This happened half a month ago.

It was a peaceful morning, and the land of Canaan was once again bathed in glorious sunshine, and if you looked out from the sea, you could see the towering lighthouses and the steamships perched on the shore, and the majestic shadows of the outer walls of the Sacred City reflected in the sparkling sea.

As the new day begins Mass, the roar of a giant bell resounded in the sky.

The bell rang one after another, passing over the heads of all sorts of people. It passes through the thriving port, through the streets, through the statue of the Supreme King that towers over the center of the Place de la Saints, through the streets of the Champs and the residences of the Holy Nobles, all the way to the Papal Chamber.

......

Joan Borgia hurried along the marble-paved brick path.

Beside him were two pools of clear water, reflecting a dazzling clear light in the sunlight. The water spray device sprays the refreshing mist of water around; By the pool, a few white doves are strolling leisurely, pecking at the grain grains on the ground.

As Mr. Bishop walked by, the startled pigeon flapped its wings and flew past him, its white feathers dangling from the water in mid-air.

Ahead is the destination. This time the Pontifical See, summoned by himself, was so urgent that the young bishop had to rush from the Emerald to the audience.

Canaan's urban area is a complex city, dotted with paths and rivers that stretch like a dense web between the mountains and the port.

This is because the layout of the city is divided according to the different families and surnames, as well as their imprint and status in the history of the Covenant; Ordinary people, merchants, tourists and believers from other places all live near the port, like ant nests built on the ground everywhere.

The closer to the center of the city, the larger the residences belonging to the clergy and the nobility, and in some places they can even be called "empty". Of all the Canaanite cities, the most extensive is the complex of buildings at the foot of the Holy White Mountain, which occupies almost half of the eastern part of the city.

It is known as the "Great Sanctuary of God" to the outside world.

Of course, in the strict sense of the word, the real Great Sanctuary is located underground in the city.

It has never been open to the public, and although it is known to exist, no one can approach it, and the Great Sage is a more secret place than the Inquisition in the imagination of the people. That's why there are all kinds of rumors.

The Cathedral of St. Andom – the so-called "Cathedral Church", the church where the Orthodox Bishop of a diocese is located, generally means the core of power of the Holy See here.

St. Andom's Cathedral is located in the middle of the city of Canaan, where the diocesan bishops, who are responsible for the day-to-day affairs of the church, and where more than 100 priests are supported and tens of thousands of faithful come and go every day.

However, due to the existence of the complex of buildings built on the hill behind it, even the Holy See, which has a long history, with its majestic vermilion octagonal dome and artistic treasures left over from the Revival period, is overshadowed by comparison.

- Because, the highest authority of the Holy See, the "Papal Chamber", is here.

"Lord Borgia......"

"Your Excellency, Bishop."

"Hello, Lord Borgia."

As long as he met people, he would take the initiative to bow respectfully to him, and no one would want to offend a great man who was only one step away from the Holy See.

When Joan was only the illegitimate son of the Borgia family, there were people who publicly slandered him and made unfounded slanderous opinions; Someone was gentle or warm to him, teaching him how to survive here, and this was for investment purposes; And many more choose to ignore him when he doesn't exist. Of course, there are occasional people who genuinely come to his aid out of sheer kindness and compassion......

And now, all the humiliation experienced in the past has disappeared. Those who are under the Council of Cardinals have only a share in pleasing him.

He smiled mildly and nodded back.

Joan didn't hate it, but enjoyed it.

Because, this is a kind of proof - he has never forgotten the life he once had. It was precisely because the memory of sadness, anger and self-pity was so deep that it still haunted his soul that he could feel a sense of intoxication after it was reflected with reality; A beautiful experience of holding power and taking control of one's own life.

This did not immerse the young cardinal, it only made him more sober.

He knew what he wanted, better than anyone else.

Joan saw crowds of monks walking into the side hall with crosses and idols.

…… I see, in a few days it will be the Day of Resurrection. On that day, he thought, the whole city would be in a carnival atmosphere.

Without squinting, he walked straight to the main entrance.

Two white-robed monks stood at the entrance of the hall, holding long ceremonial sticks in their hands.

They are different from the others, their faces are expressionless, like two frozen sculptures. After seeing Qiong'an approaching, he bowed slightly.

One of them left where he was. Under his leadership, Joan walked through the corridors, flanked by huge classical paintings by clever painters, telling the story of how people were guided by the sages to overcome the obstacles and finally come to the Promised Land and establish the city of Canaan.

Finally, they came to the interior of the temple.

There, Joan saw the man's back.

……

Teal marble floors, enamel and agate walls, gem-encrusted walls with intricate carvings, and pristine round domes.

Sunlight filtered in through the brilliant glass dozens of meters overhead, casting faint shadows on the smooth and shiny ground.

In the center of the hall, there is only a small altar. The face is draped with white linen and placed with silver candlesticks. The candlestick is lit with a dozen dark yellow candles.

The candlelight swayed gently in the breeze. Standing in front of the altar was a man in a white robe.

"You're here, Joan."

The plainly dressed man turned his head slightly.

He was not tall, neither thin nor strong. Judging from his face, he was a middle-aged man in his fifties.

The white-robed man had gray hair and a weather-beaten face, but he showed no signs of aging.

The temperament revealed by his gestures is both the depth of a wise man and the majesty of a king. In those dark blue pupils that are exactly the same as Qiong'an, the divine light is convergent, as deep as the sea.

"Yes."

After the guards left, Qiong An put one hand on his chest and knelt down on one knee at the same time, bowing his head, his movements meticulous and extremely respectful.

"With the protection of our Lord, may you be in good health forever."

"Get up."

This person is the supreme power of the Holy Alliance—

Pope, St. Leo IV.

Meantime...... He is also his biological father.