The villainous prince who bullied Feng Aotian was actually myself.

Bancroft replied as if it were simply an accident resulting from ordinary ancient magic research.

Chapter Thirty: Deterrence

The Cathedral of Holy Light is the headquarters church of the Church of the God of Justice, and it ranks among the top three in the world.

The God of Justice is also known as the Goddess of Justice.

This deity has existed on this land for a very long time and has a large number of believers.

King Hoyle I was also a follower of the goddess of justice. Almost all the martyrs and warriors who supported and followed King Hoyle I in the revolution were followers of the goddess of justice.

Therefore, after the establishment of the Fchester Empire, in order to cater to the large number of believers in the country, Hoyle I simply made the Goddess of Justice the official deity of Fchester and reorganized the Church of the Goddess of Justice. He suppressed other churches within the empire and built numerous churches dedicated to the Goddess of Justice.

Initially, the Church of the God of Justice was firmly in the hands of the Empire, but with the development over the past century, the Church's power has continued to expand, and now the state's control over the Church has become increasingly weak.

However, if the empire wanted to reshuffle the hierarchy, it wasn't impossible for it to eliminate the existing church leadership and reorganize the church once again.

In terms of overall strength, the Empire is ultimately stronger than the Church, despite the Church having more and better extraordinary individuals, as well as twelve ancient monsters who are still alive.

If these twelve angels were to rebel, it would surely be an earth-shattering event. However, they would not do so unless absolutely necessary; they would only submit to the royal court.

Because the imperial family has a trump card that all the strong in the world fear.

It was a sword transformed from an unknown ancient god, and wielding this sword could unleash divine punishment at the level of a god.

Within the royal family, this sword is called the Holy Sword. It was with this Holy Sword that King Hoyle I became invincible.

Therefore, there has always been a saying among the people that "justice lies beneath the holy sword."

This is the main reason why the angels dare not act recklessly in front of royalty.

This is also one of the main reasons why the Fitchester Empire was able to dominate the continent and create a world situation with one superpower and many strong powers.

This does not rely entirely on technological, military, and economic strength, but also on absolutely terrifying supernatural power.

However, using the Holy Sword comes at a huge price, a price the Empire cannot easily afford. Therefore, the Holy Sword is usually sealed, and the Empire will never unseal it unless absolutely necessary.

This is similar to why nuclear superpowers will never detonate all their stockpiled nuclear warheads unless they are on the verge of national extinction.

Because in that case, although you can eliminate the enemy, you will also be eliminated along with them.

Although the Holy Sword cannot be used at will.

But the sealed holy sword is the most terrifying.

This is an invisible deterrent, and its effect is similar to the idea that "the most terrifying nuclear warhead is the one that doesn't explode."

Therefore, the church still revered the royal family.

Therefore, when Leon went to the Church of the Holy Light, he was not neglected in the slightest. Under the guidance of Bishop Miriam, the church's official representative, Leon walked through the dark corridor and finally entered a hidden door, where he soon saw Bancroft.

"teacher."

Leon placed his left hand on his right shoulder and bowed slightly to Bancroft.

Bancroft is, after all, a top-tier boss. In the original series, he was one of the final bosses that Helena had to face. With Leon's current power, he could at most intimidate him a little, but he couldn't shake him in the slightest.

Therefore, it's not time to completely break ties with Bancroft yet.

"Leon, what brings you here?"

Bancroft, who was sitting by the kerosene lamp reading a book, looked at Leon with a somewhat surprised expression.

Behind him was a strange metal door, covered with bizarre symbols and mysterious inscriptions, looking like something a hysterical psychopath would scribble on when they went mad—extremely terrifying and oppressive.

This is the underground storage area of ​​the Cathedral of Holy Light.

The warehouse contains many sealed high-level magical items, most of which have even developed intelligence and are capable of independent thought. If these mysterious items were released, it would be a huge disaster for humanity and other living beings in the outside world.

Therefore, every day, an angel is stationed at the Church of Holy Light to prevent the sealed artifact from escaping and causing accidents.

“I came to church to pray and happened to hear that you were here too, so I thought I would come and visit you and share something with you.”

Leon pulled up a chair for himself and then casually sat down next to Bancroft.

"Something—what is it?"

Bancroft spoke with a completely expressionless face.

Two days ago, his men almost killed Leon at the palace. He didn't believe that Leon was really coming to ask him for advice like before.

But it doesn't matter. Bancroft has lived this long and seen all sorts of things. What can a mere Leon do to him? Even if he calls his father Caesar, so what!

"Yes, teacher, I read a very interesting story yesterday."

Leon smiled.

"tell me the story."

Bancroft smiled.

"This story begins with a bear seeing a pig fall into a mud pit in the woods."

After thinking for a moment, Leon spoke.

"You said."

Bancroft adopted an attentive listening posture.

"The pig that fell into the mud pit kept struggling, but it couldn't climb out. Instead, it sank deeper and deeper and was about to be completely submerged in the mud pit."

"At this point, the bear couldn't stand it anymore, so it went over and pulled the pig out of the mud pit."

Leon continued.

"But the pig that was pulled up by the bear did not thank the bear, but instead complained about it."

"It complained to the bear, 'Oh dear, look at your big, thick claws! Can't you be a little gentler and pull slowly? You're scratching my back with all that force!' The bear just smiled and didn't argue with the pig."

At this point, Leon paused and smiled slightly.

"But at this moment, the pig spoke up again. The pig said, 'Do you have any food here? I'm hungry.' The bear had a very good temper. It greeted the pig gently and said, 'If you want food, I have to go home and get it for you.' The pig was delighted to hear this and urged the bear, 'Then hurry up and go, and bring me the best food from your house.'"

Leon looked at Bancroft's still expressionless face, then shifted his posture and continued speaking.

"Then the bear really ran home and brought the pig a nest of honey."

“‘Friend, you’re such a slowpoke,’ the pig grunted and complained, and then began to eat the honey in large gulps.”

"At this time, the honey attracted a lot of flies, and the pig was not enjoying its meal. So it looked at the bear and said to the bear in a commanding tone, 'Go pick up a twig and sit next to me to swat the flies. Look, the honey has attracted a lot of flies.' So the honest bear sat down again and swat the flies for the pig."

After the pig finished eating the honey, it lay down under the tree and called to the bear, "Hey! Scratch my back. I like it when people scratch my back, but you'd better be gentle with your big paws." At this point, the kind bear just glared at the pig with disgust, said nothing, and left.

“‘Hey! Where are you going?’ The pig shouted loudly when it saw the bear about to leave. The bear, however, continued walking as if it hadn’t heard. At this point, the pig got angry and roared at the bear, ‘Look at you, you’re such a lazy fellow. You won’t even scratch an itch.’”

When Leon said this, Bancroft's calm face changed slightly.

"The bear did indeed return after hearing this, but the pig was not so lucky. The bear revealed its claws and tusks and no longer tolerated it."

"That's the end of the story, teacher—don't you think this pig was awful?"

Leon looked at Bancroft with his deep blue eyes and a childlike smile on his face.

Bancroft did not answer Leon's question, but simply smiled and said, "Yes, it's a very interesting story."

"Haha, I'm glad you like it, teacher."

Leon chuckled softly, then stood up. "The story is finished. I won't bother you any longer."

"Is this His Majesty's will, or yours?"

"Bancroft asked softly."

"I do not know."

Leon shrugged innocently.

"Leon, you seem to have suddenly grown up."

Bancroft's deep brown eyes fell on Leon, his face bearing a kind and amiable smile.

"It's alright, actually I don't know what this story is trying to say."

Leon smiled.

He said this mainly to mislead Bancroft and make him think of Julius Caesar, since Leon didn't want to offend Bancroft right now.

"You know what? Caesar was just as mischievous as you when he was a child."

Bancroft chuckled softly. "Good story, I'll remember it."

"Then I'll take my leave."

Leon gave Bancroft a polite bow and then quickly left.

P.S.: The trial run is over, and the data is atrocious—last place among my peers. Sigh, I reread my own writing over and over, comparing it to others... Ugh... Forget it. I want to tell a story, not overly suggestive content. Maybe four updates tomorrow; still 8,000 words away from 80,000.

Chapter Thirty-One: Meeting Her Again

The pig in the story actually refers to Bancroft, while the bear represents the Hoyle royal family.

Leon's intention was to make Bancroft understand that he should not keep testing and challenging the empire's bottom line. He should restrain himself from the things he did behind the scenes that harmed national interests and endangered the safety of the people. Otherwise, the royal family would never tolerate him indefinitely. He should not force the empire to turn against him.

Bancroft was a very intelligent scholar, and he naturally understood the meaning behind Leon's story.

However, he didn't think this was Leon's doing. He thought it was probably Caesar who had discovered his evil god ritual and sent Leon to warn him.

Caesar was someone Bancroft had watched grow up, and even when he was still a prince, he displayed exceptional talent and leadership abilities.

Now that Caesar has inherited the royal family's legacy, given his tough and ruthless personality, what difference would it make if one of the Twelve Archangels of the Empire were eliminated if he were truly provoked?

Therefore, Bancroft believed it was impossible not to be afraid, and he felt there was no need to deceive himself; if you're afraid, you're afraid.

So what else can Bancroft do but temporarily back down?

"In the empire, imperial power—is still too strong."

Bancroft muttered to himself, then looked down at his book again, behaving as if Leon had never been there.

However, although Leon had left the basement, he had not yet left the church.

"Your Highness."

At the exit of the secret passage, Miriam, who was waiting there, went to greet Leon when he came out.

"Where is His Excellency Bloomfield?"

Leon looked around and saw clergy members in beige robes bustling about, but he didn't see Hawkeye.

He came with Hawkeye, but because the underground vault of the Cathedral of Holy Light was a forbidden area and it was not convenient for multiple people to enter, Hawkeye did not go in with Leon.

Furthermore, it wouldn't be appropriate for an outsider like Bloomfield to get involved in the conversation between Leon and Bancroft; it would be rather awkward.

"You said something came up suddenly and you'll be back in about twenty minutes."

Miriam smiled slightly. She was wearing a silver cross earring today, which swayed and her hair fluttered when she smiled, giving her a unique charm of a mature woman.

She must be in her thirties... Women of that age, well—Leon doesn't want to say more, those who know, know.

However, Leon needs to clarify that he has no interest in married women like Miriam. Leon prefers innocent and pure girls, like Helena, who would be perfect for him.

"That's it."

Leon's voice was very soft, as if he were responding to Miriam or talking to himself. What could Hawkeye be doing at this time? Most likely, he was "telegraphing" Leon.

Sigh, everyone around me is a traitor; I have no trustworthy subordinates at all.

Thinking of this, Leon suddenly felt utterly miserable and wretched.

"It's only been less than five minutes, Your Highness and Mr. Bancroft. I thought you and your student would have a long talk."

Millie spoke politely. To outsiders, Leon and Bancroft had a very good relationship, practically a model teacher and student.

"Haha, Ms. Miriam, you go ahead with your work. I'm going to sit in the prayer hall outside. It's been a long time since I prayed to the goddess."

"Indeed, it has been a long time since you have been to a church."

"Hahaha, yes."

"Then I wish Your Highness a pleasant time."

"okay."

Leon didn't want to talk to Millie about her relationship with Bancroft, so he smiled politely and steered Millie's attention away from the topic.