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Chapter 276: Lanchi's Playful Heart is Aroused
Chapter 276: Lanchi's Playful Heart is Aroused
Lanchi reached out to pet Boss again. He felt that the cat needed some comfort at this moment.
"If I accept it, what else will I gain?" Lanchi asked, his eyes fixed on the pink Sacred-grade Holy Dominance Seal. Instead of immediately accepting or refusing, he chose to negotiate further.
In addition to the basic attributes similar to the 'Certificate of Resurrection - Destruction' he had obtained earlier, the pink Sacred-grade 'Certificate of the Saint' also granted him the authority to imprint the highest blue-quality Certificate of Resurrection. This meant he could take it upon himself to induct people he favored into the Holy Dominance branch, which was already a significant power in itself.
However, pink Sacred-grade magic cards were not easily disentangled. If there had been a possibility of resignation before, the Holy Dominance Church would certainly not allow it now.
The benefits and privileges associated with this position far surpassed those of a Grand Priest or a direct soldier.
Depending on the attitude of each Bishop towards their successor, the level of support and resources provided would vary.
Even someone like Destruction Bishop Ivanoss readily bestowed a pink Sacred-grade magic card, the 'Certificate of Destruction', upon his chosen Destruction Saint.
Lanchi wanted to know how far Sigrid was willing to go in terms of granting him power.
After all, when a Bishop selected a Saint, it was akin to choosing a successor or a confidant. Naturally, the Bishop would invest all their resources into cultivating this individual, until they were capable of challenging other Bishops or even becoming a Cardinal with their own independent title.
Within the Resurrection Church, which had a long history of internecine struggles, there had always been factions and checks and balances among the Cardinals.
If enough Bishops united behind one cause, they could even use their voting rights, granted by the 'Certificate of Bishop', to impeach the Pope and elect a new one from among their number.
And the 'Papal Authority' held a special advantage over all holders of the 'Certificate of Resurrection' and 'Certificate of Bishop'.
Since the 'Certificate of Bishop' was of Epic grade, it could not be unbound.
In a contest between Cardinals of similar strength, any Cardinal whose 'Certificate of Bishop' evolved into the 'Papal Authority' would become unbeatable, and the new Pope would reign supreme over the Resurrection Church.
The ascension of each new Pope was accompanied by a bloody purge, as those Bishops who had opposed or defied the new Pope and their branches were mercilessly eliminated.
Sigrid's ambition to ascend to the position of Pope was evident.
"What's mine is yours. From today onwards, you are my confidant and agent, but in return..." Sigrid paused, as she had already stated this condition once before.
Lanchi hesitated for a moment upon hearing this. He had not expected that Sigrid would be willing to grant him everything. Yet, he also understood that the consequences of betraying this trust would be equally severe.
"As long as I don't betray you, you need to protect me and not force me to do anything against my will. Agreed?" Lanchi thought it through and decided that the Holy Dominance Church was more reasonable and communicative than he had anticipated, and collaborating with them didn't seem like a bad idea.
"Of course," Sigrid readily agreed.
With this confirmation, Lanchi took the 'Certificate of the Saint' from Sigrid and bound it to himself, officially becoming her Saint.
Seeing Lanchi's acceptance, a satisfied smile appeared on Sigrid's face. "Excellent. From this day forward, you are my Saint. You have free rein over my followers in the Holy Dominance branch, and if there's anything you need my assistance with, don't hesitate to ask."
"...!" Boss the cat was completely dumbfounded.
It couldn't accept this turn of events.
How had this kid, who had just been a first-year student at the Ikelite Academy before he left, suddenly become a Holy Son of the Holy Dominance Church?! It didn't want to be a wanted cat on the Resurrection Church's wanted list!
"The image of the Forerunner can continue to ferment in the Southwest Province for a while. It needs an air of mystery, as if the Forerunner is transforming the followers of the Holy Dominance branch for the better. We shouldn't directly reveal that the Forerunner is a member of the Holy Dominance branch..." Lanchi had already immersed himself in his new role and was outlining his work plan and arrangements to the Holy Dominance Church.
"Very well, then you can go back to the Protoss Royal Magic Academy and take care of matters there. Return in five days." Sigrid understood that the identity of the Forerunner was tied to the identity of Roche, and it was beneficial for Roche to maintain a good relationship with Viscount Francis and his daughter. Moreover, for the higher-ups of the Resurrection Church, having a respectable and upright social identity was of utmost importance.
Upon hearing this, Sigrid took out a secret key made of a magic crystal and handed it to Lanchi.
"What is this?" Lanchi asked.
"This is the key to this place. Most of the time, you can find me here, but remember to knock before entering. Don't come in directly," Sigrid explained.
That was the troublesome part about being a Saint. He would have to pay more attention to his behavior now.
"Understood," Lanchi nodded as he took the key.
"Then I'll continue to be a spy in the Church of Annihilation. I should still have time to report in," Lanchi said as he glanced at the clocks hanging above the rows of paintings of various sizes on the wall, ready to set off.
The Church of Holy Dominance had granted him so much power, and it would only be fair that they allowed him the freedom to carry out his own plans.
"I told you it's dangerous," Sigrid said, a slight frown forming on her brow.
"Then come with me. If you transform into Xide now, we can hurry to the Temple of the Church of Annihilation together and make it in time," Lanchi suggested matter-of-factly. At most, they would be a little late, but if they were both late, they probably wouldn't be blamed too much.
"There is no precedent for a Cardinal to act as a spy in another branch," Sigrid replied coldly.
It was already unusual for a Saint or a Saintess to do such a thing.
If she, as the Cardinal of the Church of Holy Dominance, were to be discovered spying in the Church of Annihilation's headquarters, it would become a laughing stock among the other Cardinals.
"You won't be a spy. I know you're just worried about me. You protect me, and I'll provide you with cover so that you won't be discovered," Lanchi said slowly as he held the cat.
Boss the cat felt a familiar feeling returning.
It suspected that this kid had never given up on the idea of being a spy in the Church of Annihilation, and now he was even trying to convince the Cardinal of the Church of Holy Dominance to join him! If she doesn't go with you, does that mean you don't care about her? Are you trying to boss a Cardinal around?!
"...”
Sigrid fell silent.
She had wanted to refuse, but she did feel a bit uneasy about leaving this kid to his own devices.
After all, now that he had accepted the proof of being a Saint, if he caused trouble in the Church of Annihilation's headquarters and was discovered, the consequences would be countless times more dire than before.
"Why don't we just go there to play? When you reach the heights, you will find yourself alone, with no one to talk to. The lonely winter will make you shiver, and you will question your purpose at such heights," Lanchi said as he looked around the spacious gallery. It was clear that Sigrid rarely invited others to this place.
Although she wasn't as reclusive as Talia, she could only admire her collection alone after a busy day. No matter what achievements she made, there was no one to share her joy.
"...”
Sigrid found Lanchi's words intriguing. She folded her arms across her chest, her fingers tapping lightly as she appraised him, "You understand this feeling?"
"Of course," Lanchi replied, his eyes flashing with a hint of melancholy as he recalled his days in charge of lightning at the Inferno Corridor Academy.
But his gaze also seemed to be telling the Cardinal that he could help her dispel this boredom, or that being with him would never be dull.
In the brief silence that filled the vast gallery, the Cardinal of the Church of Holy Dominance transformed back into Xide. She no longer appeared as formidable, but her striking features still commanded attention, and a playful air had been added to her dignified demeanor.
"Let's go. From now on, I'm just a fourth-rank knight, neither strong nor weak, merely your partner. Unless you're in mortal danger, I won't use my true strength. But if I have to save your life, it means you've failed in your task, and you will have to be punished," Xide said with a smile.
"What kind of punishment?" Lanchi asked, surprised that Xide was more lively than he expected, even taking the initiative to propose rules.
"I'll tell you later," Xide replied with a smile, seeming eager to play in the Church of Annihilation as well.
(End of Chapter)
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