Joan of Arc's reincarnation?
This title was rare in reality, but quite common in the anime world.
At the very least, Luo Shu could recall over a dozen female protagonists in anime who were set up as Joan of Arc's reincarnation.
So even though Luo Shu could guess that this Joan of Arc reincarnation, chosen by the Patch Tribe to be nurtured into a new generation deity, was likely also a Familia candidate, he still didn't know her exact identity.
As for using Raziel to search for information, Luo Shu would only attempt it when he had time—and without much hope.
After all, the Patch Tribe, capable of prophesying the apocalypse, hardly seemed like the type to leave divination and prophecy methods undefended.
Setting aside Joan of Arc's reincarnation for now, what Luo Shu was more concerned about was Lacus's situation:
"So what's Lacus's deal?"
If the Patch Tribe's real investment was in nurturing that Joan of Arc reincarnation, then what role did Lacus play?
Hearing this, Hugh Carlisle tilted his chin up, gazing at the ceiling with a chuckle:
"Her?"
"The Patch Tribe is grooming her as the sword or shield of the Saintess—an Angel meant to assist the deity."
"A new deity must have Angels to serve under them, no?"
At Hugh Carlisle's words, Luo Shu shot him a glance and remarked flatly:
"An Angel? That's not a funny joke."
Although the Angel Rank wasn't publicly disclosed within the SDS, any mystic side organisation with genuine inheritance would understand what an Angel truly represented.
The Patch Tribe, which Luo Shu remembered as the priests of the planet's will, clearly couldn't be some inheritance-less faction.
So... did they genuinely believe Lacus could become an Angel walking the earth?
'Stealing people right from under my nose?'
'Wait, come to think of it, wasn't I the one doing the stealing?'
As Luo Shu pondered who was stealing from whom, Hugh Carlisle shook his head:
"This isn't a joke."
"This is the absolute truth!"
"Do you really think that woman from the Patch Tribe, the one controlling and managing us capitalist families, chose Siegel for no reason?"
"Was it his looks? His talent? Or perhaps the less than hundred thousand Adjusters under his command?"
Hugh Carlisle's face twisted into a mocking smile:
"It was because he had a daughter with Angel potential."
He seemed to harbour some resentment towards Siegel.
Luo Shu ventured a guess: "You and that Patch Tribe young mistress..."
Hugh Carlisle paused, remaining silent, merely giving Luo Shu a look.
'Ah, so he's probably the secret admirer of Lacus's potential stepmother... Wait, Siegel Clyne has blonde hair, doesn't he? Pure love meets the blond-haired rival?'
Luo Shu mentally scoffed before asking indifferently:
"While I sympathise with your situation, our acquaintance isn't deep enough for such personal topics, is it?"
Hugh Carlisle narrowed his eyes, studying Luo Shu's face before chuckling softly:
"Because you're valuable enough to know these things."
"And that value warrants me revealing these behind-the-scenes truths."
"Moreover, ever since you joined the SDS and hitched onto Lacus Clyne's chariot, your future trajectory was pretty much set."
His tone grew meaningful as he continued:
"The SDS received resource support from the Patch Tribe during its founding, inheriting their influence."
"Whether Lacus Clyne chooses continued cooperation with them, obediently serving as their divine Angel, or seeks independence by severing ties and establishing her own domain, she'll inevitably deal with those priests of the great will."
"And from what I understand, she's far more likely to accept cooperation than refuse."
"After all, she's a pacifist who believes in that prophecy and actively prepares for the apocalypse."
"So when she pledges loyalty to that Saintess's reincarnation, will someone like you follow suit?"
Smiling, Luo Shu replied: "If the Saintess turns out to be exceptionally beautiful, I suppose I could pledge loyalty."
Hugh Carlisle blinked, then burst into laughter:
"Is that so?"
"Beauty alone suffices?"
"What a capricious yet amusing answer."
Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.
It's a personal judgement!
Hearing Luo Shu's response, Hugh Carlisle immediately understood - this man had no intention of submitting to anyone.
In other words, his conflict with the Patch Tribe, and even with Lacus in the future, was inevitable.
How could someone who only wants to be the ruler ever settle for being a dog?
And as long as Luo Shu maintained this mindset, his goal would be achieved.
"The SDS is currently a volcano continuously accumulating kinetic energy."
Hugh Carlisle explained to Luo Shu in a detached tone:
"The Commerce Department personnel are overwhelmingly backed by Union capital forces, with some like myself being conglomerate figures under dual control from both the Patch Tribe and the Union."
"These individuals are under my supervision but not my control, operating independently to seize the interests of the doves."
"You could consider them the Union faction, representing the Union's voice within the SDS."
"Meanwhile, most key positions in Logistics and Finance are held by Patch Tribe affiliates."
"These people call themselves priests of the Great Will, servants of God—you might as well label them the Priest faction."
"As for those who truly follow Lacus's orders, they're limited to the Operations Department, Research Department, Intelligence Department, and the Direct Action Team."
"These are the ones you can regard as the Clyne Faction—the true backbone of the SDS, the people actually doing the SDS's work."
"In terms of overall strength, the Clyne Faction represented by Lacus Clyne undoubtedly holds absolute superiority."
"But unfortunately, the external forces—whether the Patch Tribe or the American Union—are colossal entities she cannot easily oppose."
"This is why she's never been able to purge internal dissent and gain perfect control over the SDS."
"Both internally and externally, the three factions continuously inject their influence into the SDS's framework, like a volcano building pressure, awaiting the day of eruption."
"When that day truly comes, I hope you can replace Lacus Clyne as Supreme Chairman."
Hearing this, Luo Shu raised an eyebrow and gave Hugh Carlisle a peculiar look:
"Am I to understand that you, who secretly manage the Commerce Department, intend to support my rise to power?"