Many years ago, a demon that could move freely in this world was dangerous, but it was not a very serious problem, because the more powerful the demon, the shorter the time it could stay—they would be rejected by the world itself.

However, it was difficult for them to determine how long a demon like Manisha could stay, after all, both Ethan's Miyati and the illusion disguised as Laval had been in this world for more than two months. Did they go back to hell during this time? No one knows.

The rules that have been broken can no longer bind them...... That's the scariest thing.

In the silence, Laval's slightly heavy breathing was clearly audible. Ed calmed down, but another question suddenly came to mind.

“...... If she wants to come into this world, it's not like there's no other way, why should you summon her?" he asked, "Isn't it dangerous for the priesthood to have her real name in her hands?"

"I've thought about it a lot. Laval replied, "First of all, the name we get is not the same thing as the 'true name' that represents the Origin, it is binding, but it does not control everything. In addition, summoning a demon like Manitha requires a great deal of strength and a variety of precious materials, so why not do it if you can use the hands of others?...... And what worries me the most, even, is that I brought you here today to tell you the reason for all this. ”

His hands clenched unconsciously, like clutching a staff he didn't carry.

"There are no secrets in this world that can be completely hidden. "We've been summoning demons for decades, and I know why, but I haven't told anyone else." Even our own clergy are suspicious, let alone outsiders...... All kinds of rumors about this matter have always been a shadow that cannot be dispelled over the temple of Anduhe. I used to be able to use the temple and suppress it with my own prestige, but now, the priest to whom I had given great responsibility has betrayed the temple, and I have lost more than just power. ”

Ordinary people would not know that he had been captured and replaced by demons, but the other temples would know sooner or later that it would be even worse if they were used as weapons by the enemy. The prestige and status he had possessed could not be restored, and the importance of their greatest discoveries of the past few decades needed to be diminished as much as possible, lest it cause greater panic. But in this way, in the eyes of others, the information they get is not worth taking such a big risk at all, and then their true purpose will inevitably be doubted.

Laval summoned Mannessa to nothing, and it was like dropping the last stone from a crumbling tower.

"At this time, I admire Sean even more. He smiled wryly, "He has endured so much and failed more than once, but he can still stand like a sword that will not break...... It seems like it will never be crushed. ”

And he was exhausted.

“...... Actually," said Ed, "you can name the foreshadowing you get." ”

God's foreshadowing, even now, carries enough weight. Even if that foreshadowing would have put Scott, and even Is, under more suspicion and jealousy, if that were the case...... Shouldn't it be hidden?

"So, I told you. Laval replied, "But is it really that important? I've been thinking about it...... Over the years, have I been too obsessed with this 'foreshadowing', too obsessed with finding the answer, and neglecting other more important things? We have gathered too much wealth for this, but we have turned a deaf ear to the hardships of the most ordinary believers, allowing them to turn to another god in despair...... They should be our strongest foundation. And I, focusing on that little bit of 'truth', ignored them, and didn't even notice the viper hovering at my feet. ”

The mistakes he made, the paths he took, he knew very well that there would be many clergy who would not hesitate to step into it, knowing the danger. So he prefers to give the power of choice to people who have no faith - they will have a more sober judgment.

"It's not that bad. Ed tried to comfort the old man, who was already unable to hide his loss, "Remember the people who saluted you on the way back?"

Laval looked at him, not knowing whether to sigh at his innocence or rejoice in his optimism.

"The Temple of Anduh has an absolute advantage in Anktan, so the situation is indeed quite stable now. "But when more people are questioned, the new leader of the temple may need a little support."

"The new leader?" Ed asked uneasily, even though he already knew who it was.

"Nigel Lowe. There was also a faint smile in the high priest's eyes that had lost his lustre: "He looks cold and hard, and he is not close to people, but he has his own way of dealing with people and things...... There are indeed people in the temple who are stronger than him, or more qualified than him, but I am afraid that only he can stride forward as much as he always continues under the weight of the present day. ”

— and still with an unhappy face.

Thinking of that face, even the corners of Ed's mouth couldn't help but curl.

"But he also has something to be attacked. "The time he disappeared...... There are some things, even to me, he has never revealed. ”

"But you still believe him, don't you?"

For he perhaps knows better than I do what is most important to a priest. Laval replied frankly, "He looked up to the gods with a pious but sober gaze...... He was not well known among the nobility, but in the many remote villages outside Balach, where he was the only priest known. ”

They are the servants of the gods and the hands that guide and guard the believers – many remember the former but forget the latter.

"That's true. Ed laughed, "Speaking of which, I'm not high...... I've known Pastor Nigel for a long time. ”

He gave the old man the promise he wanted, and kept his uneasiness to the bottom of his heart. Laval said so much today, like he was ...... Explain the aftermath.

Laval bowed his head and saluted him solemnly. This promise sounds simple, but it's not necessarily that easy. His request was only to protect the interests of the Anduhe Temple and the clergy who were implicated in his mistakes...... For Ed, the troubles far outweigh the benefits.

He actually knew that he would not refuse, but he was even more grateful for it.

"Ed Singh. When he looked up, he smiled at the young man who had returned the salute in a panic, "Felicity will be proud of you." ”

Not because of your growing strength, but because of the undiminished kindness in your heart.