Chapter 452
The spread of the red cigarettes was unmistakable, and Qiangyin was clear about the strong undercurrents at play... He was still investigating the origins of this peculiar phenomenon.
However, since this matter had little to do with the Church and the Keyman, Qiangyin didn’t invest too much thought into it. His greater concern was who was pressuring the Church of the Savior Goddess, the Church of the God of Order, and the Pharos Medical Society.
Even if Qiangyin wanted these three organizations to assist him with certain tasks, it would come at a significant cost.
Yet, that mysterious individual or organization had established connections with these groups right under Qiangyin's nose, and it seemed their influence was stronger than his years of effort...
Both Lafayette and the Pope of the Church of Order had refused to disclose the identity of this individual to Qiangyin.
Thud—
A third-tier "Crown Guardian" leaped down from the rooftop, delivering a heavy blow with the giant hammer in his hand, smashing into the "Opode" on the ground, bursting open the fungal tumor on his back in a spray of blood.
Immediately, the "Crown Guardian" retreated, seemingly conscious of avoiding the tainted blood splattering onto himself.
More members of the Queen's Sword and the Royal Symphony surged in from outside, relentlessly slaying the monsters lurking in the alleys.
Qiangyin's troops, those yet untouched by the red cigarettes, were quickly assembling.
Watching the bloody and terrifying battle unfold before him, Qiangyin narrowed his eyes and turned to Vitalis at his feet, slowly asking, "What did you see after you left the Royal Theater?"
"When the anomaly occurred, I used Echo to scout... But what you see before you, the fourth-tier ones, are the Goddess Church's interference... By the time I recalled it a second time, the people had already vanished."
"You were there at that time... What did you see?"
At this moment, Vitalis was nearly exhausted. Faced with Qiangyin's inquiry, she struggled to find her voice.
Yet, Qiangyin's words did prompt her to recall the scene from before.
That mysterious red-haired girl... and her heart-stopping gaze...
She seemed to recognize me... but Vitalis had no recollection of her at all.
It appeared she possessed power and connections that rivaled Qiangyin's, and she bore no intent to harm him... she was Qiangyin's enemy.
An enemy's enemy may not be a friend, but she would undoubtedly cause Qiangyin significant trouble.
However, the terror and destruction that girl had wrought upon Ansu City was clearly not what Vitalis desired.
Lost in confusion, Princess Vitalis found herself unsure of which side to choose between the girl and Qiangyin... she simply lacked enough information.
But it seemed Vitalis's choice no longer mattered. Qiangyin sensed that she might know a bit more than she let on. He waved his hand, allowing the Royal Symphony members to take Vitalis away, then turned his gaze toward the Church of Order.
Whoever was behind this, daring to spread such a terrifying contagion in Ansu, was slapping Qiangyin in the face... No matter who it was, Qiangyin would drag them into the light.
A warhorse clad in iron armor neighed at the alley's entrance. Qiangyin stepped over the blood-soaked ground, mounted the steed, and charged through the chaos toward the Church of Order.
Minutes later, at the highest level of the Church of Order.
Qiangyin looked at the Pope, shrouded in armor, and slowly spoke, "Airegma Osira... There's been an anomaly outside. Why is your team huddled in the church? Protecting Ansu City is also your duty."
The Pope seemed to have anticipated Qiangyin's arrival. Her voice emerged from within the armor.
"Lord Qiangyin... I am indeed protecting Ansu City by conserving enough strength." Pope Airegma nodded slightly.
Conserving enough strength...
"Who instructed you to promote the red cigarettes?" Qiangyin's voice grew colder, his sharp gaze fixed on the Pope as he spoke slowly, "Don't tell me this was your spontaneous idea."
"A new partner, Lord Qiangyin." The Pope seemed unfazed by Qiangyin's pressure, as if she knew he wouldn't dare act against her—or that any action would be futile.
"Is there someone inciting you to promote the red cigarettes alongside the Church of the Savior Goddess?" Qiangyin asked coldly.
"Inciting?" The Pope shook her head slightly. "This is part of a collaboration, my lord. Please do not tarnish the sanctity of our partnership."
"Hmph..." Observing the Pope's demeanor, Qiangyin's mind began to form a suspect.
There couldn't be this many coincidences in the world...
If this incident wasn't dealt with swiftly, it would undoubtedly deal a devastating blow to Ansu City, severely undermining his authority and power.
Though he was reluctant to believe it, it was highly likely that the instigator was the "Keyman" whose mark was etched upon his wounds.
"Is it the 'Keyman'?" Qiangyin directly broached the subject, "Did they instruct you to do this?"
"The 'Keyman'?" Upon hearing the name, the Pope's voice held a hint of confusion.
"Stop pretending... The Pleasure Society, the 'Keyman'—do I need to spell it out for you?" Qiangyin's voice carried a hint of anger, "Do you think I know nothing?"
He could trace back, leaving himself clues; even Lafayette was unaware... This was a secret unique to Qiangyin, the highest level of secrecy.
They surely didn't know that he had traced back twice, confirming that a person codenamed "Keyman" would pose significant harm and influence to Ansu and his future.
"The Pleasure Society?"
A chilling metallic hum emanated from the armor, and after a few seconds of silence, a sinister laugh echoed from within.
The Pope slowly rose from her seat, looking down at Qiangyin with a cold smile.
"Your level of information seems a bit too low... You should optimize your intelligence system..."
"Please do not associate that esteemed individual with our great research and these lowly organizations."
"Please leave, Lord Qiangyin..."
This was an attitude the Pope had never shown toward Qiangyin before.
Mockery, derision, disdain... Qiangyin could sense her attitude through her words and tone.
This was a stark contrast to the respect she had previously shown him, leaving Qiangyin slightly disoriented.
"Don't forget who helped you connect with the Pharos Medical Society, who empowered you to continue your research, and who assisted you in encroaching upon the Church of the Savior Goddess's position..."
Qiangyin could no longer suppress the fury boiling within him. The usually calm demeanor he maintained was ignited by her nonchalant attitude.
No, it wasn't just her attitude that provoked him.
It was the panic rising within him.
Unbeknownst to him, his standing before these major organizations seemed to be plummeting, and all of it stemmed from that "esteemed individual."
The connections he had cultivated over the years seemed to pale in comparison to the persuasive efforts of the other party over just a few days... What kind of terrifying power lay behind this? How had they achieved it?
All of this filled Qiangyin with dread.
And the harsh words he had just spoken felt like a mask for that very panic.
For the first time, Qiangyin felt a sense of helplessness, powerful yet unable to act.
The Pope continued to gaze down at Qiangyin, time ticking away. Finally, the voice that symbolized the Pope echoed once more from within the armor.
"Compared to the research of that esteemed individual..."
"All previous studies seem like child's play."
"You will never see the scenes I witnessed in that individual's dreams..."
"Is what I said... not clear enough?"
"Qiangyin."
The title of "Lord" was dropped, and now the Pope of the Church of Order seemed to look down at Qiangyin with a gaze filled with pity.
"If you have the time, perhaps you should think of a way to resolve the current situation..."
"Henry, show him out."
Henry, who had been waiting at the door, stepped forward and approached Qiangyin, saying, "Please come with me, Lord Qiangyin."
Qiangyin's chest churned with anger. He took a deep breath, looked up at the Pope, and gritted his teeth, saying:
"Don't regret it... This is a war you started."
With a cold snort, Qiangyin turned and left.
"Don't regret angering that esteemed individual."
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