Chelsea looked at the disbelieving Night Raid members with pity.
"As the black hands of the Revolutionary Army, you have always followed their orders. When have you ever delved deep into their rear to understand them?"
"My Teigu, 'All-Changing, Gaia Foundation,' allows me to transform into anyone and any animal. So, when the Revolutionary Army's high command wasn't paying attention, I infiltrated their meetings and even their secret talks."
"In the beginning, the Revolutionary Army truly was doing good for the common people."
"But after gaining power, they were lured by the extravagance of the nobles, constantly decaying and degenerating."
"However, they aren't stupid. They know that the common people are their base, so they do a decent job of maintaining appearances. Internally, they've long been birds of a feather with the nobles."
"As for their insistence on overthrowing the Empire, it's merely because they happen to be on the opposing side, a struggle for profit."
"If you don't believe me, you can always infiltrate the Revolutionary Army yourself and see."
Every word Chelsea spoke was like a bullet striking Night Raid's impression of the Revolutionary Army. Although not completely shattered, it was already riddled with holes.
In this Church, where God's gaze extends, a God's Grace will not lie.
"Alright, I will investigate thoroughly," Leone said through gritted teeth.
"If it's truly like this, then I will personally twist off the heads of every single one of the Revolutionary Army's high command."
Divine Blessing can perceive good and evil; just by going to the Revolutionary Army headquarters, they would know.
Although they hadn't gone yet, once suspicion arose, the guilt would follow.
Najenda fell silent for a moment. She knew there were some issues within the Revolutionary Army, but she used to think it was human nature, and that the Revolutionary Army couldn't be like the Empire.
As a staff officer for the Revolutionary Army, she didn't know much about the Revolutionary Army's high command or other matters. She was merely tasked by the high command to dismantle the Empire's regional control.
And the black hands for this regional dismantling were Night Raid.
As long as the regional nobles and Imperial governors were assassinated, the Revolutionary Army could naturally take over easily.
"If that's the case, I will make them pay the price they deserve."
Fury burned in Najenda's heart, the fury of being deceived.
If the Revolutionary Army did such things, wouldn't she, as a staff officer for the Revolutionary Army, be an accomplice?
The thought of countless common people suffering at the hands of the Revolutionary Army because of her made her feel as if a thousand needles were constantly pricking her.
"Damn it!" Brand's hands cracked as he clenched them. He had joined the Revolutionary Army with ideals, only to be met with betrayal in the end.
"How could this be…?" Mine's eyes were somewhat vacant. The Revolutionary Army had adopted her and allowed her to survive.
Now, she was being told that the Revolutionary Army's true nature was no different from the Empire, and perhaps even worse.
"Sigh…" Lubbock sighed. As the son of a wealthy merchant, he wasn't too shocked by this. He had seen too much; even if someone started as a good person, the continuous erosion of power could turn them into a villain.
"..."
Akame didn't speak, merely touched her sword hilt silently, expressionless, but her heart was deeply saddened.
Bishop An looked at the resentful and dejected Night Raid members and quickly said, "Everyone, there's no need to be like this. You are God's Grace, valued by God. How can you regret the past because of some wrong experiences?"
"Spreading justice and goodness throughout the world is your greatest responsibility!"
Leone crossed her arms unhappily, "We're just a little conflicted, not dejected."
Najenda nodded, "I think we can go on our mission now."
She wanted to quickly go and see what the Revolutionary Army was truly like.
The Night Raid members nodded, then bowed slightly to Shinobu Kocho.
"Divine Messenger, we will take our leave now."
Shinobu Kocho smiled, "Mm, go. Don't let some unspeakable filth affect your mood."
"Understood."
The Night Raid members walked out of the Church hall, as if flames of anger burned within them.
Shinobu Kocho looked at Chelsea and said with a smile, "Chelsea, as the population of Religious State citizens grows, so do the documents. You'll have to handle it."
Chelsea's expression stiffened. Was this another overtime session? She had already worked overtime for three consecutive days.
"Divine Messenger—didn't you say someone would take over my shift?"
Bishop An had a look that said, 'What foolishness are you speaking?': "Because there are more tasks, the new clerks are already overwhelmed, so—"
Shinobu Kocho said with a smile, "These are extraordinary times."
Chelsea felt that this Divine Messenger was actually quite cunning. She said forlornly, "Alright—"
She might as well have joined the "Arbitration Group" directly back then.
While the Religious State was rapidly annexing the Eastern Province, in the Northern Province, an army of 400,000 was on the march.
This army exuded an unwashed scent of blood. Even from a great distance, the God's Grace flying in mid-air felt a chill down their spines.
"Just how many people—have they killed—?" The God's Grace watched the dark army from afar, like a black river flowing across the land.
Especially when looking at the woman with ice-blue long hair wearing a white officer's uniform, riding on the back of a high-level Dangerous Species at the very front of the army.
"This ominous killing intent—it's already visible to the naked eye, it's terrifying! If I get any closer, I'll definitely be discovered, and if discovered, I'll be killed!"
"Is that the Empire's strongest Teigu User, and the strongest executioner, Esdeath? This feeling of death from a mere glance—I've only felt it from the Saintess."
Suddenly, the God's Grace sensed danger, and his expression changed.
"Not good! Quick, go!" The God's Grace pushed his Divine Blessing to the limit and fled at extreme speed.
The next instant, a dozen sharp ice spikes streaked through the spot where he had been.
Esdeath, marching on the ground, had a gloomy expression, her eyes filled with ominous killing intent. She chuckled, her smile full of mockery.
"As expected, there are rats peeking. Before, I couldn't figure out where they were. To find this rat, I even had to enhance my five senses."
"A flying Teigu User? Don't let me catch you, otherwise, even if you're from the Empire, I'll crush your skull."
A military strategist asked, "General, we are almost able to completely wipe out the Northern Barbarians. Why does His Majesty the Emperor insist on us returning now?"
Esdeath narrowed her eyes slightly and said patiently, "Because there have been some noisy voices within the Empire, and those good-for-nothings can't handle it."
"The Emperor had no choice but to have me lead the troops back."
"The Northern Barbarians have fled into the glaciers and are not easy to find. We'll wipe them out later."
"After all, the logistics for a 400,000-strong army still need to be allocated by the Emperor and the ministers."
"I cannot let 400,000 people starve in the North because of a moment of capriciousness."
"If my subordinates starve to death because of my capricious decision, that would be my failure." Saying this, Esdeath said indifferently.
"This time, after annihilating the entire allied army of the Northern Barbarians, the Emperor will surely bestow many treasures. When the time comes, everyone can divide the treasures."