https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-272-Cardinal-Lanchi-s-Misfortunes-and-Grievances/12584341/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-274-Lanchi-s-Fate-with-the-Church-of-Dominance/12584343/
Chapter 273: Lanchi Receives a Direct Offer
Chapter 273: Lanchi Receives a Direct Offer
The floor-to-ceiling windows behind the Sid throne were obscured by thick, cascading curtains, blocking almost all external light. Only through occasional gaps could one glimpse the clouds and silhouettes of distant buildings outside.
In this luxuriously appointed space, she and Cardinal Lanchi, standing at a distance, locked eyes.
"I am Sigrid of the Dominant Holy Church."
Sid stated this matter-of-factly.
"..."
Although Lanchi's expression remained unchanged, his hesitation betrayed his inner turmoil.
It wasn't because he was caught off guard by his first encounter with a Cardinal of the Resurrection Church.
Rather, he couldn't fathom the thought process of the woman before him.
Was it common for Cardinals to go undercover in the Extinction Branch?
The Extinction Branch would never have anticipated such a move from the Dominant Holy Church! But Lanchi wasn't in a position to judge, as he had just done the same thing, and their overlapping operations had inadvertently led to the current situation.
"In the Empire's version, wisdom is everything when operating within Protoss territory."
Cardinal Sigrid, as if reading Lanchi's confusion, spread her right hand and said,
"Instead of risking infiltration by the Extinction Branch and recruiting talents, I decided to join them myself and take away the best talent they have to offer."
She never stole what she wanted; she took it by force.
"So, you don't intend to continue sabotaging the Extinction Branch from within?"
Lanchi asked, his confusion evident.
"Such underhanded tactics are for petty schemers, not me."
Sigrid scoffed, clearly disdainful of the Extinction Branch's longstanding methods.
Having achieved her goal, she no longer saw the need to maintain the Sid identity.
Lanchi froze once more upon hearing this.
He had thought the Dominant Holy Church was playing a grand strategy game.
But now, he realized their motive seemed simpler than he'd imagined.
They just wanted to poach the new leader recruited by the Extinction Branch.
And then personally offer Lanchi a direct position.
Even as Lanchi maintained his composure, his shadow began to tremble.
"..."
The mere proximity to the Cardinal filled Cat Boss with dread.
In its lifetime, it had never encountered a being of Cardinal-level within the Resurrection Church. Yet now, a calamitous force capable of destroying the heavens and the earth stood before it!
It was a primal fear that arose from the depths of its being, an overwhelming dread of an unknown and formidable power.
Under such oppression, it could only tremble helplessly, hoping that the existence on the throne, more terrifying than the legendary Eighth-Rank Magic Dragon, would not notice it and spare its life.
"Your shadow is trembling."
Cardinal Sigrid was patient with Lanchi's silence and focused on his shadow, speaking to herself.
Lanchi's shadow seemed to react to her words, twisting even more violently.
"I have no interest in harming such a weak creature unless you challenge me, little one."
Her gaze seemed to pierce through the shadow, seeing the cat boss even through the veil of space.
"..."
As her words trailed off, the cat boss hesitated.
Finally, the little black cat, its fur standing on end, emerged from the shadow and climbed onto Lanchi, curling its body tightly, enveloped in icy fear.
Only in Lanchi's arms did it feel a semblance of safety.
The little creature merely hoped that, in the face of this terrifying being, it could continue to exist, no matter how insignificantly.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Lanchi held the Cat Boss in his arms, gently patting it to ease its fears.
"So, Your Eminence, you are interested in my performance during the Extinction Branch's assessment?"
Lanchi looked up once more, bowing respectfully as he asked the question.
He couldn't be entirely sure if the Dominant Holy Church had taken an interest in him due to his work in the Southwest Province or his performance in the Extinction Branch's assessment.
In the Southwest Province, aside from the Silver-Armored Priest he had met on Viscount Francis' ship, none of the other priests had seen his true form. They had only served as spreaders and conduits, and had neither seen his face nor come into contact with his true self.
And Lanchi's indoctrination had been thorough; he had only arrived in the imperial capital of Helrom a few days ago.
Even if the Dominant Holy Church had specifically gone to the Southwest Province to investigate, they shouldn't have been able to track down the Silver-Armored Priest so quickly and extract information about the Pioneer's true identity from him.
"That's right. Although I don't know your score from the first round of the assessment, your performance in the second round was merely average. However, I was quite impressed by your performance in the final round."
Cardinal Sigrid raised her hand and pointed at Lanchi,
"You show great potential, and I want you to become my direct subordinate."
"..."
This put Lanchi in a difficult position.
Back in Ecclesi, no one had seemed to hold such high regard for him.
Yet here he was, in the Northern Continent, receiving the favor of a Cardinal.
The Dominant Holy Church had indeed offered him a great deal of respect, and the treatment they proposed was clearly two notches above what the Extinction Branch had offered. If he requested to observe the Primordial Tablets, they would most likely not make things difficult for him.
However, the problem was that he had no interest in observing the 'Primordial Tablets - Foundation'. What he wanted to see was the 'Primordial Tablets - Seal'!
And if he formally chose to side with the Dominant Holy Church as a direct subordinate, he could forget about continuing his involvement with the Extinction Branch.
"If I were to join, could I continue to remain undercover within the Extinction Branch?"
Lanchi inquired.
"You're quite the schemer, aren't you? Trying to have your cake and eat it too?"
Cardinal Sigrid's eyes sparkled as she gazed into Lanchi's emerald green irises, as if she could read his thoughts.
"But wouldn't it be most beneficial for you if I caused chaos within the Extinction Branch?"
Lanchi elaborated.
It seemed that the Dominant Holy Church had a strong sense of possessiveness.
"I've said that I don't like doing things that way. My direct subordinates should stay by my side, follow my orders, and work for me."
Cardinal Sigrid's expression turned slightly impatient as she heard Lanchi's second question,
"If you go to the Extinction Branch with ulterior motives, you're likely to end up dead. You should be able to figure out what kind of person the Bishop of Extinction is. Compared to that, if you stay by my side and remain loyal to me, I won't just punish you. I'll also use my power to protect you."
Lanchi fixed his gaze on Cardinal Sigrid of the Dominant Holy Church, unfazed by the prospect of death that loomed over him. He remained calm and collected, deep in thought.
"Say yes... just say yes..."
"It doesn't matter where you stay... it's obviously better here..."
The Cat Boss in Lanchi's arms trembled, whispering desperately.
At this point, it no longer cared whether Lanchi joined the Resurrection Church or not. It was terrified that Lanchi would refuse Cardinal Sigrid's offer! If he said no, their lives would likely be forfeit in that very instant!
(End of Chapter)
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