The coronation of a new Pope is typically performed by the previous one. If the previous Pope has had the misfortune of meeting the Light Goddess ahead of schedule, the most senior Red-robed Archbishop in the Holy See takes their place. Tang Qiu’s coronation was originally supposed to be conducted by Bruce, but while he was senior in age, his status was no match for the Saintess. After some discussion, the Saintess was ultimately chosen for the role.

After settling the envoys and nobles from various countries who had come to attend the ceremony, the Saintess returned to the high platform without even a moment’s rest. She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the various races below, and nodded slightly. Although the arrival of the Black Witches had been somewhat sudden, they had been properly accommodated without any issues.

She finished her inspection and was about to retract her gaze when her peripheral vision suddenly caught an empty space in the Holy See’s procession.

The empty area wasn’t large, only big enough for a dozen or so people, but all the positions had been arranged so neatly that the sudden gap seemed out of place.

The Saintess frowned as she looked at the area where the Holy See’s contingent stood. She raised a hand and summoned an attendant priest to inquire about the situation.

In a rest chamber by the side gate of the square, Tang Qiu glanced at the sky outside through the window and turned her head to ask Jennifer, “Are they not here yet?”

Jennifer frowned. “Karen was handling this matter.” Not seeing Karen in the room, she was about to go look for her. But just as she reached the doorway, the door was suddenly pushed open from the outside. A little girl in a snow-white priest’s robe ran in from outside and crashed right into Tang Qiu’s arms.

Tang Qiu reached out and caught Kama, stroking her head with a smile. “Have all your people arrived?”

Kama looked up, her little face flushed from excitement. She grinned brightly, her smile radiant, and nodded her head like a chick pecking at grain.

Behind Kama, a dozen more people walked in. They were all young women with silver hair and golden eyes, and like Kama, they were dressed in the Holy See’s most common, snow-white priest robes.

It was the first time any of them had worn priest robes, but surprisingly, the garments suited their temperament perfectly, as if the snow-white robes were made just for them.

To evade capture and slaughter by the Holy See and the Vampires, the God Race descendants had always been on the run. They had long used their innate God Race talents to communicate, and over time, their spoken language had degenerated significantly.

A God Race girl walked over to take Kama and then smiled at Tang Qiu, speaking slowly and awkwardly, “Th-thank you for inviting us, Your Holiness, Pope Grace.”

Tang Qiu shook her head, her sky-blue eyes clear and gentle. She swept her golden hair, which had fallen over her chest and was getting in the way, behind her back and said softly, “This grand event would only be complete with your participation.”

The God Race girl smiled shyly. She held Kama and repeated, “Thank you, thank you.”

They were able to end their lives as fugitives and now even step into the Holy See founded by Pope Cynthia, all thanks to the person before them. The girl was truly grateful.

The time was approaching. Jennifer reminded her from the side, “Pope Grace, it’s time to go out.”

Tang Qiu nodded. She reached for the staff resting on its stand, then gave a slight nod to the God Race girl. “You can go out now. Phoenix will surely be very happy to see you.”

The God Race girl curtsied to Tang Qiu, then turned to face her people. Unable to suppress her excitement any longer, the corners of her mouth lifted. Kama, tugging on the girl’s hand, pushed open the door and ran out. As she looked up, she saw the Saintess standing on the high platform. Her eyes lit up, and she waved happily.

The Saintess had been vexed about the empty space and hadn’t noticed the commotion at the side door at first. It wasn’t until she heard a sudden murmur that she frowned and looked over, her eyes widening when she saw Kama and the others.

She was completely stunned. Silver hair and golden eyes were the hallmarks of the God Race descendants; everyone in the Holy See knew this. The identities of the Saintess and the Holy Son were not a secret within the Church, but under the previous Pope’s deliberate control, everyone had pretended not to know.

It wasn’t that the Saintess hadn’t thought of bringing her people back, but the God Race held a different significance within the Holy See. Although she had no intention of vying for the position of Pope, she didn’t want any of her actions to arouse Tang Qiu’s suspicion.

For those in high positions, what is more taboo than someone threatening one’s status?

She had intended to take things slowly… The Saintess looked at Kama and her people, her expression gradually softening. The stern look she always wore began to clear, and a smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.

But this was also very good.

The appearance of the God Race caused a stir within the Holy See’s ranks. Being stared at by so many people made Kama a little scared. She turned and hugged the God Race girl’s leg, her eyes darting around, searching for Tang Qiu.

The Saintess glanced at the Holy See’s procession, walked down directly from the high platform, and personally led her people to the spot Tang Qiu had prepared for them.

The clamor abruptly fell silent. The Saintess sensed something and turned her head to look. Just then, Tang Qiu’s figure appeared on the red carpet. Seeing Tang Qiu emerge, she was about to return to the high platform, but unexpectedly, a commotion even louder than before erupted from the other side of the square.

Among the delegations from the three great empires, demure and elegant noble ladies covered their mouths with handkerchiefs, watching Tang Qiu at the other end of the red carpet with excitement and elation.

Someone could no longer contain their excitement and called out in a low voice, “It’s Priest Grace!”

“Bishop Grace!”

If the occasion weren’t so formal, they would have loved to lift their skirts and surround her, just as they would at a banquet.

Although they were trying to restrain themselves, the noise still carried to the front. Lola glanced in their direction, finding the scene somewhat amusing. She was about to say something to Lucille, but when she turned her head, she saw Lucille staring intently at Tang Qiu. Lola pursed her lips and wisely swallowed her words.

Gold threaded with silver, the papal robes were magnificent and noble. The long train trailed behind her on the red carpet, and her long golden hair swayed gently as she walked. Tang Qiu’s hair was left to hang loose, her sky-blue eyes held a faint gentleness, and a light smile graced her face. She didn’t look like a stern Pope, but more like an elegant noble.

Cynthia’s Staff glowed with a faint white light in her hand. She walked to the base of the statue of the Light Goddess and looked up slightly, her golden hair seeming even more dazzling than the sunlight.

Jennifer, who had been following closely behind Tang Qiu, turned her head slightly to glance at the still-excited nobles, her expression a little strange. She looked at the Red-robed Archbishops and the Saintess standing on the other side and suddenly felt a trace of sympathy for them.

She had been Tang Qiu’s attendant acolyte back when she was just a priest. Later, when Tang Qiu went to the Gosse Church to serve as Bishop, she remained her attendant priest. No one understood the fervent adoration of these nobles better than she did.

Back when Tang Qiu was at the Bill Church, the gifts and letters she received could fill a house. It became even more exaggerated when she moved to the Gosse Church; the church’s warehouses were filled to the brim.

Jennifer didn’t understand it either. Tang Qiu only occasionally attended a banquet, so how did she attract so many followers?

Would they send their gifts and letters to the Central Church this time? Jennifer lowered her head, her thoughts wandering.

The Saintess walked onto the high platform and nodded to an attendant priest waiting at the side. The priest turned and left, soon returning with a tray. On the tray rested a crown forged from pure gold, carved with exquisite patterns, and set with a pure white gemstone in the center. It was unknown which generation of Pope this crown had been passed down from, but it had become an indispensable part of the coronation ceremony.

The golden-haired Pope ascended the steps, her robes trailing behind her. She bowed her head slightly to the Saintess, her golden hair swinging in a beautiful arc before her. On the hand holding Cynthia’s Staff, a ring symbolizing power adorned her finger. The Saintess took the crown with both hands and gently placed it on Tang Qiu’s head. Her eyes were soft as she spoke quietly, “Grace Field, as a believer of the Light Goddess, are you willing to heed the divine oracles of the Light Goddess, to lead the Holy See in spreading light across the Statu Continent, to expel the darkness, and to provide shelter for the believers of the light, until the end of your life?”

The golden-haired Pope raised her head, her gaze as gentle and resolute as ever. “Yes, I am willing.”

She placed a hand on her shoulder and bowed reverently toward the statue of the Light Goddess, saying softly, “I stand with the Holy See.”

Bright sunlight cascaded down, enveloping the golden-haired Pope. The crowd below stared blankly at the figure on the steps, unable to tell which was more divine: her or the statue of the Light Goddess.

In the werewolf contingent, Jemma stared at Tang Qiu and sighed incessantly. Her frequent sighs drew Eva’s attention. Eva crossed her arms and asked unhappily, “What are you doing?”

If she kept sighing, they might get kicked out by the Holy See.

Jemma pursed her lips and secretly sidled up to Eva, whispering a complaint, “Now that Grace has become the Pope, does that mean she won’t come back to the Wolf Race?”

“If she doesn’t come back, does that mean our future clan leader will be…” Jemma glanced at Ophelia, who was standing next to Faye, her face full of worry.

Before Eva could frown and reply, Ophelia, standing at the front, felt the gazes on her and turned her head to give them a cold look.

Eva pushed Jemma back to her original spot, then stared straight ahead at Tang Qiu on the high platform.

Ophelia snorted coldly and turned her head back.

Jemma, who had been ruthlessly pushed away, lowered her head and sighed. She really didn’t want a young master like Ophelia.

The final part of the coronation ceremony involved the new Pope leading the Red-robed Archbishops and Bishops in a Light Baptism. The Saintess assisted from the side, while Reese leisurely twirled her staff, her gaze scanning the vicinity. She then walked over to Vogt and swapped places with him.

The new Pope’s coronation was the Holy See’s grandest event, and the Inquisition was required to attend. As the Head Inquisitor, Audrey’s status was equal to that of a Red-robed Archbishop. She stood silently in her place, and no one could read a single emotion on her beautiful face.

Reese walked up beside her, glanced at her, and asked in a low voice, “What have you decided about what I said last time?”

After the coronation, it was time to clean out some of the vermin in the Holy See.

Audrey stared ahead expressionlessly, as if she hadn’t heard Reese’s words. Reese waited patiently for a moment, but seeing no response, she shook her head helplessly.

The Light Baptism was about to begin. Reese looked left and right, and her eyes happened to catch sight of Monica. She curled her lips, and just as she was about to move over to Monica’s side, Audrey suddenly spoke, “I refuse.”

Reese paused, pulling her gaze back from Monica, and looked at Audrey with some surprise.

She had always known that Audrey resented the fact that the Head Inquisitor ranked below the Red-robed Archbishops. She had thought Audrey would agree to her proposal one hundred percent.

“Why?”

“I entered the Inquisition as a child. It has been over a decade now.” Audrey stared at Tang Qiu on the high platform, her voice low. “You don’t know how to be a blade better than I do, Reese.”

Grace Field. The Saintess had just clearly pronounced Tang Qiu’s name. Her surname was Field, not Augustine, and not some ridiculous Barton.

Many in the Holy See didn’t know much about the Wolf Race; they probably didn’t even know the name of the Wolf Race leader. But Audrey, who had investigated the werewolves, knew that Faye’s surname was also Field.

If Tang Qiu were still a Bishop or an Archbishop, Audrey would have been thrilled to uncover this. But now, she would only bury this information deep in her heart.

Her duty was to guard the honor of the Holy See, to guard the Pope’s… power.

“I know what to do,” Audrey said faintly, her gaze shifting away from Tang Qiu. “Don’t worry about me.”

Reese raised an eyebrow. A hint of a smile appeared in her eyes as she looked at Audrey. She leaned in slightly, whispering close to her ear, “If you want to be the blade, the blade must be sharp.”

“The Inquisition has a hidden problem left behind by Cambecus. Why not use her to bloody the blade first?”

A traitor left by Cambecus? Audrey frowned, her thoughts racing. Finally, a figure settled in her mind. She turned and glanced in a certain direction behind her, where her Inquisitor, Liz, was standing.

Audrey stared at Liz for a while, only looking away when Liz sensed her gaze and looked over. She narrowed her eyes, her tone tinged with killing intent as she said in a low voice, “I understand. Let’s start with her.”

Anyone who betrayed her should be prepared to go to hell.

The coronation ceremony continued until the afternoon. The Saintess and the Red-robed Archbishops led the guests who had come to attend to their rest, while the Bishops began to clear the area. Tang Qiu descended from the high platform and looked around, but to her surprise, she didn’t see Lucille. She thought for a moment and then turned to walk toward the rest chamber.

The door to the rest chamber was tightly closed. Just as Tang Qiu reached out to push it open, an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her inside.

Lucille was leaning against a table, one arm around Tang Qiu’s waist, the other gripping her wrist. She pulled her close and eagerly kissed her soft lips.

She had wanted to do this since just now.

Lucille’s hand caressed Tang Qiu’s waist, her fingers hooking the belt, trying to yank it off.

Tang Qiu sensed Lucille’s actions and pulled back slightly, pressing her palm against Lucille’s wrist. She said with a smile, “This robe is very valuable. You’re not allowed to tear it.”

For the clothes worn during the coronation to be ruined right after the ceremony would be unthinkable, wouldn’t it?

Of course, someone like Reese, who could guess the truth, would probably tease her about it for a long time.

Lucille stared at Tang Qiu’s lips for a moment, suppressing the surging desire in her heart. She released the arm around Tang Qiu’s waist and turned to sit in a chair. She leaned back, her dark red eyes fixed on her.

Tang Qiu took off the crown and casually placed it on a cabinet. Then she walked over to Lucille, hooked her chin with a forefinger, and leaned down slightly. Her voice was thick with amusement as she asked, “Are you hungry?”

She took Lucille’s hand and pressed it against her own wrist, her thumb gently stroking the pale blue veins. Her deliberately slow tone was laced with temptation. “Would you like a taste of the Pope’s blood?”

Lucille stared at Tang Qiu’s fair wrist for a moment and couldn’t help but swallow. She turned her hand to grip Tang Qiu’s wrist, intending to bring it to her lips. Her fangs were already showing, but the owner of the hand pulled it back.

Lucille looked at her, puzzled, her cool voice carrying a hint of huskiness. “What is it?”

Tang Qiu broke free from Lucille’s grasp and then unhurriedly rolled up her sleeve. Her fingers brushed over her wrist, and with a flash of golden light, a cut appeared. Blood quickly welled up, the crimson liquid trickling down her fair arm, leaving a winding trail.

The moment the blood appeared, Lucille’s expression changed. She sat up straight, grabbed Tang Qiu’s arm, and tilted her head, licking the blood that was so sweet to her with a look of utter fascination.

Her eyes were filled with deep infatuation.

Tang Qiu looked down at Lucille’s face and stroked her hair with her other hand. A beautiful curve formed on her red lips. She loved seeing that look in Lucille’s eyes.

Once her appetite was whetted, it was hard to control. After licking the blood from her arm, Lucille bit directly into Tang Qiu’s wrist, her sharp teeth piercing the skin as she swallowed the overly delicious blood.

The pain made Tang Qiu frown slightly, but her expression quickly relaxed. She wrapped her arms around Lucille’s shoulders, lowered her head to kiss her hair, and softly stopped her, “That’s enough, Lucille.”

Not yet sated, Lucille looked at her in confusion.

“I have to meet Faye and Delphine in a little while.” Tang Qiu gently pushed Lucille away. While tending to her wound, she said teasingly, “The night is your time, Marshal Lucille.”

The sweet scent still lingered in her mouth, but the person before her had just stated a cruel fact. Lucille slowly leaned back in her chair, adjusted her breathing, and her calm tone hid a faint, barely perceptible helplessness. “You did that on purpose.”

After treating her wound, Tang Qiu turned to look at Lucille and generously admitted, “You finally noticed.”

She reached out and touched Lucille’s lips, letting out a low laugh. “I thought you didn’t understand this kind of fun.”

Lucille raised her hand to catch Tang Qiu’s mischievous one, but she deftly dodged it. Tang Qiu winked at Lucille and said with a grin, “I’ll see you tonight.”

With that, she really did turn and leave.

Lucille stared at Tang Qiu’s back until her view was blocked by the door, never looking away.

It was just like their first meeting. She had casually glanced at the crowd from horseback, and that beautiful girl with a warm smile had entered her heart without warning, causing her to break from her usual cold demeanor and, for the first time ever, initiate a conversation with someone at a banquet.

Lucille thought of something, and a faint curve appeared at the corners of her mouth as she looked down.

With just that one glance, she had truly never taken her eyes off Tang Qiu again.

But she was willing.