In the name of the true god

To safely relocate the "heresy," the church was able to temporarily dispatch dozens of priests to provide assistance.

Given the severe shortage of manpower, it was already a good thing that the church didn't transfer people out of the prison, let alone send ten more priests to be stationed in the prison long-term.

therefore.

From this perspective, sending only ten priests doesn't seem like a preparation to relocate the "heretics," nor does it seem like an intention to stay there long-term.

So, setting aside these two possibilities, where else in the prison would a priest's intervention be necessary?

No more.

The only connection between the Royal Capital Heavy Prison and the Holy Church is the thirty-nine implicated wizards and resonance sorcerers imprisoned in the Heretic Ward.

All the movements that the Holy Church has made in the past regarding the heavy prisons in the capital have essentially revolved around these imprisoned "heretics".

If even the concepts of "relocation" and "long-term stationing" have logical flaws, then other assumptions are naturally even less plausible.

"There are two main contradictions right now," Jude summarized the available information. "First, the Holy Church's mobilization is very high-profile, but the higher-ups who know about the plan are keeping it a secret. Second, only ten priests have been transferred, which is neither enough to stay for a long time nor to ensure the safety of the transfer. They are in a limbo, practically useless."

"What exactly are they plotting..." Allen racked his brains, trying to figure it out.

President Frost sat back on the sofa with his arms crossed, offering no further comment.

Jude tried to reconcile the contradictions by applying his various conjectures to the existing information.

Time keeps passing.

Before I knew it, it was already seven o'clock in the evening.

As the start of the workday approached, Jude, after much contemplation, finally came up with a bold conjecture.

What if the Holy Church sent ten priests here not to stay long-term, nor to relocate "heresy," but rather to "put on a show"?

They learned that a high-ranking "heretic" was lurking near the capital's heavy prison.

At the same time, they were also unable to persuade His Majesty Leonard to transfer the thirty-nine "heretics" from prison.

So, how should we eliminate that "major threat" from outside?

"Is it possible that the Holy Church deliberately sent ten priests in a high-profile manner to attract your attention?" Jude looked at President Frost, "and then pretended to transfer the 'heretics' from prison, forcing you to show yourself and rescue them?"

"You mean, all that trouble they've gone through is actually aimed at me?" President Frost narrowed his eyes.

"If that's the case, then all the problems can be explained." The more Jude thought about it, the more convinced he became that this was the truth.

The priest's high-profile arrival was a deliberate attempt to avoid being overlooked by Frost, who was lurking near the prison.

The prison leadership's refusal to discuss the details of the plan indicates their inability to reveal the true purpose of this action.

As for why only ten priests came...

We should feign weakness to the enemy!

If dozens of priests were actually brought in to cooperate with the seven priests already stationed in the prison in carrying out a "fake transfer," then with such a large-scale operation, even if Chairman Frost wanted to save them, he wouldn't be foolish enough to actually throw himself into the fire and seek his own death.

There are only ten priests, which is neither too many nor too few, and the chairman, Frost, might not be able to resist taking action!

"Indeed..." Allen went through the process carefully, then said excitedly, "Only this way can all the problems be explained!"

"You're very smart." President Frost looked at Jude with admiration in his eyes.

"I just went through all the possibilities." Jude was more relieved that he had gleaned the most crucial information from his brother Connor's few words.

If they hadn't denied that these ten priests were there to divert 'heresy', they might have truly fallen into the trap carefully laid by the Holy Church.

Thinking of this.

A slight sense of lingering fear welled up in Jude's heart.

This was the first time since arriving in this other world that he felt so clearly that every step he took determined the life and death of many people.

Without realizing it, his shoulders felt heavier.

"President," Allen inquired about the upcoming plans, "what are we going to do?"

"I need to go to the city and find a lone priest," President Frost quickly came up with an idea.

"You want to..." Jude could roughly guess what Chairman Frost was thinking.

"By showing up elsewhere, we can lessen the church's suspicion to some extent. Otherwise, they will be convinced that there is a high-ranking 'heretic' lurking near the prison and that this 'heretic' is planning a prison break. Even if we fail this time, they will still increase the prison's security, which will not be conducive to our subsequent rescue operation."

really.

President Frost was trying to divert the attention of the Holy Church.

If one can make their whereabouts as elusive as possible, the church's claim that "a high-ranking heretic is lurking near the prison" will fall apart on its own.

"clear."

"clear."

Jude and Allen had no objections.

"It's getting late, you should go back to work." President Frost stood up. "Also, we need to keep a close eye on the newly arrived priests in the prison. If they make any unusual moves, let me know immediately."

"How should I inform you?" Jude understood that the Descent of the Gods used a one-way communication system, but he still felt that he was being too passive by simply waiting for the chairman to come to him.

"If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be drinking at the Sorel Tavern in the suburbs every night at eight o'clock."

"Understood."

"Oh, right," Guild Master Frost recalled something, "I heard from Allen that you've officially been promoted to a first-tier Resonance Mage?"

Jude nodded: "Yes, it is possible to temporarily possess a dog's sense of smell through resonance."

"In a while, I will personally teach you how to advance to the second tier as quickly as possible." Guild Master Frost was slightly amazed by Jude's speed and decided to strengthen his training.

"thank you."

"fine."

President Frost went out first, but headed towards the apartment rooftop.

"We need to hurry," Allen urged, noticing the clock in the living room showed 7:12.

"Wait a minute, I'll go open the window to let some air out." Jude returned to the bedroom, stuffed the Möbius strip ring hidden in the corner into his pocket, and then quickly went downstairs with Allen to drive back to the prison.

By the time they had changed their clothes in the temporary rest room for prison guards in the regular prison building, it was exactly 7:30.

After lining up and taking attendance.

The two were assigned to the same watchtower as usual.

"It's a pity I didn't have time to have dinner," Allen said regretfully, rubbing his stomach.

Jude pulled two hard candies from his pocket and handed them over: "This will have to do."

"Fruit candy? I haven't had it in ages..." Alan tore open the packaging and popped two candies into his mouth at once.

Jude also took a sip: "You'll keep watch for the first half of the night, and I'll keep watch for the second half?"

Allen mumbled, "The disciplinary team comes too often; they definitely aren't getting enough rest."

"I'll rest for as long as I can." Jude did this naturally in preparation for entering the mysterious space in the latter half of the night.

"Okay," Allen said, no longer refusing.