Chapter 276
Chapter 276
Chapter 276
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 276 – Lan Qi Brought Out Her Playful Side
Lan Qi once again picked up Boss Cat.
He felt that Boss Cat really needed comfort right now.
“If I accept this, what else do I get?”
Lan Qi looked at the pink divine-grade Supreme Saint’s Seal. After a moment, he neither accepted nor refused—it was just a question.
Besides having the same basic attributes as the [Proof of Resurrection – Destruction] he had previously received, the pink divine-grade [Proof of the Saint] also carried the authority to copy the highest blue-quality Proof of Resurrection. It allowed him to, on his own initiative, bring people he deemed worthy into the Supreme branch. That alone was no small amount of power.
But pink divine-grade magic cards were notoriously hard to unbind.
If there had been a chance of resignation before, now the Supreme Archbishop would definitely not let him resign.
The lower limit of such treatment was far beyond that of any high priest or direct soldier.
Depending on the way each Archbishop treated their chosen successor, the amount of care and resources they gave would differ.
Even someone like Destruction Archbishop Ivanos gave away pink divine magic cards to his Destruction Saintess as if they cost nothing.
Lan Qi wanted to know just how much power Sigrid was willing to grant him.
After all, when an Archbishop chose a Holy Son or Holy Daughter, it was tantamount to choosing an heir or a trusted confidant. Correspondingly, the Archbishop would pour resources into nurturing them, until one day they could challenge other Archbishops, or even rise to become another Cardinal Archbishop with their own independent title.
From ancient times, the Resurrection Church was rife with internal strife, with factions and checks-and-balances among the Cardinals always in play.
If enough Archbishops stood together, they could even, through the voting rights of the [Proof of the Archbishop], depose the Pope and elevate a new one from among themselves.
Meanwhile, the [Authority of the Pope] carried special effects against all holders of the [Proof of Resurrection] and [Proof of the Archbishop].
Since the [Proof of the Archbishop] was epic-grade, it couldn’t be unbound.
With equal strength otherwise, once any Cardinal’s [Proof of the Archbishop] evolved into [Authority of the Pope], no other Cardinal could compete, and the new Pope would completely rule the Resurrection Church.
Every new Pope’s ascension came with bloodshed, purging hostile or disobedient Archbishops and their branches.
It was clear that Sigrid harbored ambitions toward the Papal seat.
“What I have, you will also have. From today, you are my confidant and agent. But correspondingly…”
She did not continue—because she had already said this once before.
Lan Qi hesitated slightly at her words.
He had not imagined that Sigrid would be willing to grant him everything.
But if he betrayed that trust, the consequences would be equally grave.
“As long as I don’t betray you, then you must protect me. And you can’t force me. Can you agree to that?”
Lan Qi thought about it. The Supreme Archbishop was, surprisingly, much easier to communicate with than he had imagined. Working with her didn’t seem bad at all.
“Of course.”
After Sigrid confirmed this, Lan Qi accepted the [Proof of the Saint] from her hands and bound it to himself.
Watching Lan Qi officially become her Holy Son, Sigrid showed a satisfied smile.
“Very good. From today on, you are my Holy Son. My followers—you can command them however you like. And if you need my help, you can come to me.”
“……”
Boss Cat was completely dumbfounded.
It couldn’t accept this.
That kid had set out as just a first-year student of Ikerite Academy… and in the blink of an eye he had become the Holy Son of the Supreme?!It didn’t want to become a Resurrection Church cat, listed on a wanted poster!
“The image of the Pathfinder can actually be left to ferment a while longer in the Southwestern Province. What it needs most is mystery—as if the Pathfinder had changed the followers of the Supreme branch and made their image improve. We cannot just directly announce that the Pathfinder is already a member of the Supreme branch…”
Lan Qi was already playing the part, laying out work plans for the Supreme Archbishop.
“That’s fine. Then go and stay busy at Protos Royal Magic Academy. Come back in five days.”
Since the Pathfinder identity was tied to the persona of Rocky, Sigrid knew it was good for Rocky to maintain his ties with Viscount Francis and his daughter. For the upper levels of the Resurrection Church, having a respectable public identity was also highly important.
After speaking, Sigrid took out a secret key made from a magic crystal and handed it to Lan Qi.
“This is?”
“The key to this place. Most of the time, you can come here to find me. But before entering, you must knock—you’re not allowed to just walk in.”
That was the trouble with having a Holy Son. She wouldn’t have cared as much if it were just a Saintess.
“Got it.”
Lan Qi nodded, taking the key.
“Then I’ll go continue my undercover work in the Annihilation branch. If I head over now, I should still make it in time to report in.”
He glanced at the clocks hanging above the staggered rows of paintings on the wall, preparing to leave.
Since the Supreme Archbishop had given him so much authority, she had no reason to stop him from pursuing his own plans.
“I said it’s dangerous.”
Sigrid frowned slightly.
“Then you come with me. If you change back to Sid now, we can still make it to the Annihilation Knights’ Temple together. We’ll just be a little late, but since we’re both late, we probably won’t get blamed too harshly.”
Lan Qi said this as if it were the most natural thing.
“There is no precedent for a Cardinal Archbishop going undercover in another branch.”
Sigrid responded coldly.
It was one thing for a Holy Son or Holy Daughter to do such things.
But if she, the mighty Supreme Archbishop, infiltrated the Annihilation branch and was discovered, she would become a laughingstock among the Archbishops.
“You wouldn’t be undercover. You’d just be worried about me. You’d protect my safety, and I’d cover for you, making sure you’d never be discovered.”
Lan Qi, holding Boss Cat, spoke unhurriedly.
Boss Cat smelled a familiar scheme at play again.
It suspected this kid never gave up on his plan to go undercover in the Annihilation branch. And now, he was even trying to rope the Supreme Archbishop into going undercover with him!If she refuses, it means she doesn’t care about him, right? Kid, are you even bold enough to sweet-talk a Cardinal Archbishop like this?!
“……”
Sigrid fell silent.
She had intended to refuse. But she really was worried that this boy might die prematurely.
Now that he had accepted the Proof of the Saint, if he caused trouble while hiding in the Annihilation headquarters and was discovered, the consequences would be far worse than before.
“Wouldn’t it be fun to treat it as play? When you climb to the heights, you find yourself always alone, with no one to talk to. The lonely winter makes you shiver. At that height, what meaning do you seek?”
Lan Qi glanced around the archive. It was obvious that Sigrid rarely invited others here.
She wasn’t as much of a recluse as Talia, but after finishing her work, all she could do was admire her collection alone. No matter what accomplishments she achieved, there was no one to share her joy.
“……”
Sigrid found Lan Qi’s words interesting. With arms crossed over her chest, her fingers tapped lightly as she studied him.
“You understand that feeling?”
“Of course.”
Lan Qi recalled his days at the Infernal Corridor Academy, when he ruled over thunder and lightning. His smile carried a trace of loneliness.
But his gaze also seemed to tell the Supreme Archbishop: he could help her escape that boredom. Or rather—she’d never feel lonely with him around.
In the brief silence of the vast archive—
The Supreme Archbishop once again transformed back into Sid. She no longer appeared quite so domineering, though she was still heroic and dazzlingly refined. Only now, there was a spark of playfulness hidden in her cool demeanor.
“Let’s go. But let me make it clear—starting now, I’m just a fourth-rank knight. Not too strong, not too weak—only your partner. Unless your life is in danger, I won’t use my true strength. But if I have to save your life, it means you failed in your work, and you’ll need to be punished.”
“What kind of punishment?”
Lan Qi hadn’t expected Sid to be even more spirited than him, going so far as to set the rules herself.
“I won’t tell you yet.”
Sid smiled. It seemed that now, she too wanted to go and have some fun in the Annihilation branch.
(End of Chapter)