November tenth, Londan.

The night saw a thin layer of mist obscuring everything. A black sedan pulled over in front of a manor. The car door slowly opened, and a young man in a black suit walked out. Looking at the pitch-black manor, his eyes glinted coldly.

He appeared to be in his late twenties with a sculpted face and an upright posture, radiating a frosty, dignified aura that made people look away.

This manor was the residence of the Church of Darkness’s Holy Maiden, Anastasia. Originally, she had lived in a remote old castle in the suburbs, leading the life of an ascetic in the desolate environment, like she was punishing herself. Wayne, feeling sorry for her, ordered her to move into one of his properties.

He seemed like her sugar daddy.

The young man came up to the door and conjured black mist to be forged into a skeleton key with his thoughts, easily unlocking the door. Inside the extravagant living room, Anastasia nodded at the visitor, wearing a black dress and an expensive black gem on her chest.

“Ivan, what’s the meaning of this visit?”

“Ana!” Ivan went up to her and said darkly, “What’s with you? Why did you come to Londan all of a sudden? Why did you build a base here? And why did you falsify the goddess’s oracles to partake in Windsor’s politics?”

Anastasia didn’t say anything because she couldn’t. She asked him not to ask too many questions; it wouldn’t do him any good.

“Do you still remember that you’re the Holy Maiden of the Church of Darkness?!”

Ivan frowned at the luxurious manor, his eyes twitching. Then he took in the expensive clothes and jewelry she wore, his heart sinking. After a moment, he finally managed to say, “You’ve changed, Ana!”

Anastasia didn’t have a response for that. She hadn’t just changed. She might as well have become a different person inside out.

“Speak! Tell me who tempted you into falling!”

“It’s none of your business.”

“How could it be none of my business? I’m your father.” Ivan glared at his daughter with wide eyes, snapping, “Do you think I won’t find out just because you stay quiet? I’ve looked into the ownership of the manor. Wayne Lando, is it? Call him here. I’m going to kill him.”

Forget it. The goddess won’t allow it.

Anastasia looked at her father with a complicated expression, speaking slowly, “I’m the Holy Maiden of the church. What you’re worried about isn’t real, and even if something has happened, it’s not for you to interfere with. It is the goddess’s divine oracle.”

“Did the goddess order you to support the Lando family, create a branch in Londan, or...” Ivan pointed at the expensive attire and accessories. “To let these material items corrupt your purity?”

“None of the above.”

“Then how dare you falsify Her oracle?!”

“...”

The Goddess of Darkness had not ordered Anastasia to dress herself up, but Wayne did. He had had the clothes, expensive purses, and accessories delivered to her, too, telling her to swap them out every day throughout the week.

The goddess had made one order in Her oracle: sleep with Wayne, following her deepest desire and bravely chasing after her faith. Since Anastasia could never make the step, a while ago, the goddess had even helpfully taken the initiative with her body.

How nice of Her!

The truth wasn’t something that Anastasia could tell her father, and she wouldn’t try. She changed the subject, “Have you brought what the goddess asked for?”

“Did the goddess ask for it, or did you?” Ivan bit out. “Be honest!”

“Have you brought it?” Anastasia frowned slightly, her powerful aura and intangible presence filling the room.

“I did.” Seeing his daughter willfully make a mistake, Ivan sighed in frustration and resignation. “Ana, I taught you magic and led you down your faith, making you the most excellent Holy Maiden of the church. But I neglected to teach you how to deal with men.”

“I thought it wouldn’t be necessary since your faith was devout, and your pursuit of magic would always take priority...”

“Trust me. This isn’t love. You’re being fooled. That bastard only salivates after your beauty and the benefits you can give him as the Holy Maiden.”

“You’ve falsified the divine oracle and helped him get what he wants. He may be fine, but you’ll suffer double the punishment as the Holy Maiden. You must know better than I do what will await you once the goddess finds out about your betrayal.”

“Believe your father this once. I’ve seen all kinds of people under the sun. That man is up to no good and only seeks to take advantage of you...”

“It’s not too late yet. As long as you and I keep quiet, no one at the church will dare to say anything. Stop now!”

The old man looked at his daughter tiredly. She was over a hundred and ten, not a teenager. Why would she fall for the lies of love?

Anastasia was speechless. Her situation was so complicated that she couldn’t explain herself. Or explaining herself would only further complicate things.

“Ivan, hand over the delivery and return to the headquarters. You’re the Pope. You shouldn’t be here.”

“You know I’m the Pope. I’m not going. What are you going to do?!”

“Hand it over!!”

“Right.” Seething, Ivan retrieved two large suitcases from his personal storage and raised them above his head, smashing—

“Hm?!”

—lowering them to the ground gingerly.

Veronica would love to be as dominant in her family as Anastasia.

Anastasia hurried over and made sure that the right wares were delivered. She put them away in her storage with bright joy all over her face.

She looked as happy as if she had met her true love, her stubbornness frustrating Ivan. With a scowl, he panted heavily and asked, “Where’s the bastard named Wayne?”

“What are you going to do?” Anastasia asked warily.

“He deceived my daughter. What do you think I’m going to do?!” Black mist rose from Ivan’s body, and his eyes turned crimson. He wanted nothing more than to kill Wayne. In his eyes, the Lando heir was just a despicable bastard who sweet-talked Anastasia into falling for him, aiming to steal the throne of Windsor and the Church of Darkness’s treasure to strengthen his family and benefit himself.

All the while satisfying his perverted desires!

In an official capacity, Ivan was the Pope of the Church of Darkness. He was obligated to interfere when the Holy Maiden succumbed to temptation. In a personal capacity, he was Anastasia’s father. Any father would read up on the hundred or more ways to cook pork when they saw pigs stealing the cabbages they had raised[1].

Although Anastasia wasn’t so much a young cabbage but aged kimchi given her age, it didn’t matter. A parent would always see their children as children, no matter how old they were. Anyone who dared to make a move on his daughter should be prepared to pay with life!

Looking at her furious father, Anastasia was both touched and exhausted. She put a hand on her forehead and said, “Go back. The situation in Londan is complicated. I can’t tell you anything else, but I can tell you that the Darkness Knight also supports the Lando family. He favors Wayne very much.”

Both Darkness Knight Auston and Darkness Knight Wayne were on Wayne’s side, and so was Darkness’s Holy Maiden.

Even the Goddess of Darkness!

How was the Pope of the Church of Darkness even going to fight all of them? By shedding his blood all over them?

“Not even the Darkness Knight is entitled to do that!”

The mention of the chosen knight didn’t intimidate Ivan. So the Darkness Knight supported Wayne. So what? The chosen knight wasn’t Wayne’s father. Why couldn’t Ivan get justice for his daughter? Even if the Darkness Knight were Wayne’s father, the knight had to respect the Holy Maiden’s purity. Otherwise, if the goddess’s vessel in the human world was tainted, even the chosen knight would pay.

Ivan wasn’t scared. The Darkness Knight should be making things right for the Holy Maiden alongside Ivan, exactly because of the mantle.

“The chosen knights of Nature, Sun, Moonlight, and Death also supported the Lando family. They are close to Wayne!” Anastasia emphasized. Nights in Londan were too smothering. Go back to the Rus Federation to get away from the heat.

“That many knights...” Ivan couldn’t figure out how the Lando family had gathered all the knights and garnered their full support. He asked worriedly, “Ana, tell me. Did the bastard leverage the knights’ support to threaten you?”

“No, I volunteer.”

“So you are threatened.”

“...”

Anastasia rubbed her temple and said patiently, “No matter what you think, the Lando family has gained the support of the chosen knights, so the Church of Darkness must support the Lando family, period. As the Pope, you can’t let your emotions rule over you. Do you understand?”

Ivan huffed in disapproval. Who’s the father and Pope here? Do you even hear yourself?

Anastasia also huffed, tucking a strand of long hair behind her ear.

Ivan took an involuntary step back before returning to his original position when he realized that she wasn’t doing anything. Anastasia was both aggravated and amused.

“I know you care about me,” she said in a softer tone. “But things aren’t as bad as you imagine. I’m fine. Way—he’s fine. He’s a gentleman who does not covet my beauty or seek to exploit me.”

“Then what’s with the dress? Why are you living at his place? Why did you falsify the oracle to make me deliver the treasure?”

“Don’t ask unnecessary questions!” Anastasia’s voice turned frosty. She pointed at the door. “Get out of Londan, now. Your Holiness the Pope, don’t make me drive you out of the city!”

“Ana, you’re talking to me like this because of that bastard?”

“Yes.”

She spoke with no hesitation like a typical daughter who forgot about her father after she started dating. Ivan was beyond frustrated when the girl who had been his warm coat turned into a worn jacket with holes. He cursed out loud gracefully and politely, infuriating Anastasia. Her expression became terrifyingly icy.

She would not tolerate such comments about Wayne, not even from her father.

“Ivan, I’ll say this one last time. These are the oracles of the goddess. You are the Pope, while I am the Holy Maiden. We don’t have to think, and we must not deny them. Just follow the oracles.” Anastasia issued an ultimatum, demanding that Ivan leave Londan at once.

“Ana, you falsified oracles for him—”

“Get out!”

Kicked out of the door, Ivan grumbled, “Ёб твою мать,” every few steps, his ire burning hotter the more he thought about what happened. Since he had suffered as a father, Wayne’s father should suffer, too.

He would mask up and beat the man up!

No, he didn’t need to cover his face. His daughter had been deceived, making him and Anastasia the victims. He should be walking through the front door.

Let’s go!

***

Lando Estate, the next day.

A black sedan drove out of the front gates, heading straight to the headquarters of the Ministry of Magic. Megan drove, while Auston sat in the back, fiddling with his antique silver coin while humming relaxedly.

He hadn’t seen the annoying Trash Jr. recently, which significantly improved his quality of life. Though he never said it, his body honestly reflected his mood.

Darkness suddenly encroached, leading the car into a dark domain.

“Master, it’s the vitality field of a legendary mage,” Megan said impassively.

“Smells like Darkness...”

Auston slowly opened his eyes with a glint of annoyance. The familiar energy would suggest another messenger from the Goddess of Darkness. Seriously? Again?

“Do we break out, Master?”

“No, let’s see who it is this time...”

Auston stepped out of the car. If it was a messenger sent by the Goddess of Darkness, perhaps their goal would be different this time. Thinking of the mission in the Frozen Land, he speculated that the goddess had contacted Her knight to assign him a task.

Megan came up to Auston, staring at the depths of the darkness coldly.

Ivan stalked out, demanding unceremoniously, “Auston Lando?”

1. In China, one’s daughter is often compared to cabbages, and the men who covet her, pigs or boars. ☜