Miss Witch’s Devotion Has Gone… Twisted

Chapter 165: The Planning of War

"Um... you should all sit at the table to eat."

During the meal, the several new maids just stood beside the dining table. Loren was from Inner Mongolia and didn't have this custom. Seeing them like this made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

But that's one thing, and this is another. When necessary, Loren could also channel Confucius.

"You are as gentle as the rumors say."

Before taking her seat, Seraphina first thanked Loren. Loren had heard plenty of similar flattery, but for some reason, when Seraphina said it, Loren felt a bit ashamed.

"Mirrorheart, your cooking skills have improved again, it's so delicious!"

During today's meal, Anna cared even less about her image. She even threw away her chopsticks, choosing to directly grab a piece of meat with her hand, hurriedly shoving more into her mouth before she had even swallowed what was already there.

"This was made by Seraphina."

Mirrorheart said calmly. Realizing her flattery had missed the mark, Anna felt somewhat awkward.

Loren also took another look at Seraphina. Even while eating, she remained so elegant.Loren was clear about Mirrorheart's culinary skills;

even the royal palace's head chef couldn't compare to Mirrorheart. To surpass Mirrorheart in cooking, Seraphina definitely had something special.

Apart from perfect, Loren didn't know how else to describe her.

A knock on the door sounded, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

"I'll get the door."

Seraphina stood up before anyone else, opened the door. Outside was Loren's acquaintance, Clemens.

"Master Mentor, I apologize for disturbing you..."

"You all keep eating, I need to go handle something."

Loren put down his chopsticks and walked towards the door. Loren's status was clear;

even a big shot like Clemens wouldn't actively bother him without something happening.

"What happened?"

As Loren reached the doorway, Seraphina handed him a black robe. Her perceptiveness was off the charts, making Loren pause for a moment before he took the black robe and put it on.

Clemens was some distance from the door. Only after Loren walked out did he realize why Clemens was standing so far away—Clemens carried a very strong smell of smoke.

He remembered Loren had said the children didn't like the smell of smoke, so this time he didn't even approach Loren's doorstep.

"We captured a Rainbow Plague infected person, but... there are many odd things about him. It's hard to explain. Please come with me."

"Alright."

On the way, Clemens briefed Loren on the general situation. That person was found by him in the Nofica Theocracy. He followed the treatment method Loren provided;

it worked immediately for other patients, but had no effect on him whatsoever.

Even his physical fitness had improved significantly, far surpassing ordinary people. Clemens was afraid—what if all these Rainbow Plague infected people became like this? What should they do?

For something threatening like this, they could have just killed him directly, but Clemens still thought it better to ask Loren's opinion, so he stopped the others from killing him outright.

"What's going on? Could the Rainbow Plague be evolving?"

"It can."

Loren's answer made Clemens' heart tighten, but then Loren's tone suddenly shifted, letting him relax:

"But evolution will only increase infection capability and treatment difficulty, not combat power. No matter when, these people are trash.

"What's the infection rate among the population in the Nofica Theocracy?"

Gedlan had many infected. Among the countries of the God of Bountiful Harvest, Gedlan was one of those living the hardest lives. Even so, there were many infected.

Then the Nofica Theocracy, as the country with the best treatment for ordinary people, was also the best breeding ground for the Rainbow Plague.

"About one in a thousand..."

This was a terrifying number. The Nofica Theocracy had a population of nearly two billion. One in a thousand was still two million, already exceeding the populations of many countries.

"That's still okay, it can be controlled. If the infected reach one-tenth of the population, that's when the Rainbow Plague will evolve, which is also when a country faces destruction."

After learning this, Clemens' mood didn't improve much. Confirming the Rainbow Plague hadn't evolved wasn't necessarily good news;

it meant there were other threats.

"Should we declare war on the Canaan Kingdom?"

As they approached the prison, Clemens suddenly spoke these words solemnly.

The King didn't have the authority to decide on war. As a Bishop, Clemens didn't have the authority either. Even Loren didn't have the authority.

But Clemens knew that if Loren supported going to war, then others wouldn't oppose it. They would almost unanimously agree with Loren's decision.

The countries of the God of Bountiful Harvest had been messed with like this by the God of Plague—first a war of national destruction, now the Rainbow Plague. It was time for the God of Bountiful Harvest to fight back.

Recently, they had already severed much of their trade with the territories of the God of Plague. Without the food supply from the God of Bountiful Harvest's side, many of their people would starve.

But they weren't fools either. Since they dared to take action against the God of Bountiful Harvest, it meant they definitely had some countermeasures prepared.

So, to truly retaliate, they still needed to go to war.

Moreover, Clemens phrased it very tactfully: war with the Canaan Kingdom, not war with the God of Plague.

"We cannot go to war. The cost of war is too great."

Due to overwhelming numbers and resources, the Bountiful Church's army could crush the Plague Church's army. But similarly, the Bountiful authority wasn't suited for combat, and the Plague Church's supernatural forces could also crush the Bountiful Church.

In wars between mortals, churches generally wouldn't intervene directly, but how could they possibly not intervene?

These weren't the reasons Loren rejected war. Loren rejected war because he needed stability. Once war started, supernatural forces would definitely intervene. The God of Bountiful Harvest wouldn't sit idly by while its power was weakened, so it would eventually escalate into a Divine War.

In a war of ordinary people, the God of Bountiful Harvest would win. In a war of Supernaturals, the God of Plague would win. As for a Divine War, the God of Bountiful Harvest would win.

Perhaps Its authority wasn't suited for combat, but Its number and quality of believers far surpassed the God of Plague's. If the mechanics were insufficient, then make up for it with sheer volume.

"Then how do we retaliate?"

"Lift the trade restrictions on the Bardo Kingdom, lower tariffs, support the development of the Bardo Kingdom."

"Why?"

Loren's decision seemed like good news for the God of Plague no matter how you looked at it, but he wouldn't doubt Loren's motives. He would only think his own intelligence couldn't comprehend Loren's plan.

"The King of Bardo eradicated the nobles threatening his position, completely seizing power. At the same time, due to the previous war, the people of Bardo harbor some hatred towards the Canaan Kingdom.

"He killed a hero of the war that defended the country. The common people hold considerable resentment. So, declaring war on the Canaan Kingdom could raise the King's prestige to an unprecedented level. If he could completely crush the Canaan Kingdom, then the previous achievements of defending the country would be nothing in comparison.

"I previously helped Bardo compose the Hymn. A large part of the credit for all this lies with the King of Bardo, so the Church will largely favor him. Even if war breaks out, they won't stop him.

"Moreover, the Canaan Kingdom recently suffered an attack by an unknown force, suffering heavy losses among its ordinary military. Without the Church intervening, the Canaan Kingdom is no match for the Bardo Kingdom at its peak.

"Faith belongs to the gods, but the resources from the territory seized through war are one's own. He has no reason to refuse war.

"With favorable timing, geographical advantages, and popular support, this war will definitely begin."