“This isn't intelligence, but a reasonable inference based on logic and my experience. As for how credible it is, that's for you, Lin Wuming, to decide.” Tsuchimikado Motoharu cautiously made a disclaimer, then pointed to the surrounding sisters and continued, “The Roman Orthodox Church has suffered a humiliating defeat this time and will inevitably retaliate. Their fate aside, the Roman Orthodox Church will definitely take action against you to save face.”
Shrugging, Tsuchimikado Motoharu said, “So, the best solution right now is actually to eliminate all of them! For you, for me, and perhaps even for them, this might be the least bad option.”
Facing Tsuchimikado Motoharu’s undisguised words, some members of the surrounding sister unit couldn't help but glare at him.
However, more people, including Sister Agnese, the captain, kept their faces taut and remained silent.
“You know that's impossible, so there's no need to say such things again,” Stiyl said as he walked over. “Let's think about the countermeasures instead.”
At this moment, Itsuwa walked over, carrying his Flamberge, and asked Sister Agnese, “By the way, could you cooperate and just say that you were defeated by Our Amakusa-style and Stiyl over there?”
“Heh.” Sister Agnese sneered, “You are also from Our world; you should know that lying is meaningless.”
In most magic organizations with a lineage, there are means to identify disguises and lies, not to mention the ancient Cross Religion.
“So, be prepared, Lin Wuming.” Tsuchimikado Motoharu sighed at the sight, then turned to look at Lin Wuming. “After knowing your strength, what kind of action do you think the Roman Orthodox Church will take to save face?”
Tsuchimikado Motoharu expressed pessimism about this; according to their earlier judgment, the strength Lin Wuming displayed could already be described as being at the “Saint” level.
With the record of “completely annihilating the Agnese unit without injury” before them, no matter how arrogant the Roman Orthodox Church was, they had to admit the strength of Academy City’s Level 5.
Under such circumstances, the Roman Orthodox Church would likely dispatch “Saint”-level forces for retaliation.
That's why Tsuchimikado Motoharu was so worried, fearing that the balance would be broken and that war might break out between the two major factions!
It should be known that one definition of a “Saint” is a “nuclear weapon” level of military deterrence; now, with the “nuclear deterrence” of the two sides clashing, it would be a miracle if it didn't lead to war.
The British Puritan Church has Kanzaki Kaori, a “Saint,” so there’s no reason for the larger Roman Orthodox Church not to have a “Saint.”
If Agnese and her group had been defeated by the Amakusa-style and Stiyl, then the situation would still be under control, but now…
“I will stay here for a while,” Shinkanzaki said, patting her chest. “If anyone from the Roman Orthodox Church comes looking for trouble, I will help.”
“Don't be so optimistic yet, Big Sis Kanzaki.” Tsuchimikado Motoharu added, “You suddenly disappeared and caused such a big problem; it's best to go back and explain it clearly to the Archbishop as soon as possible.”
“After this matter is over, I will explain it clearly to Lady Laura,” Shinkanzaki said.
“No, what I actually mean is…” Tsuchimikado Motoharu leaned close to Shinkanzaki’s ear and whispered, “Big Sis, you haven’t forgotten what you did to those knights the night before last, have you?”
“I didn’t kill them… Could it be that you…?” Shinkanzaki suddenly glared at Tsuchimikado Motoharu, who was responsible for the aftermath at the time.
“You think too highly of me,” Tsuchimikado Motoharu retorted. “Even if I could take the opportunity to eliminate those knights, I would still have to consider the consequences—wouldn't it be over if that Knight Captain was provoked…?”
“You mean, the Knight Captain…?” Shinkanzaki’s expression became even uglier.
As the leader of the British military faction, the Knight Captain was a character that even Shinkanzaki found troublesome.
“That’s right, those knights defeated by Big Sis were hidden by me in a relatively secluded place—after all, if they were discovered by ordinary citizens or the police, it could cause even greater trouble,” Tsuchimikado Motoharu explained.
Shinkanzaki nodded in understanding. Those knights were, in the end, a group of war machines, and they had come with a combat mission this time, so they naturally wouldn't have any qualms. It would be troublesome if they started a new conflict and went on a killing spree.
So, Tsuchimikado Motoharu’s handling approach was fine, but…
“They probably haven’t escaped yet,” Tsuchimikado Motoharu said, spreading his hands and shrugging. “And they can’t send any information to the outside.”
Therefore, from the perspective of the British Knight faction’s headquarters, this knight unit was missing and their fate unknown.
Coupled with their prior expectation that they might encounter Shinkanzaki…
Under these circumstances, the Knight Captain, as the commanding officer, was very likely to take action.
“Hiss!” Shinkanzaki gasped, muttering to herself, “It seems I must return immediately…”
The Knight Captain is a standard “Saint”-level strong individual, and to contain him, Shinkanzaki herself must personally intervene.
“Tsuchimikado, do you know the whereabouts of the Knight Captain?”
“How could I?” Tsuchimikado Motoharu spread his hands. “No matter how capable I am, I can’t get intelligence from the other side of the world, can I?”
Shinkanzaki pondered for a moment and said, “Indeed, I still cannot leave!”
“Then how will you convince the Archbishop and the Knight Captain?”
“Convincing them can wait,” Shinkanzaki said. “Given the Knight Captain’s mobility, I’m worried he has already taken action. If I return now, I might just miss him…”
Therefore, Shinkanzaki decided to temporarily remain in the vicinity of Academy City for a few more days, just in case.
On the other hand, after discussion, the Amakusa-style Cross Rosicrucian decided to collectively join the British Puritan Church, once again becoming companions with Shinkanzaki at the organizational level.
After all, they had indeed offended the Roman Orthodox Church in this incident; it was hard to guarantee that the Roman Orthodox Church, in their fury, wouldn't take it out on them.
Therefore, seeking refuge with the Christian Church became the best solution at the moment.
These were all “plot points” that Lin Wuming already knew, so he wasn't surprised and didn't pay too much attention.
After chatting with Shinkanzaki and Tsuchimikado Motoharu for a while, Lin Wuming decided to return to Academy City.
As for what happens next, it had nothing to do with Lin Wuming; everything was left to Stiyl—nominally, he was the representative of the British Puritan Church in this incident. He naturally had the responsibility and obligation to handle the aftermath.
