"Time is limited, so I won't waste any more words. I'll get straight to the conclusion — if we only rely on the Game Church, the possibility of completing the rescue mission by ourselves is zero. But luckily, we're not alone … "
Time was perhaps the most miraculous of all mages. The brash youth of the past was now able to calmly state his shortcomings in front of his seniors.
And Rorschach, who made such a statement, was currently standing on someone else's ship, commanding their warriors to fight with their lives on the line.
"… As expected of the Glory Scroll's elite warriors. They're so much stronger than us. If all of them were sent by our Church, perhaps …"
"Perhaps we would suffer heavy losses? Is this why you'd rather use other people's assault airships than our battleships? "
"Of course, even if our airships break through this defense line, we probably won't need to repair them. We can just sell them off as scrap metal. By the way, I think that even if we used our battleships, they would probably have sunk already. "
The intensity of the current battle was far beyond what the small and medium Churches could handle.
As far as the eye could see, the battlefield was everywhere. Countless flying monsters were charging toward the assault ship, and Aerial Battle Demonic Armors were constantly taking off and landing on the deck.
If it weren't for the fact that the Glory Scroll had sent out enough elite warriors, Rorschach would probably have been forced to use his ace in the hole.
They were now at the outskirts of the Evil Gods' territory. Rorschach observed while manually drawing the newest battlefield map. This was also part of the agreement.
More than half an hour ago, Rorschach had made up his mind to ignore the other Churches and directly start the rescue mission. When he left the hallway, he met Archbishop Phelps, who had long since been prepared.
"The Glory Scroll will remember this favor."
As they walked towards each other, Phelps lightly said this sentence behind his back. This was the price of saving Karwenz, as well as a way to rope him in.
Previously, the Game Church had been quite close to the Eagle Crown. The Glory Scroll also valued Rorschach and the Game Church more and more. Accepting Rorschach's favor was also a way to rope him in.
Favors were something that could be obtained at will. To some people, favors were worth thousands of gold, but to others, they were worthless. Sometimes, favors were as heavy as Mount Tai, but sometimes, they were as light as a feather.
Saving Hanks and figuring out the truth behind the Evil God's abilities was indeed a great contribution to the entire city. The Scroll of Light also owed him a favor … but this favor was only a matter of saving one life.
If the Game Church really wanted to, this favor could be used as an opportunity and channel for both sides to strengthen their communication. They could make some requests that weren't too overboard. When the time came, it would be up to the Radiance Scroll to decide whether to honor it or not.
As long as the favor was honored, the Game Church and the Radiance Scroll would reach a tacit agreement and deal. Naturally, they would distance themselves from the Eagle's Crown.
Pheles was indeed an outstanding politician. He would not let go of any opportunity to fight for the interests of his church.
But perhaps he did not expect that after hearing this, Rorschach smiled. His smile was extremely subtle, and then he paused.
"A favor? In that case, can I cash it out now? "
Thus, Rorschach was now sitting on the ship of the Radiance Scroll, commanding the other side's warriors to fight for him.
[I really didn't expect him to agree. Now, it's beyond the scope of that favor. We owe him a favor, don't we?]
Hearing his own God's words, Rorschach laughed out loud.
"Haha. Little sister, you really aren't suited for such dirty things (politics). Fortunately, Nana and the others have been helping you … Do you really think that he sent out all these forces, even sending people to their deaths, just because of this favor? To people like him, a favor of a human life is nothing. "
Closing his eyes, Rorschach tossed out all the things that were inconvenient to say directly to Lori, causing her to fall silent.
[… These people, forget it. I'll leave them to you.]
She was so disgusted that she couldn't even be bothered to think anymore.
It turned out that there was a reason why the Radiance Scroll and the Eagle's Crown were still arguing at such a critical moment.
The higher-ups of these churches had long since become professional politicians. As purely utilitarian creatures who sought benefits, why would they argue over such a small matter at such a critical moment?
Now that the Evil Gods had suddenly attacked, it was obvious that they had long since prepared for this. This was the first Evil God crisis that Vila Nova Dônia had ever faced. If Vila Nova Dônia couldn't survive this crisis, it would also be the last.
This was a tremendous crisis, but it was also a tremendous opportunity that would only occur once. A leader's prestige would depend on leading their subordinates out of difficult situations, and obtaining victory after victory.
This was the greatest crisis Vila Nova Dônia had faced since its founding. However, this was also the greatest opportunity for them to prove their abilities and foundations.
This was especially so since new competitors were about to arrive on the battlefield. This was the last opportunity for them to prove their qualifications as leaders, and allow the neutral factions and fence-sitters to choose a side.
"Whoever can lead us to victory, whoever can obtain the greatest victory in this crisis, will be able to use their tremendous prestige to directly become the leader of this city, or even the future leader of the Gods."
Both sides didn't even need to talk about verbal disputes and accusations. It was certain that there would be some private actions. Even if they started a private war, Rorschach wouldn't be surprised.
In the past, the Game Church would definitely lean towards the Eagle's Crown. This was because the leader of the Eagle's Crown was a high-ranked priest, Wendier, who was more gentle and had a good personal relationship with Rorschach. The Eagle's Crown's political orientation towards reclamation, reform, and industrial development was also more suitable for the Game Church.
But this time …
"I suggest that we form an alliance fleet. Every faction will bring out their main battleships and directly plough that piece of land!"
This was what Wendier had said previously. It was very domineering, and his style was also very thunderous.
Even Rorschach would admit that this was indeed the method with the highest chance of winning … and also the method with the highest profit for the Eagle's Crown.
Since the Radiant Painting had failed to lead the encirclement against the Evil Gods, the Eagle's Crown had formed an alliance fleet and wiped out all the Evil Gods. This was quite valiant and powerful, so it was only natural that the Radiant Painting would lose.
Rorschach estimated that even if he wasn't present, this plan would still have the highest chance of passing once the twenty-member board of directors voted on it. This was because the other churches would have the lowest risk and would have to pay the lowest price. They would only want to safely survive this crisis.
And since the Radiant Painting's Hanks had made a huge mistake, the source of the wrong information had arrived. The Radiant Painting didn't even have the confidence to refute this. After all, in a situation where the situation wasn't clear, this was indeed the most orthodox method with the highest chance of winning.
"… So, in order to win against the Eagle's Crown, the Radiant Painting will have to achieve something else by himself. For example, using some tricks to destroy the Eagle's Crown alliance fleet. For example, our current …"
[Successfully completing a rescue mission by himself? You're even willing to use your own life as a bargaining chip? These people who play politics are so dirty … Cough, cough, I'm not talking about you.]
"You're not wrong to say that. My God seems smart, but he's actually single-celled and one-track minded. My sister and I have no one to rely on, and it's hard to tell what's in a person's heart. My powers aren't omnipotent, so if I don't learn some random things, how can I possibly be sold off together and help count the money?"
Rorschach said in an annoyed tone. Although his tone was rather harsh, he was indeed speaking the truth as always.
An elder brother was like a father. Children of the poor would have to take care of the family at an early age. Rorschach had silently acknowledged himself as an orphan. He really hadn't had any free time over the past few years to absorb all sorts of knowledge and skills like a sponge. On the other hand, Lori had friends and family by her side. She had someone to rely on and didn't have any goals, so she was living a happier and happier life. She didn't need to think anymore.
Lori fell silent. She felt that she should say something to at least prove that she wasn't single-celled, and that she wouldn't be sold off and still help count the money.
[That's why you chose the Radiant Painting's side?]
"Yes, the Eagle Crown's approach is very safe. But safe means slow, which also means … sitting back and watching the soldiers in the enemy's territory die!"
Every family contributing warships and forces to form a luxurious fleet? That would require at least hundreds of hours of reorganization and adjustment. The moment this plan was mentioned, it was equivalent to implying that all the members of the first fleet were dead by default.
Lori suddenly realized that Rorschach had unhesitatingly abandoned his previous strategy of leaning towards the Eagle Crown. This was the key.
At the same time, she once again confirmed that she wasn't good at these messy things. It was better to let Rorschach, who was becoming more and more like an old man, play these games.
[So, in order to save Nana and Teacher Adeline, we voluntarily chose to become the chess pieces of the Radiant Painting to challenge the Eagle Crown? I'm afraid the Eagle Crown hates us to death now. Traitors are the most hated in this day and age.]
"Ha, who isn't a chess piece in this day and age? Those who think they're free probably haven't seen the hand behind their backs … But, I doubt that the Eagle Crown and the Radiant Painting will be able to get what they want."
Rorschach directly ordered the airship captain to continue charging forward as he approached the Radiant Painting's airship captain to ask about the next step of the plan. He waited until the airship captain was far away before he continued speaking.
"They underestimated the Evil Gods. Did they really think that this was another brainless Evil God's chance to cause trouble and establish their might? The Eye of Wisdom is already quite troublesome, and the other Evil God that we're familiar with … Haha, did they really think that we discovered the Evil God's faction, and that the Evil Gods weren't prepared to kill us all? As the passive party, they actually chose the so-called safe plan. Did they want to die so badly? If my guess is correct, everything they discovered, including our arrival, was just … a trap. "
[A trap?]
"Yes, we've already fallen into a trap. No matter if it's us who're trying to save them, or them who're in the city, we're already in a life-or-death situation, yet they're still trying to drag each other down. As expected, the most foolish people in the world are the so-called politicians."
"… High-energy reactions two kilometers ahead! An Evil God! The energy waves are completely different from before! This is yet another Evil God! "
The reporter's hysterical screams served as the beginning of this longest day.
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