The First Vampire

 

Dong —— Dong —— Dong ——

The bell of the Central Cathedral in Winterfell City rings.

Yet this sound lacks the usual leisure and grandeur, rather, it felt especially anxious, inducing inexplicable panic in those who hear it.

Bishop Emeritus hastily steps into the Prayer Hall, approaching the Archbishop Agani, who was silently praying in front of the statue of the Lord of Glory.

“Archbishop, I just received news, Turennes has been killed in Lion Roar Castle! Moreover, the St. Hilde family has declared war on the Pope!”

Despite Bishop Emeritus’s efforts to remain calm, his voice inadvertently reveals his inner fear.

Agani seems indifferent to this shocking news, her expression unchanged, only staring blankly at the statue of the Lord of Glory in front of her, she unexpectedly asks:

“Bishop Emeritus, has this statue been replaced?”

“Ah?” Bishop Emeritus is flabbergasted for a moment before regaining his composure, reining in his inner restlessness, he answers, “perhaps… the previous statue was too old, hence it was replaced with a new one.”

“Oh.” Archbishop Agani tilts her head and says jokingly, “Indeed, it’s time for a new one.”

Bishop Emeritus looks at the bizarre actions of the Archbishop of the Northern Territory and suddenly realizes something, he can’t help but ask:

“Archbishop, what are you trying to say?”

Agani turns around, a radiant smile emerges on her beautiful face, she asks:

“Bishop Emeritus, are the charges by the St. Hilde family on Pope and Cardinal Turennes true?”

Bishop Emeritus opens his mouth, unsure of how to answer this question.

He knows very well that the Pope and the Cardinal are not innocent, they indeed plotted against Duke St. Hilde and Count Angler, but somehow, they messed up.

The outburst from the St. Hilde family right now is perfectly understandable.

However, what Bishop Emeritus does not understand is that even as the Archbishop of the North Territory, Agani is not one bit nervous. On the contrary, she seems… anticipatory…

Staring at the Archbishop Agani, Bishop Emeritus finally sees a hint of madness hidden deep within her eyes. He now understands the meaning behind her seemingly senseless question earlier –

She might be wanting to force the Pope to step down!

At that moment, Bishop Emeritus feels a chill running through his body.

But thinking about the dreadful consequences this could bring, he forces himself to calm down and earnestly advises:

“Archbishop, I don’t know what your plans are, but the Pope and the Church are together in honor and disgrace!

If the lords succeed this time, the Church will completely lose face and won’t have any dignity left!”

However, Agani shakes her head indifferently, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, revealing her excitement, she says, “The actions of some people have already disgraced the Church. If our Lord’s statue is old and needs to be replaced, then so does our Lord’s spokesman.”

Bishop Emeritus looks dumbfounded at Agani as if this was the first time meeting her.

After a moment of silence, Bishop Emeritus becomes serious and sternly says:

“Archbishop Agani, do you understand what you are doing? At this crucial moment, your untimely ambition will lead you into an irreparable abyss!”

Agani gives a slight smile, seemingly unfazed by the rude words of Bishop Emeritus, she replies dispassionately:

“Bishop Emeritus, I can confidently say that my actions will not tarnish the glory of our Lord. Can you say the same?”

Bishop Emeritus gives a cold laugh, dismissing Agani’s justification and bluntly reprimands her:

“Agani, you will be the sinner of the Church! The sinner of the Empire!”

Agani shakes her head, seeming to have lost patience with Bishop Emeritus. So, she coldly remarks:

“Bishop Emeritus, let me remind you one more time, the St. Hilde family is not an obedient flock of sheep, do not forget, how the last Bishop of Winterfell city died.”

Having said that, she strides out.

Watching the receding back of Archbishop Agani, Bishop Emeritus wanted to shout out to stop her several times, but ultimately lacked the courage to do so.

Until he was the only one left in the Prayer Hall, Bishop Emeritus slowly turns his head to look at the statue of the Lord of Glory placed on the Holy Light Altar, his eyes gradually filled with confusion.

The faceless statue of the Lord of Glory naturally has no expression, nor can it have any.

Without sadness, without joy, without fright, without anger, It watched all things in the world.

…

“Pope Gregory must give an explanation to the Northerners!”

Outside the Central Cathedral of Winterfell City, a Northerner shouted angrily towards the direction of the gate.

Immediately, a devout believer stepped forward to stop this person.

“You blasphemous beast, dare to question the spokesperson of our Lord!”

“Gregory is not fit to represent our Lord!”

“Then who is? Is it you?”

“At least someone who conspires against Duke St. Hilde is definitely not worthy!”

“This matter has not been confirmed yet, on what grounds are you slandering under the papal crown!”

“At least the Church should give an explanation!”

“Yes, we need an explanation!”

…

After Marquis Garcia declared war on the Pope, the Northerners were first stunned. Subsequently, a violent public opinion storm began from Lion Roar Castle, sweeping through the entire Winterfell City at an extremely fast speed.

Some people believed that the Pope’s behavior was extremely despicable and he must be held accountable for it, yet others thought Marquis Garcia’s accusations might not be true, seeking the Church to clarify.

The noisy scene outside the church at this moment was a microcosm of this public opinion storm.

As Archbishop Agani was about to leave the church, a priest attempted to persuade her:

“Archbishop, at this time anything you say could be highly sensitive, perhaps it’s best not to appear publicly, contacting the Holy See first would be the best choice.”

However, Agani looked at the priest deeply, and said icily: “I am the Archbishop of the North Territory, what I should do, it’s not your place to dictate me!”

The priest was taken aback, but before he could react, he saw Agani marching out.

When this beautiful Archbishop, radiant with holy purity, stepped out of the church’s main gate, the noisy crowd instantly quieted down, but soon after, the commotion resumed.

“Lady Agani, did Pope Gregory really undermine Duke St. Hilde?”

“Lady Agani, how do you respond to the allegations of Marquis Garcia?”

“Lady Agani…”

Agani gestured for the crowd to calm down.

When the scene was again quiet, she drew a symbol of holy light in front of her chest, and with a tone filled with compassion and sorrow, said:

“The glory of the Supreme Lord shall not be profaned! Even his spokesmen are no exception!”

Wow——

As soon as these words came out, the crowd gathered outside the church started boiling over.

“Lady Agani, are you admitting that Pope Gregory conspired against Duke St. Hilde?”

“Lady Agani, did you know about this conspiracy in advance?”

“Lady Agani, how is the Church preparing to deal with this matter?”

…

With the crowd pushing forward like a tidal wave, the church guards scaredly escorted Agani back in, barely managing to close the main gate again.

Inside, a group of priests watched Agani with complex expressions, some in agreement, some filled with contempt, and some flashing insights as if they understood something.

But Agani was oblivious to all of this, silently walking toward her own residence.

As if completely unaware of the storm her words might stir up.

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