The scene shifts to the Free Association Guild.
Yuuki was leisurely flipping through a manga book, and across from him sat a humble and respectful man in black.
"Is it done?"
"Yes, Lord Yuuki. As you commanded, the Rozo Clan has made their move."
The man was Damrada, who had returned from the Hilt Rozo Kingdom.
"Have someone watch them, and notify me immediately if there is any unusual activity." Yuuki continued browsing the manga.
"Please rest assured, My Lord. Your subordinate will take care of it immediately."
After speaking, Damrada respectfully bowed, a hint of fawning smile on his face.
"Mhm~"
Watching the retreating figure, Yuuki nodded slightly, a flicker of mockery in his eyes.
"Did you see that, Lord John? These are my methods..."
He muttered to himself, his voice growing deeper.
Kagali silently drank her tea nearby, saying nothing.
Yuuki's direct superiors are the Five Great Elders, and the Five Great Elders' Ruler is Granbell, who fears Damrada.
Yet, Damrada's true master is Yuuki.
The ultimate matryoshka doll—simply incredible.
"Kagali, go notify Footman and Tia. Once the Holy War breaks out, it is bound to produce high-quality souls. Have them go collect some."
The strength of Temple Knights and Holy Knights is incomparable to that of ordinary soldiers. Temple Knights are generally B-rank, and Holy Knights are generally A-rank.
The quality of their souls is definitely enough for one to equal ten, or even a hundred, ordinary souls.
Since Clayman was able to awaken using a large number of human souls, there's no reason why Kagali and Tia shouldn't be able to do the same.
Kagali, understanding immediately, sent messages to the two of them.
Closing the book, Yuuki looked at the scenery outside the window, feeling exceptionally pleased.
"The plan is going smoothly indeed..."
...Inside the Holy Church cathedral in the Ingracia Kingdom.
Hinata had finished preparing the Temple Knights gathered from various regions, ready to march at any moment.
She was stalling for time for Rimuru, and at the same time, waiting for the arrival of Lecim, whom Rimuru had mentioned.
However, three days had passed, yet there was still no sign of him.
"Lady Hinata, we have been preparing for so long, shouldn't we depart now?"
The speaker was "Rough Sea" Glenda, one of the three strongest members of the Holy Emperor's direct Awe Division of thirty-two.
She was a girl with short red hair and a voluptuous figure, who looked imposing and heroic in her white Holy Knight battle suit.
"Wait a little longer."
Hinata answered coldly without even looking at her.
"Tch!"
A murderous glint flashed in Glenda's eyes before immediately returning to normal.
"Fine, have it your way. You are the leader this time anyway."
Facing Glenda's blatant provocation, Hinata merely gave her an indifferent glance and made no further response.
Hinata's Holy Knight Order and the Holy Emperor's Imperial Guard Division were never united, and Hinata was already used to this.
Among the Holy Church's "Ten Great Saints," Saint Hinata serves as the Holy Knight Order Commander.
"Noble of Light" Renard, a former Holy Magister, specializes in Elemental, Spirit, and Divine magic, and is the Holy Knight Order Vice Commander.
"Sky" Arnaud, favored by five types of spirits, capable of using five-attribute sword techniques, and a Holy Knight second only to Hinata.
"Earth" Bacchus, "Fire" Gerudo, and "Wind" Fritz.
"Water" Litith, who commands the superior water spirit "Saintess of Water," and is a Spirit User just like Izawa Shizue.
Adding the three strongest members of the Holy Emperor's Imperial Guard Division, they are collectively known as the "Three Martial Immortals."
The strongest of the "Three Martial Immortals" is "Azure Sky" Sarei, the former Chief Knight who lived the longest but lost to Hinata, and is also a Saint.
"Giant Rock" Gregory, with a combat value of 400,000, known as the Immovable Fortress, and at the peak of the Immortal Realm.
"Rough Sea" Glenda, the youngest of the Ten Great Saints, an Otherworlder who succeeded the position after defeating the former knight Lama.
These ten individuals are called the "Ten Great Saints," representing the highest fighting power of the Western Holy Church. Although two of them are betrayers, they are outwardly very powerful.
Just then, "Water" Litith, with waist-length golden hair and an overall mature woman aura, walked in, leading a fat, bald man.
"Lady Hinata, Archbishop Lecim says he has something important to report."
He's here.
Hinata felt a surge of joy; her wait had not been in vain.
"Archbishop, you disappeared for so long, we thought you had returned to the embrace of God."
Sarei said with a hint of mockery.
Lecim gasped for breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead, ignoring Sarei.
"Lady Hinata, I have something important to report..."
"Don't rush, take your time."
According to Hinata's assumption, Lecim should have come to persuade the Church to withdraw its troops. However,
"Please dispatch troops to the Jura Tempest Federation as quickly as possible, Your Ladyship. The monsters are mobilizing and preparing for war; they are about to attack the human nations."
Lecim took a few breaths and spoke seriously.
Hinata was instantly stunned.
The monsters are going to attack humans?
"How could this be..."
Hinata remained dazed for a moment before asking, "Lord Lecim, can you vouch for your words?"
"Falsely reporting military intelligence can lead to serious trouble."
A frown appeared on Hinata's indifferent face, and she stared sharply at Lecim, as if trying to see through him.
"...C-certainly."
At this moment, Glenda spoke up opportunely.
"Lady Hinata, it seems we must dispatch our troops immediately, or else... the consequences will be unimaginable."
Facing the sarcastic Glenda, Hinata sensed the scent of a conspiracy.
But she decided not to alert the enemy, simply nodding calmly, "Prepare yourselves. We will depart shortly."
"Yes!" xN
The Holy Knights left the cathedral one after another to prepare, leaving Hinata alone in deep thought.
After a long time, Hinata decided to send a message to Luminus. This whole affair felt strangely unusual.
(Hi, Hinata... Is something wrong?)
Luminus's suppressed voice came from the other end of the communication, but Hinata paid it no mind.
(Regarding this attack on the Jura Tempest Federation, I feel like someone is pushing it from behind. It might be a conspiracy...)
(Mhm~... It's fine. Everything... is under, under control~...)
(My Lady, are you... alright?)
(I, I'm fine. I already have arrangements. You... continue, head to the Monster Country and execute the counter-plan...)
(I understand.)
After receiving the reply, Hinata's tightly furrowed brow relaxed. With Luminus's assurance, she felt much relieved.
Still, why did My Lady's tone sound so strange...?
Hinata shook her head slightly, deciding to focus her attention on the impending war. She needed to thoroughly investigate the cause of this sudden change.
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