Chapter 347: Resolve Unsettled

"Mr. Holt, you’re talking nonsense."

"I know exactly what I’m saying, Lord," Ivendel said, pointing to the map behind Ron. "The Molten Iron Barrier’s main area of operation is east of the City-State Alliance’s sphere of influence. If they don’t plan on crossing the mountains, they can only come through the trading post between us and the Alliance. Goblins and kobolds don’t usually set foot there, so we can more easily clear out a ’clean’ area." As Ivendel spoke, the scars on his face seemed to writhe like living things. "Those old traditionalists who only know how to follow orders certainly won’t want to investigate any further, and Miss Victoria’s assessment will be completed without a hitch."

"Of course, just managing the people isn’t enough. We have to make the charade complete. All the tools, food, everything must be carefully selected to prevent us from giving the game away."

Ivendel’s method was much like preparing for an inspection from a superior, but it was all just window dressing. Ron couldn’t guarantee that these Defenders would be as "agreeable" as some high-level official.

"Even if they don’t want to investigate further, they’ll still hear rumors. This place is something of a transportation hub now. Hiding the truth is easier said than done."

Ivendel flashed a cunning smile. "Rumors can’t be used as evidence. Otherwise, forget about the outside world—even within their own Religious Order, they’d probably purge everyone until only the Judges were left."

"As long as we stick to our story and they don’t see anything amiss, that’s what matters. It’s easy for them to come and go this once, but it’ll be much harder for them to come back a second time."

"Forget the Judges, not even the Inquisition can just kick down our door and search the place every other day, can they?"

With the plan settled, Ivendel immediately went to fetch Victoria. The Priest of Heim was preaching a sermon in the chapel at the time, completely unaware of what was about to happen to her. She had only heard that Ron had a letter for her and hurried over.

"Lord, I heard there was a letter for me?" Ivendel was still something of an "outsider" to her, so in his presence, Victoria chose to use a more formal title rather than Ron’s name.

"I have an uncle I haven’t seen in many years. I heard he was making a living among the city-states. Could the letter be from him?"

Victoria’s family ties were nowhere near as close as Aive’s, so the Priest’s reaction was rather cool. But when Ron handed her the original letter and she saw the carefully preserved wax seal and stamp, her breathing quickened.

"Sorry, Victoria," Ron said, thinking she was upset that he had read her letter. "But I had to take a look beforehand. After all, this letter is from—"

"The Molten Iron Barrier! I know!" Victoria quickly cut Ron off. "Heavens, from the day I began to serve Heim, there hasn’t been a single day I didn’t want to join them!"

"Under the guidance of Heim and other Deities, these respected Knights and Priests have always fought on the front lines against the abyss, sin, and chaos! Can it be that word of our deeds has even reached their ears?"

"It has reached them, Miss Victoria," Ivendel said, gently shaking his head. "But I’m afraid it’s not in the way you might have hoped—Miss Victoria?"

Ron watched as Victoria, in the span of a few dozen seconds, went from fiery passion to being doused with cold water, and finally to being petrified into stone. After finishing the letter, Victoria stood frozen on the spot, as if struck by lightning.

She couldn’t believe it, scanning every single word on the letter again and again. "No, this is impossible... Why? Why would this happen?"

The usually resolute Priest’s voice was now choked with a hint of a sob.

"Perhaps it’s because of your friends," Ivendel said, mercilessly shattering Victoria’s last shred of hope. "I’ve heard that when clergy violate their precepts, their Holy Emblems usually react according to the severity of the transgression. Miss Victoria, no one should know this better than you, correct?"

"That’s right," Victoria said, completely deflated. Thinking back on all the times her Holy Emblem had grown warm or hot in her hand, she felt the world spin. "Oh, Heim..."

"But I don’t believe I’ve betrayed my faith! Everything I’ve done, everything I’ve tolerated, has been for the people and things I’m sworn to protect! That is my duty! Why would they come to scrutinize me?"

"Of course I believe you haven’t betrayed your faith. Otherwise, you would have long lost the chance to bathe in the light of the Deities," Ivendel said with a shrug. "But what if they believe you’ve ’strayed’ from the creed and need to be disciplined to get you back on the right path?"

"Disciplined... the right path..." the bewildered Priest murmured. "Yes, you have a point, Mr. Holt. But... what should I do?"

"If you want to join the Molten Iron Barrier, my advice is to send every non-human in the entire territory to the gallows, the pyre, and the guillotine," Ivendel said, giving Ron a reassuring look. "That list should include, at a minimum, Earth Goblins Klade, Goblin Hunter Delaford, and Miss Silvia. And if you want the Religious Order to completely trust your position, you should also add Lord Aiksuuri, who should have started believing in Bahamut long ago."

Ron watched the Priest’s expression. This companion, with whom he had faced life and death many times, first showed a flash of bewilderment upon hearing Ivendel’s "brilliant plan," before her expression quickly shifted to anger.

"Mr. Holt! You are inciting me to betrayal!" An unnatural flush appeared on Victoria’s face. She kept her voice low, as if suppressing her rage. "I would never do such a thing! If they truly demand that, I would rather die before their very eyes! I will offer both my life and soul to Heim to prove my loyalty!"

"But if you do that, you’ll be pushing the Lord and your friends into a pit of fire," Ivendel said, sounding troubled. "Do you really think the bonds between people are a one-way street? If you die for this, what is the Lord supposed to do?"

"Then..." Victoria agonized. "Then I’ll just have to return to Fromm. After the mayor relieves me of my duties, I will take my leave."

"I hope that way no one else will be implicated."

"Simply running away won’t solve the problem," Ivendel said. He had finally confirmed it: this Priest’s loyalty surpassed even her piety. ’That makes things easier.’ "I do have a way to resolve this dispute rather appropriately, but it will require your cooperation."

"Mr. Holt?" Victoria’s brow, which had briefly relaxed, furrowed once more. "I cannot deceive my fellow believers. Besides, I wouldn’t be able to deceive them. There will certainly be magical monitoring."

"You won’t need to deceive them," Ivendel said, wagging his finger. "It’s just that there are some details you haven’t yet decided to tell them, isn’t that right?"