https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-468-Lanchi-is-Apparently-a-Neutral-Party/12584661/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-470-Sigrid-Unless-There-is-New-Power/12584663/
Chapter 469: Sigrid is no Longer an Eighth-Rank
Chapter 469: Sigrid is no Longer an Eighth-Rank
Within Franklin Hall, the noblemen and ministers of the Empire remained quiet, their attention focused on the area belonging to the three factions of the Resurrection Church at the center of the hall.
While the final proclamation about to be delivered could sway the opinions of the voters to some extent, there were also many nobles and ministers who had no intention of casting their ballots based on their personal views.
The nobles from the Northern Snowfield Province, for instance, knew that after the voting started, Lord Rocky McCarthy would take out his handkerchief, fold it, and put it back in his chest pocket. The direction in which the Protos Royal Magic Academy emblem on his handkerchief faced would indicate who he was voting for, and they would follow suit.
Down, up, and right represented south, north, and east, respectively, and also corresponded to the territories of the Dominant Catholic Church, the Extinction Bishop, and the Mourning Bishop in recent months.
By the Monarch's Seat in the hall, as Isis resumed her seat, the atmosphere turned into a quiet anticipation.
Sigrid of the Dominant Catholic Church stood firmly in her position as Bishop.
Her direct subordinate, Gloria, ascended the stage with determined steps, clad in a solemn gown, ready to commence her proclamation.
A direct subordinate was also considered a high-ranking priest, just a notch above the ordinary priests.
Gloria swept her gaze across the audience, preparing to share the changes that the Dominant faction had brought about in the southern regions of the Protos Empire over the past few months.
"Miss Gloria, please hold."
A high-ranking priest from the seats behind Askesan interrupted the proceedings.
No one knew what the Extinction Branch was up to.
Just as Gloria was about to speak, something unexpected happened at this critical juncture. Sigrid, with a slight frown, turned her gaze towards the right side of the central seating area of the hall, where the Extinction Branch was seated.
Suddenly, a high-ranking priest named Sander stood up from behind the Extinction Bishop. His movements were swift and decisive.
Sigrid recognized this high-ranking priest.
Previously, after she and the Son had jointly reported and dismantled the Keius high-ranking priest of the Extinction Knights stationed in the imperial capital of Helrom, it was this northern special envoy, Sander, who took over the logistical work in Helrom and arranged for their passage to the northern blockade zone.
With most of Askesan's high-ranking priests dead, the direct subordinates could be considered Askesan's last confidants.
"Lady Isis, I have an important matter to report on behalf of the Extinction Branch."
Sander's voice cut through the impending speech, his eyes fixed on Isis by the Monarch's Seat, his expression urgent and resolute.
"..."
The entire hall's attention shifted to Sander instantly, and a hint of anger flashed in Gloria's eyes.
She knew that the Dominant Catholic Church's Bishop Sigrid was currently facing charges from the Imperial military. The officer in charge of apprehending the Dominant Catholic Church was waiting outside Franklin Hall. If Sigrid won today's bishop election, she might be able to buy some time, but if she lost, she would undoubtedly be arrested by the Protos Empire. The winning bishop might not only refuse to help her but also take this opportunity to finish off the Dominant Catholic Church for good.
The Extinction Bishop and the Dominant Catholic Church had always been arch-nemeses. The Extinction Branch would not let this precious opportunity slip by, and given their unscrupulous nature, they were capable of employing any underhanded tactic today.
The nobles, parliamentarians, and other important figures of the Empire present began to whisper among themselves, sensing the mounting tension in the air.
This behavior from the high-ranking priest of the Extinction Branch could be considered rather rude, but everyone present understood the underlying strategy. The impact of their own proclamations might not be as significant, but exposing and striking at the other branches could directly and substantially influence the voting decisions of the nobles and ministers present.
Isis lifted her head slightly, her gaze calm yet unfathomable, as if she could see through everyone's thoughts.
She nodded gently, granting Sander permission to speak.
This simple action immediately plunged the entire hall into silence, as the attention of the empire's elite fixated on Sander, a direct subordinate of the Extinction Branch, awaiting the announcement of the so-called "important matter."
"Lady Sigrid, do you truly intend to win today's vote, use your power to cover up your crimes, and then get away scot-free?" Sander asked, his voice ringing out.
Taking a deep breath, he fixed his gaze on Sigrid, who stood at the left side of the hall's center.
"I am far more righteous and transparent than you," Sigrid replied coldly, her arms folded.
Talking with anyone from the Extinction Branch disgusted her.
"How dare you continue to maintain your facade after causing so much harm to the people in the north?" Sander countered, his finger pointed accusatorily at Sigrid, refusing to back down.
At that moment, the atmosphere in the entire hall, not just the Dominant faction, was enveloped in unexpected tension.
Sigrid raised her eyes, glancing at Sander, the direct subordinate of Bishop Askesan of the Extinction Branch.
Although Askesan wore a slight smile at the corner of his mouth and seemed uninvolved, he was clearly delighted to see his subordinate rebuke Sigrid so fiercely.
However, Sigrid did not take the bait, refusing to lower herself to argue with a direct subordinate about this issue.
She maintained her aloof demeanor, her eyes conveying that she was too disdainful to bother explaining herself to the Extinction Branch; they were not worth her time.
"..."
The Grand Sage Isis silently propped her chin with her hand.
Earlier, she had stated that the three bishops could conduct their proclamations in any form they chose, and this debate certainly qualified as one.
For now, things seemed to have reached an impasse.
Sigrid chose to ignore the unfavorable topic that Sander had brought up.
If all went as expected, after this brief interlude, the proceedings would return to the normal proclamation process for the Dominant Catholic Church.
However, Sander, as a direct subordinate, maintained his composure.
Just as he had said earlier, the scandal was merely an opening act, and the true secrets Sigrid was hiding were yet to be revealed.
Sander bowed once more to Grand Sage Isis and then turned to face Sigrid. "Lady Sigrid, according to our intelligence, you have suffered irreparable severe injuries, causing your power to drop permanently by eight ranks. Yet, during this past month, while you were evading capture and hiding within the Protos Empire, you concealed your true condition. This act of deception towards the Protos Empire disqualifies you from standing here. You have lost the qualifications to be a powerful ally to the Protos Empire."
In the moment that Sander's accusation fell, the air in the parliamentary hall froze.
The entire hall fell into a momentary silence, followed by a swift rise in hushed whispers.
If the information from the Extinction Branch was accurate, then the Dominant Catholic Church had lost its proudest and strongest asset. Essentially, Sigrid was no longer the ally that the current situation in the Protos Empire needed!
(End of Chapter)
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