Chapter 432
In those five minutes, Lafayette paced back and forth in the underground collection room, growing increasingly perplexed.
The Order of the God of Order... is it really that easy to invade?
After all, it’s the Holy See!
Is the organization I’ve joined really that powerful? To think they could just invade the Holy See in such a core area, right in the heart of Ansu.
But if they’re truly that formidable, then why didn’t they just bring the organization out to negotiate with Qiangyin on equal terms?
If this organization could exert such immense pressure on Qiangyin, even she wouldn’t act recklessly...
Is it just to conceal their identity? Or is Charles merely putting on a show in front of me?
When Charles casually mentioned “storming the Holy See,” he showed no sign of emotion, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
After five minutes of contemplation, Lafayette still couldn’t grasp where Charles’ confidence came from. All she could do was wait for his message in the underground collection room.
Perhaps “storming in” isn’t meant literally... Maybe the ultimate goal is just to infiltrate and then use strategy to obtain that information about the otherworldly node...
Meanwhile, the banquet above had progressed to the dining hall, and the nobles, singing and dancing, were blissfully unaware of the events that were about to unfold.
“Glub, glub—”
A sound like bubbles bursting echoed, and Lafayette turned to see the creature crouched by the door, its hand gripping the doorknob, seemingly ready to open it at any moment.
Here it comes.
Knock, knock, knock—
Creak—
Almost the instant the knocking sounded, the creature yanked the door open, fully aware of who was arriving.
Lafayette looked at the newcomer, and there stood Charles at the threshold.
“Lead the way,” Charles said, gazing at Lafayette. “You should be more familiar with the Order of the God of Order than I am.”
In the simulations, Charles had indeed served as a priest of the Order of the God of Order—but those experiences were merely recorded in text. No matter how sharp his memory, he couldn’t have read through it once and acted as if he had truly been a priest for two months.
“Right...” Lafayette took a deep breath, steeling herself to nod. “Heh... Do I need to prepare anything else?”
To be honest, Lafayette had lived for so long that this might be the most dangerous and thrilling thing she had ever done in her several hundred years of life, bar none.
“No need,” Charles replied, shaking his head, then turned to leave.
But Lafayette hurried after him, asking, “Are we going to infiltrate directly... After we get that information about the otherworldly node, what should we do next? How do we leave?”
Lafayette was eager to know the details of the plan, as she felt completely unmoored at the moment.
“You have a plan?” Charles paused, turning back to look at Lafayette, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
“Uh...” Caught off guard by the sudden question, Lafayette hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Don’t you have a plan?”
“I do,” Charles said, equally puzzled. “Didn’t I say? Storm in, get the coordinates.”
“And then?” Lafayette pressed.
“And then what?” Charles asked, confused.
“I mean... about the aftermath,” Lafayette stumbled over her words. “If the Order of the God of Order discovers the information has been leaked, they’ll definitely come after us. My position in the Farros Medical Society could be revoked, and I might even face repercussions...”
“Once people are dead, there won’t be any consequences,” Charles continued walking, not glancing back at Lafayette.
In the simulations, when the Abyss Worm descended, not a single place in the West District was spared. The Church of the Savior Goddess had directly allied with the Abyss Worm, while the Order of the God of Order offered no resistance whatsoever.
The few who resisted the Abyss Worm were just Qiangyin and the Russell family; other factions chose to evacuate quickly, having no intention of confronting the Abyss Worm head-on.
Not every organization’s foundation lies in Ansu; they had no obligation to risk their lives for Qiangyin. When danger arose, their first instinct was to protect their assets and flee.
Once people are dead, there won’t be any consequences...
Lafayette stood frozen in place at Charles’ words, only snapping back to reality when he ascended the stairs, nearly disappearing from her view. She hurried to catch up.
Right... once people are dead, there won’t be any consequences... That statement is indeed filled with profound wisdom and truth... or is it?
If Lafayette hadn’t been completely unable to discern any signs of madness from Charles, she would have bolted long ago. But now, she had to follow the organization’s plan.
Lafayette followed Charles out of Aivina’s estate. On the cobblestone road at the entrance, she spotted several figures standing by the door, two of whom made her pause slightly.
“Lord Charles,” Tara said, bowing slightly in his direction.
Standing behind Tara, Percie mirrored her gesture, respectfully inclining her body toward Charles as she spoke, “Lord Charles.”
“The Holy Assembly...” Lafayette observed the group, focusing primarily on Percie.
A 4th-tier “Harbinger”... No wonder Charles had the confidence to say what he did earlier...
Among those present, aside from the 4th-tier “Harbinger,” there were three “Luminous Bishops” and a 3rd-tier “Punisher,” all of whom were from the “Ascetic” and “Avenger” paths.
Such a combination in Ansu could only belong to the Church of the Savior Goddess or the Holy Assembly.
Moreover, Lafayette recognized Percie, who was a major supplier for the Natura Medical Group, representing the Holy Assembly in transactions with Natura, primarily selling extraordinary materials and extraordinary human tissues.
Just the annual trials of heretics and the remains from failed sacrifices conducted by the Holy Assembly amounted to a staggering figure.
With the Holy Assembly’s assistance, Lafayette’s confidence did indeed rise a bit.
However...
Whether it was Percie or the green-haired Archbishop, both were top figures within the Holy Assembly. Why would such individuals still show such deference to Charles, calling him “Lord”?
While Lafayette pondered this, Charles was already considering other matters.
“How’s it looking over there?” Charles asked, glancing toward the East District. “Who’s presiding over the ceremony?”
Even now, Charles hadn’t sensed any activity from the East District... She was beginning to doubt whether the blood array had failed.
Is it because my blood is too sparse? Or is the sacrificial target incompatible with the type of blood array?
Compared to the scene in the simulation where the Abyss Worm was summoned, the East District was eerily calm, as if nothing had happened at all.
If the East District fails, Charles would have to personally conduct a new ceremony to stall Qiangyin.
“It’s one of my subordinates, Lord Charles,” Percie stepped forward slightly, lowering her head. “Before we left, the blood-red summoning gate had already opened.”
The gate to the otherworld has opened...
That must mean something has been summoned, but it’s neither a divine servant nor an Abyss Worm. If it were, they would have followed the scent of blood to find me immediately... They have the ability to do that.
“Good,” Charles nodded.
If all else fails, there are ready-made materials for [Spiritual Summoning] here; Charles was confident she could summon the Abyss Worm again.
“Lead the way, Lafayette,” Charles said, looking at her.
“Right...” Lafayette took a deep breath, turning her gaze toward the Order of the God of Order.
Windsor Palace and the Order of the God of Order were both located in the Westminster District, just two streets apart. From where they stood, they could see the intricate, sharp spires of the Holy See.
They walked down the street toward the Holy See.
At this moment, something seemed to be brewing in the West District. Many armored musicians and knights rode their warhorses toward the East District, including members of the Royal Symphony and the Order of the God of Order.
None of them paid any attention to Charles and her group, merely assuming they were extraordinary individuals from the Church of the Savior Goddess.
Until Lafayette brought Charles to a stop at the entrance of the Holy See.
At that moment, people were bustling about at the entrance, and even the guards were nowhere to be seen. Not even when Charles and her group paused at the door did anyone take notice, as if everyone had their own urgent matters to attend to.
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