Inside the living room of Gloria's residence, the dark floor-length curtains had been drawn shut, leaving the afternoon dim and quiet, where the only constant sound was the ticking of the wall clock in the corner.
Lanqi and Sigrid said nothing, merely exchanging glances, which made Gloria maintain her silence all the more nervously, waiting for either of them to speak.
"I'll have to head out in about fifteen minutes to make a trip to the Herrom Broadcasting Corporation," Lanqi said, finally glancing at the clock in the living room before turning back to Sigrid and Gloria. "After I return, I need to see Lady Cloris Bernhardt. She can provide us with a great deal of help."
The interview broadcast tonight was imminent. It would serve to expand his influence across the Protos Empire, allowing more citizens who had only heard of him without ever interacting with him directly to learn more about Luoqi McCarthy.
Before departing for the north from the Protos Royal Magic Academy, Lanqi had already formed an alliance with Lady Cloris—
She provided him with intelligence and assistance, while he was to help her gather intelligence from the perilous north.
Although the intelligence Lanqi had captured in Bandera City of the Northern Border Province might not be exactly what Cloris had wanted, the true state of that city and the silhouette of the mysterious black-robed figure alone carried immense weight.
This had originally been an impossible commission. Even if an investigation team like Major General Fanleiku's could uncover a few clues, they had zero hope of escaping Bandera City, let alone running all the way back to the Imperial Capital, Herrom, through northern blockades, checkpoints, and relentless pursuit.
Consequently, no one knew just how valuable the mission materials in Lanqi's possession truly were.
Next, it was time to discuss with Cloris a plan to further delay this impending war in the Protos Empire.
"...!"
Hearing this, Gloria's expression darkened even further.
"What's wrong?"
Lanqi noticed the shift in Gloria's expression.
"Not long ago, Cloris was suspected of treason," Gloria said quickly. "She's been confined to the Bernhardt ducal residence. Until the investigation concludes, she is forbidden from leaving or contacting anyone else."
Although she should have been delighted to hear the Holy Son say they could seek assistance from Duke Bernhardt's house, the reality was that it was best not to get involved with Cloris right now.
"When did this happen?" Lanqi's brows knitted slightly.
"About two weeks ago," Gloria answered.
Lanqi and Sigrid exchanged a glance.
Two weeks ago—that was shortly after the two of them had encountered Askesan and the black-robed figure in Bandera City of the Northern Border Province.
Could it be that their surprise assault and escape in the northern border had prompted the enemy behind the scenes to alter their plans and take countermeasures, leading to Cloris being targeted at the same time?
"What about Duke Morotian?" Lanqi asked.
In his cooperation with Cloris, one of the most critical pieces of intelligence offered as a gesture of her sincerity had been the mystery behind Duke Morotian's disappearance.
Lanqi had also promised Cloris never to disclose this intelligence to anyone else.
The real Duke Morotian had long since vanished in the empire's north. The Duke Morotian currently on display was a medicinal puppet controlled by Cloris. She alone commanded all the forces tied to the Bernhardt family, wielding nearly enough power to tilt the bishop election set for a week from now.
"Duke Morotian was unaffected. In fact, at this critical juncture for the empire, he declared for the sake of the family's reputation that should the treason be substantiated, he would never shield his daughter and requested that the empire execute her."
"?"
A look of utter bewilderment finally crossed Lanqi's face.
According to imperial law, Cloris's mana and movements would inevitably be restricted under confinement, meaning she should no longer be able to control the puppet Duke Morotian—in which case, the duke ought not to be active either.
If Cloris wasn't the one controlling him, then who was the Duke Morotian currently on the public stage?
"Is there something you haven't told me?"
Sigrid gazed into Lanqi's eyes without any trace of blame. She knew Lanqi was someone who kept his word; he must have promised Cloris not to reveal certain key intelligence to others.
Lanqi hadn't hidden from her that the Holy Son had dealings with Lady Cloris. Earlier, the massive quantity of Purple Rare sealed magic cards he acquired had been procured with Cloris's help.
Back when Sigrid infiltrated the Protos Royal Magic Academy, she had paid attention to every promising student and had a fair understanding of Lady Cloris.
Although the young noblewoman possessed aptitude fully worthy of becoming the Saintess of Domination, her scheming nature was far too deep, making true loyalty impossible. Sigrid had no desire for a saintess she could never tame.
"Actually, Duke Morotian went missing not long ago. The Duke Morotian who appeared in public before was a puppet controlled by Lady Cloris. A major part of my deal with Cloris was to go north and uncover the mastermind behind the empire's impending war, which in truth was also a way to save her," Lanqi answered candidly, seeing no further reason to hold back.
To keep this cooperation moving forward, the Domination branch was now an indispensable force.
He had originally planned to forge an alliance between the Bernhardt family and the Domination branch upon returning from the north anyway, so this intelligence had to be shared.
Sigrid paused for a moment to process the information, while Gloria's mind practically froze.
"Seriously? That young lady is that ruthless? I'm almost starting to admire her," Sigrid muttered to herself.
She had already grasped the full picture, but she also felt glad she had never considered making Cloris her saintess. If the bishop ever ran into misfortune, a saintess like Cloris would probably stab her own foster mother in the back at the very first opportunity.
"Normally, all the votes controlled by their family would have gone to us, but now it's hard to say," Lanqi sighed.
Events in the Imperial Capital had developed contrary to expectations after all.
Or rather, the partners lurking in true darkness behind Askesan were the most troublesome adversaries pulling the strings.
"You were even securing the Bernhardt family's votes for me?"
Sigrid's lips parted slightly in astonishment.
She thought the kid had merely laid the groundwork for her in the south and roped in an entire province in the north, yet he had even struck a deal with Duke Bernhardt's house right here in the Imperial Capital.
He had promised to help her win, and he truly hadn't slacked off in the slightest, putting in solid work all the way through.
The happiest thing in the world was when someone had practically built your grand empire for you without you even knowing it.
"..."
Gloria looked back and forth between Lanqi and Sigrid. Amidst the chaotic scramble of her brain absorbing and processing information, she finally understood just how formidable this Holy Son of Domination was.
His work competence was bordering on absurd.
It was hard to imagine what heights he might reach in the empire if given another year.
Gloria even began to worry a bit that if this continued, her bishop might actually fall for the Holy Son. No matter how she looked at it, the Holy Son seemed to be the bishop's ideal type—except for his age and strength.
Yet Gloria soon breathed a sigh of relief.
The factor of strength alone ruled it right out.
Gloria was certain that the proud Bishop of Domination could never look fondly upon a man weaker than herself. At most, she was simply raising the Holy Son as her young protégé.
Unless one day this man grew powerful enough that even the bishop needed to rely on him—only then would there be the faintest sliver of possibility that romantic feelings might bloom within her.
Chapter 367