Chapter 170: The Confident Pope Silas

Regarding her younger brother's whereabouts, Vanas was unclear, and Silas didn't inquire too much either. He turned and asked, "In that case, why don't you seek help from the Bellandt Empire or the Three Moon Church?"

Vanas shook her head. "That's impossible. You might not know, but our Guinness family was once part of the Bellandt Empire. That was when the entire Bellandt Empire's power was at its weakest. Our King of Guinness was ordered by the emperor to quell the rebellion. After the rebellion was suppressed, however, because our family's power was too great at that time, for the stability of the empire, the Holy Blood Church, on the grounds that our family's blood was tainted, expelled our family from the Holy Blood Church. From then on, we were not allowed to enter the Bellandt Empire."

"???" Hearing this, Silas was somewhat bewildered. He was completely unaware of such a major event.

Vanas continued, "Fortunately, we had sufficient arms at that time. We gradually pioneered in that war-torn land and formed the current Kingdom of Guinness. And from that time on, we Guinness swore that we would never again be under the Holy Blood Church, accepting their control."

Silas was silent for a moment, then grasped the main point and asked, "Your eyes are blood-red. Normal human eyes are rarely blood-red, and you have a special aura of death about you. What's going on?"

Vanas was startled. She hadn't expected Silas to see through her biggest secret just after meeting her.

Without any concealment, Vanas truthfully said, "Our original eyes were green. According to records, they turned a turbid red due to a curse from the Holy Blood Church. Our family has been a family skilled in warfare for a long time in the past. Years of killing have caused our ancestors to be tainted with some bad auras, which have been unknowingly passed down."

"Around when?"

"I'm not exactly sure when, but I feel it should be after being expelled by the Holy Blood Church, because during that period, the entire family was in a prolonged state of battle. It is rumored that our ancestors slept in pools of blood."

"How long ago was that from now?" Silas seemed to have grasped some key point and asked.

"About a thousand years, I think!" Vanas was still somewhat unclear why Lord Apostle cared so much about these past secrets.

Silas nodded after hearing this, then asked, "The church I founded, which serves my Lord, is called the Evening Bell Church. I will rush over in the next few days and bring your kingdom under the protection of the Evening Bell."

"Endless gratitude! Lord Apostle!" Vanas was incredibly excited upon hearing this and bowed in salute.

Silas raised his hand. "Don't be in a hurry to thank me yet; there are still some details to discuss."

"Please speak, sir."

"Our Evening Bell Church is different from those churches filled with worldly dross. We prioritize serving our Lord and rarely get involved in worldly disputes. Therefore, this time, we will not use the power of our church, but will help you solve this matter through the Holy Blood Church."

Vanas, upon hearing this, became somewhat anxious. "Then wouldn't that mean…"

"Hear me out," Silas said calmly.

Vanas hurriedly closed her mouth and listened quietly.

"The Holy Blood Church and the Bellandt Empire both owe your family. At this time, having them contribute money and effort to help you complete the recovery and unification is the treatment you deserve. Don't have too many thoughts about it."

"Of course, their actions will inevitably come with numerous terms, such as hoping you will once again accept their rule."

Vanas, upon hearing this, clenched her fists. "Yes, their envoys have already come twice in these past few months, but we rejected them both times. Our Guinness family would rather die! Even be completely annihilated! Than ever return to the embrace of their Holy Blood Church!"

Speaking of this, Vanas's tone became agitated.

"Ahem, don't say such things so easily," Silas coughed, thinking of a certain "true fragrance" big shot (a Chinese internet slang referring to someone who initially dislikes something but later comes to enjoy it).

Immediately, he explained, "Of course, you are not throwing yourselves into their embrace, but into the embrace of the Evening Bell. For many years, I believe you have also greatly desired to retaliate against them, right?"

Hearing this, Vanas clenched her fists and said in a low voice, "Yes."

"Then listen to me. Temporarily feign acceptance of their rule, accumulate strength, and enhance your power. When necessary, you can deliver a profound and painful blow to those self-righteous people!"

Hearing this, Vanas's eyes lit up, but then she hesitated slightly. "But what if they ask us to hand over our autonomy?"

"Rest assured, with me here, they wouldn't dare to make those unreasonable demands," Silas's tone was confident at this moment, his voice calm, his presence full.

Emilia had given sufficiently lenient conditions, giving Silas extra confidence at this moment.

This voice was very powerful, instantly giving Vanas the strongest confidence and hope.

"Yes! I will obey all of Lord Apostle's commands," Vanas agreed with extreme seriousness.

Silas nodded with satisfaction, extended his hand like a charlatan, gently tapped her forehead, and said softly, "Do not worry, do not be anxious, do not fear, do not fret. Release your spirit, submit to my Lord's will. The shadow of fear will dissipate, the aura of death will scatter, the haze of war will soon depart, and peace and serenity will follow. Come! Child of the Lord, offer everything you have. Let us lay down all burdens at the Evening Bell and become one."

Dong!

A distant, deep bell sound followed.

Vanas felt her body fly up. She lay on the clouds, bathed in warm sunlight, her whole body warm and indescribably comfortable and blissful, as if her soul had ascended to the legendary paradise, far from all worldly disputes, wandering in a pure and flawless world.

In a daze, she opened her eyes and found herself still lying in the bathtub.

At this moment, she felt refreshed, invigorated, and her thoughts were as quick as lightning. The fatigue and stress accumulated over these past few months had completely disappeared. Her heart was filled with composure and confidence, as if everything was already well in hand, and victory was assured.

"Your Majesty, you're awake!" The head maid noticed Her Majesty's movement and carefully walked over with a clean bath towel.

However, the moment she approached, she was completely stunned. Because at this very moment, she found that Her Majesty seemed to have become a different person. Her entire spirit and aura were worlds apart from an hour ago. Now, Her Majesty's eyes shone with a crystal-clear divine light, bright and full of intimidating charisma.

This was as if she had instantly returned to the state of a few months ago, that noble, confident, and vibrant Flower of Guinness.

No! It was even more perfect than her state back then! The head maid was completely shocked in her heart.

"Your Majesty, you are…" The head maid stared wide-eyed, stammering, unable to speak.

Vanas slowly stood up, an incredibly confident and powerful queenly aura emanating from her. Her blood-red eyes shone with the dazzling light of gemstones. "Maria, I have found our home, our faith!"