Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part Two]

CHAPTER 231: The Truth About the Zepharion Church

After Lumielle rehashed everything that happened at the nightclub, Lyndoria immediately grabbed Daisuke by the collar and shook him so hard it seemed like his neck would break.

"Haxks Starfrost, you fiend!" she snarled, her voice laced with murderous fury. "How dare you subject the princess to such vile debauchery! What if she never recovers from the trauma? What if it ruins her chances of ever getting married?!"

While Daisuke looked away poker-faced, Lumielle's cheeks flushed as her mind flashed back to what Roselle had been doing to her harem in that dimly lit room... things best left unspoken.

Just before Lyndoria could throttle the life out of the scoundrel, Midnight emerged, his presence instantly defusing the mood. Yet as the feline began telepathically listing the troubling facts he'd uncovered, Daisuke found himself thinking that maybe getting strangled wouldn't have been so bad after all.

By the time he got done relaying everything he'd learnt from the feline, the lobby went dead quiet.

The princess's quivering lips finally parted, her expression glum. "Then all this time... the Zepharion church has been preying on the faith and desperation of the religious..."

A muscle tightened in Daisuke's jaw. "To think they'd go as far as to incorporate mana dust into the sacred morsel, all while claiming it was a blessing from their goddess."

"And once the poor souls are hooked, the dealers swoop in, ready to sell more of it and turning them into lifelong addicts." Lyndoria's face twisted with rage, her eyebrows drawn tight. "I knew the Church was corrupt, but to think they'd align with the Mhaledictus... they make me sick!"

Daisuke leaned forward, lacing his fingers as a calculating frown settled on his face. "All the more reason why attending tomorrow's event is crucial."

"I agree," Lumielle said, her fingers curling into tight fists. "I find it hard to believe they are suddenly moved to help the people of the slums out of the goodness of their hearts, especially now when they are supposedly preparing for war."

"Surely this won't sit well with the people," Lyndoria added. "At a time when taxes are at an all-time high, they're blatantly using resources to pamper a class that contributes nothing to society."

"Which only proves there's more to this than meets the eye," Daisuke remarked. "The ones pulling the strings are corrupt, not stupid. I'm sure they have something sinister planned. The real question is what they're after... and why."

"What... about my father?" Lumielle hesitated, her voice breaking slightly as her eyes welled with unshed tears. "Why would Lord Vaerythos want him dead? Could he be the mastermind we've been searching for?"

Lyndoria's face tightened with a dark, calculating look. "At the very least, it's worth noting that it's very possible for him to seize the throne with proper preparations. He might have decided to make a move while the court is in disarray."

Lumielle held the girl's hard gaze before shifting her attention to Daisuke. "If the king and his heirs fall, then the Marquess would be next in line for the throne."

Daisuke nodded thoughtfully. "It's not out of the realm of possibility. He may be targeting the easier prey first, but once that's done, he'll likely set his sights on you and Reneal—both royal heirs and direct threats to his ambitions."

The princess paled at the thought.

Lyndoria cupped her chin, her gaze distant and contemplative. "For some reason, I've always suspected the grand chancellor might be the true mastermind. He's the one with the most influence, the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. He's also the only one permitted near the king, so how did Lord Vaerythos manage to get that close? Where are all the guards?"