Auber hung his head in utter despair as two Holy Knights restrained him, his eyes lifeless, unable to utter a single word. Lucas, on the other hand, snapped back to his senses and shouted,

  "You can't arrest me! I am a viscount personally appointed by the royal family! My uncle is Count Megan! You have no right—"

  "Silence!"

  The Holy Knight's voice was ice-cold.

  "Under the gaze of the Sun God, who gave you the audacity to frame a sacred citizen? Who emboldened you to defy the empire's laws?! Do you wish to drag your uncle down with you and have him experience the flames of the Inferno as well?!"

  Lucas's face instantly turned a sickly shade of purple. He had never imagined the situation would escalate to this extent.

  "Why?! Just because of that madman's nonsense? Just because he summoned a so-called miracle? I refuse to believe it! I demand to see—"

  SMACK!

  A resounding slap echoed through the hall.

  Everyone turned to see an imposing, bald old man in a crimson clerical robe, his expression stern and unwavering. The sheer force of his strike nearly dislocated Lucas's jaw.

  "Grand Inquisitor!"

  The Holy Knights immediately bowed in reverence.

  Kenley's gaze flickered. He recognized this crimson-robed elder immediately—the Grand Inquisitor of the Marlen Imperial City's Church of Light.

  Feared by heretics and worshippers alike, his name alone was enough to strike terror into the hearts of those who strayed from the righteous path. His power was second only to the Archbishop, and in the entirety of the Imperial Capital, there were but a handful of individuals who could rival him.

  [Ruthless Grand Inquisitor– Terence Westcott]

  [Race: Human]

  [Level: 60]

  [Class: Cleric]

  [Title: Grand Inquisitor of the Marlen Imperial City's Tribunal]

  [Note: The presiding judge of the Church of Light's Tribunal. His voice alone strikes terror into the hearts of heretics, a figure so feared that even children whisper his name when threatening nonbelievers.]

  Every person in the hall, upon recognizing him, bowed respectfully.

  There was no one here who hadn't heard of Grand Inquisitor Terence.

  His name was synonymous with the eradication of heresy and the obliteration of darkness. Even the dark nobles who once invaded from the Eastern Coast trembled at its mere mention.

  Lucas, his mouth already bruised and swollen, felt his soul nearly leave his body at the sight of the Grand Inquisitor.

  "Slander against divine miracles is tantamount to heresy."

  Terence's voice was hoarse and dry, like sand scraping against stone, yet there was no trace of jest in his tone.

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  "Take him to the Tribunal of Judgment. If he is innocent, then let the court grant him a fair and just trial."

  The moment the words "tantamount to heresy" were spoken, the expressions of everyone in the cathedral changed dramatically.

  They all knew that Grand Inquisitor Terence was truly furious.

  To be labeled a heretic-equivalent was a grave sin. Not even the Emperor himself could plead for mercy in the Grand Cathedral under such a charge! This was a decree issued personally by the Grand Inquisitor—who would dare object?

  Even a lawless scoundrel like Lucas couldn't withstand such terror. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious on the spot.

  As for Auber, he seemed to have completely lost his sanity, giggling uncontrollably like a lunatic.

  With four Holy Knights escorting them away, escape was utterly impossible.

  As for the private soldiers Lucas had brought with him, they quickly realized that their master had fallen from grace, dragged into an abyss from which there was no return. Without hesitation, they scattered like frightened rats, dashing home to pack their belongings.

  Their master had not only been overthrown but also branded as a heretic. If they didn't flee now, they might lose their own heads next.

  As Lucas and Auber were dragged out of the grand hall, Terence turned his gaze toward Kenley, curiosity flickering in his aged yet penetrating eyes.

  "Young man, I'm quite curious—how do you know the Golden Judgment Prayer? And who taught it to you?"

  Terence's gaze softened as he looked at Kenley, his demeanor much kinder, his tone notably more amiable.

  What a joke! I'm a Level 99 High Priest and a Level 99 Paladin—how could I not know? Back when I had to clear the main storyline, the system required players to recite this exact prayer to proceed. I ran through the main quest twice! Do you have any idea how painful it was to memorize it back then? I could recite it backward in my sleep!

  Kenley had anticipated such a situation. He simply shook his head and responded,"Grand Inquisitor, I was orphaned at a young age and have lived alone ever since. My only inheritance from my parents was a few books, and among them was this prayer. My parents left a note in the book, saying that whenever I encountered injustice, I should recite it."

  The Grand Inquisitor studied Kenley closely. Though the young man dressed like a middle-class noble, he lacked a family crest—an essential symbol of true nobility. Every noble family had its own emblem, and forging one was a punishable offense. This meant Kenley wasn't an actual noble but a commoner with enough wealth to afford fine clothing.

  "I see… I see. Truly, the Holy Mother watches over us. Child, the very fact that you've found your way to the Church of Light proves that all of this is Sanphest's divine arrangement."

  The Grand Inquisitor's heart stirred with emotion.

  A descendant of the Golden Bloodline…

  That was his conclusion.

  By the gods—an heir of the Golden Bloodline had been wandering the land unnoticed! Fortunately, by the grace of the Holy Mother, fate had guided him to the Grand Cathedral. And by sheer chance—*or rather, divine will—*Lucas's vile actions had revealed him.

  Terence felt a surge of sentiment. He didn't yet know which hero's lineage Kenley carried, but since the boy had come, he was determined to take good care of him.

  Nearby, Sylph whispered to Tia,"What exactly is the Golden Judgment Prayer?"

  Tia leaned closer and replied in a hushed voice,"It's the Church's highest-tier judgment prayer—only the Grand Inquisitor, Bishops, High Priests, or the Pope himself can invoke it."

  "Hiss—!" Sylph sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes widening in shock as she turned to look at Kenley.

  Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that the very man who had constantly irritated her could actually recite a prayer reserved for the Pope and the highest-ranking clergy!

  However, what Tia didn't know was that this prayer only responded to those of heroic bloodline.

  At that moment, a voice rang out from behind the crowd.

  "My dear Terence, my brother, do you finally believe what I told you?"

  A soft floral fragrance wafted through the air. Terence froze for a moment—he knew exactly whose voice that was.

  It was Bishop Michael.

  "Your Excellency…!" The crowd immediately bowed in greeting.

  Terence turned to Michael with a look of disbelief."Michael, is this the young man you spoke of yesterday? The child of a hero?"

  His eyes flickered between Kenley and Tia.

  "Yes, it is them," Michael confirmed with a nod.

  "No wonder… No wonder."

  Terence nodded repeatedly, his gaze on Kenley now filled with both admiration and expectation.

  "A fine young man indeed…"

  With that, the Grand Inquisitor bid the crowd farewell."Tomorrow is the Holy Bestowment, and there is much to prepare. I won't remain in the cathedral any longer. Oh, and young man—should you encounter injustice again in the future, you may come directly to the Tribunal for aid. There is no need to invoke that prayer each time."