The atmosphere in the parliament hall was thick with tension and anxiety.

No one present dared to respond to Bishop Ascensio of the Silent Death.

All eyes were on Sigrid, awaiting her reply.

The premature, personal involvement of two cardinal bishops piqued the curiosity of the imperial nobles and ministers present, yet as the situation escalated, many of them grew fearful.

Despite the Franklin Hall's protective barriers and the presence of the Great Sage Isis, they worried that if these two powerful figures, akin to natural disasters, truly clashed, the repercussions of such a battle at close range could engulf them all.

Isis listened quietly, her very presence as the Great Sage of the Empire symbolizing authority and power.

She had no intention of interfering in the internal disputes of the Rebirth Church.

Or rather, if the Rebirth Church could resolve the issue internally, she preferred to wait for them to do so.

"Different identities, different occasions, different responsibilities," Sigrid said slowly.

"Some people never solve problems through rational means. Though they're adults, their inner selves and behavior patterns remain like those of a one-year-old."

She looked at Ascensio, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Sigrid, don't try to change the subject. You came after me with a vengeance for accidentally killing a few of your archpriests. Now, I'm giving you the chance to kill me, but you don't dare accept the challenge. Are you feeling guilty?" Ascensio asked, completely ignoring Sigrid's insult.

"I don't need to accept your challenge. I told you, a month from now, when you see me again, you'll be running away like a rat," Sigrid said, her eyes filled with amusement at Ascensio's antics.

A shameless person.

"Unfortunately, you're thinking too far ahead. Look at the expressions of the Protos Empire representatives in the seats. They're already questioning your strength. It shouldn't be too difficult for you to make a move, so you'd rather lose the election you've been preparing for so long than reveal your true power, wouldn't you?"

Ascensio's words were sharp and provocative, his voice filled with disdain as he pressured Sigrid.

"It's because of useless bishops like you that your Holy Maiden died so miserably… This isn't my fault, nor is it Agnello's. Blame it on her having a Tyrant Bishop like you."

These words made the imperial representatives break out in a cold sweat.

Every word Ascensio spoke seemed to test Sigrid's limits.

Faced with such provocation, Sigrid's fingers trembled slightly, seemingly doing her best to remain calm and prevent the situation from escalating.

Everyone knew that once a fight broke out, the consequences would be unpredictable.

However, Sigrid's continued avoidance and forbearance also caused varying reactions among the nobles and ministers in the seats.

More and more people began to doubt Sigrid's true strength, and the murmurs in the parliament hall gradually became more frequent, with expressions of doubt and suspicion becoming increasingly difficult to conceal.

This undoubtedly placed enormous pressure on Sigrid.

The archpriests of the Tyrant Branch could clearly sense that, regardless of whether Bishop Ascensio of the Silent Death was telling the truth, his goal had been achieved.

Ascensio's provocation had hit its mark. If all of the southern supporters wavered, it would be a devastating blow to Sigrid's chances in the upcoming bishop election.

At this rate, the Tyrant Branch would undoubtedly lose.

"Sigrid, it's time to prove yourself. Our Rebirth Church can't deceive the Protos Empire," Ascensio asked patiently, his posture as if to tell Sigrid that he was waiting for her to prove her strength to the powerful figures of the Protos Empire, and that he was happy to be a sparring partner.

As the stalemate continued, Ascensio surveyed the upper levels of the parliament.

No one dared to speak up for Sigrid now.

Although Sigrid's Tyrant Holy Son, whose identity was shrouded in mystery, might be a Protos Empire noble, it was possible that he was attending today's election as a member of the Senate, rather than in the archpriest seats of the Tyrant Branch.

But regardless of where the Tyrant Holy Son was hiding, Ascensio was certain that he had come to the scene today to help the isolated Sigrid.

"Ascensio, what I want to show the Protos Empire is not your usual intimidation and force, but a possibility of cooperation and coexistence. But if you insist that I prove that I possess strength superior to yours, then I accept."

Sigrid's voice grew cold as she finished speaking to Ascensio.

Standing in the center of the parliament hall, her figure seemed particularly resolute in the atmosphere that was about to reach its breaking point. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she looked up at Isis, who was seated high above, her voice carrying a hint of helpless determination.

"Great Sage Isis, I request that you witness a fair competition between bishops, so that everyone present can see whether I, Sigrid, possess the strength befitting a cardinal bishop."

Sigrid accepted the challenge, and a commotion immediately broke out in Franklin Hall.

Although they still couldn't be sure who was telling the truth between Ascensio and Sigrid, at least Sigrid was willing to fight!

Upon hearing this, Ascensio's expression also changed slightly, the curve of his lips slowly flattening.

He was ready to kill his nemesis.

Beside the seat of Franklin III, Emperor of the Protos Empire…

"…"

Isis tapped lightly on the armrest with her right hand, not immediately agreeing, as if considering something.

The restrictions here couldn't be lifted, otherwise Ascensio and Sigrid might kill many of the Empire's high-ranking officials in one fell swoop.

If they changed locations, unexpected events might occur along the way.

Herlome, the heartland of the Protos Empire, had a very high population density. Although it possessed multiple possible battlegrounds with ancient barriers, coupled with her barrier blockade and control, it would allow the two cardinal bishops to go all out, but every choice needed to consider fairness to ensure that the impact of the battle could be minimized.

She also had to consider how to judge the victory and defeat, and to intervene to stop the battle if necessary.

Otherwise, if a cardinal bishop died in their Protos Empire, it might be a bit troublesome when the Pope returned in the future. If the Pope insisted that the Protos Empire had instigated and assisted the cardinal bishops' infighting, then the Rebirth Church would not let the Protos Empire off easily.

Alas, humans are so troublesome. I knew I shouldn't have agreed to Great Emperor Franklin's request to help him protect the Protos Empire.

If she could still encounter a historical projection of the holy war a hundred years ago in the Shadow World in the future, she would advise herself like this.

Isis propped her chin on her left hand, sitting cross-legged in the high-backed chair, looking at the hall with a troubled expression.

(End of chapter)