Mastering the first Layer

The Holy Flame Church and house Metze had been waging a silent war since the latter's arrival in the Holy Flame Empire. That was no secret.

However, following the exposure of Else's cultivation talent, that war escalated. According to the head exarch's assessment, she had the makings to reach the Crossed Tribulation Saint Rank in a thousand years.

The church was determined to eliminate the source of future trouble, and not allow Else to grow into another Hubert Voight. Unfortunately for them, the Metze were no pushover.

As long as they didn't throw pretense into the gutter to break into all-out war, eliminating them was impossible.

And without a righteous cause, they could only result to silent assassinations and shadow warfare. After all, be it the von Jurgen, the Kvass or the Voight, none would look idle as the church destroyed one of the houses that helped balance the empire.