I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 584 His Holiness the Pope is indeed far-sighted! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
"My lord, a cardinal has come to visit you." Carlos, who had been playing the role of the most loyal lackey, greeted Li Chen as soon as he stepped out of the confessional.

"A cardinal?" Li Chen raised an eyebrow slightly. Since arriving in Holy Radiance City, his reputation and prestige had become increasingly prominent by a series of unexpected events.

Although he knew that facing the Vatican's higher-ups was only a matter of time, Li Chen still felt somewhat uncertain.

After all, cardinals are among the top figures in the Vatican's hierarchy; they might be able to spot some flaws in his plans.

“Yes, the bishop was accompanied by a nun.” When he mentioned the nun, Carlos’s face revealed an expression that any man would understand.

Li Chen nodded slightly, seemingly casually: "Take them to the study."

Li Chen's understanding of the Holy See is now completely different from before. He has a clear understanding of the Holy Light cultivated by the Holy See and the gods they believe in, and his knowledge can withstand scrutiny.

Soon, an elderly man dressed in a red priest's robe, wearing a monocle, and with white hair exuding a scholarly air, led a nun who looked very accomplished into the study.

The nun had silver-white hair, and beneath her high-bridged nose were a pair of azure eyes filled with a cool indifference. Combined with the straight curves of her figure wrapped in white silk under her silver nun's habit, she gave off an unusual sense of taboo.

Upon seeing Li Chen, she was slightly taken aback, her clear, cold eyes filled with disbelief.

This person was none other than Lina, who had met Li Chen once in the Fallen Immortal Mountains!

A flicker of surprise crossed the cardinal's eyes when he saw Li Chen, but he still greeted him with a standard papal salute, neither humble nor arrogant: "Your Excellency, I am Cardinal Ludwig, the garrison cardinal of Holy City. On behalf of the congregation of Holy City, I welcome you!"

For no other reason than that Li Chen's face was that of a typical Tian Ce person!
There has never been a precedent in the history of the Holy See for Tian Ce people to serve as personal guards, but the fact that the Pope recently wanted to preach to Tian Ce is no secret among the higher-ups.

Moreover, this guy does indeed wear the amethyst token bestowed by the Pope. Ludwig is certain that it was given by the Pope. How could anyone steal it?

Therefore, Ludwig was also unsure of Li Chen's background and had the idea of ​​testing him.

"Hmm." Li Chen smiled and nodded in response, neither appearing particularly enthusiastic nor particularly indifferent.

"This is Deacon Lina, a deacon and nun in my Vatican," Ludwig said with a smile as he introduced Lina to the person standing beside him.

The way Lina's nun's habit subtly outlined her voluptuous figure and her innocent, aloof personality held a unique, forbidden allure for men.

"My lord, thank you for saving my life in the Fallen Immortal Mountains." Lina bowed with a calm expression, completely disregarding the visual impact of her ample bosom, which her nun's habit could not conceal as she bent over.

"It was nothing," Li Chen said, admiring Lina without a second thought.

Lina felt Li Chen's direct gaze, but she showed no shyness whatsoever, remaining as indifferent as if she were looking at a blank sheet of paper.

She was a devout follower of the Church and a symbol of being without desires, but she possessed an exceptionally attractive figure.

Hearing Lina say this, Ludwig pushed up his monocle, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Oh? Is that so?"

Lina bowed slightly, the curves of her figure beneath her silver nun's robes appearing and disappearing with the movement: "Your Excellency, that day, while I was pursuing a traitor in the Fallen Immortal Mountains, I was ambushed. If it weren't for the timely intervention of the Royal Guard..."

She recounted the events of that day in detail, her voice clear yet respectful.

Ludwig then realized that during his last mission to Tian Ce to hunt down the traitor, he had encountered danger and separated from his subordinate Lina. Lina had also been in danger, and it was Li Chen who had come to her rescue.

Ludwig then 'realized' that Li Chen was actually a 'hidden pawn' left by the Pope in Tian Ce, which explained why he possessed the amethyst token.

After all, even Ludwig couldn't ask the Pope who he gave the amethyst token to or what its purpose was; it was all perhaps the Pope's arrangement. The old bishop, thinking he had seen through something, smoothed out the wrinkles on his face: "His Holiness the Pope is indeed far-sighted, having laid out such a brilliant plan in the Heavenly Strategy!"

He turned to Li Chen, his attitude noticeably warmer: "By saving Lina, you, my Holy Court City Diocese, have saved its most capable assistant!"

Li Chen chuckled inwardly, but remained outwardly calm: "It was nothing."

His gilded boots tapped lightly on the ground, the sacred crystal decorations making a crisp sound: "Bishop, you have come from afar, may I ask what brings you here?"

Ludwig straightened the collar of his bright red papal robe: "I am here on the orders of the Pope to teach the bishops of Holy Radiance the essentials of the Holy Scriptures."

A sly glint flashed in his eyes. "Would the Imperial Guard be interested in offering his guidance?"

"Oh?" Li Chen became interested. "I wonder which part of the curriculum the bishop will be teaching?"

“Judgment and Redemption,” Ludwig said meaningfully. “Perfect timing, classes start tomorrow.”

The following morning, the bells of the Holy Light Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Holy Radiance City, rang out.

Inside this magnificent building that can accommodate thousands of people, stained glass windows refract sunlight into colorful spots, and the gilded dome is carved with reliefs of twelve angels, each one lifelike.

Li Chen stood on one side of the high platform, looking at the dark mass of people below. There were not only bishops and knights, but also hundreds of nuns dressed in silver-white habitation. Their neat kneeling posture resembled a snowfield.

Ludwig stood before the pulpit inlaid with holy crystals, his white hair shining brightly in the holy light: "The Lord once said: There is no need to have mercy on the wicked who act deceitfully!"

His voice echoed in the church, and the crowd below immediately straightened their backs.

Lina knelt in the front row, her silver hair gleaming like pearls in the sunlight.

Ludwig suddenly changed the subject: "The Lord also said: The people of the Papacy should have mercy on the world! So the question is, if cunning and wicked people are devoted to the Lord, should we give them a chance to repent?"

Whispers immediately broke out in the audience.

These two doctrines may seem contradictory, but they are both unquestionable sacred words.

Ludwig spread his arms wide, his white robe fluttering even without wind: "I believe that the Lord is magnanimous and merciful to all people!"

As he spoke, a beam of holy light suddenly shone down from the dome, condensing into six wings of light behind him.

“As long as the wicked turn to the Lord, we should give them a chance!”

The entire arena erupted in uproar. Those wings of light were not illusions, but rather crystals of holy light solidified into a tangible form!

Even Li Chen nodded to himself, this old guy really does have some skills.

Ludwig suddenly turned to Li Chen: "My lord, what are your thoughts?"

Li Chen was taken aback, thinking to himself, "I just came to join in the fun, why did I get called out?"
He coughed lightly and casually said, "Just kill the heretics."

(End of this chapter)