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Chapter 470: Sigrid, Unless There is New Power
Chapter 470: Sigrid, Unless There is New Power
"Grand Priest Sandel, your lies are baseless! The Dominating Religion has always been the strongest in the Northern Continent, and Lady Sigrid's strength and wisdom are unquestionable."
Gloria's personal guard immediately countered, her voice filled with anger.
"What we need is an ally in peak condition, capable of shouldering the heavy responsibilities for the Empire. Lady Sigrid, if you have been hiding something, it would be an irresponsible act towards the Empire! It would also destroy the reputation and trust of the Resurrection Church in the Protoss Empire!"
However, Sandel, a personal guard of the Extinction Branch, ignored Gloria and directed his accusation at Sigrid,
"If the Grand Bishop of the Dominating Religion is not guilty, I dare you to accept my challenge and show us if you can kill me in an instant as everyone expects, or will you have a hard fight even against a Sixth-Ranker like me?"
"And you think you're worthy of fighting a Grand Bishop?"
The Grand Priests of the Dominating Branch stood up, their chairs clattering to the floor, clearly not tolerating the insulting nature of the challenge. Their glares served as a warning to Sandel, inviting him to take the first move if he dared.
In this tense standoff, the nobles and ministers began to whisper fervently among themselves.
The Franklin Parliament Hall was filled with exclamations of shock, suspicion, and speculation. Some wore expressions of surprise, while others looked worried.
Their gazes shifted between Grand Bishop Sigrid of the Dominating Religion and Askesan of the Extinction Branch, trying to glean more information from their facial expressions and body language.
Even Isis slightly turned her attention to this matter, which concerned the foundation of the cooperation between the Empire and the Resurrection Church.
Previously, Sigrid could have responded with silence, as the truth was yet to be confirmed, and the military could have been tasked with further investigation.
The Extinction Branch wouldn't have made such accusations without evidence, and as the strongest martial artist, it would be easy for Sigrid to prove her peak condition. If the claims were indeed slanderous, Sigrid would be able to refute them swiftly.
"My cultivation is nearing the final bottleneck, so it's natural for my condition to be different. It doesn't mean I've weakened. If you want to test whether I still possess the full strength of a Cardinal, find someone sturdy enough to withstand my full power."
Grand Bishop Sigrid of the Dominating Religion maintained her composure, her face calm and unperturbed as she replied.
Her sharp gaze swept across the hall, immediately silencing the nobles and ministers.
It was as if she was asking: Do you want to fight me?
Even though no pressure could be felt from her at that moment, the mere presence of the Dominating Religion instilled soul-chilling fear in most ordinary people.
It was the difference between a mighty god and insignificant ants.
Without the protection of the venue's barrier and the presence of the Grand Sage Isis, the Dominating Religion could take the head of anyone in an instant.
Sigrid's response and intimidation calmed the emotions in the hall momentarily.
The conversations among the nobles and ministers gradually lowered in volume, and their confused gazes shifted back and forth between the Extinction Branch and the Dominating Branch.
Perhaps the Extinction Branch had discovered something about Sigrid's cultivation and concocted this lie to strike a critical blow at this juncture.
However, no one could determine the truth at that moment.
Amidst this, Isis sat quietly, her expression still calm, but her posture conveyed a deep understanding and control of the situation—
As long as she remained silent, it meant she was leaving the matter to those present.
The Dominating Branch and the Extinction Branch remained at a stalemate.
Sandel's personal guard, unfazed by the oppressive aura of the Dominating Branch's priests, was about to continue speaking when a hand rested on his shoulder.
"That's enough, Sandel. Any more, and it would be impolite."
It was then that Askesan of the Extinction Branch stood up. He was tall, and his deep gray eyes were like an abyss, capable of entrapping people and causing their souls to gradually slip away.
Just hearing Askesan's voice sent chills down the spines of those present, an instinctive reaction to an absolutely dangerous presence.
"Sigrid, don't bully these youngsters. If you want to prove your strength, I'll spar with you."
Askesan's tone was calm, like the flow of time, and each word carried an irresistible allure,
"You don't mind, do you, Yamileise?"
He turned to look at the Mournful Bishop, Yamileise, who had remained silent throughout.
Many of the nobles in the hall followed his gaze to the Mournful Bishop, who sat directly across from Isis.
Since the beginning, the Mournful Bishop had not uttered a word.
She wore a cassock made of black and deep purple silk, embroidered with holy insignia symbolizing the deathly tide and eternal teardrops. Though one could clearly see her appearance, it was as if her features eluded memory.
Yamileise wasn't particularly active on the southern shore of the Northern Continent; she mostly assisted the Pope in managing internal affairs as an Internal Affairs Bishop.
While her reputation wasn't as notorious as the other Cardinals, it didn't carry the resounding infamy of Askesan's name.
However, everyone knew that those who ascended to the position of Cardinal in the Resurrection Church were not to be trifled with.
"As you wish."
Cardinal Yamileise replied briefly.
Askesan's gaze remained on Sigrid, a hint of a smile on his face, as he found her impending response to his challenge intriguing.
"..."
Sigrid remained silent.
"What's the matter, Sigrid? You're usually so eager to fight me to the death, yet now that I'm offering you this opportunity, you're backing down?"
Askesan pressed further.
"I said I'm not in a state to fight, as it would disrupt my cultivation progress. In one month, if you still dare to challenge me, I assure you I will put an end to our enmity. At that time, don't run away like a coward, as you've done in the past."
Sigrid's voice was sharp as a sword, filled with disdain for Askesan.
"Hahahaha!"
Askesan threw his head back and laughed at her words,
"That's the funniest joke I've heard. Grand Bishop Sigrid of the Dominating Religion has learned to yield... People of the Protoss Empire, do you find this normal? Do you truly believe she's still the same Grand Bishop who had absolute confidence in her strength?"
As Askesan's gaze shifted back to Sigrid, his eyes turned colder, conveying a clear message—
Today's bishop election will be your downfall.
No matter who that damned Holy Son of the Dominating Branch truly is, and whatever hasty preparations he made in this short month, it's all meaningless and won't help you in the slightest, Sigrid!
(End of Chapter)
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