The Dream Weaver’s Demise and a Fateful Proposition

“The deceased is Jack Reagan, twenty-nine years old. He dropped out of school at sixteen and worked as a porter at the docks for three years…”

A young man began to report his investigation regarding Jack Reagan to his superior, displaying a silver badge sealed within a transparent plastic bag.

Louise gazed gravely at Jack Reagan’s sole relic. Carved upon the badge was a full moon, the unmistakable symbol of the SSS-rank heresy, Utopia.

Those who believed in Utopia called themselves Dream Weavers, divided into five ranks. The lowest tier comprised ordinary followers who had never truly encountered Utopia.

Their numbers were so vast that even the Holy Church found it impossible to apprehend them all, leaving them to their own devices, destined for self-destruction.

The next level consisted of believers who wore bronze badges. These individuals had begun to interact with Utopia and could draw power from it, akin to the priests within the Holy Church.

Believers adorned with silver badges were capable of establishing branch churches within a region, equivalent to the bishops of the Holy Church.

Louise’s eyes held a complex expression as she looked at the pool of blood on the ground. A bishop, dead from an overdose of Bliss? This seemed utterly impossible.

Jack Reagan’s death clearly harbored a deeper mystery. Yet, according to eyewitness accounts, he had indeed collapsed after consuming Bliss.

She cautiously glanced at Reyn Rheinhebo, who stood nearby, then tentatively spoke, “Count Reyn Rheinhebo, it seems the Lower City will require increased patrols in the coming days. Our Holy Church is currently short-staffed; we may need your Constabulary to assist.”

Reyn frowned. “Is the problem that severe?”

Louise sighed deeply. “A bishop-level Dream Weaver appearing here signifies that this city-state has been targeted. You must be aware, Count? Those Dream Weavers constantly strive to bring their god into this world. I suspect a ritual to summon Utopia might be underway in the Lower City.”

Reyn’s pupils abruptly constricted. He pressed his lips together, his brow furrowed deeply. After a period of silence, he spoke in a low voice, “Bypass the Constabulary. The Blackwing Knights will cooperate with your investigation.”

Louise’s expression subtly shifted. Under normal circumstances, Count Reyn Rheinhebo’s decision would be perfectly sound. The Holy Church focused its efforts on the Upper City, with little management over the Lower City.

The Constabulary, on the other hand, dealt with the Lower City populace year-round, not for the sake of public order, but merely to extort more money from them.

In the Lower City, heretics operated more freely and brazenly. It was entirely possible that the current Constabulary Chief, George Andrew, had colluded with this Dream Weaver.

Therefore, Count Reyn Rheinhebo dispatching the Blackwing Knights, exclusive to the Rheinhebo family, presented no issue. The only caveat was whether the Blackwing Knights themselves were beyond reproach.

It hadn’t been long since Louise clearly remembered the witch-made creature that had claimed to be the Blackwing Knights’ commander. If even their commander had become such a being, how could the Blackwing Knights still be human?

However, she had no other choice. Bishop Carlos had already departed with the priests of the branch church, leaving only their group of Enforcers abandoned. Without the protection of the Holy Light, even self-preservation became a challenge.

Louise had no interest in the Lower City’s safety. She quickly nodded in agreement. “If it’s the Blackwing Knights, then all the better.”

Just as she prepared to leave, Reyn suddenly spoke. “Enforcer Louise Christian, I have some matters I wish to discuss with you privately. Would you be willing to share a carriage with me?”

Louise paused her steps. She deftly concealed her inner turmoil, then turned and offered Reyn a slight smile. “If it is Count Reyn Rheinhebo’s invitation, I would be honored.”

The carriage was parked at the bridgehead. The compartment was spacious, easily accommodating six people.

Once inside, Anna sat quietly beside Reyn. Louise had noticed the red-haired young woman earlier. She suppressed a certain speculation brewing within her and looked directly at Reyn. “Count Reyn Rheinhebo, what is it you wish to discuss with me?”

Reyn’s voice was low. “Regarding the student loan debt burdening the Enforcers, I wish to cancel it entirely.”

Louise’s expression subtly changed. There was no joy on her face; instead, she spoke gravely, “Then, what must we give in return?”

Reyn shook his head. “You only need to continue your work as before. The Rheinhebo family will cover your salaries from now on.”

Louise remained silent for a moment, then shook her head. “Count Reyn, I stopped believing in people who do good for others without reason when I was eighteen.”

Reyn raised an eyebrow. “Enforcer Louise, what do you believe is the greatest challenge in combating heresy?”

Louise found herself unable to discern Reyn’s true intentions. She could only cautiously reply, “Sealing. Heretics cannot be killed, only sealed. And the Holy Light possesses the power to seal them.”

Just then, Anna, who had been sitting quietly beside them, suddenly scoffed. “But your god doesn’t possess enough power to directly seal heretics. The sealing methods within your Holy Church primarily suppress the human vessels of heresy.

“For heretics without vessels, like the Voice of the Deceased or Utopia, you are utterly powerless.”

Louise frowned. “That is merely because we chose a more convenient method.”

Anna sneered dismissively. “Enforcer Louise, you know nothing of the true Holy Church.”

Louise’s gaze grew slightly colder. “And what do you know?”

Anna looked at Louise with mockery in her eyes. “My parents were once Enforcers of the Holy Church. And my grandfather was the previous bishop. Ah, should I say the one before the previous now?”

Louise’s expression shifted. While investigating Jack Reagan, she had naturally also looked into Anna’s background.

She found it hard to believe, her eyes filled with complex emotions. “Then how could you possibly…?”

Anna casually curled her lips. “Fall to the Lower City? Or even be driven onto the streets to sell matches by foster parents during a heavy snowfall when I was eight? Enforcer Louise, the Holy Church is not as benevolent as you imagine.

“If you die in the line of duty, your poor child will not be properly cared for. They will merely be adopted by someone greedy for the meager allowance, just like me. You should be grateful your child is at least a boy; they won’t have to be driven onto the streets to sell matches as I was.”

“Enough, Anna.”

Reyn interjected promptly, stopping Anna, whose emotions were clearly becoming unstable. He looked at Louise, whose expression was still complex, and spoke softly, “Regardless of other heretical organizations, the Dream Weavers must be dealt with.

“So, I ask you again, Enforcer Louise Christian, is it impossible to fight Utopia without the protection of the Holy Light?”

Louise looked at Reyn, unable to comprehend. Why did he keep asking her this question repeatedly? Utopia, after all, was merely an SSS-rank heresy, yet he commanded at least three witches of that same caliber!

She cautiously asked, “What exactly are you trying to ask?”

Reyn replied, “Magic. The fundamental power of this world—can it not contend with heresy?”

Louise fell silent for a moment, then slowly began, “Heretics are beings that do not belong to this world. Their power violates the laws of this world. Therefore, magic cannot contend with the true essence of heresy; it can only be used against their followers.”

Reyn frowned. “So, only heresy can fight heresy?”

Louise nodded. “One could say that.”

“Then what about the Holy Light? Why can it fight heresy?”

“That is, of course, because the Holy Light is the fundamental power of this world, an entity born to resist heresy.”