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The four walls were adorned with murals full of religious symbolism, and the seats on either side were filled with nobles from the Imperial Capital who came to watch the ceremony.

The melodious hymns echoed through the hall, imbuing it with solemn and dignified air.

In the middle of the hall, Vera wore a simple white lacy dress, her bare feet exposed. An iris garland, pure white in color sat atop her head, and her golden hair fell down over her shoulders.

The holy light projected from the dome of the church cast a dreamlike hue upon her breathtakingly beautiful face.

Dong Dong Dong

Matching the rhythm of the bells, Vera slowly approached the baptismal pool.

The sound of the hymn echoed within the hall:

“This day is the day, my resolve is set;

All I have, belongs to my Lord.

Once the covenant is established, it will never be regretted;

Only He is worthy of all honor and respect.

The blood of atonement washes away my sin;

The living water of life grants me a new birth!”

At the edge of the baptismal pool, Pope Gregory watched Vera approach, step by step, with a benign smile on his face.

As Vera stepped into the pool, the Pope’s voice echoed through the hall, dignified and mighty:

“Lost lamb, suffered sinner, Vera Saint Hilde, are you willing to forsake past prejudices and falsehoods, to serve the Lord of Glory wholeheartedly, never to regret, and to never rest until death?”

At this, Vera raised her head, gazing intently into the Pope’s seemingly penetrating eyes and said firmly:

“I am willing.”

The Pope nodded, signaling Vera to continue forward, and said:

“Immerse yourself in this pool, and you shall be separated from filth;

Immerse yourself in this pool, and your sins shall be washed away;

Immerse yourself in this pool, and you shall be cleansed once again…”

As Vera’s entire body was submerged in the holy water, the Pope extended his right hand, placing it over the pool, and spoke aloud:

“May the Lord’s Glory light up your future path!”

Hum

The Holy Light from above suddenly became overwhelmingly dazzling, an incredible aura enveloped everyone present.

Colin even felt a gazing look projected from above, like the daunting power of heaven forbidding mortals to look directly.

Under this look, everyone in the church was as insignificant as ants, trembling in fear…

After what felt like a long time, that gaze finally faded, and the omnipresent Holy Light in the church hall gradually dissipated.

Unable to mask his shock, Colin asked the Baron Heidegger next to him: “Does every baptism conducted by His Holiness the Pope attract the gaze of the Lord of Glory?”

“No,” the Baron Heidegger replied with a cold smile, “Only when the Pope needs it… And, are you sure that gaze was from the Lord of Glory?”

Colin paused, baffled, “If it’s not the gaze of the deity, then what could it be?”

The Baron Heidegger, however, became suddenly silent.

Reluctantly, Colin shifted his gaze back to the center of the hall. At this point, Vera had stood up from the Holy water; her soaked clothes revealing her flawless figure. Fortunately, a veil of mist encircled the pool, impeding the impolite stares from the people around.

A female priest stepped forward quickly, draping a white robe over Vera.

Only then did Vera exit the baptismal pool and thanked Pope Gregory.

The Pope, with a gracious smile, said, “Miss Vera, you are a person watched over by the Lord, you are fortunate.”

Vera, seemingly still confused, hurriedly responded, “Praise the Lord! I am unworthy of such honor.”

“No. The Lord does not error,” pronounced Pope Gregory with suggestive nuance, “Miss Vera, you will certainly find your own mission! In return for the Lord’s Grace!”

Having finished his statement, Pope Gregory turned and departed.

With that, the baptism ceremony came to an end.

Colin walked up to Vera, helping to tidy up her wet hair, and asked, “Are you cold?”

Vera shook her head, asking Colin in a perplexed tone, “Colin, I think I heard someone speaking into my ear just now.”

“Oh? What words?” Colin asked, surprised.

“I can’t quite remember.” Vera’s pretty face was full of confusion. The water droplets from her hair made her look like a fresh lotus blossom coming out of the water, captivating and beautiful.

“Then you needn’t worry about it.” Colin laughed softly, about to leave with Vera, when Emperor Reinhardt and Queen Midela slowly approached.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness!” The two of them quickly paid their respects.

Emperor Reinhardt waved his hand as a signal for them to dispense with the formalities then turned to Vera with a smile and asked, “Well? Did you feel the power of the Lord?”

“Yes, I felt it.”

A complex expression crossed Emperor Reinhardt’s face, replaced quickly with a kind smile. He nodded and said,

“Alright, rest well tonight. Tomorrow early, I will declare you the Northern Duke in Phoenix Palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Queen Midela took a step forward at this moment, taking Vera’s hand, “Let me take you to change into some clean clothes.”

“Thank you, aunt.”

Waiting for the two women to go further, Emperor Reinhardt suddenly said to Colin: “I heard from Baron Heidegger you want to secure food aid and some tax cuts?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The situation in the North Territory is difficult. If the central Empire could provide some help, the Hilde family would be incredibly grateful!”

However, Emperor Reinhardt shook his head and said, “The Empire’s financial situation isn’t flushing either, so I can’t promise you anything. But I do have a suggestion.”

“Please speak.”

“The East Territory is prosperous, and they haven’t faced the ravages of war for years. Their stored food is so abundant that even I envy it. Therefore, you could consider buying, or borrowing, some food from the East Territory.”

Colin blinked and chuckled bitterly, “Your Majesty, I’m afraid the East Territory might not agree.”

Emperor Reinhardt tapped Colin’s shoulder with a smile, “That’s for you to figure out.”

Colin looked into Emperor Reinhardt’s cold eyes and sighed inwardly.

He knew the Emperor was still enticing him to wage war on the East Territory. As for whether the North Territory would bear the cost of waging war against the East Territory, the Emperor likely wouldn’t care at all.

“Yes, Your Majesty, I will try my utmost to ‘persuade’ the East Territory.”

Emperor Reinhardt gave a nonchalant smile, seemingly understanding Colin’s implication, he added, “Right, remember to bring Harrison along. Let him learn from you.”

Colin wanted to say that the battlefield was a dangerous place, and the Emperor’s son might face serious risks.

Of course, he wouldn’t be so foolish as to voice such thoughts.

By this time, Vera had changed her clothes and was walking back, laughing, and chatting with Queen Midela.

Colin took Vera’s hand, and the two said goodbye to the Emperor and Queen.

After they left, Emperor Reinhardt whispered, “How was it?”

Queen Midela nodded, her expression grave.

Emperor Reinhardt’s face contorted in anger and he growled, “Damn Gregory! He’s blasphemous!”

Queen Midela was silent.

A determined look came onto Emperor Reinhardt’s face, “There’s still time to cancel the ceremony tomorrow!”

“Are you mad! The Senate has already recognized Vera’s inheritance rights!”

“So what? I already have a plan to deal with the Senate.”

“No! This would seriously damage your credibility and chill the hearts of other Holy Knight families!”

Emperor Reinhardt was filled with impatience, “Then, what should we do?”

After a moment of thought, Queen Midela said, “Colin Angler, we can use him to control the North Territory.”

Emperor Reinhardt smirked, “Do you think that making Harrison and Judy pledge to become his disciples would make him willingly die for us?”

“No, I have a way.”

“What way?”

But Queen Midela didn’t answer Emperor Reinhardt’s question and instead said softly, “If you still trust me, don’t ask.”

Emperor Reinhardt squinted, his face darkened as he seemed to fall into a struggle.

After a moment, he broke into a broad smile, “Of course I trust you, my Queen!”

“Then, wait for my good news.”

After finishing her sentence, Queen Midela gracefully left the room.