Afterward, Kikunojou Tendo left the Holy Residence.
He had arrived in a hurry but left with an air of indifference.
After learning that the Holy Emperor had named Kisara Tendo as a suspect in the theft of the Seven Stars relics, his worries had dissipated.
However, even as the Holy Emperor right-hand man, he failed to notice one crucial fact.
The Holy Emperor was no fool. Having served as the top leader of the Tokyo region for so many years, she had learned more than just how to be tough.
She had also mastered the art of deception.
After Kikunojou Tendo left, the smile on the Holy Emperor face gradually faded.
"It really was him."
If she had still harbored doubts about Nia Honjo claims earlier, her conversation with Kikunojou Tendo had erased them entirely.
She could now confirm that Kikunojou Tendo was the mastermind behind the incident and the true culprit who had deliberately lost the Seven Stars relics.
He had bribed the Holy Residence guards, stopped the police officer who had recovered the relics, rushed to the Holy Residence, and shifted suspicion onto his granddaughter. He had even tried to take charge of the investigation to cement the false narrative.
The Holy Emperor closed her eyes in pain.
Kikunojou Tendo contributions to the Tokyo region were something even she, the Holy Emperor, couldn't match.
Even the previous Holy Emperor had held great respect for the old man.
In fact, the Holy Emperor would have been willing to relinquish her throne to Kikunojou Tendo.
He was more experienced, more shrewd, and had more dignity and capability as a ruler than she did.
In the early days of her reign, all government affairs big and small had been handled by Kikunojou Tendo, and everything had run smoothly.
It was as if the Tokyo region could function perfectly even without her presence.
Though they occasionally disagreed, this didn't diminish the Holy Emperor reliance on him.
She had even been willing to remain a puppet for her entire life a pure and noble figurehead, respected and worshipped by the citizens as long as Kikunojou Tendo could make Tokyo a better place.
But this time, he had gone too far.
For his own selfish desires, he had used the Seven Stars relics in an attempt to summon a Zodiac Gastrea.
This was something the Holy Emperor could never allow.
Guided by Nia Honjo, she had finally seen the true nature of the man she had trusted.
That dark, twisted heart willing to destroy everything rather than protect it.
If Tokyo was to become a better place, if the status of the cursed children was to improve, Kikunojou Tendo had to be removed.
"Lord Holy Emperor, I think you understand now," one of the maids standing behind her spoke up. "That old man cannot be trusted. While his loyalty is unquestionable he would never usurp your throne he's willing to do anything else to suppress the cursed children."
If Kikunojou Tendo hadn't been so panicked earlier and had taken the time to look carefully, he would have noticed that the maid standing behind the Holy Emperor was someone he had never seen in the Holy Residence.
Of course, this was because the maid was Nia Honjo in disguise.
To avoid a direct confrontation with Kikunojou Tendo, Nia Honjo had used the Astral Dress to copy ordinary clothes, changed into a maid's uniform, and replaced one of the Holy Emperor personal attendants.
"But I don't trust you either," the Holy Emperor said, opening her eyes and turning to Nia Honjo. "Even if everything Lord Tendo said was a lie, there was one thing he got right, wasn't there?"
Her piercing gaze fixed on the woman claiming to be a nun, the Holy Emperor added expressionlessly, "You are indeed a suspicious person."
"If Lord Holy Emperor refuses to believe I'm an agent of God, then my actions can certainly be called suspicious."
"Ms. Honjo, while I thank you for revealing Lord Tendo true nature, I won't let you take his place."
"Oh? That's a huge misunderstanding," Nia Honjo said, shrugging. "I know nothing about politics. Even if you asked for my help, I'd only find it troublesome."
"Isn't your goal to expose Kikunojou Tendo, gain my trust, and then replace him?" the Holy Emperor asked, slightly confused.
It had to be said that while the Holy Emperor methods and schemes were still immature, her mind was sharp.
Even though Nia Honjo hadn't yet shown any intention of replacing the Tendo family, the Holy Emperor had already sensed her purpose.
As someone who simply wanted to eat and laze around, the real Nia Honjo shouldn't have been involved in politics.
However, the side quest issued by the system required her to assist the Holy Emperor in cleaning up the Tokyo government, making cooperation with the Holy Emperor a necessity.
Yes, the reason she had come here today was to gain the Holy Emperor trust and replace the Tendo family.
But this was their first meeting.
She couldn't reveal her intentions so soon, or it would only arouse suspicion.
This would hinder future cooperation.
Therefore, whether to gain the Holy Emperor trust or to stay true to her role as Nia Honjo, she couldn't show any eagerness to gain something from the Holy Emperor.
"Don't worry, Lord Holy Emperor. I have no interest in power or this city," Nia Honjo said calmly. "To be honest, this world has become so filthy that I don't even want to give it the slightest care. Rather than engaging in intrigue and struggle, I'd rather retreat to my church and draw comics."
"I thought your mission was to spread the gospel."
"Yes, to those who need it."
"Who?"
"The cursed children," Nia Honjo said with a slight sigh. "If there are any innocent people in this world worth saving, it's them."
"Isn't that too arbitrary?" the Holy Emperor countered. "Not everyone is like Lord Tendo. There are still many good people in this world. Aren't they worth saving?"
"Trying to eat the unrotten part of a largely rotten apple is not only time-consuming and laborious but also risky," Nia Honjo said helplessly. "I'm sorry, Lord Holy Emperor, but I don't have that kind of patience, nor do I want to take that risk."
Her words sounded like an emotionless conclusion, as if she had lost hope in humanity from the very beginning and had given up on the pointless struggle, feeling powerless and cold.
Wanting to save innocent children was the kindness of a nun.
Watching the filthy world with indifference was the detachment of a god.
However, the Holy Emperor didn't know how to refute her.
She didn't even have enough power to implement the [Gastrea Protection Act]. Amid overwhelming opposition, no one understood powerlessness better than she did.
Even she had wanted to give up many times.
Looking at the gray-clad nun before her, the pure white Holy Emperor opened her mouth but couldn't find the words to respond.
"Lord Holy Emperor, I do not desire power, nor have I ever sought to gain anything from humans," Nia Honjo said. "The reason I chose to help you is simply because you stand on the side of the cursed children, which aligns with my goals."
"What are your goals?" the Holy Emperor asked.
"I want Kikunojou Tendo to disappear, and the entire Tendo family to vanish from politics."
"That's impossible. Over the past decade, their roots have spread throughout the government. Besides, I still need the Tendo family."
"Don't worry, my plan won't harm Tokyo. In fact, it will help you gain real power faster. You'll no longer need to rely on anyone and will become the true ruler of Tokyo," Nia Honjo said. "The only condition is that you're willing to cooperate with me."
"I don't trust you."
"I don't need your trust," Nia Honjo replied calmly. "Cooperation is based on common interests, not friendship. You want to help the cursed children, and so do I. You want real power, and I want the Tendo family gone. In Tokyo, there's no more reliable ally than me, right?"
The Holy Emperor fell silent.
After a long pause, she finally said, "Too much has happened today. I need time to think."
"Then you'd better hold on tight, Lord Holy Emperor," Nia Honjo said as her maid outfit dissolved, replaced by her usual attire. "Because your time our time is running out."