There is heresy around, and it's exerting influence on me in an attempt to lead me astray. This made Perfikot extremely angry, but not surprised.

After all, with the end of the world approaching, heretical sects are the easiest to emerge under such a prevailing environment.

Facing the end of the world, the hearts of the masses are filled with fear and anxiety. They urgently need spiritual solace to obtain a sense of security or a place to lean on.

Because in the face of impending doom, everyone experiences great uncertainty and fear about the future. At such times, religious faith often plays a crucial role.

This is why, whether in the original world or this world, over the past thousands of years, religion has often thrived during times of chaos.

From the Yellow Turban Rebellion during the late Eastern Han to the White Lotus Sect uprising and the Yihe Tuan rebellion in the Qing Dynasty, these events essentially reflect the people's reliance on religion when faced with dissatisfaction with reality or when unable to see hope.

Some might say the Yellow Turban Rebellion was a bowl of talisman water that calmed people's hearts, but this is, in a certain sense, also the effect of religion.

In this world, whether it's the collapse of Old Gods' beliefs or the rise of the church, the fundamental reason behind it is that people need religious faith to stabilize their hearts and obtain spiritual comfort.

Given such precedents, Perfikot actually has a contingency plan for the emergence of heretical sects in Langton.

So much so that she hasn't even utilized her original contingency plan due to the church's proactive involvement.

But the fact that heretical cults actually infiltrated her side, attempting to lead her astray, made Perfikot very angry and unable to accept it.

"Judge Shabelle, I need to know if you can find the heretic around me." Perfikot looked at the Judge who was nominally sent by the church to protect her and queried.

Shabelle promptly nodded at this question: "This is my specialty."

"Then I need you to clear any potential heretics around me and conduct an inspection at Windsor Castle. Try to... no, definitely sever any heretical influences around me." Perfikot directly commanded the Judge, granting her substantial authority: "You can inspect anyone entering or leaving Windsor Castle, and once confirmed as a heretic, you may apprehend them before reporting to me.

Moreover, the heretical sect issues within Langton City must also be purged. Whoever is verified as such, you can conduct a religious judgment and execute them in any reasonable manner you deem fit!

Regarding manpower, I will allocate a squad of Steam Knights to you; you can also mobilize the City Guard if any operations require personnel.

In essence, I have only one requirement: Windsor Castle must not have any heretics! No heretical sects in Langton can continue causing trouble!"

Perfikot was ruthless too, but in times like these, it's essential not to let some schemers stir up trouble.

Therefore, she could only employ drastic measures to ensure Langton remains trouble-free.

As for other parts of the Empire... Thinking of this, Perfikot turned to the Cardinal beside her and asked him, "How much help can the church provide in this matter?"

"To the best of our ability, leaving no stone unturned." The Cardinal gave a definitive answer.

In facing heretical issues, the church probably cares more and is more extreme than Perfikot.

After all, for a religious person, heresy is the most unacceptable.

Especially for the church, this is also a very critical moment.

They have invested so much, even converting churches into shelters to accommodate civilians—for what?

It's all for that bit of faith, right? Even the Patriarch intends not to spare his life for this matter; at such times, any heresy wanting to stir trouble is ridiculously dancing on the church's turf.

"Excellent, I will issue a command later. The church can use any method to investigate and capture heretic elements, and the Empire's armed forces will fully cooperate with you." Currently holding Langton's military and political power, Perfikot cannot say she can decide everything, but such orders are still within her power.

"Please rest assured, Count. In the past, they couldn't cause trouble, and now, it's still the same! The faithful of the Father will defend His people." The Cardinal made a salute to Perfikot, appropriately expressing the church's resolve, while not making Perfikot feel the church was overly ambitious.

Meanwhile, Judge Shabelle confidently nodded, indicating she would purge the heretical elements around Perfikot.

"An effective action is worth more than a thousand words, go and do what you should." Perfikot glanced at the Cardinal and Judge in front of her, signaling they could leave.

After the Cardinal and Judge left, Perfikot turned to the two heads of the intelligence department, speaking coldly, "I am very dissatisfied with your work; heretical elements have infiltrated around me, yet you know nothing! The Imperial Center allocates funds every year just to feed this group of parasites?"

"You have three days; I expect you to give me a satisfactory explanation! I don't want to hear what you say, I want to see what you do! Understand?"

"Understood, please rest assured, Count! We will give you a satisfactory answer!" The two heads of the intelligence department felt aggrieved, thinking this wasn't their fault, but the situation had already happened, so they must bear responsibility.

This is the basic etiquette for nobles of the Empire; no one bothers you when doing things normally, but at the very least, you should ensure nothing goes wrong and take responsibility if something does.

Of course, if they could find subordinates to pass the buck to, these nobles would never be morally elevated enough to shoulder the responsibility themselves.

Just as Perfikot finished scolding the two heads of the intelligence department, telling them to get out and work, a guard suddenly burst in, loudly reporting to Perfikot: "Count, riots have broken out in the lower city, already sweeping through four blocks. The City Guard is suppressing them! They are requesting support!"

"What kind of trash are the City Guard? How could they let the riots in the lower city spread to four blocks? They've got the nerve to ask for reinforcements?" Perfikot felt her mind was about to snap; what days are these?!

But remembering the consequences caused by her emotional influence earlier, while forcing herself to stay calm, Perfikot used alchemy to create a crown for herself, placing it on her head to forcibly calm down.

"Have the flying knights on standby; I'll draw a cavalry regiment from the Guard Army. I'm going to the lower city personally." Calm now, Perfikot sensed there might be something hidden behind this; things shouldn't coincidentally happen all at once.

So she decided to personally investigate whether this was another heretical sect conspiracy or if there were other hidden truths.

Meanwhile, Perfikot also looked at the two heads of the intelligence department who hadn't left yet, saying to them: "Deploy your most elite intelligence personnel to investigate, I want a full understanding of the causes of all this."

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