Your Majesty!”

The young boy saluted me properly, which gave me a strangely awkward feeling . I crushed the last person dressed in the same fas.h.i.+on, while the pursuers he sent after me, brutally insulted me . My conflicts with others weren’t considered grudges resolvable only through death; however, the church insulted me, Nier and almost killed the two of us, which was why I hated the church to their very core . The young boy didn’t do anything wrong, but I was never fond of him .

The last time I went to the church, I reduced it to smithereens . This time, they were going to conduct my daughter’s baptism . It felt awkward no matter how I thought about it .

“Ah, it’s you . I’m glad you’re still the pope . ”

Due to the pope being a young boy, Nier was fond of him from the start . He matured a bit after a year . He was no longer as frightened as he once was and also behaved a lot better in regards to etiquette . Nier cheerfully greeted him . He responded to her with a smile then refocused on me, who didn’t utter a word . He was worried about me, especially since the old church and new church were in the middle of a conflict . Last time, Mommy Vyvyan even killed an envoy . Though that was due to him trespa.s.sing into the elven spring’s area, the boy was probably worried I’d retaliate .

I nodded . Mom was behind me, so I didn’t want to express anything . Sure, the boy was unrelated to the previous incident, and he had always tried to be friendly with me, but I really didn’t want to think about the incident . For that reason, I couldn’t erase the previous animosity from myself . The church permanently lost my trust after what they did . That was why I didn’t intend to interact with them any further than letting them baptise Daisy . That was plenty for me .

Mom explained, “My son came here to check up on the chapel’s safety and your arrangements . Can you satisfy him?”

“We can show His Majesty anytime . We and the Valkyries have always protected the things we will need for Archd.u.c.h.ess Daisy with our lives . Therefore, I am confident no matter when you visit . ”

I nodded again .

The boy made way . He respectfully explained, “Please come and have a look, then, Your Majesty . This is our program . Archd.u.c.h.ess Daisy will never leave your sight at any point in time . Additionally, we have ensured that Valkyries will always accompany her . ”

“You’re not bothered that Valkyries will freely moving about in the chapel in spite of them not believing in your G.o.d?”

The Valkyries believed in Her Majesty . They didn’t believe in anyone besides her . While some began to think about romance – courtesy of Nier – their loyalty to Her Majesty would never wane . Nier remained loyal to Mommy Elizabeth in the latter’s presence, albeit no longer being her Valkyrie . It should’ve been unacceptable for the Valkyries, who didn’t believe in G.o.d, to freely move about in the chapel . Not to mention it was a place they considered to be holy .

The pope shook his head: “Despite being different to us, they, too, are G.o.d’s citizens . Our fates have been linked thanks to a child . They are also our friends . Further, what could be more important than a child’s safety? Our church shall do everything in our power for a child . ”

I gave him a solemn nod: “Had your predecessor shared that sentiment, we might have a much better relations.h.i.+p right now . Let’s get going, then . Let’s go see your program as well as your holy water . Daisy is my daughter; I must ensure her safety . ”

“Yes, Your Majesty . ” The boy nodded and led the way .

Current time at an unknown area .

“Her Majesty has already refused to discuss any religious topics, while we can’t expand our influence in the Royal Palace . In saying that, we do have good news, which is that they can’t either . ”

“But, Brother, the worst part is that Her Majesty has accepted their baptism offer . That means everyone will pay attention to them as opposed to us . This baptism is, in essence, the royal family’s stance . The royal family considers them to be more persuasive . Although we all understand why, it’s merely because they existed before us that Her Majesty chose them . If we can’t expand our influence, though, their influence will be bolstered as a result of the baptism . The sadder part is that, if they mend their relations.h.i.+p with the royal family thanks to the baptism, we will never be instated as the state religion . ”

“What you mean to say is that we can’t allow the baptism to proceed?”

“No, if we ruin the baptism, we will incur the wrath of Her Majesty . We can’t do that . Always bear in mind that we must never oppose Her Majesty with anything we do . We mustn’t provoke her . There is nothing in this nation that she isn’t capable of destroying . ”

“Uhm, you’re right . What should we do, then? It’s pointless for us to recruit citizens . This compet.i.tion lies with the Royal Palace; it lies with Her Majesty . ”

“There’s one thing that we can do: we can destroy the old church . The guard is strictest during the baptism and before it . We can’t allow conflict to occur during these periods . Once night falls, after the completion of the baptism, all of Hilles City will be in a state you could call a carnival . The Valkyries will have returned to the Royal Palace by then . We’ll take advantage of the window to a.s.sa.s.sinate the finance official that night . Remember, the old church has had their military force destroyed; therefore, we can successfully accomplish it . All the red robe bishops will be present during the a.s.sa.s.sination . They’ll be enraged over the a.s.sa.s.sination . Subsequently, they’ll wage a war against us in Hilles City . Think about it . Openly starting a war under Her Majesty’s nose, right in her very city, Her Majesty would be so enraged that she’d obliterate them, wouldn’t she?”

“I see . That’s an excellent plan . Furthermore, the next finance department head will be one of our own, which means that we’ll have more power in the conference hall . Empress Elizabeth doesn’t bother with religious affairs . As long as we grow our power enough, she’ll tacitly acknowledge our new church’s status . By then, we’ll be able to obtain what we want . ”

“Amazing! That’s genius . Let’s do that, Brothers! That will be the plan! For our G.o.d! For our future! Brothers, cheers!”