Chapter 1949: Chapter 1949

"Hathaway, how can you even suggest that?"

Sigrid shook her head again, but she couldn't pull her hand free from Hathaway's grip.

"Don't you see, Sigrid? You're only lacking confidence because you're comparing yourself to Jenkins. Besides, he's already prepared a contingency plan, so it won't matter even if you fail."

Hathaway kept a firm hold on Sigrid's right hand with her left. With her free hand, she pulled a spiritual lodestone from her pocket, tucked it into Sigrid's side pocket, and patted it to make sure it was secure.

"He's not just pushing the danger onto you; he's simply tied up right now. You know he's always had a soft spot for strong, independent women. Besides, can't you find it in you to help Jenkins, just this once?"

Hathaway knew that phrasing it this way would guarantee her agreement. It was a low blow, perhaps, but it was an effective persuasion technique. Just as she'd predicted, Sigrid's head snapped up.

"What do you mean by that? Of course I'm willing to help Jenkins."

"You do realize I'm using Jenkins to pressure you into this, don't you?"

Still, she couldn't help but feel a bit manipulative.

"But I am exploiting your feelings for Jenkins."

Sigrid stopped abruptly, her gaze fixed on the young woman whose face was now inches from her own.

"You're not going to tell me you don't like Jenkins at all, are you?"

Hathaway smiled. They were so close that each could see her own reflection in the other's eyes.

Seeing Sigrid's face flush crimson, unsure of what to say, Hathaway chuckled, then leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. It wasn't a sudden change of heart; in certain circles, the gesture was a form of blessing.

"Remember that day, before we went to Maidenhaven Road? Didn't everyone there acknowledge the status of all the young women present? You silly girl, did you think no one could see how you feel? In fact, even a blockhead like Jenkins could tell."

Jenkins had indeed noticed and had even discussed it with Hathaway and the others at a party. Unfortunately, he had never quite managed to handle the situation properly.

"Don't be nervous. I don't mean anything by it. I just want to say that if you're going to be by Jenkins's side, you have to understand that you're more than just a pretty decoration or a caged bird. Even Chocolate serves a purpose at his side. I should think we have no reason to be less useful than his cat."

The resentment in that last sentence was palpable, though whether it was directed at Jenkins or Chocolate was anyone's guess.

The ladies in Jenkins's life could always find common ground in complaining about his relationship with his cat, so Sigrid said no more on the matter, simply nodding in agreement.

"I will do my utmost to see this through."

"There's no need to be so tense. If fate doesn't favor us, Jenkins will simply change it."

"You have that much faith in him?"

Sigrid asked, a hint of wonder in her voice. Hathaway let go of her hand, stepped back, and a look of genuine joy spread across her face.

"Yes. The man I've chosen is, without a doubt, extraordinary."

And so, Sigrid ultimately went to the battlefield alone, carrying the Arrow of Ruin, with Hathaway's encouragement having played no small part. Her arrival did, to some extent, alter the course of the battle. At first, everyone thought Jenkins himself had arrived. The vampires who had orchestrated the incident, wary of the power of his World Tree Seedling, hastily regrouped with the Human Jigsaw Puzzle and summoned nearby mechanized corpses to prepare for the coming assault.

The Church's forces breathed a collective sigh of relief. Jenkins had an almost perfect record of victory in every conflict he'd been a part of. But when they met up with Sigrid and realized Jenkins wasn't with her, their relief turned to astonishment.

Sigrid explained the situation, holding up the arrow in her hand.

"Jenkins has to stay at the city hall. He said the matter there is more important."

As she spoke, she followed Hathaway's final instruction and looked toward Miss Bevanna. Bevanna understood immediately. The throne, the identity of the Savior, and the Uncrowned King were all linked. Compared to the Human Jigsaw Puzzle, that was clearly the greater priority.

After all, while the Church had been unable to destroy the Cursed Item, its weakened version hadn't gained any significant advantage in their clashes either.

"Very well. I trust Jenkins has his reasons for this."

Miss Bevanna voiced her support on behalf of the Inherited Sage Church. Sigrid then turned to Miss Bennett, the Saint of her own church, who had looked after her when she was a child. Their bond was a special one. The most update n0vels are published on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

Reading the unwavering resolve in Sigrid's eyes, Bennett sighed and nodded.

"Alright. I'm sure Baron Williams wouldn't make such a decision lightly."

With the backing of these two, the others agreed to let Sigrid try. The Church of All Things and Nature provided a wooden longbow, B-01-4-7217, the "Gravity of a Starfall." It was said that the weapon had fallen to earth during an ancient meteor shower, alongside the meteorites themselves. Considering that most celestial phenomena in this world were connected to the Astral Plane, it was likely a weapon from that very realm.

As she drew the bowstring, Jenkins, on the other side of the city, was reaching the final part of his address.

"Yes, in my view, the Believers of Lies are, in all likelihood, the masterminds behind this incident. I imagine that after I exposed Miss Fabry's scheme last time, they would have taken precautions against me. The time and place for this speech were announced in the papers well in advance. Therefore, if I'm not mistaken, the Believers of Lies... are right here before me."

The hall erupted in a clamor. People turned to stare at those around them, as if expecting a stranger to suddenly stand up and declare themselves the culprit behind the whole scam.

Jenkins hadn't informed the mayor of this part of his plan, and the man was now visibly distressed.

"Well then, do you know who these Believers of Lies are?"

The question came from an unexpected source: Queen Isabella herself.

"Everyone, please be quiet."

Jenkins raised his voice to be heard above the chaotic din.

"If I am saying this, it is because I already know who the Believers of Lies are. Please, quiet down!"

"Who is the swindler, Viscount? Stop wasting time and have them arrested now!"

Another voice shouted from the crowd, this one not arranged by Jenkins. He had reviewed the files on all the invited guests; this man was a noble from Cheslan, a viscount, if he remembered correctly, though he couldn't recall his name. Judging by his agitated state, he was probably one of the men Jenkins had mentioned earlier—someone who had risked his entire fortune on the tulip business.