https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-273-Lanchi-Receives-a-Direct-Offer/12584342/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-275-The-Person-Sigrid-Wants-Most/12584344/
Chapter 274: Lanchi's Fate with the Church of Dominance
Chapter 274: Lanchi's Fate with the Church of Dominance
Hanging from the high ceiling, several chandeliers illuminated the room, casting a warm glow on the intricately carved wooden tables and sofas arranged beneath them. Upon one such table rested an antique bronze candelabra, its flickering flames releasing a captivating fragrance into the air.
Sigrid's gaze remained fixed upon Lanchi, her exquisite features exuding a wild and untamed spirit.
"Before I agree," Lanchi finally spoke, "I would like to confirm a few things."
"Go ahead," Sigrid replied, her voice still indifferent.
She did not tolerate refusal, but she was willing to entertain questions from her potential subordinate.
"Are you asking me to be your strategist?" Lanchi inquired, contemplating the prospect of joining the Church of Dominance.
Starting afresh with them didn't seem like a bad idea. After all, they offered a higher initial standing, and the followers seemed to get along with him. The Bishop also held him in high regard, and the opportunity to make a name for himself in the Empire was far more appealing than climbing the ranks as a spy in the Church of Annihilation.
Moreover, he wasn't one to skulk in the shadows; he preferred to operate out in the open.
"Indeed. Your task is to help me win the Bishop election in two months. Should you succeed, I will do my best to grant any request you may have," the Bishop of the Church of Dominance affirmed, nodding.
"However, to be an effective strategist, I would require a certain degree of authority. Are you truly willing to place your trust in someone like me?" Lanchi asked.
He didn't consider Sigrid a terrible superior, but the fact that she was willing to recruit someone from the Church of Annihilation meant that she had likely considered the risks.
"I can tell that you bear no ill will towards me, but you do seem to hold some grudge against the Church of Askersan. That much is clear," Sigrid said, lightly tapping the armrest of her throne as she regarded Lanchi with a meaningful look. For some reason, she found this young man's thoughts easy to decipher.
"Additionally, I will grant you one chance to betray me. Until I deem that you have betrayed me, I will trust you completely, even if you wish to bring about my demise. But in return, should you ever truly betray me, I will stop at nothing to erase you myself," she added.
"Then, may I have the final say in some decision-making matters?" Lanchi asked. If the Bishop possessed such audacity, he was willing to join forces with her.
Sigrid paused for a moment, considering his request.
"Your ambition knows no bounds... But it is precisely that kind of talent I seek. Very well, as long as you can prove your capabilities, I will grant you the authority to make decisions," she replied. However, her tone, which had been unwavering until now, suggested that she did not intend to prolong the conversation any further.
She believed that she had already demonstrated sufficient sincerity. If the other party still couldn't appreciate her gesture and tried to take advantage, she would consider it a waste of her time.
The cat boss tensed, its body as taut as a drawn bowstring. The surrounding silence weighed heavily, each moment like the strike of a hammer, pounding relentlessly against its heart, accelerating its pulse to a frenzied pace.
"Then I am delighted to accept your offer, Bishop," Lanchi's voice soothed the cat boss' frayed nerves.
"I will require your cooperation in many decision-making matters as well," he added, making his decision to officially join the Church of Dominance.
After a life of drifting, he had finally found a worthy leader in Sigrid. If she would have him, he was willing to pledge his allegiance as her Bishop.
His initial intentions, however, remained unchanged.
Who said he needed the Church of Askersan's permission to observe the sealed stone tablet?
"Not at all. Show me your potential, and perhaps I may even promote you further. I will not hesitate to grant you the authority you deserve," Sigrid nodded, satisfied.
The young man before her was nothing like her previous disciple; they were polar opposites, in fact. Yet, she was pleased with this new addition.
"Although I'm not too keen on taking in a saint, one day I will nurture a newcomer to kill the Annihilator Saint."
Bishop Sigrid of the Church of Dominance murmured to herself, seemingly reminiscing about her deceased Saintess of Dominance.
As she mentioned the Annihilator Saint, even the temperature in the entire archive seemed to drop, causing the cat boss to tremble even more.
"You must think it would be easy to kill him?"
Lanchi didn't find it strange and, understanding the sentiments of the Church of Dominance, asked, "If it weren't for me staying in Herton Imperial City, where Lord Loren and other powerful individuals reside, Bishop Ivanoth of the Church of Annihilation would have probably come to kill me himself by now."
After all, he had killed a saintess before, so he had experience in such matters.
"I'm not despicable enough to take it upon myself to kill a saint," Bishop Sigrid replied coldly. "Unless he chooses to challenge me, in which case, I will consider it suicide on his part, and I will send him on his way."
"I know you're not weak, but you're still far from the level of a saint or saintess. Don't harbor dangerous thoughts," she added.
Despite knowing that the current Protoss Empire was the most suitable version for the young man before her, she didn't want to lose such a promising seedling.
She never let go of any grudges and was patient enough to bide her time. Once she found the perfect opportunity, she would strike back with vengeance, ensuring her enemies felt the full force of her retaliation.
After issuing her warning, she looked at the new recruit before her, her gaze still filled with appreciation.
"First, there's something I need you to do. It's also an opportunity for you to prove your capabilities to me."
"No problem," Lanchi replied. "However, I need to be at the Protoss Royal Magic Academy in the Southwest Province next week for my primary job, so the earliest I can start would be the beginning of next month."
Hearing this, the cat boss finally heaved a sigh of relief.
It was certain that this guy's work ability was exceptional.
This was probably the Church of Dominance's initial consideration for recruiting him as a direct subordinate. Depending on his performance, they would decide whether to promote or slightly demote him within the church.
However, the cat boss no longer cared about any of that. All it wanted was for Lanchi to develop peacefully within the Church of Dominance and, after some time, find a way to return to the Southern Continent!
Please, no more promotions!
"I've looked through your information, and you're from the city of Lilom in the Southwest Province, aren't you?" Bishop Sigrid asked as she took out her Bishop's Certificate and created a purple-glowing 'Resurrection Certificate - Dominance,' which she then threw to Lanchi.
She knew that this young man was the tutor of a viscount's daughter in the border city of Lilom, and the school would be in a closed-off state during workdays. She didn't mind waiting a few extra days.
"Yes," Lanchi confirmed as he skillfully caught the saint's seal.
"It is said that a figure capable of changing the entire Protoss Empire has appeared in the Southwest Province. Even my followers have been won over by him. There are even rumors that he will participate in the upcoming Imperial Presidential Election..." Bishop Sigrid leaned back in her throne as she spoke.
"Take this direct subordinate seal and go to the Southwest Province to investigate the recent changes there and find out the identity of this 'Forerunner.' Bring him to me."
She didn't know what kind of rhetorical prowess and talent for controlling people's hearts this so-called "Forerunner" possessed that allowed him to continuously shape the perceptions of the empire's people, causing more and more individuals to deify his image and regard him as their spiritual leader.
While they, as the Church of Dominance, typically had a negative reputation, it would be challenging to convince a rising political star in the government to collaborate with them to control the entire Protoss Empire, let alone gain their trust.
But if Loki could accomplish this task, she would acknowledge his abilities and grant him numerous privileges.
(End of Chapter)
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