I find it very sacred to pick someone up and make them a saint.

The morning sun was exceptionally bright, shining through the layers of the Academy buildings and into the administrative tower of the Temple Academy.

In the large office, Mien was working on documents at his desk.

A familiar knocking sound came from the doorway.

"Augusta, come in."

Augusta walked to the desk before saying softly, "My Lord, Princess Rachel has arrived."

"When?"

"We've already entered the Academy and are heading towards the tower."

Mien was initially surprised, but then smiled, thinking that it was indeed Her Majesty the Queen's style, and stood up to greet her.

"She didn't inform us beforehand."

"Augusta." Mien straightened his sleeves:

"She is the most beloved princess of the old emperor of the Cassil Empire, so there is no need to inform us in advance."

After saying that, he walked out of the office.

In front of the administrative tower, a golden carpet symbolizing imperial power was laid out, and Mien, Augusta, and the others waited quietly.

Soon, the sound of orderly footsteps came from ahead.

At the very front, a tall and graceful figure appeared, her long legs swaying.

Princess Rachel wore a magnificent imperial gown, long boots, and a dashing cape.

His expression was aloof and noble, yet he couldn't hide his arrogance and sharpness.

Beside her stood a girl who was half a head shorter, with black hair and black eyes, expressionless, wearing a rose-patterned dress, and with icy eyes.

Further on, a dozen or so royal guards marched in, their ranks orderly and their bearing menacing.

Everyone knows that Princess Rachel's guards are different from those of other princes and princesses. They are all elites selected from the front-line army, with strong combat capabilities, rather than just pretty faces who know only etiquette.

Before them, the few people dressed in scholar's robes appeared so small, as if they couldn't withstand a single sword strike from a soldier.

Rachel deliberately displayed her authority and power, subtly putting pressure on Mien.

Mien waited calmly; he had faced this scenario countless times before.

When soldiers come, we will block them; when water comes, we will dam it.

When navigating between various forces, the most important thing is not balance, not confrontation, and not deception.

Instead, they absolved themselves of all responsibility.

The so-called "clean slate" means that no matter what happens, no one will blame or take their anger out on you. This is the skill that Mien has used to make a living over the years, and it is a method that he is already very familiar with.

When the princess came before him, Mien bowed respectfully.

According to the political rules of the empire, Mien was not obligated to bow to her unilaterally, nor was the emperor.

The Royal Family, the Papacy, and the Academy of Scholars stand in parallel, together forming the three fundamental laws governing the Empire.

However, laws are laws, and when you don't have a sword in your hand, laws have no effect.

It was precisely because of this that when Mien took office as chief twenty years ago, he gradually marginalized the Academy of Scholars in the vortex of power.

When one's abilities are insufficient to match one's position, taking the initiative is always better than being passive.

After watching Mien and the others bow with pride, Rachel's face showed a friendly smile.

"Chief Mien, I came here immediately upon learning of your return to the Academy."

"The Temple Academy welcomes you," Mien replied, leading the group into the tower.

Rachel did not walk ahead, but waited for Mien to walk together.

Upon entering the council chamber, Rachel naturally took the seat of honor and began with a smile:

"Chief Scholar of the Academy, is there anything within the Academy that requires the assistance of the Royal Family recently?"

You represent the supreme spirit of our empire, and we will naturally do our utmost to provide assistance.

Unlike the Pope, Rachel and the prince, despite her pride and unyielding nature, never took the Academy seriously.

However, he treated Mien, as well as all the city lords and dukes, with great respect.

This is not out of friendship, but rather an effort to win them over, at least to avoid being categorized as an adversary.

Mien and the Academy behind him were naturally her primary targets for winning over, but she gave up after countless attempts. Mien demonstrated his principles to everyone through his actions.

Rachel actively but restrainedly maintained a good relationship with Mien.

After exchanging pleasantries, she assumed that Mien would refuse her help as usual.

Unexpectedly, Mien frowned and said:

"Yes, there is."

"Oh?" Rachel asked, surprised. "What is it?"

Mien pushed forward a document that he had prepared long ago:

"This is a report on an unusual phenomenon concerning a recent esoteric Buddhist sacrifice."

"Secret religion?" Rachel picked up the document and flipped through it, the distant and unfamiliar words entering her ears.

Mien continued, "There are indications that this was an organized cult activity, with deep-seated conspirators behind it who may be plotting even greater destruction."

Rachel said as she flipped through the pages:

"This is certainly worth paying attention to. Your Academy's assistance to the Empire is evident to all, and you have protected the Empire's faith from being tainted."

Rachel spoke with respectful acknowledgment, but Mien sensed the perfunctory tone in her words.

Rachel naturally didn't really think anything big would happen, especially something that could threaten the Cassirer Empire.

It's kind of ridiculous.

The Cassirer Empire has stood proudly for 300 years, quelling external threats while maintaining its internal glory.

With a strong and well-equipped imperial army and the protection of the Holy See, the people were prosperous and happy, leaving no fertile ground for the survival of esoteric Buddhism.

Although she didn't know why Mien said such a thing, she wouldn't let go of this opportunity to curry favor:

"Is there anything I can help you with, Chief Mien?" She put down the document after flipping through a few pages and asked with a smile.

"The Temple Academy lacks sufficient fighting strength. We have neither the royal army nor the Holy Knights of the Papacy. If an accident were to occur, we would be completely incapable of handling it."

Rachel's political instincts led her to subconsciously believe that Mien's words were full of ulterior motives and ambitions, and she frowned deeply.

It is common knowledge that the Academy has no armed forces, and the Papacy and the Royal Family certainly will no longer allow them to have one.

Is Mien trying to test the organization's exclusive armed forces?

But looking at Mien's serious expression, Rachel didn't think he would make such a childish mistake.

"In that case, the Imperial Army will assist the Academy. If anything happens, just let me know."

Rachel added with a laugh:

"Of course, within the scope of what I can mobilize."

The empire's old emperor, Lyent, stopped attending to state affairs more than a decade ago, indulging in wine and women. In recent years, his health has been deteriorating, and even high-ranking officials and princes find it difficult to see him.

Although he still held all military power, his actual command authority was another matter entirely.

Most lords and military leaders maintained close relationships with Rachel.

A small minority, led by the legendary old general "the blood-soaked lion" Sestan Elyu, remained steadfastly loyal to the prince.

For some reason, the old emperor, Ryent, turned a blind eye to this, which is why Rachel was so outspoken.

She smiled and extended an olive branch.

Unexpectedly, Mien gently shook her head: "That's not enough."

Rachel's smile vanished abruptly, replaced by a chilling coldness that seemed to freeze over.