"Is Window really that powerful? It can even predict events a year in advance..."

Merka stroked his chin thoughtfully. He couldn't shake the instinctual sense of unease he felt at the idea of the Tide Witch being able to act based on predictions, as mentioned by the Shadow.

"Window isn't essentially about prophecy, but rather a form of superfast computation based on existing information."

"Just by knowing the current situation, such as the characters involved, events, environment, and the type of attacking angels, Window can create a model in the mind and deduce the future events that are about to unfold."

"Although the Tide Witch is currently wielding an unfinished version of Window, given how long she's known you, she must be very familiar with your character."

"And as a former official of the laboratory, she must also be acquainted with the situation on Maria and Altria's side."

"Predicting the events surrounding Turing's arrival isn't difficult."

Merka massaged his temples for a while, palm facing down, fingers spread out and resting on the table, unsure of what to say next.

"But..."

"Can an unfinished backdrop conjure such realistic water flows?"

"After the skirmish between Turing and the Tide Witch, Turing told me that her body was nearly ripped apart by the Tide Witch's water flows."

"If the witch really used a backdrop to disguise the water, how much magical power would she need to conjure such a fantastical illusion?"

The Shadow's palm rested on the table, the other hand turned upwards, fingers slightly curled, and it spoke disdainfully.

"You are mistaken, regarding the backdrop, the witch didn't use an unfinished product at all."

"She used the completed one given by Maria."

"Do you really think she planned to assassinate Turing all on her own?"

"She has backing."

"Think carefully, who was the one who delivered letters to Turing while you were working at Red Port?"

"It was Maria."

"She was terrified that Turing might establish a connection with her family, so she carefully selected the letters from Erisburg that were sent to Turing."

"She never left Red Port."

"Maria approved of the actions taken by the Tide Witch."

Merka was visibly shocked, and he couldn't resist questioning the Shadow.

"Why? Why would Bishop Maria do such a thing?"

"Isn't she relying on me to win over Turing?"

The Shadow shook its head, folding its long, devilish fingers together and tapped impatiently on the table.

"You are foolish, trying to win someone over is unreliable."

"But killing someone yields definite results."

"Maria had planned both options."

"She assisted the Tide Witch covertly in dealing with all of you."

"If the Tide Witch succeeds, Oedipus loses her one and only daughter, and Maria's faction will be overjoyed."

"If the Tide Witch fails, then the bond between you and Turing will inevitably strengthen through this trial. Thus, the success rate of winning over Turing will greatly increase."

"In the end, she isn't capable of killing Turing herself, and she fears that Oedipus might have contingency plans to protect Turing."

"But she is clever; as long as she doesn't act directly, no one will know about the actions she took."

"Maria doesn't care at all about the souls of the indigenous people who tragically died in Red Port."

"The death of one person is a tragedy."

"The death of ten thousand is just a statistic."

"Since being tortured for ten days by being hung alive on the city gate by Oedipus, Maria has long stopped holding back. What does a small Red Port matter to her now?"

Merka's face paled, and even his lips started to turn slightly purple. He was truly struggling to cope with such a horrifying reality.

Merka used to think that Bishop Maria was only tough on her own people - he could have accepted that! After all, he wouldn't mind sacrificing himself if it meant defeating Oedipus.

But Maria treated the people of Acadia the same way!

Isn't this completely opposite to the original intention of resisting Oedipus?

"So, the extremely exaggerated magic used by the witch that enveloped the entire Red Port and caused all the angels to lose control, was that also taught by Maria?"

"Could such a horrifying magic be something... she just came up with on her own?"

Seeing Merka's visibly worsening complexion, the humanoid shadow smiled in a more human-like manner and then spoke.

"Do you think that was magic?"

Although Merka couldn't see the expression on the shadow, he sensed a hint of terror in the shadow's playful tone.

"That was..."

"That was a curse?"

Merka was stunned. In his gradually distorted magical vision, he saw the shadow gently nodding towards him.