The Warden of The Wi Chapter 263:

Chapter 263:

Chapter 263: The Ritual of the "Hatred" Authority

"Vengeance Sanctuary? That terrorist organization nicknad the 'Asylum'?" Abigail replied. "Does this organization have any connection with Your Excellency?"

"Just asking in passing due to other cases," Aiden waved his hand. "Seems you know sothing about it."

"But what I know likely isn't much more than the Inquisition does. You see, this organization declined precisely after The Covenant appeared... Strictly speaking, it was killed off by the Inquisition institutions of various countries," Abigail said slowly. "What Your Excellency knows likely surpasses mine."

Aiden indeed knew about the Vengeance Sanctuary. Its predecessor was a political extremist organization nad "The Sanctuary," which erged in the Netherlands about fifteen years ago. Initially, its activities mainly involved opposing dostic reforms in the Netherlands, training assassins and ard personnel for assassinations and terrorist attacks. Later, after the reforms in the Netherlands succeeded, The Sanctuary was designated a terrorist organization by the governnt, its core mbers arrested, and the remaining personnel forced to flee abroad.

Subsequently, the remaining mbers renad the organization "Vengeance Sanctuary," evolving it into a purely terrorist group targeting the Dutch governnt. Over several years of developnt, this terrorist organization's thods beca increasingly extre, even involving voluntary human sacrifices. A large number of ntally unstable, crazed terrorists erged within the organization, which was the fundantal reason Abigail referred to it as the "Asylum."

During this period, very unfortunately for the terrorist organization, the Netherlands joined The Covenant. According to The Covenant's regulations, religious organizations involved in human sacrifice were almost guaranteed to be placed on the purge list. Thus, "Vengeance Sanctuary" instantly "upgraded" from an extremist group relevant only to Dutch internal affairs to a proscribed cult violating The Covenant, becoming a universally condemned pariah hunted down rigorously by Inquisition institutions across various countries. Consequently, "Vengeance Sanctuary" lost its foothold in most continental nations.

By six years ago, "Vengeance Sanctuary" had already effectively disintegrated under the pressure of various national crackdown campaigns, splintering into several small, disorganized groups scattered across the continent, which were then defeated one by one. In fact, three years ago, the autonomous state itself had dismantled a small religious group identified as remnants of the "Vengeance Sanctuary." Its leader was still imprisoned in Rose Iron Prison. That person was none other than "Mad Hailo," who possessed the grace of an evil god.

However, only today did Aiden learn from the God of Death's Agent that Mr. Bloodcloth had once used the Blood Moon Cult to target the "Vengeance Sanctuary," attempting to seize its Authority. Judging by Mad Hailo special ability, the Vengeance Sanctuary indeed worshipped a real, existing Dominator and had received responses from this Dominator.

Then, he split the Blood Moon Cult, persuaded human followers to switch allegiance to the Goddess of Conspiracy, philia, and apparently received philia blessing. After being killed by the God of Death's Agent, having prepared beforehand, he swapped bodies and continued leading the new Blood Moon Cult, earning the worship of his followers through divine miracles. Logically, after gaining control of the splintered new Blood Moon Cult, he likely continued his attempt to seize the Authority served by the "Vengeance Sanctuary."

According to philia, by the ti the Blood Moon Cult was dismantled and he assassinated the previous Aiden, he had already beco a Saint of the "Hatred" Authority and obtained the sole Authority of "Hatred."

Judging by Abigail's response, she claid little knowledge of the "Vengeance Sanctuary" organization, but that didn't an she was unaware of information concerning the "Hatred" Authority.

Aiden thought carefully, then posed the question: "Then, are you aware that the Vengeance Sanctuary once served the 'Hatred' Authority?"

"That much, I do know," Abigail replied.

Just as expected—Aiden confird his suspicion. The "Vengeance Sanctuary" served the very "Hatred" Authority seized by Mr. Bloodcloth. "Mad Hailo" damage reflection ability was likely an effect of one of the powers under the "Hatred" Authority.

"You knew, but you didn't investigate further? I thought the mbers of your Coven were always eager to obtain powers," Aiden couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"I forbade it," Abigail answered calmly. "I expressly prohibited Coven mbers from attempting to contact the 'Hatred' Authority. Anyone showing intent was expelled."

"Why?"

"Does Your Excellency not know the conditions for the ascension ritual of the 'Hatred' Authority?" Abigail countered.

"I only know one must complete an act of 'Vengeance'," Aiden offered the information he possessed.

"The remaining two rituals involve finding soone who willingly sacrifices themselves for you, and the last... is said to require completing an act of 'Betrayal'," Abigail answered. "If soone within the Witches' Coven attempted to pursue the divine utterances of 'Hatred', let alone the Authority itself, they would beco a dangerous elent to the Coven. I must eliminate such possibilities."

Aiden was stunned. One of the rituals to ascend to the "Hatred" Authority required completing an act of "Betrayal"? Mr. Bloodcloth had already completed this ritual, aning... he had betrayed soone? Could it be... philia? The thought naturally occurred to Aiden. It seed quite a bit of information could be distilled from what he learned from the God of Death's Agent.

"Thank you for your answer," Aiden nodded.

"No need for such courtesy. Your Excellency is considered our ally, after all," Abigail replied calmly. "May I ask, how are the preparations for Your Excellency's factory progressing?"

"The modifications are almost complete. Production can begin once the materials arrive," Aiden answered.

"That is excellent news. Vera has prepared the first batch of materials, approximately two hundred kilograms. How should they be delivered to you?"

"Ship them via freight to the station in Silver City the day after tomorrow," Aiden replied calmly. "I will hire a carriage to transport them back. I'll handle the other procedural matters; you just need to provide the materials."

"Alright. Then I wish Your Excellency prosperous business."

"Let's wish us prosperous business," Aiden corrected. "Well then, I shall take my leave for today."

"Farewell," Abigail bid goodbye placidly, waving her hand.

The grey mist swirled rapidly, and the scene before Aiden switched back to his office. Aiden sat in his chair, thinking for a long while. He stood up and picked up the lantern placed in the corner of the room.

The remaining questions... it was probably best to directly confront the goddess downstairs. Judging from the intelligence gathered today, this Goddess of Conspiracy had indeed been hiding quite a few things from him.