Chapter 42

(No wonder the Papal Privy Council sent her… I thought they just wanted to recruit the new Silver Coin Messenger…)

"Good, this is good news."

The Grand Knight Commander nodded, speaking as if summarizing,

"Let us find the location where this ritual is being held and maintained as soon as possible, go and interrupt it, and break this evil spell. Also, gather as much intelligence as possible about Romani Domingo from his subordinates to help Master Leipu defeat him."

"Everyone, let's get moving."

No one had any objections to this.

Father Amos immediately rushed off to find the diviners of the Association, urging them to work together to divine the location of this evil ritual site by force.

Elaine, however, did not leave immediately. Once Father Amos had gone, she spoke up: "Grand Knight Commander Gwendolyn, I would like to ask you something."

Her expression was somewhat gloomy.

"Ask away, Sister Elaine."

The strongest individual in the modern Roman Curia, the Vampire Paladin, raised an eyebrow.

Elaine looked at this beautiful powerhouse and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh: "I know this question is utterly shameless, but is there any way I can become stronger quickly?"

045: You are such a shipper!

"I know this question is utterly shameless, but is there any way I can become stronger quickly?"

Elaine asked.

But her expression didn't look like [I am craving power], but rather like [I am very frustrated].

So the two non-human powerhouses exchanged glances, and then Grand Knight Commander Gwendolyn asked directly: "Although it might be a bit strange for me, a vampire, to say this… can't you just eat well, rest well, and train diligently? With your aptitude, in another twenty years, you could at least become a master on the level of Father Amos."

"Asking us probably doesn't have much reference value."

Duchess Dracula said more bluntly,

"I am over five hundred years old, and Gwendolyn should have… a fraction of that? We are all built up through time and racial advantages."

The training methods of the Roman Curia are basically simple, straightforward "slow-grinding work."

The advantage is that the internal training materials of the Curia do not have all those complicated, riddling nonsense.

Most ancient religions and schools like to emphasize the spiritual level and mystery, and their transmitted language tends to be riddling, deliberately obscuring the essence — although there are indeed parts that are harder to understand.

The Roman Curia's approach is to make all techniques as simple, clear, and easy to teach as possible, writing down the required effort, direction, train of thought, and the appropriate method for every single moment in meticulous detail. Modern internal textbooks even incorporate specific data and charts.

Because as long as one studies seriously, it is not difficult to understand what is expressed. Therefore, just like the Shaolin Temple in martial arts novels, the Curia can always produce many first-class masters every generation through quantity and system.

However, the disadvantage of this set is that unless you are truly gifted, it is hard to achieve great success without training until you are over fifty years old.

If your aptitude is average, reaching the peak is roughly the level of Father Amos, the [Chief Exorcist]. By comparison, it is roughly a character like the [Head of the Bodhidharma Hall of the Shaolin Temple] in martial arts novels.

After all, in this world where engaging in █ █ is the source of rapid, powerful strength, the Church strictly adheres to self-discipline, suppresses desires, goes against the heavens, and prevents corruption. Slow leveling is inevitable.

The Dracula family and the Vampire Grand Knight Commander all rely on long lifespans and vast combat experience to build their strength. The Church has long been [colluding] with dark creatures. Since human masters don't have the opportunity to train to the pinnacle, it is better to just let the monsters who believe in God hold down the fort.

Vampires, werewolves, dragons, heretics (i.e., the [Association])… the Roman Curia dares to use any talent, which is why it is terrifyingly strong.

"I cannot wait for power twenty or thirty years from now."

Elaine said with some melancholy,

"Otherwise, it will be hard for me to keep up with the battles of Master Leipu now."

This remark made Lady Remina and Grand Knight Commander Gwendolyn exchange glances again.

Grand Knight Commander Gwendolyn was not that close with Qi Xing.

But the Dracula family had the kind of relationship where they would occasionally invite Qi Xing to their home for dinner. So Remina directly retorted: "Do you think that even if you were turned into the level of Father Amos right now, you would be able to keep up with the battles between Silver Coin Messengers?"

No.

Actually, if Qi Xing does not use his full strength, does not operate at full power, and is just fighting casually, it is actually possible for Father Amos to hold out for a few dozen moves under him — powerhouses cannot fight at full strength at all times. On one hand, the mana bar is always limited; on the other hand, anyone with martial arts experience should know that fighting at full strength actually makes the brain very tired.

Moreover, this world is too dark and too bad. If you don't hold back some strength when you fight, what if a hidden powerhouse really jumps out to ambush you from behind?

Therefore, Qi Xing usually keeps seventy percent of his strength in reserve, not using up his true energy. Thus, ordinary masters can often fight Qi Xing for two or three moves.

However, if you really enter a battle between Silver Coin Messengers, both sides will definitely go all out. What value does an ordinary first-class master have in that?

"At that time, you would only have the value of [wasting the enemy's precious attack] by being blown away, and then letting Qi Xing seize the opportunity to defeat the opponent."

Lady Remina never spoke politely,

"Do you think that kid Qi Xing likes that? And how are you going to suddenly rise to that level? You also know that the Church definitely does not allow you to [stop being human]."

In order to pursue power, to stop being human and turn into a monster, this is a practice that would not be approved of in any religion or school.

Elaine was speechless for a moment.

However, this was just Lady Remina's view.

Grand Knight Commander Gwendolyn, who was in a more core position of the Church's upper echelon, showed a thoughtful expression at this moment. She did know of some methods that were forbidden, but not completely forbidden…

But Lady Remina's turn was not over yet.

"And it's very strange, little nun,"

Remina raised an eyebrow,

"That kid Qi Xing hasn't just become this strong today — of course, I know he is definitely stronger after becoming a Silver Coin Messenger — but were you able to keep up with his battles before? In our entire Dragon Knight Order, only Vlad and I could keep up with his sonic-speed battles."

"It's been two years, you weren't anxious before, why are you suddenly anxious now?"

"Usually, Qi Xing spends all day with those women he saved. I saw the reports you submitted before, and you were always calmly watching from the sidelines. Those Magical Girls, martial artists, heroines, a whole bunch of females surrounding Qi Xing, and you were always calmly watching and taking records on the side, never…"

"Besides, you are a nun, and you can't really do anything with him anyway. I thought you were… what is that word young people use nowadays?"

Lady Remina said, touching her horns, and suddenly realized,

"Right! A shipper! I thought you were a shipper of Master Leipu!"

The pure Grand Knight Commander naturally didn't know what this word meant: "?"

But Elaine stumbled heavily, almost hitting her head on the cabinet next to her.

"I — I have never had such thoughts!"

The volume of her denial was so loud that even the dragon in front of her couldn't help but flinch, making it highly suspicious.

"What is there to struggle with? Your bystander mentality is too perverted and repressed."

Lady Remina sighed,

"Don't just watch from the side, just go for it! It won't matter if you stop being a nun. Sometimes when I see Qi Xing like that, I also think [Wow, this kid is so hot! I really want to have a fling with him]…"

Although Gwendolyn didn't understand what a shipper was, she couldn't just stand there blankly anymore, so she immediately spoke up: "Remina, don't teach your dragon race's bad habits to a human girl. The precepts we follow are different from those of humans."

Remina curled her lips: "This little girl is too insecure, I feel uncomfortable watching it."

Elaine was speechless for a moment.

Insecure?

She might indeed be a little insecure.

But isn't it very normal for her to be insecure? She has no power. And she can only watch the absolute powerhouses fight from the side. Of course she would be insecure, right?

However, on the other hand, Elaine was not stupid, so she immediately realized that Lady Remina's retort actually made a lot of sense.

It wasn't her first day watching Qi Xing and the powerhouses kill each other, and it wasn't her first day being unable to participate in the battle. Even the Magical Girls were a bit stronger than her. Why hadn't Elaine worried before?

What was there now that made her feel such a sense of crisis?

"Sister Elaine, don't let Lady Remina lead you astray."

Grand Knight Commander Gwendolyn spoke again,

"If you really just want to become stronger, it's not that I don't have a way. But I don't think your problem is about power strength right now. And even if the method is fast, it's impossible to use it on you immediately. At the very least, we have to wait until this matter of the [Black Spartacus] is resolved before we have the time and energy to strengthen you."

Her gaze focused on Elaine's face like a scalpel, sharper than her sword,

"The Curia did not expect you to exert force beside Master Leipu. It's not like you only just realized that you lack force now."

"You are suddenly anxious now, but the things you are worried about cannot be solved by combat power. If you don't think it through clearly, having power will only add more trouble."

"You must first figure this out."

You cannot suddenly force great power onto a disciple before their state of mind has had a breakthrough. This is the same principle in any reputable sect. Elaine could not refute this either. So she was just silent, and then thought.

Why?

Why did she suddenly start to get anxious now?

Is it really because her power cannot keep up with Qi Xing's current battles?

Or is it because… is it because… there is now someone extra by his side… someone who is always pointing fingers, disdainfully mocking and commenting on everything, telling Qi Xing about various ancient myths and magical mysteries… a devil?

But that sealed devil, she doesn't have any combat power in the human world now, right? She can't even provide direct help in battle compared to Elaine.

Then, in an instant, Elaine finally understood why she had been particularly anxious lately.

"So, in reality, my past job has been stolen?!"

She finally realized.

"It's good that you can react to it."

Gwendolyn sighed,

"The Curia arranged for you to be by Master Leipu's side, hoping that you could become his strategist, providing him with knowledge and wisdom… and at the same time, it would be best if you could cleverly constrain his behavior to a certain extent. However, you haven't done this well recently, and have even been somewhat overshadowed by the devil."

Elaine was speechless.

If you wake up every morning and your secretary has already written down what you plan to do today, along with the best, middle, and worst strategies for each thing, and hands it to you. Over time, you would probably get used to choosing from them, instead of using your own brain to jump out of the options and think.

The Curia's greatest hope is, of course, to constrain the Silver Coin Messenger in this way. Even if it can't be done, Elaine, at the very least, you shouldn't let Qi Xing choose the options the devil gives him, right?

However, Elaine hasn't played this role at all recently, only watching Qi Xing fight like a god, and then falling into deep inferiority as a human being in the back.

Is this a problem that can be solved by getting stronger? Even if Elaine levels up, can she beat the dark creator of this crazy world?

She doesn't need to at all.

She just needs to give Qi Xing ideas, ideas that look smarter than that idiot Creator God!

"But Samael has deeper mysterious knowledge of ancient myths and cosmic laws than any human."

Elaine frowned, she had gradually entered her work-mode state of thinking,

"She claims to be the Creator God. Even if she isn't, she is a genuine fallen angel. I'm afraid I will never be able to catch up to her understanding of the rules of the world."

Gwendolyn nodded: "All demon gods are like this. The demon gods summoned by summoning mages are also like this. So, Sister Elaine, think about it, what is there that she doesn't know? This is the part where you can make up for your shortcomings with diligence."

The Dark Lord of this universe might understand all the myths, history, and laws of the world from before the Common Era. Competing with her on this is not something humans can win.

But what about in 33 AD, after she was severely crippled by the Lord of their Christian believers?

Elaine had already figured it out.

"Thank you for your guidance, Grand Knight Commander."

She bowed to Gwendolyn and then hurried away.

Lady Remina watched the little nun's departing back and couldn't help but shake her head: "Young people, always so jumpy, they just think too much."

"She is only twenty years old."

Gwendolyn said calmly,

"Were we any better when we were twenty?"

"When I was twenty, I was on the battlefield killing Turks, helping Vlad impale them on wooden stakes one by one."

Remina retorted calmly,

"How would I have had time to be as sentimental as a modern young girl?"

Gwendolyn was speechless for a moment.

She had only lived for two hundred years or so, and sometimes she still couldn't see eye to eye with real ancient people like Dracula's wife. Is this what they call a generation gap?

"I'm curious if that girl has figured out one more thing."

Remina said, gently resting her chin on her slender fingers, thoughtful,

"From the reports she submitted before, she should be able to accept the kid Qi Xing dating other women. After all, she is a nun and has always prepared herself mentally to be just a bystander — that's why I said she used to ship Qi Xing with some other heroines."

Gwendolyn could only understand half of what she said.

But she still asked patiently: "So?"

"So she can accept Qi Xing shipping with other heroines — but she can't accept Qi Xing shipping with Samael! She is a genuine shipper!"

Remina rested her face on her hand, showing a smug smile.