The First Vampire

Even after his death, all records about him were deliberately destroyed, as if someone was desperately trying to erase his existence from history!

So this outrageous statement was the reason.

If the Church allowed the Dark Emperor’s words to spread widely in the Glorious Empire, one could imagine the immense blow it would deal to human’s faith system.

So, the judge— Duke St. Sean appeared.

Unable to resist, Colin’s right hand found its way to the Blade of Judgment at his waist, his heart flooded with emotions.

The history that once puzzled him had finally lifted its veil of mystery.

“So, did the Lord of Glory really die?” Colin couldn’t help but ask.

Agani shook her head, “I don’t know. No one knows.”

She was right, how could mortals fathom the life or death of a Divine Being?

It only stopped receiving the Power of Faith, but this couldn’t prove that the Lord of Glory was truly dead.

Perhaps, He just doesn’t need the Power of Faith anymore.

Of course, this guess could cause even more panic…

The Lord of Glory’s protection of humans was essentially exchanged for the service of the Power of Faith.

If He doesn’t need the Power of Faith anymore, does that mean he no longer needs humans, no longer protects humans?

No matter what, once the believers learned the secret beneath the church, the foundation of the Glorious Church would waver greatly.

“Many people must know this secret, right?” Colin asked again.

“Yes, High priests above bishops know this secret, in addition, the core members of the five Holy Knight Families also know it.”

“The Holy Knight Families knew this secret because of the Dark Emperor, right?”

“Yes,” Agani nodded, “And the reason he was killed was that he gathered the five Dukes and tried to reveal this secret to the public!”

Colin sighed. The Dark Emperor certainly didn’t die unjustly.

This action wasn’t just undermining the foundation of the Church, but also harming the fundamental interests of the nobles.

You need to know, the Glorious Church and the Empire’s nobility are interdependent. Although they fight fiercely for power and profit now, both sides tacitly keep the struggle within a certain range and wouldn’t really mess things up.

After all, if the church collapsed, who would baptize the nobles?

Without baptism, how could knights be born?

Without knights, how could the nobles rule this Empire?

How could they fend off the covetous forces around?

So even if the nobles knew this secret, they would never reveal it publically.

Even if the royal family has cut ties with the church, they wouldn’t resort to this double-edged tactic.

Except for that puzzling Dark Emperor…

“So, you’re telling me this secret now because I’ve become a core member of the St. Hilde Family in your eyes?”

Agani nodded, confirming Colin’s judgment, “All the core members of the five Holy Knight Families know this secret, I will also inform the Northern Duke.”

But then, she changed her tone and said, “However, there’s another reason why I’m telling you this secret.”

Colin’s expression intensified, knowing this must be the real reason why Agani invited him here, “What reason?”

Agani’s gaze shifted, her body radiating a holy light, but the words she said were utterly blasphemous, “I want to reveal this secret to the public.”

“What?” Colin thought he misheard, looking at Agani in surprise.

Agani’s gaze was resolute as she repeated the words she had just said.

“Have you gone mad?” Colin couldn’t help but exclaim.

Of course, Colin’s shock did not stem from a heartfelt faith and reverence in the Lord of Glory, but rather his inability to understand Agani’s motive for her actions.

As the Archbishop of the North Territory, the Glorious Church was Agani’s foundation. What benefit could come to her from making this secret public and causing a crisis of faith?

Not to mention the lethal danger that such an action would inevitably bring.

The last person who wanted to do this was the emperor of the empire, whose end was disastrous. Did Agani think she would be spared?

If she dared to do so, she would undoubtedly become the enemy of the entire Glorious Empire. Whether it was the Church or the nobles, they would all go to great lengths to kill her.

“Why would you want to do such a thing?” Colin asked in a deep voice.

“Because the Lord’s believers have the right to know the truth,” Agani said calmly, giving a reason that left Colin at a loss for words.

Seeing Colin’s questioning look, Agani remained calm and continued to explain:

“Regardless of why the Lord no longer accepts the power of faith, neither the Church nor the nobles have the right to conceal this truth.

But faith should not be built on deception!

I understand their fears that this truth could cause panic or even a crisis of faith. But if some people’s faith wavers because of this, then they are not worthy to be the followers of the Lord.

Furthermore, isn’t this also a test from the Lord?

If so, our current response would surely disappoint Him greatly.”

Hearing Agani’s righteous explanation, Colin was momentarily at a loss for words.

He didn’t know whether the Archbishop of the North Territory was truly so devout that she could not bear to see her faith blasphemed, or she was merely using a seemingly justified excuse to cover up her genuine and unspeakable purpose.

Colin squinted his eyes, his tone becoming somewhat icy, “So, your Grace, how can you be so sure that I would support your idea? As a believer of the Lord, a knight of the Northern Territory, and a Viscount of the Empire, shouldn’t I be trying to stop you from such foolishness?”

“Because I believe in the guidance of the Holy Light,” Agani said, staring into Colin’s eyes, and giving him an answer that left him a little speechless.

“The guidance of Holy Light?”

“Yes, your affinity with the Holy Light is unlike any I’ve seen before. I believe that this is the Lord’s guidance. A devout knight like you would never tolerate the Church continuing to deceive the Lord’s followers.”

Colin fell silent.

He remembered that Agani had said such things when they were in Winterfell City, and Pope Gregory had also said similar things to him in Dragon City.

Could he really be the “chosen one”?

Of course, such abstract notions obviously would not convince Colin.

“Sometimes a kindly lie is more precious than a cruel truth,” Colin said, showing no emotion.

He didn’t want to align himself with this insane Archbishop of the North Territory. What she wanted to do, in Colin’s eyes, was tantamount to seeking death.

“Kindly?” A cold smile appeared on Agani’s pretty face, “So, your meddling in the Duke’s baptism ceremony was also out of ‘kindness’?”

Colin’s pupils contracted slightly, but he was not overly surprised.

Agani said she had encountered Vera on her way to Swan City, and with her status as an Archbishop, it was not surprising that she could see Pope Gregory’s manipulation on Vera.

Seeing Colin’s change of expression, Agani felt triumphant, and promptly continued to incite him, “In reality, the higher-ups in the Church have long been corrupt and have forgotten their original intent and mission.

Many people slander the Dark Emperor and go to great lengths to erase his existence, but in reality, they themselves have been influenced by his lunatic ravings, secretly feeling that the Lord of Glory is indeed gone; or at least, severed his connection with this world.

When they felt there were no more watchful eyes from above, they began acting recklessly.

Their initial pure faith has already been tainted by corruption, and pursuit of power and benefit became their only goal.

They loudly proclaim they act for the Lord of Glory, but in truth, they only act for their own interests and positions.

Viscount Angler, do you believe that such a Church should continue to dominate the spiritual world of humans?”

Colin looked deeply into Agani’s eyes, and for some reason, he was reminded of another woman–

Queen Midela.