I Got a Little Confused While Writing This. (Continued)

The report also detailed how many enemies were eliminated and what achievements were made during this period.

Since the start of everyone's operation, we have managed to eliminate about a hundred enemies, albeit sporadically.

Based on previous observations, the other side didn't have many people to begin with... Now that they've suffered so many losses, they must be severely weakened.

But the truth is, even now, these believers still act as if they know nothing, blindly sending people to their deaths.

This was something Maria couldn't quite understand.

After all, judging from previous experiences, these believers, though eccentric, were not mentally unstable.

They also knew that Maria was out there hunting down their people, and some even speculated that Maria had already entered the city.

But now, they're acting like a bunch of fools, coming out to their deaths... What are they really plotting?

This made Maria realize that something was amiss.

Unfortunately, before she could think about anything further, the door to the room suddenly opened.

The priest has returned.

The priest, with his usual cold expression and documents between his fingers, approached Maria step by step.

He first nodded slightly to the Doctor, then placed the document on Maria's desk, his tone slightly agitated.

"We've found their final stronghold!"

"Um?"

The priest quickly and simply explained the situation.

After their encirclement and suppression efforts, the enemy clearly experienced a degree of disarray.

Although things quickly stabilized again, their actions were no longer as meticulous as before.

In this situation, the people the priest sent out finally got results...

Based on the intelligence we have already obtained.

"Tonight, they will convene a meeting of all the followers of the Servant Organization still in the city to discuss their next steps..."

The priest spoke, his eyes sharp.

His attitude was simple: since these people dared to gather, they should take this opportunity to wipe them all out.

Maria, however, fell silent at this moment.

Here we go again...

This... it's like good fortune has been thrust into her face again...

Something's not right...

There's definitely something wrong with this!

Maria frowned, the room's light casting flickering shadows on her face.

What do you think?

The priest was somewhat puzzled by Maria's silence, but he quickly regained his composure and nodded earnestly.

He still had enough trust in Maria.

Since Maria was silent at this moment, it meant that she had already noticed something was wrong... Although the priest felt that this was just a simple opportunity, given Maria's behavior, he was willing to trust her.

"... It went too smoothly."

The familiar words came out of Maria's mouth once again, and this time, she truly felt that things were progressing too smoothly.

"Wouldn't it be good if things went smoothly...?"

The priest asked the same question the Doctor had just asked: Wouldn't it be better if things went smoothly?

But Maria shook her head.

"Smooth sailing is a good thing, but... why do you think we're doing so well right now?"

Turning her head, Maria tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her gaze falling on everyone.

The others were also somewhat puzzled. After hesitating for a few moments, the Doctor asked a question out of curiosity.

"Because... you're here, right?"

In the Doctor's view, the fact that this matter could proceed so quickly was entirely due to Maria's efforts.

Maria's presence allowed them to intercept crucial enemy intelligence, which enabled their operations to proceed rapidly.

So all of this... could be considered Maria's achievement?

"Um."

The priest beside him nodded in agreement.

They weren't flattering Mary; it was genuine trust and respect for Maria from the bottom of their hearts.

All of this is a result of Maria's existence.

But Maria didn't think so.

"I just retrieved their action predictions, but... these guys shouldn't be stupid."

Maria.

Their actions have been regulated during this period.

According to the Doctor's deciphering, the opponent's actions are fixed. In other words, if a sacrifice is not completed at the previous sacrificial location, a sacrifice cannot be performed at the next location in advance.

If the order is incorrect, the entire sacrificial ceremony will be considered a failure.

Then they'll have to start all over again.

Therefore, Maria and her companions did not attempt to completely block off one location in one fell swoop when pursuing these enemies.

They would occasionally strike and kill their adversaries without letting them discover the problem as much as possible.

This was also Maria's idea; her goal was to get the other side to postpone revealing the information that had already been exposed.

This method is indeed feasible, but...

"Now that hundreds of their people have died, they still haven't reacted at all, and they still send people out to perform sacrifices from time to time... Isn't that too strange?"

"Now that you mention it... it does seem to be a problem."

Upon hearing Maria's analysis, everyone paused for a moment.

Everyone isn't a fool. Although they were blinded by Maria's power before, thinking that everything would go smoothly after Maria's appearance, it was only natural.

But now that I think about it, it really is true.

It's like...

Is someone within their ranks acting according to their own plan?!

Thinking of this, the group suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.

The priest frowned, his initial excitement at having just delivered the news gone.

"Then... today?"

"... Or take action."

Although the Doctor was somewhat surprised, she quickly calmed down.

Although the enemy is indeed very dangerous,... they are not entirely unprepared!

"Um?"

The Doctor's words drew the attention of the two people present.

Seeing their gazes turn towards him, the Doctor smiled.

The toilet paper roll swayed in his hand...

"The leader?"

Inside the room, a group of believers, draped in grey, stood still, their eyes unfocused and flickering with unease.

They were fairly aware of what had happened during this period, but... it was precisely because they were aware of it that they were so fearful and uneasy.

They don't understand...

Why?

Why would they send their men to advance their plan even though they already knew the enemy had appeared?

"We're already facing a severe manpower shortage... How about we lay low for a while?"

During the meeting, the person referred to as the cult leader remained silent, but the others had already offered their opinions.

If all else fails, perhaps they should lie low for a while?

This is going to be extremely dangerous!

However, their own ideas were quickly overturned by their own people.

"No, if we stop the ceremony now, we'll have to start all over again next time... This time, the chaos was caused by the relocation of the Kazdel Military Committee, and who knows when we'll be able to proceed with the ceremony next time!"

"So you're telling me we should just go and die? We're already facing a huge manpower problem! If we continue, the ceremony won't be completed, and we'll all be dead!"

"That won't do!"

Inside the ceremony, everyone was making noise and creating chaos.

The bishop, however, sat quietly in the highest seat.

He watched all of this silently, without saying a word.

After a moment of silence, he tilted his head slightly and looked towards the doorway.

"They're here..."

He spoke abruptly.

The other believers turned their heads in confusion, as if they didn't know what had happened.

But soon, the light and shadow made them understand what the bishop was talking about.

"Sulfone--!"

A cold glint flashed, and the locked door was suddenly flung open.

Three figures walked out quietly.

Who are you?!

Some believers, unaware of what was happening, shouted loudly.

But soon, someone noticed the priest standing nearby...

"It's him! It's them! They've been the ones hindering our plans!"

After all, this is Kazdel, and a Laterano is quite conspicuous.

They quickly noticed the priest's presence, and their expressions turned fierce.

Many people are already itching to launch an attack.

But the priest didn't react, and Maria simply stared at the man sitting there.

Did you do this?

Maria, carrying Blades, slowly stepped forward.

The black hunting clothes clung to her body, and her slightly red eyes were devoid of any emotion.

The bishop, however, simply smiled.

"Certainly."

"... Did you do this on purpose?"

Seeing the other party's behavior, Maria paused.

The other party showed no surprise at their arrival, which meant they had anticipated their coming from the very beginning.