Chapter 1732: Chapter 996: The Empress’s Ice Rose (2)
This is a place forgotten by time, where the vast hall is deathly silent, as if everything here has lost its meaning, including time itself.
Yang Xiao arrived here with three others, including Jiushan Cangxuan. At this moment, all four of them shared a gaze directed at the holy altar beneath a broken cross, where a Crystal Coffin was placed.
Inside the coffin lay a person, peacefully resting, hands flat on the abdomen, eyes closed, looking almost asleep if not for the blood mark at the neck.
Yang Xiao couldn’t help but widen his eyes, deeply shaken by the person’s beauty. In terms of appearance, Yang Xiao was confident he ranked among the best in the world, but he had long heard that true beauty is indistinguishable between genders, captivating both men and women alike. Today, he finally understood.
Just from the face alone, Yang Xiao could not tell whether this person was male or female, but he had been forewarned by Yang Xiao that this individual was a woman, and a remarkably powerful high-level Apostle.
This place was naturally the world within Tong Han’s ring, unexpectedly discovered by the Jiu Mountain Family. It was clear the other party came prepared.
"It’s really her..." Jiu Shan Jinglan couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, "She’s actually here, in your possession!"
"Senior Jiu Shan, let me explain." Yang Xiao hurried to cover for Tong Han.
"Do you know who she is?" Jiu Shan Jinglan looked at Yang Xiao and Tong Han in shock.
"Who is she?" Yang Xiao felt uneasy, knowing today would bring trouble.
"She is a pivotal figure in the Church, the Empire Countess of the Holy Valutis Empire’s Heretic Court’s High-level Judge - Camilla Van Borgia." Jiu Shan Jinglan emotionally recited the long name.
"Who?!" Yang Xiao was also stunned, not expecting such a long name.
"Didn’t expect it was her..." Jiushan Cangxuan on the side rarely frowned deeply, "This person’s identity is noble, not only a core figure in the Church, but also renowned in the Western Valutis Empire, born into high-rank nobility, holding hereditary noble titles, and rare among top-level nobles with vast territories and private armies."
"Though she is an Empire Countess, it is rumored that her relationship with the Female Pope is extraordinary, and thus she is held in wariness by the Valutis Royal Family. Known for her formidable power and ruthless style, she is dubbed the cold-blooded Borgia, the Empress’ Ice Rose."
"Do you know her?" Yang Xiao tentatively asked, unsure about the depth of this person’s connection with the Ju Mountain Family.
"We’ve met once many years ago, but are not acquainted." Jiushan Cangxuan answered.
"Senior, I want to clarify this situation, it’s purely accidental. We don’t know her, obtaining this object was entirely by chance, and... this has no connection to the Patrol Defense Office." Yang Xiao emphasized.
Unexpectedly, Jiushan Cangxuan nodded, "I know, I understand your Headquarters Director, he wouldn’t do such a thing."
"I won’t force you to explain the origin of this object, don’t be nervous." Jiushan Cangxuan glanced at Yang Xiao, seriously asking, "Yang Xiao, we are friends, right?"
"Of course!" Yang Xiao nodded.
"Hmm, then that’s enough, as friends, I’ll find a way to help you deal with the backlash of this object, but remember, this must never see the light of day, or there will be big trouble for you. I assure you, only we two from the Ju Mountain Family will know of this matter." Jiushan Cangxuan promised.
"Thank you, Senior." Yang Xiao, together with Tong Han, bowed to Jiushan Cangxuan.
In a blink, all four returned to the large house, the previous events seeming like a dream, except for that Red Ruby Ring which was indeed on Tong Han’s left hand.
Tong Han immediately took off the ring and hid it again.
Having witnessed the terrifying power of the Jiu Mountain Family, Tong Han was deeply shaken, hearing the meaning of the two, it seemed they were aware of the esteemed Borgia Countess being with them for a long time.
On this, Jiu Shan Jinglan did not hide, candidly saying that shortly after Tong Han arrived, she faintly sensed a peculiar and overpowering aura.
"Senior, what’s the situation with this Countess now, will she wake up?" Yang Xiao tentatively asked.
"She’s not dead, nor will she ever die, but awakening will be difficult at least for us, unless the person who froze her acts to revive her." Jiushan Cangxuan outright answered.
"In this state, she’s nearly invincible, unable to awaken yet protected from harm, even if a Magic Artifact goes astray, it would only attack the Host, not harm her—consider it a highly unique protective measure." Jiushan Cangxuan further explained.
"Given her immense power, who could have the ability to freeze her?" This was Yang Xiao’s most puzzling question.
"Undoubtedly an extraordinary figure, it was the Female Pope from the Church who acted—such terrifying strength could only be achieved by her." Even someone as strong as Jiushan Cangxuan spoke solemnly when mentioning the Female Pope of the Church—this individual stood atop the world’s pinnacle.
"She offended the Female Pope?" Yang Xiao knew little of the Church’s matters, but he clearly remembered Jiushan Cangxuan mentioned earlier the Countess Borgia was a core figure of the Church, with an unusual relationship with the Female Pope, and even dubbed the Empress’ Ice Rose.
"It’s somewhat complicated, linked to Western Europe’s various powers. Western Europe has over a dozen kingdom forces, with the Valutis Empire leading by leaps and bounds. To more ’reasonably’ control the other kingdoms, they chose to support the Church, using its influence to practically dominate others, with the Pope being the Valutis Empire’s Puppet."
"This matter persisted for many years, until the current Female Pope’s emergence, with formidable strength, she acquired a Supreme Magical Artifact, thus ranking atop the world’s Apostles." Jiushan Cangxuan paused casually, glancing at Yang Xiao.
Yang Xiao, seemingly oblivious, naturally nodded, whispering mysteriously, "I know, it’s an Ultimate Magic Artifact, one of the Innate Nine Treasures, the Patrol Defense Office’s Chief Yue and the Big Leader of the Ghost Sect both have similar prime artifacts."
Jiushan Cangxuan remained expressionless, nodded, continuing, "Indeed, relying on this Supreme Magical Artifact, the Church’s strength greatly soared. Combined with some kingdoms unwillingly controlled secretly joining, the Church’s expansion surged rapidly, thus rivaling the Valutis Empire."
"Since then, both engaged in a subtle contest, yet deterred by each other’s strength and concerns, no overt conflicts erupted, maintaining relative peace."
"Among them, Countess Borgia was the Valutis Empire’s infiltration into the Church, but unexpectedly, she abandoned her position, drawing closer to the Female Pope, becoming her staunchest supporter. Some unbelievable rumors even emerged between these two."
"Valutis Empire seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, combining various powers to corner the Female Pope, targeting Countess Borgia by questioning the Pope’s legitimacy, suggesting an improper relationship between them, demanding the Church strip the Pope of her title for heresy."
"It’s said the situation was extremely critical then, nearly the top ten experts on that continent converged, and the characteristically non-confrontational Female Pope, remarkably showed anger, a great battle seemed imminent."
"But this was precisely Valutis Empire’s scheme—all the Female Pope had to do was act, admitting implicitly to an improper relation with Countess Borgia, thus losing her title in doctrine, globally rendering churches beyond her command."
"At that perilous moment, Countess Borgia courageously stepped forward, first shouting allegiance to the Female Pope, then drawing her sword and killing herself, spilling blood on the Holy Altar, thereby preserving the Pope’s honor with her sacrifice."
"This greatly spurred the Church’s resolve against enemies in unison, accusation waves rose one after another, seeing the tides turn, Valutis Empire’s people left disgraced, even forced to withdraw from the Holy City, thus establishing it as a true nation within a nation."
"The affair back then rang out loudly, elevating the Female Pope’s reputation to its peak. However, later rumors surfaced, saying Countess Borgia survived, rescued, but the truth remains unknown—she was never seen again thereafter."
