Inside the office.
Ansu looked at Archbishop Leonard, who was expressing doubt toward him. Without a hint of nervousness, he began to spin a 'practiced' tale about his investigation into the terrorist organization.
He was all too familiar with this routine.
The story was simple: Freya had told him there were many villains lurking in the city, including the Squirrel Party, who were known for orchestrating terrorist attacks. As a righteous, kind, and helpful Friend of the Church, Ansu naturally could not stand idly by.
Coupled with his knowledge of the Black Harbor District, he intentionally paid attention to seedy places, especially gambling dens and taverns.
One day, he noticed that West Street Tavern was transporting oak barrels covered with black cloths. An ordinary person would naturally assume it was just alcohol, but as a top student majoring in alchemy and chemistry, Ansu immediately realized something was wrong!
The smell was off!
So, he frequented the tavern as a customer while conducting a secret investigation. Finally, he made a shocking discovery...
The tavern was actually hiding a large quantity of dangerous explosives!
"Those villains must be planning a massive explosion in the city! After all, they've done it before!" Ansu looked around the room with righteous indignation. "How could this be allowed!? As a Friend of the Church, I absolutely could not act as if nothing was happening!"
"So, I wanted to go to the academy today to meet with Archbishop Paul and Freya, but they didn't show up. I had to wait until after school and thought I'd come to our Holy Dome Cathedral personally."
"But I didn't expect to run into these two helpful demon hunters as soon as I stepped out." Ansu looked sincerely at the two overlooked figures standing outside the door, waiting silently. "They didn't forget to give me a ride even while busy with official business. Thank you so much!"
The two demon hunters looked at each other helplessly, no longer knowing what to say.
After listening, Archbishop Leonard's mouth twitched unnaturally. He thought to himself that this kid was far too good at distorting facts.
"These past few days, aside from going to school and going home, you basically haven't stayed anywhere else." He stared intently at Ansu, asking in a suspicious tone, "Where did you find the time to investigate the Squirrel Party?"
"Archbishop Leonard," Ansu questioned him in return, "how can you be so sure I haven't been anywhere else besides the academy and home? Have you been following me?"
Leonard's brow furrowed instantly. A surge of irritation rose in his heart, but he had nowhere to vent it.
He naturally knew Ansu's movements perfectly, but he couldn't say it here because he hadn't received formal authorization from the Council of Bishops; he had secretly dispatched demon hunters to shadow him on his own...
Ansu looked at Leonard's suppressed expression and sneered inwardly.
The stalking was Leonard's personal action. If he didn't want others to think the demon hunter organization was his own 'private army,' he wouldn't reveal it in a public setting.
After all, Archbishop Terry was dead, and the only major candidates left were the two of them. Eyes from all sides were watching their every move.
"Of course I haven't been following you..."
With Archbishop Paul watching him, Leonard's heart was filled with gloom.
"But that doesn't prove what you said is true. Do you think you have the power to make our Church of Holy Light mobilize on a large scale just based on your word? What do you think you are?"
"Ansu naturally has that kind of authority!" Freya, who had been silent, immediately stood up when she saw Ansu being pressured by Leonard.
"After all, he is..."
But then, she saw Ansu staring at her without blinking and suddenly realized she had almost let something slip...
She couldn't help it; she really didn't want Lord Ansu to be doubted by the Church, especially by this... especially wicked Archbishop Leonard!
Under everyone's gaze, Freya gave an awkward laugh. "Student Ansu is... our Friend of the Church and a recipient of the Silver Knight Medal!"
"That is merely an honorary title!" Leonard said coldly.
At that moment, Archbishop Paul spoke up slowly. "While the Silver Knight is an honorary title, it also represents the stance of our Church of Holy Light."
He smiled at Ansu. "He once helped our Church capture the apostate Terry and prevented a massive conspiracy. Therefore, I believe in Student Ansu's kind character and I believe he would not lie."
With the support of Freya and Paul, the atmosphere in the room softened considerably.
The high-ranking clergy who arrived later began to speak, and most agreed with Ansu's proposal.
Seeing the atmosphere being led by them, Leonard remained sullen and silent, his gaze occasionally flickering toward the smiling Ansu.
Ansu looked at Archbishop Paul with gratitude, and Archbishop Paul returned a kind smile.
As for the little Holy Maiden who almost let the secret slip... Ansu gave her a somewhat helpless look. Freya giggled, trying to act cute to get away with it.
...
After the meeting ended, the Holy Dome Cathedral decided to follow Ansu's plan and dispatch armed personnel to the Black Harbor District to immediately surround the tavern that likely hid the Squirrel Party and explosives.
This result was exactly what Ansu wanted.
He wanted to strike first!
As for the Squirrel Party, those teammates who only brought trouble to themselves and others, Ansu felt no psychological burden whatsoever in throwing them under the bus.
In fact, never mind the remnants of the demon army; even the Echoes of Truth could be sacrificed when needed. After all, there was only one person in that entire cult he actually cared about.
After setting out with the Church, Ansu and Freya sat together in a carriage.
Freya watched Ansu, her mouth opening and closing as if she clearly had something to say.
"Ansu..."
She glanced out the carriage window and leaned in, lowering her voice. "Was everything you told everyone just now true? Is the Squirrel Party really going to cause a massive explosion in the city?"
Since she hadn't mentioned anything about the Squirrel Party to Ansu before, Lord Ansu... had clearly been lying just now.
However, her trust in Lord Ansu made her instinctively feel he had a purpose for saying it, which was why she had covered for him.
"In any case, there is one thing I am certain of: the Squirrel Party is definitely planning a terrorist attack," Ansu said firmly.
Otherwise, why would they hide so many explosives? To save them for fireworks?
Seeing Freya nod as if she half-understood, Ansu gave a proud laugh and started to show off.
"Don't underestimate my intelligence network!"
Freya's pale gold eyes were full of admiration. "Lord Ansu is truly amazing..."
She couldn't help but move even closer, sitting right next to Ansu.
"Next time Lord Ansu does a secret investigation, take me with you! I really want to go on adventures with Lord Ansu and save the world together!"
"Uh... maybe not that."
Freya kept pleading, "Lord Ansu! I really want to go on adventures with you! Please promise me!"
Ansu was almost pushed to the edge of the seat by the enthusiastic Freya. He tried his best not to let his eyes wander toward her constantly bouncing, full chest and gave a serious cough.
"Freya, adventure isn't just talk. Saving the world requires extraordinary will and determination."
"Besides, you usually have to stay in the cathedral. It's not convenient for you to come out with me. Look at how every time you contact me, it's all secretive in that small chapel..."
Ansu naturally didn't want to bring Freya along. Putting aside the matter of world-saving adventures, he was usually watched very closely by the vile witch. Being able to meet Freya privately was already her showing mercy...
If she saw him hanging out with the little Holy Maiden every day, it would be a disaster; her jealousy would explode!
However, Freya suddenly showed a hint of a sly glint in her eyes.
She blinked with a smile and said softly, "Lord Ansu, I have already been granted permission to leave the Church alone!"
"Hmm?" Ansu was very surprised. "There's such a thing?"
Freya nodded happily. "Yes! And to be with Lord Ansu, I've already applied to Archbishop Paul! I'm going to transfer to your Benalu Royal Academy so I can see you every day!"
Ansu's eyes widened as he stared in shock at the beaming Freya.
"Huh?"
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