Although Serald hadn't finished speaking, Ebner was already quite astonished. There were already seven Demigods combined; without counting the high-end Angel-level powerhouses, this number wasn't inferior to the Augustus family of Loen!
If the Delien family's many internal factions couldn't unite, the Sauron family, currently in its twilight, probably wouldn't be able to hold onto its position as the leading family in Intis.
However, the so-called "Prime Minister's Faction," while called a faction, was actually composed of members belonging to different secret organizations, likely fraught with internal contradictions. At best, they maintained a united front against other factions.
Ebner deeply felt it was a miracle this family hadn't fractured already.
"What about the other two factions?" he asked after a moment's thought.
Serald took out a booklet, respectfully handed it to Ebner, and then replied, "The remaining 'Military Faction' and 'Industry Faction' are not strong; they exist by relying on other factions... Their boundaries aren't as clear as the other factions, and their members also have their own inclinations.
"Most of them are collateral members of the Delien family, and many don't even know about the existence of Beyonders.
"I've compiled a list, recording the affiliations and inclinations of some important figures among them."
Ebner took the list and casually flipped through it while listening to Serald's explanation. On the very first page, he saw a somewhat familiar name:
Winks Delien, Rear Admiral, member of the "Military Faction," working closely with the "Prime Minister's Faction." After being killed by Lady Scythe under the "Admiral of Stars," he was transformed into a "Sea Monster" Dependent.
"Winks... isn't this the guy who put Jane on Intis's bounty list? He actually transformed into a 'Sea Monster' Dependent...
"Hmm, perhaps a state similar to the 'Vice Admiral of the Deep Sea'? Dominated by a 'Sea Monster'?"
Ebner was surprised and questioned Serald in detail about this matter.
However, Serald wasn't entirely clear about the Delien family's cooperation with the "Sea Monster." He only knew that the "Sailor" pathway Beyonders in the family, if they didn't later join the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun, all had a chance to become "Sea Monster" Dependents after death.
Ebner unconsciously frowned, pondering: Looking at it this way, that 'Sea Monster' is indeed a bit sinister... Thankfully, I didn't rashly go 'hunting' it...
Also, is the task Lilith gave me to "investigate the Delien family's secrets" related to this?
This family is like an iceberg in the ocean; the more you investigate, the more you feel there are deeper secrets hidden within.
So the best way is to let it collapse on its own, exposing everything...
Hmm, the original dual internal and external strategy doesn't need much change; I just need to adjust the methods for dealing with its internal affairs... The many internal factions of the Delien family actually work to my advantage.
After some thought, Ebner actively ended the discussion about the "factions" and instead asked about the current political situation in Intis.
Facing Ebner's questions, Serald was clearly prepared. He organized his words and said:
"Ever since the Prime Minister pushed for the new publishing law and strict news censorship, there has been continuous opposition.
"Opposition parties, the Church of Steam and its affiliated families, and large numbers of the middle class have united, supporting public protests and demonstrations to obstruct the passage of the bill.
"Meanwhile, old noble families from the former Sauron dynasty, such as the Frays and Flonner families, have sided with the Delien family and received a certain degree of support from the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun.
"Conversely, the Sauron family, the former masters of the old dynasty, has remained ambiguous on this matter, becoming an object of contention for both sides.
"Of course, this is only a general political alignment... In reality, even within the Delien family, attitudes towards this bill are not unified.
"For example, the 'Church Faction' supports the Prime Minister's proposal, while the 'Iron-blooded Cross Society' Demigod within the 'Prime Minister's Faction' strongly opposes it..."
The "Iron-blooded Cross Society" advocates for societal change, transforming the world so that the extraordinary are no longer hidden but revealed to all, becoming true rulers. As members of this organization, they naturally vehemently oppose news censorship.
The choice of the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun is not surprising either. All orthodox churches actually control news related to the "extraordinary," as knowledge in this world is dangerous. The more one knows, the more likely it is to lead to terrible consequences...
But why is that Prime Minister, as a subordinate of the "Blood Worship Sect," actively promoting this bill? Is he trying to cover something up with it?
More importantly, Lilith has noticed the hidden problems within the Delien family; has the Eternal Blazing Sun not noticed? Is He also making arrangements here?
As for the "God of Steam"... He might truly know nothing...
As his thoughts raced, Ebner chatted with Serald about several other prominent families, learning a lot of the latest intelligence:
For instance, Johnson of the Frays family was finally released from house arrest recently and reappeared at high-society balls;
For example, although the Sali family received support from the "Church of Steam," their subordinate industries are still being encroached upon, and their political influence is weakening;
For example, the Sauron family is currently offering a reward for a young man named "Whitman." Anyone providing clues can receive 100 Fels, and finding him will earn a reward of 3000 Fels.
.....
At the Wheat Seedling Church
It wasn't until the carriage arrived at Montaigne Avenue in the "Sauron District," south of the Reyne River, stopping in front of the "Wheat Seedling Church" at number 18, that Serald, the "Black Knight" whose fate was occupied by the former Pope of the Eternal Blazing Sun, saluted Ebner and then disappeared.
—The Sauron District is named because the Sauron family's ancestral home is located here. It contains many buildings such as a military academy and a military museum. The only church of the Earth Mother Church in Trier is also located here.
The Wheat Seedling Church has a total area of 1000 square meters. To the west, there is a clock tower, about 50 meters high;
To the east is the main body of the church, which has three naves inside, including a central nave and one aisle on each side.
Compared to the Harvest Church in Backlund, this one is clearly much larger and more luxurious. Its scale even rivals the "Church of Steam's" Saint Estin Cathedral in Trier.
Alighting from the carriage, Ebner paused for a moment in the square in front of the church, looking at the people entering and exiting. He thought with emotion: The number of believers I'm seeing right now is more than all the believers in the Harvest Church before the Great Smog event combined!
However, this is not surprising. Since the Earth Mother Church in Trier is not suppressed by the Church of Evernight as it is in Loen, its treatment is naturally much better.
Entering the church, he came to the main prayer hall, found a seat near the aisle, bowed his head, clasped his hands, and began to pray earnestly and quietly to the "Earth Mother."
A short while later, a pastor came to his side and led him to a lounge at the back of the church. Madam Helene, with beautiful silver hair, was waiting there, smiling at Ebner as he entered the room.
Perhaps there's another reason why the Wheat Seedling Church has better evangelism results than the Harvest Church... A beautiful vampire woman is clearly more likable than an old semi-giant man...
Ebner muttered to himself, while politely greeting her, "Good morning, Madam Helene."