When this nun with her eyes veiled by a delicate gauze appeared within everyone's sight, the nobles were all momentarily stunned.

  Who was she?

  This question arose simultaneously in everyone's mind.

  "Where are the guards outside?"

  "Why didn't anyone stop her?"

  Amidst many suspicious and confused gazes, the black-robed nun walked forward with a serene smile and steady steps.

  The nobles' eyes remained fixed on her.

  Under the golden light, the nun seemed to freeze the very air around her, as if even echoes dared not linger in her presence.

  Her ethereal footsteps resembled those of a celestial fairy, gliding across the ornate floor without making the slightest sound.

  It was as if her feet never truly touched the ground.

  Witnessing this, no one dared to act rashly.

  When she passed by Viktor, this mysterious nun seemed to sense something and slowly turned toward him.

  Though her eyes were concealed by a black veil, she still gazed at Viktor and offered him a gentle smile.

  At this moment, Vega, who had been sleeping on Viktor's shoulder, opened its solitary eye.

  Its gaze fell upon the nun, scanning her from top to bottom.

  Afterward, it ruffled its feathers slightly and peacefully closed its profound eye once more.

  The nun approached Grand Duke Balo and smiled faintly.

  She directly ignored Augustus, who stood silent like a puppet, and addressed Grand Duke Balo, saying:

  "I am Mikaela O'Rory, bishop of the Church of Abundance in Shulbon territory."

  "I have long been indebted to the Grand Duke and Count Laurien for their care."

  The nun bowed with her hands clasped to her chest.

  The nobles, who had been standing frozen like statues, snapped back to reality upon hearing Mikaela's introduction.

  A bishop of the Church of Abundance?

  What was she doing here?

  Many nobles began to contemplate after regaining their senses.

  The Church of Abundance existed solely within the territory of Shulbon.

  Throughout the vast kingdom, only Shulbon was willing to accept the Church of Abundance.

  After all, if residents in a territory believed in a church, the lord's authority over that territory would naturally diminish.

  To ensure their control remained absolute, lords typically restricted the spread of faith and limited residents' contact with churches.

  Of course, if residents secretly worshipped a deity, lords wouldn't interfere with their spiritual beliefs.

  Naturally, they had no right to interfere.

  But Laurien was different.

  He not only accepted the Church of Abundance but even built churches for them.

  Laurien's actions benefited Shulbon as well.

  It ensured annual harvests within the territory, with each year's agricultural output representing enormous wealth.

  It also guaranteed that residents living within Shulbon never went hungry.

  Year after year, residents living there would find it impossible to starve even if they tried.

  However, this was also due to Count Laurien's own capabilities.

  His unique charisma and leadership methods puzzled countless nobles.

  They couldn't manage to maintain their primary authority while allowing territory residents to follow a church.

  Now, however, Shulbon needed a new lord.

  Undeniably, the new lord would attempt to reduce Shulbon residents' faith in the Church of Abundance.

  So, had Bishop Mikaela sensed the coming crisis and thus proactively sought an audience with Grand Duke Balo?

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  At this moment, the nobles saw the Grand Duke nod to the bishop.

  He agreed to let the bishop continue speaking.

  The nun smiled slightly, and her gentle voice resonated again:

  "Regarding the lordship of Shulbon, I believe it is necessary to let Count Laurien's offspring continue to inherit it."

  Upon hearing this, the nobles present became agitated.

  They naturally disagreed with the bishop's proposal:

  "What? That's impossible!"

  "Shulbon has a large population. How can we let a vampire's descendant inherit it?"

  "Laurien's actions are unforgivable!"

  The lords had figured it out. This bishop came to see Grand Duke Balo clearly to secure the church's position.

  If Pricis were to inherit the title and territory, the Church of Abundance could continue to maintain its current status in Shulbon.

  What Church of Abundance?

  It was clearly an accomplice to vampires!

  "We will never let the offspring of a monster who wants to drain everyone in the territory inherit Shulbon!"

  This was the collective thought of many lords.

  The bishop turned to face the nobles who had raised a wave of opposition.

  At this moment, facing the bishop before them, these nobles' emotions inexplicably calmed down.

  The sanctity and tranquility emanating from her made people reluctant to offend.

  It was as if, when confronting her, those inner malice and anger would be dissolved by the spring-like aura surrounding her.

  Mikaela, facing the now-calm nobles, maintained her smile and spoke with measured words:

  "During Count Laurien's tenure, the people of Shulbon territory lived stable and prosperous lives."

  "The shadow of famine never loomed over this land."

  After hearing this, the nobles exchanged glances.

  Although reluctant, they couldn't deny this fact.

  These noble lords, though ruling territories of varying sizes, indeed couldn't avoid situations where disasters caused residents to be displaced, hungry, or even dying by the roadside.

  During years of disaster, the crime rate in territories would rise significantly, with robbery incidents occurring throughout various regions.

  And the motivation for robbery was almost always due to the need for food and warmth.

  Therefore, lords were deeply troubled by disasters.

  But throughout the vast kingdom, only Shulbon had been free from food and clothing worries year after year.

  In some respects, this indeed proved that Count Laurien's management was truly effective.

  But...

  Some nobles, though their anger had dissipated, still stubbornly said to the bishop:

  "But that's clearly your achievement. If not for your divine power, how could Shulbon have abundant harvests year after year?"

  Other nobles nodded in agreement.

  The divine power of the Church of Abundance was indeed formidable.

  Many of those present had used the divinely empowered wheat ears that flowed from the church.

  Although it only had a one-year effect, it indeed could ensure a bountiful harvest.

  So, the nobles continued addressing Mikaela:

  "Your support for Laurien's offspring is just for the church's position in the territory."

  "If that's the case, we can allow your church to exist, so why support a monster?"

  When the nobles said these words, they would all inadvertently glance at Viktor.

  Seeing Viktor with his eyes closed, showing no reaction, they finally breathed a sigh of relief and gradually became bolder.

  But hearing everyone's words, Mikaela just smiled faintly:

  "Do you really think that relying solely on divine blessings will definitely ensure everyone in Shulbon is fed?"

  Lazy people will never work diligently just because of fertile land.

  Those with evil intentions will always think about stealing others' harvest and destroying others' fertile soil.

  But in Shulbon, such people have never appeared.

  "It's not Shulbon that made Laurien, but Laurien who shaped today's Shulbon."

  This had nothing whatsoever to do with the divine power of the Abundance Goddess.

  The nobles present fell into an unbreakable silence.

  They had to admit that the livelihood in Shulbon was indeed as Mikaela described.

  But among these considerations, there was still a key issue they couldn't compromise on.

  "A monster is destined to be a monster."

  "Bishop, how can you be certain that Pricis won't do the same?"

  Pricis was also a vampire. By all rights, she should have been expelled from the kingdom long ago.

  If not for Viktor, she would have left the kingdom long ago.

  Mikaela turned her head and "looked" at the speaking nobles.

  Although her eyes were separated by a thin veil, several nobles could still feel a genuine gaze.

  It was like... a mother's serious yet gentle gaze.

  Just this was enough for the nobles to recognize that this bishop of the Church of Abundance was no ordinary person.

  Then, the bishop's gentle voice resonated in the air once more:

  "You reject Pricis just because she is Count Laurien's daughter."

  "But Laurien is dead, and his daughter has nothing to do with Laurien anymore."

  "But if you're concerned, then let's do this."

  Mikaela, as if suddenly conceiving a solution, extended her finger, her voice filled with expectation:

  "Pricis is still young. Even if she takes over the title, she might have difficulties governing the territory."

  "Why not find someone who can be both Pricis's guardian and temporarily assume her territory and title?"

  Hearing this suggestion, the nobles present exchanged glances.

  "And this person must have enough strength to guide Pricis."

  "Must have enough prestige to convince all of you."

  "Must have enough status to lead Shulbon to greater prosperity."

  Mikaela's suggestion made everyone fall into deep contemplation.

  A person who meets so many conditions?

  Where would they find such an individual?

  If not like searching for a needle in the ocean, it was still a hopeless task.

  In the entire Kanter Kingdom, apart from Grand Duke Balo, was there anyone else who could simultaneously fulfill these three requirements?

  While the nobles were puzzled, Mikaela pulled out a golden wheat ear flowing with divine power from her black sleeve.

  Under the faint light, it shimmered brilliantly.

  "If so, let the will of the god choose this person from those present."

  The nobles, seeing this wheat ear, all fell silent.

  Instead, they craned their necks, curiously observing the wheat ear.

  The golden light on the wheat ear gradually became dazzling, and streaks of light quickly danced across the iron walls, passing over the bodies of the nobles present.

  The golden light flowed over a crowd of lead-colored robes, gradually slowing its pace.

  When the light was about to halt, the nobles all held their breath, their hearts pounding, swallowing nervously.

  But finally, the ethereal light gradually settled upon Viktor.

  The golden light illuminated Viktor's coat, flowing like a stream through the patterns on the coat, enveloping Viktor's back.

  The nobles present were all stunned, standing like statues, mouths agape, eyes bulging in astonishment.

  Feeling the intense light upon his body, Viktor slowly opened his eyes.

  He saw the bishop with her veiled eyes, still smiling, gazing at him with gentleness:

  "Well then, Mr. Viktor."

  "Are you willing to replace the deceased Count Laurien and become Pricis's father?"

  """

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  patreon.com/BZDXG - Unlock a HUGE stash of advance chapters now!

  Dive deeper into the story ahead of everyone else!