71: Chapter 71: Intelligence from the Starry Sky Holy Decree Academy! The Church's Plan!

Deep within the Dawn Cathedral.

A top-secret meeting room.

Only three people sat around the long conference table.

At the head of the table sat Cardinal Cole Randall.

The elder, over sixty years old, wore a deep red bishop's robe embroidered with a golden sun wheel.

In his hand, he held a letter branded with the unique mark of the Starry Sky Sanctuary, reading it carefully.

To his left sat the Chief Priestess.

Aria Windsor.

She wore a spotless, pure white priestly robe, her silver-white long hair tied back in a rigorous bun.

To the right sat the Commander of the Temple Knight Order.

Calvin Grant.

A tall, middle-aged man.

He wore silver knight's armor and maintained a serious posture, quietly waiting for the Bishop to speak.

After a moment.

The silence was broken by Bishop Cole.

He put down the letter and tapped it lightly with his fingertip; the letter then dissolved into specks of starlight.

Then he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Calvin and Aria, his voice steady as he spoke:

“I've just received a transmission from headquarters. The Starry Sky Sanctuary has reached a preliminary conclusion after performing [Tracing Cause from Effect] at some cost.”

“Seven days from now, at a specific moment on the last day of the month, the spatial structure in parts of the Northern Territory will indeed experience brief, abnormally weak points—the [New Moon Rift] mentioned in Priestess Aliyah's intelligence.”

“This specific point in time is indeed very suitable for the Crimson Knights to perform an evil ritual to please the [Lord of Scarlet].”

Hearing this, a sharp light flashed in Commander Calvin's light gray eyes.

Aria's ice-blue pupils also contracted imperceptibly, but her expression remained calm.

At this point, Bishop Cole's brow furrowed slightly, and with a hint of regret, he continued:

“The astrologers of the Sanctuary were only able to barely anchor a few possible nodes by working backward from a confirmed time and location.”

“The results of the reverse deduction show that there are at least three such nodes in the Northern Territory.”

“But... the range is quite vague. Currently, the only clearly identified node is still Mist Whisper Town.”

“The probability of the Crimson Knights choosing to hold their ritual there is extremely high.”

At least three nodes!

Hearing this, Calvin's face darkened.

This meant the Crimson Knights' schemes might be even larger than they had imagined.

He looked at Aria opposite him and asked directly in a deep, resonant voice:

“Priestess Aliyah, that intelligence source you provided earlier... can you try to obtain specific information on the other nodes?”

“Any clue at all!”

“If the Crimson Knights really are holding large-scale rituals in multiple locations simultaneously...”

Hearing this, Aria's eyes flickered slightly.

A figure involuntarily flashed through her mind.

She remained silent for a moment, appearing to seriously consider the possibility, but ultimately shook her head slowly.

“That intelligence source providing information on Mist Whisper Town was merely a coincidence. He is unaware of the other nodes.”

Seeing this, Bishop Cole sighed softly:

“In that case, we can only concentrate our forces first to ensure that Mist Whisper Town, this known node, is handled properly.”

“As for the other two... I hope the Sanctuary will have further news soon, or perhaps we will find some clues after we take action.”

“However, what is certain is that the other two nodes are not within our Gino County.”

Bishop Cole looked at Aria and Calvin.

Both nodded, indicating their understanding.

“Then, we will proceed according to the plan we previously discussed.” Bishop Cole's voice became decisive as he looked at Aria and said:

“Priestess Aliyah, you will personally lead the most elite Temple Knight squad under Commander Calvin's command. Secretly head to Mist Whisper Town, go into hiding, and monitor closely.”

“Once it is confirmed that the Crimson Knights have begun the ritual, strike immediately with lightning force to prevent the ritual's completion. Capture or eliminate all cultists, especially their core members!”

“Remember, the primary objective is to sabotage the ritual and sever their connection with the evil god.”

“If the situation becomes impossible or you encounter resistance far beyond expectations, prioritize preserving your strength and transmitting intelligence.”

At this point, he paused, a flash of sternness crossing his eyes as he continued:

“As for the matter of Count Farrell... if he has truly participated in the Crimson Ritual and committed the crimes of treason and sacrilege, show no mercy. You may execute him on the spot...”

Calvin nodded solemnly: “Understood, Lord Bishop. I will select the most reliable men to assist Priestess Aliyah's operation.”

Bishop Cole looked at Aria: “Priestess Aliyah, you have the deepest understanding of the Crimson Knights and the most experience with the Inquisition. For on-site judgment and decision-making, you have the authority to act as you see fit.”

Aria nodded slightly: “Yes, Lord Bishop. I will do my utmost.”

Finally, a holy and majestic light rose in Bishop Cole's eyes as he spoke:

“And I will remain at the Cathedral to activate the highest-level protection and detection arrays, monitoring energy fluctuations in Gino City and the surrounding areas to prevent the Crimson Knights from having backup plans or other unexpected factors interfering.”

“If necessary... you can use teleportation scrolls to open a portal. I will provide remote support through the array... or even descend to the scene personally...”

...

When all the details of the plan had been discussed, it meant this top-secret meeting was about to end.

The three stood up almost simultaneously.

Bishop Cole nodded to the two of them: “The Goddess's radiance be with you. May this journey cleanse the filth and spread the light.”

“For the glory of the Goddess!” Commander Calvin clenched his right hand into a fist and struck his left chest in a standard knightly salute, his voice powerful and resonant.

Aria bowed slightly in a priestess's salute, her eyes calm: “I will not fail the trust placed in me.”

Bishop Cole nodded and was the first to leave the secret room.

Commander Calvin and Aria stepped out a moment later.

In the corridor covered with sacred carpets, the faint sound of their footsteps echoed.

The reliefs of saints on the corridor walls appeared solemn and majestic under the light of the eternal lamps.

Commander Calvin trailed half a step behind Aria, glancing at the slender back ahead of him, which was as straight as a pine tree, as he pondered privately.

This Priestess Aliyah from the Inquisition, who was excessively young yet already held the position of Chief Priestess, was indeed as cold in temperament and difficult to read as the rumors suggested.

During the meeting just now, she had been calm, efficient, and professional—impeccable.

That absolute rationality, almost stripped of all personal emotion, and those ice-blue eyes that seemed capable of freezing everything, always made him feel she was somewhat too distant.

However, for the dangerous mission ahead, such a commander—unaffected by emotion and absolutely calm—might actually be the most reliable.

He shook his head, pushing these irrelevant thoughts to the back of his mind.

Now, he needed to select his men and check the equipment to make the most thorough preparations for the upcoming journey to Mist Whisper Town.

Aria did not look back, nor did she care about Commander Calvin's gaze behind her.

She walked with steady steps toward her priestly meditation room.

Mist Whisper Town... the Crimson Ritual...

She took a soft breath, pressing her deeper thoughts beneath the surface of her heart's lake, which was locked in ice.

...