As the voice came from outside the door, Su Li immediately looked in the direction of the sound, and saw a pale, beardless, and effeminate-looking man walk in from outside.

Remir and the other three big merchants stood up simultaneously, respectfully saluted the man, and said, "Greetings, Senator, may Lanode’s blessing always bring you good fortune."

Su Li raised an eyebrow, looked at Commissioner Smith, and asked, "Are you a believer in Lanode?"

Smith walked straight to the chair at the end of the long table, sat down, casually waved to everyone, and said, "Please, have a seat."

Then he looked at Su Li, who was still standing by the table without any movement, smiled faintly, and said, "What a rare question. In this room, aside from you, everyone else is a believer of His Grace Lanode. In the Empire, from the most powerful nobles to the lowest commoners, believers of Lanode can be found in all levels of society. Most believers have surpassed their original social status through perseverance, talent, and luck."

"But in front of the knights and priests of the Sun Goddess Church, Lanode’s followers usually hide their emblems."

Hilude’s gallant face carried a trace of coldness. She stepped forward in her golden battle armor and said sternly, "Since you know we are followers of the Sun Goddess, how dare you reveal your identity openly? Is this a provocation to us?"

Smith lifted his gray eyes, looking at the valorous Hilude brimming with momentum, and said calmly, "You must be the famous War Saintess Hilude, right? I’ve heard of you, very impressive. If conflict were to break out, I think the few of us here surely wouldn’t be your match."

"However, one of our Lanode Church’s tenets is to oppose unnecessary violence."

He then tapped his head lightly with his finger: "To live by wit rather than by the sword."

Su Li was not that fervently devoted to the Sun Goddess, so he calmly tugged at Hilude’s wrist to make her less agitated, and then said to Smith, "Our Sun Goddess Church has nothing to discuss with your Lanode Church."

Smith snorted lightly, put away the emblem of the Lanode Church, and then said, "What about now? As the senator of Marle Castle and lord of Hesse Territory, can we talk?"

Seeing Su Li not refuting, his eyes swept over the two of them and said, "I can’t help but say, you knights are too stubborn. For the same thing, you refuse to be flexible over a matter of principle."

"Without principles, how are we knights different from you Lanode believers?" Su Li directly retorted without holding back.

"Tsk—" Senator Smith surprisingly did not get angry. These Lanode followers indeed have more flexible boundaries than knights and are unscrupulous in achieving their goals: "I think this is your prejudice against us Lanode believers."

"In fact, we Lanode believers are quite different from your stereotypes. We abhor violence, donate the money we acquire to those in need, and in the name of Lanode, we protect the weak, expose the hypocrisy and acts of brutality of the powerful, and uphold the rights of ordinary citizens, safeguarding people from unnecessary persecution and exploitation."

Su Li directly replied, "But most other Divine Spirit worshipers believe you simply disrupt the status quo under the guise of freedom and justice, regardless of the corresponding social costs. It’s not just us from the Sunfire Church who see it this way."

Smith snorted coldly, his voice turning icy: "Other religious groups look down on Lanode priests, and Lanode priests don’t quite regard the others’ pretentiousness highly either. One of Lanode believers’ tenets is to uncover the mask of hypocrisy worn by those oozing self-importance."

"For instance, you, Purple Gold Flower Knight. You are full of self-importance and rhetoric, but your desire for Lady Beiyounika seems quite contrary to your church’s beliefs."

Su Li’s face changed instantly. He and Hilude exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with intense disbelief.

This matter had always been Su Li’s top secret! He had only spoken about it with Hilude, not even Philis knew this information.

Besides the two of them, nobody else knew about this. It was genuinely a ’Heaven knows, Earth knows, you know, and I know’ situation.

Su Li absolutely did not believe that Hilude would let such information leak out.

But such confidential information came out of Commissioner Smith’s mouth.

Even if Su Li suspected the heavens or a Divine Spirit had leaked this information, he wouldn’t suspect Hilude.

He quickly collected himself and said calmly, "I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

"Tsk tsk, see, I told you knights are full of hypocrisy." With a flick of his hand, Guild Leader Elle beside him brought over a cup of golden brandy, respectfully placing it in his right hand.

He swirled the exquisite glass, took a sip, and said with a smile, "Purple Crystal Gold Brandy, truly an intoxicating liquor. What a pity it’s sold for only 60 gold crowns."

"Drinking this Witchcraft Beer can undoubtedly mesmerize people. I was indeed planning to arrange a meeting for you with Lady Beiyounika, to create an opportunity for you."

Su Li’s heartbeat accelerated at once—really able to meet Lady Beiyounika, and with a chance to get close?

Wouldn’t that mean he could potentially soar high?

But he quickly controlled his thoughts; women were never his most urgent need!