Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Two: The Indomitable Sylvanas

Heroic, handsome, proud, sharp-edged, and unconstrained—setting aside her appearance and physique, it was truly difficult to find any of the qualities typically associated with a woman in her. She was like a peerless, unsheathed sword, constantly radiating its own brilliance; even if damaged, it would never bow. This was the impression Sylvanas left upon Link.

Completely indifferent to her illness or the state of her attire, Sylvanas rose from her bed, walked toward Link in her black pajamas, and stared straight at him for a long moment before speaking: "You are Neil Night, the one who founded the Church of the Father God eight months ago and developed it into a major religion within the Red Moon Province in less than a year?"

Link smiled at this and replied, "By the Father God, it seems Your Highness is well-informed. However, while I did indeed establish the Church of the Father God and it has seen some modest growth in recent months, it would be an overstatement to call it a major religion. To this day, our influence is limited to only a dozen or so towns."

"Is that so?" Sylvanas responded with indifference, then turned to Lor'themar. "Brother, you may leave. I wish to speak with Archbishop Neil in private."

Lor'themar was taken aback. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded. "Then take care of yourself, Sister. If you feel unwell, call out for help; I shall be waiting right outside." The implication was that he would remain on guard.

Sylvanas nodded silently in assent. Once Lor'themar had departed, she turned to Link. "Archbishop Neil, you must find it strange that the relationship between my brother and me is not as abysmal as the rumors suggest, right?"

Link was startled by this remark and feigned ignorance. "By the Father God, why would Your Highness say that? I do not understand."

Sylvanas ignored his pretense and continued, "My brother and I have never had any conflict or dispute. The so-called animosity was manufactured by those beneath us, and it was also the intention of the King, my father. He does not wish for me to inherit the throne. However, this does not affect my relationship with my brother, for he has no interest in the crown whatsoever; his dream is simply to be an artist who wanders the world."

Link’s heart stirred upon hearing this. If Sylvanas was telling the truth, then Lor'themar’s behavior, which contradicted the public rumors, made perfect sense. In the royal family, many things are beyond one's control; if the current King did not want Sylvanas to succeed him, the narrative of a hostile rivalry between the siblings would naturally take hold.

However, such secrets were best left unheard; it was always wise to avoid meddling in royal affairs. Link smiled and changed the subject. "By the Father God, I see that Your Highness’s complexion is poor, and it appears the illness has become quite severe. Without further delay, please allow me to examine you."

Sylvanas did not refuse, nodding immediately. "Very well. Archbishop Neil, you may treat me however you see fit; do not worry about my status."

Link smiled without answering. "Do not worry"—that was easier said than done. If he truly committed a breach of etiquette, Sylvanas might not mind, but would others be so forgiving? Moreover, who could truly fathom the thoughts of such a gifted woman? Royal majesty was not merely a figure of speech.

Link asked Sylvanas to extend her right hand, adopting a diagnostic pose to check her pulse while secretly applying a Cure Disease spell. The spell took effect quickly, and the illness began to be driven away bit by bit; it seemed Sylvanas was indeed afflicted.

However, the disease began to regenerate at an alarming speed, holding its ground against the Cure Disease spell. It was impossible to eradicate completely, and in this state, Sylvanas frowned, looking uncomfortable, her already frail body beginning to sway.

The strange situation caused Link to knit his brows. He instructed Sylvanas to sit back on the bed and then increased the output of his spell, clashing head-on with the mysterious malady. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, the disease would not stop regenerating. At this rate, it would never end.

"What is going on? This illness is too bizarre. Its vitality is so tenacious—could it be more than just a sickness?" As this thought crossed his mind, he had an epiphany. While maintaining the Cure Disease spell, he also cast Touch of the Holy Light upon her.

Suddenly, bathed in the holy light, Sylvanas appeared much more spirited, and Link clearly felt the regeneration rate of the disease within her slow down significantly.

"So that's it. Sylvanas is suffering from a cursed illness. With the dual effects of a curse and a disease, neither dispelling the curse nor curing the disease alone is effective. Only by attacking both simultaneously can one succeed, and both must be powerful, or the cursed illness cannot be suppressed. And in the entire Star Kingdom, it seems no one other than me can accomplish this."

Link felt a surge of joy. It wasn't arrogance; his Holy Light spells were all instant-cast, and while Cure Disease was a channeled spell, it did not hinder him from using instant ones. Most importantly, the effects of both were extraordinary. With his current level of cultivation, even seventh-tier powerhouses were far inferior to him in this regard.

Link continued to use Touch of the Holy Light and Cure Disease, gradually suppressing the cursed illness. When the malady finally vanished completely, he exhaled a long breath, withdrew his hand, and smiled at Sylvanas. "By the Father God, Your Highness, congratulations. The illness that has been plaguing you has been dispelled."

Sylvanas, whose eyes had been tightly closed, took a deep breath after hearing Link’s words. She opened her eyes, which now flashed with a sharp, piercing light. "Yes, I can feel it. The illness is cured, and my physical condition has returned to its peak. Archbishop Neil, you are truly as remarkable as Count Lothar described—you have even cured the 'Summoning of the Underworld King,' which leaves even seventh and eighth-tier powerhouses helpless."

"Summoning of the Underworld King? So that was her affliction!" Link was shocked. The Summoning of the Underworld King was a truly vicious curse that inflicted an incurable disease upon its victim. To break it, one needed a ninth-tier powerhouse to simultaneously cast both a disease-dispelling spell and a curse-breaking spell; furthermore, it had to be the exact same person. Spells of different attributes could not counteract the curse of the Underworld King.

This was extraordinary. To cast such a spell required a seventh-tier or higher powerhouse to sacrifice their own life. Who would be willing to sacrifice such a high-level expert just to curse Sylvanas? "Grand gesture" was an understatement; it was pure madness.

Likewise, Sylvanas had known about this all along, yet she remained silent, maintaining a calm demeanor while letting Link treat her. One could imagine that if Link had failed, he might never have left the palace alive. Even having succeeded, his safety was not guaranteed. This princess was truly a woman whose thoughts were impossible to read.

Thinking of this, Link stared at Sylvanas and smiled. "By the Father God, my power is granted by the noble Father God. Before His power, no curse is impossible to dispel—not even the rumored 'Whisper of Yogg-Saron' that leaves even saints helpless."

The latter part of his statement was a test. Link watched her closely, but Sylvanas merely nodded faintly, as if she had expected this. "Indeed, I have heard Count Lothar mention as much; otherwise, I would not have allowed you to set foot in my private chambers. Archbishop Neil, I will be frank: had you failed to cure me, you would not only have been unable to leave the palace today, but I would not have allowed news of my condition to leak—especially not at such a critical juncture."

Link felt a chill run down his spine. Truly, there is no mercy in the royal family. Sylvanas was an iron-blooded princess who stood on the edge of a blade and knew nothing of hypocrisy. Was she not afraid that such words would sour their relationship?

Soon, however, Link dismissed the thought, as her next words revealed that Sylvanas was a woman of extraordinary vision who understood how to win hearts.

Sylvanas spoke in a flat tone: "However, since you have cured me, I shall not harm you. I know that the Rift Calamity is now unstoppable and that religious factions are seizing the opportunity to rise. Therefore, I will give you a chance. Archbishop Neil, I intend to launch a coup and seize the throne. The Star Kingdom will inevitably fall into prolonged turmoil, intensifying the chaos. You may expand your church to your heart's content during this time. When I have reclaimed all power, I hope you will have unified the religious world of the Star Kingdom. At that time, I will designate the Church of the Father God as the state religion, and when I ascend as Empress, I will grant you the position of Pope!"

Dominating, powerful, and audacious.

In a few simple sentences, she had laid out all her ambitions and grand designs. She actually intended to turn the Star Kingdom into an empire. While that was theoretically possible, the odds were slim, and it would likely take a century to achieve—yet Sylvanas spoke as if it were something she could accomplish in her lifetime. It was utterly arrogant.

Yet, looking at her composed demeanor, which faintly exuded a fierce confidence and pride, one couldn't help but feel she might actually succeed. This was no longer mere arrogance; it was true, rational hegemony—a dominance that felt as if it could swallow the world. It was hard to imagine this aura emanated from a woman barely in her twenties. An observer might well think she was the reincarnation of some founding emperor.

However, the fact that she had so openly revealed her ambitions and her coup plans meant she would not give Link a choice. If Link refused, he knew too much to be allowed to leave.

Thinking of this, Link felt a surge of irritation. *I kindly treat your illness, and you immediately dig a pit for me, forcing me to make a choice? Do you really think I’m that easy to bully? Your plan is indeed tempting, and I do want to be Pope, but I will not be the subordinate party. Trying to lord it over me? Not a chance!*

Link looked at Sylvanas and smiled. "By the Father God, Princess Sylvanas, your proposal is indeed tempting, but you must agree to a few of my conditions. Otherwise, please forgive me, but I cannot accept your offer."