Parallel Memory

Prior to this incident!

"Let me explain!"

Zero said to Saintess and Adeline as he explained all the events that happened during the ceremony.

"..."

Cardinal Hildred was listening to all the conversations between Saintess and Zero.

Adeline's mind control was not healed even with Saintess' healing. The only thing that made them believe that Adeline recovered was because Cardinal Hildred made it that way.

There was one function of Nexus Scepter that Zero was unaware of. The reason for that was because, in the novel, not much is said about Nexus Scepter as it gets destroyed by Hiro after finding that it is disastrous for humanity. There was only information about the artifact being able to control the minds of people in large numbers.

Anyway, while Zero was aware of some of its functionality, he had not personally used the artifact so he didn't know everything about it.

So, the functionality that Cardinal Hildred made use of was advanced mind-control which enabled the user of Scepter to be able to control how the people that they had controlled would behave even if they were not directly ordered.

It was different from simple commands like ordering to attack someone or asking them to stand guard.

The orders were much more complex but it took too much time to do that. In addition, the mana needed was also huge. So, she could do that to only a couple of people and one of them was unfortunately Adeline.

Cardinal Hildred has controlled Adeline to the extent that she ordered Adeline to behave like usual but she was actually under her control all along. Adeline behaved as normal but she was mind-controlled and commanded to monitor Saintess.

"Yes, 'Nexus Scepter' is a Rank-S + artifact capable of controlling the mind of people in a certain radius. It uses a lot of mana, so many mana stones are needed to operate one. It makes use of Dark Energy, which is why those weak against or have no resistance to Dark Energy are easily mind-controlled." …

"How did this person know about this?"

Cardinal Hildred muttered to herself. She was startled that Jester/Zero knew about the existence of the Nexus Scepter as well as its effects and what rank it was.

She knew that the Nexus Scepter is something that had always been possessed by Devils and was at the hand of the Devil she serves. Its information was unknown to others except for some like herself.

"Is he someone who is working for the Lord? No, if so he shouldn't have interfered with my plans."

"Then does he have someone working as a spy?"

Cardinal Hildred thought about many possibilities but still couldn't figure out how Jester got all the information about Nexus Scepter. She became more cautious and thought carefully about the plan to take care of Saintess.

"There is really no need. You should already know how strong I am!"

Cardinal Hildred patiently listened to their conversation. Only when she heard that Zero was leaving did she stand up and order her men.

"Gather with all the other guards! We will go and capture the Saintess."

Cardinal Hildred ordered.

"Yes!'

Her personal guard replied and immediately followed her command. He left the room to call the other Holy Knights.

"As for Jester, let him search for the artifact. That way, there would be no one to protect the Saintess."

She said to herself.

Cardinal Hildred thought that moving the artifact would be counterintuitive to her plan. If Zero was alerted and then went to help Saintess, then it would be harder to kill Saintess.

So, she decided to keep the artifact where it is and go and capture Saintess first.

Moreover, she thought that if there was indeed a spy among her subordinates then they might notify Zero if she were to move the artifact.

So, she decided that the best way was for her to capture the Saintess as quickly as possible. Then she will take care of Zero next.

As for the possibility of Zero destroying the artifact before she captured the Saintess, she knew it was impossible.

Firstly, you have to find the hidden room for the artifact, which can be challenging. She thought that without information about the location, Jester would be stuck trying to locate the hidden room for hours.

Secondly, even if Jester were to locate the location somewhat, there were guards who could buy her some time.

Thirdly, compared to Jester who would need to take a lot of time before getting to the artifact, she had an easier time capturing Saintess. With Adeline giving all kinds of information, locating the house that Saintess is hiding was easy.

Moreover, with all her guards, she believed that it would even take a few minutes to subdue her.

Anyway, she immediately gathered all the Holy Guards that she called for. She gathered 5 Rank-A Holy Knights and two Rank-S Holy Knights who were working for her. They were not mind-controlled and were on her side from the beginning.

By that time, Zero was already at the Cathedral scanning through the area and checking on the Holy Guard.

Cardinal Hildred didn't bother with Jester and quickly went towards the location of Saintess.

She also kept Priestess Helena in the dark and didn't tell her that Zero was coming to get the artifact. She just asked her to guard the artifact as usual with her guards. Despite being her comrade for many years, Cardinal Hildred couldn't even trust Priestess Helena.

Anyway, for her, everything went smoothly. With Adeline, given her location, it was nothing difficult to locate Saintess.

However, to avoid Saintess' from running away, Cardinal Hildred slowly surrounded the house from all sides. So that, even if Saintess managed to escape the house, she couldn't run away

******

"Adeline, I'm so worried about him. Do you think he'll be okay?" Saintess Amelia's anxiety was evident, barely 20 minutes had passed since Zero set out on his mission. She couldn't help but feel responsible for putting him in harm's way.

She regretted not running away when Zero had suggested it. But her conscience wouldn't allow her to abandon those people who were being controlled by the artifact. She made the tough decision to stay and help them, which led to Zero being tasked with destroying the artifact.

Now, Saintess Amelia was consumed with guilt. She couldn't stop blaming herself for the danger Zero was in. Her heart was heavy with the weight of her decision and she couldn't shake off the feeling of responsibility.

"..."

Adeline stood and didn't reply. She was unable to receive any new orders from Cardinal Hildred and just stood still.

If Saintess Amelia was not anxious about Zero and observed Adeline carefully, she should have found that Adeline was behaving a little differently. However, because of the situation she was in, she couldn't see that.

"Should I go and help him? But he said that he could do that alone. Ahhh! I don't know what to do."

Saintess Amelia walked back and forth. She felt that she should go and help Zero but thinking about how she was only being saved by Zero, she thought she would be a burden. Moreover, Zero had already told her to stay there.

-BANG!

As she weighed her options, a sudden loud bang sound startled her. The door to the house had opened abruptly.

"Hehe… Saintess Amelia, how are you doing?"

Cardinal Hildred entered with her S-Rank guards.