They sure came quickly… Judging by the ways of the Holy Church, they probably just barged right in.
Loki moved to stand behind Christine, using the female knight as a shield.
In the eyes of the Holy Church, he was more than just “famous”—being the most wanted super criminal with the highest bounty was no joke. The only reason no one had caught him yet was simply because no one dared to.
But that didn’t mean Loki enjoyed being stared at by a bunch of men as if he were the top dish on some must-eat list in Chengdu.
It was undeniable that the Church had made great contributions to maintaining the stability of human society, but they all had some inexplicable flaws. The ones who only gave ordinary people a cold look were already considered understanding.
As for this Palter who had suddenly arrived, Loki had seen him before, but had never dealt with him.
Palter was a man who fit the stereotype of a “bishop” perfectly.
Middle-aged and balding, wearing a white cleric’s hat, sporting a beard, his entire body wrapped in a thick white robe embroidered with gold, standing at the very front of the group.
Just by the way he walked, it was clear this bishop was not the type to just sit in an office—he was a formidable force.
This was a group of nearly twenty people, all tall and robust battle monks and spellcasters. Whether it was their presence or their display, both were so overwhelming it made others want to raise a white flag.
Loki hadn’t expected them to make such a grand entrance.
Seeking an audience? Are you sure you’re not here to pick a fight?
After all, this looked exactly like a team sent to subjugate some rampaging monster.
Were the knights guarding outside just for show—Loki wondered for a moment, but then shook his head with a bitter smile.
Even if they wanted to stop them, they probably couldn’t. The one leading them was a bishop… Besides, the Caesarnia Knight Order wasn’t a monolith; someone must have given the Church a green light.
Setting aside their strength, there were plenty of high-ranking knights eager to make trouble for Christine.
Given her personality, it wouldn’t be strange for her to have offended the wrong people at any time.
Not to mention, she was harboring a notorious wanted criminal—that was an added crime.
“Good morning, Knight Christine.”
The poor attendant had already been shoved out of sight by the crowd.
Bishop Palter, surrounded by monks, stepped forward and placed a hand to his chest in greeting to Christine.
Though he was reluctant to bow to a knight, the status of the “Black Sword” was too special—not someone to look down upon.
Still, no matter how hard Bishop Palter tried to focus on Christine, he simply couldn’t ignore the man standing beside her.
It wasn’t because seeing that handsome face triggered some sort of bloodline limit, but because the presence of a Soulless made his faith as fragile and unstable as a landmine maiden.
That was a man who, if killed, would bring endless honor and wealth, but due to various reasons, could not be killed.
Loki also noticed that Palter’s gaze kept avoiding him, as if pretending not to see him.
This wasn’t really rude.
To be honest, most people who recognized Loki’s face behaved exactly like Bishop Palter, as if making eye contact with him would get them pregnant on the spot.
Loki only found the bishop’s head-in-the-sand attitude amusing.
Just being able to stand here safely was enough to shatter Bishop Palter’s worldview.
That guy was probably reciting prayers in his heart from the moment he saw Loki, questioning why his god refused to strike down the greatest “villain.”
“I haven’t agreed to your request for a meeting yet, Bishop.”
Christine’s voice was as cold as steel.
She didn’t make any move—just standing there, with just a single glance, she exuded such pressure that even these elite church members could barely breathe.
Bishop Palter shrank his neck, raising his sleeve to wipe his forehead.
But he still steeled himself and spoke.
“The matter is urgent. I am fulfilling my duty as a bishop, Knight Christine.”
The bishop took a deep breath.
“I have learned that a dangerous heretic was taken into custody by the Knight Order last night! Knight Christine, you should know this is against the rules! I must ask you to hand over that heretic to us immediately, or else—”
“Or else?”
“Or else I will report your violation to the Knight Order’s headquarters!”
That was the hardest tone for the softest threat.
But…
Loki suddenly thought of something.
That woman was clearly handed over to the Knight Order by Celulu herself. Was Bishop Palter unaware?
Was it deliberately kept from him, or did he simply not have time to find out?
Loki hoped it was the latter.
He raised his hand and gently patted the female knight’s shoulder, stepping forward.
“I think there must be some misunderstanding here, Bishop Palter—”
In an instant, Bishop Palter’s face twisted in terror and he staggered back several steps. The battle monks beside him also placed their hands on their weapons, blocking Loki’s path.
Everyone looked tense, as if Loki was the one who could threaten their lives.
“Stop, Great Sinner Loki! For Knight Christine’s sake—if you take one more step, I won’t be so polite!”
Bishop Palter shouted, his voice almost cracking.
If you looked closely, you could even see his legs trembling.
Was it necessary to be this scared?
Loki looked helplessly at Christine.
He had never met Bishop Palter before.
Although the Church publicly treated Loki as a deadly enemy to be eliminated, in reality, because of various issues, even if they ran into Loki strolling down the street, church members would pretend not to see him.
“Take it easy, Bishop.”
The young man waved his hand.
But that gesture only made the monks panic further, as if he might cast a spell and send them all flying.
Given the Church’s past propaganda about him, it was no surprise these people were so jumpy.
“I just wanted to tell you, you’ve got it wrong. That heretic wasn’t taken in privately by the Knight Order, but was handed over by Her Holiness the Saint.”
“…What did you say?”
Bishop Palter’s eyes went wide.
“Her Holiness the Saint?! There’s no such Saint in Caesarnia! As the bishop, I haven’t received any notice from the Holy Capital! Great Sinner, since you’re not part of the Knight Order, please remain silent and stop spreading rumors and interfering with official business!”
“Is that so? Fine.”
Loki sneered, not bothering to explain further. He simply gestured to Christine and went back to sit on the sofa.
Definitely something fishy here.
Looks like he’d have to go ask Celulu about this later.
“In that case, I have nothing more to say. Please go to the dungeon and retrieve the body yourself, Bishop Palter. I permit it.”
Christine said.
“Unfortunately, you’re too late. All that’s left to take away is a corpse that hasn’t even gone cold yet.”
Bishop Palter froze for a moment, then looked at the female knight in shock.
“She’s dead? No! Who gave you permission to execute the heretic without authorization?! Knight Christine, you should know what happens if you kill a heretic recklessly! Without our special treatment, that filthy corpse will become a source of corruption and pollution for the Sea of Souls!”
“She burned out her own brain, Bishop. I didn’t torture her. Besides, even if the Knight Order had executed her, it wouldn’t be a problem—don’t forget I have a professional right by my side who can handle high-level corruption.”
“…”
Bishop Palter glanced in Loki’s direction.
“Damn Soulless.”
He muttered under his breath, gave a cold snort from his nose, flicked his sleeve, and with a wave, led his group away down the corridor.
The room returned to silence.
Christine closed the door with a blank expression.
She and Loki exchanged a glance, both instantly understanding what the other was thinking.
“Looks like things just got a lot more troublesome, Loki.”
She sighed softly, folding her arms. The impressive curves of her breastplate and arm guards rubbed together, producing a metallic clang.
“Really makes me want to empty my mind and just cut down everything in the way.”