Chapter 336 - Unseen Conflict

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~~~(POV: Saintess Lucy)~~~

~~~(Location: Personal Chambers, The Holy City)~~~

~~~(Time: 1:44 PM)~~~

Today has been unnecessarily stressful, and it's supposed to be a time that I can relax and recharge before we invade the Monster Hordes territory. Apparently, we've had spies in our ranks of the church, and now we're going through everyone and making sure no other spies are hiding. Alexander is absolutely livid with this entire situation.

Our enemies were hiding right in front of us, and we couldn't see them. Normally, I'd be on a warpath right now. The reason I'm not is cause I need this break. Alexander said that he and the rest of the verified officials would handle it. I need my rest before heading back out into combat. All of our forces are getting rest, and the adventurers guild is helping protect the resettling townspeople. 

It wasn't cheap, but it's not like the church has or will have money problems. "Sometimes, I wish that this was someone else's responsibility..." The comfortable chair that's magically heated and helps my muscles is causing my body to be like jelly. The damage that I received from all the fights during our last expedition has come for their piece of me.

Ignoring them with magic and sheer will was my only option at the time. Now it's simply here making me ache. The chair is helping, but I'm going to soak in another magically enhanced bath in a couple of hours. "Saintess Lucy... Why did you give me this power, Arch-Angel Gabriel..." She blessed me with power at birth, but now I'm wondering what the purpose was...

Am I supposed to serve the church and have no free will of my own? What about my dreams and desires? "How come I was forsaken from normal life... Why did you choose me to carry this burden..." Millions would argue that it isn't a burden, and they'd die a horrible death over and over to have a similar life. It's not as great as many say it is.

My mother... I haven't spoken to her in years... I wonder how she's doing... The last memory I have of her was her giving me up to the church... She cried endlessly that day... I want to see her again... No matter where she is or how hard it's going to be to find her. I want to see my mother. Maybe she'll have some answers to the questions I have...

The church has provided me everything that I've ever needed, but what every child needs is the guidance of at least one of their parents. My knowledge about my father is none existent, and I wonder who he was too. "The little bit of time I remember with mom, dad never came up when we talked..." She always avoided the subject, and it makes me worried now.

Having the knowledge of the cruelty of the world, I can't help thinking I'm the product of a terrible act. Most beautiful women aren't safe, and I remember mom being so beautiful. "Tomorrow, I'm going to look and see if the church has her record information..." They'd know more than anything I would. She's an important figure, just like Amelia Zern is.

~~~(POV: Alexander Leopold, The Pope)~~~

~~~(Location: Adventurers Guild, The Holy City)~~~

~~~(Time: 2:33 PM)~~~

The prices they're demanding are more than outrageous, but it's not like I'm in any position to negotiate in any form or fashion. "Now, Mr. Leopold. Please sign the dotted line, and you'll lock in our services until the people who've lost their homes have resettled. You have my word." That's probably the only upside to working with The Adventurers Guild. 

They hold up their word and stand by every contract they make. Large or small, and they know that's something you won't find in another private organization. "I know, Vero. Just remember, those people need protection until this war with the Monster Horde is over." Vero is the head of the branch in The Holy City. He's an SSS class adventurer.

He wields a Legendary class himself, and he's one of several in the Adventures Guild. The amount of power they have blows me away sometimes. The only way the church will compete with them is through the artifacts and treasures that we have. "Of course, Mr. Pope. We keep people safe and secure for the right price." While I hate the way, they do business.

I do appreciate how transparent they are with their desires. They never beat around the bush, and that saves me a colossal headache. "Yes, yes, Vora. I know all about the price. It'll be paid. I can guarantee you that. The church has funds that are used in the chance something like this might happen." We do have an Adventurers Guild fund, just for this occasion.

A place where we store a portion of the church's income for the demands of The Adventurers Guild in case we ever need them. It's the second-largest fund on our books. I take the pen and sign my name on the paper and slide it across the table. Vora picks up the paper and takes it over to a file cabinet and stores it. He turns and smiles at me.

Not a cocky or arrogant smile, but one that indicates satisfaction that a business deal has been done in favor of The Adventurers Guild. "I'll inform the members that are already out on the field and doing their jobs that a change of plans has occurred. Congratulations, Mr. Pope. You've just won the safety of the innocent." His smile turns to a grin as he approaches. 

His hand is outstretched for a handshake, and I do the polite and courteous thing. After shaking his hand, I turn and leave his office. That's one problem that I don't have to worry about anymore. It's a good thing that everything has gone this smoothly since the unrooting of spies within the church. When I learned of this news, I saw red for an entire day.

~~~(POV: King Jackson)~~~

~~~(Location: Palace, Zenith City)~~~

~~~(Time: 3:23 PM)~~~

The nobles are in a state of anger, but they can't voice it no matter how badly they want to. Amelia Zern is taking the majority of the land that was won in the war with Bellvia. This is the easiest solution for my people. Everyone citizen below the noble rank highly respects and cherishes Amelia. There are millions of citizens lining up to help her develop the land.

The massive hall is silent as all the nobles are aligned in the room. Waiting for me to speak, and holding in their anger. "I know that most of you are upset at the loss of a great land... Amelia Zern is an important person to our kingdom... More important than even me..." Everyone lowers their heads, knowing that my words are true. She isn't here, right now.

She on her property, she keeps to herself. She's agreed to take the land and has accepted help from the kingdom and our people. She's our critical link to Slayer Zern... Without her... He'll no longer be affiliated with us. Having her take this land means ensuring her stay and loyalty to Zenith, and securing a connection to Slayer Zern for the future.

Some of my more richer and arrogant nobles decide to step out of the lines of nobles and make an approach to the throne. They stand in a line, four of them are looking to speak. I nod my head and the middle one takes a breath. Duke Parker, a brilliant merchant. "While we understand and accept the strategic decision of this move, we all lost forces in this war." They're not wrong.

I have no intention of my nobles going unrewarded for giving up as many soldiers that we're needed for this war. "You bring up an excellent point, Parker. That's why I'm cutting the taxes that all nobles have to pay the crown by 60%." Many shoot their heads up at my words. "This will endure a 5 year period." This is more than generous, and I can see the happy faces already.

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.193]

[Exp: 3/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 30] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Sally's Dresses 5x] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 4x] [Dried meat 4x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x] [Festival Garbs 2x]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.59 325/5900] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.59 225/5900] [Slash Lvl..77 4600/130000] [Parry Lvl.53 80/5300] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controled Fun]