Envoy

Holy Mary, welcome.

You don't have to be so formal. Her Holiness tasked me with solving the problem here as soon as possible. How is the situation now?

It is as you've been informed. The village here was hit by an unpredicted Calamity a week ago, so it is in severe chaos.

When we arrived here after receiving reports, it was already in chaos. Houses were destroyed, people were fleeing everywhere, and there was no way to recover the village.

...I see. There is still something we can do. First, let's start with clearing away the nearby Crystal Monsters.

Yes, Your Holiness. We shall set out right away.

Eek! It's a Crystal Monster! S-Somebody help me!

An emergency! Everyone, join me in saving the people!

Phew, that took care of it. You're not badly hurt, are you?

I-I'm alright... Y-Your clothes... Could you be... Oh, thank you, Holy Lady!

Ah, it looks like your arm has some scratches... Okay, it should be healed now. Are there more people who need healing?

Holy Lady, I have some companions in the ruins on the other side. They are injured and cannot move, so they can only lie there...

Looks like there really aren't enough people to help. It's alright, please lead me there.

Ugh... My leg...

Holy Lady, they need healing!

There are quite a few of them... Okay, I'll use area healing magic here.

Oh! The pain disappeared!

It's good that everyone's okay. But why are there so many injured people here...? Where are the healthy ones?

Your Holiness, the situation here is rather complicated. It's best if I explain it to you.

From how you're dressed, you should be the priest who belongs to this village, right? You don't need to be specially honored, just treat me as an equal.

Your Holiness... You are very kind. However, the problem here is something that only a person of your rank in Church can solve.

As you see, the village here was hit by a Calamity, and this was not in the Church's prophecy. And as a result, we were not prepared for it at all.

...On behalf of the Church, I would like to express our regret to you and the other believers.

Ah, you don't have to. The Calamity brought us damage, but it's what happened after that has brought us to these dire straits.

Some villagers betrayed us and robbed us of the relief supplies in the Church storage. They denounced the Church publicly, accusing us of not providing a timely prophecy, and not caring if they lived or died.

But...

I will not be swayed, naturally. It's just that those villagers seem to have something telling them what to do, and to lead them in organized and planned efforts to loot supplies and create trouble.

In other words, someone is deliberately manipulating the situation to turn people against the Church?

Yes, that is my guess. I've discovered traces of their activity nearby. May I request that you investigate this matter?

I understand. Please tell me the details.

This is the place I discovered... There are people patrolling around too.

You don't have to take part, just leave it to me. They were part of our congregation before, so I will not be harsh.

Who goes there?!

I am Vivi, the one who has inherited the name of Holy Mary, and I have come with my men on behalf of the Church.

Wha...! Hey! Guys, go tell the leader!

Sorry, I really don't want to use force on you guys at all, but I can't just stand by.

They'll be knocked out for at least a few hours. Okay, let's head inside.

This long passageway in the mountains is a surprise. From the patterns and materials used in the construction of this place, it is likely the Empire built this in its early days.

...Do you guys hear that sound?

It's... the sound of turning mechanism?! I know, this is the same kind of structure as the Church's Storehouse!

What?! In other words, we are intruders to this Storehouse, so the traps have been triggered!

Everyone, work together to get out of the trap!

I can't hear the mechanism anymore... Looks like we've reached the area behind the trap.

The enemy's base camp is ahead. Stay alert, and don't be distracted.

...So you came.

You're the village chief! So the leader of the rebellion is you?

Yes, I was the one who took the lead in encouraging people to join me in fighting the Church and finding their own way.

Why do something like this? Just speak to your fellow Church members and we will definitely lend a helping hand!

Hmph... A helping hand? If the Church had told us accurate information about when the Calamity would come from the start, we wouldn't have come to this!

My faith turned to ashes along with my house. Now, we just want to take our supplies for survival from the Church that kept the truth from us!

We do not intend to hide the Calamity, it's just... just...

It's useless to say more. Since you've found me, be prepared to face resistance!

...Please surrender.

I have blocked all your attacks. Please stop now!

No less... from the Holy Lady... But our aim was not to win against you just on our own strength.

Chief, the Echo Crystals are in position!

Good. It's just as ''that person'' has planned. Our lives shall be the price for you all to die here!

That person? Wait, what are you going to do...

Damn! They filled this cave with Echo Crystals that can be detonated! They're going to explode!

Defensive magic!

...The enemy has been wiped out. There are no survivors. Our men are unharmed thanks to your magic.

I...

(...Ugh, I was in such a hurry to cast the magic that I forgot to cover my position...)

Ouch... I got scratched by flying rocks from the explosion...

It's nothing serious. I'll just patch myself up. Best not waste other priests' time.

Vivi? I heard you're planning on withdrawing from this operation.

I'm sorry, right now, I... I cannot face those who have been hit by the Calamity.

I heard about the cave explosion incident. It's not your fault.

I represent the interests of the Church. What the Church failed to do is also equivalent to the sins that I carry.

...Alright. As for ''that person'' mentioned by the village chief, I have a feeling that it's no simple matter. I will investigate it further on your behalf.

Mm, thank you, Cardinal Guinevere.

If the enemy's intention was to shake the will of Her Holiness the Holy Mary, they've done it perfectly. And...

What is going on? Her Holiness' prophecies about the Calamities have been failing repeatedly.

Holy Lady, we will depart in a few minutes and start on the flight path to Augustine.

...Yes, thank you for your efforts.

Are you still bothered by the group of villagers from earlier? They have become people who lost God's favor. You don't have to mind them.

What?! Lost... God's favor? What does that mean?

Were you unaware? The pope said that all the prophecies she communicates in God's place only work for God's people.

Prophecies will not work for those who doubt the light of God and are not faithful to the Church. These people will be attacked by unknown Calamity because it is God's punishment.

...Was this really what Her Holiness Levia said?

Yes, Her Holiness the pope mentioned this during her preaching... Huh? Who are those people up ahead?

It's time! Detonate right here!

It's the same type of Echo Crystal as in the cave! And it's on our transport!

Damn, there's no time to escape!

Defensive magic!

Oh, nice explosion. But the Holy Lady sure is working hard. She actually used her own magic to block the shockwaves and keep the damned dogs of the Church from dying.

Are you all... from the village? Why are you attacking us?

We are of the same opinion as our village chief! We have no home now, so we will deal the Church a blow, even at the cost of our own lives!

Stop! I don't want to fight you guys!

Damn you... witch... (faints).

(...Why? How did they lose the faith they had held for so long so easily? The Church too... Do they plan to abandon their own believers?)

Holy Lady! Are you alright? I saw the magic light here and came over with reinforcements from the Church.

Nothing major for me, but the priests with me are seriously injured and need healing.

I got it. Who are these people lying on the ground?

...They are the villagers who oppose the Church.

Ah... I am so sorry that you have to encounter this, Holy Lady. Please spare their lives. Let them atone for their sins with hard labor.

...Priest, I would like to ask you something. Why have they turned against their own people so quickly? Why would they turn the suffering caused by the Calamity into hatred for the Church?

After the Calamity that was not told in prophecy, their fear of God disappeared. As a result, they let fear take control of their hearts and minds, breaking through to a new low they had not considered before.

But... Is punishment the only way to make them believe again in the Church, and in the power of God?

No, they will likely never believe in the Church again. Punishment is just to put a new fear in them in the name of God, as a warning to others.

I... Excuse me, I must return to Augustine. (What purpose did you have in concealing the sayings, pope?)

Holy Lady, there is a matter that requires your help.

The high-purity Echo Crystal is still missing four pieces, and we need someone like you, with large amounts of magic, to extract them from the mines.

I understand. Tell me the location of the closest mine.