The Church's New Moves

"What... exactly has The Church been doing lately?"

The military conference between the nations convened once again. Sitting in the hall, Benjamin took a deep breath and asked the question, somewhat tense in the face of the war that might be coming.

After causing such a stir within the Hori Kingdom, he did not know whether he had bought them enough time.

"For now, the Hori Kingdom has been very quiet. There are no signs of troops massing at the border," the chairman said slowly. "Moreover, reports from some of our scouts indicate that The Church has recently begun transferring personnel southward."

Benjamin raised an eyebrow. "South?"

To the south lay nothing but a boundless sea. The Church had already stationed considerable forces in Cru Town. If they truly intended to go to war with them, they could not possibly be moving troops away.

Then... what did this mean?

"Does this mean... The Church has given up on sending troops?" The king of Caritas asked, his expression hopeful.

"Hard to say." General Stewart shook his head. "Based on what I have uncovered, their previous war preparations have indeed been withdrawn. But don't forget, this is The Church. Don't casually trust what they show on the surface. This could very well be a trap meant to make us lower our guard."

Benjamin nodded as well, agreeing with that view.

The crucial key was still on him. The Church had no reason to give up. Their raid on the grain convoy had not actually dealt The Church much damage; they could not possibly be scared off just like that.

On the contrary, shouldn't their normal response have been to become even more enraged, hastily send troops to attack Ikor, and even dispatch a swarm of assassins to murder Benjamin?

"But... perhaps that