"The Pain Church!"
Upon hearing this term, Toran's eyes narrowed, and most of his inner doubts were instantly resolved.
No wonder those ships encountered such strange incidents!
No wonder our people were so easily discovered!
No wonder those guys acted so ruthlessly!
So it was all the doings of "The Pain Church"!
They had sent out spies!
They not only sabotaged the High Priest's plan but also aid to provoke a real war!
You must understand that according to the High Priest's plan, it was rely to hinder the voyage of the "Oriental," but now with the ergence of "The Pain Church," it had turned into a fight to the death.
"Damn it!
When I saw how ruthless their thods were, I should have thought it was those bastards!"
That was what Toran thought to himself in the depths of his heart.
He was all too familiar with this secretive church from the Seberlin region that revered the "Lady of Suffering" as a god. Three years ago, he too had gone to the Seberlin region to proselytize.
However, he had encountered obstruction by "The Pain Church" in less than a week.
At that ti, all the churchgoers and congregation other than him were flayed by that evil church.
To this day, he still rembers that bloody scene.
And he?
He rely escaped by chance because he had gone out to buy food.
And afterward, by cautiously discovering a stronghold of "The Pain Church," he was then promoted to the position of Priest by the High Priest.
But after that?
He did not know anymore.
It was rumored that the High Priest had dispatched "Missionary Knights" who had managed to establish a "church" in Port Doldot of the Seberlin region.
As he recalled various mories, Toran had already put down the special firearm in his hand, yet he still said—
"Evidence!"
Toran hoped that the man nad Grindelwald in front of him would produce more evidence.
Not only could these pieces of evidence absolve him from punishnt, but they might even allow him to climb another step up the ladder.
After all, it was a spy.
"There's certainly evidence.
Even about who the spy that has infiltrated your church is, I am aware.
But we can discuss that matter later.
Right now, we can talk about compensation!"
Grindelwald said with a smile.
Compensation?!
Toran was startled.
This Priest of the "Inland River Cult" was a bit slow to react, while Grindelwald spoke as if it all made perfect sense.
"Of course, compensation!
Surely, Lord Toran doesn't naively believe that after your church acted against the "Oriental," which Lord Kledos was aboard, there would be no compensation and the matter would simply be dropped?
Or do you think you are prepared to endure the wrath of both Lord Kledos and "The Pain Church" at the sa ti?"
Grindelwald's smile remained unchanged, but his words now carried an edge of severity.
"Of course not!
Please give a mont!
I need to report the current situation to the High Priest!"
Toran shook his head repeatedly.
Then, he walked back to the washroom once more.
On this Priest of the "Inland River Cult," there was a ssenger Stone.
Watching the washroom door close, Arthur knew that he had regained the initiative once again.
When he discovered that Yula wanted to provoke a dispute between him and the "Inland River Cult," Arthur knew he could incite a war between the "Inland River Cult" and "The Pain Church."
With just a little manipulation, the "Inland River Cult," having lost so many congregants and believers, would certainly not let go of "The Pain Church," with which it already had friction.
And faced with the invader's aggressive approach, how could "The Pain Church" possibly keep silent and swallow its anger?
A full-scale war between the two was on the verge of breaking out.
All it would take was...
For Toran to add fuel to the flas!
And Toran would surely do so!
Because Toran didn't want to confront his own failure.
In fact, not just Toran — no one wants to face their own defeat.
When faced with failure, one will always try to find an excuse.
Even when none can be found, fate's unfairness is often to bla.
And if one is found?
That would be great!
One will definitely, surely, and with certainty push the responsibility onto that excuse.
Especially for soone like Toran, who already harbors a grudge against the 'Church of Suffering', he certainly wouldn't miss such an opportunity for 'double happiness'.
In Yula's notebook, Arthur could see a clear evaluation of Toran—
Obsessive cleanliness, sowhat cautious but easily trusts others, talkative once familiar, diocre abilities, respectable faith, worth attempting to win over.
Grindelwald quietly waited for the known outco.
Arthur's attention, anwhile, had already returned to the cabin of the 'Oriental'.
At this mont, the captain and the first mate of the 'Oriental' appeared outside Arthur's cabin—
"Sir, for the main course of this evening's banquet, would you prefer roast beef leg? Stewed deer? Or perhaps roast lamb chops? Or maybe the Inland River specialty 'mixed river delicacies'?"
Barry asked, bowing.
"Let's try the specialty."
Facing this captain, borrowed from Marinda's command and nearing retirent, Arthur showed the appropriate courtesy, speaking very gently.
He often ate beef legs, lamb chops, or deer at.
However, he had never tried the Inland River specialty.
As for food, Arthur believed it was important to have a spirit of exploration.
"No problem, please leave it to .
Also, there will be a performance at the theater after the banquet to celebrate the 'Oriental's' maiden voyage—the Winter Monster.
If you're not busy, you're welco to watch at any ti."
The Winter Monster was a play arranged around Arthur as the model.
It had already been perford in several theaters in the Shire District of South Los.
Of this, Arthur had long been aware.
However, what surprised Arthur was that the 'Oriental's' small theater would also stage it.
Originally, he had planned to give a personal indication.
Now it seed unnecessary.
As for whether this was shaless?
As a 'Spirit dium', what mattered was publicity.
What is sha?
Can you eat it?
The 'Oriental's' maiden voyage and the play 'Winter Monster' were sure to enhance each other's success.
"I am truly looking forward to it!"
Arthur's opinion of the old captain before him improved again.
Who wouldn't want such an understanding subordinate?
"This is sothing our first mate Albert has specially prepared!"
Barry, firmly rembering his mission, imdiately pushed his first mate forward.
Clearly, the young first mate was still a bit out of his elent.
Not only was his face red, but he also stuttered when he spoke.
"G-good afternoon, sir."
After giving Barry an appreciative look, Arthur then encouragingly patted the young first mate's shoulder.
"Work hard; the future is yours."
"Y-yes, sir."
The young first mate's speech was still halting.
But this ti, it was different from the earlier tension.
This ti, it was pure excitent.
Even after walking out of the cabin with Captain Barry, his cheeks remained flushed.
As for the captain himself, he wore a smile while watching his first mate.
Barry understood his first mate very well.
After all, he had been the sa in his own younger days.
"Albert, I'm not Big Mouth, but let tell you..."
The conversation outside the cabin grew fainter and fainter.
But Arthur didn't pay it any more mind.
Because the person he was waiting for was about to arrive.
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