Uncle here isn't your average office worker!

Although he had received her answer, Roy still didn't want to spend too much time with her, so he went straight to the point:

"To be honest, I have something to discuss with you. I'd like to travel to Lateran to meet His Majesty King Ivangelista XI. Is there any way to do that?"

Laterano generally does not allow outsiders to enter freely. Residents who leave Laterano without permission are considered to have relinquished their right to reside there and are not allowed to return. For Roy to enter Laterano, he can't simply force his way in upon seeing the mainframe; he needs to find a way in.

Faced with Roy's question, Lottie Carr, the messenger of all nations, was somewhat bewildered.

Kuranta is heading to the Holy City? I've never heard of Roy being a follower of Lateranism.

And she even had to meet His Holiness the Pope? Even a messenger from all nations like her had no say in such matters; she could only report it to the Papal Court for a decision.

Lottie Carr's expression turned serious. Her keen political instincts, honed by her selection as a messenger of nations, detected something unusual about this request. She asked:

"Is this related to the recent events that led to the alliance between Letania and Casimir?"

"Have?"

"Is this related to that so-called crisis?"

Roy was silent for a moment, then took a deep look at the girl in front of him, whose style was so different from his own.

The word "crisis" was clearly not something the Queen would have willingly revealed to her. This messenger from all nations must have been reading the Queen's mind.

To be able to pull off such a trick right under the noses of a master Originium Arts expert of that level without being detected, or even if detected but not punished, she certainly has some skill. No wonder she was chosen as the messenger of the Leitanian world after Arturo.

In Lottie Carr's eyes, Roy gave her a meaningful look and then nodded:

"Have."

She gave a wry smile: "I'll help you apply."

Volume 1: Chapter 271 Ivan Grista XI

Lateran, Papal Palace, Holy See.

Ivangelista XI, the contemporary Lateran saint, guide, mentor, protector of all Lateran religious beliefs, and internationally renowned gourmet, is now facing a difficult choice.

He hesitated about whether to add some of the original ingredients to the cactus tart recipe, so he summoned the musketeers responsible for guarding the Papal Palace and presented them with both portions of the finished product:

"Don't worry about it, this is my brand new invention. Please try it and then give me your feedback."

The cavalryman naturally dared not disobey Ivangelista XI's orders, not to mention that he had a strong curiosity about all kinds of new desserts. He immediately picked up the fruit tart on the left and put it into his mouth with great anticipation.

"The outer layer is crispy, the inside is chewy, and the taste is unique. It's like being in a wasteland, with a howling wind sweeping over your body, bringing coolness while also making your skin dry and stinging!"

The cavalry couldn't help but cry out in surprise.

"Your Majesty, what is the name of this new dessert with its extraordinary texture?"

"Do you like it? It's a cactus tart!" King Ivangelista XI replied happily.

"A cactus tart?" The cavalryman's face showed astonishment, clearly not expecting such a refreshing and unique flavor to come from a plant like a cactus. He exclaimed sincerely, "As expected of Your Majesty, to be able to make such a delicious fruit tart from a cactus! Ah, that bitterness and stinging sensation still irritates my mouth, as if it's bouncing in my throat, reminding me of the bitterness of the wilderness! How did you do that?"

Although it is extremely impolite to ask for the recipe of a new dessert, and could even be considered a serious crime if it constitutes theft, Ivangelista didn't mind. The Pope, with his amiable face reminiscent of Colonel Sanders, kindly replied:

"I left some chopped cactus thorns in it so you can know that you are eating the authentic cactus tart."

"Thrust?" The musketeer's excited expression suddenly froze, his eyes under his helmet staring at Ivanista XI with disbelief, before belatedly covering his throat and coughing.

A few minutes later, the emergency team from San Marengo Hospital arrived and lifted the gunman, who had choked on "unnatural food," into an ambulance.

King Ivangelista XI quietly marked the proposal to "add cactus thorns" with an X.

Having resolved this worrying and regrettable matter, he turned to the next page of his schedule for the day, reading through the various briefings that had been arriving at the Papal Palace's office over the past few days.

There were complaints and grievances from civil servants in the Tenth Department about the excessive workload of regulatory approvals, as well as applications for longer vacations; reports from the Eleventh Department on protecting trade routes and carrying out special operations; and densely packed task completion reports from the notary office—all written by Federico. This man, Sakta, who was considered an oddball by others, handled official business very quickly, but was sometimes a bit straightforward and rough. Fortunately, he hadn't caused any trouble yet.

As for why Ivangelista XI paid special attention to him, the reason is simple: he had an even more eccentric and earlier famous older sister—Arturo.

After reading through each report bit by bit, Ivangelista XI's gaze finally fell upon the few letters from messengers from all nations buried at the bottom.

At the very front of the list was a letter sealed with phoenix wax. It was Fiameta's report on Mostima's surveillance. To be honest, Ivangelista XI knew perfectly well that Fiameta's unwavering devotion to Mostima stemmed largely from her desire not to lose another friend due to his absence. Therefore, after reading her letter, he carefully picked up his pen and wrote back:

"Greetings. Dear Immortal Burner, the dutiful lady. Remian is still unconscious, but her condition is improving. I am aware of Mostima's condition; your work is excellent. Lateran will always welcome your return. Pope Ivangelista XI."

After carefully sealing the letter and placing it in the mailbox where someone would collect it every day, King Ivangelista XI looked at the last letter.

He sighed softly as he looked at the symbol for Letania marked on it.

Letania sent him very few letters, but each one would annoy him for a long time. But he couldn't ignore them, so he could only unseal the wax, unfold the letter, and read it.

"Your Holiness the Pope"

"I am Loti Karl, the messenger of all nations stationed in Letania. Letania and Casimir officially held a ceremony a few days ago to announce that the two countries have formed an alliance, agreeing to non-aggression and mutual assistance."

"And behind this reconciliation that was unexpected by everyone, the mastermind behind it all—the one who supposedly saved the Queen and the Elector of Letania, won the Knights' Tournament in Kazimierz, and had considerable ties to the Lin Guang family of the Overwatch Council—was none other than the Knight of Everlasting, Roy, who found me."

"His answer confirms the authenticity of the intelligence I sent you some time ago. Indeed, some kind of crisis that we have not been aware of is brewing on the land of Terra. Letania, having noticed this situation, has chosen to ally with Kazimierz, who is also aware of it. This is just the beginning."

"For the sake of peace and tranquility in Terra, he wishes to have a face-to-face meeting with you and seek your advice."

"Your messenger: Lottie Carr"

"The Voice of the Queen, Letania."

"......"

The letter was very brief, with almost no superfluous words. Judging from the word count alone, it was something that could be read in just a few minutes. However, Ivangelista XI kept his hand on the letter for a long time, and his tightly furrowed brows remained furrowed.

Crisis...? Upon receiving this word, Lottie Carr indeed sent a letter to Laterano immediately. He didn't delay upon receiving the letter, immediately heading deep underground to verify with the "Law".

But the result was unexpected: "no threat".

Between the laws that had protected Lateran for a thousand years and the Queen of Letania, King Evangelista XI undoubtedly trusted the former more. Therefore, he took no action, simply instructing Lottie Carr to observe and continue investigating the specifics of the crisis.

But now, instead of finding her specific information about the so-called crisis, she has brought a knight named Heng who wants to meet her.

King Ivangelista XI suspected it was a setup, a scheme orchestrated by the Queen of Letania, Roy, and Kazimir. But he couldn't figure out what Lateran had done to offend these three nations, or what made them want to target them.

He didn't doubt Lottie Carr's loyalty; the Sarkaz were the most honest people, and their shared sense of empathy meant they rarely harbored resentment or deception towards each other. Therefore, the best course of action at this point was to remain steadfast and wait for the inevitable to unfold.

Since Roy wanted to come, let him come. As long as he was within the Holy City, protected and restrained by the laws, he wasn't worried that Roy would do anything irreversible. King Ivangelista XI, however, was quite curious about what this so-called crisis was.

After thinking for a moment, he picked up his pen and replied:

"In a few days it will be the annual Praise Festival, on which Lateran never turns away guests."

Volume 1: Chapter 272 Amaya

"Sir, can we share a meal?"

Looking at the elegant lady in black, wearing a small round hat, who had taken the initiative to block the convoy, Roy's expression changed several times. Finally, he took a deep breath, and when his expression returned to normal, he dismissed the soldiers protecting him on both sides, rolled down the car window, and asked, feigning doubt:

"Who are you, and where do you come from?"

The lady before him removed her round hat, gave a perfect Letanian gentleman's bow, and replied in fluent Victorian:

“Sir, my name is Amaya Sevalpost. I come from Victoria and hope to get to Lateran, but I have lost my way in this wilderness. I hope you can show your magnanimity and let me join your caravan.”

Amaya's expression was perfectly normal, with a hint of pleading and pitifulness. Even complete strangers would feel more favor and pity for her because of this expression, and would agree to her request.

That's simply because these people don't understand her.

But Roy recognized her. Amaya, one of the main villains in the Fool's Tale storyline, a devout and evil Abyssal cultist, a true traitor. If she hadn't secretly boarded the Fool's Tale and sacrificed herself to the critically wounded and dying Butcher, the little sea creature that Captain Alfonso and the Abyssal Hunters had been chasing would never have been able to complete its transformation. It not only gained the ability to speak but also evolved flight, acquired greater intelligence, and directly triggered the Quiet Realm that nearly wiped out the entire ship!

Even disregarding the evolution she brought to Haisi, her own danger was by no means insignificant. During her time in Granfalo, she not only successfully deceived the mayor but also managed to fool the nearby disciplinary forces and inquisitors.

Roy found it hard not to believe that his encounter with Amaya in this desolate wilderness was not some kind of deliberate arrangement by her.

What conspiracy is she plotting now?

Roy was unsure. He desperately wanted to strike now and eliminate this traitor as soon as possible to prevent future trouble. But he worried that this might play right into her hands and trigger unforeseen complications, so he could only hold back for the time being. He replied:

"There is a natural disaster monitoring outpost in Letania ten kilometers east of here. You can go there for help."

Roy's words were already a polite refusal, but Amaya persisted, asking again:

"Sir, aren't you going to Laterano?"

Roy narrowed his eyes.

How did Amaya know that she was going to Lateran? From this direction, one could travel to three countries simultaneously: Bolivar, Sargon, and Lateran. Why would she be certain that she would go to Lateran?

Seeing Roy remain silent, Amaya's face immediately showed a knowing expression. Before the guards who had come back could make a move, she quickly stepped back and bowed respectfully with a look of disappointment:

"I'm sorry, thank you so much for showing me the way, I won't bother you any longer."

She's bluffing Roy.

This road does indeed lead to several countries, and Amaya wasn't sure where the caravan was headed. She had simply noticed the direction the caravan was heading from the Queen's Voice and, considering the recent changes in Letania, decided to come and investigate.

Having confirmed that the convoy was indeed heading to Lateran, she had already achieved her goal.

However, just as she was about to leave, a sound suddenly came from inside the car window again. Roy looked at her through the window, his expression suddenly softening, and called out to the soldier beside him:

“Bring her back. It’s not the gentleman’s place to let such a frail lady walk ten kilometers alone in the wilderness. Since we’re going to the same place, why not give her a ride?”

The soldier hesitated, clearly aware that the Queen had strictly instructed them to ensure safety on this journey, and allowing a stranger to join them was obviously against protocol: "But..."

But Roy said firmly, "Go and bring her back!"

The Queen's guest's orders were clearly more important. The two soldiers exchanged a glance and immediately turned to walk towards Amaya.

Less than a minute later, Amaya, who had just left, returned to the car with the help of two soldiers.

Roy opened the car door, moved aside, smiled and patted the seat to Amaya, saying, "Please come in, Ms. Amaya."

Amaya paused for a moment, a few tears of grievance welling up in her eyes, then turned her head away, but reluctantly sat down inside.