Competitors  

Meanwhile, Gloria was at the Spiritual Church Temple in Dry City, acting on behalf of the empire through that ancient continental institution.

Gloria was not in charge of any technology development projects, much less agricultural projects on the continent or in the underwater regions of the empire.

She focused on improving her influence within the Church while strengthening herself.

The war between Maximilian and Vico and the end of the conflict due to the threat of the extraterritorial enemy had not changed the reality of the division of power within the Church. This organization still had several factions and minor disputes over who should do what.

But while two groups had coalesced around Maximilian before his arrival, the former Supreme Pontiff's group had disintegrated, and Gloria's faction had grown in size.

Everyone who didn't want to be in Maximilian's faction was joining Gloria's group.