I find it very sacred to pick someone up and make them a saint.

"My lord, I must ask you, what kind of cult is so powerful that even the law enforcement officers cannot handle it, requiring the Imperial Knights to deal with it?"

Neuer's tone remained respectful.

Mien said slowly:

"It's not that the law enforcement officers are incapable of handling it, but that the Academy of Scholars has not yet ascertained their exact strength, and our strength is insufficient to investigate further."

As the report states, the seriousness of this matter is unprecedented, and I cannot guarantee that law enforcement officers can resolve it easily; only the deployment of the Knights can ensure absolute success.

Neuer frowned in thought, then picked up the investigation report and began to read it.

Mien neither pressured nor disturbed her, but stood quietly to the side waiting for her answer.

The details in the text shook her resolve.

But soon, her eyes hardened again.

Her years of military service left her no room for hesitation, and she made a swift and decisive decision.

"I can only lend you the power of the enforcers; this is by no means the duty of the Knights."

She placed the report on the table:

"Moreover, an old general once taught me something: 'To secure internal stability, one must first defend against external threats.' Soldiers should naturally focus their energy on military matters! Please forgive me, Chief Mien."

"No need to apologize, Countess." Mien wasn't surprised; instead, she smiled gently.

"In that case, much help has already been provided, and on behalf of the Academy, I thank the City of Valgon for its contributions."

Hearing these words, Neuer felt a strange sense of shame.

After the two bowed and said goodbye, Mien got up and prepared to leave with Phyllis.

"Wait, Chief Mien," Neuer called out to Mien, "You forgot to take this token."

"No need, Miss Knight," Mien said with a smile, waving her hand.

"If we don't use command tokens, it's a problem we'll handle together, and it'll be easier for you to write event reports later."

After saying that, he left.

"Um... okay," Neuer replied, completely unaware of the meaning behind his words.

However, she vaguely sensed Mien's goodwill, and in addition to admiration and gratitude, she felt a touch of warmth.

…………

Mien took Phyllis away from the luxurious manor.

"Phyllis, Count Neuer has agreed to assist our law enforcement officers. If needed, you can directly contact them for cooperation."

However, for now, the focus is still on control, understand?

Phyllis nodded admiringly: "Understood, sir."

"Now let's investigate those five sacrificial arrays thoroughly."

Walking back from the manor into the familiar streets, amidst the comings and goings of people, Mien and Phyllis saw many researchers openly conducting their investigations.

They are going into people's homes, talking to them up close, and asking them questions with respect.

Mien heard them ask many questions he already knew, but in order to pretend he was a newcomer, he still patiently communicated with them.

However, the people were somewhat wary, their faces displaying a stiff, ambiguous smile.

Phyllis shrugged helplessly: "I guess they're all seeing scholars from the Temple Academy for the first time and subconsciously assumed they were nobles."

Mien nodded; that was exactly what he had in mind.

The two walked through the streets and alleys to the first magic array foundation not far away—an abandoned factory.

Walking halfway up a wild mountain, my gaze passed through the weeds and wild trees, and this vast community came into view.

The city-state lay nestled in the valleys and plains, its fields woven into a tapestry of varying shades of green, with vineyards spreading along the gentle slopes.

"Phyllis, what do you think of the view here?" Mien asked, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Great."

Phyllis didn't know why Mien suddenly asked this unfounded question, but she felt relaxed and carefree. She kicked a pebble away, causing her short robe to flutter and revealing her bare, long legs.

"So what do you think of this location for the saintess ascension ceremony?"

"Hmm, not bad," Phyllis replied with a smile.

"Huh?! What? The location of the Saintess Ascension Ceremony??"

Turning his head, he saw Mi En's calm smile and knew he wasn't joking.

"But..." Phyllis looked down, her expression worried, "This place is being harmed by the cult, and we don't know what will happen then."

If it's a promotion ceremony, but many high-ranking officials will be attending—nobles, generals, and the Pope…is that really appropriate?”

Mien's gaze was deep as he said softly, "That's precisely why I wanted to place the location here."

Phyllis quickly sorted through the information with her brilliant mind.

This is Mien's plan:

Since neither side is willing to resolve the problem, let's just put the problem in their faces and see if they'll resolve it or not.

They would even rush to solve the problem in front of others.

"But..." Phyllis murmured.

"That's the ascension ceremony for a saintess; is this place appropriate?"

Looking at the impoverished and desolate city-state of Valgon, it's truly hard to associate it with the "Ascension Ceremony of the Holy Maiden of Light".

"The question is, will they agree...?"

"That's easy," Mien smiled. "Don't worry."

Who is he? He is the chief scholar of the Imperial Academy.

To put it another way, he was the Minister of Rites of the Cassir Empire!

If needed, he could find a thousand absolutely correct reasons.

Explain why choosing this location aligns with the rituals of the Holy See, why it best suits the flow of energy at this location, why it resonates with the sacred traditions of the Empire, and why it aligns with the opportune moment, the right place, and the right people...

Questioning? Debating? If you disagree, come and debate!

"So, Phyllis, do you understand the main task here?"

Phyllis had worked under Mien for many years and quickly understood what he meant, nodding with her hand on her chin.

The logic is roughly clear: all I need to do is one word: "delay"!

Delay, that's all.

It was delayed until it was time for it to happen.

They might even detonate it when needed.

Thinking about this, Phyllis felt a growing sense of unease. She considered the seriousness of the matter and how many people it might involve…

Even the serious consequences that might result from unforeseen events...

But after a moment, she nodded resolutely. She understood that Mien had entrusted her with an extremely important task, and answered loudly:

"I will definitely handle it, sir!"

Seeing Phyllis's serious expression, Mien smiled and said, "I'll send you the detailed arrangements in a few days. Don't be nervous, you'll definitely be able to handle it."

"Relax." Mien patted Phyllis's shoulder lightly and walked forward.

"Before that, we need to investigate these interesting magic circles thoroughly."

…………

A solitary abandoned factory blends into the surrounding weeds and rocks.

The exterior walls are mottled gray stone and smoked bricks. The once neat wall surface is now covered with cracks, and withered yellow weeds are sprouting from the cracks. The wind blows through the chimneys with a low whistling sound.

Three or four gang members were sitting at the entrance, playing cards and shouting insults on a huge rock.

Mien and Phyllis were observing from a nearby slope.

Phyllis used her magic to investigate, but Okumien shook his head: They were all powerless street thugs, any Saint Chapter Scholar could easily kill them.

There was no one else inside.

A badge on Mien's scholar's robe flashed again.

【Life Concealment】Effect: Conceals the life force and all energy fluctuations of multiple people.

Together with Phyllis and the scholar, they disappeared from sight and entered the abandoned factory.