“Your Majesty, regarding the matters you entrusted to me, I have made some progress.
The ‘Statement of the Ten Illnesses of the Empress’ appears to have originated from Pandas, intended to spark a new wave of public opinion.”
Once Alexia had calmed down a bit, Simon immediately reported to her.
“In addition, among the missing personnel from the Ministry of Justice, I have recovered a portion, but both their mental and physical states have suffered severe damage.”
“A portion?”
Alexia questioned in confusion.
“Some, whose will was not firm, chose to defect to Pandas.”
Alexia nodded in realization.
“Recovered personnel must undergo another review. If there are no issues, they are to be rewarded, recorded with third-class merit, given triple injury compensation, and at least one month’s leave, not counting the recovery period.”
“As for those who betrayed me, all are to be classified as traitors.”
“Forgive my bluntness, Your Majesty, but isn’t this judgment too harsh? They were also forced by circumstances. Pandas used mental manipulation, which is difficult for ordinary people to resist.”
Simon tried to persuade Alexia to retract her severe decision.
“You said it yourself just now, those whose will was weak chose betrayal. Then why didn’t they stand with those who held firm?”
If regret could undo betrayal, would the pain of those who endured have been for nothing?
She had never shown mercy to the indecisive.
If faced with a similar choice again, she was certain they would still choose betrayal.
“No matter the process, if the result is betrayal, then they are traitors.
I don’t have the time to listen to their excuses or distinguish truth from lies. I only care about facts and outcomes.”
Alexia walked towards the outside of the palace.
“Simon, come with me to the Cathedral of the Lightbringer Church. I truly didn’t expect those cultists to appear so brazenly in the imperial capital.”
Matters concerning cultists shouldn’t even be her responsibility—they belonged to the Lightbringer Church.
—
Lightbringer Church, worshippers of the God of Light.
Due to the widespread nature of its faith and the secularization of the church, it is renowned across the world.
Wherever there is human civilization, traces of the Lightbringer Church can be found.
It is no exaggeration to say it is the world’s foremost church.
Since Alexia ascended as Empress, the Lightbringer Church was established as the imperial state religion.
In front of the Capital Cathedral, rows of white-robed clerics stood nervously in two lines.
At the forefront, standing before the grand doors, was Grand Archbishop Gerard of the Cathedral of the Lightbringer Church in the imperial capital.
He was dressed simply, holding only a silver cross in his hand.
His plain robe made him look more like an ordinary priest than the archbishop overseeing the entire cathedral.
His eyes were half-closed, as if it was difficult to open them.
He stood straight before the doors, gaze fixed in the direction of the royal palace.
Soon, the sound of horns and trampling iron hooves echoed from that direction.
Before long, a magically controlled floating palanquin appeared, escorted by ranks of blood-armored heavy cavalry.
At the head of the procession was the Knight Commander Simon, ever at the Empress’s side.
When the palanquin reached the Capital Cathedral, the entire procession halted.
Simon dismounted, walked to the palanquin, and assisted Alexia as she extended her hand.
Seeing the cold expression on Alexia’s face, Gerard knew today’s visit was anything but friendly.
Steeling himself, he forced a smile and stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, what brings you unexpectedly to the cathedral today?”
“What is the duty of the Lightbringer Church?”
Alexia fixed Gerard with a cold stare.
There was no greeting at all—just a sudden question.
Gerard’s heart trembled, instantly sensing the gravity of the situation.
Although the Lightbringer Church had been made the state religion, Alexia herself did not believe in the God of Light and had never prayed within the cathedral.
She chose the Lightbringer Church as the state religion solely because of its opposition to cultists, intending to use it to suppress heretical forces within the empire.
Now, with her aggressive demeanor, Gerard knew exactly where the problem lay.
“To control cultists and prevent the Corruption of the Evil God and Chaos Contamination.”
Alexia strode toward the interior of the cathedral as she spoke.
“I made the Lightbringer Church the state religion, not out of reverence for the God of Light, nor did I allow you to build cathedrals throughout the empire to line your own pockets.”
“My people come to the cathedral to donate and pray for peace, not to satisfy your greed.”
“But what have you all done? Nothing!”
Alexia’s relentless questioning left Gerard in a cold sweat.
But he could say nothing, for he still did not know what had angered Alexia to such an extent.
To the point where she confronted them so aggressively.
Entering the cathedral hall, Alexia looked up at the resplendent statue of the God of Light.
“This statue is so lavish that even I would not dare erect it, yet you built it so extravagantly…”
“Your Majesty…”
Gerard had just spoken when Alexia suddenly turned her head, cutting him off.
It seemed as if she was laughing in anger, the corner of her mouth twitching.
“The cultists have thrown objects tainted with the Corruption of the Evil God right at my feet, and yet your Lightbringer Church has remained oblivious!”
She slapped her own face sharply, her voice thunderous.
“Am I shameless now? Huh?! Tell me, am I without dignity?!”
Gerard’s eyes widened slightly.
He realized the issue was far more serious than he had imagined and immediately bowed in supplication.
“Your Majesty, please quell your anger.”
He had not expected cultists to act so brazenly.
Alexia was already a notorious tyrant; for those fools to provoke her was nothing less than courting death.
He was certain that after today, not a single cultist would survive in the capital.
For this Empress, a bloodbath was but a trifling matter.
Alexia pointed at the statue of the God of Light.
“Give me a number. If those cultists aren’t apprehended by then, I’ll tear down this statue for you free of charge—no need for you to lift a finger.”
For her, if you can do the job, do it.
If you can’t, get out.
She had not allowed the Lightbringer Church to enjoy peace and prosperity in the empire.
“One day.”
Gerard replied.
“As long as Your Majesty permits our Holy Knights to enter the city with armor and weapons, I guarantee to wipe out the cultists in the capital within a day.”
Now that he knew the source of the problem, it would be easily resolved.
When it came to dealing with cultists, the Lightbringer Church was absolutely professional.
Besides, this was the condition for the Lightbringer Church becoming the state religion of the empire—a responsibility they were duty-bound to uphold.
Alexia’s meaning was clear.
If this matter was not handled properly, the Lightbringer Church would be expelled from the empire.
“One day. Good!”
Alexia nodded.
“I permit the Holy Knights of the Lightbringer Church to enter the city in full armor and bearing weapons.”
She then beckoned, and Knight Commander Simon stepped forward.
“Knight Commander Simon will take full responsibility for this matter. If any issues arise, you may discuss them with him—he speaks with my authority.”
“Since you need a day, I’ll give you one. From this moment, the countdown begins. I won’t sleep until I hear good news in the palace. I hope the Lightbringer Church won’t disappoint me.”