Franklin Hall was silent, the imperial nobles and ministers focusing their attention on the area in the center of the hall belonging to the three factions of the Rebirth Church.

Although the final presentations might influence the individual opinions of the ticket holders to some extent, many nobles and ministers did not intend to cast their votes based on their own opinions.

The nobles of the Northern Snowfield Province understood that when the voting began, Mr. Locke McCarthy would take out his handkerchief, fold it, and put it back in his breast pocket. Whichever direction the Proto's Royal Magic Academy emblem on his handkerchief pointed would indicate who he would vote for, and they would follow suit.

Down, up, and right represented south, north, and east, respectively, and also indicated the areas where the Batian Church, the Silent Extinction Church, and the Mourning Church had been assigned over the past few months.

Beside the monarch's seat in the hall, as Isis sat down again, the atmosphere shifted to a quiet anticipation.

Sigrid, the Batian Bishop, stood in her position, her eyes firm.

Her direct subordinate, Gloria, stepped onto the stage with resolute steps, dressed in a solemn礼服 (lǐfú, ceremonial dress), ready to begin her presentation.

A direct subordinate was also considered a High Priest, but with a higher position than ordinary High Priests.

Gloria scanned the audience, preparing to share the changes that the Batian branch had achieved in the southern part of the Proto's Empire over the past few months.

"Miss Gloria, please wait a moment."

A High Priest from Askesang's seat called a halt to everything.

No one from the Silent Extinction branch knew what they were planning.

Gloria was about to speak when, at this critical moment, something unexpected happened. Sigrid also raised her eyebrows slightly and looked towards the Silent Extinction branch's seating area on the right side of the hall.

Sander, a High Priest from behind the Silent Extinction Bishop, suddenly stood up, his movements quick and decisive.

Sigrid remembered this High Priest.

After she and the Holy Son jointly reported and demolished High Priest Caius of the Silent Extinction Knights stationed in the imperial capital Helrom, this Sander, a special envoy from the north, took over the logistics work in Helrom and processed their passes to the northern restricted area.

With most of Askesang's High Priests dead, the direct subordinate could be said to be Askesang's last confidant.

"Your Majesty Isis, on behalf of the Silent Extinction branch, I have important matters to report."

Sander's voice interrupted the presentation that was about to begin. He looked towards Isis on the monarch's side of the hall, his face showing an urgent and determined expression.

"..."

The eyes of the entire hall instantly turned to Sander, and Gloria's expression also showed anger.

She knew that Sigrid of the Batian Church was currently under indictment by the Imperial Army, and the military officers responsible for arresting the Batian Church were waiting outside Franklin Hall. If she won today's bishop election, she might still be able to maneuver. But if Sigrid lost, she would definitely be arrested by the Proto's Empire. The winning bishop might not only not help her but even take advantage of her misfortune, seizing this opportunity to completely crush the Batian Church.

The Silent Extinction Church and the Batian Church had always been mortal enemies. The Silent Extinction branch would not let go of this valuable opportunity, and with their unscrupulous and bottomless style, they could do anything dirty today.

The nobles, senators, and other important figures of the empire in attendance began to whisper, sensing the increasingly tense atmosphere.

Originally, such behavior from a High Priest of the Silent Extinction branch could be considered quite rude, but everyone present understood—one's own presentation might not have a great effect, but exposing and striking at other branches could directly and significantly influence the voting opinions of the nobles and ministers later on.

Isis raised her head slightly, her eyes calm yet unfathomable, as if she could see into everyone's heart.

She nodded slightly, granting Sander permission to speak.

This simple action immediately plunged the entire hall into silence. The attention of the imperial dignitaries was focused on Sander, the direct subordinate of the Silent Extinction branch, waiting for him to announce the so-called "important matters."

"Bishop Sigrid… you wouldn't really be trying to win today's election and then use your power to cover up your crimes, and finally get away scot-free, would you?"

Sander took a deep breath, staring at Sigrid of the Batian Church on the left side of the hall.

"I am much more aboveboard than you."

Sigrid folded her arms and said coldly.

Even talking to people from the Silent Extinction branch disgusted her.

"Heh, after harming so many residents in the north, you still have the nerve to maintain your persona?"

Facing Sigrid's short answer, Sander pointed at Sigrid and questioned sternly, not giving an inch.

At this moment, not only the Batian branch but the entire hall was enveloped in the sudden smell of gunpowder.

Sigrid raised her eyes and glanced at Sander, the direct subordinate of Silent Extinction Bishop Askesang.

Although Askesang only had a faint smile on his lips, as if it were none of his business, he was clearly happy to see his subordinate scolding Sigrid.

However, Sigrid was not fooled by this provocation, demeaning herself to engage in an argument with a direct subordinate about this issue.

She maintained a cold posture, her eyes seeming to tell the Silent Extinction branch that she was too lazy to reason with them, and they were not worthy to listen.

"..."

Great Sage Isis silently propped up her chin.

She had said earlier that the three bishops could present in any form, and this kind of debate certainly counted as one.

It seemed a bit stuck now.

Sigrid chose to handle the unfavorable topic raised by Sander coldly.

If there were no accidents, after this brief interlude, they would return to the normal presentation process of the Batian branch.

However, the direct subordinate Sander retained a look of composure on his face.

It was as if the scandal he had just mentioned was just a greeting gift, and the real secret Sigrid was hiding was yet to come.

Sander bowed to the Imperial Great Sage Isis again, then looked at Sigrid:

"Bishop Sigrid, as far as we know, you have suffered an irreversible serious injury, and your cultivation realm has permanently fallen by eight levels. Yet, in the past month or so that you have been escaping your crimes and disappearing in the Proto's Empire, you have been concealing your true condition. This behavior is a deception to the Proto's Empire. You are not qualified to continue standing here, because you have long lost the capital to become a powerful ally of the Proto's Empire."

The moment High Priest Sander's accusation fell, the air in the council hall froze.

The entire hall fell into a momentary silence, followed by a rapid rise in noise.

If the Silent Extinction branch's information was true, and the Batian Bishop had lost her proudest and strongest power, then in essence, she was not the ally that the Proto's Empire needed in the current situation!

(End of this chapter)