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Chapter 467: Sigrid Arrives at the Capitol
Chapter 467: Sigrid Arrives at the Capitol
In the Protoss Empire, on the morning of the Bishop's election.
The sky over Helrom was still a deep shade of bluish-gray, with mist hanging over the tops of the buildings, and the ground was bathed in a dusky glow.
The Capitol, located on the south side of Helrom, loomed even more mysteriously and solemnly in the hazy morning light.
The ground floor served as the reception and security check area, the main entrance for the public and staff into the building.
The central hall on the second floor was the main tourist area, usually open to the public, allowing visitors to learn about the legislative processes and history of the Protoss Empire.
The upper floors included offices and conference rooms, serving as workspaces for the legislators and their staff.
Starting from the fourth floor were more offices and committee rooms where smaller discussions and meetings were held, typically in support of the legislators' work on legislation and research.
However, today, the Capitol was closed to the public, with only a select few reporters from Helrom Broadcasting Company allowed access to restricted areas.
And downstairs from the Capitol, a massive crowd had gathered.
Media reporters packed the surrounding streets, their hands clutching equipment and microphones as they anxiously awaited the arrival of this historic moment.
The air was thick with tension and anticipation, and those interviewed wore expressions of curiosity and uncertainty about the future, trying to glean any hint of the momentous event about to unfold from every angle.
Helrom police had set up security barriers around the building, but this did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the assembled crowd.
And under the giant screens in the commercial districts of Helrom, the citizens of the imperial city had gathered in droves.
Today's proceedings inside the Capitol would be broadcast live by Helrom Broadcasting Corporation.
Inside the Protoss Capitol, within a dedicated magic-powered elevator.
Hyberrian was dressed in a black suit today, her hair pulled back into a sleek high ponytail, giving her an air of both a butler and a deacon as she accompanied Bishop Batian.
The magic elevator ascended slowly, and in the silence, only the faint sounds of its mechanical operation and the breathing of the two occupants could be heard.
Normally, the Bishop would be accompanied by either the Holy Son or Holy Daughter. However, today, the Holy Son of Batian was unable to join his father.
Hyberrian's feelings were complicated.
For some reason, Lanchi's request was for her to act as a temporary personal guard for Bishop Batian, ensuring that he didn't have to exert himself unnecessarily.
With her array of life-saving techniques and a new life-saving spell obtained from the Ice and Snow Witch, she was indeed the perfect guardian.
"Young lady, why are you so guarded around me?"
As Hyberrian's thoughts wandered, Bishop Batian turned his head slightly, moving a little closer, and whispered in her ear.
Hyberrian jumped in surprise and quickly moved away a bit.
"..."
She stared at Bishop Batian, reluctant to speak carelessly.
Hyberrian was actually quite afraid. She never imagined that she would come face-to-face with Bishop Batian at such close quarters.
And Bishop Batian was nothing like what she had imagined.
Despite her reputation as a terrifyingly cold-hearted woman, here she was, whispering in Hyberrian's ear when her guard was down.
"Would you like to be my Holy Daughter?"
Bishop Batian appraised Hyberrian from head to toe with interest as she asked.
"Impossible," Hyberrian firmly rejected the offer.
In the Church of the Goddess of Destiny, it was already incredibly difficult for her to attain a status comparable to that of the Holy Son and Holy Daughter of the Church of Resurrection. Now, Bishop Batian was offering her that very position.
Of course, it was more likely that the Bishop was merely testing her.
Though her heart raced with shock, and she couldn't fathom what Bishop Batian saw in her to make such an unexpected offer, she knew that she and the Church of Resurrection were worlds apart, and she would not sink further into this abyss!
"I can give you the same care as a mother. I will protect you and ensure that no one dares to bully you."
"I extend my arms to you, and you still refuse?" Bishop Batian said, spreading her arms slightly and smiling.
"I don't need that," Hyberrian replied, feeling that the Bishop was perhaps not joking this time.
Hyberrian had expected Bishop Batian to be a terrifying person, but now, witnessing her contrasting behavior when they were alone, she found an unexpected gentleness in her that was strangely comforting.
"Are you hesitating?" Sigrid asked, noticing Hyberrian's furrowed brows and conflicted expression.
"No," Hyberrian replied, fixing her gaze on Bishop Batian. "I just ask that you keep your promise, Bishop. After my work today, act as if we've never met, and don't make things difficult for me."
Hyberrian stared at the Bishop, her resolve unwavering. She believed that the "Saintess" invitation was bound to be a trap of some sort.
Although Bishop Batian showed no ill intent towards her, Hyberrian sensed that she was being toyed with.
"What a pity. I quite like you. After all, you are the bravest young lady I've ever met. At my wedding, having you seated with the children would be wonderful." Bishop Batian shook her head in disappointment.
"How can you make that judgment based on this brief encounter?" Hyberrian asked, perplexed by Bishop Batian's assessment of her courage.
Could it be because of her cold attitude towards the Bishop?
The door of the magic elevator opened, letting in a stream of light.
The floor was etched with intricate patterns, emitting a dull resonance with each step.
The corridor beyond was dimly lit, providing only basic illumination, which deepened the shadows along the walls.
"One day you'll understand," Bishop Batian said, a slight curve to her lips, as she started walking towards the exit, gesturing for Hyberrian to follow.
"..."
Hyberrian collected herself and walked towards the Franklin Central Hall outside.
However, her heart was filled with confusion once more.
Typically, a Bishop could only accept one Holy Son and one Holy Daughter. Lanchi was currently the Batian Holy Son, and now Bishop Batian was inviting Hyberrian to be her Holy Daughter. Could it be that the woman seducing Lanchi in the mansion the other day held a position lower than that of a Holy Daughter?
As she soon stepped out of the corridor, the brightness of the surroundings increased.
In the Franklin Hall on the thirty-third floor of the Capitol, the empire's nobility and ministers moved about in the circular, tiered seating that ascended from low to high. Their voices, laughter, and debates intermingled, as most of the participants had already taken their seats, whispering in corners to exchange opinions.
In the spacious hall, the morning light of Helrom streamed down from the high, transparent dome, softly illuminating the ancient stone floor built centuries ago, weaving a subtle tapestry of history and the present.
Hyberrian looked up and spotted Milford Earl, her uncle in her current identity as Millian Milford, seated on the left side of the hall's tiered seating. Not far from him, on the opposite side, was Lanchi, sitting leisurely as if he belonged to another world.
Lanchi was now dressed in a suit, the center of attention, conversing casually with many influential figures in the imperial political arena.
"..." Hyberrian felt a lump in her throat.
Back then, she had watched as Lanchi inexplicably became the principal in the shadow world, sitting in a meeting room and assigning tasks to a group of school leaders.
Now, he had stepped onto an even bigger stage, and his abstractness knew no bounds.
(End of Chapter)
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