Stakes, Tracking

"That would be inappropriate."

After giving it some thought, Isabella shook her head and rejected the proposal. However, she did not stop copying down the psionic meditation method. As she continued writing, she explained to everyone, "For now, we are still nominally Heroes summoned by the Ehtan Faith, and our subsequent investigation will require their assistance. It would be difficult to cut ties with them at this point."

"Of course, more importantly, Sir John said they were not as simple as we imagined. And that may not have merely referred to the corruption hidden within the Ehtan Faith. They may be hiding an enormous secret!"

Seeing the puzzled expressions on everyone's faces, a sharp gleam flashed through Isabella's eyes.

Then, with World-Shaking Wisdom in operation, she quickly deduced the truth. "That's right. I suspect that the so-called Ehtan Faith may not simply be a Church. They may be connected to an Evil God—the world-ending calamity Sir John spoke of. Perhaps they are even the ones secretly creating Evil Gods behind the scenes!"

"What!?"

At those words, grave expressions appeared on everyone's faces. Even Amuro, usually the most frivolous among them, put away his usual theatrics and stared at Isabella with utmost seriousness. "Isabella, are you sure? This isn't something to joke about!"

"Before arriving in Faoken, I might have only been thirty percent certain. But after Sir John's hint, I believe there is at least an eighty percent chance that this is true!"

Isabella nodded. Then, beneath everyone's gaze, she placed the demonic sword at her waist on the table and pointed at the holy ribbon wrapped around its hilt. "Actually, there is something I never told you. Besides sealing the demonic energy inside Apophis and making it more docile, this holy ribbon blessed by His Holiness the Pope can