My Stubborn Soul Card Follower

"Does the Dragon Race have some past grievances with the Church of the Master of Thunder?"

Shen Sui stared at the Dueling Device for quite a while, still unable to figure out why the Master of Thunder would offend the Dragon Race without reason.

Beside him, Qishala, who was quarreling with Martina, was also at a loss.

She pondered for a long time, still unclear about her past grievances with the Master of Thunder. Could it be that she, as her master's mount, had participated in the battle against the Master of Thunder? But in that battle, she was merely a spectator.

The Master of Thunder hadn't even finished his opening lines before he was killed.

According to her master, this was called a 'fast run,' and they didn't have time for that guy's rambling.

On the surface, Alice couldn't refuse, even though until the end, she never knew who that old man was.

So, you might say Alice was reckless, but fortunately, Adoma was not well-liked within the Church of the Master of Thunder, known widely for his arrogance and rudeness. As such, no one could unmask Alice's impersonation of Adoma from social interactions.

Still, being able to occupy a high position within the Church under such circumstances and having undertaken the crucial role of escorting the Divine Sword speaks volumes about Adoma's capabilities.

A thirteenth-step power level, considered the pinnacle of human achievement.

It's just a pity she encountered the shameless ambush by the Daylight Saintess and the Sinful Saintess.

In the following days, Alice was plunged into the vanity fair of Roland City.

As the Acting Bishop of Roland City, although not warmly received within the Church, she was someone the worldly nobility sought to curry favor with.

Just as Alice found Adoma's residence, an invitation arrived requesting her presence at Count Karlvan's mansion for a gathering.

[Although Alice was well-prepared, the nobility's opulence still shocked her.]

[Even after witnessing the countless gems in Claude's Treasure Box, the luxurious collections of the Dragon Island Giant Dragons, and the Sea Race's treasures, Alice remained stunned by Count Karlvan's lavish lifestyle.]

[Count Karlvan appeared very satisfied with his new mansion, eagerly introducing Alice to all the materials used in its construction.]

[The wood was sourced from the millennia-old trees of the Elf Forest, containing magical power that could prolong life.]

[The core structure was made from the black magic stone of the Bordorman Mountains, primarily used in crafting Forbidden Demon statues.]

[The walls were polished with the finest Magic Crystals, allowing the interior to maintain a constant temperature.]

[...]

[Count Karlvan showcased the luxury befitting a top noble of the Roland Empire to Alice, noting that such a costly house would typically be lived in for only five years.]

[If a house were inhabited for over five years without being replaced, it would become a laughing stock among the nobility.]

["Lord Adoma." Count Karlvan led Alice to a secret chamber, warmly serving tea personally to Adoma, "Was your trip to Elm City successful?"]

["This is a Church secret." Alice knew that speaking too much could expose her, so it was better to say little.]

[Count Karlvan hesitated briefly before apologetically smiling and saying, "And that matter I requested before..."]

[Alice frowned. She really didn't know what Karlvan had asked Adoma for. That arrogant Adoma had been tight-lipped after capture, but this wouldn't stump Alice.]

[She displayed an exaggeratedly impatient and displeased demeanor, saying, "Upon arriving in Elm City, I was ambushed by the Daylight Church. After a fierce battle, I barely completed the Church's task for me. As for your request..."]

["Ah! I understand, I understand." Count Karlvan quickly nodded repeatedly, then said, "There's no rush for this matter. That so-called Twilight Army has just emerged and is at its most foolish, perhaps even thinking about overthrowing the Empire. Once they realize that's impossible, we can easily buy them."]

[Count Karlvan's words set Alice's mind racing. She picked up her tea, slowly shaking it as she said, "Is there really such great profit in this?"]

[She could not ascertain what Karlvan's request of Adoma involved, but the link between the nobility and the Church regarding an uprising could only mean profit. It was a matter of seeing whether Karlvan would reveal the intelligence she sought.]

[Count Karlvan laughed heartily, saying, "Of course, exceedingly large! Whether man or woman, there's great utility. Men can be sent to the mines as laborers, women are even more profitable; the beautiful ones are kept and trained, the ugly ones sold to the army as tools for release. There's always a use, and since their masters have been captured by the Twilight Army, the lands they leave behind naturally become ours."]

[Alice understood. She chuckled, "If others knew a Count was resorting to trafficking, aren't you afraid they'd say you tarnished the nobility's dignity?"]

["Ridiculous, without their support, could my business grow so large?" Count Karlvan winked at Alice, "Doesn't the Church also heavily support it? Those little boys and little girls..."]

[Alice immediately put on a stern face and said, "That's the Church's kindness, taking in helpless orphans. Don't speak nonsense."]

["Yes, yes, of course." Count Karlvan couldn't help but laugh while holding his tea, repeating again, "Yes, indeed."]

[The Twilight Army wasn't the first rebellion group on the lands of the Roland Empire.]

[No matter how significant uprisings were before, they eventually ended hastily.]

[Original virtuous warriors ultimately became accomplices of nobility and bishops, so much so that for a time, rebellion became a business.]

[Alice finally understood why the Twilight Army's uprising was so difficult at the start. It wasn't until Hozerville appeared under the name of the witch inheriting Twilight's legacy that they saw a future.]

[The name of Twilight, though consciously mythologized by the War God Church, had tales of Twilight Saintess Vivian and Twilight Bishop Claude that still circulated among the peasants. These were genuine stories.]

[After all, on the Dawn Continent before the Twilight of the Gods, the most inhumane was the Church of the Master of Thunder, and only the Roland People truly knew the necessity of the Twilight of the Gods.]

[Alice exited Count Karlvan's mansion.]

[Raising her eyes, the splendor of Roland City was fully visible.]

[Yet in Alice's eyes at this moment, each light was drenched with the Roland People's blood.]

[A crazy idea emerged in Alice's mind.]

[Once it appeared, it could no longer dissipate, lingering in Alice's mind constantly.]

["Claude."]

[Alice walked along the broad road, its end adorned with the splendid, grand Thunder Cathedral.]

[In her heart, she silently called your name.]

Shen Sui was silent for a long time before responding. At this moment, Alice also needed someone else's answer.

["What is it?"]

["I want to burn this place to the ground," Alice said, gazing at the Roland City before her.]

["Alright."]