Chapter 163: This Is the Holy See’s Warning—And Its Final Patience. Do Not Mistake Courtesy for Weakness!

Translation by: Weebsread👹

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A few simple words rang out, sharp as a blade in Montodon’s ears.

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His expression darkened as he faced Lin Wei. For a man of such composure, he found it difficult to suppress the fury that surged in his eyes.

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So false. Utterly false.

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That exaggerated look of surprise—so contrived, it bordered on mockery. Lin Wei acted as if he’d only just noticed Montodon, when every movement made it clear he had heard everything, yet chose to feign ignorance.

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“Mr. Lin Wei, did you truly not hear me just now?” Montodon asked, drawing in a slow, measured breath. This was only his second time dealing with Lin Wei, yet every exchange left him feeling like a fool—as though the dignity of the Empire itself was being ridiculed.

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Lin Wei feigned innocence, glancing over with a calm, almost playful air. “Of course not. If I’d heard you, why would I have continued?”

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The answer was so blunt that Montodon’s face twitched. He felt as though he were being publicly shamed, exposed before all, with not a word to defend himself.

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“But let us return to the matter at hand,” Lin Wei continued, his inscrutable smile never wavering. “I trust the High Council is already aware of Duke Ous’s crimes at the Borderlands. Whether it was colluding with demons to slaughter villagers, or conspiring with the Cult of the Evil God to ambush Commander Alfron—either crime alone is more than enough for the Holy See to pronounce him guilty. And yet, the Empire’s first response was not to pass sentence, but to dispatch you to demand that I stand aside. If the citizens of the Imperial Capital were watching, they’d be forgiven for thinking you meant to shield him.”

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Three statements, delivered in seamless succession—no pause, no room for interruption. Lin Wei offered Montodon not a single opening, and his smile only deepened the provocation behind the Holy See’s stance.

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“Mr. Lin Wei, whether you claim to have heard me or not, you know the truth in your heart. So let me ask: does the Holy See still stand as the force of justice and light founded by the Goddess Alicia, or not?”

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He heard me, Montodon thought bitterly. He simply chose to ignore it, and now he’s pressing the knife deeper.

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Whether it was Vice Commander Guga barring the Imperial nobles, or the Knights of Judgment blocking the City guards’ investigation, the Holy See’s intent was unmistakable—they meant to execute Duke Ous, no matter the cost.

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And now, with news from the Borderlands delivered through secret Channels, everyone understood: the Holy See was determined to see this through.

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“The High Council’s decision to send Duke Ous to the Tribunal was a gesture of compromise—a sign of respect for centuries of friendship between the Empire and the Holy See. We hoped the Church would conduct a fair, dignified trial, not execute him in the streets like a common criminal.”

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“Even if your evidence was irrefutable, the execution should have been discreet, handled in a way that would not openly insult the Imperial nobility.”

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“Mr. Lin Wei… Are these actions truly on behalf of the Holy See?”

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Duke Ous’s death, in itself, was not something the Empire could not accept. But the manner of his execution—in broad daylight, before the eyes of all—was a blatant humiliation. Anyone with a shred of discernment could see that the Duke had already lost all will to resist; it was Lin Wei who had dragged the conflict into the heart of the Imperial Capital, forcing it into the public eye.

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“No matter how one looks at it, this was the Holy See deliberately trampling upon the Empire’s dignity!”

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“For a thousand years, the Empire and the Holy See have weathered countless storms together. I ask that you convey the Empire’s position to Pope Selena—let her weigh the value of our friendship, and give us a full account of this matter!”

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Montodon’s blue eyes burned with indignation. As a noble, as the special envoy sent by Duke Meyer, he had just watched his mission collapse in the most humiliating way possible. This was not merely a blow to his own pride—it was a slap in the face of all Imperial nobles.

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“Montodon… does your Empire truly not know when to stop?”

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The words cut through the air, cold and sudden. Montodon froze, his anger turning to disbelief.

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“Wh-what did you say?” he stammered, unable to trust his own ears.

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Lin Wei’s smile had vanished. His gaze now burned with an oppressive force so intense that even Montodon, seasoned noble though he was, felt a chill run down his spine.

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Lin Wei had reached the limits of his patience. “I meant exactly what I said. I have wasted enough words out of respect for the centuries-long friendship between the Holy See and the Empire—given you face, so you would know when to retreat. But you insist on pressing your luck, stirring up trouble for the Holy See. Is that what you want?”

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His voice was glacial, his presence almost suffocating. Montodon instinctively stepped back, his mind seized by a primal terror—the sense of being stared down by death itself.

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Such was the gulf between their strengths—an abyss that could not be crossed.

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As Lin Wei had said: simply agreeing to speak calmly with the Empire was already a gesture of respect. But this—this was the Holy See’s true position, and the awe a true Clergy member could command.

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“In the past two years,” Lin Wei continued, his tone steady but sharp as a blade, “the Empire has not hesitated to insult the Holy See. When rumors about Pope Selena spread, or when the Newspapers slandered her and the Church, none of you spoke up. And when Duke Ous repeatedly harassed the Holy See, demanding all manner of privileges, are we truly to believe the Empire did not tacitly approve? When our dignity was at stake, you said nothing. But when your pride is wounded, suddenly you appeal to our ‘friendship’?”

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Montodon was left speechless. He longed to protest—to declare, “You have no proof”—but Lin Wei pressed on, giving him no chance.

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“Two years ago, when Pope Selena first ascended, I understood why you tested the Church while it was weak. I could pretend not to notice. But now that Her Holiness is restoring order to the Holy See, if you try the same tricks again, don’t blame us for striking back.”

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“Dragging Duke Ous out and executing him in the streets of the Imperial Capital was a statement—an act of justice, and a warning to the Empire. It is our answer to all that has transpired.”

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“All those little tests and tacit approvals end here, with Duke Ous’s death. From this moment forward, the Holy See and the Empire stand as equals. If you dare insult Pope Selena or the Church again, do not blame us for retaliating—with force.”

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The burning corpse finally collapsed into ash.

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Lin Wei turned his gaze to Montodon, who stood pale and silent, lips moving but unable to form a single word of protest.

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With a final warning, Lin Wei spoke.

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“Before he died, Duke Ous confessed something to me. He may have conspired with the Cult of the Evil God, but he was only a pawn. The true mastermind—well, let’s just say, the real culprit sits among your High Council.”

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Lin Wei’s tone was the calmest it had been all day—making the words all the more chilling.

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Montodon’s heart skipped a beat. He wanted to object, to deny it outright—but under Lin Wei’s oppressive gaze, he found he lacked even the courage to speak.

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“The Holy See regards this as nothing more than a dying man’s ravings,” Lin Wei said. “But it is our duty to deliver this warning—just in case.”

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He let out a cold laugh, then turned away, his parting words echoing in Montodon’s mind.

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“If the Holy See discovers any sign of collusion with the Cult of the Evil God within the Empire—no matter the reason—we will tear the traitor’s head off with our own hands!”

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“For the sake of decency, I will return Duke Ous’s ashes to the Empire for burial. Vice Commander Guga, the rest is yours.”

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“Understood!”

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Lin Wei’s figure receded into the crowd and soon vanished from sight.

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Montodon remained, staring after him, unable to stop himself from wiping a trembling hand across his face.

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“Lord Montodon…”

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One of his subordinates approached, hands shaking as he presented the container holding the ashes.

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Montodon drew a deep breath, waving his men aside, his gaze lingering on the Holy See’s encampment.

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So tyrannical, so unreasonable—yet not a word could be refuted.

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Even Duke Ous, heir to his family’s Legacy, had been executed like a stray dog in the street. And that Legacy—bestowed by the Queen of Thorns herself—had not been enough to withstand the Holy See?

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And when had Duke Ous come to possess the Evil God’s energy? Was it the Evil God’s Seed within him that finally erupted?

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What sort of monster has the Holy See recruited as an assistant? I must report this to Duke Meyer—at once!

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With that, Montodon turned and hurried toward the Palace.