Chapter 271

Two Hundred and Fifty-Eight Inspections

In the Historical Records Office within the Church District of Northern Tivyán.

During the morning hours, when the clerics and nuns who had come to work found that the documents originally used for research had already been stored away, they were very excited. After reporting the situation to their superiors, their supervisors sympathetically offered to draft an application letter for them to sign collectively, which immediately lifted their spirits.

“That’s great. There’s no time to lose. Start writing it right now, Deacon Kock.”

“Yes, we will definitely sign it after you draft it!”

“Alright, alright, don’t rush. I’ll start writing it right away…”

As he chuckled, Kock took paper and pen from the nearby table, slowly walked to his seat, and began to write on the paper. The clerics and nuns from the Historical Records Office watched silently in the distance, including Vania.

Unlike other clerics and nuns, Vania’s expression showed a hint of seriousness at this moment.

‘Deacon Kock… seems a bit strange…’

Vania frowned slightly as she thought to herself. Although she felt this way, she did not say anything more. She simply watched silently as Kock finished drafting the application letter and then had the clerics and nuns from the Historical Records Office sign it one by one.

Everyone eagerly queued up to sign their names, and when it was Vania’s turn, she naturally had no reason to refuse. She signed her name and quietly stepped aside, just like everyone else.

Soon, all the names of the Historical Records Office staff were signed. Kock picked up the application letter filled with signatures and nodded in satisfaction.

“Alright, this joint application letter… adequately shows everyone’s intentions. I’ll submit it shortly, and by this afternoon, I should be able to enter the library. Please rest assured, I will bring back the documents that have already been stored.”

Smiling, Kock slowly said to the people before him. Everyone looked at him with hopeful eyes, while Vania’s gaze revealed a hint of concern.

‘I must inform Miss Dorothy immediately…’

…

In Green Shade Town, No. 17, Northern Tivyán suburb.

At noon, Dorothy sat on her sofa wearing casual home clothes, looking at the book “Navigation of the Literary Sea” on the coffee table in front of her. On the communication page dedicated to Vania, there were newly sent words.

“Ludo Kock… Mid-level deacon of the Radiant Church’s Tivyán diocese, head of the Historical Records Office…”

Reading the message written by Vania, Dorothy murmured. Upon seeing Vania describe the situation, she quickly realized that someone might be using Poison Recognition to cause trouble, and now the suspect had appeared.

“Are you sure Sister Vania, that Deacon Kock is problematic? According to what you said, he is your superior?”

Dorothy picked up a pen and wrote on the Navigation of the Literary Sea. Soon, Vania’s response appeared before her.

“I’m very certain! Miss Dorothy, everyone in the Historical Records Office behaved strangely today because they lost a batch of secret transmissions. This is clearly the result of being influenced by Poison Recognition. As the head of our Historical Records Office, Deacon Kock should have noticed the anomaly.

“However, instead of pointing out the abnormal behavior of others, he guided everyone to sign a joint application letter that would allow him to enter the library, which is highly suspicious.”

Seeing the response from Vania, Dorothy’s expression turned serious. If things were indeed as Vania described, then Kock was indeed a big problem.

‘If Vania is correct… Deacon Kock is likely the mastermind behind the incident in the Historical Records Office. It seems he infected the Historical Records Office to obtain this joint application letter in order to enter the church’s library. His true goal must lie within the library.’

Dorothy pondered this, and upon confirming Kock’s purpose, she realized her time was very tight.

‘Today, Kock will be able to enter the library, meaning he will achieve his goal. If we want to take any action, we need to act quickly… Unfortunately, I dare not send a zombie puppet into the Church District…’

Thinking to herself, Dorothy’s first reaction was to seize this opportunity to strike. However, if the person was inside the Church District, she hesitated to make a move. The Radiant Church was almost the largest force in both the secular world and the Secret World, undoubtedly a transnational organization.

‘Hmm… Perhaps I should consider some other methods…’

Dorothy thought, then picked up her pen and wrote a reply to Vania using the Navigation of the Literary Sea.

…

“Sister Vania, our wait has paid off. The mastermind behind the scenes has surfaced. This afternoon is both the time for his actions and ours.”

In the spacious Historical Records Office of the Church, Vania sat intently reading the Sacred Text, waiting for Dorothy’s reply. When new words appeared on the pages of the Sacred Text, she was taken aback.

‘The time for action? Is Miss Dorothy planning to interfere in the internal affairs of the Church?’

Seeing Dorothy’s words, Vania was stunned. She had only hoped for some advice on how to act, but never expected Dorothy to want to get involved personally. Just as Vania was in a daze, more of Dorothy’s words appeared before her.

“Sister Vania, please prepare for two scenarios. First, prepare to report Deacon Kock’s actions to the most reliable institution within the Church. Second, prepare a letter, typed on a typewriter. The content of the letter is as follows…”

As she read Dorothy’s response, Vania’s expression gradually turned serious.

…

Time flew by, the sun set, and soon it was already afternoon.

At this moment, the Church’s Historical Records Office was bustling with activity. Several staff members from the Church Library had gathered in the office hall of the Historical Records Office. They were currently opening the safe containing the observation instruments for the secret transmissions brought back from the library. Clerics and nuns from the Historical Records Office stood by, watching the scene with great interest. Each of them was happy because they could finally study these precious documents again.

“Thank you so much, Deacon Kock. We are grateful for your efforts in recovering these documents. Your contribution to this research is invaluable.”

Next to Kock, a cleric said excitedly, to which Kock replied with a smile.

“Heh, it was my own initiative to store this batch of documents early. Recovering them is merely making up for my mistake.”

“Deacon Kock is truly approachable. Having you as our leader is truly a blessing from the Holy Mother.”

“Nowhere, nowhere. I am merely doing what I should do.”

Kock said with a kind smile. In his squinted eyes, there was a barely perceptible flicker of light.

‘Having such easily influenced subordinates like you is truly a blessing…’

Kock thought to himself as he touched a hard object under his robe, causing his smile to deepen.

Everything was going according to Kock’s plan. By storing the documents early, he triggered dissatisfaction among the infected members of the Historical Records Office, then drafted the application letter, guiding them to sign it collectively. Using the collective will of the Historical Records Office, he obtained permission to enter the library, gaining the right to access and borrow books.

When drafting the application letter, Kock had expanded the scope of accessing and borrowing secret transmissions, including those originally not part of this batch. Ultimately, Kock successfully obtained additional secret transmissions from the library.

These additional secret transmissions were Kock’s main objective. When they were taken out of the library, they were mixed with other documents and sent out together. Now, Kock kept them hidden under his robe.

‘All I need to do is find an opportunity to leave the Church District and hand over the secret transmissions… I’ll arrange another inspection soon to swap the fake lenses back. These infected individuals are still mildly affected, showing only a heightened interest in the documents. With regular prayers, the Poison Recognition will eventually fade away.’

Glancing at the scene, Kock thought to himself. As the head of the Historical Records Office, he had the authority to arrange inspections. Previously, he had tampered with the instruments during inspections, replacing enchanted lenses with ordinary ones, weakening their resistance to Poison Recognition and infecting the staff with mild Poison Recognition.

However, if he promptly replaced the lenses, restoring the instruments to normal, the mild Poison Recognition on the staff could gradually dissipate. The secret transmissions sent out of the Church District would be studied by specialists at great expense.

‘The secret transmissions studied outside will be returned and re-stored with the documents, leaving no trace. Everything will be perfect.’

Kock continued to think, this was a complete plan implemented in collaboration with the Secret Society outside. If everything went smoothly, he wouldn’t be suspected, and no evidence would be left behind. He could continue serving in the Radiant Church as a deacon.

“For the truth of the Holy Mother…”

Leaving the noisy crowd, Kock muttered to himself as he walked to the edge of the hall. Pushing open a door on the wall, he entered his office. As he approached his desk, his eyes were drawn to something—a letter envelope.

Seeing the envelope, Kock didn’t intend to deal with it immediately. Usually, various documents, letters, and newspapers were delivered to his desk, so he didn’t pay much attention at first. It wasn’t until he saw the name on the envelope that he froze in place.

“To Deacon Kock, who recently returned from stealing books from the library.”

Seeing the words on the envelope, Kock’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly snapped the envelope shut and glanced around before closing the office door tightly.

Then, Kock sat back down and slowly picked up the envelope, opened it, and took out the letter inside. He unfolded it and began to carefully examine it. This was a typed letter, so the handwriting couldn’t be seen.

After a quick glance at the entire letter, his heart tightened.

“Respected Deacon Kock, I am aware of the plot your Church is executing. Your plan is meticulous, but unfortunately, it has been leaked. Besides me, others have also become aware of your intentions.

“Not everyone hopes for your plan to succeed. Others who know about your actions have already reported you to the Tribunal. I believe the Heretic Inquisition Officers will soon come looking for you.

“Due to various reasons, I do not wish for you to be arrested. I cannot prevent the reports against you, so I specially send this letter to remind you to escape immediately, leave the Church District, and run as far as possible. Do it while there is still time; otherwise, it will be too late.”

Reading the letter, Kock froze in place. A thin sweat broke out on his forehead, and he felt a chill run down his spine.

…

On the outskirts of Northern Tivyán, near the edge of the Church District, stood a tall building resembling a castle. Armed soldiers patrolled around it, guarding the area strictly.

This was the Tribunal, the headquarters of the Radiant Church’s Heretic Inquisition Officers. They mainly handled internal matters of the Radiant Church.

While Kock was reading the letter in his office, Vania was being questioned in the Tribunal.

In a small, dim room in the Tribunal, Vania sat nervously on a hard wooden bench. In front of her was a small square table with a cup of tea. Across from her sat two stern-looking clerics with crew cuts. Their shoulders bore shoulder badges with crossed swords and torches.

“So, let us confirm. Vania Chafelin, a nun and junior deacon from the Historical Records Office, are you willing to report your superior, Director of the Historical Records Office, mid-level deacon Ludo Kock, by name?”

Staring at Vania, one of the clerics asked in a serious tone. Vania swallowed hard and firmly replied.

“Yes, I confirm. Deacon Kock is highly suspicious of heresy and even wanted to use heretical secret transmissions to infect everyone in the Historical Records Office.”

“Can you provide evidence?” The cleric continued, and Vania immediately responded.

“The evidence is in the Historical Records Office. Immediately seal the area, check the secret transmission observation instruments, and conduct Poison Recognition tests on all members of the Historical Records Office. Then you will find the problem.”

Vania’s tone was firm. Listening to her words, the two clerics from the Tribunal couldn’t help but feel slightly surprised. They exchanged glances, and one of them asked seriously.

“Sister Vania, can you take responsibility for your actions? If your report turns out to be false, you will bear serious consequences.”

Hearing these words, Vania felt uneasy, but she soon calmed down and answered seriously.

“Yes, I can take responsibility.”