Gazing at this group of adults who had already descended into madness, the man on the ground yearned to interject yet lacked the courage to do so.
Perhaps the commotion was so intense that it disturbed the gigantic beetle. The room began to tremble, and terrifying insect cries reverberated throughout the entire space.
The faces on the wall promptly fell silent, forcefully suppressing the restlessness welling up within their hearts.
Once the trembling of the room subsided, the bald man finally spoke in a hushed voice, "I have found no evidence of any external interference in this matter. There is a high probability that something has gone awry with that werewolf..."
"What!?" The several faces on the wall all registered expressions of shock.
"He is merely a fifth-level werewolf. With ten fighters of the fourth-level caliber and the advanced equipment we provided, how could they possibly fail to subdue him?!"
"Perhaps that werewolf possesses some extremely powerful artifacts."
"What are we to do now! Losing five bishops all at once, and with the task still unaccomplished, our future prospects are bleak. It is uncertain when we will ever regain our former glory."
The room erupted into another bout of clamor. Such a result was truly difficult for them to come to terms with.
The present era is vastly different from the past. Various kingdoms are severely suppressing religions, making it extremely arduous for emerging religious sects like their Ancient God Cult to thrive.
This operation has almost depleted the majority of the church's resources, and in the end, all has been lost, dealing a potentially fatal blow.
"I am not willing to accept this! In any case, this vendetta must be avenged! Aaah——!"
"Even if the church is doomed to perish, that detestable werewolf must be made to pay with his life!"
The enmity has been deeply ingrained, and it will persist until one side is completely vanquished.
...
In the main city of Battersea.
Within a manor exclusive to the nobility.
Pernas was restlessly pacing about in a sumptuous chamber.
She was genuinely concerned about the safety of Lila.
As for Bonnie, due to the long-standing estrangement, she harbored little affection for her. Bonnie could not compare to Lila. However, having known each other for several years, she would still feel perturbed if anything were to befall Bonnie.
"Those two imbeciles! So utterly foolish! Why would they risk their lives for that loathsome individual?!"
The blonde young lady muttered to herself, tugging at a silk scarf with both hands.
She couldn't help but conjure up the visage of that detested commoner in her mind, and her anger flared even more intensely.
Her current disposition was more akin to jealousy, jealousy towards Lila and Bonnie. Despite having known each other for only a short time, their bond was remarkably close.
I wonder whether they would show the same concern for me if I were in peril... Pernas couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and apprehension.
Just then, the voice of a maid emanated from outside the door, "Miss Pernas, there are guests in the manor. Lady Ania and Lord Rauborn request your presence."
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
"Understood," Pernas replied. She tidied up her appearance and composed her emotions before stepping out of the door.
This manor belonged to her uncle, namely Lord Rauborn mentioned by the maid moments ago.
The majority of their family's assets were situated near Dudd Town, and thus they had always resided there. However, following this incident, it was highly likely that they would lose these holdings.
Fortunately, Lady Ania had already spirited away the majority of the property, and in the future, they would still be able to acquire a fine villa in the main city.
Traversing the familiar corridor, she soon caught sight of her mother and uncle awaiting the guests at the entrance. Pernas immediately called out and trotted forward.
"My dear little angel, how are you faring?" Rauborn turned around and immediately wore a doting smile. He gently embraced the blonde maiden.
"You spoil her excessively. It is not in her best interests," Lady Ania said in a slightly reproachful tone, tempering her usual assertive demeanor.
"I doted on you in the same manner when you were a child. Have you forgotten?" Rauborn showed no signs of restraint. Instead, he playfully teased Lady Ania.
"Very well, let us not discuss this. The guests have already arrived," the other party, evidently reluctant to lose her maternal authority in the presence of her daughter, changed the subject.
Rauborn turned his head and glanced over. He observed that several luxurious carriages of the highest specifications were approaching, and so he adopted a somewhat more serious mien.
Pernas stuck out her tongue, moved to her mother's side, and assumed the demeanor befitting a noble young lady.
The carriages came to a gradual halt. The coachman called out, and subsequently, an elderly man attired in noble finery with deeply etched wrinkles alighted from the carriage, wearing a smile.
"Viscount Rauborn, it has been an age. How have you been of late?"
"Count Punk, what a pleasant surprise to have you grace my humble abode! What brings you here?"
The two nobles greeted each other with utmost enthusiasm, as if they shared an exceptionally close relationship.
"Mother..." Pernas clutched the hem of her mother's garment, appearing somewhat fearful and nervous. Memories of some unpleasant incidents resurfaced in her mind.
"Do not be afraid, my dear. Mother is here," Lady Ania patted her daughter's hand in a gesture of comfort.
In truth, this was an unanticipated visit. The mother and daughter had only recently entered the city when Viscount Rauborn received a letter from Count Punk announcing his intention to call.
It was difficult not to arouse their suspicions.
However, the Punk family was one of the prominent families in the main city, and they could not decline the count's visit.
"Your Excellency Count, what has prompted you to pay me a visit? I must admit, I am completely unprepared."
"Oh, it's nothing of consequence. I simply recalled that I have a friend like you. Since we haven't seen each other for a long time, I thought I'd pay you a little visit."
A nobleman in his forties and another in his sixties engaged in idle chatter devoid of any real substance.
Then a middle-aged man emerged from the carriage. Upon seeing this individual, both Pernas and Lady Ania felt a sinking sensation in their hearts.
"My eldest son, Homitt. You should have made his acquaintance previously," Count Punk introduced.
Homitt first smiled and saluted Rauborn, and then he turned to pay his respects to the mother and daughter behind him, "Long time no see, Pernas."
"Begone! The mere sight of you sickens me! You're nothing but trash!" The blonde young lady suddenly had an emotional outburst, shouting a few invectives before dashing away.
"I sincerely apologize, Count Punk," Lady Ania said tersely in an extremely unfriendly tone before hurrying after her daughter.
A flicker of annoyance flashed in Homitt's eyes. To be insulted in front of so many people was truly galling, yet he rose to his feet, feigning indifference as if nothing had occurred.
"It would seem that Miss Pernas harbors a deep misunderstanding of me," he said, half-jokingly.
Rauborn forced a stiff smile. In his heart, he longed to strangle this shameless wretch, yet he was compelled to greet him with a smile and say, "After all, that incident left an indelible and traumatic mark on a young girl of merely six or seven years of age."
This was a subtle reminder of the heinous nature of the actions committed by the other party.
"You are mistaken, Viscount," Punk continued to smile, the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes particularly pronounced. "That incident was the doing of one of our servants. My son just happened to be passing by and was wrongly implicated. I had that servant executed as soon as I returned."
Rauborn was so incensed by the other party's blatant falsehood that he almost laughed. With so many witnesses to that incident, there was no question of it being a misunderstanding.
Just as he was about to retort with some sarcastic remarks, he heard the other party lean in a little closer and speak in a hushed tone, "Surely you understand the affairs among the nobility? It was merely a case of my son targeting the wrong person. And since it did not succeed, why cling to the matter? Moreover, my son truly harbors affection for that young girl. If she were to consent to marry my son, she would undoubtedly be very happy."