Cardinal Ester Bartholomew of the disgraced House of Bartholomew found himself in a state of panic.
But even with the rising tension, he managed to gather his composure.
"They have no basis or any solid evidence," he said firmly. "They wouldn't dare attack the church blindly. Not when it risks invoking the wrath of the Theocracy."
Unlike him, however, one of the clerics serving the church seemed to be more shaken than him.
"But… Cardinal, they practically have their sights on us. I don't know how, but every day, it feels like someone is watching me."
"Then let them watch."
"….Pardon?"
The cleric blinked, confused by the Cardinal's words.
"Let them watch," Ester said. "If their eyes are so desperate to seek fault in us, so be it. We stand before the gaze of a far greater power."
He clasped his hands together and interlocked his fingers as if in prayer.
