A flash of transmission flickered, and Raymond, Zesshi Zetsumei, and the Black Scripture Squad returned to the familiar Grand Cathedral of the Holy Capital.
"You all go back and rest first. I will report the results of the meeting to His Holiness the High Priest."
Raymond instructed the Black Scripture Squad.
The Captain of the God-man nodded, then led his team away.
However, Zesshi Zetsumei did not leave with them, as she also had to return to the innermost sanctuary of the Grand Cathedral, which was the same path as Raymond.
Thump, thump, thump!
The footsteps of the two of them echoed in the dimly lit corridor. Neither party had any intention of communicating, both pondering the scene of their previous meeting with Kael.
A woman who can represent the Theocracy?
This question constantly echoed in Raymond's mind.
Unlike the Dragon Kingdom, the Theocracy had always relied on a twelve-member council of chief priests to decide all major matters of the Theocracy. Even if the High Priest was the nominal commander-in-chief of the Theocracy, he couldn't make a decision with a single word. In other words, there was no single individual who could represent the Theocracy.
Such a system could prevent the decline of the nation caused by an incompetent leader, which was an excellent way of governing, but now it had become a problem. Since His Excellency proposed to marry a woman who could represent the Theocracy and achieve absolute control over the Theocracy, he naturally wouldn't allow that woman's power in the Theocracy to be dispersed.
If they wanted to meet the other party's demands, the model of the chief priests' council would have to be replaced, even if only in name.
To suddenly change a system that had been passed down for hundreds of years would undoubtedly encounter many problems, the first of which was the candidate.
If he had to say, it seemed only she was more suitable, right?
Raymond's subtle eyes glanced at Zesshi Zetsumei beside him.
Although Zesshi Zetsumei looked like a little girl, her actual age was one full cycle older than the High Priest, and she had long served as the guardian deity of the Theocracy, so her seniority and status were beyond doubt.
And choosing her as the representative would also provide some benefits. Firstly, although Zesshi Zetsumei had high qualifications, she wasn't good at handling political affairs, and they could indirectly manage the Theocracy's affairs as assistants.
As for when a successor was born, the power of the Theocracy would be completely handed over to the 'new king,' which was also not a problem.
As a half-elf, Zesshi Zetsumei's lifespan was much longer than that of ordinary humans, and His Excellency was an immortal human. The life conceived by their union would likely inherit these characteristics. As is known, the longer the lifespan of a creature, the longer its growth period.
Therefore, before the 'new king' grew up, they would have enough time to arrange the reform of the Theocracy's system and at the same time complete the patriotic education and ideological cultivation of the 'new king'.
Thus, even if the Theocracy changed its ruler, it wouldn't cause too many adverse effects on the nation.
Thump, thump!
Upon reaching a divergent fork, Raymond stopped first, blocking Zesshi Zetsumei's path.
The half-elf slightly raised her eyes to look at him, waiting for him to speak.
"I will be reporting the situation to the Chief Priests now. Before that, I would like to know your thoughts on the proposal made by His Excellency?"
"Is that something I should be considering?"
"Since it might concern you, please consider it for a moment," Raymond said with a hint of helplessness.
Zesshi Zetsumei quietly stared at him for a while, then stepped past him. "You can decide for yourself. I have no opinion."
The petite figure, carrying a scythe taller than herself, disappeared at the end of the corridor. Raymond looked at the dark corridor and silently walked towards the fork.
Since there was no problem here, he would propose the plan to the council of priests according to his own ideas.
A few days later, in the royal castle of Yerebul, the former residence of Marquis Raeven, one of the six great nobles, it seemed to have welcomed a new owner.
At the door of the closed study, two young, tall knights stood guard, one on each side. Their black knight's armor was decorated with the Eindora noble crest on their chests.
Thump, thump, thump!
Clear footsteps approached from a distance. When the platinum-colored figure arrived at the door, the two knights quickly and respectfully saluted with their hands on their chests, "Lady!"
"Hmm."
Lakyus nodded politely and walked in after the knight pushed open the study door.
A large number of documents were placed on the huge desk, dividing the people in the room into host and guest. On the wall behind the desk hung the family crest banner, and seated beneath the banner was a gentle-looking, handsome middle-aged noble. And he was Lakyus's father, Count Eindora.
However, Lakyus's gaze did not fall on her father, but rather on the man sitting in front of the desk. With short black hair, even though he was wearing full armor, one could still feel his robust physique. This man was no stranger to Lakyus.
"Ah, Lakyus, you're finally here."
Seeing Lakyus, Count Eindora's face immediately showed a warm smile, and he slowly rose from his seat.
"Father."
"You two discuss the rest yourselves. I'll take my leave first."
"...I understand."
Watching her father leave the room, Lakyus turned and greeted him with a sigh. "It's really been a long time, Sir Gazef Stronoff."
Yes, the middle-aged man who appeared here was none other than Gazef Stronoff, who was entrusted by His Majesty King Ramposa III to come here for a secret meeting with the rebel army.
"Eindorah, it seems it's been a few months since we last met."
"Three months and fifteen days."
"You remember very clearly."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two of them sat down on the sofa in the reception area. Lakyus personally poured a cup of tea for Gazef and asked, "Sir Stronoff, may I ask why you insisted on seeing me?"
Hearing this, Gazef took out a letter from his possession and handed it to Lakyus. "This is a private letter from His Majesty the King. You will understand after reading it."
"A letter?"
Lakyus felt a little confused. She took the letter and read it carefully.
A moment later, her expression became a bit serious. She looked up at Gazef sitting in front of her. "Sir Stronoff, His Majesty the King sent you to cooperate with us?"
"No, it's a surrender."
Gazef sighed and replied without any hesitation.
As he said, Ramposa III's letter stated that he would act as an internal informant for the rebel army, monitoring the movements of the royal army, and then assisting the rebel army in defeating the noble forces who opposed them in the upcoming battle of E-Rantel.
Such an action was even conservative to be called a surrender; it was a total betrayal.
It was truly shocking that the current leader of the noble faction and the country's nominal king would make such a move.
If the nobles knew about this, they would definitely exclaim, "We were ready to fight to the death, why did His Majesty surrender first?"