They are all characters I control.

“Because your investigations are going in different directions,” Claire said. “Ophelia is investigating people, while you’re investigating something else.”

Isabelle raised an eyebrow slightly. "Other aspects? How do you know?"

"Instead of guessing, why don't you tell me what you've found out?" Claire looked at her and said calmly.

Since Isabelle already knew about William's experiences from Ophelia, she wasn't in a rush to continue her investigation.

Just as he said, the two acting saintesses had different channels, so their investigations naturally took different directions.

Isabelle was silent for a moment. "You also know about Origin Weapons?"

“I’ve seen it.” Claire didn’t go into details. “William’s is called ‘Light of Faith’.”

Isabelle lowered her head and flipped through the documents in her hand.

The light screen swayed slightly, and the sound of the paper was very soft, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

“William Redgrave’s ‘Light of Faith’ was handcrafted by Herman, the weapon master of the Holy City. The materials are meteorite iron and holy spring water, and the blade is engraved with special runes.”

Isabelle looked up at Claire. "But after the forging was completed, Herman discovered a problem."

"what?"

"This sword will recognize its master; not just anyone can use it."

"..."

Here we go again, Claire had expected this.

Chapter 90 Restraint and Substitution of the Precepts

"Only those who are 'approved by the sword' can activate the 'light of faith'."

“Church Knight William was the first to activate it. After he disappeared, the sword changed hands and was eventually obtained by Knight Commander Will, who was also able to wield considerable power from it.”

"But for now, the weapon seems to have disappeared again. Knight Commander Will has been ambushed by a heretical knight and is still unconscious."

Claire's pupils contracted slightly, and she sighed softly.

Even before this, he had somewhat suspected that the weapons and such given by the full bond system were merely for use, or rather, for borrowing.

Even things like 'The Keeper's Spying' are for game heroines like Lia and Eleanor; they're already exclusive weapons.

It's obvious who the 'light of faith' is for.

To be fair, Claire's loss wasn't too great, at least she could use the 'Light of Faith' temporarily after Eleanor gained control of it.

However, Claire still asked for more details.

"Besides those inexplicable things, what other conditions are there for using the 'Light of Faith'? I mean, if it's against the enemies of the Church of Goddess or something?"

“Enemies? So those are heretics?” Isabelle glanced at Claire deliberately when she said ‘heretics’.

After all, Claire was also a heretic, although that might not be entirely accurate.

But the evil god emperor is undoubtedly the leader of the heretics.

Furthermore, Claire had once waged war against the Church of the Goddess, an achievement that even heretics couldn't match. Besides, the Saintess herself had sealed Claire away.

Claire is unique in being able to summon the Holy Maiden to appear and descend.

Not to mention he also became an archbishop, thus gaining the feat of immortality.

Even if Claire didn't start any other churches, he would still be revered and worshipped by other heretics.

"I guess so. Although the 'Light of Faith' is used through something like willpower, can both good and bad people use it?"

Claire understood Isabelle's teasing tone, but he didn't mind and asked again.

“I’m not sure. But the fact that it’s willing to let you use it means it recognizes you.” Isabelle paused, glancing at the records in her hand. “Or rather, it recognizes something within you.”

Claire remained silent for a moment.

Did they acknowledge something within him, like immortality? Or the achievements of that "Demon King"? He didn't know.

At least, judging from William's demonstration, the effect of 'the light of faith' is that it encourages people to do positive things.

This works for Claire, but ultimately it's not something she can use immediately.

That's Eleanor's exclusive weapon. In any case, Eleanor has the first right to use it. If Claire faces Eleanor, won't she be disarmed?

Eleanor wasn't as obedient and docile as Leah, so she needed to be very well prepared.

Are there any other source weapons?

Isabelle flipped through the documents. “Yes, Herman only forged three in his lifetime. ‘Light of Faith’ was the first. The second one is called ‘The Keeper’s Gaze,’ a ring that can nullify any magical barrier and seal.”

Claire's heart skipped a beat. "The Keeper of Secrets' spying? Isn't that something from the Rost family? The thing that destroyed my capital?"

This statement had a victim's perspective, and Claire's words made Isabelle laugh a little.

How could she not hear that Claire still harbored resentment about her defeat and betrayal back then?

That's normal, after all, that's the truth.

“Yes.” Isabelle nodded. “That was Herman’s second creation. It was originally an ordinary ring, but Herman imbued it with the ‘Breaking the Forbidden’ rune. It was later acquired by the Rost family, but this weapon came at a high price; each person could only use it a maximum of five times.”

Claire frowned. Was the spying of this Guardian of Secrets also orchestrated by the creator of the Origin Weapon?

The thing he added to the shapeshifting potion that Lia sent him, the key item used to break the seal, was actually an item of the same level as a primordial weapon.

He thought it was just an ordinary family heirloom of the Rost family.

Unexpectedly, it and the Light of Faith were created by the same person.

However, compared to the weapon 'Light of Faith', 'Guardian's Spying', which is only used to break some barriers and seals, is not so outstanding.

"And the third one?" Claire asked.

Isabelle just mentioned that the maker has three works.

Since the first two pieces were so exceptional, the third one must be different, right?

Isabelle turned to the last page, her finger pausing for a moment. "Third round, no record."

"No record?"

“After Hermann finished casting the third piece, he disappeared. Nobody knows what it looked like, who took it, or where it is now.” Isabelle closed the file.

"In the secret archives of the Holy City, only one sentence was left."

"What?"

"The third piece awaits its owner."

Claire leaned against the headboard, staring at the ceiling.

The three masterpieces, one of which is in Eleanor's hands, is a broken, rusty sword that requires faith and positive emotions from others to activate.

One of them, in Leah's possession, is a ring that can break the seal, and it's part of his plan. Without this ring, Claire might still be stuck in the dungeon.

There's another one, but its whereabouts are unknown.

"Do you want to continue the investigation?" Isabelle asked.

Claire paused for a moment. “Investigate. Investigate Herman’s disappearance, investigate the whereabouts of the third sword.”

"Why? You don't need to, or are you just curious?" Isabelle looked at Claire as if she had noticed something.

This evil emperor seems a bit off. First, he said he was investigating William, which wasn't a big deal.

After all, William was a member of the church, and he had indeed disappeared.

But now they're asking about primal weapons? Do they want to know something about the creators of primal weapons? What's the point?

“I’m considering escaping,” Claire said calmly.

“That’s probably difficult. Ophelia isn’t like me.” Isabelle relaxed upon hearing this.

"You know, Ophelia is the administrator of the Inquisition. Even our current conversation has probably been overheard by Ophelia."

"It doesn't matter, I'm not going to give up anyway," Claire said calmly.

Isabelle put away the documents, seemingly not very worried.

“I will continue to look for that third piece, but you have to promise me one thing.”

"what?"

"You also have to promise me that you'll help me control Ophelia."

Claire laughed. "Are you afraid of her?"

"I'm afraid of trouble," Isabelle said without any attempt to hide it.

"Now that I know Ophelia wants to use you, I don't want her to do anything that will cause a lot of trouble for the Church of Goddess."

"Okay, I understand. I accept the deal."

Claire nodded.

Chapter 91 Bishop Simon Seeks Help

The light curtain dissipated.

Isabelle's face disappeared into the holy light, and Claire stared at the ceiling, her mind still replaying the conversation.

Of the three original weapons, two are in the hands of the heroines he knows, and the whereabouts of the third are unknown.

There's only one sentence: "The third piece awaits its owner."

It seems these special weapons are all aimed at the female protagonists? I also have an initial female protagonist named Cecilia that I haven't unlocked yet.

Cecilia's reward was a magic book, a copy of the 'Silent Codex'.

Is that copy the same as 'The Keeper's Gaze' and 'The Light of Faith'? It's not entirely certain yet.

Claire rolled over and brought up the system interface.

He decided not to think about it too much and instead focused on what he already had.

Although Claire also wanted a suitable weapon, there was no time to rush it.

He was right here with Ophelia, with no chance to escape, and any weapons he acquired were of little use.

Instead of doing that, we should focus on the progress of other things.

Lia's card is floating in the field of vision, with a bond value of 89% and a stable status.

Eleanor's card was nearby, her bond level was 75%, and her condition was relatively stable. It was clear that Eleanor had gained something after following her advice and contacting William.

Even if this guy isn't very friendly to me and is rather rebellious, as long as the bond level can still increase, that's fine.

Both of the female leads are currently in trouble.

One is located in the capital of an empire undergoing dramatic changes, and the other is wanted by the authorities and hunted down by heretics.

These two troublesome fellows aren't helping Claire much for the time being, but they're not causing any more trouble either; everything is just progressing as planned.

Just then, Lia sent a comment.

[Lia: My guiding spirit! Bishop Simon has arrived, would you like to come and see?]

Claire wasn't surprised by the comments in front of her.

The morning meeting foreshadowed the major upheavals to come, with Bishop Simon being completely stripped of his power.

This includes her status and position in dealings with royalty and nobles, her authority over the Knights Order, and finally, the possibility of losing Lia.

That fat man was essentially just a decorative figure, a mascot sitting inside the church.

Claire: I understand.

[Lia: That's great! The God of Guidance is willing to come. I thought you were going to ignore me again.]

Claire: ...I'll talk to you when I have time.

Compared to the rebellious Eleanor, Leah is a bit annoying but very obedient.

He clicked on it, and the screen unfolded.

Leah was sitting in the study of the Earl's mansion in Orlando when Bishop Simon walked in, his face grim.

He was still wearing the same deep purple bishop's robe he wore at the morning meeting, with a tall crown on his head and a scepter in his hand, but the scepter trembled in his hand like a reed in the wind.