Tris continued secretly observing and investigating the White Church for many days afterward.
Because of this, he quickly noticed strange rumors spreading everywhere against them.
At first, they circulated only around the slums. But soon, they spread so widely that even while dining in a restaurant, Tris overheard people talking.
Judging by the speed of the rumors, he could tell someone was deliberately pushing them. And who that was, he thought, wasn't hard to guess.
In situations like this, one only needs to look at who benefits most.
Clearly, when a religious group suffers misfortune and its missionary work falters, the ones who gain are rival faiths. In this case, the prime suspects could only be the Solvaris Church, the largest religion here.
Of course, there was also a small chance the culprits were the gangs ruling the slums, unwilling to let outsiders threaten their power.
But Tris quickly dismissed that idea after seeing the men wearing the White God's symbol. They looked rough, aggressive, and crude—nothing like priests or charity workers.
If he wasn't mistaken, they were thugs from the slums themselves, somehow recruited into the White Church's service.
Judging by the constant look of dissatisfaction on their faces, Tris doubted the White Church had hired them with money or any fair exchange. The most convincing answer was force—strength used to dominate and compel obedience.
From what Tris had seen of Rose and her two companions, it was clear they lacked no strength at all.
And yet, despite having both power and wealth, the White Church did nothing to counter the malicious rumors.
At least, nothing visible to Tris. They simply continued their work: distributing food, repairing and cleaning the slums, preaching faith in the White God. Not once did they deny or explain the rumors.
'Did they anticipate this from the start?'
Tris wondered as he watched events unfold.
From the beginning, their focus was entirely on the poorest of the poor. Thus, the rumors had little effect.
So long as charity continued, fear or suspicion didn't matter—the hungry would still fight for every free meal.
One question lingered: would their food supply be targeted? If Tris were their enemy, that would be his first move. Yet the steady stream of meals proved their stores remained untouched.
Another thought troubled him: why was all this happening at all?
Though faith in Solvaris was the largest here, the kingdom of Eldoria remained a land that embraced many gods, many creeds, and many faiths.
And until now, the Solvaris Church had never voiced any objection to that. At least, that was what Tris had discovered.
So why was the White Church singled out now? Were they truly worshipping a dangerous heretical god, as the rumors claimed?
When Tris first learned of the White God from Zyron's records, he too believed it was some obscure evil deity.
But after all that had happened—and the merchants' reports that the White Church was openly active in Braxen—he knew things were not so simple.
At the very least, those who called themselves the White Church now operated openly in broad daylight, under the watch of city guards. Clearly, their activities had been sanctioned by Count Alistair, the city's overseer.
'In the end, I stand too low to see the whole picture. It's hard to know what truly lies behind all this.'
Tris sighed inwardly, resolving to tread carefully, lest he be dragged into the political games and struggles of others.
* * * * * * * * * *
City of Aldor, Grand Cathedral of the Solvaris Church of Light:
At this moment, another meeting of the high‑ranking members was underway.
"How far have the rumors spread?"
"Ordinary citizens are, of course, careful to avoid contact. But the issue is that the White Church has only ever operated around the slums, never venturing elsewhere to preach."
"Indeed. From the start, no common folk would willingly go to the slums. And for the poor who already live there, the rumors hardly matter."
"Do they not know fear?"
At that, another priest sneered and replied with disdain:
"Fear? As if those poor folk could simply move elsewhere. And when faced with free food, could the starving truly refuse to take it?"
The priest who had spoken earlier flushed red, realizing his foolishness.
"What of their food supply? Any results from the investigation?"
"Nothing. We cannot trace which merchants support them, nor any transport routes. It is as if the food appears from nowhere."
"Suspicious."
"Indeed. Perhaps they are using magic?"
"We are still analyzing, but the strongest theory is some unknown Space magic."
"That makes things difficult."
"How are preparations?" Bishop Draven asked.
"Nearly complete, Your Excellency. But… will we truly confront them directly?"
Draven's voice was firm:
"Did not a cult recently sacrifice children in the White God's name? It is our duty to ensure everyone's safety. If they are innocent, they should accept our investigation. If they refuse, that will be reason enough to restrain them."
And so, the next move of the Solvaris Church of Light was swiftly decided.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Achoo." Rose sneezed.
"My lady?"
At Rose's side, her white‑haired attendant inquired with gentle concern.
"Nothing. Perhaps yet again, treacherous subjects seek to bring harm upon Us."
Rose simply waved her hand and replied with a common joke from her homeland.
Knowing that the intuition of someone like Rose could never be underestimated, the white‑haired attendant spoke up:
"Perhaps it is time for them to make their next move."
Rose: "Not hard to guess."
Attendant: "Then… will they resort directly to force?"
Rose: "After all, they don't have many other options if they wish to harm us. We should be prepared."
Attendant: "Yes, my lady."