Chapter 68: List

After that, Levi quickly evacuated the underground cemetery with Katie, then regrouped with the other two, and returned to MI7 to report.

“So, you’re certain that Bishop Raphael is the one behind all this?”

The Old Butler stared at Levi with a stern expression and asked, while Levi nodded.

“That’s right.

Katie confirmed his accent, and this guy also had the features listed in the wanted notice I wrote earlier.

It can’t be wrong, it’s him.”

“Then what do they want with the Imperial Bridge?”

The Old Butler narrowed his eyes, staring at the exquisite model before him — by the way, this thing was quite heavy, and aside from Katie, it wasn’t easy for anyone else to move it.

“Based on my experience, they probably want to do the same as before — using the Imperial Bridge as their target, spreading some sort of rumor, and then turning it into reality.”

“That possibility is very high.”

The Old Butler nodded.

“The reconstruction of the Imperial Bridge is a key project.

If any problem arises, the consequences would be unimaginable.

But the government is also very concerned with the work, and there are always personnel on-site guarding it.

I don’t think they’ll be able to do much to the Imperial Bridge……… I’ll investigate and see if there are any rumors or stories circulating about it.”

“And about this Bishop Raphael, I want you to find out when he came to the Empire, then compare it with the time Professor Franz entered Shuo Academy. I suspect that may be another identity of his.”

“I understand. Your investigation this time went well. Anthony also found some evidence. It seems that the Holy Lord Church is indeed connected with the events happening now.”

Levi had discovered that strange model in the basement, while Anthony had found letters in the upstairs office between the Church’s priests and bishops, specifically mentioning Doctor Doolittle, Madam Durex, and Betty.

Although these letters weren’t enough to convict, at least they proved the church itself was aware.

“So, what should we do next?”

At that time in the basement, Levi hadn’t immediately taken action to eliminate the enemy.

One reason was that they were outnumbered, and another was that he wasn’t sure whether Bishop Raphael possessed some mysterious powers.

To be honest, when you’re dealing with someone who could kill from afar through mirrors, or manipulate the resurrected dead, caution absolutely came first.

And with Levi’s identity, he wasn’t suited to take such drastic preemptive measures.

Although many said arrests required evidence, while counter-terrorism only needed a list, that was based on trust.

MI7 was still a newly established organization, and if its members killed on their own initiative, the problems it would cause would be enormous.

If Levi had been the head of MI7, then killing would’ve been one thing.

But he was, at best, a partner of MI7.

There was no need to risk himself just for it.

Besides, if the sky fell, the Queen would be the one to bear it.

As for arrests……… just him and Katie, how many could they really capture?

Wasn’t it better to report back to the authorities?

Counter-terrorism needed lists, yes, but had anyone ever seen counter-terrorism done like Rambo, one against twenty?

Wasn’t two hundred against twenty better?

“Wait.”

“Wait?”

“I’ve already reported to the higher-ups, they should soon……………”

“Riiiiing—————!”

Before the Old Butler could finish, a sudden, urgent ringing of the telephone broke out.

He picked it up.

“Hello……… yes, yes……….”

The Old Butler nodded, then covered the receiver, turning to Levi.

“According to your guess, you think all church crypts might have similar things hidden?”

“Just a guess, no guarantee, no warranty.”

“Alright, I understand.”

The Old Butler answered calmly into the receiver.

“Proceed as planned.”

At this time, dawn had yet to break.

When Bishop Raphael dragged his sore body back to his residence, he felt like his whole frame was about to fall apart.

That damned bastard!

Shedding his robe, Bishop Raphael gasped for breath, sitting heavily on the bed, panting.

He hadn’t always been like this.

Once, Bishop Raphael had been a healthy, disciplined man.

He had a good physique, and placed great importance on exercise.

For the body was the most precious gift given to mankind by the Holy Lord.

It was only through the body that people could experience the world.

The body was the Holy Lord’s blessing, and required careful care, training, and preservation.

Thus, whenever Bishop Raphael saw those fat, bloated ones, or people who ruined themselves into some neither-human-nor-ghost state, he always looked on with disdain.

In his eyes, such people were disrespectful to the Holy Lord — not caring for their own bodies meant not revering Him.

But now………

He took off his gloves and looked at his hands, letting out a low whimper.

His palms were covered in red blotches, and his body beneath the robe was even more ravaged.

And those were only the visible parts — where unseen, it was far worse!

Each trip to the toilet was nothing short of torture for Bishop Raphael.

A few times, the pain had been so great he almost wished to end it all.

If not for the doctrine forbidding suicide, and his own firm willpower, plus medicine to ease the pain, Bishop Raphael would have……… would have already done that.

But for him, the physical pain was secondary — what was harder to endure was the torment of the mind!

Where once he had been utterly indifferent toward women, now Bishop Raphael found himself standing at the window, and whenever he saw a woman pass outside, he couldn’t help but stare.

It wasn’t that he desired them, but rather, he involuntarily thought: if he wore those clothes, how would he look?

And whenever he saw the strong bodies of the attendants and priests in the church, his heart would throb with an unfamiliar stirring, as though he wished to throw himself into those broad chests, cheek to cheek, basking in their steadfast faith………

No, impossible!

Bishop Raphael shivered.

He knew he had never been like this before.

But recently, the looks others gave him had grown stranger and stranger.

Surely, they didn’t actually think he had such tastes?

And all of this was because of that damned wanted notice!

Bishop Raphael didn’t know if the other party had done it deliberately, or just by accident, but this wanted notice had indeed inflicted both physical and psychological torment upon him.

Still……… this was but a trial.

The evil deeds of heretics could not shake his faith in the Holy Lord! His body, his soul belonged only to Him — only the Holy Lord could possess his all………

Bishop Raphael thought, gradually sinking into a daze.

“Dong—dong—”

Just then, the bells rang.

Bishop Raphael returned to his senses, changed into a fresh robe, stuffed a sachet inside to cover his body’s stench, then left his room.

Entering the church, he saw the attendants and priests already cleaning, preparing for a new day’s worship.

As the bishop, he too had preparations to make.

“Knock knock knock.”

However, just as they were preparing, the doors suddenly burst open.

A group of heavily armed soldiers marched inside.

They wore red coats, black trousers, steam rifles in hand, and tall hats on their heads.

At this sight, a cold glint flashed in Bishop Raphael’s eyes.

The Royal Guard! A special force directly under the Crown!

“Bishop Raphael Damian?”

The leader stepped forward, staring at Raphael as he asked.

The latter nodded.

“This is the sacred church of the Holy Lord. What business have you here!?”

“Intelligence indicates you are connected with several recent incidents in Mist City. Please cooperate with our investigation.”

Saying this, the man waved his hand.

“Arrest everyone!”

At his command, the soldiers quickly moved, seizing people.

The priests and attendants, unaccustomed to such scenes, were bewildered, not knowing what to do.

And at this sight, Bishop Raphael’s eyes widened in shock.

He hadn’t expected them to play this card!

If it had been the police, he could’ve rejected them on grounds of no search warrant.

But the Royal Guard — that was a different matter.

As the saying went, investigating needed evidence, counter-terrorism only needed a list!

If the Royal Guard had a list, no one could refuse!

Submit meekly?

Bishop Raphael hesitated.

If they had tracked him down, it meant they might have discovered something — but it was also possible they hadn’t.

The Queen’s position toward the Holy Lord Church was well-known.

Were they just using this as an excuse?

Was this a warning to others, or had they truly uncovered something?

As he wavered, the leader stretched out his hand toward him.

And almost at the same moment, Bishop Raphael’s heart gave a jolt, and he instinctively thrust out his own hand, pushing at the man!

Though Bishop Raphael wasn’t old, he wasn’t young either, and no match for the strong Royal Guards.

Yet when his hand struck, the man flew back like a cannonball, crashing against the wall before crumpling to the ground.

At once, the chaotic church fell into silence.

All eyes stared wide at Bishop Raphael — while he himself stared at his own hands.

At this moment, he felt it: his strength.

Unprecedented, overwhelming power!

This was the power bestowed by the Holy Lord!

Bishop Raphael turned his gaze to the All-Seeing Eye emblem behind him.

At this instant, he understood!

This was power granted by the Holy Lord, given to him for the purpose of defending this church, this sanctuary!

“Get out! Heretics!”

Bishop Raphael turned back to the Royal Guard, now standing tall with fury and majesty.

“This is the Holy Lord’s sanctuary! Not a place for you heretics to run rampant!”

“Fire!”

The Royal Guard were not police.

They did not bargain or exchange words.

Since the target resisted arrest and attacked the Guard, he was a felon.

Open fire immediately!

Quickly, several soldiers raised their steam rifles, aimed at Bishop Raphael, and pulled the triggers.

“Bang bang bang!!!”

The steam-powered rifles unleashed a storm of bullets, tearing through Raphael’s robes as they struck his body.

Ordinarily, anyone struck by such a barrage would be dead.

Yet Bishop Raphael stood firm before the pulpit, motionless, letting the bullets rain upon him!

Then, an astonishing sight occurred.

Where the bullets struck his body, what sprayed out was not blood — but pure white feathers!

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