NOVPUB"I initially came to the Northern Continent just to complete a quest. Everything that has occurred up to now has actually exceeded my expectations, but I’ll pass on the offer to become a Cardinal Bishop."
Lanci continued to laugh and exclaim.
He had seized the [Certificate of Rebirth] in the Southern Continent to infiltrate the Rebirth Church in Northern Continent. Initially, he agreed to join Sigrid because he found her to be quite likeable. However, he had never considered joining the Rebirth Church in South Continent.
Being able to unbind a Pink Holy Level [Saint’s Testimony] was one thing. But it would be a lifelong commitment if an Orange Epic Level [Proof of Bishop] was involved.
"Sigh, should I say you’re greedy, or that you simply lack desire?"
Sigrid shook her head, commenting.
The biggest difference between her and the Saint Heir was that she had unlimited ambitions while the Saint Heir was prone to being motivated to a level that matched the current state of chaos.
If everything was peaceful, he’d become an idler who would rather not do anything at all.
"You should know that an [Proof of Bishop] is an epic-level item that many powerful individuals covet. It evolves into a seal that’s unique to you, and is a material highly attuned to your rank. It cannot be destroyed. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,"
Sigrid added.
Epic-level materials aren’t treasures that can be bought with money. Other than the real world, where they could be found through incredibly complex clues, one could only find them in the Shadow World. But procuring materials suitable for oneself would be an even greater challenge. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝔲𝔟.𝔠𝖔𝖒
"Could I not fetch one from the Shadow World?"
Lanci pondered, then asked.
"If you’re exceptionally proficient in navigating the Shadow World, of course you can,"
Sigrid hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Even though the Shadow World was not a main theme for them here in the Northern Continent, since the Saint Heir had used the word "fetch," it was clear that he was quite adept at navigating it.
Anyway, the Saint Heir was still far from reaching the Seventh-order. He wasn’t very fixated on improving his strength through training. The main way he would reach the Seventh-order was through the Shadow World.
"So, what are the specific benefits of the [Proof of Bishop]?"
Lanci had only seen her Silver Moon Crown seal which was glowing with an orange brilliance, back when Sigrid caught him. But, he couldn’t tell its specific effects.
Up till now, he had seen a regular [Certificate of Rebirth], owned a [Saint’s Testimony], but had no understanding of the real [Proof of Bishop].
Cat boss was all ears.
Under normal circumstances, this kind of information had no chance of being probed into in the Southern Continent. Even the South Continental Kingdom Union Council probably had a limited understanding of the [Proof of Bishop]. But now, a Cardinal Bishop was sitting right next to Lanci, engaging in casual conversation.
Wait, why was it being cradled by this Cardinal Bishop?
It almost forgot that Sigrid was the terrifying Bishop of Hegemony!
It didn’t want to be the Hegemony Branch’s lucky mascot!
"Firstly, Cardinal Bishops have a strong advantage against lower-level [Certificate of Rebirth] holders. They also can roughly locate any priest from the same branch. Besides being able to produce [Certificate of Rebirth] in different levels for their own branches, they can also discern the authenticity of the [Certificate of Rebirth] exhibited by other branches. This makes identifying whether someone is a follower of the Rebirth Church simple. It is an important tool for wielding power and efficiently commanding an organization."
Sigrid moved a bit closer and explained to Lanci without any concealment.
"Cardinal Bishops also have the ability to open the Bishop’s Council Hall, enter a high-dimensional space, and hold meetings. But currently, the North and South Continents have been separated by the magic disaster. There can only be a vague impression of a figure when looking across the North and South, let alone transmitting information. Therefore, only bishops in the Southern Continent can take meetings with other Southern Continent bishops, and vice versa with bishops in Northern Continent. Then there’s the Desperate Arena and Bishop’s Voting Ceremony."
"This is far more powerful than Sixth-order communication magic, although it can only communicate with designated targets."
Lanci expressed his surprise.
Most high-dimensional communications can only be activated through Divine Arts and have many restrictions.
"Yes, if I were to suddenly join a meeting of the bishops in Southern Continent, it might shock them. However, bishops in the Northern Continent usually don’t hold meetings unless called upon by the Pope."
Sigrid remembered seeing a few figures of Southern Continent bishops in the Bishop’s Council Hall.
She knew they existed, but seldom interacted with them.
The Southern Continent Cardinal Bishops often had scattered forces and cooperated with each other occasionally, while in the Northern Continent, the relationship between bishops wasn’t pleasant. Foes like Asksan and Sigrid existed and while potential collaborations among Cardinal Bishops wasn’t ruled out, they mostly kept to themselves.
As for the Pope, he and the other Ninth-order Professionals of his time had gone to the Ninth-order Shadow World over a year ago, and he hadn’t been seen since. Nobody knew when he would return.
The Ninth-order Shadow World, where one could obtain the legendary Ninth-order Magic Card, or even materials of unknown rank. Once opened, Ninth-order Professionals would take the first opportunity to try and enter it in pursuit of greater power.
Moreover, if the Ninth-order Shadow World wasn’t addressed, or if the handling failed, it would result in disasters akin to the magic poison miasma over both the North and South Continent oceans, or the Calamity Servitude in the far North.
Most creatures would prefer that such a disaster doesn’t descend upon the real world.
This was the reason why the Shadow World must be addressed.
"I understand now, the seals and authority of the Rebirth Church truly are inconceivable divine objects,"
Lanci nodded in response. Information about other Bishop functionalities, which involved games played among bishops, was publicly available.
The Bishop’s Voting Ceremony represented that a Cardinal Bishop could initiate a vote to elect a new Pope, which was the only means for each Pope to ascend to the position.
Once someone became the Pope, the holder of the [Pope Sovereign] would have the highest bonus against all [Certificate of Rebirth] holders. In a situation where strength levels initially were similar, the [Proof of Bishop] of any Cardinal Bishop, once evolved into the [Pope Sovereign], would result in the other Cardinal Bishops not being his equals. The new Pope would then completely rule over the Rebirth Church.
Every ascension of a new Pope would be accompanied by a blood bath, purging all the opposing Bishops and their branches.
Sigrid was clearly an ambitious individual looking to become the Pope.
As for the Desperate Arena, it was a deadly duel betting on the [Proof of Bishop] which could not be stopped until a victor had been decided, or until death occurs. However, it required the initiation of both parties, was clearly forbidden by the Pope’s decree, and the Pope did not permit the same Bishop to possess multiple [Proof of Bishop].
"So, are you interested in becoming a Cardinal Bishop yet?"
Sigrid nudged Lanci with her shoulder and asked.
Cat boss felt its heart rise into its throat.
It was afraid that Sigrid might sway Lanci’s mindset!
"No, I can’t because my Southern Continent identification card is set to be revoked."
Lanci still shook his head helplessly.
"Sigh, I was hoping that one day you’d also become a Cardinal Bishop, and the two of us could continue our unbridled frolic around the Northern Continent as dual bishops. However, I will respect your wishes."
Sigrid let out a disappointed sigh, but she didn’t want to force the Saint Heir. Or rather, having the Saint Heir continue to be her Saint Heir was quite good too.
"But if you want to become the Pope, I am willing to continue to help you."
Lanci laughed, saying as much.
