80: Chapter 80: The Church's Interim Joint Conference! Duke Witton's Response!

Deep within the Dawn Cathedral.

A meeting room.

The atmosphere was solemn and grave.

Seated around the long Sunstone conference table were the core members responsible for the follow-up handling of the Crimson heretical ritual case.

Bishop Cole sat at the head of the table.

Priestess Aliyah sat to his left.

Commander Calvin of the Temple Knight Order sat to his right.

In addition, there were several senior priests and inquisitorial scribes responsible for specific affairs, as well as two supervisory priests dispatched from headquarters.

The meeting had been underway for nearly an hour.

Yorick, the inquisitorial scribe responsible for organizing the specific case files, was giving a progress report.

His voice was steady and clear:

"In summary, in the three days since the conclusion of the operation in Mist Whisper Town, the Temple Knight Order has assisted the Inquisition in sealing twenty-seven noble residences and castles involved in the case within Gino City and its surrounding territories, and has detained and interrogated one hundred and forty-three suspects."

"Among them, forty-seven core members of noble families and their retainers have been confirmed to have direct collusion with the Crimson Knights, participated in, or withheld information about the matter."

"The core nobles involved include: six core members of the Farrell Family of Golden Flame Earl Manor—the Count himself has been confirmed dead—and four core members of the Viscount Shepherd family."

"Carlos, the sole heir to the Viscount Gladstone family, died three days ago after accidentally falling into a lake. Investigations cannot proceed. As all heirs to the Gladstone Family are dead and the chain of evidence is insufficient, the matter remains in doubt. Could it be treated leniently?"

"There are also over twenty minor nobles, officials, and chamber of commerce leaders suspected of providing convenience or covering up the truth."

"Preliminary statistics of confiscated assets are as follows: gold coins, jewelry, magical materials, artworks, etc., equivalent to approximately 1.42 million Imperial gold coins."

"About sixty percent of this was seized from the secret vault and properties of Earl Farrells Estate."

"In addition, countless other materials and credentials have been confiscated, including enchanted armor, weapons, magic scrolls, rare books, slave contracts, and land deeds. The inventory list has been submitted separately."

"Regarding positions involved: five seats in the Gino County Upper House are vacant, six seats in the Lower House are vacant, four senior officials of the City Hall have been dismissed and detained, and seven mid-to-high-level officers in the City Defense Army system are under investigation, six of whom have been confirmed guilty."

"Preliminary penalty recommendations: For nobles whose crimes have been confirmed, we petition the Imperial Senate and the Royal Family to strip them of their titles, reclaim their territories, and confiscate all their family property."

"Depending on the severity of the circumstances, the relevant personnel involved shall be sentenced to burning, hard labor, exile, or imprisonment."

"Specific sentencing is pending further interrogation and verification, to be finalized by the Inquisition's collegiate court."

After finishing the report, Scribe Yorick closed the thick file and bowed slightly.

The meeting room was silent.

Behind these cold numbers lay the complete destruction of several prominent families and the overturning of countless lives.

Bishop Cole sighed softly and rubbed his brow.

A purge of this scale, even if the targets were evil heretics, was enough to make anyone in charge feel the weight.

He looked at Commander Calvin beside him.

Commander Calvin understood and spoke in a deep voice:

"The Dawn Cathedral in Ackse City, the provincial capital of Will Province, formally issued an inquiry letter to Duke Witton's estate the day before yesterday, demanding an explanation regarding the serious crimes of his vassal, Count Farrell."

"The reply from the Duke's estate arrived this morning."

He paused and read the main points of the reply:

"Duke Witton claims that he had absolutely no knowledge of Count Farrell's collusion with the Crimson heretical cult or his participation in the evil ritual, and expresses extreme shock and anger regarding this."

"The Duke firmly supports all legitimate actions taken by the Church of Dawn's Inquisition, promises never to interfere with the Church's investigation and disposal of the personnel and property involved, and is willing to provide all necessary assistance."

"At the same time, the Duke believes that according to Imperial law, the final disposal of all noble territories involved in the case requires the approval of the Imperial Senate and the Royal Family."

"Additionally," Commander Calvin added, "news has also come from the Imperial Capital."

"The Royal Family is highly concerned about such a serious heretical case occurring in the North and has decided to dispatch Princess Alice as a special envoy to Gino County to observe the follow-up of this case, as a gesture of the Royal Family's attention."

"The Imperial Senate will also dispatch an observation team to arrive at the same time to ensure that the disposal process is fair, transparent, and in compliance with Imperial law and procedures."

After the report was completed.

Everyone's gaze fell, without exception, on Priestess Aliyah.

She was the leader of this case, the key figure who personally defeated the evil god's vessel and secured the victory, and she was also the final arbiter currently holding the greatest say within the Church.

Her attitude would directly influence the subsequent direction.

Should it stop here, or...

Under everyone's gaze.

Aria slowly lifted her eyelids.

Her ice-blue eyes swept across everyone present, finally landing on the thick file belonging to Scribe Yorick.

She was silent for a moment, her red lips parting slightly:

"Continue the investigation."

"Re-examine all files."

"Dig deep into every clue."

"Anyone who has had any involvement with the Crimson heresy, or has prepared Crimson offerings, regardless of the depth, whether active or passive... do not let a single one go."

"Before this case is completely brought to light and all sins are accounted for, all disposal recommendations are suspended."

She paused, a cold glint flashing in the depths of her eyes.

"What I want is for Gino County to have not a single trace of Crimson filth remaining."

The words fell like ice beads hitting the ground, carrying an unyielding chill.

The administrators felt a chill in their hearts and replied in unison: "As you command, Priestess!"

The meeting ended, and everyone filed out with varying expressions.

Aria sat quietly in the meeting room for a moment.

The snow outside the window seemed to be falling harder.

She stood up slowly and walked to the window.

Looking toward the direction of Golden Flame Earl Manor, which was shrouded in flying snow, her thoughts were deep and indiscernible.

She had already received news that two other counties in the North had also held [Crimson Rituals] during the [New Moon Rift].

And, they succeeded!

The souls of over thirty-six thousand believers were forever sleeping in the Crimson, unable to return to the Lord's Kingdom...