Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 508 The Next Mission
Jeanne, of course, did not know the meaning of Mephistopheles' message, but Levi had no immediate solution to the problem. He first contacted MI7, reporting that he had found Jeanne and the series of events that had followed.

After reading Li Wei's report, the old butler was also greatly shocked and hurriedly called to inquire about the details.

"You mean, one of the twelve knights appointed by Emperor Arthur, that saintess, is still alive?"

"It's a little different from what you think of as immortality..."

Li Wei had also heard about this matter. This saintess was actually a "miniature in a bottle" made by the real saintess. It was the one mentioned before, made by fermenting horse manure, putting in a bunch of herbs, and finally feeding it with fresh blood to mold it into a human form.

The saintess had modified the technology and made one. Because of the demon invasion of the fortress castle, she banished the demon lord and had her own breath left. The saintess then transferred her will to the "little man in the bottle" and awoke many years later.

After waking up, the saint made a backup plan in the same way, and then went out to cause trouble for the holy bishop.

Then she was burned at the stake as a witch, but the backup of the saintess was still there, and it wasn't activated until Crant's invasion of Francis.

As for why the Saintess didn't make more backups, the reason is simple: the materials used to create the "bottle dolls" are very rare, especially many of which were rare plants in the Saintess's time but are now completely extinct. Creating this doll has already exhausted all the materials stored in the Saintess's castle, which is why the Saintess wanted to directly manipulate the castle to smash it as soon as she logged in.

There simply weren't enough materials to build another one to keep the bishop occupied for as long.

Of course, Li Wei only briefly mentioned that it was similar to possession, not immortality. He then quickly explained the problem of the Gates of Hell in the City of Flowers and the clues he had obtained. After listening to Li Wei's explanation, the old butler frowned, clearly finding it very troublesome.

"You mean, if we start a war in the City of Lights and cause a lot of casualties, it could very well activate the Gates of Hell, allowing those demons... to return to the world of the living?"

"It's just speculation, there's no evidence, but based on current intelligence, it's highly likely—after all, I can't really open the door for you guys just for this, can I?"

Are demons powerful?

“We should be able to handle low-level demon steam-powered soldiers, and mid-level demons can be dealt with using mechs, but high-level demons are a different story. Moreover, according to the Saintess, there are also Demon Lords, whom even she could only barely drive away. However, firepower alone is not the problem; the problem lies in numbers. According to the Saintess, the demons in Hell are almost endless. If the gates of Hell open, we will be facing countless demon legions.”

Li Wei also pointed out the problem. Indeed, putting aside strength, most demons were not beyond the Empire's ability to handle. But their numbers were another matter entirely... an endless number was truly a headache.

"Hmm... Sir Levi, what's your opinion?"

"In my personal opinion, we should stick to the original plan and launch an attack on Krant directly from Port Derlai."

Based on the current situation, the Empire has actually formulated two combat plans. One is the previously determined one: to launch an attack from Port Drei, first occupy Deburg, and then march directly to Delin.

Another plan was devised after Francis's surrender. Since the City of Lights and the City of Fog are separated only by the Stormy Sea, some suggested taking the City of Lights first to prevent the Krant from launching a surprise attack on the City of Fog from there. After securing the front lines, a steady and methodical advance would be made, thus allowing Francis and the Krant to reclaim all of the Empire's territory.

Actually, the Empire isn't afraid of this kind of attack; their war machine and resources are no joke. Li Wei initially didn't oppose this strategy. However, after learning that the seal on the Gates of Hell in the City of Flowers might have been broken and could open at any moment, he had to consider a different approach.

As things stand, assuming the Empire invades the City of Flowers, it's possible that, instigated by the Holy Bishop, both sides will be forced into a large-scale urban war in the city, resulting in countless casualties and a truly horrific scene. If these casualties could open the gates of hell…

Wait, could this be the reason Francis surrendered to Krant? They also believed the Empire would attack Florence, and Krant would definitely be the main force defending Florence. In other words, at that time, not only would the Imperial army suffer heavy casualties, but Krant would also suffer heavy losses.

Assuming the saintess's words are true, and the holy bishop is indeed a follower of demons, then the plan to weaken these two powerful continental nations in one fell swoop and allow a demon army to emerge is a double win, reaping all the benefits.

"But now many people believe that it is a very wise move to retake the Flower first, and they think that the imperial capital should not be placed on the front line of the war." It must be said that this makes sense, and more importantly, Li Wei obviously cannot tell them the Holy Bishop's plan.

Who knows if there are any spies among this group?

The old butler was silent for a moment before speaking.

"We need evidence."

"There are frozen demons in the castle, if you'd like to see them, but if you're looking for evidence of the Gates of Hell in the City of Lights, I'm afraid you won't find it."

Li Wei frankly stated, "Just kidding, even the Holy Maiden doesn't know the specifics of that seal, so where am I supposed to find it?"
Simply looking at demons is ineffective. According to Anne, it only proves that the species of demons exists in this world, but it does not prove that Huadu has a gateway to hell.

Unless the gates of hell are opened.

The problem is that it's too late to open it.

It's like an atomic bomb. It's useless to just say how powerful an atomic bomb is; you only know how powerful it is when you drop one.

But you can't just throw this thing away...

"No, I'm referring to a different proof."

The old butler spoke first.

"The saintess said that the current Holy Bishops' Council is full of devil believers. I hope you can investigate this and find evidence."

"You mean you want me to find evidence that they don't worship God, but the devil?"

This one is simpler.

"Yes, Miss will also be going."

Well, it seems Katie, as the "special observer," will be joining me again this time.

But that's good, since Katie is willing to come, it shows that the royal family still attaches great importance to this matter.

"Then I'm fine with it."

Li Wei thought for a moment and nodded. In his opinion, finding evidence that the Holy Bishop believed in demons was much simpler than finding evidence that the seal on the Gates of Hell had been opened.

How the Queen uses this intelligence is not something Levi needs to concern himself with.

Of course, he also knew that if this thing fell into the Queen's hands, it would definitely not be a good thing for the Holy Bishop.

(End of this chapter)