I cleared my throat.
I'm sure I should be embarrassed right now.
In any other situation I would certainly feel ashamed.
Like getting caught being intimate, or suddenly blurting out some dirty line.[3]
But this is different.
I didn't suddenly blurt anything out.
I have restraint...
Anyway, let's continue the talk.
"First of all, why did this happen. Miko-sama, who do you think the person behind this is?"
"The Cardinal, or perhaps the Pope trying to frame him. I do not think Hitogami is involved."
In other words, it's the head of Milis' Expulsion faction.
The Latreia house isn't involved...?
Then I might be able to launch a surprise attack...
"You don't think the Latreia house was involved?"
"Possibly, but I don't think they were the mastermind."
So it's unrelated to Zenith being kidnapped.
That's good.
Anyway, it's either the Pope or the Cardinal.
Both of those guys are suspicious.
"Why don't you think Hitogami is involved?"
"If his eminence followed the advice of Hitogami, he would not be a true Milis believer. Even though his eminence is a bad person, he is a pious Milis believer."
"But, what proof do you have?"
"If I look into someone's eyes, I will know."
I guess that was a stupid question.
But, can I believe her...
"If you cannot trust me, then use me as a hostage to exchange for what you want."
"As a card alone, you are not enough. The Temple Knights should already be prepared for that. If I tried to initiate a trade, in the end--"
"I am the will of the Temple Knights."
The Miko interrupted me and said that.
Then continued with an airy smile.
"The Temple Knights... rather, the entire Expulsion faction will lose their chance at victory if I die."
"In other words, you're confident that the other side will negotiate?"
"I take my value to them as a point of pride."
Really...
I don't want to see something like Aisha being cut down before my eyes.
"Even the Temple Knights wouldn't be that stupid and incompetent.
By now they could have captured Aisha and started looking for this location.
No, it's not even necessary to capture her. If they had been watching me, then this location should be known.
Even if I try to initiate negotiations, there's also the possibility that the Temple Knights try to rescue you."
"Then, I'll go with you when you start the negotiations."
"That's a bold idea, but if we're surrounded on the way, then it may become an all-out-war."
"If Rudeus-sama is there, wouldn't it be possible to brush them aside?
After all, you were even able to hold your own against people like Orsted and Auber."
You saw that too?
Well, it's possible.
I'm not bragging, they're small fries, I've gone up against far worse odds.
As long as I don't hold back.
If I fought with the intent to kill, then even those guys I just defeated awhile ago could have been wiped out instantly.
"If we were to be attacked, I think it would be by the Pope's faction rather than the Temple Knights."
"Why's that?"
"The Temple Knights do not want to risk my death.
However the Pope's faction would."