The First Vampire-Chapter 684 - : 682 concession_1

Chapter 684: 682 concession_1

The remnants of the setting sun bathed the western sky in a splendid blaze of twilight.

Colin stood at the summit of the Holy Mountain, cloaked in an ethereal glow by the fading rays.

At this moment, it seemed as if he were at the center of the world, climbing up the steps, but the grand Holy Light Cathedral towering atop the Holy Mountain seemed to be actively moving towards him.

The Holy Temple Knights, who were guarding the exterior of the cathedral, stared at Colin, a sense of irresistible awe rising within them.

Only until Colin entered the gates of the cathedral did this disorienting vision suddenly dissolve.

“Mensai, you deceived me!” Colin snapped coldly, his voice echoing as if it came from the heavens above.

...

Cardinal Mensai stood behind a group of Holy Temple Knights, tightly gripping the Golden Horn. He forced a smile onto his face and respectfully replied:

“Count Angler, you misunderstand me. I merely helped you to achieve your goal ahead of time.”

Colin chuckled coldly, retorting:

“Help me? You were just helping yourself!”

The moment he learned about Prince Harrison’s murder of Pope Gregory in East Spring Town, Colin realized that he had been played by Mensai.

While this ambitious cardinal admittedly wanted to get rid of Gregory, he was just as wary of Colin.

Of course, Colin himself had entertained thoughts of double-crossing.

In the initial plans for Grace Day, after subduing Gregory, Colin had no intention of returning the Golden Horn to the Church.

In fact, he planned to reduce the numbers of the Temple Knight Regiment, thereby suppressing the Church’s power.

In his vision, even if Mensai successfully succeeded to the position of the Pope, he would be nothing more than a puppet incapable of opposing the nobles. From then on, the Church would be nothing more than a tool of faith to assist the nobles in ruling the Empire.

But clearly, Mensai had figured this out too.

More so, he was not willing to be merely a puppet, a tool.

Thus, he struck first – utilizing the mismatches in information and timing, he caught everyone off guard.

Despite his anger, Colin had to admit, he had underestimated the cardinal.

“Count Angler, I have no wish to be your enemy,” said Cardinal Mensai, feeling the deep and terrifying aura that Colin exuded. The Golden Horn was already at his lips, as if he would blow it any second now, “Moreover, believe me, you won’t be able to withstand the consequences of backing the Church into a corner!”

“Is that so?” A cold smile played on Colin’s lips. “Is that the Golden Horn? Can it truly summon angels?”

“You wouldn’t want to find out.” The cardinal’s voice was a chilling warning.

“No, I would very much like to know,” Colin responded mockingly. “Not just me, all the devout believers of the Radiant Empire want to know if the omnipresent and omniscient Supreme Lord will still respond to the summons of his representative on earth.”

Having spoken, Colin took a step forward.

Boom!

A tremor ran through the entire Holy Light Cathedral.

The Holy Temple Knights forming a protective ring around Mensai simultaneously unsheathed their long swords, pointing them towards Colin.

But Colin turned a blind eye and took another step forward.

Boom!

With this step, it felt like he trod on the hearts of everyone in the cathedral.

Boom!

Colin advanced another step.

The Holy Temple Knights retreated in unison.

Boom!

Colin pressed forward again.

The hand Mensai was using to hold the Golden Horn started shaking, and a waterfall of cold sweat ran down his forehead.

However, despite this, he didn’t blow the Golden Horn.

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Boom!

Seeing Colin take another step forward, Mensai finally couldn’t bear such spiritual oppression and conceded:

“Count Angler! State your terms…”

Hearing these words, Colin finally halted his advance, a smug smile spreading across his face.

He knew he’d gambled right.

Either the Golden Horn was a hoax, or the price for using it was so steep that Mensai would rather bow to Colin than use it frivolously.

And with that, Colin now had assurance.

“Where is Prince Harrison?”

“The prince is resting in the side hall. As long as you are willing to cooperate, you may take him with you.”

“What about the remains of Marquis Garcia?”

“They have been taken care of.”

“Good.” Seeing Mensai’s cooperation, Colin’s expression lightened slightly, “I want you to publicly declare Gregory a blasphemer and expose his past misdeeds.”

Mensai hesitated for a moment, advising:

“Count Angler, even if I declare Gregory a blasphemer, Prince Harrison won’t be forgiven. After all, not even the Emperor of the Empire has the right to judge, let alone kill, the Supreme Lord’s spokesperson on Earth…”

“You don’t need to worry about it. Just do as I say.”

Mensai looked at Colin’s indifferent gaze and finally nodded, saying:

“Alright.”

“And the heir to the throne…”

“On that matter, I unconditionally support your viewpoint!” Mensai said decisively, even taking the initiative to remind him, “However, Count Angler, the situation in Dragon City is currently complicated. I fear it may not be as easy to determine who succeeds to the throne…”

“No need to worry about that.” Colin confidently responded.

At the same time, he stopped moving forward, and the aura around him began to fade.

This test had revealed the weakness of the Church and the character of Mensai.

Though he may seem ruthless and difficult to deal with, he is soft-hearted and lacks the courage to fight to the death.

If so, as long as he isn’t forced to a dead end, he would be an easier puppet to control than Gregory.

Colin wasn’t sure whether the Golden Horn could truly summon angels, so when he saw Mensai back down, he released the pressure.

To stabilize the situation in the Radiant Empire, he still needed the Church as an ally.

But once he was free, he would still come after the Church and make Mensai pay for his previous deception!

Mensai didn’t know what Colin was thinking. Feeling the mountain-like pressure on him recede, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as Colin needed his help, he also needed Colin’s support.

After all, he was only the first heir to the Pope and wasn’t officially the Pope yet.

Whether the Golden Horn could summon angels, Mensai himself wasn’t sure, but he knew that the most terrifying deterrent always lies in unspoiled weapons. The moment the Golden Horn was used, the Church’s last card would be exposed, and if the enemy wasn’t subdued—

It would be a disaster for the Church.

Moreover, he knew that the backlash from using the Golden Horn might cost him his life…

Therefore, at this time, he only wanted to placate Colin and form an alliance.

“Count Angler, please wait a moment. I will send someone to fetch Prince Harrison, and I will also arrange for Marquis Garcia’s body to be transported down the mountain.”

“And Gregory’s remains.”

Mensai frowned, hesitated, and said, “Count Angler, as a Pope, Gregory’s body will be buried in the Holy Tomb…”

“Does he deserve that?” Colin’s gaze hardened. He said disdainfully.

Mensai met Colin’s gaze for a moment before finally nodding and saying:

“Alright, as you wish.”