Under the rule of the Lord of the Tarnished, all one had to do was obey the law to live like an ordinary person, without enduring strange looks or unfair treatment.
In the past, the Tarnished would hardly have dared even dream of such a thing.
Because of that, the Tarnished were filled with gratitude toward the leader hailed as the White Lord. Great figures always make people want to follow them, draw close to them, and look up at them.
Before long, with the fervent support of the masses, a grand and magnificent church was erected in Stormveil.
It had been built specifically for that benevolent and fearless Lord. Its solemn exterior and exquisitely beautiful interior soon became one of the city's most striking sights.
At the same time, another rumor spread like wildfire, traveling from every street and alley of the ancient city to faraway lands.
The King of the Tarnished had conquered an Ancient Dragon, and that Ancient Dragon had willingly chosen to follow him, singing the praises of his legend.
To the people of the Lands Between, Ancient Dragons carried extraordinary meaning, so much so that even the "minor matter" of building a church for a Lord was overlooked.
Across the vast and legendary Lands Between, Ancient Dragons had always held a place of immense importance.
Their towering forms had once ruled this land, and their overwhelming power inspired reverence. Countless people looked up at those lofty beings.
Though the Ancient Dragons who once possessed the Lands Between had lost their dominion, the power, legend, and majesty they symbolized remained unforgettable.
So much so that after the Ancient Dragon War, "Conqueror of the Ancient Dragons" became one of the most defining titles associated with Godwyn.
Did that mean the current Lord of the Tarnished would become the second person after Godwyn to "naturally" inherit the Golden Dynasty?
No one knew, but people were willing to believe it. This land desperately needed someone like the Golden Prince.
"So this is the nice little thing you did while I was away?"
Nolan walked into the church and narrowed his eyes at Lansseax, who had somehow become his priest.
The Lansseax before him had already taken human form, though a few details still retained the traits of an Ancient Dragon.
Her sharp claws still gleamed with cold light. Her wings and tail were drawn in, but anyone paying close attention could still spot them.
Most eye-catching of all, however, was the snow-white witch's robe she wore.
The garment was exquisitely made and gave off an air of sacred purity. In sharp contrast stood Lansseax's alluringly beautiful face.
Her delicate features looked as though they had been carefully sculpted by a master craftsman, every line perfectly displaying a woman's softness and charm.
Those two utterly different qualities intertwined and fused together, creating a unique allure so potent it almost stirred criminal impulses in those who looked at her.
Lansseax stood gracefully by the railing on the second floor, looking down at the many worshippers who had come to pay homage to the Lord's statue below.
Smiling, she slowly spread her arms as if presenting something to the world, and said in a voice full of pride and satisfaction,
"That's right. I did well, didn't I? Look at how many people adore you, how many look up to you, how many revere you as a god!"
After saying that, she turned to look at Nolan behind her, her eyes full of expectation.
But Nolan only gave a casual wave of his hand and replied calmly, "I have no interest in the divine throne."
"I know. Your ambition is even greater. You want to become the god above gods, the Lord above all Lords. A God-Lord beyond every god and every Lord that has ever existed."
Lansseax stared at Nolan with blazing eyes and gently cupped his face in both hands. The fervor in her expression burned with a heat so intense it felt almost tangible.
But it did not come from blind worship of Nolan himself. It was simply because what came next was going to be too mad, too outrageous, and far too interesting.
Feeling the warmth against both cheeks, Nolan froze for a moment.
Did I ever say anything like that? Where exactly did she get the idea that I was thinking that way?
He suddenly remembered how he had once conned Vyke and pushed him forward. Back then, he had been the one pushing Vyke. Now it was Lansseax pushing him.
Lansseax's endless praise rang in his ears, yet Nolan remained silent.
It was not that he had already decided to become some God-Lord. He simply did not care one way or the other.
After all, long before the age of co-ruling God-Lords, he had already witnessed the end of the era of the one God-Lord.
Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, the first god and the god who opened the world, had also been the king who ruled over all things.
"I won't object to whatever you want to do. Just keep it within reason." Nolan let out a deep, helpless sigh.
The more he tried to stop her, the more this woman would probably want to do it. In the end, he could only blame himself for saying too much back then.
Having obtained permission from the person involved, Lansseax actually stuck out her long tongue and gave Nolan's cheek a light lick, as if she were savoring some delicious prey.
"No wonder Alicia and Nepheli like you so much. I finally understand why. If you keep indulging us like this, even I'm going to want to pin you down."
Lansseax licked her lips.
Nolan wiped the saliva off his face in disgust. Once this woman got worked up, she truly stopped caring about anything.
If anyone found out that the priest they worshipped and the Lord they admired were doing this right above their heads, the Nomadic Merchants would have plenty to talk about again.
Fortunately, the worshippers did not seem to have noticed what was happening here. Nolan looked at the pretty face right in front of him, then subconsciously glanced over at his shoulder.
Just as expected, little Ranni's cheeks were already puffed out, and the look she shot at Lansseax seemed ready to kill.
"Oh? This adorable little doll. Could it be Her Highness the Princess?"
The battle-hardened Ancient Dragon sensed the killing intent and, with no fear for her life, let out a teasing cry.
"Could it be you're angry because you saw Nolan and me being intimate? Does Her Highness have feelings for my Nolan? Oh my, oh my. Surely not? How strange!"
This woman really did have a death wish.
Nolan took it all in. He very clearly saw the corner of Ranni's beautiful eye twitch.
To keep things from spiraling out of control, with the two of them tearing the church apart in a direct fight and causing innocent casualties, he had no choice but to step in and mediate.
Nolan looked toward his royal guard, who were standing below and staring at his statue.
"Lansseax, go call Nepheli and the others over. Haven't you been wanting to understand my power? I'll teach you something useful. After that, take me to Summonwater Village."
Lansseax's face instantly lit up with irrepressible excitement, and she nodded again and again.
"No problem."