They are all characters I control.

Bishop Simon didn't quite believe that the usually timid Miss Leah would bluff and say such things to him.

However, Bishop Simon did not forget that the initial 'new tax' clashed with the 'new system of the Holy City' proposed by Saint Isabelle, the Advocate of Prayer.

If it were him holding the 'new tax,' the acting saintess Isabelle would naturally be furious and question him.

After Lia took over, the acting saintess Isabelle's attitude became quite gentle and kind, and she even protected Lia.

So why is the 'new tax' so similar to the 'new system of the Holy City'? And how did Lia know about the 'new tax'? It seems that no one has noticed this.

But everyone had a vague idea that perhaps it was the answer to the question that led Isabelle to be so friendly to Leah.

The mystery remains unsolved, but that doesn't stop Bishop Simon from believing what Claire said.

"Oh, right, not only Isabelle, but I can also persuade Ophelia, the Acting Saint of Discipline, to decide whether to oppose or accept the new archbishop candidate according to my wishes."

After saying that, Lia turned and left.

Bishop Simon was left standing there dumbfounded. Who didn't know the name Ophelia?

That is the one who controls the Inquisition, and whose inquisition nuns are spread throughout every country and crevice of this continent. That is a more terrifying existence than Isabelle, who controls the 'Holy City'.

Of course, he was also the one who had directly reprimanded Bishop Simon in the 'Holy Council' before.

"Thank you, Miss Leah! Thank you, Miss Leah!"

Finally snapping out of his daze, Bishop Simon bowed to the air, not caring whether Claire could hear him or not.

As soon as Claire boarded the carriage, Earl Orlando sat down next to her instead of opposite her as usual.

Earl Orlando gently nudged Claire (Lia) and asked her curiously.

"Hey, when did you start hooking up with the Discipline Acting Saintess again?"

Chapter 52 The Nolan Family in Operation

Count Orlando stared at the evil 'Lia' beside him, his eyes filled with scrutiny and curiosity.

After all, the identity of the "guiding god" who appeared in his niece's body has never been revealed.

However, compared to Bishop Simon's shock, Count Orlando was much calmer, after all, the 'God of Guidance' had inexplicably been certain that Bishop Simon would embarrass himself at the 'Holy Council'.

"Tell me about it. It seems you've won over not only the Prayer Actress but also the Discipline Actress?"

What did you do in the corners we can't see?

"Or have you been hiding your strength all along? Have you actually taken control of the highest levels of the Goddess Church? Do you also know the 'Holy Maiden'?"

Previously, Earl Orlando had already speculated that this 'Guiding God' was likely in the 'Holy City', and if that were true, it would explain a lot of things.

For example, why is there a similarity between the 'new tax' he borrowed from Lia and the 'new system' of the prayer agent saint who only operates in the Holy City?

And just now, this 'God of Guidance' showed no surprise at the appearance of the new archbishop candidate.

It's possible that the 'Guiding God' controlling Lia's body already knew about the new archbishop, and now claims to be able to influence the opinion of the acting saintess of the commandments.

This could only be done in the "Holy City," since both acting saintesses were in the "Holy City."

[Lia: Right! Your Highness, when did you meet the Acting Saintess of Discipline? Lady Ophelia is a bit scary, and she also manages the Inquisition, right?]

Lydia, who was watching Claire control her body through the system's screen, was also quite surprised.

However, compared to Bishop Simon's shock and Count Orlando's speculation and doubt, Leah was simply happy.

He was delighted by the great power of his 'guiding god'.

Claire leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. "Who said I flirted with her? I don't know any Ophelia."

“That’s what you just said to Bishop Simon.” Earl Orlando raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with a hint of teasing: “‘Not just Isabelle, I could also persuade that Disciplined Saint Ophelia’—those are your exact words.”

Claire opened her eyes and glanced at her. "I was just saying."

Although Count Orlando and Leah were both on her side, Claire did not want to reveal her identity.

Both of these women were from the Nolan family, and he himself had destroyed the Nolan family when he was still the Evil God Emperor.

Therefore, the Nolan family and Claire have a history of enmity. Although a hundred years have passed, in those hundred years, because Claire brought down the Nolan family, despite the family's extensive connections and considerable wealth,

However, they could only live in secret and were unable to restore the Nolan family's noble status.

These crimes can all be attributed to Claire, who brought down the Nolan family back then. They know that Claire is the culprit behind their family's current suffering.

Claire was also unsure of how Leah and Earl Orlando would react.

"Just saying?" Earl Orlando laughed. "You said such things in front of Bishop Simon, aren't you afraid he'll spread it? What will Ophelia think if she finds out?"

“She won’t care.” Claire closed her eyes again.

Besides, Claire also realized that Earl Orlando was hiding something from her.

Earl Orlando doesn't offer many hints to intelligent people.

Even so, after staring at him for a few seconds, Count Orlando seemed to have confirmed something. "Something's not right with you. Do you really know Ophelia? The acting saintess of the Inquisition who could persuade Ophelia's opinion is no ordinary person."

“It wouldn’t be possible in an ordinary relationship, and Ophelia also strictly adheres to the precepts.”

"If you can convince Ophelia, it can't just be in the 'Holy City' or her office. You have to be someone who is qualified to enter Ophelia's room."

Claire didn't answer, she just shrugged.

See, even though I've kept my mouth shut to this extent, they can still guess pretty much everything.

Although he didn't want to go to Ophelia's room, he was captured and locked in that room by Ophelia.

"Hehehe, it seems you don't want to talk about it."

Countess Orlando didn't press the matter; she smiled and dropped the subject.

Although the Nolan family has an extraordinary network of connections, even they cannot find out anything about Ophelia, the acting saintess of discipline.

Because the Inquisition nuns could follow the trail at any time, and the entire Nolan family could be wiped out by the Inquisition nuns.

The reason the Evil God Emperor couldn't do it back then was because he was a figure in the open and didn't have as many Inquisition nuns as spies.

The Sisters of Judgment were all-pervasive, and given that they were members of the Church of Goddess, they were naturally able to accomplish things that the evil god emperor could not do before.

"And what about you? Earl Orlando, what is your relationship with that candidate for the new archbishop?" Claire asked, turning the tables on him.

Earl Orlando, whose offensive and defensive strategies were quite versatile, was delighted. "Guess."

Claire rolled her eyes. "I'm not guessing. I just want to know, it must have been tough for the candidate that our Nolan family poured so much money into supporting, right?"

“Yes.” Earl Orlando leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and nodded.

“It’s not an easy task to train a bishop.”

Claire looked at her. "Could it be Augustine? The new archbishop His Majesty Daryan mentioned?"

Earl Orlando's smile deepened. "It's him."

Claire was silent for a moment, then smiled.

"It seems your Nolan family is quite powerful as well."

“Of course,” Earl Orlando said matter-of-factly. “Political investment is never free. Our Nolan family has been operating in the Eastern Alliance diocese for decades, spending countless sums of money and giving countless gifts to get him into Archbishop Grove’s sights.”

Claire chuckled. "Your family has fallen into many traps and been scammed countless times. You're not going to be scammed again this time?"

Earl Orlando's smile remained unchanged. "Of course not. Because the other party—"

The carriage suddenly stopped.

"We've arrived," the driver's voice came from outside.

Claire lifted the carriage curtain; the carriage had already stopped in front of the Earl of Orlando's mansion. Just as he was about to get out, he caught a glimpse of someone standing at the gate.

She was neither a servant nor a guard. She was a young girl.

Under the moonlight, the girl's figure stood out conspicuously.

She wore a well-tailored white robe with pale gold holy symbols embroidered on the hem, and a silver belt around her waist that perfectly accentuated her slender figure.

Her hair was light blonde, slightly curly, and draped over her shoulders, topped with a small crown.

Chapter 53 Hello, Mr. Evil God Emperor

Earlier in the car, Clairebin hadn't been able to see the girl's face clearly.

Now, sitting in Earl Orlando's study, he could see even more clearly from such a close distance.

The young woman was clearly of noble birth; her face was very white, almost transparent, and her features were delicate yet understated.

Those grey-blue eyes gleamed softly in the moonlight, but Claire noticed a composure beyond their years hidden deep within them.

The other party was clearly aware of him, and his gaze was full of scrutiny and curiosity.

[Lia: Goddess of Guidance, do you know her?]

Claire: You're asking me? I'd like to ask you something else. Since this guy showed up at Earl Orlando's mansion, he must be an acquaintance of Earl Orlando, or someone connected to the Nolan family on your mother's side.

[Lia: I...I don't know. I've never met anyone from the Nolan family besides my aunt, and my aunt hasn't introduced me to anyone.]

Claire: That should be correct, this girl is from the Nolan family, right?

Only members of the Nolan family could possess such aristocratic bearing.

In addition, the other party's attire was very similar to the church's style.

At this critical juncture, the person who appears here must be related to Bishop Augustine, right?

"You two shouldn't stare at each other like that." Count Orlando sat between the two, jokingly picking up his tea and watching the scene.

"What? Why isn't anyone saying anything?"

"What is this person's relationship with Bishop Augustine?"

Claire (Lia) has always been straightforward, and she didn't hesitate to ask the girl in front of her about her guess without hesitation.

The girl was clearly surprised, but she still smiled and stood up to bow to Claire.

“Bishop Augustine is my uncle. Rosemary sends her regards.”

"Uncle?" Claire nodded as expected.

Sure enough, Rosemary was connected to Bishop Augustine.

Since Bishop Augustine was a newly nominated candidate for archbishop, he would naturally want to inquire about the imperial diocese he might manage after becoming archbishop.

The fact that I'm here at this moment probably means that the 'Holy Council' has already ended.

"By the way, Rosemary is also my cousin, and also Leah's aunt~" Count Orlando teased, glancing at Claire, who was controlling Leah's body.

Judging from her expression, she clearly wanted Claire to call Rosemary "aunt".

Of course, if it were Lia herself, she wouldn't hesitate.

But at this moment, Claire was controlling Leah's body. Before Leah could even think about obediently typing in her mind, Claire changed the subject.

"So what will happen to Bishop Augustine next? If he wants to become an archbishop, it probably won't be that quick."

Becoming an archbishop is not easy, except for cases like Bishop Simon, who tried to gain the position through a new tax system but lost the election and ruined his future due to a conflict with the new policies of the "Advocate of Prayer Saint" Isabelle.

Before Bishop Simon, there were other bishops who wanted to climb to the position of archbishop but failed to achieve their goal.

The emergence of Bishop Augustine as a candidate has not changed this situation.

At least Acting Saintess Isabelle is unwilling to have a bishop fill the vacancy of the Imperial Diocese Archbishop, and Acting Saintess Ophelia, though she has not expressed her opinion, would probably not agree either.

The other acting saintess is elusive and has disappeared without a trace; her attitude should not be difficult to guess.

In the 'Holy Council' which requires a vote, there are three acting saintesses who do not want a new archbishop to emerge, while the other four archbishops, although outnumbered, are also competing with each other.

Is the new archbishop willing to cooperate with me and give me personal benefits?

Or should they get closer to the other archbishops? This could easily lead to a situation where there are five groups out of four people.

Therefore, Bishop Augustine had to do something to break this situation.

Rosemary, who is now standing before us, has come for this very reason.

It is clear that Bishop Augustine was wiser and more capable than Bishop Simon.

“Of course, it’s to meet His Majesty Darion and gain his and the nobles’ support.” Rosemary smiled and revealed her secret without reservation.

Putting aside the fact that Earl Orlando is here, after all, Earl Orlando and Rosemary are both members of the Nolan family and are cousins.