Chapter 234

Chapter 21 Current Events and a New Abyss

With Margaret’s assurance, Victoria felt a significant weight lifted off her shoulders. At least she no longer had to worry about where the gold coins would come from; I was genuinely happy for her.

After sitting back down, Margaret picked up the notebook from the tea table and said to me, “Miss Silviana, can we entrust this to the Church?”

“Sure.”

I nodded immediately.

This was always meant to be handed over to the Church. I didn’t understand much about matters concerning the deities, but keeping it with me seemed pointless. However, Margaret and her group might find it useful.

“Alright. Let’s go over everything we know so far and piece together the entire sequence of events.”

She tucked the notebook into a small pouch at her waist, smoothed out her skirt, and sat up straight. Her serious demeanor made me suddenly think of a class representative in elementary school ready to raise her hand and speak.

“The ‘Boswell’ in the capital has been planning to possess someone since at least four years ago… if we count the time, that was exactly the second year after Teresa abandoned her attempt to become a saint. At that time, she had just been appointed by the Pope as the head of the capital’s diocese.”

“In other words, Teresa had already been in contact with heretics at that point, and quite deeply,” Victoria said slowly, pressing her temple with her thumb. “According to Peylo, she called herself the third senator of the Truth Gate. I know senators are among the highest-ranking officials within the heretic community, and Teresa was one of their leaders.”

There was a brief silence.

“We’ll put aside for now why she became a leader among the heretics. What we do know is that Teresa is the mastermind behind this disaster in the capital. She plotted meticulously, spending years on end, and even risked her life to ensure the safe passage of ‘Boswell’s’ medium, even transforming into a monster. That blood droplet isn’t just about stealing a divine relic; it must have some other purpose for the heretics.”

After listening to Margaret’s words, Victoria tapped the table thoughtfully.

“What kind of monster? The abyss?”

“No.”

Margaret and I spoke almost simultaneously. She met my gaze and quickly added, “It’s some unknown demon not recorded in our church’s texts. I don’t know much about it, but it likely has something to do with the evil powers of the heretics.”

Is that so…

I had many doubts about Margaret’s answer. I still remembered the monster speaking in Teresa’s voice, calling itself an angel of someone named Naa. I also remembered its appearance right before it died, and how it called me ‘Rabish Hermes.’

My heart was filled with unease about the unknown. But at this moment, I was afraid to tell them what I knew.

So I changed the subject.

“What was Teresa going to do with that eggshell? Was it perhaps because the Truth Gate encountered an enemy they couldn’t defeat?”

“It may not be an eggshell,” Margaret said.

I froze in surprise, not fully understanding her meaning.

“That blood droplet… the heretics call it ‘Goddess’s Tear.’ It might just be a new medium for storing the essence. I’m not sure what it is, but transferring the medium is unprecedented. No one in the Church knows what will happen afterward. Whether the transferred medium retains its original miracles or produces new changes remains unclear.”

“Only the great deity can see through everything. All we know now is that the heretics need the power of the medium to achieve some goal… This goal, based on the information the Church has gathered from the East Continent, might be related to—”

“The land of dragons.”

I interrupted Margaret confidently.

Because back in the academy, it was I who told Teresa that there were indeed dragons in Woodward Forest. I convinced her of this fact, and I felt conflicted about it.

Very clear. According to Teresa’s notes, that blood droplet is definitely connected to the land of the dragons.

“Exactly.” Margaret nodded, it seemed her thoughts were aligned with mine. “There’s something you don’t know. Not long ago, the Holy Church confirmed a piece of news: a large number of heretics are about to cross the Ipsus Sea, attempting to directly reach the Silgaya coast from the Mete Islands. I think these two events might be related.”

I was shocked. “How many people!”

“The exact number cannot be counted, but it is certainly not a small amount, and there is a possibility that some senators are accompanying them. The Church has already dispatched knight orders and numerous clergy from all over to intercept them. We do not plan on letting those demons set foot on the territory of Silgaya.”

I began to feel anxious.

Those lunatics are going to Silgaya…

If their goal is truly the land of the dragons, and my grandmother’s village is so close, could they be affected?

“Have you found out anything about the whereabouts of the blood droplet?” Victoria asked.

Margaret shook her head with a bitter smile.

“We can’t find anyone, we have no leads at all.”

“Those heretics who are coming… ” I thought for a moment, then looked up seriously at Margaret, “Is there anyone named Elma?”

“Elma? Mentioned in the notes?”

“Mm. In the Valen Empire, I encountered a heretic, and he also mentioned it. It might be an important figure.”

“No,” Margaret frowned, strands of hair fell across her lips, she pushed them aside, “I haven’t heard any news about this person. I only heard the name today. Senators of the Gate of Truth usually do not easily expose their identities, so it’s difficult to investigate them.”

… That makes sense.

If the Gate of Truth were easy to find, the Church would have likely apprehended them long ago. If it weren’t for the experience with Varal and Teresa, I wouldn’t know the name Elma either. But now, since I know…

“I want to go with you, to Silgaya.”

Victoria turned to look at me with a hint of surprise.

“What are you going to do?”

What am I going to do?

Do what they’re doing!

“Miss Silvija, please don’t rush.” Margaret waved her hands repeatedly, “I understand your concerns. First, calm down. The Ipsus Sea is vast, crossing it isn’t something that can be done easily. The heretics still need a long time to reach the Western Continent. Before that, the Holy Church has set up numerous obstacles for them. As I said, we won’t let them step on the territory of the Western Continent. Please trust us.”

Although she sounded very confident, I always felt uneasy.

But just as I opened my mouth to speak again—

Gurgle~

My stomach emitted a loud growl, reminding me it was time to eat.

Looking at the two women staring at me, my face flushed instantly.

“I’m hungry…”

Slowly lowering my head, I covered my face and muttered.

Soon, a fragrant aroma invaded my nostrils. Before I could react, Victoria had already placed a piece of egg custard cake in my mouth.

“Eat.”

“Mmm!”

I bit down eagerly and started chewing quickly.

“Please don’t worry about the matters of Silgaya, Miss Silvija. If there are any changes, I will inform you. This time, besides understanding Teresa’s situation, I have another important matter to entrust to you.”

Another important matter?

What could be more important than this…

I tilted my head in confusion, looking at Margaret’s earnest expression.

“It is expected that within one or two months, a new abyss will awaken in Ethenbels. At that time… please accompany us, Miss Silvija.”

She said, pausing before adding, “This is also the intention of His Holiness.”