"Is that so? Then I'll make a trip over there to give her some advice. I have high hopes for this young girl."

"How are things on the Oasis City side?"

"Mission accomplished, the affairs of the new city hall have been left to Leon to handle. This morning, the Royal Family from the Far West sent a letter recognizing the legitimacy of the new city hall—out of respect for me."

This was an inevitable outcome.

The news of Pope Carlo's death, after three days of brewing, finally spread across this land. Coupled with the tumultuous events in Oasis City, even if the Royal Family had all the courage in the world, they wouldn't dare openly challenge the newly ascended Goddess of Life.

Before the flames of this reform reached the Royal Family, they could only proactively cozy up to these "chosen ones" anointed by the Goddess.

"Veronica and Archbishop Solari have also sent letters, and the situation in the Holy City has stabilized. Since the Goddess of Life has 'manifested,' the faction advocating asceticism and discipline has taken the lead, and it may not be long before you'll see the news of Solari taking over as Pope, which is the result Ave most wants to see."

At this point, Mary suddenly remembered something, "But what about you? You disappeared without a word for three days, where did you go? Who is that person who looks exactly like Lindong?"

This immediately reminded her of Ave, who had the same appearance as herself, even down to the ahoge, perfectly replicated.

Could it be that she's been in the tomb too long and can't keep up with the times?

Have clone people become the new trend while she was unaware?

"There were some troublesome matters."

"Feel free to call for help anytime."

Mary immediately said.

No need for many words, close companions understand each other without speaking.

"Ring-ring, ring-ring-ring——"

Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden ringing of a phone. Ethan took out the energy crystal, and Ave's voice almost immediately came from the other end.

"You're calling at just the right time, Mary just mentioned about you and her becoming pen pals."

Ethan initiated, "She recently decided to visit the Imperial Capital; the Henry Royal Family should warmly welcome the newly risen Goddess of Life's visit."

"That's great. Carlo died in a fireplace explosion, and with your instigation, the religious factions he gathered have fallen apart. You single-handedly accomplished what the entire Section 7 of the Military Intelligence has been trying to do for years. They should really learn from you; you're the true spy master. When you get back, I should arrange an unprecedented victory feast for you."

Although the words were congratulatory, Ave's voice was filled with such fatigue that it sounded like she was reading emotionlessly.

Ethan could easily imagine Ave now, just like him, with dark circles under her eyes from sleepless nights.

"Unfortunately, this is not the time to celebrate."

"What's happened?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Ethan felt a tightness in his heart. With the collapse of Carlo's regime, there weren't many urgent matters that could keep Ave busy all night and forced to call him at dawn.

"There was some... friction between the Imperial Army on the border and the Far West's Expeditionary Army."

"How could that be?"

Mary blurted out, "The news of Carlo's death has already spread; that Expeditionary Army should have disbanded."

They hadn't even paid special attention to the Expeditionary Army. After all, this expedition was a cannon fodder unit composed of commoners, intended to provide a continuous source of souls for Carlo's plan after a war started. Now that Carlo is dead, they have no reason to fight.

Bazarian had even joined Bazatous Legendary Film, long losing interest in harvesting souls.

"Was it the order from the Far West's Royal Family to advance?"

Mary's tone carried a hint of anger. It seemed she should pay a visit to the Royal Family before vacationing in the Imperial Capital, to let them appreciate the value of peace.

"No, we've got some issues on our side."

Ave spoke with a tone of reluctance, further hindered by Mary's presence, "Last night, a unit of the Imperial Knight Order separated from the forces, charging without any orders at the retreating Expeditionary Army's logistics unit."

Worse still, just the day before, the Empire had met with envoys from the Far West Royal Family, signing a ceasefire agreement. Yet, on the night the ceasefire was signed, this happened.

Because of the ceasefire agreement, the Expeditionary Army's logistics unit had no defenses against the suddenly appearing Imperial Knight Order, resulting in heavy casualties.

"Moreover, the envoy from the Far West was found dead in the Royal City this morning."

Ethan and Mary both fell silent, realizing the gravity of the situation.

If the envoy from the Far West had died in a hotel in the Imperial Capital, it might have been the work of the Evil God's followers, given the irreconcilable religious disputes between the followers of Life Divine Teachings and the Evil God. But within the Royal City? That pointed to only one group—the Forbidden Guard, chosen by the Imperial Knight Commander and the Royal Family.

"Could someone be trying to frame the Empire, sparking this war?"

Mary asked.

Ave on the other end of the energy crystal remained silent for a long time before quietly describing the murder scene, "When the servants of the Royal City found the body, it was leaning against a window, head tilted back, eyes and mouth completely carbonized."

"The purification ritual of the Neseriel Sanctuary!"

Mary blurted out.

Such a ritual was usually used to execute heretics or apostates betraying the sanctuary.

The one who incinerated the envoy was using power bestowed upon each knight by the Knight Lord. The Evil God's followers absolutely couldn't fake the execution scene of a Holy Hall Knight.

A feeling of foreboding gripped both of their hearts.

This had nothing to do with the Evil God's followers but was an internal issue within the Neseriel Sanctuary.

"I've summoned back that Knight Order that brazenly disobeyed orders, I will personally oversee this trial."

"What about Bi'an? What did she say?"

"Sister Bi'an returned to the Neseriel Sanctuary two days ago. There have been some strange rumors emanating from there."

Ethan said, "…Someone saw the Knight Lord."

"How do you know?"

Ave on the other end of the energy crystal was stunned for quite a while.

Even Bi'an, upon hearing those rumors, deemed it to be a trick played by ill-intentioned people. She returned to the Neseriel Sanctuary solely to root out those spreading rumors.

Because Ethan had already provided them with the truth—that all True Gods met their end in the First Epoch.

"That's what I meant by troublesome matters."

Ethan said, "The Knight Lord those knights saw... might be real."

...............

Meanwhile, at the Neseriel Sanctuary.

The scent of blood permeated the corridors, blotched blood traces could be seen everywhere, and a suffocating tension kept spreading.

Bi'an followed the trail of blood, immersing herself in the darkness.

This was the chamber of prohibitions, where those who violated the knight's edicts would be confined.

"This is the seventh murder case."

Accompanying Bi'an was an older knight with a square face, appearing particularly steadfast. He wore a silver-white knight's armor, a knight's long sword diagonally across his waist. Since the empire's reforms were implemented, the Neseriel Sanctuary was also affected to various extents, with young knights embracing "new things," incorporating weapons like gunfire and magic scrolls into their training.

Yet, the older knight diligently adhered to the sanctuary's traditions.

Soon enough, Bi'an witnessed the gruesome sight within the holding cell.

Leaning against the window, head tilted back, eyes and mouth completely carbonized.

"He used to serve under Knight Commander Abaddon. After Abaddon's death, he returned to the sanctuary to cleanse his heart and relearn the edicts..."

The older knight introduced the deceased to Bi'an, "However, our master could not forgive his sins of following Julius."

Simultaneously, the sound of coordinated footsteps echoed from the depths of darkness.

Knights hidden in the shadows emerged from behind pillars, clad in uniform silver-white knight armor, their faces concealed beneath helmets.

"Temple Knight Lady Bi'an..."

The older knight drew the long sword from his waist, blocking Bi'an's retreat, "In Ximu Town, as Imperial Knight Commander, you violated the order given by Henry VI. Afterwards, you even forged the Holy Sword, sowed discord, and our master cannot tolerate such blasphemous acts."

The emerging knights surrounded her from all sides.

"Now, repent for your sins!"