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Wayne's eyes flickered. He tentatively asked, "Me?"

Vina's expression froze, her hand holding the cup stopped in mid-air. She stared blankly for a moment before abruptly turning her head, forcing a cold and angry expression, but actually stammering:

"Yes, yes, yes... isn't that a bit too narcissistic? I'm your... little sister! Blood is thicker than water!"

Wayne panicked: "Who is that? I'll show him what's what with my knife!"

Wayne glared at her, his face flushed. He abruptly stood up, shaking off Wayne's hand that was pressing on his head, with a hint of defiance.

"Eating, shopping, watching movies, visiting old friends together, traveling together, and I also want him to help me with those agonizingly troublesome government affairs. I want to do all these things with the person I love most, and he has already promised to stay with me forever."

"Brother, get lost! You'll find out who that person is soon enough!"

Wayne's mouth gaped open, and he stood there stunned for a long while before finally letting out a long sigh of relief. He walked up to Vina and pressed her head down once again.

"Stop rubbing, why aren't you leaving, brother?"

“It’s a watch,” Wayne laughed.

"So what? Blood is thicker than water!"

Ignoring Vina's words, Wayne bent down and picked her up: "Yes, yes, but I am Wayne Bruce, so let's go?"

"Where are you going? There are still so many things to do..." Vina Cup suddenly picked her up without much struggle, only questioning her.

Wayne walked to the table, pressed a button, and said, "Let the Cabinet and Kal'tsit handle this. I trust them!"

"You knew?" Vina asked in surprise, looking at Wayne's actions.

Wayne chuckled: "Has someone forgotten who taught you to review documents backwards?"

Wayne wasn't unaware of this. But he had promised to personally handle things for Vina, so he didn't try to take advantage of the situation.

But now, he's Wayne Bruce, not a prince, so political affairs are naturally not his responsibility. I suppose Vina won't have any objections.

"Where do we go then?"

"Didn't you say we'd have dinner, watch a movie, see old friends...? I've already promised you the rest. So, let's have dinner and watch a movie first, shall we?"

Pushing open the door and stepping into the corridor, the noise gradually subsided. After what seemed like an eternity, Vina finally murmured a soft reply: "Mmm."

.......

“Hey Vina, could you come down for a bit?” Wayne suggested in a low voice.

"Why?... Oh, we're going out into the corridor, right? Okay. Put me down." Vina replied. There were many palace guards and maids outside the corridor. Being carried out like this by Wayne could easily lead to an uncontrollable situation, and Vina was quite shy.

Hearing this, Wayne silently swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue: "Because you are a bit heavy, my old back can't take it, and you are quite big, carrying you will block my view and my steps."

P.S.: I had a seven-day holiday for the New Year, and now I'm back at work. Office workers are back at work, and so am I starting to write!

The festive atmosphere wasn't quite there this year. Fireworks are certainly noisy and pollute the environment, but without them, just hanging a few lanterns really diminished the festive spirit. Even though the whole family came back, it felt rather bland.

I was planning to watch football with my dad, but the men's team almost had a stroke after losing to Vietnam on Chinese New Year's Day, which made him so angry he went to bed. It's hilarious. Thankfully, the women's team did well. The women's team is awesome! Can't the men's team give some of their money to the women's team?

The New Year is over, and it's time to go back to school—only 13 days left.

P.S.: This chapter contains mild incestuous content; I'm afraid it might get banned if I go too far. Please don't criticize if you don't like it; I'd be devastated if the book got banned after it's already finished.

The New Year is over, time to start updating the epilogue!

Epilogue Part 2 – Mostima's Apple

Victoria, Londinium, St. John's Cathedral.

The birthplace of the Ninety-Five Theses, the origin of the Terra Protestant Reformation, and now the Anglican Church of Victoria. Wayne never imagined that Mostima would choose such a place as their meeting spot.

With more than two years remaining in the three-year period, Mostima's sudden return is only temporary, like a short rest during a journey. But in any case, as long as she wants to see him, Wayne will make time to accompany her on this trip.

Wearing a fitted white Lateran Catholic gown with a black vest and lining, and a gradient skirt, she looked sacred and elegant. The Lateran Catholic Church usually only allows Sakotas who preside over important ceremonies to wear this outfit, but it seems that Mostima secretly brought it out.

Moreover, transporting an entire ruins armory is undoubtedly one of the most significant events in Laterano, so there's nothing wrong with Mostima wearing this outfit. At least, no one within Laterano should question it.

"Your Highness Wayne, it's been a long time."

Standing in the garden outside the church, Mostima bent down before the flowerbeds, gently inhaling the fragrance of the seasonal flowers. She didn't turn around, yet seemed to sense Wayne's arrival, and spoke to herself...

"That's what they say, but I still find it unbelievable. I've thought of many ways to return to Victoria, but I never imagined that this time I would be here to escort arms."

Wayne shrugged: "Not just you, to be honest, I didn't expect Miss Saintess to be so generous."

“Generous?” Mostima straightened up, looked at Wayne, and scrutinized him from head to toe before finally rolling his eyes helplessly. “Since Your Highness Wayne says so, then I’ll just keep it to myself for now.”

Now it was Wayne's turn to be dumbfounded. He really didn't know what had happened in Laterano, but judging from Mostima's expression, he obviously thought that he was the one who had caused the trouble.

This is truly a miscarriage of justice. During this period, Wayne has been either killing gods or slaughtering demons. Anyone who didn't know better would think they had traveled to a fantasy movie set, where Terra was about to experience a spiritual revival or something. He can't be said to know everything about Laterano; he can only be said to know absolutely nothing about it.

"Don't take the blame for something you shouldn't," Wayne immediately pressed, "What do you mean?"

"You really don't know?" Mostima glanced at Wayne suspiciously. Wayne quickly shook his head.

Mostima frowned, looking puzzled, and said, "That's strange indeed. Could such a thing really exist in this world? Her Highness the Saintess seems like a completely different person ever since she returned from Lungmen... But you can't say that..."

Mostima organized his thoughts and began to recount the series of events that had occurred in Lateran during these days:

Since His Holiness the Pope suffered a series of devastating blows and fell into a state of decline, Laterano entered the period of the Regency of Saint Michael. Saint Michael possessed the Originium Arts of the spiritual type, "Divine Guidance," and had always been the Pope's designated successor. The College of Cardinals did not react too strongly to her acting as regent. Saint Michael lived up to expectations, making wise decisions in several important matters, including the handling of the Columbia Incident, the Syracuse Gang's investment, and even Lungmen, injecting a strong boost into the Laterano Catholic Church, which had been declining since the Reformation.

However, the problem arose precisely from the Lungmen Incident. After returning from Lungmen, Her Highness remained diligent in her duties, but her methods underwent subtle changes. Previously, Michael, though the regent of Laterano, would still consult the Pope, who resided in the Papal Palace, on major issues, acting more like Victoria's cabinet than a regent with absolute power. But since returning from Lungmen, Michael began to personally oversee large-scale affairs, gradually consolidating power and eliminating dissidents.

If Michael was the Pope's shadow in the past, then Michael has now become the Pope in the shadow.

This is just the political change; besides that, there are also some changes in Michael himself. Previously, Michael devoted himself entirely to Laterano's religious affairs, remaining a mere observer in meetings except those deciding Laterano's major policies, striving to minimize his presence. He also procrastinated on matters involving his personal life. But the Michael of today…

Mostima commented somewhat awkwardly, "How should I put it? It seems like the Holy Maiden has become a spinster."

Wayne was taken aback: "Huh?"

Mostima nodded seriously: "Yes, she's gone mad."

Lateran has been completely transformed. If the upper echelons of Lateran before, with the exception of Urbino, were almost entirely anti-Veneen, then now, except for Urbino, everyone in Lateran is a Veneen—a case of Urbino's relativism. The lower echelons are similar; thanks to Michael's tireless efforts, the general sentiment towards Victoria among the lower and middle classes has risen to a bizarre level.

Logically, as the birthplace of the Reformation and the place where Laterano's religious and cultural hegemony crumbled, Lateranos shouldn't have had a very high level of goodwill towards Victoria. However, the situation is quite the opposite. Michael reversed the entire situation with three guiding principles, which are—

The Reformation was a profound examination of the corruption within the Catholic Church, a test given to us by God.

This guidance seems reasonable at first glance; the Reformation was indeed an exposure and critique of Lateran corruption, and it's understandable that the Laterans, who believed in God, viewed it as divine punishment and warning. However, this is merely a prelude, a prelude to the second guidance.

Therefore, Wayne Bruce and Victoria, who sparked the Reformation movement, were messengers of God; whether they realized it or not, they were chosen by God!

This guidance is highly suspicious. God gave Laterano a test, so Wayne, who initiated the religious reformation, is God's messenger. To prevent Wayne from doing anything contrary to religious beliefs or even defaming God, Michael added an extra layer of insurance, telling everyone that Wayne himself might not even realize he was chosen by God. But everyone should still be grateful for what Wayne did.

Wayne's lips twitched as he listened.

Michael's guidance is subtle and gradual, unlike Wayne's commands. Her guidance silently changes a person's thoughts, making them genuinely believe that these are their own ideas, thus eliminating any doubt. Michael may be the first person in history to directly apply his mental magic to the entire population of a nation.

Her magic was far less powerful than Wayne's, but this systematically trained and educated psychic sorceress accomplished something even Wayne couldn't—Wayne couldn't command the entire Victoria to believe in him; before his mental power could expand to cover the entire country, he would explode and die.

In this respect, Michael is undoubtedly legendary; she was the first person to defeat Vayne, a higher-dimensional being, in the application of the spiritual realm.

Fortunately, she was already one of Wayne's "own people".

Wayne pursed his lips, his feelings complicated. Suddenly realizing that Mostima had stopped speaking, he asked curiously, "What is the third guiding law?"

“Well…” Mostima suddenly clasped her hands together and said devoutly to Wayne, “Wayne~”

"Pfft!" Wayne was slightly taken aback, then couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"No way, really? Michael went that far?"

"Yes, that's why I find it unbelievable. What kind of spell did you cast on Her Highness the Holy Maiden to make her help you like this? Even your powerful Originium magic couldn't make her do this willingly, could it?"

Mostima asked curiously,

"Moreover, the third decree goes beyond this."

"What else?"

"And what else... Also, if I'm affected, I'd probably have to deal with you severely right now and send you back to the Lateran Papal Palace, Vimen."

Wien stared at Mostima's ambiguous smile for a long time before realizing what she really meant by "I'll do you." She suddenly shivered.

If that's what he thinks, then doesn't that mean he now has a whole country's worth of fans?

And this country is entirely populated by Sakortas?

If he is loved and worshipped by all the angels, does that mean he is a true God?

"Alright, alright, don't think about it so much. This isn't a bad thing for you, right?" Mostima patted Wayne on the shoulder and said, "A great godslayer, one who defeated evil single-handedly, isn't it normal to have some fans? There are so many idols on this land—singers, dancers, acrobats, artists—but you're in a league of your own..."

Wayne was amused by this and followed Mostima's lead, asking, "So what do I do?"

Mostima tiptoed and wrapped her arms around Wayne's neck, a wicked smile appearing on the fallen angel's face: "You're mine?"

Before Wayne could answer, she pulled him down slightly with her arm and kissed him.

"Do you know why I'm not affected by the Third Law? It's not because I happen to be away from Laterano."

"It's because guidance can't make someone who already loves apples just like apples in general."

Wayne was still wondering why Mostima suddenly brought up apples, but Mostima had already silenced Wayne's train of thought with her lips.

"It's been almost a year, let's collect some interest."

Speaking of which, apples were the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden.