Half an hour later.

Pointing to the red baby dragon with fluttering wings in the sky above the palace, Deirdre asked with concern, "When did this happen?"

Todd looked helpless: "Aurora told me that she could transform three months ago."

"But she never told me!"

"She just didn't want you to worry."

Deirdre bit her thumbnail, her eyes filled with anxiety: "The palace has guards and walls; this is the safest place. But now, she can fly. How am I supposed to protect her?!"

Todd took one last look at the red baby dragon soaring happily in the sky, then turned and walked toward the hall, saying to Deirdre, "Parents can't protect their children forever; sooner or later she'll have to learn to take care of herself."

Deirdre watched Todd's departing figure, her fingers tightly interlaced, the back of her hands pale from the excessive force.

As Todd walked into the palace corridors, he saw Evie walking towards him from afar.

"A guest has arrived from the Papal States, and he wishes to see you."

Evie's words startled Todd.

"guest?"

“A cardinal of the Church of God”.

When Todd saw Cardinal Abel in the Kingdom Council Chamber, his first impression of him reminded him of a former friend.

Abel was over sixty years old, with gray hair and a deeply lined face, but he was upright, had a loud voice, and was full of witty remarks.

Standing next to him, Terence, though the same age as Abel, looked older.

"The Holy King has arrived."

When Terence saw Todd appear, he tried to stand up from his seat with Elijah's help, albeit shakily.

Todd waved his hand, indicating that the old man didn't need to be so polite.

Terence braced himself on the armrests, stood up, bowed, and then sat down, saying, "Your Majesty, this is Abel, whom I often mention to you. Back then, he was largely responsible for the escape of the capital of Tyro by my students and me."

Todd stared into Abbott's eyes and asked, "Tristan is yours...?"

"Tristan is my student."

When the name was mentioned, Abel's voice sounded a little hoarse.

Todd sighed, sat on the throne, and looked at Terence, asking, "If I remember correctly, you and Terence were both members of the Emerald Alliance?"

Terence nodded, recalling as he spoke, "Me, Abel, Theodore, and Elijah, the four of us..."

Abel said with a smile, "Do you remember that laboratory built beneath the San Sidlow Monastery?"

Terence nodded.

"After we left, the laboratory was temporarily entrusted to a monk, and after several twists and turns, the laboratory eventually..."

Abel turned his gaze to Todd, who naturally knew who he was referring to.

Todd smiled at Abel and said, "Undeniably, that lab helped me a lot."

Abel bowed slightly: "Tools and materials alike can only be used to their fullest potential when they are in the hands of the most suitable people."

Todd stroked his chin and looked at the composed cardinal.

Since meeting me, the other person has shown no eagerness or humility, neither in expression nor in tone.

During the conversation, it was as if we were old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time, chatting about everyday things.

Todd sat up straight and calmly asked Abel, "I'd like to know, did you come to see me this time for personal or business reasons?"

Upon hearing Todd's words, Terence turned to Abel and coughed lightly, almost imperceptibly.

Abel turned to his old friend and said apologetically, "I am very grateful that you came with me, but the topic I am about to discuss with the Holy King may put you in a difficult position."

"Terrence, let's go back."

Terence looked at the cardinal's robe on Abelard's body, pondered for a long time, and finally sighed heavily.

He stood up, bowed to Todd, and after receiving permission from the Holy King, Terence left the palace with heavy steps.

After Terence disappeared from sight, Todd lowered his head and said to Abel, "If your purpose in coming here is to act as an advocate for the Church of the Father, then you can leave now."

Abel shook his head: "The church is out of control."

Todd was somewhat surprised by the other person's words and asked, "Out of control?"

"The Pope has been dead for many years, and no one has yet ascended to the throne. The College of Cardinals has long been torn apart by internal strife. The radicals in the Church have completely taken control of the Church's military forces, and they are carrying out a religious purge in the city. Whether you are a king or a nobleman or a commoner, if you are not a believer in the Church of the Father, then all that awaits you is prison and torture."

Abel shook his head sadly: "Two members of the royal family in the secular kingdom of the Papal States were arrested by the Church last week on charges of associating with Protestants and disobeying God's will."

Todd frowned and remained silent.

"Five cardinals of the radical faction of the Church, led by Bishop Jacob, formed the 'Baptist Order' and began to suppress all dissenting voices in the country. Within the capital, all entertainment activities and political speeches were banned, and every citizen was required to go to church to hear the voice of God."

"The Baptism Society issued an order to all church believers, urging people to report and expose any words or writings that are detrimental to the Father Church. It may be just a grumble over tea or a short poem written casually a few years ago, but it may be identified by the church as a religious reactionary and then arrested or even persecuted."

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