BXBX NOVEL Chapter 69: 67 Reporting
Irene had originally thought that if the other party were illegal Extraordinary Exponents of dubious identity, the Fischer family might attempt to swallow them, seizing that Treasure-class mysterious rare artifact.
But the power of the Sea God Cult was simply not something they could confront.
“Caution” and “secrecy” are the two most important principles for the Fischer family.
She knew that backstabbing was not the right judgment. The most correct judgment was to report the Isaac family.
However, reporting obviously came with two clear problems.
The first problem was the lack of evidence. Although the Secret Ear Technique could eavesdrop, it had no ability to record voices; what she heard was solely “one side of the story.”
Having only that potion as evidence wasn’t enough either, since Lady Isaac could completely deny it, claim that the potion wasn’t hers at all and that it was a frame-up, using this to buy time.
The Isaac knight family held fame and status in Nasir. It was impossible to convict them based on her word alone. At most, the appearance of the potion could prompt an investigation by the Tempest Church.
The second problem would arise if the Tempest Church, after its investigation, indeed found serious issues and dealt with the Isaac family. Then the mysterious rare artifact carried by the mysterious person from the Sea God Cult would also end up being confiscated by the Tempest Church.
She wouldn’t be able to complete the divine edict handed down by the Lord of the Lost then.
“Hmm, these are indeed some uncomfortable choices to make.”
If…
Irene considered another scenario, where she disregarded any danger or consequences and forcefully motivated everyone in the family to attack the Isaac family.
Firstly, with the Sea God Cult’s profound foundation, they might well be destroyed, and the unwarranted attack on an Extraordinary family would be seen as an illegal act.
“We absolutely cannot do that. Oh Lord, please forgive my cowardice. It is not that I fear death but that I do not wish to see meaningless deaths occur.”
As for the option of leaving heretical groups beside her and not dealing with them for the time being, waiting for them to complete some unclear ritual—it was an option too impossible to even consider.
Eventually, she made a decision. Even if she very much wanted to fulfill the edict of the great Lord of the Lost, acting impulsively would lead to the ruin of the Fischer family.
Caution.
Irene recalled the words of Lucius—his influence on the Fischer family, as a laid-back and carefree man, would forever be indelible.
“Remember, always be a wise coward, not some brave idiot.”
“Because your judgment affects more than just one person. Do not bring trouble upon the Fischer family that we simply cannot afford.”
I understand now. Thank you, Uncle Lucius.
In Nasir Town’s wealthiest North City, there stands a church belonging to the Tempest Church.
All of the port towns and cities on the Ouden Continent had a Tempest Church without exception, but such a faith was rarely seen inland.
Many inlanders even believed that the Tempest Church’s status as one of the True Gods Church was in name only.
After informing Byrne and getting his consent, Irene immediately went to the church of the Tempest Church.
The white-domed church was quite majestic and solemn. The walls were built from ancient stones, giving a sense of solidity and weight, and the engravings on the four sharp corners above symbolized sea breezes and lightning.
At the very top of the bell tower hung a giant bell that had been placed there for a century. When fierce sea winds blew, the heavy bell would echo throughout the entire North City District.
The Priest of the Tempest Church was a bald old man who kept out of worldly affairs, looking kindly and benevolent. He rarely took part in any activities, refusing no invitations except those from Baron Hovern himself.
The old man, dressed in a dark blue robe, knelt in front of the imposing statue of the Tempest Overlord, bowing his head and muttering:
“Oh vast Tempest Overlord, Your majesty and power make your subjects prostrate in prayer, Your magnificent song causes the waves and gales to submit, and we are but schools of fish under Your command.”
“Great Priest.”
Irene, dressed in a black robe and wearing a veil, came quietly inside the church.
The old man, tired and slow to rise, turned around and gazed at Irene with aged eyes, saying:
“Madam Irene, is there something you have come to see me about? Please come with me to the parlor.”
He had also been treated by Irene for some minor ailments and held her in high regard.
The strength of this Tempest Priest was at the high-level Beginning, and he had been stationed in Nasir for decades as a Level 2 Priest, with very few days spent away from the church.
Irene gazed at the imposing statue of the Tempest Overlord within the church, feeling a suffocating power in His eyes that demanded submission, an absolute authority that even the storm and thunder feared.
She proclaimed herself a follower of the Lord of Salvation, not a disciple of the Tempest Overlord, so she merely nodded slightly and paid her respects to the old man, saying calmly,
“Great Priest, I have to report an incident and hope that you can notify senior church officials to come and investigate in Nasir Town.”
“What did you say?”
The Tempest Priest narrowed his eyes, his expression growing serious as he asked, “Who do you wish to report?”
“Lady Isaac, she is actually a member of the Sea God Cult, and so is her unspoken brother.”
Irene’s response was calm, but the originally squinted eyes of the Tempest Priest widened in shock!
“What! Are you sure about what you’ve said?”
Lady Isaac, ah, he had known that woman for decades, a serious old friend. After a long silence, the Tempest Priest said,
“Madam Irene, I must warn you seriously that your accusations are extremely severe! If they turn out to be slander, the church will certainly punish you and the Fischer family severely!”
Accusations of heresy were indeed very serious matters; after all, those considered to be evil cultists were ultimately exterminated by the True Gods Church.
So as not to let nobles use heresy accusations as a weapon to eliminate rivals, the major churches took such matters very seriously.
Irene’s tone became solemn and earnest, “Yes, I am aware of its seriousness, Great Priest, my family members heard secrets in the conversations during Lady Isaac’s tea parties, there is no way they could be mistaken!”
“It seems Lady Isaac and her group are trying to perform some sort of ritual, an investigation will certainly uncover the problem.”
A ritual, you say?
This had to be taken seriously indeed, as the old priest, with a grave expression, knew too well the terrifying power of heretical rituals that had destroyed villages and even towns.
“In that case, the level of authority needed to investigate a knight clan is beyond my reach; it probably requires the personal attendance of the bishop’s deputy or a Level 3 Priest.”
The old priest nodded and after a pause continued,
“The journey here is long and challenging; it would probably take about a week for a carriage to reach Fein City and bring someone back.”
“Okay, I understand. When the time comes, the Fischer family will cooperate with the Tempest Church,” Irene responded, nodding again to show her respect before turning and leaving the church.
The old priest waited until the girl had left before he finally let out a long sigh.
“Alas, I hope the report is not true. While I do not wish for the kind Madam Irene to be punished, you, Isaac… must not be confused!”
Having lived for over seventy years in Nasir Town, he had few old friends left, and the stalwart, stubborn Lady Isaac was one of them.
However, years of religious service and intuition made it clear to the old priest that Madam Irene was not making baseless accusations; Lady Isaac likely had issues, just a matter of how significant they were.
—-
Lady Isaac stood in front of the window of her residence, staring at the familiar scenery outside.
The white mist slowly dissipated, revealing the tranquil and beautiful architecture of Nasir Town, and the slight sea breeze was also extremely comforting.
Yet in just a few days’ time, she would have to destroy everything before her eyes herself; likely thousands would die, and the entire town might crumble to pieces.
After the ritual was complete, Lady Isaac herself would certainly no longer be able to stay in this town; she must leave before the church’s and the kingdom’s powerful arrived.
She had no choice but to return to her “homeland” upon the sea, and rejoin the embrace of the Sea God Cult.
Lady Isaac sighed to herself, murmuring,
“Three days, only three days left.”
“And then, everything will be over.”