https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-479-The-Ice-and-Snow-Witch-Thought-It-Was-No-Big-Deal/12584672/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-481-Lanchi-s-Growing-Support-and-Dwindling-Allies/12584674/
Chapter 480: Sigrid Blushes
Chapter 480: Sigrid Blushes
"I am certain that the figure in black who aided Bishop Askesan of the Church of Oblivion in his attack on me is none other than Duke Morotian!"
Sigrid spoke with conviction to the Grand Sage Ysis.
Ysis, the Grand Sage, was deep in hesitation. Although she felt that Sigrid's words held some truth and were not baseless accusations, the claim that the figure in black was Morotian was based on Sigrid's subjective perception and lacked concrete evidence.
As Duke Morotian Berenhald of the Protoss Empire was a prominent figure of authority, Ysis was well aware of the potential consequences of taking action against him without solid proof.
Ysis's gaze shifted between Sigrid and Morotian, searching their expressions for any signs that would support Sigrid's claims.
"Hmph."
However, Morotian remained remarkably calm and fearless in the face of Sigrid's allegations. He looked on at Ysis, awaiting her judgment with a composed demeanor.
"..."
Sigrid, on the other hand, grew increasingly angry. Her fists clenched tightly as she felt mocked by Morotian's relaxed expression.
It was as if he was laughing at her, daring her to take action.
Sigrid was confident of Morotian's guilt, but without concrete evidence, she knew that the impact of her accusations depended solely on Ysis' judgment.
"Without sufficient evidence, I cannot make a hasty decision," Ysis finally spoke, her voice calm yet conveying her powerlessness. "Duke Berenhald, I will take no action against you unless further evidence comes to light."
In the tense atmosphere, the words of the Grand Sage Ysis resonated through the hall. Although her tone was even, one could sense the reluctance in her words.
She knew that even with her suspicions, she lacked the means to bring the Duke of Berenhald to justice.
"Thank you for your understanding, Grand Sage Ysis," Morotian bowed elegantly, then turned to Sigrid with a smile. "Miss Sigrid, you must be prepared to face the consequences of slandering my reputation, are you not?"
"This is not slander," Sigrid replied, her eyes fixed intently on Morotian.
Regarding the figure in black from that day, Duke Morotian Berenhald, the sudden downfall of Askesan today put Morotian in a very unfavorable position.
However, operating from the shadows, Morotian could choose to cast his votes for Bishop Amileas of the Mourning Church and devise a way for her to emerge victorious. This would provide a legitimate reason to expel the Church of Dominance from the Protoss Empire.
And so, the true protracted struggle within the Protoss Empire would begin.
It would be a compromise that neither side desired yet was forced to accept.
Even if Sigrid now knew that Duke Morotian Berenhald was the figure in black, the source of all the sins, and he was within arm's reach, she couldn't strike him down without becoming a criminal herself.
This proximity yet untouchability fueled the flames of anger within her.
Askesan had just endured such torture.
However, Sigrid had someone she trusted completely, a companion to whom she could entrust everything.
Her accusation was made with the sole purpose of revealing to the one seated among them their true, final enemy!
"Is it over just like this?"
"It's not over."
"But for today, it should end here. The Church of Dominance and Duke Berenhald seem unable to come to a conclusion."
In the eyes of the people in the parliamentary hall, the sudden accusation seemed to have ended calmly, but the waves and storms it had stirred would not abate.
Even if it didn't explode today, the aftershocks would continue to spread until they eventually erupted at some point in the future!
However, just when everyone thought that order would be restored in the Franklin Hall and the bishop election would proceed amidst the passive compromise between the two sides...
"Grand Sage, I also have a video clip here," a voice suddenly spoke out.
Loki McCarthy had interrupted the proceedings, drawing everyone's attention.
People wondered why he had stepped forward and whose interests he was serving. What crucial and mysterious evidence did he hold in his hands?
Ysis nodded, and Ranchi placed a crystal on his open palm. Soon, the crystal floated up and landed in Ysis' hand.
With Ysis' engineering magic, the crystal once again transformed into a video.
It showed the interior of the Principal's Office of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy.
The figures in the video were none other than Loki McCarthy himself and Duchess Krolis Berenhald, dressed in noble hunting attire, sitting across from him.
On the sofa was a man in a black robe, his eyes carrying a hint of deep melancholy.
The people in Franklin Hall gazed at the floating video, confused as to why Loki McCarthy would voluntarily release footage of his meeting with Duchess Krolis, who was suspected of treason, and the missing Associate Professor Cid.
For a long while, they couldn't make sense of the conversation between the three people.
Until—
"My father has actually been missing for a long time. The Morotian Duke who is currently in the public eye is actually a puppet controlled by me."
Duchess Krolis sighed and confessed to Loki McCarthy.
Even Loki, sitting across from her, was stunned, his teacup pausing in mid-air.
Every word that followed from Duchess Krolis and Loki's conversation carried immense weight!
There was a recording device in Ranchi's office, but both Krolis and Cid were aware of its presence.
Krolis had made these revelations in front of the recording device, understanding that her words would be documented and serve as a form of proof, a show of good faith.
The contents of the projection crystal ended shortly after, and a wave of voices filled Franklin Hall.
Now, it was challenging to distinguish between truth and deception.
If what Duchess Krolis said was true and the Morotian Duke in the capital, Helrom, for a long time had been a puppet controlled by her, then who was the person sitting here before them?
Their gazes turned once more to Duke Berenhald, this time filled with obvious doubt and distrust.
Even the dignitaries sitting beside the Duke began to fidget uncomfortably, afraid that the Duke beside them would suddenly transform into the figure in black from Sigrid's video!
"It is clear that Associate Professor Cid Allenadel has bewitched my daughter, and now he has fled in guilt. As for Krolis, she has deceived you as well. There never was a puppet used in my place."
"The unrest among the people finally caused Duke Morotian to furrow his brow, and he declared loudly.
His steady aura once again briefly calmed the situation.
Upon witnessing Loki McCarthy's sudden personal intervention, Morotian was almost certain that Loki was the intruder who had caused the commotion in the northern snowfields!
Even though Loki's actions seemed neutral and he didn't appear to be deliberately targeting him, Morotian currently had no evidence to prove that Loki was the Holy Son of Dominance.
But now there was no need for proof.
Just as Loki McCarthy now knew that he was the Black-Robed Apostle.
Both parties had no evidence, but they knew in their hearts.
Duke Morotian restrained his urge to eliminate Loki by force; on this stage, he had no choice but to engage in a battle of wits with Loki.
What truly troubled Loki McCarthy was not his combat strength but his skill in manipulating people's hearts.
This video, lacking substantive evidence, served no purpose in identifying the identity of the black-robed figure in the previous footage.
Yet, it was precisely what could stir up everyone's unease, encouraging them to begin suspecting, distancing themselves, and fearing him, Morotian!
In the grand hall, Loki McCarthy's questioning and Morotian Berenhald's brief actions once again brought the situation to a stalemate.
Even though the content of the footage was significant, Duke Berenhald's response provided a reasonable explanation, at least in the absence of further evidence.
Everyone tried to analyze the situation, striving to uncover the truth.
"Mr. McCarthy, what is your intention in releasing this footage at this moment, and what are your motives?"
Morotian finally turned to Ranchi and asked,
"Are you suggesting that you and Bishop Sigrid of the Church of Dominance colluded to bring me down, and then the two of you, one black and one white, would control the entire Protoss Empire? Are you now giving up on this charade?"
His resigned expression carried a hint of lament, as if asking everyone in the hall—
Am I truly the last obstacle in their path to ruling the empire?
Do you also want to help them get rid of me?
And will they turn on you next?
Facing the duke, many of the nobles hesitated, their gazes shifting uncertainly to Loki McCarthy.
"Hahaha."
Ranchi, upon hearing this, laughed,
"If I heard correctly, Duke Berenhald's rhetoric is actually a new ideology that has been spreading in the northern continent in recent months?"
"So what if it is? Are you not feeling guilty?"
Morotian stood his ground, his voice cold as he asked,
"The Holy Son of Dominance, Loki McCarthy?"
"!"
Morotian's public accusation of Loki McCarthy as the Holy Son of Dominance left the aristocrats in shock as they exchanged glances.
They all knew that this was the "Wilfort Doctrine."
Duke Morotian could even openly admit to it.
Because it was a cancerous scheme that didn't fear exposure to one's opponents.
The innocent would remain clear, but those with secrets to hide would fall into a predicament!
"Duke Morotian, you say that I am Loki McCarthy, that I am the Holy Son of Dominance... But who knows, in the Wilfort Doctrine, who Wilfort truly is?"
Ranchi smiled and leaned back in his chair, asking a question that left everyone perplexed as to why he would ask such a thing, and also one that they couldn't answer.
"Don't answer my question with another question, Loki; it only makes you seem more guilty," Morotian replied, his tone still calm. He didn't know why, but he felt that Loki McCarthy's relaxed demeanor was mocking him, mocking him as an amateur.
"You keep claiming to support the Church of Oblivion, but I can assure you that from the very beginning, you intended to have everyone cast their votes for the Church of Dominance. You and that woman are in cahoots, and you've deceived the entire empire because you are, yourself, a member of the Church of Dominance."
The people in the hall looked at each other.
Even though they felt that Duke Morotian's words were becoming more and more like baseless accusations, Loki McCarthy couldn't possibly be the Holy Son of Dominance.
But at that moment, Loki fell silent, not immediately rebutting Duke Morotian's claims.
"Do you dare admit it, Loki McCarthy?"
Morotian further pressed, his gaze piercing through Loki's mask.
Bishop Sigrid of the Church of Dominance glared at Duke Morotian as well.
She couldn't bear his despicable tactics for a second longer.
Duke Morotian took the initiative, turning the tables and employing underhanded means, instantly putting them at a disadvantage.
Because it was indeed a fact that was difficult to admit yet hard to deny!
Sigrid, more than anyone, knew that her Holy Son disliked lying.
If Loki admitted it, his career in the empire would essentially be over; the Protoss Empire would not allow him and the Church of Dominance to hold a monopoly on power! Even if he didn't admit it, the people of the empire would still be on guard against them due to Duke Morotian's accusations.
Regardless, Duke Morotian's repulsive strategy against the Church of Dominance had succeeded, with only the degree of its effectiveness remaining to be seen.
Seconds ticked by.
Loki McCarthy, accused by Duke Morotian, remained silent, leaving everyone even more confused.
Until...
They saw Loki finally react.
Instead of denying or distancing himself, he boldly glanced at Sigrid and even smiled at her.
"So what? Do you think I'm afraid to admit it? Duke Morotian, I don't know what the consequences of admitting it would be, but I know that denying it now would disappoint her."
Ranchi spoke candidly.
And Sigrid quickly averted her gaze, feeling flustered.
"What are you doing?!"
She muttered under her breath, her head lowered.
They had agreed to pretend they didn't know each other in public.
His sudden glance left her unsure how to continue the act!
For a brief period, whispered conversations erupted in the congressional hall as everyone tried to decipher the relationship between Loki and Sigrid!
It certainly didn't seem like the typical dynamic between a Holy Son and a Bishop.
(End of Chapter)
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