The Empire’s so-called unlimited claims were nothing more than the prestige of dragonslaying feats coupled with the protection of the fairies.
However, the Sanctuary, an ancient organization inherited from the Golden Age, possessed a claim over the entire continent.
This was because the essence of the Sanctuary was not purely a religious organization, but rather the descendants of the holy kings—the remnants of the ancient world.
The legitimacy they inherited originated from the ancient kingdoms established under the glory of the Sacred Deity. Under the heavens, there was no land that was not the king’s; every territory, known and unknown, had been branded with their mark.
This was the ultimate "since time immemorial" claim.
It was just that the Sanctuary had no need to expand its territory. Their strength and foundation did not rely on population or land, but rather on the faith in the fairies they had cultivated over countless ages and the inherited legacies of the Golden Age.
The Sanctuary’s headquarters wasn't even on land. The vastness of the Deep Blue Sea was enough to accommodate another empire; there was simply no need to use force for expansion.
But the right of claim never expired. In history, if the Sanctuary granted a monarch the mission to spread the true faith, that monarch could wage unlimited war in the name of the Sacred Deity.
This cause for war was far too useful; no one could find fault with it, and its scope was incredibly broad. Even if a Sanctuary branch was already established within a country's borders, one could still attack by claiming their faith was impure.
Helen remained silent upon hearing this. She was no fool and naturally understood Faust’s true objective.
The nun did not doubt Faust’s impeccable pedigree, but she also understood deeply that this prince was no fanatic. Instead, he was an ambitious secular monarch.
If the Sanctuary were to grant him this authority, the true meaning would be using their own name to endorse Faust’s expansionist behavior.
The beautiful, golden-eyed nun stood frozen in place, lowering her brows as she fell into thought.
Seeing this, Faust took the initiative to lash her, shouting:
“Will it work or not? Speak! Answer me!”
The prince regent’s lashes were quite forceful, especially since they were enhanced by the Great Thunder Mark. Every strike carried clear arcs of electricity; how could a mere mortal endure such an assault?
“Ugh! It hurts! Stop... please stop hitting me. I... I understand.”
The nun covered her delicate, tender cheek, tears welling in the corners of her eyes as she said weakly:
“This matter... I cannot decide alone. I must request instructions from the Sanctuary headquarters.”
Helen was the head of the Sanctuary branch in the southern Empire. For matters within her authority, a few steps on her head would settle the deal, but when it came to such a deep level of trust, the nun could not make the final call.
“The Sanctuary has not granted a secular monarch the authority to spread the gospel for a very long time. If we are to restart the process, we must first send envoys to your kingdom for an inspection. After establishing a branch, all relevant high-ranking monastics must make a judgment.”
Helen carefully watched the man’s expression and said:
“Permission will only be considered after confirming that you are indeed implementing the true faith and will not bring shame to the Sanctuary. Furthermore, a branch of the Sanctuary will follow and guide you throughout the process of spreading the gospel, including the partitioning of territory, the drafting of treaties, and how to build and govern.”
These conditions were indeed quite harsh. It was equivalent to finding oneself a group of ancestors and then working for them.
Unless one was a fanatic truly dedicated to spreading the Sanctuary’s faith, no one would accept this.
However, Faust agreed immediately.
“Of course. But I have one small request.”
Faust gave a subtle smile and said:
“I hope the heads of the branch in the Qingxi Kingdom will all be noble monastics of the holy king bloodline. If possible, it would be best if they were all female. Is that alright?”
Helen blinked her beautiful eyes at his words. “If it is only that, it should be fine. The holy king bloodline is rare to begin with, but with my connections, I can ask my sisters to come.”
“Then I will leave it to you. Get it on the schedule as soon as possible,” Faust said, resting his chin on his hand.
The prince regent’s intention was clear: he had the confidence to turn the incoming Sanctuary monastics into his own people.
He did not expect to transform a behemoth like the Sanctuary into his own faction; that was too unrealistic.
But he could certainly lay his hands on the descendants of the holy kings like Helen—one only had to look at the nun’s current state to see that.
As noble, cold, and holy as she had been when they first met, she was now just as submissive and fawning.
When she was with Faust, her mind was entirely filled with how to receive his discipline and how to please the prince.
She had become a complete pervert (how tragic).
One could not even blame Helen for being two-faced or having a weak will; it was simply that her bloodline made it impossible for her to resist Faust’s temptation.
Faust, who was thoroughly infused with Mephistopheles’s essence, possessed an attraction to the holy king bloodline that reached into the soul.
It was likely that in a while, Faust’s importance in Helen’s heart would surpass the faith she had held since childhood.
While male descendants of the holy kings could also be subdued, to be safe and maximize the masculine charm of the Great Thunder—and to replicate Helen’s experience—an all-female team was better.
Most importantly, the prince regent was very fond of mature, beautiful, and cold nun sisters like Helen.
Especially the way she would use all sorts of high-sounding excuses to beg for his favor while caught between instinct and reason—it was far too interesting. How could she be so cute!
In any case, he was just charging it all to Mephistopheles’s credit card; it didn't matter if he maxed it out.
【I feel... my reputation being damaged. Faust, those lovely believers of mine are not meant to be your toys!】
Mephistopheles protested as a matter of routine, but then quickly changed its tune:
【However, those lamb-like sons of man are beyond saving anyway. Faust, though I no longer hold divine authority, you may act as my vicar.】
With that matter settled, the golden-eyed nun looked up and asked:
“Brother Faust, has some unpleasantness occurred between you and Imperial Princess Artedinis?”
“Why do you ask?”
Helen: “Because the day before yesterday, Her Highness Artedinis consulted the Sanctuary, asking how we would respond if she came into conflict or even war with a supporter favored by the Sanctuary.”
Wait, she anticipated my move?!
Artedinis’s actions once again exceeded Faust’s expectations. Although the relationship between himself and the Sanctuary was basically out in the open, it was indeed a possibility.
But for the Imperial Princess to act so decisively showed the strength of her resolve.
“There are indeed some irreconcilable conflicts between us. Specifically, she wants to turn me into her exclusive possession, and I... ha, I feel the same way. We shall see who is more skilled.”
“...Brother Faust, your private life is truly chaotic.”
The nun sighed, rubbing her cheek against him and nuzzling him slowly as if he were a precious treasure.
“Internal strife is not encouraged within the 【Sacred Alliance】. However, Imperial Princess Artedinis said she would wait until after the dragonslaying is complete to make her move. Until then, please maintain restraint.”
Rate on N.U.
