Chapter 74: Kill Them All

This situation caused a shock within the Church—not just in the Rose Kingdom, but representatives from cathedrals in many important cities, both domestic and abroad, had gathered here.

Moreover, this was a closed-door meeting, one that should remain unknown to the secular world.

The statue of the Holy Mother sat in the council chamber, her compassionate gaze upon the massive round table.

Saintess Yue Lan took her seat first, followed by the other archbishops.

However, the one presiding over this meeting was not Yue Lan, but a figure elected by the archbishops themselves—someone who, at this moment, stood above even the Saintess.

“Saintess and esteemed Archbishops, before we begin, I must first address the security measures for this council.

Due to certain rumors, we have unanimously decided that a large number of guards must be stationed outside.”

After the presider spoke, everyone responded in unison, “Agreed.”

“May the Holy Light bless us. My beloved Holy Mother, please witness this council. May you strip liars of their lies, quell the anger of the furious, and save our fallen souls.”

The presider led the prayer, followed closely by all others.

When the ritual ended, the presider took out a summons.

Yue Lan’s brow furrowed the moment she saw the document.

Since the Pope had delegated authority to her, she had always been the one to issue such decrees. Now, suddenly, there was a summons not issued by her own hand?

Her sapphire eyes flicked toward a woman dressed in a nun’s habit similar to hers but clearly of a lower rank.

This was the Saintess candidate—in other words, Yue Lan had been replaced; this was the new figure.

So that was it…

“Saintess Yue Lan, I have here a formal accusation.

It alleges your involvement with illegal magical potions on the black market.

Please do not interrupt me. I will read the contents verbatim for the archbishops’ evaluation.

Afterward, you will be allowed to defend yourself.

Any questions?”

The presider was also an archbishop.

Though his tone was full of authority, he dared not meet Yue Lan’s eyes.

Because after this council,

if Yue Lan’s position remained intact,

he would be the one feeling the pressure.

Though the other archbishops remarked that if the accusations succeeded, they would have grounds to interrogate Yue Lan, but if the charges were unfounded, Yue Lan would not harm him for the sake of her dignity.

Still, that did not mean there was no pressure.

“None whatsoever!”

Yue Lan nodded, her expression a mask of indifference and innocence.

But all of this was false.

Her heart was beating faster now.

She already knew she had sent someone to purchase illegal magical potions—and that certain parties were investigating.

Although she had countermeasures in place, the pressure was still there.

She glanced up toward the ceiling of the council chamber.

The enormous chandelier shimmered with holy light, blindingly bright.

She narrowed her eyes and looked again at the Saintess candidate.

By coincidence, the candidate was also staring at her.

“We were right, Your Grace.”

An archbishop whispered into the candidate’s ear.

“Indeed, indeed… It seems our initial suspicion was correct.

Lin Qiyou is definitely hers. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have sent someone to protect Lin Qiyou.

Look at her gaze—so vacillating and nervous.”

The candidate whispered to her companion, while the presider continued to read the detailed accusation.

This document did not touch on certain key matters, such as Qing Mu.

This was deliberate, as Qing Mu was the Saintess candidates’ trump card against Nongli.

Nongli sponsored them partly because of Qing Mu.

They had been investigating Qing Mu’s whereabouts for some time, but Saintess Yue Lan had concealed this well.

Who would have thought that a letter from the Deepwood District could reveal such secrets?

Unfortunately, Deepwood District was well protected by Saintess Yue Lan.

They had struggled for a long time just to deliver a letter to Dr. Maxie—a peace offering.

This time, even if they could not topple Saintess Yue Lan, they could at least tear a piece of flesh from her.

As long as her authority within the Church wavered, the defenses of Deepwood District could be breached.

With Qing Mu in their hands, they could prove the Saintess had drugged the hero’s advisor.

And they could completely control Nongli.

The Saintess candidate was already envisioning Yue Lan’s defeat.

She even harbored a certain loathing for Qing Mu herself.

If Qing Mu hadn’t been secretly supporting Yue Lan, the Saintess’ position would have long been hers.

So that’s it. Without Qing Mu, you’re nothing!

And it’s truly disgusting.

Qing Mu is like that, yet she’s still providing hallucinogenic drugs?

What’s the meaning behind this? What’s the excuse?

A madwoman, who on the surface appears dignified and elegant—the so-called flawless Saintess of our time—but behind the scenes, surely a lunatic incomprehensible to both man and god!

“Now then, Saintess Yue Lan, how do you explain the contents of this anonymous accusation?”

The presider finished reading the long, detailed document and looked to Yue Lan.

Under the gaze of all present, Yue Lan opened her eyes wide and shook her head.

“Regardless of who authored this accusation, let’s talk about its contents.

I truly do not understand how having Church members go to the black market could be pinned on me…”

Yue Lan stood and spoke, then suddenly stopped.

She understood this matter could not be probed too deeply.

She glared suddenly at the Saintess candidate and waved her left hand sharply.

The candidate’s head suddenly flew into the air, blood splattering everywhere.

The chamber erupted in shock.

Yue Lan slammed her hand on the table.

The left door of the council chamber burst open as knights and mages loyal to her appeared.

The archbishop beside the decapitated candidate wiped the blood from his face, looked at the headless body, and shouted, “Reinforcements! Reinforcements!”

At the other door, another group of knights and mages pushed through.

The archbishops were stunned.

Both sides had come prepared?

Most of them had no idea how things escalated to this point, only hearing the shouts from both sides:

“Their accomplice is on the chandelier!”

Immediately, mages from both sides launched spells at the chandelier.

With a loud “boom,” the chandelier shattered, and a white figure fell onto the large round table.

“Huh?”

Lin Qiyou, caught off guard, gripped her longsword, confusion evident on her beautiful face.

“What do you mean by their accomplice?”

Lin Qiyou didn’t understand why both sides thought she belonged to the opposing faction.

“Forget it. Kill them all.”

Too lazy to think, too lazy to ask—taking direct action was the best choice.

Lin Qiyou placed her sword back on the hilt and pulled hard.

…

……

“Shing!”

The longsword slid from its sheath, flashing cold light.

In another world, Lin Qiyou drew her own longsword, coldly staring at Benji in front of her.

“Ah… poisoned wine?”

She scanned the surroundings—this was a trap.

“Forget it. Kill them all.”

Facing the encroaching demon tribe, Lin Qiyou showed no fear at all.