Vol 4 Chapter 76 – I Think So Too【Final Volume】

In the prime district of the city where Alvarado’s group was staying, residences housing many wealthy people stood in rows.

Among these homes of the affluent, an even more luxurious and massive church towered above them all. This was a church of the Church of Arias, which worshiped Arias God.

Usually bustling with believers coming for worship, there were currently no believers since entry was temporarily prohibited. The guards preventing entry were members of the disciplinary squad handling the Church of Arias’s dark side.

With them firmly securing it, no one was permitted to enter. Even if state power tried to intervene, they would resist using their faith as a shield.

Inside the church’s large chapel, two men faced each other. One knelt, one stood.

Their positions revealed their relationship. The standing man was Cardinal Mormuni, one of the high executives who decided the Church of Arias’s policies.

A portly man with an impressive beard.

“Hmm…”

While stroking his beard, he looked down at a report on current Church of Arias missionary activities. He was pretending to read the contents, but frankly, he wasn’t.

Reading long texts was tedious. So he addressed the kneeling man before him.

“I’ve reviewed the submitted report materials, but could you also give me an oral report directly?”
“Yes, sir.”

Without any suspicion, the man began his report.

“As ordered, several months since beginning attacks on other religions. We’ve successfully oppressed and destroyed many religions. Nearly complete in other cities and villages, and this city is almost done as well.”
“Excellent… Arias God must be delighted. And what of the stockpiles from other religions?”
“Yes. We’ve collected everything without fail. These will be transported to headquarters.”
“Good, good. Then I shall verify them in advance.”

Mormuni nodded with satisfaction. For him, religion was merely a means to satisfy his desires.

His faith in Arias God was extremely thin. In the first place, he wondered how one was supposed to believe in and worship an existence whose form he’d never even seen.

Of course, the Church of Arias was a massive organization, so even as a cardinal in high position, Mormuni alone couldn’t move it as he pleased. So he used the money and political power he’d accumulated reaching this position to rope in most of the other executives.

Using pleasant-sounding missionary work and hostility toward other religions. The other executives were happy with increasing believers.

He was happy skimming off part of the wealth other religions had accumulated. Oppressing other religions was wonderful win-win for everyone.

“Splendid results. We can rapidly increase the Church of Arias’s wealth and believers. Other religions are completely unnecessary. It’s only natural to use those assets for Arias God.”

That said, he obviously couldn’t voice such selfish desires aloud. So he repeatedly insisted he was doing everything for the Church of Arias’s sake.

The man, who didn’t suspect anything at all, readily believed Mormuni’s words.

“So, have we completely taken control of this city?”
“That’s the thing… There’s still one religion resisting. It’s called the Church of Shannon, a small religion in this region, but…”
“So they have some bite to them.”

Both men’s faces grew serious. The Church of Arias had many believers, strong finances, and—though they didn’t openly admit it—they were even armed.

The power of numbers, the power of money, and physical violence. With all that, they couldn’t be weak.

Indeed, most other religions had either submitted and converted to the Church of Arias or fled, but the sole resistance force was the Church of Shannon.

“Troublingly, they seem to have some military capability. That Masado was counter-killed by them.”
“Masado? That is indeed troublesome. While that man had personality problems, he was among the most capable in terms of strength.”

The name of Church of Arias priest Masado was known within the organization. Though a greedy man who acted freely, he never opposed the Church of Arias.

Well, that was less from faith and more because opposing them would be disadvantageous. The reason such selfish behavior was permitted was entirely due to his strong power.

If you have power, selfishness is tolerated. Masado had made great achievements in the current attacks on other religions too.

His defeat was an enormous shock to the Church of Arias. That said, many had found him annoying too—that was the truth.

It could be coincidental, so it hadn’t become a major issue within the Church of Arias. Mormuni’s thinking was similar.

“What should we do? I’m considering requesting Saint Lusaria-sama’s assistance…”
“That saint is somewhat uncooperative with missionary activities. Besides, constantly relying on the saint makes it seem like we lack capability.”

Mormuni made a sour face. Saint Lusaria was an existence of extremely high popularity and power within the Church of Arias.

If she put her mind to it, other religions could easily be destroyed, yet resistance forces remained—meaning she wasn’t keen on such things. An existence he couldn’t control and couldn’t touch.

That’s why Mormuni didn’t view Lusaria favorably.

“Anticipating this, I’ve already made moves.”
“Which means…?”
“I’ve found someone with extremely high aptitude for divine artifacts. She’s already been summoned here. While some preparation period will be necessary, I plan to have her work hard without borrowing the saint’s power.”

Unable to control Lusaria, he’d moved to create a controllable existence. That person would reach his hands soon.

Moreover, apparently a beautiful young girl. Probably a pure maiden. Mormuni even thought he might keep that girl as his mistress.

…He didn’t yet know she had rather special proclivities.

“I see… Your wisdom is truly admirable.”
“Indeed, I look forward to it. To witnessing with my own eyes this world dyed entirely in Church of Arias colors.”

Of course, he was also looking forward to profiting from it. His grinning face was quite ugly.

That smile would freeze immediately.

“——I see. I’m looking forward to seeing what color your blood is.”
“I’m curious what kind of screams you’ll make.”
“I can’t wait to record Alvarado-sama’s heroic figure in my scripture.”

Bang! The doors were thrown open forcefully. Though difficult to see against the backlighting, four men and women stood there.

Men and women casually voicing terrifying things.

“Wh-who are you!?”
“I think so too.”

One of the four—a Holy Sword who wasn’t human—slumped her shoulders with an utterly fed-up expression.