Can’t Be Completely Trusted

Upon hearing Vivian’s words, Anis’s gaze sharpened further.

“As expected.”

He said slowly, eyes fixed on Vivian, continuing, “I hope to gain more intelligence—from the demon clan’s internal perspective.”

“…”

Vivian regarded him, tone hardening again. “Though Lucia’s power returning is indeed dangerous, what does it concern you? Or me? Humanity’s internal strife, the filthy tricks of that holy light cesspool—those are your affairs. You risked death coming here just to confirm this with me?”

Vivian even paused slightly, eyes turning playful.

“By the way, since you revealed this, for humans, Hero Anis, doesn’t this count as betrayal?”

She said.

Holy Son Charles—

Truthfully, in the game, Vivian had no recollection of this figure; at least in major main or side quests, he was nonexistent.

So when hearing of him from Anis, she wondered what monster this was; now realizing he was likely a 【pre-selected Holy Son】 from setting and background.

Just as Heroes cycled generations, Holy Son candidates were never singular.

This made sense.

In this truly operating world, aside from world-favored geniuses like Lucia, others struggled and climbed their paths.

This Charles was clearly a successful 【player】, his methods reeking of ruthless, ends-justify-means player style.

Now, this so-called Holy Son Charles was undoubtedly another 【player】.

And likely not the only one.

Vivian’s brows furrowed—facing the Gilded Hero Anis, she integrated known intelligence.

“…”

Anis fell silent a moment, then inhaled deeply, as if deciding, stepping forward.

“No! This is no betrayal, but…

…to purge 【heresy】!”

Anis firmly rejected Vivian’s claim, advancing another step, gaze locked on her. “If my suspicion holds! If Charles can truly create powerful shadow spirit warriors through blasphemy! His targets won’t stop at human Heroes or others! Any powerful departed soul could be prey, including… demons!”

His gaze pierced, urging her to grasp the gravity. “You don’t understand! His power’s usage is no proper holy light descent! Its essence differs utterly from Rhine Holy Church’s recorded merciful, protective descent! We had a Rhine bishop with us—he too found Charles’s power improper! Filled with eerie discord, no divine grace but… cold plunder and replication!”

“Oh? Any difference?”

Vivian tilted her head aptly, showing interest laced with demonic arrogance. “To me, those holy light descent 【angels】 are all scorching 【holy light】 erasing demons.”

She responded thus, actually intending to draw more from Anis.

For Vivian knew, as a 【player】, countless game-mentioned details and intel lurked—after all, such a vast game hid immense info in corners, let alone a real world evolving objectively.

A truly operating world inevitably concealed untold details and rules.

“Of course different.”

Anis furrowed his brows too, explaining as if convincing an “ignorant” Demon Lord.

“Actually, the Rhine Holy Church isn’t monolithic; many sects and doctrinal splits, broadly two factions.”

Anis began patiently. “One we call 【Absolute Radiance Faction】—extreme zealots believing Rhine God’s power absolute sanctity, absolute pure ‘reason’; wielding it means executing divine will.”

“They pursue purest, most efficient holy light, discarding ‘useless’ emotion and warmth, leaving only absolute cold ‘execute, purify’ commands—in their view, process and means irrelevant; results are all.”

“Including reviving the dead as absolute war weapons?”

Vivian raised a brow.

“…Roughly. Face that power once, and you’ll know—it’s ‘sanctity’ driven by the most efficient, merciless machine.”

Anis nodded, staring at Vivian. “The other, 【Merciful Light】, mainstream clergy—believing Rhine God’s power brims with compassion, warmth, redemption; usage must be measured, revering life, opposing endless demands on god lest divine punishment; they favor holy light for protection, healing, enlightenment, at most minor experiments, rarely extremes.”

“Oh, radicals and conservatives.”

Vivian nodded understanding. “So Holy Son Charles is radical?”

“…Yes, that’s the terror! Summoning and sustaining such powerful 【angels】, per scriptures, demands unimaginable piety and sacrifice, even life—but Charles does it effortlessly, even with relic and art, cost unbelievably low—and since he summoned Lucia successfully, what of other powers? Even…

…your demon history’s famed Demon Lords?”

Anis stared at Vivian, word by word. “His power and method akin to necromancy! Any lingering powerful soul shard could become 【angel】! Not just humans—powerful Demon Lords too! Would you see former kin, even ancestors, summoned undignified as weapons against you?!”

“These 【angels】’ strength ties to lifetime 【graces】 and talents! Stronger in life, mightier the 【angel】!”

Anis’s voice grew hoarse. “I guarantee, those radicals chasing ‘ultimate victory,’ more ‘divine grace,’ demonic genocide—they’ll do anything! They’re playing with fire! Ultimately making humans all sentients’ enemy!”

“!”

Vivian startled, pupils contracting!

Playful indifference faded, replaced by deep solemnity.

“You mean… he uses dead 【souls】’ shards as body and core, infusing ruthless, cold holy light, forming 【angels】?”

“Isn’t that holy light necromancy? Edo Tensei?

Then where’s the sanctity? Clearly holy-clad blasphemous puppetry!”

“Indeed terrifying and threatening.”

Air grew heavy again. But now, hostility mixed with something more complex.

“Why tell me this?”

Vivian blinked. “Just for Lucia?”

“Yes.” Anis swallowed. “I accept Lucia’s death—that’s a warrior’s end! But not this desecration!”

“And through it all, I’m more convinced—one thing about the Abyss God, or what we know as ‘grace’ source… perhaps not fully trustworthy!”

“…”

Hearing Anis, Vivian fell briefly silent.

“Indeed, highly suspicious.

A supposed god of holy light—how can its radiance be dual?

One side compassionate and merciful, the other ruthless and cold?

Truly contradictory.”