Volume 1 Chapter 651

Chapter 651: "She Can’t Stop My Plan!"

Hearing Patricia’s declaration, the young man found himself momentarily speechless.

"I see…"

He scratched his head awkwardly before continuing.

"But… Teacher Patricia, how will you even enter the dungeon? The Heretic Tribunal’s prison isn’t easily accessible – even your status as a cardinal might prove insufficient."

"Do you require our assistance?"

Patricia shook her head at her student’s inquiry.

"What use could you possibly be?"

"Your intelligence gathering is utterly lacking. Have you forgotten I stand directly behind the Lady of Light herself? Don’t you know which faction she represents or who elevates her position?"

The rhetorical question jolted the young man’s memory – his teacher had recently been seen frequently with the Director of the Heretic Tribunal…

How had she managed this?

Noticing his bewildered expression, Patricia gave a knowing chuckle.

"Don’t bother asking. I wouldn’t tell you even if you did."

She spread her hands in a dismissive gesture while silently acknowledging her own private amusement.

The truth would never be believed anyway.

A succubus impersonating the Director? Her peculiar alliance with the Demon Army’s Chief Interrogator?

These matters defied simple explanation.

"And stop calling me teacher," she added sharply, dispelling the soundproof barrier. "I disown students who behave like complete imbeciles."

She strode purposefully toward Dorothy, who looked up from distributing Magic Potions.

"What is it?"

"I require access to the dungeon."

Dorothy’s eyes flickered imperceptibly toward the young man before she nodded.

"Of course."

Completing her current potion distribution, the Holy Maiden guided Patricia toward the Heretic Tribunal without hesitation.

The young man stared after them, dumbfounded.

"How does the Holy Maiden obey Teacher Patricia so readily?!"

In that moment, the three-year veteran of Holy Capital espionage truly felt like the world’s greatest fool.

Patricia and Dorothy soon arrived at the dungeons of the Heretic Tribunal. Following Lolth’s instructions, the Tribunal’s personnel naturally didn’t dare obstruct them.

After inquiring with the guards, the pair ascertained the location of "Never-ending Night" Philtes.

Being merely the leader of the Western Church’s servants, his confinement stemmed from the enormous "sums involved" and complex web of connections rather than grave offenses. Thus he wasn’t imprisoned deep underground.

The second cell on the first subterranean level housed their target.

Patricia swiftly located him.

Within the cell stood a tall, curly-haired man in coarse linen robes, barefoot with disheveled hair. His hands nestled in wide sleeves as he contemplated the stone wall.

Though never having met "Never-ending Night" Philtes, Patricia instinctively knew…

This was her predecessor.

Dismissing the trailing guard, she produced Green Sky Star Heaven from her sleeve.

"Your Excellency, Never-ending Night."

Her soft address made Philtes turn, their gazes locking.

"Green Sky Star Heaven… You’re Morning Star’s disciple—no, wait. You must be Morning Star now."

"The Association sent you to ‘stop’ me, have they?"

His voice carried magnetic roughness, like rust on polished steel.

"’Stop’… Who knows?" Patricia shrugged. "Let’s dispense with formalities, Your Excellency."

She tapped Green Sky Star Heaven before posing her question with deliberate calm.

"Was my teacher involved in this affair?"

Philtes chuckled at her inquiry.

"Oh—cleverer than anticipated! Flavetrica’s eye for successors surpasses my expectations!"

His palm brushed the wall contemplatively as he continued.

"Regrettably, she disapproved of our scheme… Though like others, she didn’t intervene."

The revelation made Patricia’s expression shift imperceptibly as she sheathed Green Sky Star Heaven.

"So my dispatch here confirms the legendary plan’s veracity… and its approaching culmination?"

Philtes nodded.

"Precisely… All progresses according to design. Though recent Elder God disturbances caused casualties, they serendipitously aid my cause."

"When flames engulf this Holy Capital, the grand revelation shall commence."

Fanaticism tinged his composed demeanor.

"Perhaps your Director detected my designs, but… imprisonment changes nothing."

His arrogant gaze pierced Patricia.

"The same applies to you—you cannot hinder me."

Patricia cocked her head, studying him. Finally, she spread her hands.

"Naturally I can’t. At Legend High Level, even two of me couldn’t challenge you."

"Well then! I’ve learned what’s needed. Enjoy your incarceration—bye!"

With casual farewell, Patricia departed.

Philtes stood dumbstruck, his dramatic posture wasted after their brief exchange.

"…Eh?"

He’d anticipated rage or threats—not this nonchalant exit! This scheme had consumed thirty years, ensnared the main plane’s mightiest church—even deities couldn’t thwart it!

Shouldn’t she demand details? Explanations? What manner of reaction was this?

Then remembrance struck—Flavetrica’s successor inherited more than the Morning Star title.

Historical Great Sage Morning Stars all shared this infuriating… lethargic demeanor.

"…Let it be."

Resuming his wall contemplation, he began counting cracks to pass time.

Meanwhile…

Departing Patricia’s composure cracked, suppressed laughter bubbling forth.

"The Director noticed but can’t stop you… ha!"

Philtes’ boast amused her endlessly.

Truth stood inverted—Lolth remained blissfully unaware of Philtes’ "grand design."

Yet paradoxically…

This elaborate scheme would likely become another casualty of Lolth’s unpredictable interference.