Earl Gordon of White River Castle stood beside Cumberland, speaking to him with a resolute tone.

"You want me to support your chosen candidate for the throne?!" Gordon shook his head vigorously. "Absolutely not!"

Cumberland stroked his chin, looking exasperated, and said, "I haven't even said who the candidate is yet..."

Gordon stated unequivocally, "I only recognize Prince Sinclair as the rightful heir to the throne of Holy Guard City. I will not agree to any other candidate!"

Cumberland glanced at him: "If I'm not mistaken, why did you deliberately feign illness to miss the previous election ceremony?"

Gordon sighed softly: "I disagree with some of His Highness Sinclair's political views, that's all. But that won't affect my choice. He is the best and only heir to the throne of Holy Guard City, and I've always believed that."

Cumberland, who was not good at arguing, waved his hand and said listlessly, "Whatever. I hope you will continue to hold your current views after the ceremony begins."

Cardinal Jacob, hiding in a secluded corner of the hall, anxiously asked his men, "Has our army not arrived yet?"

A Papacy knight disguised as a servant approached Jacob and whispered, "The Papacy's army is outside the city, but the army of Muxi City has closed every city gate, preventing them from entering. The Holy Mark Knights and the Morrida believers' army even fought a battle with the Muxi Knights' garrison. I heard they couldn't even get close to the city gates, and some people died..."

"Bastards! A bunch of reckless bastards!" Jacob was so angry his nose almost twisted. "How dare they treat a holy shepherd like this in the Kingdom of the Father! This is utter disrespect!"

Enraged, Jacob strode to the center of the hall and shouted at Cumberland, "You invaders of Twilight City! What exactly do you intend to do? Are you planning to imprison us here for the rest of our lives?!"

Upon hearing this, the nobles and officials of Holy Guard City in the hall immediately echoed his sentiments, and they all cast hostile glances at the surrounding Knights of Twilight.

Cumberland impatiently patted the sword at his waist and roared, "What's all this noise?! This ceremony is awaiting an extremely distinguished guest! As soon as he arrives..."

At that moment, the knight's lieutenant hurriedly entered the hall, approached Cumberland, and whispered something to him.

Cumberland's expression shifted from anger to joy. Ignoring the noisy crowd, he led his guards quickly toward the gate, shouting loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen! Let us welcome together the ruler of the Kingdom of Muxi! The Holy Son blessed by the Father!"

A young man dressed in royal robes, with a warm smile on his face, slowly stepped into the palace. He greeted everyone present familiarly, regardless of their rank or official position.

This person was none other than King Todd Fischer of the Kingdom of Muxi.