Dorothy’s Forbidden Grimoire Novel - Chapter 471

Chapter 471

In a large chamber somewhere, a richly colored rug stretched across the floor. The side walls displayed numerous suits of armor and weapons, while the wall facing a vast, intricately detailed map of the world bore a massive Sunburst Emblem of Brilliance.

Religious symbols adorned every corner. Positioned beneath the Sunburst Emblem was a broad desk. Behind it, seated in the chair, was a figure draped in crimson vestments.

He was a handsome man possessing short golden hair and sharply chiseled features. Clean-shaven, he appeared initially to be in his early thirties, his eyes naturally penetrating. Sitting erect and composed, he concentrated deeply on the papers spread across his desk, occasionally lifting his pen to make notes.

Facing the man stood a priest clad in a senior cleric’s robe, partially armored and with a close-cropped haircut. He stood stiffly, his expression serious as he observed the man’s movements, clearly awaiting instruction. The only sound within the room was the soft scratching of the red-robed man’s pen. This unbroken quiet allowed the tension hanging in the air to intensify.

“So… it appears the pilgrimage rites in Lecher Valley concluded successfully this month?” He finally glanced up at Brake after finishing his notes on one document. Brake hesitated briefly upon hearing the question, then responded promptly.

“Yes, Cardinal Hilibert. There was an initial delay stemming from the Summerthorn Cove incident, but the pilgrimage there is now fully complete. During this ceremony, that Gospel-spreading sister was chosen as the central figure for promotional efforts. She was scheduled for multiple public appearances and, nominally, to oversee the pilgrimage rites. To provide her a more fitting status for these duties, Lecher Valley even advanced her promotion ceremony, elevating her to Senior Deacon.
“Overall, while this Lecher Valley pilgrimage differed from past ones, it was still a success. That young sister seems to have garnered significant acclaim during the ceremonies. It’s predictable that upon their return, this pilgrim group will further circulate news about her. The influence of the Summerthorn Cove event will thereby spread within other nations.”

With a grave expression, the priest addressed the man called Hilibert directly. Hearing Brake’s report, Hilibert raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes glinting as he murmured.

“Hmm… It seems Cardinal Amanda is resolved to promote this young sister heavily. I suppose that’s logical. Such an excellent subject for propaganda would be wasted if not utilized fully…”

Hilibert spoke with calm detachment. Hearing this, the priest couldn’t help interjecting,

“Cardinal Amanda is using that young sister to expand her own influence. If this continues, they will inevitably hinder our efforts. Cardinal Hilibert, are we truly to stand by and take no action?”

“Direct intervention proves unwise under these circumstances; forced conflict in such adversity looks poorly before both the faithful and the Holy See, Brake,” Hilibert stated evenly. His manner suggested he wasn’t overly troubled by the Summerthorn Cove affair or the young sister. Instead, he set down his fountain pen and picked up a newspaper from the desk, unfolding it to scan its contents. The priest named Brake reacted with visible frustration.

“But this propaganda opportunity surrounding Summerthorn Cove practically fell into Cardinal Amanda’s lap! Our military action against Summerthorn was inevitable until those serpent cult heretics emerged to cause chaos, completely changing the situation. It’s genuinely frustrating.” Brake’s tone was thick with disappointment. Hilibert, however, remained impassive, skimming the newspaper as he spoke slowly.

“No cause for regret over such minor losses… countless larger conflicts await across our borders. Over the Holy Church’s millennium, figures like Amanda craving peace have cycled repeatedly upon our foundation forged in fire and steel… Where unbelievers persist, strife endures, thus these discordant notes inevitably break before reaching a climax.”

While reading the paper, Hilibert delivered his analysis coolly. Considering his words, Brake paused thoughtfully before asking.

“Are you implying then… that ignoring Cardinal Amanda and the sister holds more strategic value than confrontation, patiently waiting for our next opening?”

“Precisely, and such patience will be brief, for an opportunity presents itself now, wouldn’t you say?” Hilibert stated, then laid the newspaper flat on his desk. Brake leaned forward to read its prominent headline:

“The Ados Royal Crisis Deepens: Rebel Forces Capture Capital Yedis; King Mahand’s Fate Unknown.”

Upon reading this, Brake seemed momentarily stunned before expressing his surprise.

“Could that be… the uprising from months ago in Northern Ufigra’s Ados? Matters have escalated this far already? If this is the chance you speak of, Your Eminence, does it mean the rumors are true – that heretics are involved in Ados?”

“Naturally they are involved. Without hidden powers backing them, how could the rebels advance so swiftly? Recent intelligence confirms the Savior Descent faction operates throughout Ados with alarming frequency; their involvement is profoundly deep.”

Hilibert remarked with cool detachment, then shifted his gaze to the printed report.
“Recently, envoys from the Adont nobility arrived at Holy Mountain seeking military aid against rebel forces they accuse of embracing heretical support aiming for an idolatrous regime. Conversely, the insurgents sent messages claiming reluctance to antagonize the Holy Church, framing their motives solely against the ruling dynasty’s corruption… yet when pressed on heresy and faith, their answers become deliberately vague.”

Hilibert’s tone was measured as he relayed this intelligence. Hearing it, Brake’s posture stiffened with solemn intensity.

“Doctrinal purity is non-negotiable! Should their link to heresy solidify into imminent idolatrous rule, Holy War becomes unavoidable! Regardless of Ados’s peripheral status, its people must still display correct devotion publicly! Your Eminence, their behavior provides ample justification for immediate intervention!” Brake asserted fervently, his stance radiating eagerness to lead troops into Ados immediately. Yet Hilibert continued unhurriedly.

“Indeed… their refusal to state their position clearly during formal discourse sufficiently validates the nobles’ pleas for cleansing intervention by righteous armies… Currently, the Holy See ascends to perceive the Trinity’s will. Until His Holiness returns, greater authority rests temporarily with the Cardinal Assembly; I oversee Adont matters exclusively within that body. Petitions from nobles sympathetic to our cause, combined with insurgent evasiveness and tangible proof of heresy active in Ados… augmented by my influence within the Assembly… fully enables ratification of a new Holy War without effective opposition from Cardinal Amanda…”

Hilibert delivered this assessment with calm assurance. As he spoke, Brake’s expression transformed into unmistakable excitement. He stated directly:

“Then… when do we march into Ados, Your Eminence?!” Brake pressed eagerly. Hilibert’s reply, however, was unexpected.

“An expedition into Ados? Hmm… I expect we will need to wait a while before committing forces…”

“Wait a while? Why the delay? Didn’t you say approval would sail smoothly through the Assembly under favorable winds?” Brake queried, perplexed. With the Holy See’s master currently withdrawn to higher contemplation, the Cardinal Assembly stood paramount among Church structures. Cardinal Hilibert ranked among its most influential members; prevailing under such conditions should be effortless.

Holy Wars demanded speed: swift decisions, immediate attacks, prompt judgments, and thorough cleansing. Delay hardly aligned with Hilibert’s known temperament. Brake found himself deeply confused. Hilibert’s next revelation would stun him completely. With a cryptic smile, the Cardinal spoke softly,

“Because… within that Cardinal Assembly chamber, I did not propose military deployment. On the contrary… when Cardinal Amanda advised extreme caution regarding Ados, advocating careful deliberation over force… I cast my vote with hers.”

“What…?”

Brake’s eyes widened at Hilibert’s words; he reflexively stepped back two paces. He had never anticipated such a statement from his superior—endorsing the stance of a longstanding political rival.

“Cardinal Hilibert… surely… you cannot mean this…?”

“I rarely speak without careful thought. Within the Assembly’s hallowed chamber, I supported Amanda’s position: emphasizing meticulous caution over hasty force concerning Adont instability. More boldly, I advocated sending an emissarial delegation intended to quell violence while instructing civilians potentially led astray by heretical doctrines… offering them one final chance to return to the Light.”

Hilibert elaborated deliberately. Brake’s expression shifted increasingly toward utter disbelief, finally settling into stupefied blankness. Observing Brake’s stunned state, Hilibert continued his explanation.

“So that Adont lands might feel the full weight of Ecclesial authority, I appointed mission leadership to… that luminous Saintly Matron Gospel bearer recently renowned—Phania Chafenlen. Her prior achievement guiding tens of thousands in the warlike fortress-town of Summerthorn Cove strongly suggests her fervor can similarly cultivate the spiritually barren Adont soil tainted by apostasy.”

Hilibert delivered his plan casually. Processing his Cardinal’s words, Brake remained momentarily bewildered before an uneasy suspicion solidified into dawning comprehension. His expression abruptly changed dramatically.

“Yes… That little sister Cardinal Amanda dotes on, the one merely fortunate in her role as Summerthorn Cove’s instructor—propelling her publicly into the Adont conflict ensures her accumulated prestige will inevitably crumble once reality sets in. Cardinal Amanda’s careful elevation strategy will be disastrously exposed when her ‘centerpiece’ fails and loses perceived significance; the Cardinal herself will suffer diminished influence!”

Brake’s words came rapidly now; he fully grasped Hilibert’s calculated maneuver—using the moment to topple Amanda’s prized ‘vase’ from its pedestal, eroding her faction’s momentum!

Brake knew intimately that the sister’s legendary conversion feat in Summerthorn Cove resulted solely from Abyssian manipulation: those serpent cultists exploited natural tensions against the Church, retreating only when thwarted. Seeking reconciliation, Summerthorn authorities made this young nun their escape route. That was the incident’s hidden truth; numerous high-ranking prelates understood the reality.

Therefore, Brake recognized this Phania Chafenlen fundamentally owed her status to immense luck. She possessed no genuine ability to command mass conversions; such skill was utterly beyond her! Essentially, she was merely Amanda’s exquisitely packaged display piece—ornamental, serving optics: public presentation, manufactured perception. Yet beneath the artificial spotlight, this vase contained nothing extraordinary—just an ordinary little sister! Naturally, Hilibert understood that the best way to erode false grandeur was by promoting it beyond its capacity—ensuring a destructive fall.

Imperially Empowered Legate for resolving Adont conflicts? Responsible for eradicating heresy throughout Adont borders? Mediating between hostile warlords? That rank was far beyond any jurisdiction suitable for such a sister. Precisely such unmerited promotion positioned her for inevitable shattering upon failure. Hilibert knew perfectly that the ambiguities underlying Adont strife could never be resolved by some novice sister. That was precisely why he orchestrated her deployment, marshaling all his influence throughout the Cardinal Assembly corridors – explicitly anticipating her failure preceding her downfall.

Later, following the sister’s inadequate results, Hilibert could amplify public disappointment, express regret that Adont realities had betrayed hopeful intervention, then finally reclaim the initiative elsewhere using force. This would trap Amanda politically through errors made under pressure, subsequently enabling him to reclaim the initiative. His persona would avoid blame while highlighting pragmatic resolve over pacifism. Everything surpassed demanding immediate military action.

“Cardinal Amanda wishes to elevate an ornamental vase… our response is to encourage its ascent beyond the boundary of feasibility. Exposure amidst arranged currents ensures a catastrophic collapse, crushing the elevation beneath the descending ruin,” pronounced Hilibert, seated relaxed within his imposing chair, posture revealing extraordinary control.

“Through compliant church and secular media networks, discussions already circulate promoting Summerthorn Cove’s ‘miracle instructor’ towards Adont lands—combining with Amanda’s own promotion efforts will ignite profound fervor. My anticipation grows immense… watching the tidal wave, engineered through careful opposition, finally capsize the vessel steered by misguided hands.”

Having said this, Hilibert shifted his focus towards the monumental world map dominating the surrounding space. Concentrating heavily on the northern region of Ufigra marked on the map, tremendous expectation swirled beneath his gaze as he contemplated the unfolding future.