Chapter 53: The Arrogance of Zhou Tian

"Jack, what is the meaning of this?" Vivian glared at her companion, her face blazing with anger.

"Well… Miss Vivian, I swear I didn’t call them here," Jack replied in a small, guilty voice, unable to meet her furious gaze.

"If it wasn’t you, then how else could they have known our whereabouts?"

As Vivian pressed Jack for answers, an elderly man in a crimson robe stepped forward from nearby, his tone sharp with displeasure as he questioned her, "Sister Vivian, I have something to ask you—"

"Archbishop Lane, as a candidate for Saintess, any fault of mine should be judged by Her Holiness the Saintess. You hardly have the authority to interfere in my affairs," Vivian interrupted him coolly, cutting off his words without a trace of concern.

Lane’s forehead immediately knotted with veins. Though she was not wrong, being so bluntly told that he had no authority over her was a grave affront to someone of his rank. Rarely had the powerful Archbishop Lane been spoken to in such a way, and his eyes grew all the colder as he glared at her.

"I suspect that your team has been corrupted by demons during your pursuit," he said, ignoring her reaction, and immediately ordered the warriors beside him, "Take them into custody for interrogation at the Tribunal!"

"How dare you! Miss Vivian is a candidate for Saintess. No one but the Saintess or the Pope has authority to arrest her. Is the Tribunal now usurping power?" The priest from Vivian’s team stepped forward to block the warriors, his voice stern and accusing.

The warriors hesitated, thrown off by the priest’s words. Yet as their resolve wavered, Lane snorted coldly, "What are you waiting for? Arrest them all!"

Perhaps the priest spoke the truth, but the present authority overrides all else. Even knowing their actions might bring trouble, the warriors could not defy Lane’s command. At his repeated order, they chose to ignore the priest’s protest and moved in on Vivian’s group.

It was clear from Lane’s expression that if Vivian were truly taken, her fate would be grim. Realizing this, Vivian and the priest immediately took defensive stances as the warriors approached.

"Uncle, how could you—"

"Jack, be silent! This has nothing to do with you. Stand aside," Lane roared, cutting Jack off before he could finish.

Troubled, Jack glanced at Vivian, then reluctantly obeyed and stepped away. At the same time, another warrior who usually sided with Jack did likewise, leaving only the priest at Vivian’s side, who was hardly a match for the others.

"Sister Vivian, you must realize what a crime it is to resist the Tribunal by force. Though you, as a candidate for Saintess, may escape unscathed, I fear your companion won’t be so fortunate. I advise you to surrender, or don’t blame me for what happens next," Lane threatened.

Despicable as it was, his words had their effect. After a moment of visible struggle, Vivian relaxed her guard, preparing to submit.

"Miss Vivian, you mustn’t do this for my sake—"

"It’s nothing. We’re no match for them anyway. Why resist?"

"Exactly, Sister Vivian, you’ve made the wise choice," Lane said smugly. Turning to his warriors, he barked, "Well? What are you waiting for? Take them!"

"I’d like to see anyone try!" A fierce shout suddenly rang out, just as Vivian seemed ready to give in.

Lane’s face darkened. Even now, someone dared interfere? He immediately snapped, "Arrest them! Anyone who resists will share their fate!"

Emboldened, the warriors prepared to move in, but before they could act, a massive serpentine tail swept by, flinging all the warriors near Vivian aside.

"Who dares cause violence within the Holy City? Seize them!"

"And I’d like to see who dares seize me!" declared a bold voice.

"I dare, I… I…" The warriors bristled at the challenge, but when they turned to see who had spoken, they were struck dumb.

It was none other than Zhou Tian, who had recently struck an accord with the Holy Pope. He strode through the congregation as if he owned the place, head held high, and every member of the Holy Order he passed bowed deeply in respect. Even the warrior who had been poised to curse him was forced to bow his head.

Of course, Zhou Tian himself did not command such awe. Had he only his own authority, Lane would have had him seized as a heretic long ago. But Zhou Tian’s status came from the Pope himself. Recognizing Zhou Tian’s value to the Holy Order, the Pope had granted him a token—one not especially magical, but imbued with the Pope’s authority, like the imperial tokens in old dramas, signifying "As if I myself were present." Outside the Holy Order’s headquarters, this token might not guarantee such deference, but here, within the very heart of the faith, Zhou Tian was now second only to the Pope. Even the Holy Maiden herself would have to bow to him.

Most would never dream of flaunting such a privilege, but Zhou Tian was different. He had no intention of spending his life within the Holy Order’s ranks, and so cared little for offending its members. With a touch of bravado, he brazenly hung the token from his chest, forcing every member of the Order to salute him.

"How did you come by that token?" Lane demanded, his finger trembling as he pointed at Zhou Tian, rage and disbelief contorting his features.

"Obviously, the Pope gave it to me," Zhou Tian replied, looking at Lane as if he were an utter fool. His tone was so maddeningly nonchalant that it could drive a man to apoplexy. "By the way, you there—yes, you—what are you staring at? Not happy? Tell me, are you a member of the Holy Order?"

"You—" Lane was livid, his face flushed with fury, but there was nothing he could do. The token in Zhou Tian’s possession represented the Pope’s will, and even if Lane resented it bitterly, he was forced to reply, "Of course I am. As one of the Tribunal’s Vice-Justiciars, I—"

"I didn’t ask for your life story," Zhou Tian cut him off mercilessly. "You chatter like a middle-aged housewife. I can’t imagine what the Pope was thinking, putting someone like you in charge of the Tribunal. It must not be such a prestigious office after all. As a Justiciar—oh, sorry, a Vice-Justiciar," he emphasized, "surely you know protocol. Do you see what’s hanging from my neck? You didn’t salute. That means you disrespect the token, and by extension, the Pope. If you disrespect the Pope, maybe you’re plotting to take his place. Or perhaps you’re not a true member of the Holy Order at all, since you don’t even know the basic rule of saluting the Pope."