Bab 50: Three-Way Rescue Plan (***)

While Mithras' group dealt with a delicate situation, the domino effects kicked off by Mithras' actions rippled throughout the region. 

It started with news of the Red Cloud Theocracy battle leaking to the wrong ears, causing the theocracy's rivals to investigate the matter through various channels. 

At first, exaggerated rumors and the Red Priests' best efforts prevented the theocracy's failures from getting exposed. But once some of the most promising templars and gurus started transferring to the Jade-Faced Academy, it became painfully obvious that the rumors about the Red Cloud Theocracy's losses were no less than facts. 

Thus, from number two of the seven theocracies, the Red Cloud Theocracy dropped to number five, with scholars and analysts now arguing to see if it should drop further down.