At the unexpected words, Allen gulped and then slowly let out a breath.
　This is certainly a story that can't be heard by anyone.

　Then I looked out the window and saw the sky in my field of vision as night had fallen.
　You're going to have to be able to get a good deal more than just a few minutes of your time.

The ...... cathedral is the ...... church's?

　When you return your gaze to the sound of Milene's voice, even Milene can't seem to hide her surprise.
　You're going to be able to get a good deal more information on the subject.

　If you follow his gaze and turn to Henriette, she nods her head with a serious look on her face.

"Yes, of the church's headquarters. It is the only neutral zone within the church that exists independently and is recognized as such. It is the cathedral, which is said to be absolutely impenetrable.

　As I've mentioned before, the church to the average person is more of a gift-keeper than a group of people who worship and believe in God.
　Most of the people in this world, even if they do not belong to a church, believe in the existence of God to one degree or another.

　But that is why the church is not allowed to have power.
　If those in charge of the Gift had power, they would certainly not be able to oppose it.

　Although this is only a rumor, it is even said that those who disobey the church can have their gifts confiscated.
　If they have no power, what will happen if they actually do have power is as clear as daylight.

　And even if the church has no power, if it joins hands with some countries, the same thing will happen.
　Therefore, the church is located in every country in the world and is equal to everyone.

　The church's treatment is left to the nations and does not interfere with the church.
　That is the policy of the church.

　But since the church is also an organization, there must be a place that should be its center.
　That place is called the cathedral.

　It is a completely neutral zone, independent of any country, with no influence from or to any country.
　A place that exists only for the congregation of the church, a place that only a few are allowed to enter.
　That is the cathedral.

　It is certainly surprising that Leeds and the others were taken to such a place ......, but in fact, there is something even more surprising.
　It's that they were kidnapped by the devil.

　The relationship between the devil and the church is, to put it simply, water and oil.
　Absolutely incompatible.

　It is needless to say that the devil is hostile to humanity and is unrelenting in his slaughter, but it is even worse against the church.
　The devil doesn't often destroy buildings, let alone people.
　They are never intact, but they don't break more than they have to.

　But against the church, it is relentless.
　Because of their thoroughness and their willingness to leave not a trace of dust, it is one of the most common statements that people harbor a strong grudge against the church, even though not much is known about the devil.
　This is especially true with the way they prioritize killing church members when they find them under any circumstances.

　And the church also clearly positions the devil as an adversary to humanity.
　The church claims equality with all, but makes an exception for the devil and calls for his destruction.

　In fact, we are told that the front lines fighting the devil are frequented by church members.
　There are few who have the skill to fight, but that is why they pray to God for victory and ask for his blessings.
　If they are involved in battle, they will stare at the demons with hatred.

　To the headquarters of such a church, the devil kidnapped Leeds and his friends and took them there.
　It's not a very believable story, nor is it possible.

　If it weren't for what Henriette told me, I'm sure that's what Allen would have thought.

"Is that something you can say with certainty?
I already told you about that. I didn't say it because I didn't have enough information to be sure. But there's no doubt about the connection between the devil and the church. It is the Church that supports those guys.
"...... church, but the devil?
Or perhaps I should say, there is no kingdom of the devil. There is no such thing as the kingdom of the devil, and at its heart has always been the church.

　If someone from the church were to hear this, they would be immediately identified as a heretic and executed without any further ado, Allen thought, but he was convinced.
　That would explain why the demons were able to do so much of what they wanted.

　Demons are not plunderers but slaughterers.
　In short, demons only destroy and do not steal anything from people.

　And yet, the demons don't seem to be producing anything.
　There is no way they can live.
　It's even natural that they are receiving support from somewhere, and the church with branches all over the world is a good fit.

It's not exactly a mutual cooperation, of course, but a heartfelt cooperation. I guess they both think they'll outdo each other if they get the chance. Also, I think there are many people who don't know each other's situation. I think there are more people who genuinely hate each other than those who act to disguise themselves.
"...... is a little safer?
Well, it would be too scary if the church and the devil were to go hand in hand completely. But why would you do that?　I know what it means for the devil to join forces with the church, but I don't see any benefit to the church in doing so: ......
It's kind of the opposite.
"...... backwards?　There are more advantages to ...... churches?
That's what I mean. Well, it's a little complicated in this area: ......

　As she said this, Henriette glanced at Allen, and it hit me.
　I wondered how Henriette could know such a thing, but perhaps it is a story that has to do with the roots of this world.
　It is based on the knowledge of a former apostle Henriette, not Henriette, a former marquise of the empire.

　Then there are probably many things that cannot be spoken.
　After letting out a sigh, Henriette let her gaze wander as if searching for words, and then let out a sigh, as if it was inevitable, Henriette spoke the next words.

It is generally recognized that the church is a gift-management organization, but at the end of the day, it is a God-worshipping organization. They manage the gift because it's more convenient to do so. And they are willing to use the gift to make God's prestige known.
"The use of ...... gifts?　How?


The gift is the power that God gives to man, but there are certain properties. Depending on the degree of danger that humanity as a whole is in, there is a greater likelihood that a powerful gift will be given. The gift is one of the powers that God has given mankind to adapt and live in this world.
Oh, I've heard that story before, but it wasn't a story the church made up.
This is a fact about this. I've made up a story about it, though.

　So which story is it, I wondered for a moment, but I'm afraid I'm going to get sidetracked, so I'll leave it at that for now.
　But more importantly .

I see. ...... So you're saying that the role of the devil is to pose an appropriate threat to humanity.
It's a role that the church has given to the devil. It is the most obvious and valuable of all gifts to be used in battle. By extension, we thank God for giving us such power ......
......, but so far it hasn't happened?
I'm not. But I think that's why they took Leeds and the others. They'll say that having a powerful gift is proof that God loves you ...... or something like that. I think they're trying to do something with it. If you don't do that, I don't understand why the devil had to kidnap you.
...... Sure, I could have killed you if I wanted to. If I had wanted to, I could have killed it with ease.

　If you think about it, we were still not vigilant enough to take precautions and countermeasures, but we'll reflect on that later.
　For now, we know where Henriette thinks Leeds and the others were kidnapped, and we know why.

　Then .

...... Yeah. I think it makes sense to go to the cathedral. I think there's a good chance, too.
If not, then the whole world will be your enemy, right?
I'll work on that one. ...... No, really?　I don't care if it happens,

　You will be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for, and you'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.
　That's just the truth.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do if you really are in the cathedral and have no other choice but to rescue them. ...... At least that's not my intention right now.

　As I was thinking about this, Milene suddenly looked at Henriette with narrowed eyes.

...... Who is Henriette?

　Well, it's only natural for the question to arise.
　No matter how much you are a former marquise of the empire, it's clearly not a good knowledge to know.

　But Henriette met his gaze with a shrug of her shoulders as if it was nothing.

"Well, ...... who do you think you are?　Well, at least now it's just a regular person ...... or less than a regular person. I'm an unidentified person, after all. That's the position I'm in.

　I'm sure you know that Henriette is only telling the truth, but it's a very stinky thing to say.
　Normally, you would feel that you were being misled.

　You will be able to get the most out of it.

...... Okay. I mean, Henriette is Allen's kind.
...... It's a bit annoying to be treated like this guy.
"I think that's a bit too rude of a statement for me to make: ......?
"...... sorry, but of course?

　I tried to look at Milene's words in protest, but they were ignored.
　Apparently, she doesn't want to fight.

　When Allen shrugged his shoulders in relief, a small smile appeared on Milene's lips, and Henriette blurted out as if caught in the act.
　And as you watch them smile, you can see that Allen is also smiling and ...... secretly happy about it.

　You'll be able to find out more about the pain of being rejected by someone close to you, and Allen knows exactly what it's like to be rejected by someone close to you.
　I'm sure you'll be able to see that Henriette will never feel that ...... is not the person that Milene would give it to.
　I thought it would be okay, and I'm really glad that I was right.

　I'm sure Henriette would say that it would be a big deal to her to let her know that she was thinking about such a thing.
　So, even though Allen knows that ...... would have been noticed, he laughed and shrugged his shoulders again, even though he knew that he would be noticed.