Chapter 589

Chapter 427: Critical Point

This was a spacious room with luxurious and religious decor. Intricate patterned carpets covered the floor, large portraits of various clerics and nuns hung on the walls, huge bookshelves filled one wall, tall candelabras with burning candles stood at each corner, and small angel sculptures were placed on both sides.

In the back of the room was a massive desk piled high with countless documents. Behind the desk sat a figure.

This was a mature woman who appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. She had a striking face with long blonde hair, dressed in a red, elaborate, loose robe. She lay back in her chair, eyes closed, resting, with evident fatigue between her brows. On the desk in front of her were scattered pens and a page of beautifully written letters.

In the quiet room, the red-clad woman, who seemed to have just finished intense work, was resting with her eyes closed. Suddenly, she seemed to sense something, slowly opening her eyes. Her blue-green eyes looked at the empty space in front of her desk, and then a faint, translucent figure slowly appeared there.

It was a semi-transparent humanoid figure like a ghost, presenting the image of a pale, blurry nun. After this apparition appeared, it looked at the woman sitting behind the desk and spoke in a cold voice.

“The Iwig Diocese, Antonio reported half an hour ago that a group of pilgrims escorted by the third convoy of the Order of the Holy Ceremony Knights was hijacked on their way to Iwig. In addition to the kidnapped pilgrims, the crew and the knights’ sailors, a total of six hundred and twenty-five people were taken.”

Listening to the nun’s report, the red-clad woman did not react immediately but paused for a moment before speaking.

“The third convoy of the Order of the Holy Ceremony Knights… I remember they encountered a large-scale interference from the Dream Realm in Navaha not long ago.”

“Yes, before that, they also experienced the sinking of a cruise ship involving the Abyss Cult. The events in Navaha can now be preliminarily determined to be related to the Black Dream Hunter Group of the ‘Shadow’ society.”

The apparition of the nun continued to respectfully report to the red-clad woman. After hearing her words, the woman rubbed her temples and then picked up several other documents about this convoy, sighing as she said.

“In just over a week, this convoy has encountered so many incidents. Have they touched some kind of fate? So… what exactly happened with this hijacking? What are the losses? Can we know who did it?”

“According to reports from the Iwig Diocese, the hijackers used methods to manipulate sea fog and currents to bypass the escort fleet and hijack three passenger ships alone. Apart from the lost ships, there were no other losses. The hijackers have sent a threatening letter to the Cleansing Church, calling themselves the inhabitants of the Summer Tree Archipelago who conquered the sea. They demand that the outskirts of Iwig stop their forced religious reform actions and promise to respect their faith, otherwise they cannot guarantee the safety of the pilgrims.”

The nun’s apparition continued to focus on reporting to the red-clad woman. After listening to her report, the red-clad woman frowned slightly.

“Summer Tree? I remember well… They seem to be remnants of the primitive Faith of Abundance.”

“Yes, among the many remote islands in the southwestern waters west of Keno Island, there are still many remnants of the Faith of Abundance. In recent decades, the Iwig Diocese has mainly focused its educational efforts on that area, successfully guiding many islands under the guidance of the Three Saints.

“Due to the long-term stability and depth of the Faith of Abundance here, the Iwig Diocese has taken many coercive measures during the educational process. According to data, during the nearly thirty years when the former Archbishop Justin was in power, there were 43 purifications, 42 forced relocations, and only 7 successful conversions through persuasion in the southwestern islands of Keno Island.

“This is a very high number compared to other areas where primitive beliefs are in contact. Therefore, there is widespread resistance to the Church within this area, with Summer Tree being one of the main forces. Archbishop Antonio, who took over from Justin in the past two years, advocates a more moderate and conciliatory policy, but has not yet achieved any substantial results.”

The apparition of the nun continued to report to the red-clad woman. Listening to the nun’s words, the woman holding the documents could not help but sigh.

“With such deep-seated conflicts, how could there be any effect in such a short time? If Antonio wants to achieve something, giving him ten years would not be too much. But now, suddenly, such an incident has occurred, which will seriously disrupt his original plans.”

The red-clad woman sighed, and the apparition of the nun paused briefly before speaking.

“Such a result, I’m afraid it is what Sir Hilbert desires.”

“Of course, it’s what he wants. A minor incident, a minor issue picked out by those ancient faith heretics, a minor matter that he can use to make a big deal and expand his influence. Heh… Tomorrow, he might make a big fuss in front of the Holy See with this.”

The red-clad woman responded, her eyes revealing unmistakable fatigue, as if this incident was not something she wished to see.

“I think this hijacking incident seems suspicious. According to current intelligence, the third convoy of the Order of the Holy Ceremony Knights just changed commanders due to the events in Navaha, and then they encountered the hijacking by Summer Tree. And tonight’s incident could become a lever for Hilbert to pressure you. Considering Hilbert’s relationship with the Tribunal, could this be his doing in secret…”

The apparition of the nun said with a speculative tone, and upon hearing the nun’s words, the woman’s eyes narrowed, immediately responding.

“Do not speculate recklessly about a cardinal. This carries great risks. Hilbert has no need to take such risks… Compared to him, this incident does indeed seem suspicious, but I suspect it’s the work of the Abyss Cult even more.”

“The Abyss Cult… Do you think there are traces of Abyss Serpent believers behind this incident?” Listening to the red-clad woman’s words, the apparition of the nun frowned slightly, and the red-clad woman affirmed.

“Certainly, one-third of the problems at sea are caused by them, and another third is related to them. Furthermore, exacerbating the conflict between the natives and us is beneficial to them.

“Since Justin became the Archbishop of Iwig and adopted strong measures against the island natives for decades, many of these islands did indeed convert, but at the same time, the activity frequency of the Abyss Cult in the corresponding sea areas increased significantly. According to statistics from the official secret agencies of the countries along the north shore of Conquer Sea, there were 542 confirmed extraordinary events involving the Abyss Cult in the entire year, over 100 more than the previous year.

“Our education has instead strengthened the strength of the cultists…

“Yes, under the immense pressure from Justin, the native people have secretly aligned with the Abyss Cult. Many of the purified and forcibly relocated people were absorbed by the Abyss Cult. While gaining a substantial manpower, they also obtained many valuable legacies of abundance. Heh… While our ‘educational’ activities are in full swing, the actual strength of the cultists is rapidly growing, not just in Iwig, but in other peripheral dioceses as well.”