"He did not, your majesty," Justin said. "I have spoken to him after I heard of Saintess Lilith’s message, but he claims to have been unaware of this girl."
"And what if he is lying?" Xavier asked, raising an eyebrow.
Justin frowned. "I don’t believe he would, your majesty. Saint Theron is a devout member of the Church and the best Saint I know. Keeping such an important piece of information for himself— or rather, not seizing the girl and bringing her to Xanderia? That does not seem like him."
"Perhaps." The Emperor lowered his head and placed one hand on his chin. "However, do you believe Saint Theron has been acting like himself ever since he returned from his mission?
"I have received various reports— mostly complaints— coming from the nobility. They are unhappy about the boy he had brought back with him from the Rem Republic. They believe it is only because of Saint Theron’s influence that the boy was admitted to the Academy, and they wish for me to take actions against the Church for it."
"I have looked into the boy— Adrian— and he is very much qualified to be in the Academy, your majesty."
"That does not matter." He sighed and turned to Justin. "The issue comes from Saint Theron— has he ever done something like this before?"
"I don’t believe he has," the older man said. "However, coming from an orphanage himself and losing out on opportunities as a child, I don’t see how this is out of character for him. He has helped plenty of children before find homes in Xanderia— especially those living near the Gates of Hell who have lost their towns and villages."
"But none were ever brought to the Academy." Xavier crossed his arms. "That is different. By exerting his influence to do so, he jeopardizes his rank by bringing the nobilities ire towards the Church. It is too much risk for a random boy, no?"
Justin cocked a brow. "What are you implying?"
"Nothing of the sort that you’re thinking about," Xavier said. "Just that it is an unusual thing to do. Tell me, Justin, what has Saint Theron been doing in over the half year that passed since he returned?"
"He has taken a step back from his duties as a Saint," Justin replied slowly. Creases formed in his brows as he considered this. "He has spent more time studying and in temples than before, citing a desire to repent for his failure to protect the Inquisitors under him."
"And has he ever done that before?"
"He has mourned for everyone who he has failed to protect— but no, never to this extent." He pursed his lips and turned back to Xavier. "What are you thinking, your majesty?"
"I’m not sure either," the Emperor said. "But perhaps Saint Theron saw something. Perhaps he saw something that made him seek repentance. And maybe that’s why he spared the Fiend’s daughter and chose not to tell us about her."
"With all due respect, your majesty, that is impossible. You know as well as I do that magic is heresy. The Shadow’s Evangelium nearly succeeded in assassinating you. They destroyed cities and towns. Bringing justice to a heretic— especially one as vile as the Fiend— is not something he would ever need to repent."
"Maybe not."
Perhaps he came a little too forward to Justin. Someone who had fought against the Shadow’s Evangelium for the entirety of its existence wouldn’t have the most positive opinion of spellcasters. However...
"But something did happen. Something that made Saint Theron choose to show… kindness to the girl. So shouldn’t we take that into consideration and do the same?"
Saint Justin considered this. He slowly nodded his head in agreement. "It would certainly be unfair to hold this girl accountable for her mother’s crimes. And yet, Saintess Lilith calls for aid. She believes that she needs help to capture this girl. To a certain extent, she has to be a danger, your majesty."
"What do you suggest, Justin?" Xavier asked. "The Grand Inquisitor and the nobility would certainly press me to fulfill her request. What can I do to ensure real justice is carried out? What happens if this girl is not even related to the Fiend, and is falsely killed?"
"Saintess Lilith requested for Inquisitors. However, the Church is stretched too thin as of late due to the Abominations. And especially considering what happened to the last team of Inquisitors that accompanied her— I don’t believe that can be done, even if the Grand Inquisitor would insist it’s possible."
Certainly, the Grand Inquisitor would try to have his Inquisitors sent out in this mission. Doing so would only increase his influence, after all. And in light of recent events which diminished the Empire’s entire standing in addition to the nobility incessantly clawing away at his power? The rank of Emperor held less power now than it ever did ever since the Empire’s very formation.
"But if I refuse to hear answer the Saintess’ call for assistance and demand her return, I would be accused of being incompetent— they would paint me to be a bigger fool than they already have."
Justin spoke reassuringly. "So you give both the Saintess and the nobility what they wanted," he said. "Don’t send Inquisitors. Send your Holy Knights.
"Ever since the Cult brought the Abominations to Vitae, somehow— for whatever reason— the hordes of Abominations coming from Hell have decreased, have they not? That was why we felt it was not a risk to take Saintess Lilith out from guarding the Gates of Hell. It wouldn’t be a risk to call back some Holy Knights as well, no?"
Xavier considered this with a nod. Then snapping his fingers, he exclaimed. "And if I handpick the Holy Knights who have previously worked with Saintess Lilith, they would be able to manage
