At those words, the expressions of The Church's people changed, and the bishop's heart tightened. Killing the princess on the spot was absolutely something the other side might do.
They found themselves in a difficult position once more.
"...Are you afraid?" Grant narrowed his eyes and said with a hint of provocation, "You don't even have the courage to face us head-on, yet you only dare use a child with no power to fight back to threaten us?"
Benjamin snorted coldly. "Don't make yourselves sound so righteous. What you did to her was far filthier than anything I've done."
"We are carrying out God's will, while you are seeking your own death."
As he spoke, Grant raised a hand and tapped lightly again. Holy Light rippled outward, and the towering wall of light before him suddenly began to shift, the shapes of spears gradually emerging from within. In an instant, an icy killing intent filled the entire sky, and the atmosphere grew ever more drawn like a bowstring.
Yet at that moment, the bishop watched Grant's movements and nodded in understanding. He pulled a small silver bead from his pocket and crushed it. A subtle ripple carrying some sort of message spread outward.
—They were starting to call for reinforcements.
With that ripple, the Paladins and priest units around Pearl Lake suddenly rose and set out in unison, heading toward Grant and Benjamin. As though they did not want anyone to notice them, they moved with extreme caution along the way, like assassins quietly forming an encirclement.
And as The Church's reinforcements approached...
"Hand over Her Majesty, or I'll sink both you and your ship right here." After gathering a terrifying formation of Holy Light spears, Grant did not attack. Instead, he said this.
The others from The Church hid