Book 3: Chapter 8: Private Discussion
Luminous Theocracy capital, Aeria.
A tower that bathed this world with the purest of light. In the towerâs front was a massive public plaza that could fit hundreds of thousands of people, Right across it was a majestic construct that appeared just like an ancient palace.
In a certain room within the majestic construct, a tall and big old man was currently seated cross-legged before a window. With his massive physique, coupled with the luxurious and elegant robes he was wearing, he could single-handedly obstruct all the light streaming in from outside.
At this moment, present within the old manâs shadow was a woman in a respectful, half-kneeling position dressed in dark blue tight-fitting soft armor.
âHave you investigated the matter about Harbor City?â
âYes, your Holiness.â the woman raised her head, revealing a pair of calm and pure looking eyes, âthe owner of the underground auction house is Kenlov Wilkis. He was previously an ordinary low-life from the slums. This person was greedy and gutless. However, because of him having some minor martial talent, he had somehow received some guidance, allowing him to call the shots in the slums.â
âWilkis then disappeared for a period, before reappearing as the owner of this underground auction house, which he continued to control for the next 30 years. During this period, massive amounts of slaves were being sold, with most of them being young virgin girls. He had also amassed a few vagrant criminals and orphans. They used those criminals as guards for the auction house, while the orphansâ¦â the woman paused slightly, before continuing, âwere all sent to train to become death soldiers that wouldnât live past 20.â
The Pope rapped the table; the gentle knocking sounds filling up this gloomy and quiet room. Lowering his head to ponder, he remained silent for a while before saying: âKenlov Wilkis shouldnât be the true owner of that auction house.â
âYes. However, because of the auction house being blown âapart, this subordinate truly could not search for any signs of the true owner. However, from the words of Harbor Cityâs City Lord, Emona Callanster seemed to have fought with some big figure from our Theocracy for a period after the auction house had exploded.â
âSome big figure? Ah, is it one of those few restless fellows? However, I never imagined that it would involve even Emona in this.â
âEmona Callanster claimed to have come over to bring his daughter back.â
âBring his daughter back?â
âThatâs right.â A network of glowing lines appeared in front of the woman, before transforming into a few images of Carol, Durango, Eleanor, and Lilith. Present below their images were small words of their names, descriptions, and origins, âThese people appear to be the masterminds behind the auction house explosion. Callansterâs daughter is one of them.â
The Popeâs eyes narrowed slightly: âA few kids?â
âThis subordinate also thinks âit is hard to believe, but under the testimonies of those young girls that were rescued from there, they had confirmed that it was those people who infiltrated the auction house and caused this whole matter.â
â30 years of deployment, only to be destroyed by a few kids. Even I feel a bit of sympathy for the so-called big figure behind the auction house.â Suddenly, the Pope thought about something. Patting his head, he asked, âThatâs right. I almost forgot about it. Howâs the casualty report? Were there any civilians affected?â
After hearing the questions, the woman hesitated for an instant before replying: âThere werenât any civilians affected. However, the aristocrats involved in this matterâ¦â
Hearing that, the Pope waved his hand to show his nonchalance, âItâs a good thing that they died. Those rotten fellows should all be sent to hell. The more the merrier. That way, there will be fewer obstructions that Thea would need to face.â
âThis subordinate naturally understands this. However, the aristocrats that died hailed not only from the Theocracy. Duke Carterbell from the Shadow Theocracy, Count Alister and Marquis Lucille from the Macedonia Empire had all perished within the auction house. This matter has blown into an international incident. Just now, these two countries have already sent people to seek an explanation from us.â
âEh? Are they saying that they want me to hand a dukeâs daughter and marquisâ son of the Holy Dragon Empire, and a dead person to them?â
âNaturally, they understand that it would be an impossibility, thereforeâ¦â a few of the images before her disappeared, leaving behind an image of a petite figure with golden hair, âthey just want us to hand this person over.â
A frown appeared on the Popeâs face: âLilith? There isnât even a surname?â
âThis subordinate apologizes for her uselessness. The name, Lilith, is the only thing that weâve got so far. This person appeared like a phantom. After searching all the boat and carriage records in the surrounding area, and information from all the checkpoints, there was not even a single one showing that a girl by the name of Lilith had entered Harbor City. She isnât one of Harbor Cityâs residents. This person seems to be the biggest reason behind the explosion of the auction house. Through our investigations, we discovered remnant traces of over a thousand magic spells being used within the wreckage of the auction house. With all of them âcoming from her.â
âA dubious identity, possessing a massive number of magic scrolls, and killing off a quarter of our Theocracyâs aristocrats in one moveâ¦â the Popeâs eyes narrowed, while a stern expression appeared on his face, âThis person is very dangerous.â
âRamiele Xoey, here are your orders.â
âYes, your holiness.â
âI order you to personally investigate the origin and identity of this Lilith girl. If the need arisesâ¦â killing intent burst forth from the Pope, âthereâs no need to keep her alive.â
âYes, your holiness! This subordinate will carry out your orders with her life.â
Xoey stood up and turned around to leave, only to be called back by the Pope: âIs Theaâ¦back yet?â
âThe esteemed Saintess is estimated to arrive here in the late afternoon. Please do not worry, your holiness.â
Upon the mention of Saintess Thea, the solemn aura radiating from the Pope immediately vanishedâ. Relaxing as he reclined on a spacious chair, he said, âHow can I not worry? She didnât even bring any Saint Realm guards with her.â
With a faint smile, Xoey replied: âThatâs not a problem. There shouldnât be anyone within the Theocracy that would dare to ambush the esteemed Saintess.â
âThis old manâs not worried about her being ambushed, but her losing control over her own emotions.â
Xoeyâs smiling expression turned sluggish. She also understood his words. After a moment of hesitation, she replied, âErmâ¦your holiness, I heard that the esteemed Saintess can cause the destruction of the world if she cries for 7 days. Isâ¦that âtrue?â
âWhat a load of garbage!â the Pope exhaled deeply as he stared at her, âAlthough Theaâs âcapable of continuously causing disasters because of her emotional fluctuations, itâs impossible for her to cause something like the destruction of the world. Itâs âbeneath you to actually believe in such baseless rumors! If I hear such words from you again, there will be no need for you to continue being the Leader of the Adjudicators!â
âYes.â Xoey hastily knelt down on the ground, âThis subordinate understands.â
âOkay. Itâs good that you know your mistakes. You can go now.â
âYes.â
As the voice disappeared, the entire room descended back into silence. The Popeâs eyes glazed over as he looked blankly into the distance, before muttering:
âAs if she needs 7 days. As long as Theaâs emotional well-being collapses, itâll only take 3 days for her to destroy the world.â