They are all characters I control.

Behind this bishop, who had completely lost his power, there were no attendants, no knights, only himself.

This would have been absolutely impossible in the past.

“Miss Liya,” his voice was hoarse, “I’m sorry to bother you.”

Lia stood up. "Your Excellency, please have a seat."

Bishop Simon sat down opposite her, resting his scepter on the side of the chair and placing his hands folded on his knees. He looked at Leah, his lips trembling slightly, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

“Your Excellency, please speak plainly.” Lia’s voice was calm.

Although she was still not quite used to such occasions, Claire was there to watch over her now.

If you have any questions, you can ask Claire.

Furthermore, Earl Orlando was also present, and Leah, who had already experienced many grand occasions, appeared much calmer.

Bishop Simon took a deep breath. "Miss Leah, are you aware that Augustine is planning a great purge?"

"know."

“The first batch of names has been released.” Bishop Simon’s voice was tinged with suppressed anger.

"A dozen or so names, including merchants, nobles, commoners, and two low-ranking clergy. Knight Commander Karl led the team personally, with Marquis Rost as his deputy."

Lia nodded. "I know."

"Do you know that one of my people is on that list?"

Leah was silent for a moment. "Who?"

“One of my deacons, one of my scribes,” Bishop Simon’s voice lowered, “and… one of my distant nephews.”

Leah looked at him. "What did they do?"

“The deacon is accused of harboring heretics. The scribe is accused of spreading heretical ideas. My nephew…” Bishop Simon paused, “is accused of associating with heretics.”

Lia didn't say anything, which was expected.

It's impossible to say that the bishop in front of us has always been completely clean in the empire, especially since Bishop Simon previously held a very high position.

While there weren't many things he could do as he pleased, he did cause quite a few minor troubles.

Bishop Augustine is now in control of the situation, and Bishop Simon can only be punished later.

Bishop Simon grew anxious when she remained silent. "Miss Leah, you must help me. These people have followed me for over a decade; they couldn't possibly have any dealings with heretics. This is a frame-up! Augustine is clipping my wings!"

Leah looked at the bishop with some difficulty, shrugged, and asked, "Your Excellency, what do you want me to do?"

“Please speak to Augustine for me and ask him to be lenient,” Bishop Simon pleaded. “Or, please speak to the Acting Saintess for me and ask her to look into this matter.”

Even without asking Claire, Leah knew how to answer this question. "Your Excellency, do you think Augustine will listen to me?"

Bishop Simon was taken aback. "You...you have a good relationship with the Acting Saintess, he wouldn't dare disobey."

“It’s not that he’s afraid,” Lia shook her head. “It’s that he doesn’t care. You know, Bishop Augustine now has the support of the archbishops.”

Bishop Simon's face turned pale.

“Your Excellency, have you ever considered why Augustine launched the Great Purge?” Count Orlando asked, seeing that the time was right.

Lia's answers at the beginning were all good, but now it was time to manipulate the bishop in front of her.

This kind of thing really should be done by Earl Orlando.

"In order to... gain merit."

Bishop Simon asked cautiously.

“Yes. To gain merit. So, who does he need to sacrifice to gain merit?” Earl Orlando continued to press with a smile.

Bishop Simon did not speak; he naturally knew the answer.

Who else could be sacrificed besides him?

“Those who disobey must be sacrificed,” Earl Orlando said for him. “Are your deacons obedient? Are your scribes obedient? Is your nephew obedient?”

Bishop Simon's lips trembled. "Miss Leah, I... what should I do?"

When Bishop Simon sought help, Lydia received a reminder from Claire.

"Your Excellency, have you ever considered withdrawing from this game?"

Bishop Simon looked up and stared at Lydia in astonishment.

Chapter 92 Bishop Simon's Submission

"quit?"

Bishop Simon looked up and stared at Lydia in astonishment.

Those two words seemed to be forced out of his mouth, carrying a hint of disbelief and even more resentment.

He gripped the scepter tightly, his knuckles turning white, his lips trembling, like a fish that had been pulled ashore.

It took him, Simon, thirty years to rise from a minor parish priest to the position of bishop of the Imperial Diocese.

He had seen archbishops fight, he had seen saints fight, he had seen emperors and nobles fight.

He thought he had gained a foothold and that this imperial parish was now his territory.

Until Augustine arrived, in less than a day, his wings were clipped, his knights were won over, his patrons were sidelined, and his men were put on the purge list.

"Withdraw?" he repeated, his voice hoarse. "Miss Liya, where do you want me to withdraw to?"

Lia looked at him but did not answer.

She was waiting for Claire.

Claire: Tell him to retreat into the shadows.

[Lia: In the shadows?]

Claire: Augustine wants control of the Imperial parish, not your head. If you voluntarily relinquish your power and remove those corrupt individuals, giving him a way out, he'll have no reason to continue pursuing you.

Lia took a deep breath and told the truth.

Bishop Simon's pupils contracted sharply. "You want me... to hand over the person?"

"Hand over the people, hand over the power, reveal the truth." Lia's voice was calm, but every word was like a nail driven into Bishop Simon's ears.

“Clear your name of the deacon, the scribe, and your nephew; hand over the authority to mobilize the Knights to Karl; and take back the undercover agents you’ve been cultivating in the capital for over a decade.”

“What Augustine wants is an obedient imperial parish, not your life.”

"If he gets all of this, then what am I?"

Bishop Simon was still somewhat reluctant to leave.

If you give up everything you've gained, wouldn't that be a complete waste of all the days you've worked so hard for?

It would be hard for anyone to accept losing something they had worked so hard to acquire, especially for someone as greedy as Bishop Simon.

"You're the bishop of the Imperial diocese," Count Orlando sneered from the side. "As long as you don't block his way, he won't touch you."

Bishop Simon gripped his scepter tightly, his knuckles cracking. "Then wouldn't I become his puppet?"

“Aren’t you now?” Count Orlando asked coldly. “Bishop Simon, you used to be Archbishop Grove’s puppet, and now you’re a thorn in Augustine’s side. When have you ever been yourself?”

Bishop Simon's face turned red.

He wanted to argue, but couldn't open his mouth. The Earl of Orlando was telling the truth; he had never truly been himself.

Looking at Bishop Simon, who was still struggling with his decision, Claire relayed a message to Leah.

“Your Grace,” Lia’s voice rang out again, “didn’t you ask me what to do? This is the solution. Do you want to die or live? It’s up to you.”

"Moreover, your decision to seemingly give up and abandon everything is not a surrender."

"But the current situation is not right. If you are powerless to do anything, you might as well wait."

"Waiting for what?" Bishop Simon caught a glimmer of hope.

"Let them fight it out themselves."

Earl Orlando took over the conversation.

Bishop Simon paused, taken aback. "Them?"

“Bishop Augustine and His Majesty Darian,” Earl Orlando chuckled. “Do you think Bishop Augustine and His Majesty Darian are a united front? Besides, we won’t just sit idly by.”

Bishop Simon's eyes slowly brightened. "Is that so?"

"Retreat into the shadows and preserve your strength. There's nothing you can do right now anyway."

Earl Orlando directly pointed out the situation facing Bishop Simon.

Instead of getting caught up in this, it's better to give up sooner rather than later.

If we rest and recuperate, there will still be a chance.

Bishop Simon remained silent for a long time. He looked at Leah, then at Earl Orlando, and finally lowered his head, staring at his hands.

The hands were still trembling, but the look in their eyes had changed.

"I...I understand. What should I do next?"

Claire: Make him hand over the deacon and clerk, but find a way to protect your nephew, at least to get a lighter sentence. We'll handle that.

[Lia: We'll take care of it?]

[Claire: It's just a favor to ask Rosemary. It's unrealistic to expect Bishop Simon to send all his men away anyway, so let's leave his family behind.]

[Claire: After all, some things can't be accepted by reason alone. Even if you're right, having a loved one imprisoned will still displease the bishop.]

[Claire: Now that we've saved his nephew, Simon Church will be grateful to us.]

"I see," Liya suddenly realized.

Lia relayed Claire's words.

Bishop Simon's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes, my nephew..."

Count Orlando put down his teacup, a slight smile playing on his lips, and added, "Since we've already helped you, how will you repay us?"

Bishop Simon hesitated for a moment. “I… I can transfer several shops in the southern district of the capital to Miss Lia’s name.”

Earl Orlando shook his head. "Do you think we care?"

"Then... what about the two mansions in the East District?"

Earl Orlando remained silent, while Leah watched as her aunt tried to take advantage of her.

Bishop Simon's forehead was beaded with sweat. "Earl Orlando, what do you want?"

“I want you to owe me a favor,” Earl Orlando said calmly. “You’ll have to repay it when I need you in the future.”

Bishop Simon stared at her, then at Leah.

He may be greedy, but he's not stupid.

How could they not understand Earl Orlando's meaning at this moment?

Isn't the so-called human relationship just about wanting to control someone constantly? Wanting to keep holding onto them forever?

Especially at this time, with Bishop Augustine in power carrying out a purge, he was investigating Bishop Simon's subordinates, but would he be investigated next, as the bishop himself?

Prior to this, Bishop Simon had always considered himself to be on par with Leah and Earl Orlando.

Now that he has completely lost his power, Miss Lia and Earl Orlando intend to bring him into their camp.

This is somewhat taking advantage of someone's vulnerability, but it is also reasonable.

If it were Bishop Simon, he would do the same. Moreover, if he were to completely side with Lia, he could indeed protect himself and his family.

After thinking it over for a moment, Bishop Simon nodded. "Alright, I understand. I will be at your service at any time. I am willing to do anything I can for you two."

Countess Orlando smiled and picked up her teacup.

Lia received the signal in her eyes, and she also raised her teacup.

Bishop Simon quickly returned the greeting, and then they continued to observe as the upheaval of the Great Purge of the Church of Goddess gradually escalated.

Chapter 93 Where is the royal majesty?