"Damn it! Can't you go any faster? What are you dawdling for!?"
Gerhard threw open the curtain of his luxurious carriage and shouted furiously at the coachman.
"But, Father, there are people behind us…"
"To hell with those filthy peasants! Tell my loyal knights to charge straight for Heim City at full speed!"
After barking his order, he slammed the window shut, tightened the mink coat around his shoulders, and muttered through gritted teeth,
"If it weren't for that damn old fool insisting that the war is over and we should all return to our territories, I wouldn't be freezing my ass off in this weather!"
"Father Gerhard, why trouble yourself over a dying old man?"
Across from him, a young cleric smiled calmly. It was Tonio, one of the two men who had followed Gerhard from the start—and the one he trusted most.
Despite his youth, Tonio had already reached the second tier of strength.
"You're right." Gerhard nodded in agreement, but still couldn't help cursing,
"When the backlash from the barrier hit, why couldn't it have just taken that old bastard with it?
If he'd died then and there, we wouldn't have to deal with all this nonsense!
And my brother—what the hell was he thinking? He could've finished the old man off when he was gravely injured, but no, he refused!"
Tonio remained silent, neither agreeing nor arguing.
Given their faction differences, there was nothing wrong with them cursing the old archbishop—they belonged to rival factions within the Holy Tribunal Church.
Still, Tonio couldn't deny that the reason so many church members survived was thanks to that same old archbishop.
When the Ring of Corruption rose, it was the old man who activated the cathedral's protective formation.
That barrier didn't completely shield them, but it kept enough of their sanity intact for them to act.
In fact, both Tonio and Gerhard only survived because Gerhard's brother knocked them out cold before the corruption hit.
Tonio didn't like to admit it—but he owed his life to the old archbishop.
So, hearing Gerhard rant was one thing, but actually harming the old man? That would be crossing a line.
"Father Gerhard," Tonio said evenly, "there's no need to dwell on that matter. Lord Conrad surely has his own plans.
Who knows—come spring, he might even be promoted to bishop."
"Let's hope so."
Gerhard sighed, then asked, "By the way, what's the news about Heim City? I told you to investigate, didn't I?"
Tonio almost rolled his eyes. Really? I gave you that report days ago—it's still sitting on your desk unread. And now, when we're almost at Heim's border, you finally remember to ask?
Still, he kept his tone polite. "I didn't receive much concrete information, Father, but it's said that the Count of Heim relied on his family's heritage to fend off the first few small waves of Beastman raids.
After that, he supposedly bought magic cannons from the Marquis of Gold and used them to repel several noble attacks."
"The Marquis of Gold's magic cannons, huh? He must've made a fortune off those. Didn't he think to donate some of that money to our Church? How unfaithful of him."
Tonio's face twitched. Of course… ever the greedy coward, our dear Father Gerhard never changes.
Still, he forced a patient smile and explained, "The Marquis of Gold perished during the cataclysm at Mandrake Keep. But when they searched his spatial ring, they didn't find the gold he'd earned.
That's drawn the attention of a major noble in the kingdom—rumor has it they even arrested the Marquis's family."
"Is that so? What a pity."
Tonio quietly exhaled in relief. Thank the Light—Gerhard's cowardice had saved them again.
If his avarice had led them to meddle in that affair, neither of them would've lived to tell the tale.
The Marquis of Gold's missing fortune had caused quite the uproar among the kingdom's nobility. Many high-ranking lords had joined the hunt for it—some of them fourth or even fifth-tier powerhouses.
Against such people, Gerhard and Tonio were nothing but shrimp in a shark tank.
"Go on," Gerhard urged.
"Yes, Father. Later, when the Grand Duke ordered a full retreat, there were no signs of Heim's forces. We also lost contact with them entirely.
Even the butler, Ulriel, who was sent there, has vanished.
I suspect Heim City is as good as gone."
"You're probably right," Gerhard said, sneering. "That little backwater city—if the Beastmen didn't take it, the undead probably did.
What a shame about Vivian, though. Such a promising young girl.
If she'd been properly trained, she could've been sent to warm the bed of some noble in the capital—my brother's position would've risen in no time."
"Uh…"
Tonio was speechless.
Vivian was part of the Saintess faction, you idiot—our rival faction! And you're talking about sending her to some noble's bed? Are you serious?
A single word in the right ear and she'd have us both executed.
He sighed inwardly. If not for Lord Conrad's orders, he wouldn't have followed this fool of a priest anywhere—let alone be stuck cleaning up his messes.
"Father Gerhard," Tonio said carefully, "perhaps we should focus on how to reestablish the Church's presence in Heim City.
If we can seize control of its key industries before the new lord is appointed, he'll have no choice but to rely on us once he arrives.
That way, we'll have him firmly in our grasp."
"Emmm… yes, you're right. Do as you see fit—I trust you."
Gerhard patted Tonio's shoulder approvingly, wearing the smug look of a superior bestowing wisdom.
Tonio just stared, utterly speechless. You're really not going to do anything yourself, huh?
Still, he was used to it by now.
To be fair, Gerhard did have one redeeming quality as a leader—he delegated.
That allowed capable subordinates to fully display their talents.
Unfortunately for Tonio, that "trust" just meant endless exhaustion.
After a long, slow journey filled with delays, they finally reached the outskirts of Heim City.
But when Gerhard and Tonio looked up at the towering city walls—now even higher than before—lined with gleaming magic cannons and soldiers patrolling along the ramparts,
both of them froze in disbelief.
"What the… Heim City's still standing!?"