'Ernrich Lumia must die.'
Alexander maintained a stoic expression despite the shocking statement uttered by the priest. Moreover, all the priests gathered there seemed unfazed. They appeared indifferent even to the startling news of one priest intending to kill another.
Another priest even added,
'That bitch's audacity knows no bounds. She has considerable support from the Paladins, and I've heard that a significant number of existing priests also back her. If this continues, our position could be jeopardized. We must take her head, no matter what.'
The priest with a beard nodded, but his face was etched with doubt.
'But under what pretext can we attack her? She has already proven herself a servant of God by eliminating numerous demons. Declaring her a heretic now would be spitting in our own faces, nor can we fabricate a crime to bind her.'
However, his question was met with a counter-question.
'Fabricate a crime? Who says we can't? Crimes can be fabricated. The question is, what kind of crime?'
'We can't pin a flimsy charge on her. We need a major charge to prevent public backlash.'
Alexander frowned and said,
'Then, let's hear your suggestions. What crime could possibly be pinned on her?'
'I understand that Saint Alexander-nim has been invited to the Ithaca festival this time.'
Alexander nodded at the words. At the harvest festival held in the eastern city of Ithaca, Alexander, as the Church's Saint, was scheduled to bless the crops and the future of the trade city. The first festival since the execution of the Hero's family was planned to be more extravagant and grander than any previous ones.
Alexander nodded and said,
'That's correct. I was tasked with the role of bestowing blessings at the harvest festival.'
The priest's eyes lit up.
'How about causing an incident during the festival? We deliberately ruin the festival and hold Ernrich Lumia, who is in charge of the harvest festival, responsible, summoning her to the capital.'
The bald priest nodded in agreement.
'Once she's summoned to the capital, we can pin any crime on her. That method is excellent. Corruption is rampant in local festivals. Once we detain Lumia in the capital, we can scrutinize every issue that arose during the festival, tearing her down to prove she's no different from us humans.'
Another priest stroked his beard and exclaimed,
'We should send people to Ithaca to worsen the rumors about her. Make people think they just wanted to become the next Saint Alexander, or the one after that.'
Alexander chuckled heartily and said,
'After that, she'll be easy to cook however we want. She might make some ridiculous mistake, or get caught attempting something reckless.'
The priests burst into delighted laughter. They were already dreaming of Ernrich Lumia's execution. It felt as if the troublesome group that refused to follow them would scurry back into their holes, witnessing the scene of eternal glory shining in the name of Saint Alexander.
'Hahaha! Exactly.'
'I wonder if they'll get so nervous they draw their swords! Hahaha!'
Alexander laughed even louder at the priest's words about an assassination attempt.
'Hohohoho! That would be perfect! Let them come!'
'We must kill Alexander on the harvest festival. If not then, there will be no other chance.'
People in various outfits gathered around a square table. The dimly flickering lights and tightly shut windows spoke to the importance of this meeting. Ernrich Lumia, now a high priestess clad in a splendid ceremonial robe, pointed expressionlessly at a portrait of Saint Alexander.
Alice and Lorena sat with tense expressions. Lorena felt her hand tremble on the hilt of her sword. A stout man in a suit tilted his head and said,
'Isn't that too radical a solution? Why don't we look for a better way?'
'If not then, there will be no other chance. As you all know, it's impossible for us to depose Saint Alexander. He won't step down voluntarily just because he hears our protests. On the contrary, if he senses such a move, he'll use unimaginable, irrational means to crush us.'
Another man asked,
'But staining the harvest festival with blood... I have reservations. Can't we choose a better day?'
Ernrich Lumia shook her head. She explained with a confident expression,
'We are already a very threatening force to the capital church. Alexander will likely prepare some means to attack us, perhaps not radically, around the time of the harvest festival. They are powerful, and our forces are weak. If we don't quickly destroy the focal point that is Saint Alexander, we'll be the ones eroded by the storm.'
Although some still looked uneasy, the general atmosphere was one of agreement. As Ernrich Lumia said,
'I agree with that. But an assassination operation? How exactly do you plan to assassinate him? Our target is Saint Alexander. Do you know how many demons his mace has drenched in blood?'
The man spoke with a face full of fear. Regardless of Alexander's corruption, he was a man blessed by heaven with immense divine power and physical strength. He could send Paladins flying with a single punch, and the anecdote of him personally grabbing the reins and pulling his carriage when the horses wouldn't move is quite famous.
Lumia said,
'He has strong resistance to poison and can protect himself using self-healing magic. Also, due to his enormous build, he's clumsy in his movements and extremely arrogant. He wouldn't even dream that we'd attempt an assassination.'
Lumia spread out a map. It showed the route Saint Alexander would personally parade during the harvest festival. He was scheduled to make a grand circuit around all of Ithaca, return to the plaza, and bless the harvest with holy water.
Lumia pointed to a spot along the parade route and said,
'We received support from the Academy: several teachers from the magic department to help with this operation. We'll install a massive magic circle along the parade route, and when Alexander reaches it, the carriage will stop, and the magic will be activated immediately. It's a considerably powerful magic circle that requires about a week just for preparation, so even someone as strong as Alexander won't be able to use divine spells for a while.'
Alice and Lorena nodded, watching. The plan Lumia had devised was a grand one, conceived by the three of them, with support from Isabel's main family and Milia's Academy.
'We plan to place our own Paladins on Alexander's carriage for protection. Following our instructions, they will draw their swords and stab Alexander. While Alexander is thus bewildered, the plan is to launch a full assault and eliminate him as quickly as possible.'
'Hmm.......'
The man wore a grave expression. Everyone present wore similar looks. Alice and Lorena scanned their surroundings, and the noblewoman sitting in the corner was deep in thought.
Lumia looked at them and said,
'Everyone, if not now, we'll have no chance. If we let Alexander leave this time, there will be no second chances. Alexander is always surrounded by guards and priests, but on the harvest festival day, he'll be guarded by Ithaca's priests and Paladins. We are strongest now. After the harvest festival, Alexander will gradually chip away at our forces. No one knows how. Can we endure the filth these people, who have committed countless injustices and corruptions, will unleash? It hasn't been long since they purged the Hero's family. That wicked clergyman is trying to devour the freedom we just regained for this city. Everyone. We must raise our swords.'
Her words ended. Only the flickering lights cast shadows on their faces. A man, looking down at the floor with a worried expression, nodded and stood up.
'You're right. I'll do it.'
Then the noblewoman folded her fan and said,
'I will follow, too. However, there are parts of the plan that need further reinforcement.'
One by one.
'I will too.'
'Me too, I will too.'
People rose as if a wave was receding.
Lumia met Alice's eyes and let out a quiet sigh.
Alice suddenly missed her father.