Treatise Of A Failed Knight-Chapter 273: Grim Development

’The Enlightened Witnesses of Truth...’

Is it a mere coincidence that this group has the word ’Witness’ within it, a word used to signify Rank 1 Leviathans?

Could this be a Leviathan Organization?

I can’t say for sure.

As my mind still tries to delve deep into these details, Father Gerome continues to speak on their affairs.

"These are religious extremists... fanatics... who serve the ones known as Leviathans. They possess sacred scriptures that have been passed down for a very long time, and their Holy Book seems to be derived from the Rites of Exaltation."

"They sound extremely dangerous. How come I haven’t heard of them before?" I ask with a troubled expression.

"They’re a very secret body, and their members consist of elite members of society. I actually do not know much about them myself, and the little that the church has managed to find out has been due to the brave men and women who chose to be spies within their circle—all of whom have been found out and executed."

"I see..." My brows furrow slightly. "What do you think about their motivation behind cannibalism and sacrifices? The journal states that they seek ascension and enlightenment."

"If you are asking about whether or not they wish to be Leviathans, I do not think it is so straightforward. This Cult views Leviathans as supreme deities, and as such, their domain is considered untouchable—forbidden but desirable."

"So they strive towards the unattainable."

"That sums it up well. Their rituals serve as their way of offering tribute to the Leviathans, and by consuming human flesh, they seek to increase their potential to understand the Leviathans more and glimpse into their world."

"I see..."

Rubbing my chin mildly, I ruminate on these new discoveries.

’I guess this is different from Alaric Duksryn’s obsession with the Leviathans. Could there be a connection between the two?’ I wonder silently. ’The Enlightened Witnesses of Truth have chosen the religious approach, and their goal does not seem to revolve around becoming a Leviathan... unlike the more scientific path that Alaric chose.’

In the end, Alaric wanted to ascend.

He failed, of course.

But this shows a difference in ideology and methodology.

The only similarity between these two is their fixation on the Leviathans.

’Still, it is worth looking into...’

Once I exhaust all alternatives in my current path, I have a fallback option. Although I’m not too optimistic about the prospects, it’s better than nothing.

"I’d like all the information you’ve collated on them, as well as other similar organizations."

"There are no other similar organizations in the Randalorion Kingdom, although I have heard of a few other religious bodies in other Kingdoms that possess interests in Leviathans. The Blazing Glory Church in the far south, the Ophiuchus Faith, as well as the Holy Trinity, are the ones who come to mind... but these are mere speculations and rumors. I don’t know any substantial information regarding them."

"Alright. Then give me everything on the Enlightened Witnesses of Truth."

Since I am in a hurry, I can’t afford to waste my time on religious bodies beyond my scope of concern. Perhaps if things don’t work out with the current data, I can expand my search to these bodies in other areas.

"I understand. I get started on the compilation immediately."

"Thank you, Father." I rise to my feet and give the old man a respectful smile. "You have been most helpful. Your contribution will surely be of great use in this investigation."

"Oho... This much is nothing for a distinguished one such as yourself."

The Bishop and I laugh heartily for some time before I leave his office with Seth, denying a personal escort from him. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"I still can’t believe Professor Seraphina is missing. How is Professor Klein taking it?"

As we walk side by side, Seth raises this question.

He already knows of the relationship between these two, which I am not surprised about. I am also not too surprised about his concern for them, since they were also two of his favorite Professors during our time as students in the Royal Academy.

"He’s hanging in there, but I have to hurry before this situation causes permanent damage to him and also to Seraphina. She still hasn’t fully recovered from... you know..."

"Yeah. I also have nightmares of that incident sometimes..."

"Really?"

Seth nods and sighs deeply.

"It’s at moments like this that I wish I had control over my Divination. If I did, I would be able to pinpoint the location of the abducted victims."

I nod and smile regrettably.

’Seth could glimpse into Ciel’s machinations and foresaw the slaughter that would come out of the Royal Academy’s Excursion. If he could control his powers, then even if it were a Leviathan involved in these abductions, he would still be able to detect them... right?’

It’s too bad that he is not in control of his abilities.

"So what will you do now?" Seth asks me with a look of expectation, one still underlaid with some measure of guilt.

I shrug with a hint of nonchalance, but my expression should be enough to display my utter seriousness with this investigation. "I’ll have to track down this cult with the small force I have at my disposal, of course."

I have Uncle Damon, Leon, Freya, Jasper, and all my subordinates in the Randalorion Kingdom’s branch of the Dark Guild.

Now that I know what exactly I am looking for, the search should become easier.

Since I also have the support of my Aunt Leila and Klein, both of whom are respectable thinkers who could supplement my analysis, I should also be able to narrow things down a great deal.

Of course, our progress is heavily dependent on the information we receive from the church.

Judging from Father Gerome’s words, they don’t have a lot of it.

Our targets are very sneaky.

’But with enough clues, perhaps Divination from my end is even possible.’

I refuse to give up so easily!

***********

One week has passed, and although we haven’t made a lot of progress in finding the Enlightened Witnesses of Truth, two more incidents have happened that will surely cause far more ramifications than the other cases thus far.

Two very important people have gone missing!

One is Jonathan, Serena Ravenwood’s cousin, as well as a respected Royal Knight.

He was taken away right after visiting Serena’s home. He entered his residence in the guest room, and even after an entire day, he never came out.

It was only after they broke down the door that they realized he was no longer there.

He had mysteriously vanished!

Someone as powerful as Jonathan would not have disappeared so seamlessly, and without making any kind of commotion, if it wasn’t by a powerful figure or an exceptional group of people. The clues left behind also match those in the other disappearances.

Serena must have caught wind of my active investigation into these paranormal activities, so she contacted me regarding her cousin.

Since Serena is my friend, and we go way back to our Academy days, I have also decided to make her own situation my priority. But it’s not like I have made much headway in the cases I am actively investigating.

It was also after I received Serena’s report that a message from the Royal Palace was sent, informing me of the second, rather grave disappearance.

—The Third Prince.

’Claus is also missing. He mysteriously vanished, and the description matches what I am investigating...’ This matter is currently the most egregious, since it has now involved the most powerful family in the Randalorion Kingdom.

Not only is Claus the Third Prince, but ever since I gave him my blessing, he has become the Randalorion Kingdom’s Crown Prince.

He is the heir of an entire Mid-Sized Kingdom!

That is a big deal!

It appears the Enlightened Witnesses of Truth have become rather daring.

’Is it because we are closing in on them? Is it due to something else?’ I continue to ponder with no way to fully decipher this mystery.

There is one thing I now know for sure.

This has become a matter of utmost importance!

Not just to me or to the missing individuals, but to the entire Kingdom.

With the Royal Family and the powerful Noble Households now on board, it will become easier to have everyone cooperate with me to find the culprits.

’It’s only a matter of time.’

Right as I dwell on this thought, I receive yet another letter—this time from Seth.

Hoping it contains additional information on this mysterious Cult, I open the envelope with excitement likely visible in my eye.

However, this brilliant light sharply dissipates once I read the contents of the letter.

It’s not a good report.

Rather, it’s even more grim news.

"The Bishop has also gone missing, and the signs correlate with the Paranormal Abductions!"

Things have grown more complicated all of a sudden.

What is going on?!