God's Favorite, Your Eminence, the White-Robed Archbishop!

As Du Chen pondered, he passed the Saint Sigurd Cain Estate. Lucy gazed from afar at the statue of Sigurd in the plaza before its gates, sighing as she asked, "Francis, aren't you going to visit home?"

Du Chen shook his head. "My home is in the Southern District's commoner quarter!"

"Alas, the descendants of Brother Sigurd are truly..." Lily started to offer some comforting words, but Lucy pulled her back.

Noticing the servants at the gate recognize him and rush inside the estate to report, Du Chen merely smiled. "Let's go. Up ahead is Saint Bovin Square in the Imperial District. Turn south there, and a few more alleyways, and we'll be home!" As he spoke, Du Chen suddenly realized something and teased, "Oh, by the way, that Old Charlatan gnawing on fruit in the orchard shares a name with our founding emperor! Haha, though their appearances couldn't be more different!"

Lily replied, "Bovin of Lanning, you mean? Peter told us he was an exceptional emperor who rose after our demise. Starting as a common soldier, he single-handedly carved out one of the five great nations of the world today, the Lanning Empire, amidst the chaos of the Post-Battle God Fall Era! Truly, he was an extraordinary figure! Your teacher, with all due respect, simply defiles that name!" This bluntness was typical of Lily; Lucy certainly wouldn't have been so "direct."

Du Chen chuckled. "I don't see any issue with what you said. Besides, His Majesty Bovin's deeds extend far beyond that. The histories of Lanning state that although Emperor Bovin himself was only a Nine-Star Battle God, he was peerless in strategy, deploying his armies with divine unpredictability. In the Post-Battle God Fall Era, when many Titled Battle Gods still survived, he led his forces to contend for dominion over the world, never once suffering defeat in over a hundred battles, great and small! There was even a saying back then that Emperor Bovin seemed to be able to predict the future, perfectly calculating his opponents' plans every time he marched to war! Oh, and unofficial histories record that His Majesty Bovin had three great passions: first, wine tasting; second, reading... and the third, well..."

Du Chen paused, and Lily quickly pressed, "What's the third?"

"Defying fate and changing destiny! Winning battles that were utterly impossible to triumph in!"

As they conversed, the group arrived at Saint Bovin Square. Lily surveyed the towering, tens of meters tall statue of a self-immolating Fiend Battle God, wondering aloud, "Strange. If he was truly such a formidable figure, how did he end up immolating himself to death?"

"Who knows?" Du Chen shrugged. "Histories claim he died in battle to save the empire's destiny, but history is always written by the victors, especially histories penned by Lanning officials... perhaps only children would believe such tales!"

Lucy nodded in agreement. "Indeed. During the War of Fallen Gods, many generals among the Fiendkind were also formidable heroes in their own right, yet the current histories have demonized them into utterly evil devils and heretics."

Du Chen gazed up at the face of the Saint Bovin statue. It depicted a majestic middle-aged emperor, with sword-like brows and phoenix eyes, and three long strands of beard beneath his chin. His aura exuded both imposing grandeur and a mysterious quality. A single glance evoked distant memories of His Majesty Bovin on the battlefields of old, a man who, amidst the clash of golden spears and iron horses, strategized with unmatched acumen, annihilating millions of enemy troops with a mere laugh, his unparalleled demeanor a legend.

Then, recalling the vulgar Old Charlatan from the orchard, perched on a tree branch like an old monkey, gnawing at fruit with yellowed teeth, Du Chen couldn't help but sigh. "The same name," he mused, "yet why is there such a vast difference in people!?"

A soft chuckle escaped Du Chen as he thought this, but just then, a thunderous rumble of hooves approached from the distance, stopping beside him.

Only high-ranking figures from the Papal Curia, or... could dare to ride their horses so freely across Saint Bovin Square.

Du Chen turned to see red horses, red armor, and twin-bladed crescent longblades. It was none other than the Versailles Guards, one of Lanning's Three Great Legions!

"Is that Lord Francis, Your Excellency, ahead!? His Majesty Bargnar commands that you proceed to the Palace of Versailles immediately!"

Du Chen blinked in surprise, then rubbed his nose with a chuckle. "Valiant warriors, I have only just returned to Saint John City today and haven't even settled back home. To appear before His Majesty in such travel-worn attire would be quite impolite!"

"His Majesty has issued a personal and strict command; he trusts Lord Francis will not delay! Please do not make this difficult for us!" As he spoke, several Versailles Guards dismounted their warhorses, bowing with impeccable noble courtesy to invite Du Chen to depart. Meanwhile, the guards still on horseback held their twin-bladed crescent longblades horizontally across their chests and unslung their crimson heavy shields from their backs. It was clear: if Du Chen refused, they intended to use force!

What was happening!? Du Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He shot a glance at Deboning and the two Grand Matriarchs, signaling them to conceal their presence and not act rashly.

"What does His Majesty wish to see me about?" Du Chen inquired, his mind racing. He hadn't been in Saint John City for over half a year; it was impossible he'd caused trouble severe enough to warrant the Versailles Royal Guards' dispatch, yet their actions clearly indicated they were there to apprehend him!

"Enough talk! Come with us to see His Majesty at once!" The Versailles Guards displayed the unique arrogance of royal personal troops!

Hmph! This was Saint John City, not Battle God Isle, teeming with The Masters and hidden dragons! Considering how Arges, a mere Eight-Star Battle God, could rise to the esteemed position of Deputy Chief of the Military Department and Marshal, Du Chen felt utterly confident. With Deboning and the Grand Matriarchs present, should the situation become dire, escaping Saint John City wouldn't be a joke!

With his newfound strength, Du Chen's confidence swelled. "Very well, I understand. I shall present myself before His Majesty as soon as I've changed into my Lord's official attire!"

"No need! Go as you are! Immediately!"

The Versailles Guards' haughty demeanor caused Deboning and the Grand Matriarchs to frown slightly, and even little Beibei in Du Chen's arms rolled her eyes at them.

Just then, the bells of the great cathedral at the southern end of Saint Bovin Square chimed. Following the sound, a procession emerged from within the church, led by an old friend who had helped Du Chen pass his Battle God examination: Godfather Ferdinand!

"Children of God, do you not know that brandishing weapons before the gates of a cathedral is a grave impoliteness? Especially so towards a favorite of God!" Godfather Ferdinand's distinctive purple brows twitched rhythmically. Though he appeared benevolent, his lofty bearing caused the Versailles Guards to lower their heads.

"Godfather! We are carrying out His Majesty's orders!"

"I know! However, Francis is under my blessing!" Godfather Ferdinand stepped forward, placing a hand on the shoulder of the kneeling guard captain. "Tonight, Lord Francis, God's Favorite, shall receive my renewed blessing within Saint John Cathedral!"

The captain froze. According to the Holy Church's Code, no one had the authority to interrupt a Godfather's blessing—absolutely no one!

Godfather Ferdinand's action was an undeniable direct rebuttal to His Majesty Bargnar's command, intending to first bring Francis into the cathedral for protection! This would render the Guards' mission impossible to complete, yet the Holy Church's Code could not be defied!

"Very well, please inform His Majesty Bargnar that after the blessing, I shall, in accordance with the Holy Church's Code, refrain from interfering in Lanning's internal affairs. But for now, Francis must return to the great cathedral with me to receive his blessing!" With that, Godfather Ferdinand took Du Chen's arm and, ignoring the Versailles Royal Guards, strode purposefully towards the great cathedral.

This was the full authority of the Papal Curia in a theocratic society!

Godfather Ferdinand glanced at Deboning and the Grand Matriarchs beside Du Chen, then smiled. "Francis, my child, your attendants may rest in the elegant hall behind the great cathedral. Oh, and what a lovely little girl, she may go there too!"

He clearly intended to speak with Du Chen privately.

The Versailles Guards watched blankly as Godfather Ferdinand and Du Chen neared the entrance. The captain gritted his teeth and hurried forward. "Godfather, His Majesty's command..."

"Hmph!" Godfather Ferdinand snorted heavily, casting a cold glance at the captain, and said nothing further. Meanwhile, the dozens of priests accompanying Godfather Ferdinand, their faces grim, gradually encircled the Guards.

The captain lowered his head, clenched his fist, and said in a deep voice, "This subordinate was impolite. I shall take my leave!"

He turned and left in resignation. Godfather Ferdinand led Du Chen and the dozens of priests behind him through the great doors. But the moment the doors closed, Godfather Ferdinand instantly broke into a smiling face, and the dozens of priests behind him uniformly bowed to Du Chen.

In a remarkably gentle, almost obsequious, chorus, they proclaimed, "Welcome, Francis, the White-Robed Archbishop!"

White-Robed Archbishop? When did he become a White-Robed Archbishop? It seemed, after Mount Tianshan, the Papal Curia's bestowal upon him was something like... an Enforcement Archbishop, right?

Du Chen let out a soft chuckle and nodded in acknowledgment.

Godfather Ferdinand jovially took Du Chen's hand and spoke warmly, "His Holiness the Pontiff has just decreed to bestow upon you the crucial post of White-Robed Archbishop! Mars, the Battle God, is already en route and will deliver your official letter of appointment shortly! My dearest favorite of God!"

Du Chen nearly gagged, but his extraordinary psychological resilience allowed him to endure! It seemed Bairu and Mars, after the Battle of Mount Tianshan, had returned to the Papal Curia, leading them to re-evaluate his utility. The Pontiff clearly felt that Enforcement Archbishop was too low a rank, and so, without hesitation, he had promoted him!

Though Du Chen was tempted to ask what rank a White-Robed Archbishop held and how much 'grease' came with the position, more pressing questions filled his mind.

"Godfather, what exactly is going on? Why did the Versailles Guards suddenly come to apprehend me?"

"Hmm, I don't believe it's a matter of 'apprehending' you at all, but the situation has indeed escalated significantly, and His Majesty Bargnar requires an explanation from you! Let's discuss this inside." Godfather Ferdinand led Du Chen up the stairs, asking, "How did you return to Saint John City so quickly? Our intelligence indicated you wouldn't be back for at least another month! Alas, you've returned too soon, and I've had no time to prepare. Still, this might be for the best; the situation hasn't yet spiraled into a truly disastrous state, and your adversaries are equally unprepared!"