Its eyes reflected the odd colors emitted by the liquid metal, its body seemingly disturbed and affected. Its fair, smooth skin withered, and even bulging pus-filled blisters formed, signaling a sign of losing control.
"Angel of Colors... Your Majesty Priscilla..."
Papa’s mouth gaped open, his intermittent voice filled with fear, as if it spilled out from a recorder with a mottled sound quality.
"Did you think that your true self could remain hidden in the Star Realm, unseen by anyone? The Pope has already sent someone to capture you, and now, it’s time for you to exit the stage,"
Blaze said indifferently.
Papa’s head exploded as if blooming like a flower bud, and the wriggling blisters on his body burst as well, but instead of blood, strange rays of colorful lights sprayed out. In a fleeting moment, he vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a warm robe of the Constellation High Priest, messily fallen upon the chair.
From beginning to end, the other five High Priests of the Constellation Sect remained indifferent, as if they had not seen Papa’s incarnation die from losing control.
Following this, the liquid metal floating in Blaze’s palm seemed to come to life, jumping onto Papa’s clothes. The strange colorful light reappeared, even forming a solid shape that filled out the silver robe...
"Papa" reappeared before everyone’s eyes, looking exactly the same, indistinguishable; only his eyes were filled with a death-like stillness.
He turned his head, looking at Prince Dazlert seated at the main seat, and spoke,
"Little Prince, the Constellation Sect can assist the Royal Family in hunting the remnants of the Solar Cross Society... but only if you release the Noah Silver Dragon."
Prince Dazlert stared intently at the "Papa" before him, his expression grave. He was well aware that this was no longer the same person, but just a puppet with the same face and appearance.
He tentatively voiced out,
"Her Majesty Priscilla from the Capital of Shuoli?"
"Papa" did not answer, his face expressionless, his gaze as lifelessly serene as ever. Seeing this, Dazlert took a deep breath, pondered for a few seconds, and then shook his head saying,
"Sorry, Noah Silver Dragon is under heavy suspicion, I will not release him."
"Papa" nodded his head.
"In that case, I will negotiate personally with Andre."
Having said that, he fell silent.
The prince looked deeply at the puppet; of course, he believed that the other party had the capability and the right to approach his Father King directly, but he was not afraid.
After all, he was the victim. Whether or not the Noah Silver Dragon was released was not important; what mattered was how much the Royal Family could gain from this incident.
"Your Highness, on behalf of the Moon Church, I hope that you can lift the control over Nun Olmido and release her,"
At that moment, Servant Leader of the Hermitage, Selma, also opened her eyes and spoke softly.
The prince seemed to have anticipated this, and he still shook his head.
"Sister Superior, it’s not that I won’t release her, but Nun Olmido has conspired with the Saintess of the Naturalist Sect, Lutina, to openly humiliate me at the birthday banquet and desecrate the Royal Family and our revered Father... In view of the Moon Church’s contributions to the Empire over thousands of years, she may be spared death, but she must spend a century in the Sun Dungeon to atone for her sins."
Selma sighed and closed her eyes again.
Meanwhile, at the Madman School’s seat, the Royal City’s representative Hernandez, a thin, elderly man with sparse white hair and thick glasses, spoke in a solemn voice,
"Your Highness, the Seven Gods Church has been following its oath, assisting the Royal Family in suppressing the Empire since over four thousand years ago. Why not show some leniency and release both the Noah Silver Dragon and Nun Olmido... The Sun King has created a new era, spreading infinite glory, and as the Crown Prince, you should have an even more boundless magnanimity... The relationship between the Church and the Royal Family should not be so strained."
Dazlert glanced at him and asked lightly,
"Archmage Hernandez, are you implying that I am narrow-minded?"
"Of course not, Your Highness,"
The old man bowed slightly.
"The assassination incident was provoked by the Solar Cross Society, and these two people are not truly associated with it..."
"It seems the Madman School you represent has chosen to side with the Moon Church and Constellation Sect, dissatisfied with my decisions,"
the prince said calmly.
"But no matter, it doesn’t affect anything."
He then looked towards the seats of the Generous Council, where only a young gentleman with dark hair sat alone. Just as Chen Lun took a deep breath, ready to speak out his stance, the prince smiled and raised his hand to stop him.
"Jack, I’ve already received the stance of your Generous Council, and I am gratified by your support,"
Chen Lun frowned slightly, unsure of the prince’s intentions.
However, the Great Gate of the meeting room opened again, and a man wearing retro-style Knight’s Armor, with a grey robe trimmed in gold on top, strode in. Behind him, several members of the Golden Cup in suits followed.
"Jack Spett, I’m sorry to inform you here that you have been removed from your position as the head of the Royal City branch, now replaced by me... Here is your dismissal order and reassignment directive, come over for the handover,"
the middle-aged man with a goatee said to Chen Lun.
Chen Lun’s brow furrowed, not expecting Houston to intervene at this time. Judging from the other’s words and the prince’s demeanor, the two might have been in contact much earlier, reaching some sort of agreement without his knowledge.