Several chandeliers hung from the high ceiling. Beneath them, on the side of the archive, solid wood tables and sofas of various shapes were arranged in a scattered fashion. On the tables sat bronze candlesticks, their flames flickering and emitting a captivating fragrance.

Sigrid continued to gaze at Lance, her delicate features revealing a wild and untamed soul.

"Before I agree, please allow me to confirm a few things."

Lance finally spoke.

"Say it."

Sigrid's voice remained indifferent.

She did not tolerate rejection, but she was willing to answer the questions of her future subordinate.

"Do you want me to be your strategist?"

Lance pondered whether joining the Tyranny Branch wasn't so bad after all.

After all, it offered a high starting point. The followers were compatible with him, and the Bishop held him in high regard. If he wanted to achieve great things in the Empire, it was certainly better than starting as a spy in the Annihilation Branch and slowly climbing the ranks.

Besides, he wasn't a secretive person by nature. He preferred to do things openly and honestly.

"That's right. Helping me win the Bishop election in two months is your responsibility. If you can complete this task, I will reward you as much as possible, no matter what your request."

The Tyranny Bishop nodded in promise.

"But for the work of a strategist, I need authority to do things well. Can you really trust someone like me?"

Lance asked.

He didn't think Sigrid was a terrible boss, but since she was using someone poached from the Annihilation Branch, she must have considered the risks.

"I can see that you have no grudge against me, but you do want to harm Askesang to some extent. From that point on, there's nothing to doubt."

Sigrid tapped the armrest of her throne, watching Lance with interest. For some reason, she found the young man's thoughts easy to read.

"Besides, I will give you one chance to betray me. Until I believe you have betrayed me, I will trust you completely, even if you want to kill me. But accordingly, if you really betray me one day, I will spare no effort to personally eliminate you."

"So, in some decision-making aspects, can I be the one to take the lead as much as possible?"

If the Tyranny Bishop had this kind of spirit, he would be willing to try with her.

Sigrid paused for a moment.

"You're a bit too arrogant... but I need someone like you. Fine, as long as you can prove your strength, I will delegate as much authority as possible to you."

She replied, but at this point, her unwavering tone seemed to indicate that she didn't intend to say more to Lance.

She believed she had given enough sincerity.

If the other party still didn't appreciate it and wanted to push his luck, she could only consider it a waste of her time.

The Cat Boss's body tensed like an arrow on a bow. The surroundings fell silent, but this silence was like a hammer striking its heart heavily with increasing frequency, causing its heartbeat to accelerate sharply, almost to the point of explosion.

"Then, I am very pleased to work with you, Bishop."

Lance's voice calmed the Cat Boss's ears again.

"Many decision-making matters also require your cooperation."

Lance made the decision to formally join the Tyranny Branch.

He had drifted for half his life, never encountering a wise leader. If Sigrid did not abandon him, he would be willing to serve her as his Bishop.

As for his original intention, it remained unchanged.

Who said that viewing the sealed stone tablet required Askesang's willingness?

"Not bad. Let me see your potential. Perhaps I can help you take it a step further. I won't be stingy with the power I should give you."

Sigrid nodded.

The young man before her was completely different from her previous disciple, even diametrically opposed. However, she was very satisfied.

"Although I don't really want to take in a Holy Son, one day I will cultivate a new person to kill the Annihilation Holy Son."

Tyranny Bishop Sigrid muttered to herself, seemingly recalling her deceased Tyranny Holy Daughter.

When she mentioned the Annihilation Holy Son, even the temperature in the entire archive dropped sharply, causing the Cat Boss to tremble again.

"It should be easy for you to kill him, right?"

Lance didn't find it strange and deeply understood the Tyranny Bishop's feelings, so he asked.

If Lance hadn't been staying in Hutton, the royal capital where Loren and other strong individuals were located, Annihilation Bishop Ivanos would have probably come to kill him personally.

After all, he had killed a Holy Daughter before and was an experienced person.

"I wouldn't stoop so low as to kill a Holy Son myself, unless he chooses to challenge me. Then I will consider it suicide and send him on his way."

Sigrid replied coldly.

"I know you're not weak, but you're still too far from the Holy Sons and Holy Daughters. Don't have any dangerous thoughts."

Although she knew that the current Protos Empire was the most suitable version for the young man before her, she didn't want to lose such a good seedling again.

She would never let go of any grudges, but she could endure for a long time. Once she found the best opportunity, she would repay them with interest, making her enemies feel fear.

After finishing the warning, she looked at the new person she had personally recruited, her eyes still full of appreciation.

"First of all, there is something I want you to do, which is also an opportunity for you to prove your working ability to me."

She said.

"No problem, but I need to carry out my duties at the Protos Royal Magic Academy next week, so the earliest I can do it is at the beginning of next month."

Lance replied.

The Cat Boss in his arms finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It was certain that the young man's professional skills were fine.

This should be the Tyranny Bishop's initial consideration for him as a direct subordinate. The degree of importance the Tyranny Bishop attached to him would be further increased or slightly reduced depending on the completion.

But no matter what, the Cat Boss no longer cared. As long as Lance could develop steadily in the Tyranny Branch and find Hugh in a short time and return to the Southern Continent, that would be enough!

Don't get promoted any higher! Please!

"I've seen your information. You're from Lilom City in the Southwest Province, right?"

Sigrid created a [Token of Rebirth - Tyranny] shimmering with purple light using the Bishop's Token and threw it to Lance.

She knew that the young man was the tutor of the young lady of the Viscount family in Lilom City on the border. The school would be closed on weekdays, and she didn't mind waiting a few days.

"That's right."

Lance steadily caught the Holy Seal and nodded in confirmation.

"It is said that a great figure enough to change the Protos Empire has appeared in the Southwest Province. Even my followers are convinced by him, and there are even rumors that he will participate in the upcoming presidential election..."

Sigrid leaned back on the throne and said slowly,

"Take this direct subordinate seal and go to the Southwest Province to investigate what has happened there recently and who the 'Pioneer' is, and invite him here."

She didn't know what kind of煽动性 words and talent for controlling people that the guy called "Pioneer" had that could allow the Empire to constantly mythologize his image, causing more and more people to regard him as a spiritual leader.

Although they were a Resurrection Church with a consistently bad image, it was not easy to persuade the kind of rising star in the political arena to cooperate with them to control the entire Protos Empire, and it was even more difficult to befriend or gain their trust.

But if Rocky could do it, she would recognize his talent and give him many powers.

(End of this chapter)