The convoy carrying grafted roses traveled eastward for two days and two nights before the travelers finally caught sight of the city gates of Silver Ring City in the distance.

Silver Ring City was once a city in a barbarian kingdom that had converted to God. It suffered from the lord's exploitation for a century, not only having to pay various exorbitant taxes and levies, but also being forced to perform labor or military service. Therefore, after the city rose to prominence, the nobles in the city fought against the lord in various forms (overt or covert) and by various means (violent or bribery).

The struggle was long and brutal, but Silver Ring City eventually gained a degree of freedom and privileges from its lord, becoming a member of the "Free Cities." After a long period of political maneuvering, the city gained the right to elect municipal officials and a mayor, and to establish a city court, officially entering the ranks of "Autonomous Cities."

Next, while the church's instigation and incitement were one reason, the more important factor was that the nobles of Silver Ring City were no longer content with confining their power to the city's boundaries, and outward expansion became inevitable. The barbarian kingdoms, which had long been wary of this, responded with fierce suppression and resistance.

And so, war broke out.

Mountains of corpses and seas of blood, piles of white bones.

After the chaotic history, the once unified barbarian kingdom split into three independent regions.

Silver Ring City to the west, Holy Guard City to the east, and Lone Rock City to the south.

"My lord, where shall we go first?"

Walking down the streets of the city, Todd frowned at Huggins's way of addressing him: "I told you, don't call me that when we're in the city."

The man tilted his head: "Alright, Father, where shall we go first?"

Although it was Todd's second time in the city, his terrible first experience left him completely unfamiliar with everything. After much deliberation, he decided to set the convoy's destination in the only place he knew well.

St. Cossack Church.

As he stood in the cathedral square, looking up at the magnificent church buildings before him, the memory of the Tribunal for the Heresy made him sigh involuntarily.

Watching Huggins pick up a potted 'grafted rose' covered with a white cloth, Todd gestured for the others to stay where they were. The two of them stepped onto the cathedral steps and entered the sanctuary.

Bishop Fabian was standing in the center of the chapel, reading the Bible to the faithful daily, when Todd's sudden appearance caused his face to lose its composure.

Fabian gestured for his assistant to take charge of the situation, then walked up to the priest and gestured for him to come with him.

Passing through the side aisle behind the church, they arrived at the innermost chapel. The bishop had his attendant, Huggins, wait outside the door, pulled Todd inside first, and then closed the door.

Before Todd could speak, Fabian questioned him first: "Do you know that you have done a terrible mistake in Muxi Town!"

The former looked confused, but in his mind he was thinking, "I've done so many wrong things, I don't know which one you're talking about."

"Your so-called 'tea party'! Your unauthorized criticism of the secular kingdom has already caused extremely negative consequences for the relationship between the Church and the kingdom." The bishop looked somewhat exasperated: "I had tried my best to ease the tensions between us and the Silver Ring nobles, but you've ruined it all!"

Todd suddenly realized that this was what it was about.

After a moment's thought, he suddenly asked Fabian a strange question.

"Your Excellency, I remember you've been serving in Silver Ring City for four years now. Logically, after three years you should be able to transfer here. Why haven't we heard anything about your transfer order yet?"

Fabian, who was initially furious, was stunned when he heard Todd's words, and a question arose in his mind.

Yes, I should have been able to escape the pit of Silver Ring City last year, so why hasn't the Papal States issued a transfer order yet?

“If I’m not mistaken, your position is like a stone in a fire; nobody wants to touch it.” Todd found a chair, sat down, and dusted off his long coat. “There’s only one way you can leave here.”

The bishop completely forgot about the previous topic, and without thinking, he found a chair, sat down next to Todd, and asked in a deep voice, "What's the plan?"

"To achieve results."

"Results? Didn't I already present the crystal relic to the Holy See?"

Todd laughed and pointed to his nose, saying, "Have you forgotten about the Inquisition? I heard the Pope was furious about it."

Fabian was speechless. The trial of heresy was indeed a foolish thing he had done. Recalling the past, he remembered the scene of Father Paul's tragic death on the trial stand, and his body trembled slightly involuntarily.

"Therefore, your merits and demerits have been balanced up until now, and you now need new achievements."

The priest's words startled the bishop, who shook his head and smiled wryly: "It's easy to say, but where am I supposed to find any results?"

Todd stood up, pushed open the chapel door, and gestured for Huggins to place the grafted rose on the table. He grabbed the white cloth with both hands, yanked it off forcefully, and said, "Look, here I am, bringing it to you."

A potted plant with nine roses was displayed before the bishop's eyes, a riot of colors, vibrant and dazzling. White as snow, yellow as gold, pink as the sunset, red as fire. Some petals were fully open, as if smiling to greet him; others buds were poised to burst forth, charmingly shy. A delicate fragrance wafted to his nose, utterly intoxicating.

"It's just a flower, how can it be considered... um?" Fabian examined the plant in front of him closely, raised his hand in surprise to point to the flowerpot, and stammered, "Eight different roses growing on one tree?!"

After six weeks, the T-shaped wound on the rootstock has completely healed, with no trace of artificial grafting visible.

Todd shrugged and said casually, "I don't know what's going on either, but plants irrigated with the well water from Muxi Town are growing flowers of different colors and varieties at the same time."

The bishop rubbed his hands excitedly and said, "God Father! That's wonderful! Oh, right, this potted plant must be sent away immediately..."

Why do we need to send them away so quickly?

A melodious female voice rang out at the doorway, startling the three people inside the room.

Todd turned his head and was momentarily stunned by the woman's stunning beauty and aloof demeanor.

"Your Majesty!" The bishop gasped in surprise, casting an angry glance at the deacons outside the door.

Surrounded by guards and female officials, the latter dared not speak out of fear.

Queen Mary looked at the roses on the table, clapped her hands, and immediately two maids came forward and, under Fabian's grief-stricken gaze, carried away the flowerpot.

"Consider this your gift, Mr. Todd," the Queen said with a smile, gently stroking the delicate rose petals with her fingers.

An invitation made of silver and copper alloy came from the maid's hand to the priest's palm; a line of elegant gold-embossed writing appeared before Todd's eyes.

"I await your arrival at the banquet tonight." Queen Mary turned around, leaving behind her final words: "Remember, I do not want anyone to be late because they are lost."