I’m Going to Destroy this Country

At Isaac’s words, the expressions of all the Cardinals changed.

Their faces showed displeasure at the audacious statement, but on the other hand, they seemed to be gauging the situation as if there was something that stung them.

Isaac couldn’t help but laugh contemptuously.

‘Huh, these bastards, I can hear the sound of their brains working hard all the way here.’

Well, he understood.

Of all people, there was Grandfather, whom they found uncomfortable, and the White Cardinal, whom they absolutely couldn’t turn into an enemy. Their attempts to be careful with their words were evident.

Soon, the Black Cardinal, who was the most indifferent to others and cynical among the Cardinals, let out a small sigh.

“I understand that the Blue is upset. We too only found out about this belatedly, but as colleagues, we are filled with anger. We deeply sympathize and regret this.”

Is this bastard reading from a script?

Even reading a Korean textbook would have more emotion than that.

“We will thoroughly investigate the totem to ensure that such incidents do not recur.”

The Black faith was involved in investigative research such as examining corpses and evidence, researching magical beasts, and dealing with criminals and fugitives. It was a faith that meticulously dissected and erased opponents from the world.

It was a promise to do the same to the culprit who tampered with the Blue’s totem, and to someone who didn’t know, it would sound very reassuring, but well?

‘Yeah, so you’re saying you want to let it slide for now because it’s troublesome?’

They want to insist that they didn’t know about it at all costs, right?

Soon, the Red Cardinal smiled like a cunning snake.

“If you wish, we can investigate for you. We couldn’t even imagine that such a thing would happen in the sacred faith selection. If we search the Papacy, we might find the culprit, don’t you think?”

Oh my, the Red bastard is trying to pin it on Gold.

Indeed, the Gold Cardinal glared at the Red Cardinal as if telling him to look at this trash.

The Black Cardinal chimed in.

“That’s right. If we investigate Gold, who prepared the totem, we might find the answer Blue wants.”

Wow, these bastards. They’re ruthless in trying to save themselves.

[…Why isn’t the Holy Empire collapsing?]

‘Why? Because the gods are the same kind of bastards.’

[Ah.]

Whisper understood immediately.

‘And while holy wars may be noble, when people gather, they just become a massive interest group.’

[!]

The more holy wars gather, the more sacred the story becomes, but the more people gather, the more power is created.

And the Holy Empire itself is like that.

Originally, the first Pope and Emperor unified the faiths that were forming tribes into one massive faith, creating today’s Hella.

The various faiths merely became colleagues for the common interest of serving gods of the same world and blocking evil.

So while they might understand that their own roots are more important, is this still a tribal society? How long has it been since they became civilized?

In the first place, priests whose common mission is to protect people shouldn’t cross the line.

[You’re always trying to cross the line too, Master.]

‘I have an indulgence because I’m a heretic.’

[Ah.]

That’s why Isaac smiled innocently.

In the meantime, the Black and Red Cardinals, as if they had found good prey, joined forces to attack Gold.

“Let’s help the Blue who suffered damage.”

“If we investigate the priests of the Papacy on behalf of Blue, Blue would be satisfied…”

“Save your sleep talk for when you’re sleeping.”

“…!”

“These people are pretending not to know, huh?”

“!”

Isaac’s rotten smile was directed at the Cardinals.

He said ‘these people,’ but it definitely wasn’t a mistake that it sounded like ‘these bastards.’

“Where do you think you’re trying to beat up Gold on your own?”

At those words, the other Cardinals looked as if wondering why Blue was defending Gold, but-

“We’ll beat those guys ourselves.”

Ah, that’s more like it.

“Don’t act like you’re Blue’s spokesperson without our consent. Do you think we don’t know you’re trying to subtly pretend to be on our side and avoid blame with that?”

“…!”

Isaac hadn’t intended to go this far, but he sneered as if he had no choice.

“Gold prepared the totem? Those guys aren’t even worth mentioning.”

The Cardinals standing at the entrance looked dumbfounded.

Look at this bastard’s eyes and tone…? Now he’s treating Gold openly worse than cockroaches?

“And are Infinite Maggots some kind of locusts? Something even kids can catch and play with? Only Black could obtain something like that.”

Don’t ask how he knows.

He knows well because he saw the Black Cardinals collecting them during his skeleton days.

“Infinite Maggots can’t survive long outside their breeding environment. At most a few minutes, so they were probably handed over right before use. So if you investigate Black, you’ll find it, right? The pheromones of Infinite Maggots. The pheromones they emit to paralyze the host are so strong that they remain for days even after washing.”

[What if they don’t find it?]

‘They’ll definitely find it.’

[Why?]

‘Because I planted it.’

[…Excuse me??]

Whether Whisper was surprised or not, Isaac chuckled.

Well, in fact, even without doing such a thing, only the Black Cardinal could handle something like that in this country.

Why?

Because only the Black Duke’s family can handle and possess maggots that are banned in the Holy Empire for research purposes.

If it were goods from other illegal routes, the Black family would have noticed and tried to catch them long ago, right? But the fact that they’re playing dumb means it’s them after all.

‘In the first place, White absolutely avoids parasitic bugs because of their divine beasts. They wouldn’t touch maggots.’

“Moreover, it’s the Red Cardinal who checks if there are any problems with the totem right before use, isn’t it?”

It was to check if there was any risk of the totem going berserk.

“Surely, Your Eminence wouldn’t say you didn’t know there were parasites in it, would you? Right?”

With a look that seemed to say ‘If you didn’t even know that, you should step down from the Cardinal position,’ the Red Cardinal’s eyebrow twitched.

“In other words, how could Your Eminences not know, except for White who has no reason to touch the totem?”

The Black, Gold, and Red Cardinals seemed at a loss for words.

They wanted to kick out this impudent brat, but Isaac was the successor of Blue, and next to him was the Blue family head with his arms crossed, his eyes wide open.

It was a look that said he would kill them if they laid a hand on his successor. He must have deliberately put his mission from the Pope on hold to come here for his grandson, sitting as if this was his domain.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, the White Cardinal intervened.

“It must have been easier since the Blue Cardinal wasn’t present. I suppose you kept quiet thinking it was convenient?”

“…!”

At the rare sight of the White Cardinal, who usually doesn’t interfere, getting involved, the other Cardinals flinched.

“And White has been harmed because of you all.”

At the sharp voice, the other Cardinals felt wronged. The Red Cardinal spoke first.

“We left it alone thinking there must be a reason.”

“And strictly speaking, White’s damage isn’t our fault. It’s because of Isaac Eshua…”

At the Black Cardinal’s words, the Blue Cardinal’s eyes turned fierce.

“Our kid, what?”

At the tiger-like gaze, the Cardinals couldn’t continue speaking and just clicked their tongues. If they touched Isaac, they might unnecessarily become X, and in this situation, they shouldn’t make even White an enemy.

Gold spoke first.

“We regret that White also suffered damage due to the unexpected accident. But because of that, we can’t say it’s anyone’s responsibility.”

“That’s right. In fact, if there’s a problem, it’s the side that planted the bugs as revenge that’s wrong…”

Then the White Cardinal, with her hand on her cheek, smiled even more brightly.

“Ah… So you all knew that there was a device in Blue’s totem for the past 5 years, but didn’t say anything, and now you’re whining because you got a little scratch because of the young Blue successor?”

“!”

“Ah, yes. Of course, I understand. If you didn’t have the skills to handle such things even after seeing them, I should understand and overlook it.”

…Damn? What did she say?

“If our Cardinals are invalids who can’t lift a finger, and blind people who can’t even see bugs, what can we do? Since you’re unwell, I should tell them to treat your heads first. We also have the responsibility of not noticing.”

Look at that person, beating them up while smiling?

However, the White Cardinal soon looked at Isaac worriedly.

“But Young Master Isaac was also in danger. I’m not doubting your skills, but handling dangerous maggots directly when you’re not from the Black family… If there had been a bigger accident with you or at the demonstration…”

At those words, Isaac deliberately smiled as if repenting, as if he had been waiting for this.

“Ah, of course I think that part was my mistake! When I found out the cause of my subordinates’ suffering, I was so angry that I wanted to pay them back in kind, but that wasn’t the right thing to do!”

At those words, the White Cardinal spoke as if she was very sorry.

“As a Cardinal, I also bear great responsibility for not noticing for the past 5 years. This incident, White also…”

“No, no, White did nothing wrong. Rather, I feel sorry for causing White’s priests to be harmed because of me. I still have a lot to learn and my emotions got ahead of me! I won’t do it again!”

“Young Master Isaac…!”

[…Wow, what a detestable smile.]

As if agreeing with Whisper’s words, the other Cardinals looked at Isaac contemptuously.

What do you mean your concern for your subordinates came first? Do you think we don’t know you staged the situation to show off Blue’s vision?

But well, whatever.

Let’s put Blue aside. As long as we don’t turn White into an enemy, it’s fine. And seeing White’s reaction, fortunately, it seems like we can get through this without major problems…

“Ah, that’s right. This time there were maggots in White’s totem too.”

“What?”

Flinch.

At the reaction of some Cardinals, Isaac chuckled as if to say ‘this is it.’ In fact, this was the real reason he called the Cardinals.

“You know what? I thought only Blue’s totem had parasites, but White had them too.”

“?!”

As if asking what that meant, the White Cardinal looked at the other Cardinals. But the Cardinals rather looked at Isaac as if asking what he meant.

“Why would White have that?”

“We really don’t know about this.”

“…Hey!!”

As White’s gaze sharpened, the other Cardinals looked at Isaac as if they really didn’t know.

“That guy must be lying.”

“Huh.”

They were people who kept denying it to the end even when it came to Blue. White was unlikely to believe them easily.

But as if they were really wronged, following Gold’s words, Black and Red also added a word.

“Believe us. We did it to Blue, but really not to White.”

“That’s right. There was in Blue’s, but not in White’s.”

“What do you mean? So there was in Blue’s? You’re finally confessing?”

She looked at Isaac as if dumbfounded.

“Don’t tell me Young Master Isaac removed the maggots from White’s totem?”

“There was no need to involve innocent people. As a priest, I couldn’t forgive injustice. So I replaced it with the Imperial Family’s totem.”

The White Cardinal looked at Isaac as if inwardly surprised, while the other Cardinals looked dumbfounded.

Even the Blue family head was looking as if asking who this was. At this point, he had read Isaac’s intentions.

As expected, the Red Cardinal looked at Isaac as if he had a headache.

‘White is not only the faith of healing, but also raises the divine beasts of other faiths.’

Problems could arise from there.

‘I didn’t think it would become this big of an issue since it was just about bringing in new recruits.’

There was a huge difference between the White Cardinal simply doubting others and definitively determining the culprit. And if White joined hands with Blue because of this incident, it would become troublesome.

No, more than that, it’s unfair!

There really weren’t any maggots in White’s!

“So I dealt with White’s totem on my own, but did I make a mistake?”

At Isaac’s coy smile, the Cardinals were dumbfounded.

This deceitful little devil?