified by the vibrant scene before her.
"Hello, what are you all doing gathered here?"
When Carmen asked a question to a passerby, the passerby hesitated for a moment upon seeing the Inquisitor's uniform, but calmed down under Carmen's gentle tone.
"It's nothing, I just heard there's a competition... Your Inquisition doesn't even need to deal with this, does it?"
Carmen was momentarily speechless. The Inquisition did indeed prevent many activities on a regular basis, but most of those activities were prevented because the Church of the Deep was holding private gatherings.
"If it's a normal activity..."
Carmen offered a subtle hint, but the passersby's expressions unexpectedly became more complicated.
"Is there a problem?" Dario became wary.
"No... um... it's not a big problem, is it?"
The passersby couldn't say for sure either, then suddenly became alert.
"Wait, aren't you Inquisitor? Why don't you know about this event?"
"Why should I know...?" Dario suddenly realized something.
[From now on, no reports are needed regarding matters concerning Vane unless they involve casualties.]
"Dario?"
Faced with the teacher's questioning gaze, Dario's expression also became strained.
"It's starting! It's starting!"
The crowd suddenly began to cheer, diverting the attention of the group.
The terrain of Granfa Road is quite unique, with the church located in the middle of the town, and a long slope running downhill from there.
Now, at the top of this slope, the three saw a crowd gathering.
"... Paul?" Carmen asked, bewildered.
Among the crowd above were the three Saints who had gone to observe Vane.
If that were all, it wouldn't have confused a Saint so much; what matters is what lies beneath the crowd.
Wheelchair.
A large group of people in wheelchairs stood at the top of the slope, ready to charge forward.
What are you going to do?
"Ladies and gentlemen, cheer! The first Gran Faro Wheelchair Competition is about to begin... Is that right?"
A emotionless voice read the words aloud, and Skadi turned to Irene beside her to check if there were any errors.
"What on earth happened, Irene!"
"Eh! Teacher? And... Lady Carmen!"
Turning around, they saw several important figures, startling the bird's Prototype Armor.
"Um... I'm sorry."
A boy's weak voice came from below the stage. Jordi (Lumin) covered his face and explained the whole story to the group.
It's roughly like this--
Vane: "Old Deng, look at my wheelchair, made by the Babel Tower Engineering Department, isn't it cool?"
David: "It has some originality, but it's still far inferior to the teacher's work."
Vane: "... You mean, I'm inferior to you?"
David: "If you like, I'll make you an even better one."
Vane: "I've been putting up with you for too long, Old Deng! Let's duel!"
David: "... I'm just an old man."
Vane: "So you admit your wheelchair is inferior to mine."
David: "..."
And so, for some reason, word of their competition spread, Vane simply increased the prize money significantly (really significantly) and opened the competition, attracting many participants.
"That idiot David!"
Alfonso clutched his face in pain; Irene had just shown an expression of agreement when—
"Let Jack handle something this dangerous! What's that old geezer doing getting involved in?"
"So that's the main point!?"
Dario clutched his heart and looked at his teacher beside him, while Saint Carmen's mind had gone blank ever since his colleague Paul slid down the slope.
Carmen: Subway, elderly, mobile phone.
But the competition wouldn't stop because of what others thought. The three Saints involved were clearly not used to this kind of competition and were forced to leave the arena by the underhanded tactics of the other participants.
At the very front of the group, their target was locked in a fierce confrontation with designer David.
Behind them, Carmen also saw a dark-haired boy using Iberia swordsmanship to glide through a wheelchair.
Wait! The boy used his swordsmanship to attack the wheelchairs of the two people in front of him! The boy has overtaken them!
As they crossed the bay that symbolized the finish line, the boy, expressionless, flew into the ocean with his wheelchair.
The crowd cheered for the winner, and the contestant who flew out of the arena received a consolation prize (a piece of Pure Gold) and medical treatment.
Offstage, the Deep Sea Cultists, who had been sent by the bishop to gather intelligence, rubbed their eyes.
If he wasn't mistaken, those old men who flew out looked like Saints?
Also, isn't that the boy who won the championship Lord Aulus's apprentice?
Looking again at Skadi on the stage reading out the winners, the Deep Sea Cultists was utterly bewildered.
The Church of the Deep, the Inquisition, the Abyssal Hunters, and the Vampire... Is this correct?
That doesn't make sense, does it?
Watching helplessly as the Vampire grumbled and got up, the demon casually summoned a new type of Seaborn (a slime-type Bloodline Heir) that emerged from the sea and carried the black-haired boy out.
Summoning the Seaborn in front of Saint, and the Saint Carmen actually bows to him?
Faced with this absurd scene, the Deep Sea Cultists felt their souls had been deeply touched.
Isn't that a bit odd? Shouldn't we either stab each other in the back or cause trouble behind the scenes?
That's not how the Bishop teaches, and that's not how the Church of the Deep operates!
You must honestly summon Seaborn, feed her fresh flesh and Seaborn to get closer to her, and then secretly unite with the townspeople to betray the Inquisition.
After their initial shock and envy, the Deep Sea Cultists silently moved towards Vane's direction.
"Alright, alright, we'll talk later. I need to give this kid the award first."
Seeing that the other party had dispersed several Saints, and glancing at the disciple of the bishop beside Vane, the Deep Sea Cultists silently moved closer.
"Huh? What are you doing?"
"Boss, it's one of us!"