Thin smoke wafted, the aroma filled the air.
Even a Demon from Hell couldn't resist this delicious barbecue. Skewer after skewer, chewing tastier than sinful souls.
Even Lilith felt this way, let alone others. Knights almost fought over the food, and Emily, while eating, felt like her tongue didn't belong to her anymore.
"Hmph! How about it? My skills are top-notch, right? If the heavens hadn't birthed me, Lette, the barbecue world would be eternally dark!"
Taylor, on the other hand, was eating and crying, still complaining to Lette.
"Boss, you've been gone for three years! Three years! You have no idea how I've lived through these three years. It was so tough, but I finally made it through."
Lette raised an eyebrow, saying nothing more.
When he first came here, it was miserable! This world was a food desert with barely any concept of seasoning, and the barbecue was just grilled meat with a sprinkle of salt.
As someone from Food Heaven, Lette couldn't stand it for even a month. He had to start growing and making his own spices to survive.
Moreover, through three years of travel, Lette continuously studied and perfected herbology, finding many substitutes for familiar seasonings, bringing his barbecue skills to a new level.
"Lilith, come over and lend a hand."
"Oh..."
Reluctantly, Lilith floated over, her lower body turning into purple smoke coiling around Lette, her chin resting on Lette's shoulder.
Her height was just half a head taller than the grill, making it impossible for her to help, unless she removed the seal and returned to her normal size.
She knew this was just an excuse for Lette to talk to her.
So, she didn't wait for Lette to speak and directly spilled everything she had discovered.
"I've sorted out what you wanted me to investigate, and it's almost certain that the escaped Ancestor-level Vampire was actually targeting Joanna.
Attacking the Pope Palace was just a pretext.
The escaped Vampire used the alias Guilvis, born of the Scarlett Family.
Three years ago, he was just an Earl, then he rose to Duke, Prince, all the way to Ancestor-level.
Half a year ago, he was captured and sent to Iron Tower Prison. During his confinement, he showed no unusual behavior.
But half a month ago, he somehow escaped the Iron Tower, evaded one array after another, and made it to the Pope Palace undetected, attacking Joanna.
Currently, Joanna has been placed within the Pope Palace. Surrounding her are numerous Holy Artifacts and Holy protection.
I feared the coating would fail, so I didn't observe closely.
The body of that Vampire has completely turned to ashes, leaving no useful clues."
Lette nodded, basically confirming in his mind that the mastermind behind this event is undoubtedly connected to the Blood Witch.
For an Earl-level Vampire to advance to Ancestor-level in just two and a half years, such terrifying means may not even be possible for a Bloodline True Ancestor.
Moreover, this Vampire's jailbreak and evasion of detection by the Holy Light Array have a striking resemblance to the Dark Race they encountered in Linsaint Watchtower, at least sounding similar.
Lette, not looking up, flipped the skewers over, the smoke cloaking his eyes filled with murderous intent.
"Among the Vampires, only the Brande Family and the Scarlett Family have True Ancestor-level power. There might also be power struggles and mutual framing involved among them.
But they all have to pay for this!"
With a creak, the iron skewer threading the meat bent, and Lette discreetly handed it to Lilith on his shoulder.
"Don't get grease on my hair."
"Have other intel you want to hear?"
"Any more skewers you want to eat?"
Lilith pouted: "The Dark Race is no longer the biggest problem in the Holy City now. Do you know how many forces that would trouble you I've seen these days?
The remnants of the Truth Church, spies from the Elf Empire, and task forces from the Free Domain.
And various Pagan revenge organizations directly or indirectly destroyed by the Holy Light Church.
But the one you should really be wary of is..."
Hearing Lilith keeping him in suspense, Lette sneered: "It's the New Church, right?"
"Seems like you've got a good grasp on it."
Lette placed the freshly grilled skewers on a plate, casually picking up a glass of fragrant wine and downing it in one go.
"Whether it's those seeking revenge, those trying to overthrow, or those spying for secrets. The target is either the trunk or the fruit.
But the New Church is aiming at the very roots of the Church Court.
I haven't talked with the Holy Light Goddess yet, so I can't determine what's going on with this Light God.
But for such a church in the One God Sect, to allow the New Church to exist, even summon divine power.
The severity of the issue is already at a life-and-death crossroads."
Lette slammed the empty wine glass on the table: "Looks like a grand show is about to unfold in this Holy City!"
Lilith, seeing he wasn't happy, rolled her eyes: "Actually, there's another secret, you'll definitely be happy to hear it."
"What news?"
"I found the location of the Pope's little treasure vault!"
"That's a major achievement!"
Lette rubbed his hands, laughing sinisterly: "He's been fleecing me for three whole years, tomorrow morning, I must pay my respects to the old man!
Hey! Emily, you must come with me to see the Pope tomorrow morning, don't oversleep."
Emily hurriedly brought over a fruit platter: "Really? I can meet the legendary Pope? That's wonderful!"
"...Don't be so excited, the teacher he might be quite different than the Pope in your impression."
"Speaking of the Pope's image in the minds of the people..."
Lilith picked up two pieces of fruit with both hands, stuffing one into Lette's mouth, nibbling on the other.
"That old flame of his might be a closer match."
"Joanna is not my old flame!"
Lilith immediately showed a sly smile: "I didn't mention any names, someone is feeling guilty."
Lette rolled his eyes: "What I mean is, Joanna does fit more closely with people's stereotypical image of the Pope.
Temperate, diligent, humble, forgiving, pure, compassionate. She started assisting the teacher in handling church affairs very early on, with deep interpretations of the Holy Scriptures.
By the standards of a Divine Officer, simply perfect, worthy of the name Holy."
Emily clicked her tongue in amazement: "Such an outstanding Holy Daughter, how did she end up with you?"
Lette pouted: "I've said many times, we don't have that kind of relationship! Her feelings for me aren't love!
It's a desire to rescue, understand?
In her eyes, I'm someone who's gone astray in defiance of orthodoxy.
Joanna feels that, as a fellow student of the same teacher, she has the duty to bring me back to the right path.
So she often pesters me, preventing me from doing things she sees as contrary to doctrine.
We frequently argue, leaving one another frustrated to death.
Of course, she definitely can't control me, so I still periodically cause trouble, getting thrown into Iron Tower Prison.
Every time I get in, she comes to see me, scolding my recklessness, while bringing some food and supplies.
Once, she brought a lunch basket, looked at me in the cell, and suddenly said something...
I got it!
Conventional methods can't save you!
Only getting closer, deeper mutual integration is the way of salvation.
And she said!
Standing on the shore can't save me who's in the water, so she wants to join me in the sea of doom, and swim back to shore someday in the future.
She plans to first immerse herself in my life, then walk towards the light together!"
Emily covered her mouth with both hands in admiration: "Lady Joanna! She's really, I'm crying to death!"
"Why suddenly the honorifics!"
"So where's your dissatisfaction?"
"Didn't you hear it? She wants to be with me not out of love, but out of pity!
I don't need her pity!"
Lette flipped the skewers in great annoyance: "Ha! Let's see this time, who rescues who!"
Emily held her tongue, deep in thought.