Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 273

Two months ago, just a few days after the unilateral announcement from the temple, there was a brief commotion in the capital.

“What’s going on?”

“Your, Your Majesty. It’s just that…”

An incomprehensible set of coordinates was connected through the royal communication crystal directly to the king. The sudden contact, through unknown means, sent the communication room staff into a state of panic.

It was only after Logan himself stepped forward that the person within the communication crystal revealed himself, and his identity was truly beyond everyone’s expectations.

[I am a servant of the God of Fire and Food, Anima. My name is Austin Pruitt.]

It was a typical introduction for a priest, but the weight of that name was different.

One of the mere nine Cardinals in the world.

With a slightly stern look, Logan had no choice but to respond.

“We are already aware of the temple’s announcement. Do you have anything else to say apart from the official communication?”

The answer to his question was quite unexpected.

[Not everyone in the temple follows the Pope’s decision. I contacted you independently to aid Maclaine.]

Of course, such words could not be immediately trusted.

“What do you mean by that?”

[I mean to inform you that there are those who wish to restore the corrupted clergy and the priests who have become distant from the people back to their rightful place.]

“I’m sorry, but that’s hard to believe.”

[…I thought you might say that. Therefore, to build trust with Your Majesty, I would like to provide some information.]

“Information?”

[The current Pope is not moving the temple with just a single purpose. The dispatch of the Inquisition. How many of the true intentions behind it are you aware of, Your Majesty?]

“Uh…?”

The words that continued from Cardinal Austin were very intriguing.

[Investigations into the ‘Forsaken’ have been spoken of for years. But it was the opinion of most reasonable priests that it should be a careful study to interpret the will of God.]

Austin paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, and then continued in a measured voice.

[Claiming that there is land abandoned by God itself is blasphemy against the absolute nature of the Nine Deities, according to doctrine.]

“The Pope has twisted the doctrine? Would there be a reason for that?”

[The Pope wants to flaunt the power of the temple. The real purpose is to display a might that has not been projected outwards for over 50 years and to solidify his influence over the eastern part of the continent, even if it means taking drastic measures to expedite the process.]

The rest of the words barely reached Logan’s ears.

“…Using our kingdom as a stepping stone, you say?”

[That’s correct. The head of the dispatched Inquisition, Esel Fabrun, is a materialist unworthy of even the priesthood, let alone a cardinal position…]

“I am already aware of that fact, Your Eminence.”

Logan cut him off, but from that moment on, he became incredibly interested in this Cardinal Austin. Seeing him get so excited while speaking of Esel Fabrun started to build a sense of trust.

[Ahem, ahem. Is that so? Anyway, he will find any excuse to brand them as heretics.]

“Expanding an investigation that should have been conducted into a larger scale to achieve other goals… Well, if I were not the one being implicated, it would seem a clever move.”

Should he prepare for an all-out war with the temple?

A gloomy thought naturally crossed his mind. As most advisors believed, the temple’s publicly known armed forces accounted for nearly a third of the entire empire’s military strength, which meant they could confront the eastern 8th Legion, the western 7th Legion, or even the central imperial army head-on.

If it came to an all-out war with such a temple, even if they won, there would be no strength left to prepare for an imperial war.

In other words.

The country would be ruined.

“It all seemed too good to be true, and now it makes sense why.”

Though rage boiled inside him, Logan quickly composed himself.

He hadn’t had an easy moment since his return.

There was too much at stake to fall to despair over such a situation.

“So, what assistance can you provide, Your Eminence?”

[What?]

“If informing us of the Pope’s intentions is all the help you can offer, then I appreciate it, but it doesn’t seem like much. I have to prepare for the possibility that your suspicions are incorrect.”

[Ah, of course. Fortunately, I believe there is something I can do.]

Cardinal Austin’s confirmation brightened Logan’s expression, but the following words left him puzzled.

[Another minor objective of the Pope in this event involves Bishop Ilya.]

“Excuse me?”

[Bishop Ilya. There are rumors spreading among the priests that the bishop, who was sent back for committing a taboo, has received a stigma.]

“Stigma, you say…?”

[A sign that the will of God has descended to this land. A blessing where the symbol of God is etched upon your body and your divine power surges. It can even be seen by the average person as a soft halo.]

Logan then remembered the changes he had seen in Bishop Ilya back in the Raphan territory.

‘The symbol of God, I’m not sure, but the halo was clearly there…’

[If Bishop Ilya is truly confirmed as a saint, she will automatically gain the position of a Cardinal. The Pope most likely plans to pressure her for her violation of the taboo and then rescue her to receive her loyalty.]

“What?”

[Given that the temple is already under condemnation for corruption and the unjust persecution of innocent priests, making the returned bishop into a saint could mitigate public opinion.]

“Ah…!”

[Of course, if there is no stigma, she will simply be sent to a religious tribunal.]

“…Whether it’s a stigma or not, I’ve seen the halo.”

Logan didn’t fully grasp the significance, but upon hearing his words, Cardinal Austin’s face lit up.

[Really!? Hahaha! Much of my unease has been dispelled.]

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