Chapter 826

**Chapter 634 Temporary**

On a sunny day, the sun shines brightly. In a peaceful little garden, the sunlight filters through the lush tree canopy and falls upon the flowers and plants. Small animals, like squirrels, scurry among the grass, and the distant sound of deep church bells mingles with the chirping of birds in the garden.

Wearing a light, elegant robe and with golden hair flowing down, Amanda sits on a bench in this tranquil garden, scattering feed on the ground for the little birds gathered before her. She leisurely watches as they peck at the food, occasionally some small animals come over to scavenge.

At this moment, a space that was originally empty nearby suddenly distorts irregularly, revealing a semi-transparent figure that blinks into existence, ultimately taking the form of a nun—Evi.

“Your Excellency, Francesco Mattarella has been safely delivered to Sacred Summit, and the healing facility has begun treatment,” Evi reports softly to Amanda, who continues feeding the birds without pausing. She responds while tossing out more feed.

“How is he doing now? I heard it’s quite serious.”

“It is rather serious. Archbishop Francesco encountered a divine enemy this time. While dealing with the Gramorn incident, he was continuously pierced by the divine power of the Lady of Pain, resulting in multiple instances of mental injury, and once he was directly harmed physically. According to Sister Carolina’s judgement, that instance of divine damage inflicted a great injury on Archbishop Francesco, leading to his eventual collapse.

“Currently, Archbishop Francesco’s mental state isn’t very good. His body and soul are still suffering from the torment of the Lady of Pain. He often howls loudly in unconsciousness, loses control, and mostly remains in a coma rather than being awake.”

After Evi slowly completes her report, she quietly stands in place, waiting for Amanda’s response. After a slight pause, Amanda expresses her thoughts.

“How pitiful… The divine wounds inflicted by the Lady of Pain are probably amongst the most tormenting of all the heterodox gods. Does Carolina feel confident she can solve it?”

“Judging by her previous expression… it might be difficult. The wounds involve Divine Residue, and it is likely that you will need to intervene,” Evi continues reporting. Hearing her words, Amanda exhales softly before scattering the remaining feed, allowing the little creatures on the ground to freely compete for it.

“I understand. I will visit the healing facility shortly,” Amanda says, and upon hearing this, Evi bows slightly.

“I understand. I will go inform Sister Carolina to prepare.”

Evi responds, and at that moment, Amanda’s gaze turns towards her again and continues speaking.

“By the way, what’s the current situation regarding the Gramorn incident? How is the investigation going?”

“Regarding the Gramorn incident, the Tribunal has completed a preliminary investigation. Based on accessible information, this incident is fundamentally a result of a long-standing struggle between the Lady of Pain’s Eight Pinnacle Nest and the hidden legacy of the Night Sky Empress within Prit. The center of their struggle lies in the inheritance left by the Night Sky Empress in Prit,” Evi respectfully answers Amanda. Hearing her words, Amanda’s expression slightly tightens, and she then continues.

“The legacy of the Night Sky… Still preserved in Prit? Could it be that they have been hiding there for over a thousand years?”

“That is still unclear. The mysterious organization that rescued the imprisoned members of the Prit Church and informed Francesco of the Lady of Pain’s conspiracy claims to be the hidden patriots of Prit, constantly battling against the Eight Pinnacle Nest in the shadows. It was they who allowed the temple of the Night Sky Empress to appear before Sister Vania and her group at inappropriate times… and also dealt with the Lady of Pain’s chosen ones after Francesco lost consciousness.

“In the subsequent investigation into the Temple of the Night Sky, the Tribunal discovered other divine traces, possibly belonging to the Night Sky Empress. Perhaps in the end, the will of the Night Sky Empress also became involved…”

With a solemn expression, Evi says respectfully to Amanda. Listening to Evi’s words, Amanda’s face grows increasingly serious.

“Does Her Majesty the Empress truly have reserves in Prit? If that is the case, why has she only intervened once in over a thousand years? Why didn’t they appear during the Wind King’s Rebellion?”

Amanda expresses, while Evi promptly responds.

“There are indeed many doubts surrounding this. However, the divine traces found in the Temple of the Night Sky are genuine. The Night Sky Empress must have interfered with Prit through some means. Normally, it is extremely difficult to detect the divine traces of the Night Sky, but the Tribunal’s investigation team encountered no obstacles and found them; these traces bore no concealment. This also perhaps proves that the Night Sky Empress deliberately conveyed her intervention here.

“Although there are clues and evidence, this incident involves true gods, and the Tribunal does not dare to rashly judge the specific reasons. To learn the truth, we may have to contact the Night Realm…”

Evi continues. Due to clear signs of true divine intervention at the Gramorn site, the Tribunal did not dare to act recklessly. Upon hearing Evi’s comments, Amanda also ponders deeply before speaking.

“Contacting the Night Realm… That is a privilege reserved for the Holy Seat. However, there has been no sign of its return, which is truly troubling…

“In the Holy Church, the only one capable of communing with the divine will is… the Holy Seat. Whether it involves the Three Saints or heterodox gods, only the Holy Seat has the right to engage with them directly. Now that the Holy Seat is absent and such matters affecting the divine have arisen… it’s truly troublesome…”

Amanda says with a serious expression. Nearby, Evi nods and continues to speak.

“Yes… Indeed, given the current situation, the Tribunal also doesn’t dare to make casual decisions. Since it involves the direct will of a true god, a decision can only be made after the Holy Seat returns.”

“Exactly. In the face of the Lady of Pain, a wicked god, we can directly strengthen investigations against the Eight Pinnacle Nest. But the key is that this also involves the Night Sky Empress, and it’s difficult to navigate without the Holy Seat…” Amanda sighs lightly before thinking for a moment, then asks Evi.

“By the way, what is Vania’s current situation?”

“Sister Vania Chafirun has returned to Tivyán. The Tribunal conducted another examination, but nothing unusual was found. She seems to have been caught up in the struggle between the Night Sky Empress and the Lady of Pain in Prit; both sides appear to have utilized her. The Eight Pinnacle Nest once attempted to deceive Sister Vania into desecrating the temple of the Night Sky in Gramorn but ultimately failed due to the Night Sky Empress’s interference.

“According to the testimonies of the Gramorn Church, Tivyán Church, the Pilgrimage Protection Squad, and Francesco, Sister Vania’s performance in this incident raises no issues; everything is within reason…

“If we must find fault with her, it might only be said that her probability of encountering such major events is just a bit too high… leading to some extra thoughts about her, making one believe… that it was Sister Vania’s arrival that caused these events to occur. When the Tribunal investigators re-examined Sister Vania, this reasoning was employed…”

Evi says to Amanda. Listening to Evi, Amanda falls silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

“Navaha, XiasTree, Adis, Kankdar, Moncala… this little nun really seems to be where events occur… Generally, in such cases, people would think she has issues; she is a factor in those events, harboring some unspeakable secret, thus becoming the spark for this series of events…

“But the problem is… although these incidents happened near the little nun, their natures differ greatly. Some involve the Black Dream Hunter Group, others the Abyss Cult, some the heretics, and others involve the internal matters of the Holy Church. This time it even includes the Lady of Pain and the Night Sky Empress…

“While that little nun has been embroiled in these events, the forces orchestrating these events are all different. Each incident is nearly unrelated, with different motivations, processes, outcomes, and involved forces… There is a lack of correlation, making it hard to imagine any inherent connection among them… Some in the Tribunal desire to point out that Vania has experienced too many things to indicate she has issues, yet they cannot find evidence that she is the catalyst for these events. They not only have been unable to uncover issues with Vania, but they have also struggled to analyze the commonalities in these events…”

Waving her hand slightly, Amanda says to Evi. After listening, Evi nods thoughtfully.

“Your Excellency makes a valid point. While Sister Vania has recently gone through many things, the differences between these events are so significant that it seems completely impossible for her to be involved with all these forces simultaneously… However, her frequency of encountering events is indeed rather unnaturally high. If we do not ascribe it to other causes, we may have to blame it on fate…”

“Indeed… This can only be attributed to fate. Yet fate, such a thing, is only in the hands of the divine. That little nun can’t truly be guided by a true god in her destiny, can she…” Amanda responds. Hearing this, Evi hesitates slightly, then continues.

“Are you implying that… the Holy Mother is genuinely guiding Sister Vania forward?”

“Ha… Who knows? The will of heaven is inscrutable. Among the Seven Saints, even I, who am considered the most loyal to the Holy Mother’s teachings, have never heard even once a word from the Holy Mother. I cannot gauge where her gaze is directed at this moment; perhaps that little nun truly is chosen by the Holy Mother. The various experiences she encounters may be the heavy trials given by the divine.”

Amanda sighs lightly again, slowly rising from the bench in the garden. Just as she prepares to depart, she seems to remember something and turns to Evi.

“One more thing, since Francesco is now at Sacred Summit for treatment, and it will take a while to recover, who will take over the position of Archbishop of Prit? Does Hilbert have someone in mind?”

“Well… Originally, Sir Hilbert intended to appoint Gavin, the leader of the Crown Knight Order, as the new Archbishop of Prit. However, during this process, he encountered resistance from Chief Judge Klamar,” Evi replies to Amanda. Upon hearing this, Amanda raises an eyebrow.

“The Prit Diocese should traditionally belong to the knights. With the Holy Seat absent, Hilbert should have no problem appointing the Archbishop there…”

“That is correct, but Chief Judge Klamar believes that the proliferation and breeding of the Eight Pinnacle Nest in Prit have reached a rampant level. It is necessary to investigate and eliminate it rapidly. Therefore, he wants to have one of his judges take on the position of Archbishop of Prit for easier and more professional investigation of heretical matters.

“Chief Judge Klamar considers the Gramorn incident a major and extraordinary event. Thus, the matters regarding Prit cannot be handled according to past conventions. However, Sir Hilbert directly rejected Klamar’s request, leading to a stalemate, and barring any unexpected developments, this issue will likely be brought up in the next cardinal meeting.”

Evi explains to Amanda. Though, on the surface, the Tribunal and the Holy War Army are distinct systems in the church—one dealing with heresy and the other with pagan issues—due to the lack of specialized investigation units in the Holy War Army, the Tribunal has the right to investigate both heretical and pagan matters. After obtaining results, the Holy War Army then has the power to execute purifications based on those results.

Therefore, it isn’t unreasonable for Klamar to request the incumbent judge become Archbishop to deepen investigations, knowing the Eight Pinnacle’s influence is rampant in Prit. However, Hilbert is unwilling to easily relinquish control of the diocese traditionally held by the knight faction.

“Klamar actually wants to place someone in Prit at this time? This… is somewhat anticipated. However, it is obviously not the time for disputes. As long as the new Archbishop of Prit is not appointed, there will be no one in charge of Tiered Vision in Tivyán, leading to more chaos… They should at least send someone temporarily to maintain the facade…”

Hearing Evi’s comments, Amanda frowns. Evi continues to respond with a serious expression.

“This will probably not be allowed. Both sides are currently unwilling to yield, not permitting the other to send someone to take the lead. They are concerned that the temporary appointee may gain an advantage. Likewise, other saints will find it difficult to send someone temporarily under the same reasoning. Ultimately, this matter can only be resolved in the cardinal meeting.”

“Ha… Given their attitudes, this meeting may not resolve anything; it will likely drag on before a compromise is reached… During this period, the Holy Church cannot exist in a vacuum of deterrence in Tivyán; someone must temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Archbishop of Prit.”

Amanda says seriously, and upon hearing her words, Evi speaks up.

“Your Excellency… You are not thinking of sending someone to Tivyán, are you? However, if that person were from your faction, it would attract the joint vigilance of both Klamar and Hilbert… This wouldn’t be a wise move…”

Evi says with a hint of concern to Amanda, who smiles slightly and responds.

“Do not worry; I will not send anyone to Tivyán. Am I not already in Tivyán? Besides, it isn’t from my faction…”

“Do you mean…” Evi’s eyes widen slightly as if she realizes something.

“Sister Vania holds a Divine Blessing Object. Using that as a medium to connect to the church in Tivyán would suffice for her to temporarily control Tiered Vision. Letting a previously unqualified White Chalk serve as a temporary Archbishop should raise no opposition. Afterward, we can arrange for people to assist her as needed and simply wait for them to resolve the situation.” Amanda arranges with a gentle smile.