"A deal."
The kindly Archbishop of the Church of Steam, wearing a cleric's cap and a white priest's robe, said with a grave look in his eyes, "If all this information is true, then the only explanation I can think of is a deal."
Anthony nodded slowly and heavily. "That's what I think as well. Assuming this information is true, we can be certain that the Royal Family made some sort of deal with the Demoness Sect."
"The Royal Family allowed the Demoness Sect to operate in Backlund, and the Demoness Sect provided the king with the conditions needed to advance to Black Emperor. King Edessak served as a hostage and a guarantee."
Deep Blue Priest Randall Valentinus was furious. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go to the palace right now! George III owes us an explanation!"
Anthony glanced at him. "We have no concrete evidence. Besides..."
The Archbishop of the Church of Evernight, dressed in a black bishop's robe tinged with red and wearing the Darkness Holy Emblem, looked at the other two archbishops. "Why would the Demoness spread a catastrophe in Backlund? What would the Demoness Sect gain from doing that?"
Randall snorted. "Isn't it obvious? It must be some kind of ritual-a ritual for a Demoness to advance to a higher level!"
Horamick Haydn said calmly, "If that were all, she could create a catastrophe somewhere else. She wouldn't have to choose Backlund and risk being discovered by us while performing her ritual here."
"Besides, a Demoness's advancement ritual isn't equivalent to the conditions for the king to advance to Black Emperor."
Anthony nodded slightly. "Exactly. Personally, I believe the Demoness's advancement is merely a façade. The Demoness Sect must have a deeper, far greater objective."
Randall said offhandedly, "What deeper, greater objective could they