Chapter 58

No monarch would be happy to see the existence of an uncontrolled yet prestigious force, but due to the existence of the God of Light and the lack of behavior that can be criticized, the balance has been maintained since the Age of Gods' War until now.

In addition, as long as they pass the assessment and obey the assignment, the Holy See does not mind mages with aristocratic backgrounds becoming priests or even entering the center of power. This makes the Holy See look pure and open, with no ulterior motives.

Among all the monarchs in history, those who were broad-minded or kind-hearted would actually think that the existence of the Holy See was good.

But the current monarch, Her Majesty the Queen, has a somewhat delicate relationship with the Vatican. Edgar is not sure whether it is because of something that happened long ago, or because the queen is strong by nature and does not like the influence of the Vatican to extend beyond the royal family, so she has increased restrictions on the nobles and began to pay attention to the behavior of the priests of the branch court.

Once anyone is found to have behaved in a manner inconsistent with the dogma, the secret investigators sent by His Majesty will directly question them in front of the common people, making the priest who did something wrong embarrassed in public.

Although the Holy See would punish priests who violated dogma promptly and fairly, if this happened too often it would inevitably damage the reputation of the Holy See. On the contrary, several of Your Majesty's policies that benefited the people have been forcibly implemented, and the prestige of the royal family has greatly increased.

Bishop Edgar believes that there is nothing wrong with Her Majesty taking care of her people, and that investigating priests who behave improperly can help the Vatican expel false believers, but ruthlessly rebuking them in public... the current monarch's repressive attitude towards the Vatican is obvious.

Edgar is indeed easily deceived by the people around him, but this is because they are all good actors and they are rarely together so there is no chance for them to reveal their true colors. However, he is not so dull that he cannot guess what His Majesty is thinking when he hears that Al is invited to attend the court banquet.

Al's family has a close relationship with the queen, and he is the successor to the Pope. If he is too influenced by the queen and becomes the highest decision-maker of the Holy See in the future, he will certainly be subtly controlled by the royal family in the development of the Holy See.

This was one of the reasons why Edgar was more optimistic about Daniel becoming the Son of God. He believed that Al was easily influenced by the Lancaster family and his mind was not pure enough.

However, since the Lord of Light has chosen him, it means that this child's faith is still as devout as when he was a child. Edgar naturally does not want him to be used by the nobles.

"Your Majesty, perhaps we should remind Al not to get too close to His Majesty."

The Pope did not raise his eyebrows and spoke in a calm tone, "Al has always worked hard. It's okay for him to attend a banquet occasionally to relax. Besides... even if we stop him from meeting His Majesty, it's not easy to stop him from meeting his family. What difference does it make whether he meets His Majesty or not?"

Anyway, the Lancaster family will convey that person's meaning.

The old man sighed, "It seems that I can only remind the child frequently not to stray from the path."

The purpose of the existence of the Church is to wipe out the dark race and protect the weak creatures. If it becomes a knife in the hands of the nobles, it will definitely be abandoned by the gods!

It was unknown which word touched the Pope, who was distracted for a moment, "Don't worry too much. Your Majesty is only the custodian of the royal power and does not have enough time to achieve your ambitions."

The man closed a document that had been annotated. "The Church has never participated in the struggles between royal nobles, but since we have been treated as prey, we can reveal some of the past to the real king when necessary. Once he has a rift with the Lancaster family, Al will be free."

And there is no need for them to repeatedly express their doubts and restrictions on the Son of God. Young people don't like this. It is better to solve the problem from the source.

Edgar didn't know what past events His Holiness the Pope was talking about, but he knew that he couldn't ask about everything. Seeing that His Holiness knew what was going on, he decided not to interfere.

The bishop wanted to send a team of paladins to follow the Son of God and protect him. Elphis immediately felt the pressure of being restrained after hearing this and refused on the pretext that it would be too distracting.

Edgar thought about it and realized that the royal city was relatively safe, the royal palace had layers of defense, and Al had the protection of the gods, so there was really no need to mobilize the paladins. The old man relaxed his requirements.

"My dear, take your knights with you. You seem to be too indulgent with them. Those three young men are always not around you. You should start to discipline them."

If it weren't for the fact that the people Al chose all had great potential and it would be easier for them to develop a sense of loyalty if they grew up with him when they were young, Edgar would have persuaded him to change a group of people long ago.

The silver-haired young man smiled and agreed, "Okay, Your Excellency, I will discipline them."

On the day of the palace banquet, Elphis brought Arlin with him and called Winster, who was staying in the dormitory on the weekend, but left Raymond in the Vatican.

"I heard from Guard Captain Donald that you were too reckless in the group competition. You didn't discuss cooperation with your companions at all, and you didn't care about their safety. I don't want you to treat us the same way in the future."

"Go to the library and stay there for a few days. Read some books quietly to calm your impetuous temper. It just so happens that your monthly exam results were not good before. Go in and learn more."

Raymond felt that he had never revealed his identity flaws, which could be said to be cautious, so how could he be reckless? It was obvious that these humans were timid!

However, the arrangement of the Son of God was just what he wanted. The sturdy knight bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Highness, Raymond will correct it as soon as possible."

When the carriage drove away from the Church and stopped at the Sword Master Academy, Yaerlin asked in confusion, "Your Highness, why did you want Raymond to get what he wanted?"

In the past two months, Raymond, who used to be the most impatient person to read in the academy, suddenly liked to run to the library, obviously looking for something with a purpose.

The handsome and gentle silver-haired young man smiled with interest, "It's okay, the important records will not be displayed in public."

Mainly because he had no intention of bringing a person with ulterior motives into his friend's territory, he found an excuse that would not seem abrupt and deliberately kept the person.

After just a few words, Winster appeared in front of them.

The young man's narrow black eyes were always deep and indifferent, and would only turn into water when they took in the figure of his brother.

"Brother, long time no see."

As soon as Winster stepped into the carriage, he gave his brother a hug. Al, surrounded by the warmth, felt helpless. How could it be so long? In the past few months, every time he left the Vatican for business, he would use the crystal ball to contact his brother. How could such a cold-looking guy be so clingy?

In his previous life, Elphis had gotten used to being independent very early on. He thought that as long as his relatives and friends lived a smooth life, it was not important whether they could meet often. In both lives, he had never felt the emotion of missing them. At most, he was a little worried when little Winster ran away from home because he was too young...

After the reunion, knowing that his brother already had enough power to protect himself and that his secondary personality was a powerful weapon, Al felt at ease letting him train alone outside.

He didn't think it would be a problem even if they were separated for three to five years. He would even feel more at ease if Winster could stay away from the royal city where the Bishop's Court was located.

Elphis really couldn't understand his brother's desire to follow him all the time. He clearly didn't know how to hug or cuddle when they were little, but now that he grew up, he didn't feel shy anymore.

He patted the back of Winster's head gently and pulled him away, "Hurry up and sit down, the carriage is about to leave, be careful not to fall."

Winster sat next to his brother, "How could I fall."

"I'm afraid you'll bump into me if you shake."

"……oh."

Elphis turned his head and looked at the person sitting next to him. Young men of his age all had a more or less clear and stupid feeling, but Winster never had that.

After practicing sword skills for several months, his physique has become stronger and his face has lost some of the childishness that comes with age. His facial features are deeper and sharper. Al feels that every time he doesn't see Winster for a while, he will find obvious changes in him when they meet again.

By the way, I seem to have heard a saying in my previous life that children change every day, and it is true.

Seeing the bead of sweat on Winster's forehead, Al thought to himself, no wonder this kid was as hot as a furnace when he came close to him, "Who were you studying with just now?"

"Dean Conrad."

Al raised his eyebrows and praised: "Our Winster is indeed gifted. He actually lured out His Excellency the Sword God who rarely appears."

He caught a glimpse of the conspicuous red mark on his brother's wrist. He pulled up Winster's sleeve and then pulled up his shirt. Seeing the fine purple-red marks on the strong muscles, he realized how hard his brother had worked.

Al held up a ball of warm white light in his hand and sent it into Winster's body, healing his bruises.

Winster was about to comfort his brother by saying, "The teacher hit him with the scabbard, he has thick skin and doesn't feel the pain." Before he could finish his words, he heard his brother sigh, "It seems that Dean Conrad is a good person. He didn't hit you in the face."

To be honest, ever since he cleared up his misunderstanding of Winster's introversion and lack of social skills, he gradually realized how arrogant and overbearing Winster was to the outside world.

Sometimes he felt itchy when he saw Samuel. Outsiders should have the same feeling when looking at Winster. If he were a powerful sword god, he would at least give his student a pair of panda eyes to teach him a lesson.

But his younger brother is very well behaved in front of him, so it’s better not to complain about this kind of thought, haha!

After hearing that sentence with a hint of shock, Winster closed his mouth in disappointment.

The carriage drove towards Lancaster Manor. They would enter the palace with others later, so Winston still had time to take a bath and change clothes.

It was not convenient to be fully armed for the audience with the Queen, so two knights followed the Son of God in light silver armor.

Cynthia carefully looked at the guards her son had personally selected, and her previous concerns about their strength dissipated a little. "Not bad, they have improved a lot since the last time I saw them." She could tell from their physique and temperament without having to do anything.

Elphis was called over by Aunt Amber. "Did the people from the Vatican tell you anything about attending the dinner this time?"

The young man shook his head, "No."

The woman frowned. Has she heard that the current Pope is extremely indifferent to things other than the God of Light, and doesn't even interfere with his successor's social circle?

Al added, "Maybe you'll talk to me when I get back."

He still remembered that when he proposed to attend the palace banquet a few days ago, the bishop's face changed. Since he cared about it, there would be a conversation sooner or later, and he had already guessed the topic.

Amber nodded and looked at him kindly, "If Her Majesty the Queen tells you something and you're unsure, talk to your family. Everything will be based on your wishes."

"good."

At dusk, several carriages left the manor and headed for the palace.

——

"Your Highness the Holy Son is really a troublemaker. It has been such a long time and I haven't even seen a single person."

The only one who spoke to him in this tone was Prince Austin. Elphis retorted, "I just met him last month."

Why are you all so clingy? He rolled his eyes in his heart. If you have the guts, you can blow up the Vatican. I will hang out with you guys around the world every day.

At the dinner, there were quite a few of Elphis' former classmates (admirers), and he and Auston were soon surrounded. He was not rescued until Her Majesty the Queen entered the hall and sat on the throne. However, he stood in the crowd and watched the nobles come forward one by one to present gifts and flatter him to show their loyalty.

Fortunately, the nobles were very good at controlling their image and language when they were outside, and they would not say too many flowery words to please others. After all the invited nobles presented their gifts, it didn't take much time before the dance began.

The silver-haired young man rejected invitation after invitation and stood with his cousin Kelly, the only family member who did not go dancing, eating slowly while chatting.

I glanced at the throne inadvertently. Her Majesty the Queen was still sitting there, carefully stroking the purple magic crystal on her staff, which was very similar to the color of her eyes. There was no expression on her face. The space was quiet and gloomy, separated from the surroundings into two worlds.

After looking at it for a few more seconds, Alphis felt depressed and walked out of the banquet hall to get some fresh air, and also went to see his brother who was left outside the hall.

When Yarlin told him that Winster had just said "noisy" and left, Elphis became worried - why did the secondary personality come out tonight!

Following the direction pointed by Arlin, Elphis walked into the garden which seemed dim at night.

The palace gardens were man-made and neatly trimmed, but there were too many tree walls, and the lights were dim and not as clear as during the day. Al was a little worried that Samuel would get lost.

After searching blindly for a while, I remembered that I still had the crystal ball to contact. Fortunately, the rebellious secondary personality did not ignore the moving crystal ball.

"Samuel, where are you?"

The Lord God looked at the slightly worried face that appeared in the crystal ball, reached out and tapped the other person's cheek. The little believer actually recognized Him directly?

The black-eyed young man replied lazily, "By the lake."

"I'm coming to find you, don't wander off."

Samuel frowned. Why did it sound like he was worried that He would cause trouble?

Having been to the palace before, Al knew the layout and quickly found his spot, where Samuel was leaning on a bench by the lake.

"There's nothing interesting tonight, why did you come out all of a sudden?"

Of course, Samuel would not tell Winster that he had just seen the brat surrounded by enemies, and he, like all the knights, was left outside the hall, in the dark and unable to get close. The intense emotions of extreme unwillingness woke him up again.

This happened to be a new place that Samuel had never been to, so he took over the body, walked out for a while, and then entered a sealed sleep for a few months. He still had some questions to ask His little believers later.

Ignoring Elphis's question, Samuel crossed his legs, leaned back in his chair, and looked up at him, "Did you see Ashburn?"

"who?"

The young man stared at the secondary personality in confusion for a while, and finally dug out the name of the God of Light that Samuel had mentioned once from his memory, "Oh, you mean Him, I guess I have seen... part of it."

I didn't see the whole body of the god, but only a part of it.

Samuel was pleased that the little believer had forgotten Ashburn's name. Although the corners of his mouth did not curl up, a hint of smile flashed across his eyes.

"The God of Light is powerful and merciful. As a human being who is protected by Him and has witnessed His miracles with your own eyes, shouldn't you believe in Him? How can you not have a little reverence for Him?"

The handsome young man supported his knees with his hands, half bent over, his long silver-white hair as bright as the moon was gently blown by the night wind. When he bent his eyes, they were full of ripples, and he looked gentle and clean. "How could I betray Master Samuel? Besides, I don't think He is better than you in any way."

Elphis coaxed the secondary personality readily, but he did not tell any lies. Samuel, who was straightforward and truthful in temper, was indeed much better than the unfathomable gods.

The words sounded nice, but Samuel always felt that the brat had no respect for Him at all, and it sounded like he was deceiving Him... By the way, I reminded him when we first met that he was not allowed to look down at Him, but the brat didn't learn his lesson!

Just as he was about to start scolding, Samuel suddenly remembered that when he came out just now, he glanced at the banquet hall and saw a noble kissing the human monarch's hand... In Winster's memory of receiving knight training in the manor, this behavior showed loyalty and respect.

Samuel snorted and laughed, "Do you really believe in me?" He stretched out a hand lazily and raised his chin slightly, "I'll give you a chance to prove your sincerity."

Elphis grasped the hand in front of him without hesitation, and then—

One of them pulled the man up with force.

The young man asked in a good-tempered manner, "What do you want me to do?" He also complained in his mind that the secondary personality was sometimes too lazy and even needed help to get up.

The Lord God was caught off guard and lifted up by a huge force: "..."

Samuel looked at the young believer deeply and said, "Go hire an etiquette teacher and learn it well."

Elphis: “???” Is there anything I can do for you?