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In Backlund North Borough, the Church of the Evernight Goddess's Backlund Diocese headquarters, Saint Samuel Cathedral.
A luxurious carriage was parked beside a small square in front of a pure black church with two symmetrical bell towers.
Aaron dismounted the carriage, glanced at the white pigeons leisurely enjoying being fed by people in the square, and resisted the urge to feed them now.
He adjusted his pure black suit, held his diamond-encrusted cane, and walked into the church with Dido, his butler, who was also a follower of the Evernight Goddess.
Passing through a quiet corridor, the walls of the corridor were covered with ancient murals and frescoes depicting stories from the Book of Darkness and the images of saints.
Under the high sunlight piercing through the stained glass, he arrived at the Grand Prayer Hall. What met his eyes was a solemn and serene scene.
The tall arched ceiling supported the entire space, sunlight streamed through the glass windows, and the stone floor was covered with a faint glow.
The interior of the church was simply yet elegantly arranged, with stone pillars extending along the corridor, bearing the weight of the entire building.
A solemn and peaceful atmosphere permeated the interior of the church.
Faint candlelight adorned every corner of the church, emitting a subtle fragrance, and praying believers were scattered throughout the church.
A silent and peaceful atmosphere permeated the church, making one's mood involuntarily calm. Aaron casually found a seat, rested his cane on the chair, took off his hat, and began to close his eyes and pray with full concentration.
Time gradually passed. After listening to a complete sermon, Aaron slowly rose and walked towards the altar, drew a scarlet moon, bowed to the black-haired, black-robed bishop, and after praising the Goddess to each other, came to the offering box next to him.
Aaron took 1000 pounds in cash from his butler and put it into the offering box, acting like an extremely devout believer.
"Why do I have the illusion of paying protection money?" Aaron muttered to himself.
Another black-haired, black-robed bishop approached slowly with a gentle smile, making four clockwise dots on his chest, drawing a scarlet moon.
"Praise the Goddess. Your Excellency, the Blessed, Archbishop Saint Anthony has requested your presence."
Aaron nodded, turned to look at Butler Dido, motioning him to wait outside, and then followed the bishop into the depths of Saint Samuel Cathedral.
In the depths of Saint Samuel Cathedral, in a quiet room.
One of the thirteen Archbishops of the Church of the Evernight Goddess, the head of the Backlund Diocese, Saint Anthony Stevenson, sat on a chair in the middle of the room, looking at Aaron, who was sitting opposite him.
This clean-shaven old man with deep eyes looked extremely clean, and even though he was wearing a black and red archbishop's robe, he did not give off a dark feeling.
However, anyone who faced him would tremble from the bottom of their heart, as if their spirituality was dominated by fear, or as if they were facing an unknown existence staring at them from the depths of Darkness.
Aaron, however, did not feel the slightest pressure. The red moon mark on his wrist glowed slightly, making his heart feel even more peaceful.
Archbishop Anthony broke the silence first, speaking in a gentle tone:
"Archbishop Matthew Adams of the East Tucker County Diocese has reported your becoming a Blessed of the Goddess to the Holy Cathedral, and it has been confirmed by the Holy Cathedral."
"Although you are not yet an Archbishop, the Holy Cathedral has still bestowed upon you a Sealed Artifact for you to wield. Its number is 2-09."
As he spoke, he took out a silver ring from inside his archbishop's robe and handed it to Aaron.
Aaron's eyebrows twitched slightly. He then probed it with his spirituality, and after a moment, he looked at His Excellency the Archbishop with surprise.
Name: Ring of Guardian (2-09)
Ability 1 'morning dawn sword': Consumes spirituality to condense a light sword, sharp and sturdy, each strike has a purifying effect; creates a "Hurricane of Light" that can directly destroy the human body, eliminate Wraiths, and injure evil spirits.
Ability 2 'dawn armor': Consumes spirituality to condense "dawn armor" on the body surface, greatly increasing defense, entering a guardian state, and can erect an unbreakable invisible wall on the left and right, which can help companions within a certain range bear damage and protect them.
Negative Effect: Mind will be passively lowered when used, easily entering a berserk state, heavy burden on the body, physical body enters a withered state after 5 minutes in guardian state.
"Hmm... a very powerful Sealed Artifact, and the negative effects are acceptable. It can also be carried long-term without triggering it with spirituality." Aaron made a satisfied evaluation.
Looking at the clean-shaven Archbishop in the black and red robe opposite him, he spoke softly:
"Is there anything I can contribute to the Church?"
Aaron knew very well that even an Archbishop only possessed a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact because he was guarding the regional Church headquarters.
And although he was a Blessed, he had no obligation to guard a church. This powerful Grade 2 Sealed Artifact from the Holy Cathedral should have been bestowed for other reasons.
Archbishop Anthony was noncommittal, looking at Aaron with his deep eyes, and instead of answering, asked:
"Have you heard about the abolition of the grain act?"
Aaron's expression remained unchanged, and he thought to himself, "As expected." Then he replied:
"My butler has already told me, and there will be a welcoming party at my house tonight, attended by Duke Negan and Earl Hall."
Archbishop Anthony nodded slightly, as if he had anticipated it, and continued to ask:
"So what is your opinion? Which side do you support more?"
Aaron feigned contemplation. He had actually thought about this question long ago, but he still needed to pretend to show the effect of giving away that Grade 2 Sealed Artifact.
A moment later, Aaron looked up at Archbishop Anthony and slowly said:
"I will remain neutral. I will neither support nor oppose either side."
"I will also gather a portion of neutral senators and nobles to jointly push for the passage of other bills, allowing the stagnant House of Lords and House of Commons to resume their proper work."
Archbishop Anthony nodded slightly, satisfied.
Given Duke Negan's close relationship with the Church of the Lord of Storms and his influence in the military, the East Tucker Family, deeply rooted in the military, and the Negan Family, even if not closely related, were allies to a certain extent.
Aaron's father was a believer in the Church of the Lord of Storms, and his maternal grandfather was also one of the representatives of the old nobility and a Conservative Party supporter.
In this situation, Aaron's choice of neutrality, not helping either side, was actually helping the New Party represented by Earl Hall.
Ending the conversation and bidding farewell to Archbishop Anthony, Aaron followed the black-robed bishop who had brought him, carrying the Grade 2 Sealed Artifact, and left Saint Samuel Cathedral.
Butler Dido stood on the side of the square, with a luxurious carriage parked beside him. Aaron looked back at the church behind him, then stepped into the carriage.
People on the street were hurrying along, and banners opposing the grain act could be seen everywhere. The carriage slowly drove towards the East Tucker Family's luxurious villa in Empress Borough, with Aaron sitting silently inside the carriage.
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