A Scientific Urban Detective.

Chapter 847 The Book of Law and its Interpreter

Just last month, Sherry Cromwell, a fellow member of the Church of Necessary Evil to which Stiyl belongs, went on a solo mission, venturing into Academy City alone to carry out an attack.

However, she was quickly defeated by Lin Wuming and then extradited back to China, where she is still in solitary confinement reflecting on her actions.

That's not the point. The key point is that, according to Shirley Cromwell's feedback afterward, she discovered that Lin Wuming used "the spells of the Book of Law" during the battle with him.

Shirley Cromwell is an expert in deciphering codes, and with the entire contents of the Book of Law recorded in the mind of "Index of Forbidden Books," she has naturally tried to decipher the codes of the Book of Law and can be said to know the contents of this magical book like the back of her hand.

Therefore, even though Lin Wuming was reciting a Japanese translation, she still recognized him.

"Legend has it that Crowley summoned the guardian angel Aiwass, and through the angel's teachings, learned 'angelic spells' that humans cannot use, recording them in the Book of Laws..." Stiyl murmured to himself, "Could it be..."

“That’s the ‘could it be’,” the High Bishop snapped his fingers. “Giving humans the power of angels, which can also be understood as directly summoning angels to descend—doesn’t that sound a lot like the scenario mentioned in the intelligence report?”

“How is that possible?” Stiyl blurted out. “Such an absurd thing… It’s just that a shape resembling an angel’s halo appeared. To be so certain that it’s an angel is far too cheap!”

“You make a good point, and to be honest, that’s what I think too,” the High Bishop nodded in agreement. “But we can’t stop others from having doubts.”

"You mean... the Roman Catholic Church?" Steele felt he had grasped the key point.

Of the three major branches of Christianity, the Roman Orthodox Church places the greatest emphasis on the image of the "angel." If they received this information... even the most rational believer wouldn't remain indifferent, would they?
And there is no doubt that the Roman Catholic Church also obtained the intelligence.

“Are you worried that the Roman Catholic Church will take action?” Steele asked.

In theory, Puritans and Academy City are still allies, while their relationship with the Roman Catholic Church, which is also a Christian religion, is more distant.

—If the Roman Catholic Church is preparing to take action against Academy City, perhaps we cannot stand idly by?

“Your thinking is very problematic, Stiyl.” The High Bishop shook his head repeatedly. “In any case, we are all members of the Church of Christ. If we really have to divide into camps, we should be on the same side as the Roman Catholic Church, while Academy City, which leads the science side, should be on the other side—that’s how it should be.”

"Heh." Stiyl rolled his eyes, remaining noncommittal. "So this time we're going to join forces with the Orthodox Church to investigate Academy City?"

“No, that’s not the problem. The key is the Book of Law,” the High Archbishop said. “Regardless of how that superhuman did it, one thing is certain—he did indeed possess the contents of the Book of Law.”

“It’s the translated version,” Steele added, correcting him.

"Doesn't this prove that there are people around him who can decipher the original text of the Book of Laws?" The High Bishop's eyes gleamed. "Otherwise, it would be difficult to preserve the magical power of the original text of the grimoire if it were translated into other languages ​​rashly."

"So, you want to find the person who translated the original text?" Steele asked again.

“No, that’s not the point.” The High Archbishop shook his head again. “We have a catalog of forbidden books, and the original text of the Book of Law holds no appeal for us. Unless it’s the correct method of interpretation, we don’t need to care about anything else.”

"so……?"

“So the problem is,” the High Archbishop finally revealed, “that a method for interpreting the Book of Law seems to have emerged.” “Really?”

“Osora Aquinas, a nun of the Roman Catholic Church, an intelligence analyst, and skilled in deciphering magical codes,” the High Archbishop said. “It is said that she was the one who found the method to decipher the Book of Law.”

“Isn’t this terrible?” Stiyl said, frowning. “The original text of the Book of Law is kept by the orthodox Church. Does that mean they can use the true power of that sorcery book?”

"Osora did not have access to the complete Book of Laws; she obtained the method of interpretation through fragmentary manuscripts; then, she was abducted."

"Hijacking?" Stiyl looked over in surprise.

“Intelligence indicates that the Roman Catholic Church is reportedly preparing to build a new church in Tokyo, which led Orsola to Japan, where she was then abducted by the local denomination,” the High Archbishop said. “Now, the kidnappers are taking her closer to Academy City.”

"What does it mean?"

“Academy City has the complete Book of Laws, and Orsola has the method to interpret it…” The Supreme Archbishop spread his hands, “That’s it.”

"It feels like this is going to be a lot of trouble." Steele subconsciously lit a cigarette. "Just say whatever else you have all at once, stop dawdling here."

“As I just mentioned, the one who kidnapped Orsola was a Japanese-based Christian sect, which you should have guessed by now,” the High Bishop said, “the Amakusa-style Christian sect.”

“I knew it,” Stiyl clicked his tongue, then asked, “Where is Kanzaki now?”

“She has been missing for more than twenty-four hours,” the High Archbishop said. “That’s why I didn’t invite Kanzaki Kaori when we were discussing Academy City earlier—because she’s no longer here.”

As for where Kanzaki Kaori is now, it's not hard to guess.

—Before joining the Church of Necessary Evil, Kanzaki Kaori was the female pope of the Amakusa-style Cross Church.

“So…” Stiyl frowned, “this time, Kanzaki might be on our side?”

"With insufficient information, I cannot make an accurate judgment," the Supreme Archbishop said.

"Is it an 'inability' to make a judgment, or an unwillingness to make that judgment?" Steele muttered. "So, you summoned me here this time to have me deal with a saint?"

The High Bishop shook his head: "I said, the situation isn't that bad yet. Nothing is certain yet."

“Don’t be too nervous, Stiyl, your task isn’t that difficult,” the High Archbishop reassured him. “At least until Kanzaki Kaori makes her stance clear, you don’t need to worry about her existence.”

After a brief pause, the High Bishop continued, "Because this incident will most likely involve Academy City and that Mr. Lin Wuming, and considering our relatively harmonious relationship with Academy City, the Orthodox Church has sent a request for cooperation."

(End of this chapter)