They are all characters I control.

If the seal isn't broken, Claire is just an ordinary person who can't die.

It would be impossible for him to attack Isabelle at her peak, because untying the chains would only allow her to sit or lie down, not hang there like a salted fish.

“No.” Isabelle refused without hesitation.

Now that Claire has offered to unlock the chains, does that mean next time she can offer to leave the dungeon for a stroll?

Doesn't this give him the opportunity to push his luck?

Although Isabelle did not want news of Claire's awakening to spread, as it would easily attract the covetous eyes of the archbishops, other acting saints, and even the Inquisition.

They could easily use the excuse that "the evil emperor has awakened and your guards are not trustworthy" to snatch Claire away from them.

It's a minor issue if I don't have any more 'experience packs' to farm experience; the real problem is that Isabelle's position will be in jeopardy.

"Then give me ten pounds of roast meat, a pot of wine, and some fruit." Claire had anticipated this, and he calmly offered his second option.

"I haven't eaten for over a hundred years. There's no joy in living like this. If you let me have some food and drink, then I'll cooperate with you and stay put pretending to be dead."

Isabelle frowned and weighed her options.

Providing food and water is not an unreasonable request; even prisoners of the Goddess Church receive basic care.

Besides, even if Claire ate something, he still wouldn't be able to break free of the seal.

“…Okay, but I decide on the menu.” Isabelle nodded.

But she immediately glared at Claire and warned, "If you dare to play any tricks, I'll make you regret waking up."

"Don't worry, I just want to enjoy being alive right now, I have no interest in dying together with you for the time being."

Claire lazily assured her, then added, "Remember to deliver it on time every day, and make sure it's fresh. Oh, and it'd be best if it had some meat; eating only vegetables isn't very satisfying."

"That depends on whether I have time!"

Isabelle glared at him, furious at his shameless and opportunistic behavior.

However, Claire simply curled her lips indifferently.

Whatever you do, all you need to do is get Isabelle moving.

Glancing at Claire, who was grinning behind her, Isabelle channeled her magic into the dungeon door in front of her.

The stone door, which originally looked heavy, slowly opened.

As the light shone into the dungeon, Isabelle adjusted the expression on her face.

"Acting Holy Maiden, are you alright?"

"You seem to have been praying to this evil god-emperor for a little longer this year."

"Lady Isabelle..." The attendants immediately surrounded her.

The attendants turned to look at Claire in the dungeon.

He was still bound and hung in the deepest part of the dungeon, his head bowed like a living dead.

While waiting outside, the attendants grew increasingly anxious as Isabelle failed to emerge, but only Isabelle could open the dungeon door.

"I just prayed one more time today, there's no need to panic."

Isabelle resumed her compassionate yet dignified demeanor, gently raising her hand to reassure everyone: "Besides, this evil god emperor is sealed away by the Holy Maiden, so there's no need to be so tense."

"Let's go. Once we leave here, we must not mention the Evil God Emperor Claire again, understand?"

“Understood, Lady Isabelle!” The nun and the knights nodded in response.

They were all Isabelle's confidantes, so they naturally understood what Isabelle meant.

Isabelle nodded slightly, said no more, and walked out of the dungeon first.

Chapter 18 Acting Saintess 1V1

The dungeon stone door behind Isabelle slowly closed.

If Claire were there, she would be surprised to find that the area outside the dungeon was not a secluded place at all.

This is a small prayer room decorated with stained glass windows. Three stained glass windows are arranged side by side, and the morning light shines through, casting purple-blue and amber-colored spots of light on the floor.

White marble walls, black and white tiled floor, and stained glass windows still letting in colorful light.

Directly in front, a life-size statue of a goddess stands with her head bowed.

Isabelle raised her hand and activated the engraving on the scepter. The pure white goddess statue slowly moved, perfectly blocking the door behind her.

Leaving the prayer room, outside is the room where Isabelle works and handles all the affairs of the Church of Goddess.

The room's huge arched windows offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the holy city of Spera, with snow-capped mountains in the distance and rows of white domed buildings and winding pilgrimage staircases nearby.

The room was covered with a soft silver carpet, and huge tapestries depicting the deeds of goddesses hung on the walls. Expensive incense filled the air.

This place is extremely luxurious and sacred, yet it is also like an exquisite golden birdcage.

Isabelle stood alone by the window, her brows slightly furrowed.

She needs to rethink many things, such as how Claire transformed from a living "corpse" back into the former evil god emperor.

Without warning, Claire, who had been 'dead' for over a hundred years, awoke.

This may seem like a trivial matter, but for Isabelle and the entire Church of the Goddess, it is a major event that could cause a great upheaval and even a reshuffling of the internal power structure of the church.

This all started a century ago when Claire killed an archbishop.

The Church of Goddess is no longer viewed with the same piety by various countries and even within the Church itself. Furthermore, the rumor that Claire killed the Archbishop and gained immortality has led to an explosive increase in incidents involving heretics.

At this moment, the archbishops desperately hoped to launch another war to avenge the shame of having an archbishop killed and to further expand their power.

Although the Acting Saints outwardly hold a higher position than the Archbishops, only the nuns who serve as attendants and perform special duties are truly loyal to the Acting Saints.

The three acting saintesses' territory was limited to the Holy City.

As for the control of the Church of the Goddess in various imperial alliances, large and small churches, as well as the Church Knights, it was all in the hands of the archbishops.

The four archbishops' influence extended to all places outside the Holy City where churches had been built.

Although the Church currently maintains a fragile balance of power with its 'Holy Council' composed of three acting saintesses and five archbishops, only those involved know the intricate power struggles and infighting within it.

Because Claire was always in a living dead state and had no use other than farming faith experience points, she was handed over to Isabelle, the "prayer agent saintess" who was in charge of all affairs, big and small, in the previous generation.

It could be said that if Claire were handed over to the archbishops and other acting saints, they could use her as an excuse to do whatever they wanted.

Isabelle will never tell anyone about Claire's awakening or hand Claire over to anyone else, so the task of delivering food to Claire, which she had agreed to do, can only be carried out by Isabelle alone.

However, Isabelle herself consumes holy dew, so if she wanted to get food for Claire, she would have to go to the place where her attendants ate, right?

With that thought in mind, Isabelle got up and pushed open the door.

"Everyone, I'll go with you to the place where you eat today. I want to see what you usually eat and whether you're getting enough to eat."

"Thank you so much, Lady Isabelle, for your concern..." Upon hearing this, the attendants felt that the acting saintess was genuinely concerned for them.

They walked ahead gratefully and eagerly, leading the way for Isabelle.

Unfortunately, Isabelle and her entourage ran into an acquaintance not far from where they had gone.

"Oh my, isn't this our most eloquent Lady Isabelle? What brings you to our 'vulgar' area today?"

Isabelle paused, letting out a silent sigh.

What bad luck! Why did I have to run into the person I least wanted to see?

"Isn't this Ophelia? What's the matter?" Isabelle turned around and looked behind her.

Before her eyes came a silver-haired beauty of similar age, wearing a dark blue holy robe similar in style to Isabelle's but in a deeper color, embroidered with silver scales and chains symbolizing "commandment" and "judgment".

Each of the acting saintesses was stunningly beautiful, and Ophelia was equally beautiful, but she exuded a dangerous aura.

Her deep purple hair was neatly tied in a ponytail, her eyes were sharp as a hawk's, and a faint, scrutinizing smirk hung at the corner of her mouth.

Ophelia was primarily responsible for doctrinal interpretation and disciplinary oversight, and was also the head of the Inquisition.

"What are you doing, Isabelle? Where are you headed?" Ophelia leaned closer to Isabelle with a playful look and sniffed her. She could smell a man's scent.

Behind this 'Discipline Acting Saintess' were two Judgment Sisters dressed in black tight-fitting leather armor, with cold faces and unwavering eyes.

The sight of the nuns being judged always made Isabelle frown.

Several of Isabelle's attendants were taken away by the Sisters of Judgment and never returned.

She tried her best to respond in a calm tone: "The goddess taught us to be close to her people, I was just making a routine inspection."

"But you, Ophelia, you've appeared here with the blade of the Inquisition. Have you discovered some heresy in this sacred church of the goddess?"

Ophelia chuckled softly, her gaze sweeping over Isabelle with sharp, piercing eyes.

She answered softly, “Guidance? Lady Isabelle is truly compassionate. Of course, heretics have been discovered. The Evil Emperor is the greatest heretic. I don’t understand why all the records about him have disappeared.”

This wasn't the first time Ophelia had asked about Claire.

At the same time, Ophelia is also the person who least wants to know that Claire has awakened.

With her face remaining calm, Isabelle responded as usual: "It is the sacred duty that the goddess has given me to guard and purify Claire. This duty has been upheld since the previous generation of 'Prayer Agent Saintess,' and I naturally cannot fail in this duty."

"Sorry, I have something to attend to, so I can't keep you company any longer."

Having said that, Isabelle and her entourage turned and left.

Watching Isabelle's departing figure, Ophelia's face broke into a smile of great satisfaction.

"Claire? They didn't call her 'Evil God Emperor' but just 'Claire'?"

"As expected, Isabelle is suspicious. From now on, you will be tasked with thoroughly investigating Isabelle's every move."

"And why does this guy smell like a male? Heh heh, has the supposedly most benevolent and gentle saintess, who only knows how to pray, realized that she is female? Keep a close eye on her."

"Yes, Acting Saintess." The judge nun remained expressionless and answered in a low voice.

Chapter 19 The Young Lady is Attacked

Lia von Rost is in a good mood today.

Although everyone at the Royal Academy used to deliberately ignore him, now they seem more unwilling to have any interaction with him.

But that doesn't matter; on the other hand, Lia is able to quietly do her own thing in the corner.

For example, the two magic books you learned before you mastered them.

The "Inner Eye" meditation method is self-evident; after practicing this meditation, Lia felt her magic and spirit recover very quickly.

During class, Lia was meditating.

She looks like she's sleeping during meditation, but her mentor doesn't care what this good-for-nothing does.

As for the spellbook [Basic Rune Imprinting], Lia has already learned the [Flame Imprint] that can release flames, the [Gale Imprint] that can increase speed, and the [Flash Imprint] that releases orbs of light.

For Lia, who has always been unable to use magic smoothly, this is definitely something to celebrate.

Thinking of this, Liya sincerely thanked the guiding god from the bottom of her heart.

However, for some reason, Lia appeared in her father's study today. Thinking of this, she immediately turned to look at the maid beside her.

"By the way, Anna, do you know why I was in the study this morning?"

Anna, the maid who was half a step behind Lia, still had her usual indifferent expression on her face as she looked up to respond.

She replied in a low voice, "I don't know, Miss."

In fact, she really didn't know, although the maid Anna knew very well that the 'Lia' who went to the study in the morning was not the Lia who was talking to her now.

At this moment, Lia reverted to the timid and normal Lia that Anna knew very well.

"Oh, I see." Hearing this, Liya didn't press further.

Looking at Liya, who was so easily dismissed, the maid Anna couldn't help but make comparisons in her mind.

If it were another evil 'Lia', she would definitely beat me up before asking if I didn't give a clear answer.

Although Anna didn't have to worry about being whipped by the timid Lia, it didn't make the maid Anna feel much more at ease.

Although the cruel and fierce 'Lia' was frightening, she was completely at ease and reliable when dealing with Marquis Mara and the second young lady. As a follower, she was an ideal master.

"What's wrong, Anna? Is something on your mind?"

Lia turned to look at the maid beside her, who was deep in thought, and asked her with concern.