Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 815: Chapter 814 Testimony Must Also Follow Basic Law... (Part 2)

Although the relationship between the two countries isn’t great, the old diplomat still put on a professional smile when they met.

”Welcome to the land of freedom—Fanriel! Gentlemen!”

He strode forward, arms open wide, loudly addressing Bishop Carl and his entourage descending from the flying ship. Seeing the old diplomat, Bishop Carl also walked over with a smile.

”May the Goddess guard you, people of order.”

The two sides exchanged a glance, each revealing a smile, then they shook hands.

”Well then, everyone, please follow me. We have already prepared accommodations for you...”

”No need.”

Bishop Carl shook his head, interrupting the old diplomat.

”Our Sanctuary takes the report submitted by the Fanriel Parliament very seriously. If possible, we would like to see the front first...”

Upon hearing Bishop Carl’s words, the old diplomat’s brows slightly arched, and then his smiling face became enthusiastic again.

”Of course, of course, you have always prided yourselves on safeguarding order. I can understand, but trying to head to the front now might take some time... In any case, please follow me.”

As he spoke, the old diplomat turned his head, leading the group outside.

The party quickly left the airfield, but it wasn’t long before Bishop Carl and others found the road before them completely blocked—the reason was simple, because in the streets and squares, people were everywhere, packed tightly, holding candles and flowers, seemingly engaged in some activity. At this moment, the old diplomat quietly said a few words to his attendant beside him, then turned to the crowd with an apologetic smile.

”I’m sorry, everyone, before leaving the square, we will only be able to walk. The road here is blocked, and we will have transport arranged on the other side.”

”May I ask what they are doing?”

Looking at the crowd before him, Bishop Carl inquired.

”It appears they are in prayer?”

”Oh, this is not prayer, sir.”

The old diplomat’s smile didn’t change at all, purely professional.

”This is mourning... In the previous battles with those evil demon beasts, the families of the fallen soldiers are mourning them, hoping their souls find eternal peace...”

With that, the old diplomat sighed softly.

”This is indeed a heavy blow for us in Fanriel, which is why we hope for the Sanctuary’s support.”

Whether intentional or not, the old diplomat’s voice increased, drawing the attention of many around.

”We all live in this world; therefore, we should support each other, right? Your Excellency Bishop? Those evil demon beasts are the enemies of all living beings. We must eliminate them! Only then can we be worthy of our fallen heroes!”

More and more people were coming over, curiously looking at Bishop Carl’s group. Their bishop robes were too conspicuous; after all, no one in Fanriel would dress like this.

”Old grandpa...”

At this moment, a child holding a candle emerged from the crowd, looking at the old diplomat with tearful eyes.

”Are they the people from the Kingdom of the Holy Church as people say? Will they help us eliminate those creatures?”

”Oh, I fear I cannot answer that, child.”

Looking at the child before him, the old diplomat gave a bitter smile, then glanced sheepishly at Bishop Carl. And the child, too, looked at Bishop Carl.

”Grandpa, will you help us eliminate those creatures? Will you avenge my father?”

Upon hearing the child’s inquiry, Carl reached out, gently patting the child’s head.

”Child, we are all people of order. As long as it’s for guarding order, we shall not decline.”

Hearing Bishop Carl’s response, the child blinked his teary, swollen eyes, unsure what to say, while Bishop Carl nodded with a smile and continued walking forward.

Seeing Bishop Carl’s response, the expression on the old diplomat’s face didn’t change either. He simply led the attendants forward, with Bishop Carl’s party following behind, walking silently out of the mourning ceremony square. The carriages prepared for their welcome were already ready on the street side.

”Please get in.”

Glancing at Bishop Carl and his group, the old diplomat spoke softly.

”Next, we will head to the front line, where you will get all that you wish to know.”

”Well, then, we’re in your care.”

Nodding at the old diplomat, the group boarded the carriage. Then Bishop Carl closed his eyes, and soon the dissatisfied voice of the Dwarf Bishop echoed in his mind.

(Did you see? These guys really know how to put on a show!)

(They are eager to bind us to their chariot... This is clearly not normal.)

The Elf Bishop’s voice remained calm, yet his tone was tinged with a hint. To this, the others also nodded. They weren’t blind; they obviously understood what kind of trickery the Kingdom of Flame was up to along the way. Maybe the mourning ceremony was real, and the people gathering at the square were indeed the bereaved families of fallen soldiers, but placing the ceremony here in Fanriel wasn’t by coincidence... As for their motives, everyone present was well aware.

Yet...

(They are so eager, what on earth are they up to?)

The Orc Bishop rubbed his smooth bald head, frowning.

(Given the relationship between the Sanctuary and the Kingdom of Flame, to think they would be so eager, what exactly is the issue here?)

(No matter what, we are the Eye of Order)

Bishop Carl didn’t respond to this question. He opened his eyes, gazing out at the wilderness through the carriage window.

(All we need to do is determine whether those demon beasts are indeed enemies of order. If they truly are order’s enemies, then regardless of what the Kingdom of Flame intends, we cannot let... Hmm?)

At this point, Bishop Carl suddenly paused, then abruptly sat upright.

”Did you all feel that?”

”......”

There was no need for Bishop Carl to say anything more; at this moment, everyone else was equally surprised, eyes wide open. The Elf Bishop closed his eyes, sensed carefully for a moment, and then nodded.

”The Power of Order is very stable... without the slightest sign of weakening!”

”What on earth is going on?”

At this moment, everyone was even more puzzled. They were heading to the frontier of the Kingdom of Flame. According to reason, the Power of Order here should be quite unstable. But unexpectedly, the Power of Order here was extraordinarily stable, without any feeling of the Order Boundary weakening or fluctuating!

What exactly happened here?

With doubts in mind, Bishop Carl and his group reached the border fortress of the Kingdom of Flame, where they finally, through the crystal ball, saw the Swarm on the other, unexplored side!

”Hiss—————!!”

When the five bishops saw the image projected on the screen before them, they almost instinctively took a sharp breath. In the image, countless Jumping Bugs were roaming across the entire wilderness, surrounded by densely packed, horrifying-looking Spine Needle Reptiles and Spore Crawlers, along with the swaying Anti-Invisibility Beholders and various nest towers in the air. Coupled with the fungal carpet that resembled deep red flesh, it looked like a scene straight out of Hell.

If they didn’t know better, they would believe it was Hell itself!!

”After the total annihilation of the Expedition Army, these terrifying Demon Creatures appeared in the border area.”

At this moment, the Fortress Commander also spoke to the five bishops with a distressed expression.

”Their numbers are up to hundreds of thousands... possibly even more! And the important thing is, we now have almost no way to combat these Demon Beasts. They can launch attacks from underground, possess long-range firepower, and most importantly, these creatures are fearless of death. Unless we kill them all, they absolutely will not retreat...”

At this, the Commander sighed.

”We have no more options.”

”.........”

Facing the scene before him, Bishop Carl was silent for a moment. Then he exchanged a glance with the other four bishops and nodded.

”Please arrange for us to meet with the survivors and those who first encountered these... creatures. We need more detailed information.”

”Of course, no problem.”

The Kingdom of Flame was incredibly cooperative with Bishop Carl’s request. Soon, the survivors who had previously suffered attacks from the Swarm appeared before them, recounting their experiences with lingering fear.

”...Those bugs suddenly emerged from the ground!! They never displayed this trait before! Those damned creatures are as cunning as Demons! They deliberately paralyzed us, damn it! Damn it!”

”...Are you sure that you weren’t recklessly intruding into their habitat or something at that time?”

Looking at the mage who seemed to be frenzied, the Dwarf Bishop asked, and the mage shot him a fierce glare.

”How can that be possible? We weren’t attacked right upon entry! When those creatures ambushed us, our army was already deep within the territory. I was at the rear; they encircled us, completely cutting off our connection with the central forces! Then they launched a fierce assault on us! We had no support, and at that moment, if I didn’t flee, I would have no way out but death! Those cunning creatures! Damn it! Damn it!”

As he spoke, the mage tore at his hair, displaying a pained expression.

”They’re all dead, all dead...!”

”...... I was the first to lead a team to the unexplored land.”

The Sheriff sat helplessly in a chair, staring at his hands.

”I can’t forget it now, the moment I made contact with those creatures... those terrible creatures, they killed my subordinates, my attendants...”

”You’re lying.”

At this moment, the Orc Bishop suddenly slammed the desk. He glared at the Sheriff, and the Holy Light in his hand emitted a dazzling glow.

”In front of the Goddess of Order, you must remain reverent and not deceive us with lies!”

”.........”

Perhaps frightened by the Orc Bishop’s shout, the Sheriff was also startled, quickly nodding.

”Sorry, maybe I remembered wrong... let me think... yes, at that time, I was competing with the Iron Shield Family to see who could reach the unexplored land first. Then my horse suddenly stopped, as if startled, and threw me off... yes, that’s right. I wanted to see what happened, and at that moment, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder...”

At this, the Sheriff seemed to recall that scene again, turning pale.

”At first, I thought it was those bastards from the Iron Shield Family, but when I turned around... Oh god, I really don’t want to reminisce about that awful creature! I thought I’d be eaten by it!”

”But you’re sitting here now, unharmed.”

The Human Bishop said softly.

”So, what exactly happened?”

”Well... to be honest, I’m not quite sure, but I think they seemed to be giving a warning.”

”A warning?”

”Yes.”

The Sheriff nodded.

”I immediately withdrew my men, and after we retreated from the unexplored land... those creatures left.”

”No one got injured?”

”...... No.”

Upon hearing this, Bishop Carl furrowed his brow and then looked back at his fellow clergy. As expected, their expressions grew increasingly solemn.

It seems that the situation is not as simple as what the Kingdom of Flame has conveyed.