Chapter 020: Peeking In
“It can even heal people’s hearts!” George was shocked upon hearing Du Fan say this.
“Haha.” Seeing his elder brother’s surprised expression, Du Fan laughed heartily. “Actually, it’s more accurate to say it can numb people’s hearts.”
“Numb people’s hearts?” George asked again, puzzled by the shift in Du Fan’s tone.
“That’s right, elder brother. I come from a religious background, so I certainly understand the power of religion. Don’t worry—with the help of the priests here, the stability in Leopard City will surely exceed our expectations,” Du Fan said with a smile.
“The people in Leopard City who have just suffered trauma really need the spiritual comfort of religion to ease their pain,” Du Fan added.
“Third brother, you’re now in charge of a region too. You’ve made great strides in the south. Your vision and abilities far surpass mine. Do as you see fit—I’ll definitely support you,” George said seriously.
“Very well, elder brother. Let’s do it that way. I’ll explain the details to our father,” Du Fan replied.
“Good, third brother. Then I’ll order that all the northern troops stationed in the palace be withdrawn and made available to the Church,” George said.
“Alright, I’ll go and have the Church’s people prepare for the treatment and comfort efforts,” Du Fan said, smiling as he left.
…
In the hall where the Church’s people were temporarily staying, Anthony was speaking when he saw Du Fan enter. He immediately smiled.
“Du Fan, what does your elder brother think?”
“Elder Bishop, I’ve already discussed it with him. The troops in Leopard City’s palace can be withdrawn right away and handed over to your Church,” Du Fan replied.
“Very good, Du Fan. Let’s go inside and take a look together,” Anthony said with a smile.
Led by several soldiers, Du Fan, Anthony, and many priests headed toward the palace.
Though it was just a kingdom, the royal city was magnificent and grand.
On either side of the palace entrance stood two huge stone sculptures of leopards. But these carved leopards were far more majestic than those Du Fan had seen in his past life! Their strong limbs gave off a sense of incredible power.
Upon entering the royal city, they came across a large hall. Inside, the hall was extremely spacious.
Inside the entire royal city, there was no cold-temperate coniferous forest vegetation like outside. Within this palace, an unknown magic array that raised the temperature covered the whole palace, filling it with a warm airflow. Thanks to this warm airflow, many plants that should not exist in a place like the Frozen Alliance grew here.
“Not bad, not bad,” Anthony exclaimed as soon as he entered the palace of Leopard City. “Du Fan, this place is quite spacious—it’s perfect as a site for the Church.”
“As long as it’s suitable, hehe. Lord Anthony, with the war just over, this is a great opportunity to calm people’s hearts. Let’s make the most of our time,” Du Fan said with a smile upon hearing Anthony’s words.
“Du Fan, since your Green family has been sent by Prince Fisher to attack the Frozen Alliance, I have to tell you something,” Anthony said suddenly in a serious tone.
Hearing Anthony’s seriousness, Du Fan also listened attentively.
“Du Fan, on this road, the largest domain of magical beasts is not the Dusk Mountains. The area with the most magical beasts in Roland Continent is the Magical Beast Zone behind the Frozen Alliance,” Anthony began.
“The eighteen duchies of the Frozen Alliance are closely connected to the Magical Beast Zone behind them. Moreover, Du Fan, you must have noticed that the names of these eighteen duchies are all based on animals, right?” Anthony said before suddenly looking up at Du Fan.
“That’s right,” Du Fan replied, nodding repeatedly.
“Just like the Bear Duchy you’ve conquered now— it has a good relationship with the Clan of Earth Bears. Any prince of the Bear Duchy who reaches the Saint rank can choose an Earth Bear to form a contract with. The Leopard Duchy we’re in now is the same; any prince of the royal family who reaches the Saint rank can form a partnership with a Wind-Splitting Leopard,” Anthony explained slowly.
“So, among the eighteen duchies of the Frozen Alliance, there are eighteen species of Saint-ranked magical beasts backing them?” Du Fan asked quickly after hearing Anthony’s words.
“That’s correct, Du Fan. Not much is known about this history. I’m afraid even the royal family of the Gavin Empire isn’t aware of it. After all, the Austin family hasn’t been in power for long!” Anthony said.
“Du Fan, when those experts who have surpassed the divine level merge with the magical beasts that have signed treaties with them, the strength of these holy-grade experts can be said to have reached the pinnacle of the holy grade. You still can’t underestimate the strength of the eighteen duchies,” Anthony said earnestly.
“Thank you for the reminder, Your Eminence!” Hearing Anthony’s words, Du Fan quickly expressed his gratitude.
“Haha, Du Fan, you’re too polite. If we’re talking about it, I should be the one to thank you. If it weren’t for you capturing the Bear Duchy and the Leopard Duchy, how could we spread our teachings so easily within the Frozen Alliance? After all, the Frozen Alliance is the most hostile force to our Church. Well, if you could conquer the entire Frozen Alliance and bring the light of the God of Light to these frozen lands, Du Fan, our position in the Church would become even more secure. Then, well, my chances of entering the Holy See would increase greatly,” Anthony said thoughtfully.
Hearing Anthony’s words, Du Fan smiled secretly. It seems this bishop also aspires to that supreme position!
However, it’s understandable that Anthony has such ambitions. The current Pope in the Holy See likely doesn’t have many years left, while Anthony is in the prime of his life. Moreover, Anthony holds great power over the Gavin Diocese. If the Green family were to conquer the Frozen Alliance and bring the light of the Holy Church to its lands, Anthony’s position in the Church would likely rise significantly. Already being the archbishop of the Gavin Diocese, if he could advance further from there, he would probably be very close to the position he desires.
“Rest assured, Your Eminence. One day, our Green family will ensure that the lands of the Frozen Alliance are bathed in the divine light you spread!” Du Fan said seriously.
“Du Fan, I understand your ambitions. Also, what’s your opinion on the attack on the convoy carrying the Blue Snowmen?” Anthony suddenly shifted the topic to the Blue Bloodmen.
“I’m afraid there’s a powerful force behind those Blue Bloodmen,” Du Fan replied immediately upon hearing Anthony’s question.
“Exactly. The fact that they were able to rescue those Blue Bloodmen from Margaret’s hands and those skilled warriors of the Divine Might Prison shows that there’s a very strong force behind them,” Anthony nodded in agreement with Du Fan’s view.
“Du Fan, the appearance of the Blue-Blooded Ones likely means chaos is about to begin. The words they left behind—‘We will return’—probably will become a reality in the near future. Du Fan, in times of chaos, it’s strength that matters most. To survive such times, the best way is to continuously strengthen your own power!” Anthony suddenly said to Du Fan.
“What do you mean, My Lord Bishop?” Du Fan asked, looking puzzled.
“Du Fan, to be honest, in our eyes, you were once a very competent priest. But after you took the Mikra potion and changed your constitution, making it possible for you to train, I realized that being a proper priest might be too limiting for you,” Anthony said with a smile.
“To serve the God of Light, I, Du Fan, am duty-bound!” Du Fan replied with utmost devotion upon hearing Anthony’s words.
Seeing Du Fan’s holy expression, Anthony suddenly had an illusion—that at that moment, Du Fan seemed incredibly great, almost as if he were facing someone extraordinary!
“Du Fan, of course, your devotion is beyond doubt. What I mean is, when you get the chance to build your own power base, you should seize it! Strength is the guarantee of everything!” Anthony emphasized.
“I will always keep your words in mind, My Lord Bishop,” Du Fan replied earnestly.
“Good, good. This place is truly vast!” The more they ventured into the palace, the more amazed Anthony became. Though the Frozen Alliance was poor, it had plenty of land! The size of this royal city was astonishing!
Looking at the huge swimming pool steaming in front of him, Du Fan was continually in awe. Such a large swimming pool was extremely rare, even in the palaces of Fischer or Garfield!
From another perspective, the person who built this massive swimming pool must also be someone who knew how to enjoy life!
Just as the group reached a relatively remote area, bursts of wild animal roars suddenly caught Du Fan’s attention. From the sounds of those beasts, Du Fan could clearly sense an aura of dominance—beasts capable of emitting such pressure were basically high-level magical beasts!
“Come here!” Du Fan waved to summon one of the palace staff nearby.
The Leopard Kingdom had been destroyed, and Leopard City had fallen, but the people of Leopard King City hadn’t changed much. Those who originally worked there stayed in Leopard King City when the northern army suddenly attacked.
Of course, for them, who became the king didn’t matter much. What was most important was how the new rulers of Leopard King City would treat them.
So, after the northern army occupied Leopard King Palace, the organizational structure remained largely intact, except that some guards and skilled palace warriors had already left to defend Leopard City.
Of course, those guards who relied on strength were not very useful in taking over such tasks. Instead, it was these people who originally worked in the palace that were given special protection after the northern army entered the city!
Book 44: Turbulence Rises Again