"A transaction."
The Archbishop of the Church of Steam, wearing a soft clergyman's hat and a white priest's robe, his face kind, said with a solemn gaze, "If all these reports are true, then what I can think of is… a transaction."
Anthony nodded slowly but heavily: "I think so too. Assuming these reports are true, then it's certain that the Royal Family and the Witch Sect have made some kind of transaction."
"The Royal Family allows the Witch Sect to operate in Backlund, the Witch Sect provides the King with the conditions for his breakthrough to Black Emperor, and Prince Edessak is the hostage and guarantee."
'Deep Blue High Priest' Randall Valentinus was furious: "Then what are we waiting for? We should go to the palace now! George III must give us an explanation!"
Anthony glanced at him and said, "We have no substantial evidence. Besides…"
The Archbishop of the Evernight Church, wearing a black-and-red bishop's robe and a Dark Holy Emblem, looked at the other two bishops: "Why would the Witches spread disaster in Backlund? What good does this do for the Witch Sect?"
Radar snorted: "Does that even need to be said? This must be some kind of ritual, a ritual for a Witch to Break through to a higher Rank!"
Horamick Haydn said calmly, "If that were the only reason, she could create a disaster in another place. There's no need to choose Backlund, no need to risk being discovered by us, to hold a ritual here."
"Furthermore, a Witch's breakthrough ritual and the King's conditions for breakthrough to Black Emperor are not equivalent."
Anthony nodded lightly: "Exactly. I personally believe that the Witch's breakthrough is just a facade. The Witch Sect must have a deeper, grander purpose."
Radar casually said, "What deeper, grander purpose could they have, unless they, like those madmen from the Aurora Order, want to resurrect the Primal Witch."
After speaking, the burly Archbishop paused, looking at the other two Archbishops, and seeing their eyes flicker, Radar couldn't help but exclaim, "No way, could it be that behind this disaster, the Witch Sect is preparing for the resurrection of the Primal Witch?"
"The death of a large number of living beings in itself can be regarded as a sacrifice," Horamick said in a somber tone. "If this is the Witch Sect's goal, then it would be equivalent to the King's breakthrough."
Anthony continued, "Also, the Witch Sect choosing Backlund to spread disaster might also be to conceal something."
Horamick pondered with his hands behind his back: "What could the death of a large number of civilians conceal… Could it be to hide the deaths of certain individuals in previous incidents, or to conceal some death incidents we are unaware of?"
Anthony glanced at him and said, "That's one possibility. Additionally, some incidents we've handled or heard about recently might contain clues."
Radar impatiently asked, "What is it?"
"The passing of the 'Grain Act' and the improvement of weaving machines caused massive unemployment. Not long ago, there was a strike in the East District, and the factory owners quickly came up with countermeasures. After that, many female textile workers got new jobs, they left the East District, and no one knows where they went…"
"Not long ago, in the Capin case, the kidnapped targets were all relatively pure and innocent young girls. It's worth mentioning that this rogue was protected by four Beyonder from the 'Arbitrator' pathway, the strongest of whom was suspected to be Sequence 6, or even Sequence 5."
"And this person controlled a large share of the underground slave trade."
Anthony stated calmly, his words unruffled, but the content made the two Archbishops frown deeply.
Radar nodded: "I heard Ace mention this. How could a mere insignificant merchant have four Beyonder from the 'Arbitrator' pathway protecting him, and the strongest being Sequence 6 or even Sequence 5?"
Horamick looked at the thin mist outside the tower: "A merchant naturally couldn't have such treatment, unless he had the support of the Royal Family, otherwise where would he get four 'Arbitrator's?"
"A large number of missing workers, kidnapped innocent young girls—it all sounds like preparations for some terrifying, highly covert, and long-term ritual."
"These are all sacrifices. If a major disaster occurs in Backlund, with a large number of deaths, these traces can naturally be buried."
Radar frowned and said, "Speaking of slaves, our Church has also been investigating some suspicious incidents recently."
"On the Sea, a large number of slaves from colonial islands have gone missing."
"Numerous tribes on the South Continent have vanished into thin air…"
"Do you think these might also be connected to the events in Backlund?"
Anthony and Horamick exchanged glances, both falling silent.
A moment later, Anthony, with his clean-shaven face, said sternly, "It seems the situation is far worse than I previously imagined. The key now is that we have no evidence and cannot directly confront the King like this."
"Then let's gather evidence."
Horamick mused: "We can't investigate the King directly; it would alert Augustus. As for the Witches, we don't know where they are hiding."
"No, we know one of them. If the information is correct, then Prince Edessak will be our breakthrough point."
Anthony looked at the two Archbishops: "Investigating Prince Edessak can be handled by our Evernight Church. Additionally, Your Excellencies, please prepare for a disaster."
"I'm worried that the investigation will alarm the Witch Sect and the Royal Family, causing the disaster to erupt prematurely."
Horamick and Radar agreed simultaneously.
After seeing off the two Archbishops, Anthony went to the underground of the cathedral, to the Chanis Gate.
The person leading the team on duty today was a lady, dressed in a dark robe, with blue eyeshadow and blush, possessing a unique beauty.
Seeing Archbishop Anthony, the lady quickly greeted him, but before she could ask, Anthony solemnly instructed: "Prepare yourselves, I need to awaken a sealed artifact at any time."
"That sealed artifact's number is 0-17."
The lady with blue eyeshadow paused for a second before responding: "Yes, Your Excellency, Archbishop."
Anthony nodded lightly, while parts of the sealed artifact's information appeared in his mind.
"Number: 17."
"Name: XXXXX"
"Danger Rank: '0', extremely dangerous, highest priority, highest confidentiality Rank, not to be inquired about, not to be divulged, not to be described, not to be spied upon."
"Confidentiality Rank: Pope, Group A researchers, and the Archbishop in charge of the Backlund diocese (Note: When the Archbishop is transferred from the Backlund diocese, relevant memories must be cleared using sealed artifact '1-29')."
"sealed artifact Method: Sealed through the cooperation of '1-29' and '1-80'."
"Description: This is not an item."
"This is a living Angel."
"Her appearance is beautiful, her hair and eyes are black, she appears to be a young female, but her actual age cannot be estimated."
"…She does not have the wings recorded in ancient texts; from her appearance alone, she lacks sufficient distinction from ordinary people."
"…She has no capacity for thought, having lost all her intelligence."
"…Anyone or anything that approaches her will completely disappear… Through divination and other means, it can be confirmed that they are still alive, still truly existing, but they can never be found. Currently, 1825 methods have been attempted, all failing."
"…The sphere of influence of '0-17' expands and contracts irregularly, and has currently caused over 70 researchers to disappear."
"Warning: She cannot be utilized!"
"Appendix 1: This sealed artifact first appeared in the Fourth Epoch's Pale Era. Specific year, missing; specific date, missing; specific location, missing."
"Appendix 2: Records show that She has been awakened five times."
… … … …
This was an extremely terrifying sealed artifact; only two high-ranking members of the entire Church knew it was in Backlund.
"If a disaster truly occurs, we can only rely on Her to handle the relevant matters."
"Hopefully, it won't be needed."
Anthony walked away with steps heavier than usual.