Chapter 399 (2): The War Has Begun, the Knight is Unstoppable
Luxury hotel, Berlo.
In the living room of their suite, Hestia sat on the sofa with her arms and legs crossed. Due to her alluring figure, her serious look seemed more like an act of seduction.
Derrida sat on the sofa across from her. “The projected abyss in the orphanage has been destroyed. We weren’t able to wipe out the two demons’ thoughts. The good news is that the two destroyed all of the demon vessels in a fit of rage, so the threat of the Gates of Hell was eliminated, too.”
Derrida and Hestia were pleased that they had completed the investigation mission and more.
Wayne stood before the window with his two secretaries, lips curling into a smile. He was pleased with the state Prussia was in. “The evolution of Mechanical Augmentation has been erased. The officials of the SS and the Wehrmacht have both turned back into humans. That’s good. Now Heaven is safe, too.”
Hestia frowned. “Wayne, have you acquired the information there? Would you take it back to Heaven?”
“That’s confidential. The two of you must keep this a secret, especially from the Papal State. They are Father’s servants in the human world, independent from Heaven.”
“Will do, but I want to see your stigma!” Hestia insisted.
“Fine...”
Wayne beckoned to her and took her to the bedroom.
Thirty seconds later, when they re-emerged, Hestia showed even more obvious deference. Ottilia and Regina cocked their heads. If Hestia and Wayne hadn’t returned so quickly, they would’ve misinterpreted the change.
“Again, do not reveal my identity to others.” Wayne checked his watch. “So, it’s been a pleasure working with you. I look forward to our next meeting.”
“Are you not returning to the Papal State to meet up with the others?”
“No. Londan is a more dangerous place, so I have to keep an eye on it in person.”
“Do you need my help?” Hestia volunteered to be another of his secretaries. Under Ottilia and Regina’s surprised gaze, Wayne said no.
The five of them parted ways.
On their way back to Londan, Regina drove the black sedan, while the couple snuggled in the backseat.
Resting in Wayne’s embrace, Ottilia sniffed him and said, “Strange. I don’t smell Lust incarnate. Have you really done nothing during those thirty seconds?”
“What are you thinking? Is that the kind of man you take me for?”
“Are you not that kind of man?”
“Of course not. Why would you think that I’d only last thirty seconds?!”
...That’s not what I’m saying.
“Lust incarnate respects you,” Ottilia said, confused. “In the way you would put it, you’ve maxed out her affection for you, and you can unlock a new story with her. Why did you reject her?”
“Ottilia, I’m not a pervert.”
“Haha.” x2
Wayne rolled his eyes, not wanting to waste his breath debating this topic. “I didn’t have a choice before,” he said honestly. “But now, I want to be a devoted man who only promises a lifetime. If Hestia returns to Londan with me, you’ll be heartbroken.”
He pulled Ottilia closer and whispered into her ear, “She’s not the important one. My secretary’s happiness matters more.”
Ottilia was overjoyed. She felt like she was at the top of the world, having defeated a luxury car on her own with her charisma.
Seeing her expression, Wayne kept the unspoken words unspoken. When he said ‘secretary’, he didn’t mean just Ottilia. He had three secretaries, and putting aside Regina, who was only there to fill the number, there was also Mona, who had been with him the longest.
Mona was the reincarnation of Śār Hesione, who represented Purity of the Seven Sacred Virtues. If Hestia saw that the Śār she so admired...
To preserve Hesione’s dignity, Wayne rejected the new secretary.
Of course, that wouldn’t stop him from riling Hesione up once he returned. Śār, you wouldn’t want your subordinate in Heaven, Frey, to see you like this, would you?
The thought excited him.
“Are we heading straight to Wien, Boss?” Regina glanced at the rearview mirror, vexed by the couple’s public display of affection.
“No, we’re eating at your place.”
“Huh? You’re actually going?”
Regina shuddered, worried that Wayne would run his mouth at her home. She knew her boss well. The man lied as easily as he breathed, and he might just turn the meal into a meeting with the in-laws.
“The Church of Nature has cut ties with Prussia completely. As District Priest, your father could suffer the consequences. I’m heading to your place to save your family. You should be thanking me!”
“No offense, Boss, but what are you going to say when you see my father?”
“The delivery went smoothly. Our child is healthy in Londan.”
“...”
I knew it.
***
Chancellery of the New Reich.
Führer Hidler had invited a few leaders of the empire to join him in the dining hall in the chancellery. He seemed to be in a good mood, his lips curling up.
After the meal, they headed to the study. Hidler marked on the world map with a pencil. Vice Chancellor Rudolf passed the documents on the desk to the other higher-ups for their viewing.
“My Führer, the information on Mechanical Augmentation has been taken by the demon lords of Hell as you planned, and three other angels have acquired the precious information,” Rudolf said with a smile. “In no time, mechanical evolution will emerge in Hell and the Papal State. The war will spread from the human world to Hell.”
Though the results differed a little from their expectations, and accidents had happened, the plan was ultimately a success.
In a good mood, Hidler slowly laid down his pencil and said in agreement, “The war has begun, and the knight is unstoppable. Once the war spreads across the human world and Hell, the knight’s power will reach an unprecedented height, and the entire world will be reborn.”
The group celebrated the development.
Hidler calmed them with a gesture, pointing at the map, “Mechanical Augmentation cannot join the battle any time soon. This defense line is blocking the empire’s tanks. How’s the flanking operation?”
“The distraction has drawn the allied forces of Franc and Windsor. We only have to launch a collective attack in May according to plan, and we’ll bisect Franc. In no time, you’ll be appreciating the magnificent view of the Palis Tower.”
“Even without Mechanical Augmentation, the empire’s tanks are unstoppable!”
They smiled at the impenetrable defense line on the map, approving of the overall strategy.
Hidler put a cross on Palis and shifted his gaze to Londan, across the sea. “It’s going too well,” he said with a frown. “I’m worried that Windsor will surrender, which will be detrimental to the spread of the war. If necessary, we’ll have to make a few elementary mistakes.”
He then looked at the Rus Federation, sitting in the north of the Chosen Land. “When the battle with Windsor reaches a stalemate, start another war on a second front. We must not allow the fire of war to stop burning. The entire world has to get involved. Do you understand?”
Everyone nodded.
Hidler looked at the overall map, glancing at the Papal State—or more precisely, Enoria, which surrounded the Papal State. “How’s our ally? Have they broken free of the Papal State’s control?”
“No, the government remains weak and hopeless. They cannot wage war against Franc yet.”
“Führer, we don’t need Enoria. Prussia alone can conquer the world.”
“No, I’m not aiming for conquest...”
“But war!”
***
Headquarters of Church of Nature, Wien, capital of Ostarrichi.
The delegation of the Church of Darkness had not left the Church of Nature. After conserving his strength for a few days, Wayne turned in two satisfactory performances.
Just like before, Darkness Knight Vichy served as a dutiful guard.
Vichy wasn’t mentally well. Based on her observation, her current supervisor, Wayne, had an unusual relationship with her previous supervisor, the Goddess of Darkness. To lift his status, the goddess had abandoned Solsknar, who was very likely to become Her subordinate god.
Yet Wayne had been messing around behind closed doors, making the Goddess of Darkness green like the Goddess of Nature.
Thinking back, hadn’t her previous supervisor transferred her to her current supervisor for a similar reason...? She didn’t understand why. It would be absurd if this were gods’ nature.
Inside, Wayne confidently said to Senna, “That’s how it is. I’ve given you the newly acquired Laws. It’s inside you. Study it, but don’t draw attention. This thing evolves on its own. You should keep it under control.”
‘Control’ wasn’t part of Senna’s vocabulary, and she rarely showed any reservation. As she went through the information, though, she found no appeal. She still preferred the power of Life.
“Have you found out why angels have reincarnated in the human world from that angel?” she asked curiously.
“Yeah.” Wayne nodded. He could do a lot in thirty seconds.
“Why did the reincarnated angels descend? To destroy demons, or to stop the Gates of Hell from opening?”
Anastasia stopped what she was doing with her mouth, looking up at Wayne.
“Stopping the gates from opening is only part of it,” Wayne said. “There is a demigod who can prophesize the future in Heaven...”
He glanced at the door. In case the soundproofing barrier that Vichy created worked just like Megan’s, applying only to others and not herself, he told Senna and Anastasia the truth through his thoughts.
“Tsk—”
“Really? The Anointed One has descended. The Heavenly Father has left a descendant in the human world?”
“That’s what Hestia said. I don’t think it’s likely. After all, the prophecy could be interpreted in many ways. I’m more inclined to believe that the Heavenly Father has never left, and He’s been paying attention to the Chosen Land...”
Wayne narrowed his eyes. Judging by how wary the goddess had been of the Chosen Land, the theory that the Heavenly Father had always been around was more likely. As for the Anointed One’s descent, it wasn’t impossible. He would ask Hesione once he was in Londan. This time, he would not stop until she talked.
“If there is an Anointed One, and he’s returning to Heaven, could the angels really accept it?” Senna smothered a smile. The Seven Sacred Virtues could fool the followers, but not a heretic like her. She would bet that Heaven was already in chaos. Perhaps they were already split into different factions.
“You never stop wishing for chaos,” Wayne reprimanded, slapping her on the bottom.
Senna moved to Anastasia’s side, retorting, “While the Heavenly Father is away from Heaven, the four Śārim have been exercising His divine power. Power corrupts people, and angels should be no exception. I look forward to seeing the Anointed One going to Heaven but receiving the rejection of a third of the angels. Under the leadership of one of the Śārim, he’ll be banished to Hell.”
What a familiar story. I think I’ve heard it somewhere.
Wayne looked down at Senna in resignation. “Watch your mouth. If that really happens, it would be my fault for not shutting you up before you could jinx the Anointed One.”
Though he said that, he did believe Senna might have the right idea. He had another topic to talk to Hesione about. Once he was back home, he would confront her and ask about the organization framework in Heaven. For example, was there a nominal second in command in Heaven?
“Prussia has lost demons and Mechanical Augmentation, making the churches’ jobs easier. Once I’m done cleaning up the mess, let’s get rid of all the defiant ones...”
Senna glanced at Anastasia, silently cursing at her. “I’ll visit Windsor as the Pope. I hope Your Highness the Prince will welcome me in person then.”
“Of course,” Wayne said gleefully. “Then I’ll have Your Holiness the Pope massage my master’s legs. She’s had a lot of bottled-up grievances for you.”
Mission accomplished for this visit. It was time to return to Londan to recover his energy!
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