They are all characters I control.

Archbishop Grove of the South did not want to have any more contact with him to avoid being implicated, and Bishop Simon was certain that he had been abandoned by the archbishops.

If they were to offend the acting saintess at this point, they might actually be targeted by the Inquisition.

As for how the other nobles and His Majesty Daryan viewed him, Bishop Simon did not intend to consider it.

As long as he continues to serve as a bishop in this empire, no one will dare to speak ill of him to his face.

"Oh? Who is he?" Isabelle's gaze followed the direction Bishop Simon pointed.

“Rost! He’s from the Rost family! He’s the one who used to follow the evil god emperor!” Bishop Simon didn’t hesitate and enthusiastically introduced Marquis Rost.

"Acting, Your Highness, although our Roset family did indeed follow that evil god emperor, we also abandoned the darkness and helped the church invade the capital, contributing our strength to the fight against the evil god emperor."

The Marquis of Rost knelt on the ground with a thud and hurriedly defended himself.

Even Bishop Simon couldn't afford to offend this acting saintess, and Marquis Rost was even less willing to provoke her, fearing that she might misunderstand him as having a connection with the evil god emperor.

"Oh? You later betrayed Claire... that evil emperor?"

Isabelle frowned slightly in the magical light screen. Bishop Simon and Marquis Rost assumed that the acting saintess was unhappy about the Rost family's past service to the evil god emperor.

"Although you did betray the Evil God Emperor, hasn't the Rost family recently been secretly violating the Goddess Church's prohibition by learning rune inscription magic?"

Bishop Simon remembered what Karl had told him earlier, and quickly pulled out his weapon and slapped it across the Marquis of Rost's face.

For a moment, Bishop Simon seemed to be completely on the same side as the Acting Saint Isabelle, and the scene resembled a rally to condemn and denounce the Marquis of Rost.

The Marquis of Rost, treated like a prisoner, wore a miserable expression. He now deeply regretted attending the 'Advent' banquet.

"No, no, our Rost family absolutely did not secretly learn rune inscription magic, how could we... Hmm? That's right! It was Lia who secretly learned rune inscription magic!"

Marquis Rost suddenly remembered the scene where 'Lia' almost killed Marquis Marquis Marla with strange magic. Now, driven to the brink of despair, he raised his hand without hesitation and pointed in the direction of Lia.

Although it was somewhat like betraying his daughter, the Marquis of Rost felt he couldn't die; if he died, the Rost family would be completely ruined.

Besides, it was Lia who was capable of using such strange magic, and she was even the one who proposed the idea for the new tax.

"That idea for the new tax didn't come from me either! I... I was just a messenger! It was my daughter! My eldest daughter, Lia!"

In order to protect himself, the Marquis of Rost did not hesitate to turn his attention to his daughter.

These are all facts, and it doesn't count as betrayal.

To everyone else, the Marquis of Rost and Bishop Simon, who were pushing Leah forward at this moment, were no different; they were cut from the same cloth.

"Ahem, Miss Liya has never been in contact with any evil god emperor's things. She is just a young lady. Please do not speak nonsense, Your Excellency Marquis."

The figure of Earl Orlando stepping forward at this moment was a model of noble honor.

Compared to Bishop Simon, who shirked responsibility, and Marquis Rost, who lacked accountability, Earl Orlando, who was pursuing Lydia, was the one who acted like a decent person.

This playboy count usually harassed many noble ladies and women, but now he was the only one who stood up to defend Lia.

“…Miss knows nothing.” The maid Anna stepped forward at this moment.

“Count, and Anna.” Lia looked at the two people standing in front of her, but she wasn’t really angry that the Marquis of Rost had pushed her forward.

Anyway, it was indeed she who did it, and it was the 'guiding god' who controlled her body who did it.

But the 'God of Guidance' did the same thing as Lia.

Lia wasn't too worried at this moment; she firmly believed that the 'Guiding God' wouldn't harm her. So she gently pushed aside the Count and the maid Anna, stepped forward, and faced Isabelle in the magical light screen.

"I did indeed do it all. The new tax was something I came up with on my own, and I wanted to learn rune magic myself."

Immediately, everyone at the kingdom's banquet gasped.

Everyone stared at Lia, who had openly admitted to these things, with eyes that looked at her as if she were an idiot. At this point, even a fool would know that she should deny it to the death.

But you publicly admitted to the acting saintess that you had violated the rules of the Goddess's Church? Isn't that courting death?

"Lia? You really trust that 'Guiding God'?" The Count naturally understood Lia's thoughts, but she hadn't expected Lia to be so courageous.

“Miss…” The maid Anna also nervously clenched her hands.

"It's alright, I have complete trust in the 'God of Guidance'."

Despite the pitying or mocking gazes of the crowd, Lia remained standing straight in place.

Her attitude was obvious.

Within the light screen, Isabelle's gaze seemed to pierce through space, passing over the flustered Marquis Rost kneeling and the gloating Bishop Simon, and over the Earl Orlando who stepped forward.

The acting saintess's gaze swept over Lia before her.

Her gaze lingered on Lia's face for a few seconds, just when everyone thought Lia was doomed.

"I understand, Miss Leah, right? It's an honor to meet you. I am Saint Isabelle, the Prayer Agent of the Goddess Church. I hope we can have another chat sometime, how about it?"

Then, under everyone's breathless gaze, Isabelle actually praised Leah?

Bishop Simon and Marquis Rost were dumbfounded, and the other nobles present were also in an uproar. This sudden turn of events was beyond everyone's expectations.

Even His Majesty Darion and Captain Karl couldn't help but widen their eyes, staring thoughtfully at Lia's figure.

"This, this is my honor." Lia was a little confused, but still responded softly.

After Isabelle nodded to Lia in greeting, the magical light barrier dissipated under everyone's stunned gazes.

Chapter 94 The Winds Have Changed in the New Empire

At this time, the main character at the 'Advent' banquet seemed to have changed from Bishop Simon to Lia.

All eyes were drawn as if by a magnet to the young woman, Lydia von Rost, who had somehow become the center of the banquet, dressed in a light blue gown and with a pale face.

The reason couldn't be simpler: it was because she had just gained the favor of the acting saintess, Isabelle.

It should be noted that the Acting Saints of the Church of Goddess hold a higher honor and status than the Archbishops.

Compared to the archbishop who holds real power and controls the Church Knights and all the churches in the entire region, although their sphere of influence is only in the 'Holy City Spera', the acting saintesses can easily mobilize all believers with just a word.

Those who believe in the Church of Goddess are more obedient to the Acting Saint than the Archbishop.

Therefore, no matter how much power they possessed, the archbishops would not openly clash with the acting saints, and Bishop Simon could only stand obediently in front of the acting saints.

But why would that prayer agent take the initiative to show affection to a young noblewoman?

"Let's talk again when we have time." This statement implies that the Acting Saintess of Prayer intends to continue her relationship with Lia in the future. Could the reason be because of the new taxes proposed by Lia?

At this moment, the one who regretted it the most was Bishop Simon.

If he had known that when the intercessor saint asked him who came up with the new tax, it wasn't about assigning blame, but about finding a 'confidant,' he would have insisted that it was his own idea!

In that case, I could gain the favor of the acting saintess, and even without the support of the archbishops, I would still have a chance to become an archbishop.

Bishop Simon's facial muscles twitched unnaturally, his earlier relief at "successfully shifting the blame" instantly replaced by a profound sense of absurdity and a deeper fear.

He stared intently at Lia, as if seeing this unassuming marquis's daughter for the first time.

If it were up to his personality, he would definitely want to take revenge on Lia at this time. However, he thought about how similar Lia's proposed new tax was to the new system of prayer agents.

The prayer agent saint not only did not dislike her at all, but also wanted to get to know her better.

Could it be that this little marquis's daughter has some connection with the acting saintesses behind the scenes? That's why she came up with something similar and thus gained the favor of the acting saintesses?

The more he thought about it, the more cold sweat Bishop Simon broke out in.

“Your Excellency, would you like to go back and rest?” Karl stepped forward and helped the slightly trembling Bishop Simon.

Looking at the ashen-faced bishop, he didn't know how to comfort him, but he felt that it would be better to take the bishop away now.

Bishop Simon originally wanted to gain the praise of the archbishops of the 'Holy Council' in front of everyone and then obtain the ticket to become an archbishop, but things didn't go as planned.

To be honest, Karl was actually somewhat relieved. Bishop Simon was too eager to become archbishop, and after this setback, he probably wouldn't be so impatient for quick success anymore.

"Yes, yes, let's go back, take me back." Bishop Simon nodded stiffly, took a deep breath, and forced a smile.

He turned and raised his glass to His Majesty Darian beside him, his voice sounding as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

"Your Majesty, I apologize for not feeling well. I will take my leave of the 'Holy Advent' banquet tonight."

"Of course, Your Excellency, please do as you wish."

His Majesty Darian raised his wine glass with a smile and responded very politely to Bishop Simon.

Watching the departing figures of Bishop Simon, Karl, and the church knights, the kind-hearted emperor slowly put down his wine glass, a mocking look flashing in his deep, abyss-like eyes.

It seems that Bishop Simon will never have the chance to become an archbishop in his lifetime.

Speaking of which, what surprised him the most as the emperor was Lia von Rost. He remembered that she and Alvin were engaged, but they had always treated that engagement as a formality.

Now, however, she has become entangled with the acting saintess.

The emperor, who usually seemed to care about nothing, was now tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of his throne, lost in thought.

It seems necessary to get Alvin married as soon as possible.

If we wait until Lia joins the Goddess Church, we'll miss a great opportunity.

Moreover, he wasn't the only one eyeing the young lady of the Rost family. His Majesty Darian's gaze swept over the wolf-like nobles present.

However, Lia also has someone by her side who has the advantage of being close to her.

"It seems our little Lia has become completely famous tonight, even the Acting Saintess is very fond of you."

Earl Orlando immediately put on his usual dashing smile, stepped forward, and very naturally took Leah's arm again, half-protecting her in his embrace.

His action immediately caused the surrounding nobles to lower their gazes somewhat.

Having gained the upper hand, Earl Orlando spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for those nearby to hear: "However, there are too many people around here, my lovely Miss Leah. Why don't we leave this troublesome place first, find a quiet spot, and have a cup of hot tea to calm our nerves?"

His words, though seemingly casual, were actually meant to help Lia out of a difficult situation.

This also demonstrates to the surrounding nobles that "Lia is under my protection."

Lia nodded gratefully.

“Your Majesty, Miss Lia is not feeling well, so I will take her to rest. Please forgive us for leaving early.” Count Orlando, with Lia in his arms, bowed to His Majesty Darion.

His Majesty Darion smiled and nodded as he looked at Count Orlando, who was monopolizing Leah.

“Yes, then Miss Leah will be in your care, Earl Orlando.”

This is tantamount to acknowledging the relationship between Earl Orlando and Leah, but isn't Leah Prince Alvin's fiancée?

The nobles present were puzzled. Why would their emperor approve of these two people?

His Majesty Darion just saw that Lia gained the favor of the Acting Saintess. Shouldn't His Majesty Darion now emphasize Lia's engagement to Prince Alvin, thus giving him a good opportunity to bypass Bishop Simon and reach the higher levels of the Goddess Church?

Could it be that His Majesty Darian is concerned about Bishop Simon's feelings? Is he afraid that Bishop Simon will be unhappy that His Majesty the Emperor has overstepped his bounds and become involved with the 'Holy Council'?

"I will. Please rest assured, Your Majesty. We will take our leave now."

Earl Orlando didn't think too much about it. He ignored the various gazes around him and bowed respectfully towards the throne.

At this moment, everyone at the banquet could only watch Orlandober leave with Lydia and the maid Anna, while no one paid any attention to Marquis Rost beside them.

When the prayer intercessor asked him questions, everyone witnessed the father's act of giving away his daughter.

Moreover, although Lia gained the favor of the Acting Saintess, the Acting Saintess was clearly also very dissatisfied with Marquis Rost.

Therefore, the glory at this moment does not belong to the Rost family, but belongs solely to Lia.

The nobles glanced at the disheveled and sweaty Marquis Rost, casting disdainful looks at him, while the banquet music resumed.

Chapter 95 Lia, the God of Trust and Guidance

After leaving the 'Holy Advent' banquet, Earl Orlando's carriage rolled along the quiet cobblestone streets of the capital city in the dead of night.

Outside the carriage, one could see a bustling crowd and patrolling knights.

However, the atmosphere inside the carriage driven by the maid Anna was equally lively, with Earl Orlando being the most excited.

"Lia! My little darling!" Her voice was low with excitement, but she spoke very quickly. "Tell me honestly, when exactly did you hook up with Isabelle?! I didn't hear a thing!"

As soon as the car door closed, the smug and composed mask on Earl Orlando's face instantly vanished.

She whirled around, grabbed Leah's shoulders with both hands, her amber eyes shining brightly in the light, filled with disbelief and urgency.

She couldn't press the matter further during the dinner, but now that it was just her and Lia, she couldn't wait to continue with the previous question.

"Don't worry, Your Excellency. I... I'll ask the 'Guiding God' right away." Lia looked at the anxious Earl Orlando and tried to reassure him with a wry smile.

Then, a barrage of comments appeared.