Divine Pilgrimage

Miss Charlotte, have you made any other discoveries?

Well, a little.

It seems that many people here have taken a small amount of [Blissbite], but they're not aware of it themselves.

I have a bold guess, but...

But?

...I can't tell you. And I don't think you're interested in figuring it out yourself, right?

Christie's been looking into [Blissbite] for a while. You can ask her directly for a answer.

That's a compliment, given what happened to you today.

Thanks, I got it.

Miss Christie, can I ask you about the truth behind this incident?

Ask me?

Yeah. I tried asking Miss Charlotte, but as you said, she likes to keep everyone guessing.

She told me you'd give me a direct answer.

Anything else she said?

She mentioned that many people here seem to have taken a small amount of [Blissbite], but they don't even realize it.

They don't realize it?

Wait... that can't be... How could...

Miss Christie?

Could it be... the Church is the one smuggling [Blissbite]?

The Church?

In the Empire, everyone knows Victoria remains neutral, Campbell supports the Holy Lady, and Norman supports the Pope...

Botley is such a loyal supporter of the Church. How could they do this?

No, not just in Botley! But the Church wouldn't do this!

...But this is the only answer.

Are you okay?

I'm fine, I just didn't expect that the church has fallen this far nowadays.

Heath Norman, I have a question for you.

What do you want to ask?

Did the church use [Blissbite] on its worshipers?

What's she talking about? The church used [Blissbite] on the worshipers?

What a blasphemous accusation! Has she gone mad?

Miss Christie...

...You finally got it. I've been waiting for this moment for so long.

He admitted it?!

What's going on? What on earth is going on?!

Is it hard to understand?

[Blissbite] was originally a sedative used in early Case Modification surgeries. But because of its harmful effects, it was eventually phased out.

Given its low cost, it's no surprise the Church used it to calm the believers.

This is slander! You're blaspheming the Church!

Blaspheming the church? Me?

If I'm guilty of blasphemy, what about the bishops and missionaries who gave large doses of [Blissbite] to non-believers?

They're not trying to convert anyone, they're just making money off these drugs!

Tell me, what about these people?

You are blaspheming the Heavenly Voice!

Look at your pale faces. Are you angry at me, or did you just realize the peace you thought you had in the Church was a lie?

I don't understand. Since you know everything and are so dissatisfied with the Church, why did you insist on accusing me of bringing [Blissbite] before?

Because I am Heath Norman! Because Campbell belongs to the Holy Lady, Norman to the Pope, and Victoria remains neutral!

So you just stood there, watching your little brother fall... and die?

Yes, not only did I watch him die, but I also had to come up with a lame excuse for it.

Luth was a complete idiot! He should've died long ago!

You are wrong, Heath.

Lord Knox, where did I go wrong?

Please tell me, where did I go wrong!?

It was Luth who sought out the God Eaters, and it was the church that took him away because of their connection.

When the church decided to control Luth with drugs, what could I, a mere side branch of the Norman family, do?

Report it to the higher-ups? How could I trust they weren't behind it?

Tell the family? Would you really break from the Church for a waste like him?

What was I supposed to do? All I ever did was clean up his mess, again and again!

Lord Knox, now you know everything.

Tell me, what are you going to do next?

Go against the Church and support the God Eaters? Or side with the Holy Lady and Campbell?

Or are you going to confront Pope Levia about how she's running this country?

I understand your feelings, Heath.

But you should have trusted your family.

No use talking about it now, Lord Knox.

The only thing I want to know is, what are you going to do?

Actually, this isn't something the Norman family can decide alone.

It's none of your business!

You're right, but I can help.

How?

Building a bridge.

Bridge?

The claim that my connections span the entire continent is an exaggeration, but in the Empire, I do have some friends...

They might not be able to solve this directly, but with you, Lord Knox, things could change.

Your friends are...?

The matriarch of Victoria, Audrey, and the former Inquisitor, Nightingale.

Now all we need to do is wait.

With representatives of the three major noble families here, I believe we'll have a satisfactory outcome.

Maybe, but I'm not staying here any longer.

You are leaving?

Of course. She wasn't invited, after all.

For her, there's nothing worth waiting for, a collapsed faith?

...You with weak faith could never understand.

I don't need to. All I have to know is that the Empire's domestic situation is about to change after this meeting.

That's a lot of information to analyze.

As expected, I just can't bring myself to like you.

Likewise.

Thank you, Rosabelle. If it weren't for you, we might not have been able to wrap this up.

What would you have done, Knox, if I hadn't been there?

I don't know.

The Norman family has always been said to belong to the Pope, because we've long been devout believers.

But that may no longer be the case. We probably only belong to the Pope now because the matriarch of the Norman family, my sister, has been serving her.

But in a rare meeting with her this time, she told me to do whatever I want...

I can't fully grasp her implications, but now I'm certain that there's corruption within the church.

I won't support the God Eaters, because I can't betray my faith.

But I won't stand idly by either...

I know your feelings, Knox.

I believe you will make the right choice.

And I think your sister believes in you too.

Thank you, Rosabelle.

And what happened next?

What did Knox do?

I don't know either.

How could this be...

Because the stories I've told are true, and Knox's story hasn't reached its end.

Perhaps the Empire is in turmoil, and Knox is focused on doing what she believes is right.

When will we get the ending?

Be patient. After everything is over and the Empire is at peace...

You'll get the ending, and maybe even new stories about the power transition in the Empire.

Miss Rosabelle, I have a request.

Say it.

Can you bring me to the Dark Road in Bifrost?

I've been investigating [Blissbite] for a long time and know the church's supply comes from the Dark Road, but I've never been there myself.

I want to see that place with my own eyes, the one that keeps producing such sinful things.

No problem, I can take you to Bifrost.

And I hope you find what you're looking for.

Thank you. May the Heavenly Voice always bless you.

The blessing of the Heavenly Voice...

You don't believe in the Heavenly Voice?

I'm from Eastrise, so I don't know much about it.

It's okay, the Heavenly Voice looks after all of us evenly.

But what if the Heavenly Voice doesn't live up to that? Or if its representative, the Church, does something that disappoints you...

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend.

No, no, it's fine.

I know people may have different views, but I've always believed in the Heavenly Voice.

As for the Church, it's made up of people, and people make mistakes. Those are human errors, not the fault of the Heavenly Voice.

My faith will never waver.

Never waver...

The Empire is truly an magical place.

Miss Christie, can I ask you about the truth behind this incident?

Ask me?

Yeah. I tried asking Miss Charlotte, but as you said, she likes to keep everyone guessing.

She told me you'd give me a direct answer.

Anything else she said?

She mentioned that many people here seem to have taken a small amount of [Blissbite], but they don't even realize it.

They don't realize it?

Wait... that can't be... How could...

Miss Christie?

Could it be... the Church is the one smuggling [Blissbite]?

The Church?

In the Empire, everyone knows Victoria remains neutral, Campbell supports the Holy Lady, and Norman supports the Pope...

Botley is such a loyal supporter of the Church. How could they do this?

No, not just in Botley! But the Church wouldn't do this!

...But this is the only answer.

Are you okay?

I'm fine, I just didn't expect that the church has fallen this far nowadays.

Heath Norman, I have a question for you.

What do you want to ask?

Did the church use [Blissbite] on its worshipers?

What's she talking about? The church used [Blissbite] on the worshipers?

What a blasphemous accusation! Has she gone mad?

Miss Christie...

...You finally got it. I've been waiting for this moment for so long.

He admitted it?!

What's going on? What on earth is going on?!

Is it hard to understand?

[Blissbite] was originally a sedative used in early Case Modification surgeries. But because of its harmful effects, it was eventually phased out.

Given its low cost, it's no surprise the Church used it to calm the believers.

This is slander! You're blaspheming the Church!

Blaspheming the church? Me?

If I'm guilty of blasphemy, what about the bishops and missionaries who gave large doses of [Blissbite] to non-believers?

They're not trying to convert anyone, they're just making money off these drugs!

Tell me, what about these people?

You are blaspheming the Heavenly Voice!

Look at your pale faces. Are you angry at me, or did you just realize the peace you thought you had in the Church was a lie?

I don't understand. Since you know everything and are so dissatisfied with the Church, why did you insist on accusing me of bringing [Blissbite] before?

Because I am Heath Norman! Because Campbell belongs to the Holy Lady, Norman to the Pope, and Victoria remains neutral!

So you just stood there, watching your little brother fall... and die?

Yes, not only did I watch him die, but I also had to come up with a lame excuse for it.

Luth was a complete idiot! He should've died long ago!

You are wrong, Heath.

Lord Knox, where did I go wrong?

Please tell me, where did I go wrong!?

It was Luth who sought out the God Eaters, and it was the church that took him away because of their connection.

When the church decided to control Luth with drugs, what could I, a mere side branch of the Norman family, do?

Report it to the higher-ups? How could I trust they weren't behind it?

Tell the family? Would you really break from the Church for a waste like him?

What was I supposed to do? All I ever did was clean up his mess, again and again!

Lord Knox, now you know everything.

Tell me, what are you going to do next?

Go against the Church and support the God Eaters? Or side with the Holy Lady and Campbell?

Or are you going to confront Pope Levia about how she's running this country?

I understand your feelings, Heath.

But you should have trusted your family.

No use talking about it now, Lord Knox.

The only thing I want to know is, what are you going to do?

Actually, this isn't something the Norman family can decide alone.

It's none of your business!

You're right, but I can help.

How?

Building a bridge.

Bridge?

The claim that my connections span the entire continent is an exaggeration, but in the Empire, I do have some friends...

They might not be able to solve this directly, but with you, Lord Knox, things could change.

Your friends are...?

The matriarch of Victoria, Audrey, and the former Inquisitor, Nightingale.

Now all we need to do is wait.

With representatives of the three major noble families here, I believe we'll have a satisfactory outcome.

Maybe, but I'm not staying here any longer.

You are leaving?

Of course. She wasn't invited, after all.

For her, there's nothing worth waiting for, a collapsed faith?

...You with weak faith could never understand.

I don't need to. All I have to know is that the Empire's domestic situation is about to change after this meeting.

That's a lot of information to analyze.

As expected, I just can't bring myself to like you.

Likewise.

Thank you, Rosabelle. If it weren't for you, we might not have been able to wrap this up.

What would you have done, Knox, if I hadn't been there?

I don't know.

The Norman family has always been said to belong to the Pope, because we've long been devout believers.

But that may no longer be the case. We probably only belong to the Pope now because the matriarch of the Norman family, my sister, has been serving her.

But in a rare meeting with her this time, she told me to do whatever I want...

I can't fully grasp her implications, but now I'm certain that there's corruption within the church.

I won't support the God Eaters, because I can't betray my faith.

But I won't stand idly by either...

I know your feelings, Knox.

I believe you will make the right choice.

And I think your sister believes in you too.

Thank you, Rosabelle.

And what happened next?

What did Knox do?

I don't know either.

How could this be...

Because the stories I've told are true, and Knox's story hasn't reached its end.

Perhaps the Empire is in turmoil, and Knox is focused on doing what she believes is right.

When will we get the ending?

Be patient. After everything is over and the Empire is at peace...

You'll get the ending, and maybe even new stories about the power transition in the Empire.

Miss Rosabelle, I have a request.

Say it.

Can you bring me to the Dark Road in Bifrost?

I've been investigating [Blissbite] for a long time and know the church's supply comes from the Dark Road, but I've never been there myself.

I want to see that place with my own eyes, the one that keeps producing such sinful things.

No problem, I can take you to Bifrost.

And I hope you find what you're looking for.

Thank you. May the Heavenly Voice always bless you.

The blessing of the Heavenly Voice...

You don't believe in the Heavenly Voice?

I'm from Eastrise, so I don't know much about it.

It's okay, the Heavenly Voice looks after all of us evenly.

But what if the Heavenly Voice doesn't live up to that? Or if its representative, the Church, does something that disappoints you...

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend.

No, no, it's fine.

I know people may have different views, but I've always believed in the Heavenly Voice.

As for the Church, it's made up of people, and people make mistakes. Those are human errors, not the fault of the Heavenly Voice.

My faith will never waver.

Never waver...

The Empire is truly an magical place.

Heath Norman, I have a question for you.

What do you want to ask?

Did the church use [Blissbite] on its worshipers?

What's she talking about? The church used [Blissbite] on the worshipers?

What a blasphemous accusation! Has she gone mad?

Miss Christie...

...You finally got it. I've been waiting for this moment for so long.

He admitted it?!

What's going on? What on earth is going on?!

Is it hard to understand?

[Blissbite] was originally a sedative used in early Case Modification surgeries. But because of its harmful effects, it was eventually phased out.

Given its low cost, it's no surprise the Church used it to calm the believers.

This is slander! You're blaspheming the Church!

Blaspheming the church? Me?

If I'm guilty of blasphemy, what about the bishops and missionaries who gave large doses of [Blissbite] to non-believers?

They're not trying to convert anyone, they're just making money off these drugs!

Tell me, what about these people?

You are blaspheming the Heavenly Voice!

Look at your pale faces. Are you angry at me, or did you just realize the peace you thought you had in the Church was a lie?

I don't understand. Since you know everything and are so dissatisfied with the Church, why did you insist on accusing me of bringing [Blissbite] before?

Because I am Heath Norman! Because Campbell belongs to the Holy Lady, Norman to the Pope, and Victoria remains neutral!

So you just stood there, watching your little brother fall... and die?

Yes, not only did I watch him die, but I also had to come up with a lame excuse for it.

Luth was a complete idiot! He should've died long ago!

You are wrong, Heath.

Lord Knox, where did I go wrong?

Please tell me, where did I go wrong!?

It was Luth who sought out the God Eaters, and it was the church that took him away because of their connection.

When the church decided to control Luth with drugs, what could I, a mere side branch of the Norman family, do?

Report it to the higher-ups? How could I trust they weren't behind it?

Tell the family? Would you really break from the Church for a waste like him?

What was I supposed to do? All I ever did was clean up his mess, again and again!

Lord Knox, now you know everything.

Tell me, what are you going to do next?

Go against the Church and support the God Eaters? Or side with the Holy Lady and Campbell?

Or are you going to confront Pope Levia about how she's running this country?

I understand your feelings, Heath.

But you should have trusted your family.

No use talking about it now, Lord Knox.

The only thing I want to know is, what are you going to do?

Actually, this isn't something the Norman family can decide alone.

It's none of your business!

You're right, but I can help.

How?

Building a bridge.

Bridge?

The claim that my connections span the entire continent is an exaggeration, but in the Empire, I do have some friends...

They might not be able to solve this directly, but with you, Lord Knox, things could change.

Your friends are...?

The matriarch of Victoria, Audrey, and the former Inquisitor, Nightingale.

Now all we need to do is wait.

With representatives of the three major noble families here, I believe we'll have a satisfactory outcome.

Maybe, but I'm not staying here any longer.

You are leaving?

Of course. She wasn't invited, after all.

For her, there's nothing worth waiting for, a collapsed faith?

...You with weak faith could never understand.

I don't need to. All I have to know is that the Empire's domestic situation is about to change after this meeting.

That's a lot of information to analyze.

As expected, I just can't bring myself to like you.

Likewise.

Thank you, Rosabelle. If it weren't for you, we might not have been able to wrap this up.

What would you have done, Knox, if I hadn't been there?

I don't know.

The Norman family has always been said to belong to the Pope, because we've long been devout believers.

But that may no longer be the case. We probably only belong to the Pope now because the matriarch of the Norman family, my sister, has been serving her.

But in a rare meeting with her this time, she told me to do whatever I want...

I can't fully grasp her implications, but now I'm certain that there's corruption within the church.

I won't support the God Eaters, because I can't betray my faith.

But I won't stand idly by either...

I know your feelings, Knox.

I believe you will make the right choice.

And I think your sister believes in you too.

Thank you, Rosabelle.

And what happened next?

What did Knox do?

I don't know either.

How could this be...

Because the stories I've told are true, and Knox's story hasn't reached its end.

Perhaps the Empire is in turmoil, and Knox is focused on doing what she believes is right.

When will we get the ending?

Be patient. After everything is over and the Empire is at peace...

You'll get the ending, and maybe even new stories about the power transition in the Empire.

Miss Rosabelle, I have a request.

Say it.

Can you bring me to the Dark Road in Bifrost?

I've been investigating [Blissbite] for a long time and know the church's supply comes from the Dark Road, but I've never been there myself.

I want to see that place with my own eyes, the one that keeps producing such sinful things.

No problem, I can take you to Bifrost.

And I hope you find what you're looking for.

Thank you. May the Heavenly Voice always bless you.

The blessing of the Heavenly Voice...

You don't believe in the Heavenly Voice?

I'm from Eastrise, so I don't know much about it.

It's okay, the Heavenly Voice looks after all of us evenly.

But what if the Heavenly Voice doesn't live up to that? Or if its representative, the Church, does something that disappoints you...

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend.

No, no, it's fine.

I know people may have different views, but I've always believed in the Heavenly Voice.

As for the Church, it's made up of people, and people make mistakes. Those are human errors, not the fault of the Heavenly Voice.

My faith will never waver.

Never waver...

The Empire is truly an magical place.