Lord of Caldera-Chapter 292 -

The news of the demon's offspring spread rapidly to the central temple, throwing the church into disarray.

"A demon? How could this happen in the previously quiet South?" one bishop exclaimed.

"Didn't two demons already appear in the East just a year ago?" another lamented.

"Could this be a prelude to an even greater catastrophe?" murmured a third.

The bishops gathered in the central temple exchanged uneasy whispers. The appearance of three demons within three years was unprecedented and deeply unsettling. Speculation ran rampant until a calm voice silenced them.

"Everyone, settle down," said a woman seated at the head of the table. "We know nothing for certain yet. Spreading unfounded rumors will only breed panic."

"But if this truly involves a demon—" a bishop began.

"Calm yourself," she interrupted with a steady gaze.

Her composed demeanor commanded immediate respect. The bishops, one by one, quieted under her piercing eyes. Though young, the woman exuded an aura of authority. Her name was Eleonore, the Archbishop and acting representative of the ailing Pope.

"Let me clarify something," Eleonore continued. "The report makes no mention of a demon's appearance. It speaks only of the offspring of a demon."

"Isn't that essentially the same thing?" a bishop asked.

"Not at all." Eleonore shook her head firmly. "Demons are purely spiritual beings, fundamentally different from humans. They cannot comprehend human morality or order."

Demons acted solely on their primal desires, incapable of understanding concepts such as guilt or restraint. Their thinking was entirely incompatible with human reasoning. However, a demon-human hybrid was a different matter.

"A hybrid, though tainted by demonic blood, is still born from a human womb. They are far closer to humans than demons," she explained.

"How can you possibly speak of such creatures with leniency?" a bishop protested.

"Listen to the full explanation," Eleonore urged, her tone unyielding.

The heated tension in the meeting room reached its peak as one of the radical bishops rose in anger, only to falter under Eleonore's piercing gaze. His mouth opened and closed soundlessly before he sank back into his seat.

"I'm not suggesting that demon hybrids are inherently good because they share human traits," Eleonore clarified, her voice calm but resolute. "I'm pointing out the distinctive characteristics they possess."

"What characteristics would those be?" another bishop asked cautiously.

"For one, unless directly exposed to divine power, they typically display no overt reactions. Their appearance often lacks discernible demonic features as well," she explained.

This meant they could easily live hidden among humans if they so chose. Many speculated that such hybrids likely existed, blending into society unnoticed. Over generations, as their demonic blood diluted, their mindset might align more closely with that of humans. Moreover, hybrids generally shared the same lifespan as ordinary humans.

"But now, out of the blue, we've received a report of a demon hybrid in the South," Eleonore continued. "I trust you all understand the nature of that region."

"It's a chaotic place," one bishop murmured. "Rife with scheming and constant battles."

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"Exactly. Do you think this is mere coincidence?"

A heavy silence fell over the room. Eleonore's words carried an unsettling implication: Was this a ploy by a regional lord to exploit the church for personal gain?

"…Surely this is an unwarranted leap," one bishop objected hesitantly. "Even in the South, would someone truly go so far?"

"Using the church for personal vendettas is a gamble that could destroy an entire family if discovered," another agreed. "Even a Southern noble wouldn't be so reckless."

"I'm not saying the report is entirely fabricated," Eleonore conceded, drumming her fingers lightly on the table. "A lord isn't foolish enough to make such a claim without understanding its implications."

She paused before adding, "But consider this: Upon discovering a demon hybrid, might they not seize the opportunity to accuse a political rival of collusion and eliminate them? Such a scenario is well within the realm of possibility."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. Indeed, such a strategy was subtle enough to avoid direct retribution while gaining the church's favor for exposing the hybrid.

"Speculation will get us nowhere," Eleonore declared, bringing the discussion to a close. "The truth must be determined. We'll need to send representatives to investigate."

"An excellent idea," a bishop said. "Who do you propose?"

Eleonore fell silent, deep in thought. The candidate would need to be impartial, capable of handling any potential conflict, and authoritative enough to subdue the local lord. Then, she made her decision.

"I propose we send Saint Lydia."

A wave of agreement swept through the room. Saint Lydia was a celebrated figure, with firsthand experience combating demons and a reputation that exceeded even the highest expectations of the church.

As the murmurs of approval died down, Eleonore added, "Sir Matthias will accompany her as a second."

"…!"

The room froze. Many priests and bishops glanced at each other in alarm, while only a few radicals nodded in agreement. Most seemed uneasy, sweat forming on their brows.

"Sir Matthias, the Red Hammer?" one priest thought to himself. "The man who loses all reason at the mere mention of heresy or demons?"

"Will this not cause unnecessary harm?" another worried silently.

Despite their misgivings, no one voiced opposition. Matthias, for all his zealotry, was undeniably skilled at rooting out heresy. With demons involved, rejecting his involvement seemed almost blasphemous.

Seeing no dissent, Eleonore rose from her seat. "It's decided. Saint Lydia will represent the church, with Sir Matthias as her escort and assistant. Time is of the essence—have them move immediately."

The orders were delivered swiftly. Lydia, who had recently returned from a pilgrimage, prepared herself for the mission without hesitation.

"As the Archbishop commands, I shall comply," she said. Despite her exhaustion, Lydia would never let her weariness show. As someone who had witnessed firsthand the devastation demons wrought, she knew delaying even a moment could cost countless lives.

Still, as she packed her belongings, she couldn't suppress a faint unease. "But Sir Matthias as my companion…?"

"The Archbishop likely selected him to avoid any interference from local politics," an attendant explained.

"That… makes sense," Lydia replied, though her smile was strained.