The goddesses attempted to gain my salvation.

I will always remember your sacrifice.

Claire trembled, feeling as if she were witnessing something more terrifying than forbidden magic.

I don't know why, but tonight feels exceptionally long.

------

The next day.

Victor, now back to normal, slumped in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Oh no... I'm tainted."

“Shuna… Oh! My Shuna… I’m sorry.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Ryan comforted him, "It's alright, Mentor Victor. Your sacrifice has given us the key to bringing down West and the forces behind him."

"Your sacrifice will not have been in vain."

As it turned out, it would have been better if Ryan hadn't said anything.

As soon as he spoke, Victor jumped up and grabbed Ryan by the collar.

"Why are you doing this!"

"Why......"

Ryan had no way to explain, so he could only look away with an apologetic expression.

"And where did you go after that! That bastard West couldn't find you, so he kept... over and over again... me! Me!"

"Woooooooo..."

Seeing the white-bearded old man break down in tears in front of him, Ryan felt sorry for him.

But there was nothing he could do.

This kind of thing needs to be done by someone.

If I had to choose between the two of them, it would be better for Victor to make the sacrifice.

Just then, Tracy pushed open the door and walked in, carrying the crystal ball.

Upon seeing Victor, Tracy quickly turned her face away.

Honestly, she doesn't really want to face him right now.

Everything that happened in the crystal ball last night was still vivid in her mind. Just seeing Victor's face made her unconsciously recall that terrifying scene.

Alas!

I feel a bit nauseous...

"Um, the video recording is ready. I've kept the original safe... This is a backup. Would you like to... take a look?"

Victor burst into tears.

"No! I don't want to see!"

"Take it all! Take it all!"

In this way, Tracy and her group obtained enough evidence to kill West.

Ryan saved Claire, and Maggie also escaped unharmed.

The outcome where only Victor was injured... was achieved.

The remaining question is when and in what form this bombshell will be dropped.

After much thought, I decided that the day of the performance evaluation would be the most suitable.

Because on that day, the students' parents will also come to the college.

They were all wealthy and noble, some even royalty.

In front of them, expose what West has done.

By then, even if he had ten heads, it wouldn't be enough to chop them off!

Let him dart around for a while longer.

------

The Duchy of Ferrante.

Royal City, on the outskirts of Canosa.

The fully armed troops were advancing slowly and in a grand procession.

Everyone was dressed in sturdy armor forged from Orichalcos and carried the pennant of the Papacy of Bysma.

Very cool.

In the middle of the procession was a huge carriage pulled by twelve fine horses.

Orina was resting with her eyes closed.

The supreme scepter, representing the highest authority of the Papacy, was right beside her.

Despite the abundance of fruit and drinks in front of her, she had no desire to eat.

It has been some time since I left the Vatican.

Honestly, life without Ryan is just too agonizing.

Every day her body felt hot and restless, and the desires deep in her soul remained unfulfilled, which made her very frustrated.

However, the mission of the Holy See had to be accomplished; it was her duty as the High Priestess.

That's why she said she wasn't free at all before leaving Ryan.

"Sigh...when can we go back?"

"Ryan... I really miss you."

"I wonder what you're busy with right now."

However, the thought of being able to be all lovey-dovey with Ryan again after resolving the matter immediately dispelled most of her frustration.

Just then, the carriage curtain was gently stirred.

A woman's voice drifted on the breeze to Orina's ears.

"Lady Olina, it is I, Philin."

Orina composed herself and replied with her usual cool demeanor.

"come in."

Then, a gentle breeze blew into the carriage.

A tall, slender, brown-skinned beauty appeared silently and knelt on one knee in front of Olina.

She wore bright silver armor, and her silk cloak at the back was imprinted with a moon symbol.

She is a member of the [Radiant Moon] Order, one of the three major orders of the Holy See under Orina's command.

Their duties include intelligence gathering, infiltration, penetration, and...

Assassination.

"Lady Orina, the matter you asked me to investigate has yielded some results."

Orina proudly crossed her long, fair legs, swaying her high heels as she looked down at Felin, her eyes sparkling.

"Tell me more about it."

"I regret to inform you, Lady Orina. As you predicted, there are indeed rats within the Church of Bysma. They have abandoned the faith of the Church and turned to worship an alien god who can grant them eternal life."

Orina frowned slightly.

At first, she was just guessing, but Phil's answer confirmed her guess as fact.

Betraying one's faith is tantamount to betraying the Church.

Once discovered, they will be killed without exception.

Unexpectedly, there were indeed reckless individuals who dared to violate this taboo.

"Our current information about the Outer Gods is very limited. All I know is that the so-called Outer Gods originated from a record found on a stone tablet. It contains not only incantations but also some records about the Outer Gods."

"However, I am incompetent and unable to translate the contents of the stone tablet."

Olina waved her hand: "It's alright. You've done your best, I won't blame you."

Phil nodded slightly and continued.

"We have identified seven apostates so far, and this is the list."

After saying that, Phil handed a scroll to Olina.

Upon opening it, Orina made a displeased sound.

"It really was them. We'd noticed them acting suspiciously before. But I never imagined they'd be so audacious as to betray their faith. It's laughable, pathetic..."

Felin continued, "Due to the influence of those rats, many people have also begun to worship the gods of other lands. Even within the Duchy of Ferrante, a large number of believers have emerged."

"Rumor has it that even the old king of the Duchy of Ferrante was a believer..."

Orina's lips curled into a cold smile.

So that's why she went out to preach.

Under the guise of missionary work, their true purpose was to purge traitors and the forces they had cultivated.

She didn't care about any otherworldly gods.

All she knew was that it was because of these rats that she was forced to separate from Ryan.

Anyone who angers her must die.

The frustration of not seeing Ryan for so long is something you guys need to vent.

Olina picked a grape and put it in her mouth.

With a gentle bite of her pearly teeth, juice splattered.