"Really? You've risen in rank, too."
"Huh? You mean you, too, Archbishop Paul?
"Yeah, that's right. I also had a rise in rank earlier. Now I can only use [the sanctuary], which can only be used by the Cardinal above the Archbishop."
"Really? [Purification] is now available to me."
"... what happened, Ars? It's an increase in magic that exceeds my expectations. The fact that you are in such a hurry that is the cause of it meant that this increase in magic power was something unexpected for you too?
I heard about Naja. It's just around the corner.
My rank has risen.
As a result, I was able to use the magic of [purification].
This must have crossed the criteria by which my magic power named by the Church became more than a certain value, thereby allowing me to use [purification].
This causes a strange phenomenon where magic suddenly becomes available without any foretaste, for example when the ranks rise.
Those who can use [purification] to pay for the filth of the immortal are so precious a magic that in the Church they can acquire the status of Archbishop.
I had come to consult Archbishop Paul once because I could use such magic.
So Archbishop Paul was also to be heard that the rank had risen.
Archbishop Paul said the magic of [sanctuary] further above [purification] is now available.
This is something that can be used within the Church by those at the level known as Cardinals, and would not normally be so usable.
Archbishop Paul just seemed odd that it had reached the amount of magic available to [the sanctuary] in just a few years after it had been able to use [purification].
Explain the situation to Archbishop Paul like that.
I proved my innocence by repeating my name on my own and saying it wasn't Naja's fault that my magic had risen.
I also told him that Naja was now able to use even the very dangerous magic of [the light of judgment].
"That's... that's very bad"
"Yeah, I agree. We don't know at this stage what Naja will do with [the light of judgment], but it is possible that she will come to the Kingdom of Fontana."
"No, it won't. Instead, if I'm in Naja's shoes, I'll aim elsewhere."
"Huh? Is it elsewhere? Does Archbishop Paul mean Naja's next move can be anticipated?
"Yes. If I'm in Naja's shoes, now is the time to go after the Church. Can Naja's [collection] take power away from the person who killed her? If so, if you turn every church city into salt with [the light of judgment], you should be able to gain further power"
"I see. If they say so, so be it.... Yeah, it seems possible. So Naja, who was being hunted down, might want more power. Besides, the church has been certified as an enemy of God and even bounty, so there's a good chance he's got a grudge."
"Gathering information from you about Naja seems to be causing a lot of depression in your life so far. It can also be said that it is very human to think about gaining powerful power and using it for destructive impulses. And there's probably no cap on that negative emotion. You'll be greedy more."
"Greed? Are you talking about earlier in the Church when you gained strength from priests and bishops? So you're saying there's also the possibility of targeting superior people like archbishops and cardinals."
"Yes, it is. The magic of church officials is connected to many residents. And it is self-evident that the higher the rank, the more. It would undoubtedly be more efficient to target one archbishop or something rather than a bunch of priests everywhere."
"Is that it? That being said, it's like Archbishop Paul said it was special to be here in Fontana. Surely, weren't people of higher rank than archbishops gathered in the center of the church?
"You remembered very well, Ars. Exactly. It is a church in every noble territory, but it is only until the bishop that he is in the noble territorial capital. If you're more than an archbishop or a cardinal, you're in the middle of the church, or the Holy Capital."
"... I mean, what is Archbishop Paul's prediction? Having obtained [the light of judgment], Naja moves for a near-field church. So, after more magic there, you're likely to go for the Sacred Capital to gain power more efficiently?
"You would if I were in Naja's shoes. Besides, if you crush the church, you might think that there's no more talk of God's enemy certification or bounty necks."
I see.
What Archbishop Paul says may make sense.
Anyway, the Church gathers magic from all lands through a ritual called Baptism.
The end point of such magic will be the Holy Capital, which is the centre of the Church.
In other words, all the magic of the whole territory will be gathered in the Holy City.
You can definitely gain greater power by attacking and [collecting] there.
"But that's pretty bad, isn't it, Archbishop Paul? Surely the Sacred Capital didn't have the [sanctuary] available Cardinals constantly taking turns activating magic to seal the King of the Immortal?
"Yeah, that's right, Ars. If Naja attacks the Holy City and kills the Cardinals in [the light of judgment], the seal of the King of the Immortal will be lifted. If that happens, it must be the end of the world."
Seriously.
Naja's actions are leading to the ruin of the world.
You really are like a demon king.
It's starting to flow like Naja the Demon King uses forbidden evil laws to unseal the evil gods.
The King of the Immortal was once the only thing the Church could cope with by sealing it.
And the king of the immortal, with his filthy magic, turns those around him into immortals.
What would happen if Naja killed all church officials in [the light of judgment] per sacred capital?
The Church may not be able to cope with the king of the unleashed immortals and the numerous immortals that arise from them.
Because those who can use magic, such as [purification] and [sanctuary], are wiped out of every sacred capital.
Will the means of confrontation be lost?
I realized at this time that the end of the world was developing into something that I could even feel realistic, rather than talking about territory, and a cold sweat was pouring down my spine.