CHAPTER 857: WHO IS HE?

Randolf then sat across from his father. Patriarch Elliot smiled when he saw his son. This was the first time he had met Randolf since coming out of seclusion.

The moment he read Randolf’s message that the Valroy family had to join the war seriously, he did not doubt it at all and did as Randolf suggested.

After reading the recent report regarding Aldrian the Great, he had to admit that Aldrian the Great could become an existential threat to the Valroy family.

He more or less already understood why Randolf wanted to maintain a good image in front of Aldrian the Great. With such a dangerous person as their opponent, they needed to keep a good relationship and use him for their own interest. They had to continue using Aldrian the Great until the time came when they believed they could get rid of him.

"How are you, son? I see that you’ve been quite busy lately. When was the last time you made a move yourself? I think it’s already been quite some time," Patriarch Elliot said.

"I’m good, Father, and it’s also good that there’s finally something that makes me move personally again. The threat is too dangerous if I keep using others. I decided to take matters into my own hands to minimize mistakes," Randolf replied.

Patriarch Elliot nodded. "So, how dangerous is Aldrian the Great compared to the opponents you’ve faced in the past? From your brother to the devils?"

"Aldrian the Great is the most dangerous one, Father. His strength is absurd, and I can’t predict or read him at all. He’s so powerful and mysterious that I don’t know what he’s thinking or what his intent is. However, you can feel this unsettling sense that nothing is hidden from that man. It’s as if we are completely open for him to read. He is the worst kind of enemy."

Patriarch Elliot raised his eyebrows.

"Is that so? I’m suddenly intrigued and want to meet Aldrian the Great personally and converse with him. I’ve never heard you give such a high evaluation to anyone before."

"Well, if Father meets him, you’ll feel the same way I do. The most important thing in front of him is to never show even the slightest sign of hesitation. We have to keep our masks on as tightly as possible," Randolf said.

"Oh, now you’re teaching your father, huh? Quite arrogant of you."

"Well, what can I say? It’s who I am," Randolf answered confidently, which made Patriarch Elliot smile.

"So, I suppose we’ll have to maintain a close relationship with Aldrian the Great for a long time, huh?"

Randolf nodded. "Yes, Father. At least until he erases the devils’ influence in the First Heaven, we’ll maintain this relationship with him. Although I can’t read his intent or understand his thoughts, from what I’ve heard about him and based on my own analysis, he seems to have a special hatred for the devils, to the point that once he learns they exist in an area, he will pursue them until he finds and uproots all of them completely without exception, and all in a short time."

"It could be said that he’s like me when it comes to cleansing devils, but he has his own method, which seems more effective. Even with the information I’ve gathered from my informants, I still don’t know how Aldrian the Great accomplishes it," he added.

Patriarch Elliot nodded. "I see. Do you believe he could clear the entire First Heaven of the devils? Even those from the central region of heaven?"

Randolf nodded. "Yes, Father. However, even if Aldrian the Great doesn’t have enough strength to completely wipe out the devils in the central region of heaven, he can at least weaken them. When the time is right and the moment supports it, we could finally get rid of them in one sweep."

"Sounds good. Our god will surely be pleased with this development," Patriarch Elliot said.

"Yes, Father, he will surely be pleased," Randolf said, his gaze turning toward the window. "He will be really pleased."

While the father and son were discussing their own matters, back on Aldrian’s interstellar vessel, inside a cabin, Angelica was sitting with Pope Claudius, who had also come for this war. Both of them were enjoying tea as they took gentle sips.

"Ah, it’s been months since I last tasted the tea you brewed. I really missed this taste," Pope Claudius said after his lips left the cup. He looked at Angelica and smiled.

"After you left the church grounds, you never came back again, except for His Majesty’s parents’ wedding," he sighed. "I think my daughter has already forgotten about me," he said teasingly.

"No, Father, I haven’t. It’s just that there are many things outside and... well, I just like to spend some time exploring and doing my own things, you know," Angelica replied with a slight blush.

Pope Claudius laughed before smiling warmly. "I know, dear, I know."

He knew that she liked spending time outside to make up for the years she couldn’t leave the church grounds for most of her life. She enjoyed exploring, and he allowed her to do whatever she wanted. Moreover, with Aldrian behind her, there was no danger that could befall her.

But then he noticed Angelica seemed lost in thought, staring at her cup in silence for a few seconds. Her expression clearly showed she was thinking deeply about something, which made him raise his eyebrows in curiosity before finally asking,

"What is it, dear? Do you have something in mind? It seems you’ve been pondering something deeply."

Angelica did not answer immediately. She kept looking at the surface of her tea, which reflected her beautiful face that could captivate many men. Her eyes clearly showed that she was thinking about something, just as Pope Claudius had said.

Pope Claudius did not press her and simply waited for her answer. He took a sip of his tea just as Angelica finally spoke.

"Father, how do you know if you like someone in a romantic way?"

Spurt!

Pope Claudius spat out his tea the moment he heard that question. His lips and chin were wet, but he didn’t care as he looked at Angelica in shock. Angelica blushed at his reaction and lowered her head deeply.

Pope Claudius’s gaze trembled as he looked at the woman he had raised as if she were his own daughter. That question struck him like lightning on a sunny day, shaking his heart.

This question... could it be?

Has the time finally come?

Has she finally fallen for someone?

She was already a famous figure in the past, even when she was still in her wheelchair. However, very few people had actually seen her, and because she rarely left the church grounds, she became somewhat of a mysterious figure.

The only things most people knew about her were her name and her status as the Saintess of the Heavenly Direction Church.

That was why, once her beauty appeared on screen for the first time during Aldrian’s parents’ wedding, many instantly idolized her. Her graceful manner and her serene, calming beauty were truly captivating to anyone, regardless of gender.

Moreover, when she became one of the center figures during Aldrian’s coronation, carrying his crown herself, many men, including those from high-ranking noble families, dreamed of asking for her hand in marriage.

But all of them understood that the status of a Saintess was too sacred, which made them feel unworthy. Throughout history, there had been very few Saintesses who ever married. Indeed, there were cases where a Saintess had taken a husband, but according to the records, only those personally approved by the pope could do so.

It was even said that heaven had to show its blessing for such a marriage to happen.

The heavy responsibility and sacred worthiness made a Saintess, or in this case, Angelica—a woman who could only be admired by men, but never taken as a spouse. It was something that made many men bite their fingers in frustration.

Now that Angelica had brought up the topic of liking someone, Pope Claudius naturally thought she must have feelings for someone but was uncertain about them.

"Father..." her voice broke through his chaotic thoughts. Angelica looked at him with a flushed face. He looked at her with complicated eyes before finally asking,

"Angelica, my daughter, do you like someone?"

Angelica lowered her head again, though she still answered with uncertainty.

"I don’t know. That’s why I wanted to ask Father, what does it feel like to like someone? Are my feelings for that person truly romantic, or is it just admiration?"

Pope Claudius stared at her in silence for a few moments before finally sighing.

"I see. Well, when you’re near that person, your heartbeat increases. You feel comfortable, and you want to stay by that person’s side for a long time. It feels as if there are butterflies in your stomach. The only thing you can focus on is him."

"Oh, and you’ll feel jealous when another woman approaches that person. If you feel all of that, then it’s a sign that you like that person romantically."

Hearing that, Angelica’s blush grew even deeper as she kept lowering her head. Seeing her like that made Pope Claudius feel as if he wanted to cry.

’Who is the bastard that made my daughter fall for him?’

After holding back his tears for a few moments, he finally asked,

"Angelica, my dear, do you have someone you like? Who is that man? Please, tell this father of yours so I can—"

"It’s Young Master Aldrian," Angelica cut him off, causing the pope to slip from his seat and collapse to the floor.