A Bookworm's Journey in the cardinal world ||Tensura X Ascendance of a Bookworm

Departure

Hinata's POV

The sudden silence in the chamber was very telling. The council of the Seven Days Clergy, notorious for their hidden manipulations, had clearly not anticipated the recent turn of events. They probably hadn't even considered that Rimuru and I had already resolved our differences at the Walpurgis meeting. Their plan had been undone by Rimuru's foresight, sending the true message through a reliable intermediary. It was clear they had been caught off guard, and while I could feel the simmering frustration rising in my chest, wanting to punish them, I held back. For now.

Calling them out directly would be reckless. Even though they likely orchestrated this disaster, their influence was strong. They commanded respect and obedience, and any direct confrontation with them would create more political friction than I had the stomach to handle, at least for now. I needed to deal with Rimuru first and settle this matter diplomatically before considering how to take action against the clergy.

I scanned the room. My voice was cutting through the thick tension.

"So," I began, my tone low and icy, "could someone please provide an explanation as to why the message we received was tampered with?"

Dead silence. No one dared to speak; their eyes darted nervously between me and the clergy. Everyone here knew who had meddled with the message, but naming the culprits was an act equivalent to declaring war on the Seven Days clerdy. On the other hand, they sat in their chairs, composed, pretending to be above suspicion, but I could see the faint flicker of unease in their eyes.

When no answer came, I decided to press on.

"If I don't get a satisfactory explanation, I will have to start considering that we have a traitor in our midst—one who nearly triggered a war we aren't prepared to fight. Sabotaging our position like this would only spell disaster, and I won't allow that to happen under my command."

I let my words hang in the air, watching as some of the knights exchanged glances, nervous energy radiating from them. No one wanted to be the first to speak. The potential fallout was too dangerous. The clergy, as always, remained silent, but I could feel their irritation bubbling beneath the surface.

Fine. If no one wanted to talk, I would take matters into my own hands.

"Nikolaus," I commanded, "I'm assigning you to investigate this matter. I am giving you full authority to question anyone—anyone involved. I want to know exactly who is responsible for tampering with that message. Until then, Reyhiem, you will be placed under house arrest until further notice."

Reyhiem appeared pale and visibly shaken, but he nodded weakly. "As you wish, Lady Hinata," he murmured.

With that settled, I turned my attention back to the matter at hand—my diplomatic mission to Tempest.

"I will be travelling to Tempest," I continued, locking eyes with the room, daring anyone to interrupt. "I will take with me the key individuals from the Western Saints Church who were responsible for the earlier attack on Tempest. We will apologise formally to Demon Lord Rimuru and seek to establish a peaceful resolution. This situation has gone on long enough."

Unsurprisingly, the Seven Days Clergy wasted no time in voicing their opposition. One of their members, "Sage of Sun" Gran, leaned forward, his voice calm but clearly intended to undermine my authority.

"Don't be foolish, Hinata. You're really planning to march into a monster's domain? A Demon Lord's domain? and make peace with them? Do you intend to turn your back on the very doctrines we've upheld for centuries? Our way of life?"

I met his gaze head-on, my patience already wearing thin. "And what do you propose we do, then?" I enquired coldly, already knowing their answer.

Another of the clergy piped up. "We should unite and declare a crusade against them! Surely, the other Western nations will rally to our cause! We cannot allow this affront to stand. This is a just war, a holy war to bring down Tempest!"