Interlude: The Fallout (4)

The Holy Kingdom’s power structure was broadly divided into two factions.

The clerical faction.

Those who sought to make the Goddess’s name resound across the continent, extend the Goddess Church’s power into the secular realm, and ultimately guide all unbelievers into the embrace of the Holy Kingdom.

The monastic faction.

Those who pursued an inward faith through prayer rather than clinging to secular power, and sought to guide only those who denied the Goddess—and even then, only to a limited extent.

Naturally, as with all religions following similar paths, the Holy Kingdom had begun with a faith closer to the monastic faction, but at present, the clerical faction wielded far greater influence.

“Ulysses has no intention of repenting. We can no longer overlook him under the pretext that he is a Hero!”

The leader of the clerical faction.

Grand Priest Eclitten raised his voice.

He was the very Grand Priest who had summoned Ulysses in both the Imperial capital and the Holy Kingdom and given him a thorough dressing-down...