Scientific Wizard

"Not let this criminal off like that? Lord Losak?"

After Cody departed, Bishop Nord couldn't help but inquire, "Count Joyce, with the tragic loss of over ten thousand outside the city, William is also partly responsible."

"We have more pressing matters at hand now, Bishop Nord. As for William's crimes, we can settle them after dealing with those wizards' executions," Losak casually replied.

The remaining priests inside the church discussed the information they had just heard.

The information Cody revealed was staggering. No one had anticipated that the mining slave's uprising would involve the territory of the wizards—the headquarters of those cultists of the Dark Gods.

Capturing this group successfully would undoubtedly be a significant achievement, but it also meant the situation was entirely out of their control.

Especially upon hearing the possibility of facing two grand wizards, many suggested an immediate report, seeking aid from the Empire and the Holy See.

However, Losak shook his head; time was already too short.

From Cody's memories, he saw that the Second Prince, Hatar, was preparing to execute his plan for usurping power within the next two days. He had even gathered a large number of nobles within the capital.

If the opponent succeeded, the Empire would likely face a civil war.

This was undoubtedly what those wizards most wanted to see. In this scenario, the Holy See's attention would shift away from the Misty Sea, forced to focus on quelling this rebellion.

However, facing two grand wizards, Losak dared not claim full certainty in defeating them.

Their only option now was to use the sacred relics stored within the Church.

***

On the other hand, Cody, leaving the church, rode a carriage straight back to William's castle, led by Mart, feeling anxious.

Originally, William tasked him with disclosing some information about the wizards to establish initial trust and then decide whether to reveal more, depending on the Archbishop's reaction.

Now, Cody had established a certain level of 'trust' with the Archbishop, inadvertently divulging much information that shouldn't have been revealed, especially about William's decades-long assistance in transporting supplies for the wizards.

Cody could imagine the punishment he would face.

Even though it was coerced under the power of divine magic, given William's disposition, he wouldn't care. Success or failure in the task.

Thinking of this, Cody couldn't help but shiver.

In reality, he didn't particularly support William's hostility towards wizards. After inviting Laut to negotiate at the estate, they reached a new cooperation agreement. The wizards were even willing to compromise, shifting the benefits to a 50-50 split.

However, in William's eyes, this was the weakness of the wizards, unable to confront the symbol of the Church, firmly siding with Prince Harold and the Church.

Unfortunately, the disastrous defeat in the southern campaign of the kingdom indicated that those wizards might not be as weak as William imagined.

"Mart, where are Luke and Lyde? I haven't seen them at the estate recently," Cody asked strangely as they headed towards the castle's underground.

Mart's gaze flickered as he chuckled and replied, "They've been sent by the Lord to various parts of the kingdom to rally support for Prince Harold. We've been quite busy lately. Otherwise, you might not have had the chance to meet Lord Losak."

"I'd rather switch our jobs." Cody said with a bitter smile. That Archbishop was terrifying; in front of him, it felt like everything was transparent.

Cody didn't doubt Mart's explanation. After all, since Rickman's death, William had become the staunchest supporter of Prince Harold, handling many issues and monitoring those dangerous wizards. Their job wasn't easier than his.

Soon, they passed through heavy security and reached the depths of the dungeon, where William sat on the Iron Throne.

Without hesitation, Cody knelt down, not daring to hide anything, recounting everything that happened in the church.

As expected, William's face turned grim. The rage and fear in his eyes were almost palpable.

"Is this what you assured me of without fail?" William's tone was chilling, like a sharp blade. His excessively obese body trembled as he stood up from his seat, akin to a towering mountain, eyes flashing like lightning.

Cody bowed his head to the floor, trembling, not daring to speak. Soon, a muffled sound reached his ears—the sound of a glass goblet being crushed.

Just as Cody thought his life was in danger, William suddenly suppressed his anger and spoke in an icy tone.

"Take him down for now."

Several attendants immediately dragged Cody out, leaving only Mart in the room.

At this moment, William or rather, his doppelganger, Dorarl, changed from a ferocious appearance to a kneeling posture. Similarly, Mart followed suit.

Laut entered the room from behind the curtain, but it was evident that the obeisance wasn't to him but to the figure that had appeared in the secret chamber.

"Lord Lynn..." Dorarl, dragging his fat body, looked eager to explain, but Lynn was the first to speak, praising them.

"Well done, Dorarl. You did well this time."

Doral was bewildered for a moment. After all, Cody had revealed quite a bit of information about the wizards, and here was Lord Lynn praising him instead.

Mart's face showed a thoughtful expression.

Looking at the confused Dorarl, Laut sneered and said, "Idiot, do you think Lord Lynn wants to deceive an Archbishop who possesses divine magic with lies?"

If one wants to lure someone in, the bait must be authentic.

As a psychic, Lynn understood methods of probing and altering memories, so how could he not be cautious?

Since divine magic and magic are closely related, there might be similar methods. In front of an Archbishop, even lies or memory alterations could be discovered, especially before the church's statues.

So Lynn's strategy was straightforward—tell only the truth.

As long as it's not a lie, it won't be detected.

The method wasn't complicated. Continue William's previous plan and keep a trusted confidant, who knows part of the truth, to go to the Holy See and explain what he knows to Archbishop Losak.