"That's right, I did it." Ansu felt there was no need to hide it.
Since Celia had intentionally avoided using so-called forbidden black magic, she had defeated Terry using only low-level magic, which was completely legal within the Empire.
After all, the technical foundation of the entire magitech industrial system was a complex structure of magic runes combined by a certain genius using over a dozen of the most basic 0th Circle magic spells. Unless the Emperor was a fool, he would never completely ban magic.
Only the Church of Holy Light, with its conflict of faith, was so repelled by magic. They tirelessly campaigned against the evil of magic, which naturally annoyed the Emperor and the new nobility who had grown wealthy through the magitech industrial system.
"You defeated Archbishop Terry using nothing but pure low-level magic?" Leonard was somewhat surprised.
He scrutinized Ansu carefully, his gaze devoid of hostility and instead filled with appreciation. "It seems you are a genius when it comes to magic?"
"Archbishop Leonard!" Freya did not catch the subtext in his words. She was worried that the demon hunter squad would take Ansu away. "Ansu is not a black mage! He is a good person who is kind, just, and follows the holy light! I can vouch for him!"
"Freya, don't be nervous." Leonard didn't expect such a strong reaction from her, so he smiled. "I didn't come here to take him away."
"Then you came here to..." Freya was puzzled.
"At such a young age, this student Ansu can manifest such power with low-level magic. He is truly a talent worth molding!" Leonard looked at Ansu with praise and suddenly suggested, "Since Freya recognizes you so much and you have such a fate with our Church, why don't you join my command and become a member of the demon hunter squad?"
"Hmm?" Ansu hadn't expected him to offer a recruitment.
In the original plot, Vera had joined the demon hunter squad. He hadn't expected it would be his turn this time. It had to be said that his family really had quite a fate with this organization...
"You don't need to worry." Leonard saw Ansu's long silence and thought he had doubts. "The demon hunter squad under my command is not without magic-based transcendents. I am not as rigid as the other archbishops in the Church. As long as you are willing to serve the Church and pass my test, you can completely obtain a special permit from the Church."
"Thank you for your trust, Archbishop Leonard." Ansu smiled politely. He knew that the demon hunter squad was indeed an anomaly within the Church system.
This organization focused more on pragmatism. To more efficiently hunt the dangerous elements hiding in society, they welcomed all forms of transcendent power.
Many members of the demon hunter squad were even magic-sensitive individuals who had taken potions or undergone modifications. For instance, in the original plot, 【Hunter of the Darkness - Vera】 was a near-omnipotent combat monster who mastered magic, divine arts, and martial techniques.
Ansu was quite interested in the Church's special permit, but he didn't want to join the demon hunter squad to work for Leonard.
"I appreciate your kindness, but my main task right now is my studies. I will consider the matter of joining the demon hunter squad." Ansu stated his difficulty, tactfully declining the offer.
"Well then..." Archbishop Leonard felt it was a pity, but he did not insist further.
Afterward, he took a few subordinates to inspect the room, chatted with Freya for a few moments about Archbishop Terry, and then turned to leave.
Now, only the three of them remained in the room.
Hearing the Church's personnel gradually depart, Celia raised an eyebrow. "This Archbishop Leonard actually has some skill."
After all, few could detect the magic aura she had intentionally hidden.
"He has more than just 'some skill.'" Ansu's tone held a deeper meaning. "This matter with Archbishop Terry isn't over yet..."
"You mean..." Celia was basically on the same wavelength as Ansu on this matter. She narrowed her eyes and asked suspiciously, "That guy just now... is there something wrong with him?"
"Huh? Is there something wrong with Archbishop Leonard too?" Freya was completely unable to keep up with the rhythm of these two. She blinked her eyes blankly. "But Archbishop Leonard doesn't look like a bad person at all!"
Ansu looked at Freya helplessly. "Miss Holy Maiden, do you judge whether a person is good or bad entirely by their looks?"
"Not exactly..." Freya's expression was a bit conflicted as she looked at Ansu. "My intuition has always been very accurate... For example, the first time I saw Ansu, I knew you weren't a bad person!"
Celia burst out laughing.
Could there ever be a good person in the Echoes of Truth cult?
She wondered what kind of expression this Holy Maiden would make if she ever learned Ansu's true identity.
Ansu silently looked at Celia. She held back her laughter for a long time before finally composing herself. Freya, observing their reactions, became even more confused.
"Freya... people are very complex. Don't make such simple judgments in the future..." Ansu said quietly. "These three archbishops, even Paul, who treats you the best, are not that simple. Let alone Leonard, who commands a paramilitary branch like the demon hunter squad."
"Since Terry knew about the cultist activities in Benalu City long ago," Ansu mused, "there's no reason the demon hunter squad, fighting on the front lines, would be completely ignorant. Leonard might have even sensed the threat of the Echoes of Truth long ago..."
Celia stopped smiling and followed Ansu's analysis. "Even if Leonard isn't the mastermind, he is someone who knows the truth, and might even be an indirect promoter."
"I think so too." Ansu nodded seriously.
Freya listened blankly to their discussion, unable to interject at all.
"If we work backward from the current situation, Leonard is indeed the winner who benefits the most." Ansu tried to connect all the pieces of the truth. "Archbishop Terry has become a despised apostate. Of the three candidates for the papacy, only the relatively mediocre Paul remains."
"Freya," Ansu suddenly asked, "I've been having you secretly keep an eye on the three archbishops during this time, even recording their daily routines..."
"I remember you described their personalities and hobbies to me. Tell me about Leonard's again, in more detail!"
"Um, okay!" Freya nodded.
Subsequently, Ansu listened silently to Freya's description. When she reached a certain point, his brow unfurrowed, and he felt a sudden moment of clarity.
"He regards the tenth pope, Gregory X, as his idol, and even has a portrait of this Saint Gregory hanging in his room..."
"So that's how it is..."
In the last few centuries, a new pope rarely used his own name after being elected. They generally chose another name as their regnal name, selecting from legendary saints or famous historical popes to serve as a role model and continue a certain governing intent...
Saint Gregory had been a decisive pope in history who led humanity out of darkness. If Leonard successfully rose to power, his name would become Gregory IV.
And the next pope in the original plot was indeed Gregory IV...
That made sense.
Ansu's idea was still to use his advantage of knowing the plot to reverse-engineer the truth. If Leonard was ultimately elected as the pope, then his suspicion was far too great.
Gregory IV was a background character from before the main game story began and had never even shown his face. This was why Ansu hadn't been able to connect him with Leonard at first. This pope had only reigned for three years before being assassinated by Celia, becoming a stepping stone for the terrifying fame of the 【World Ending Witch】.
Ansu looked at Celia thoughtfully. According to the original plot, Terry had ultimately failed to kill Samantha, resulting in an 'Academy Tragedy.' He had failed to gain the advantage and ended up losing what he already had...
In the end, neither the powerful Archbishop Terry nor Paul, who took responsibility for the chaos in his diocese, emerged victorious. Leonard had reaped the spoils of their conflict.
The final truth was actually like this...
Rate on N.U.
