Berely. The statue of the Goddess of Victory atop Victory Palace gleamed brilliantly.
Compared with the statue of the Goddess of Victory Lin Qi had seen years ago, the one atop Victory Palace today had become even taller and more majestic.
Ever since the new emperor ascended the throne several years ago and the former emperor, Louis XIII, retired to the hunting palace outside the city to recuperate, the new emperor, Holy Light I, had carried out sweeping renovations to Victory Palace. The palace grounds had expanded fourfold, more than a dozen magnificent new palaces had been built, and a newly cast statue of the Goddess of Victory had been placed atop Victory Palace's main hall.
The golden Goddess of Victory held a round shield before her chest in her left hand, while her right hand raised a longsword high, thrusting straight into the sky. Beneath her feet spread a sea of raging flames. Priests from the Church's Temple of Victory had bestowed countless divine spell formations upon the statue. Even during the day, vast, dense halos of divine power rippled down from it, enveloping all of Victory Palace.
Within the council hall, Holy Light I wore a crimson cloak. His left hand gripped a staff, while his right held a holy orb inlaid with the emblem of a sacred cross. Looking slightly weary, he reclined sideways upon the throne. Twelve warriors clad in golden armor stood waiting behind him. Faint golden divine radiance spread from their bodies, forming a mist of divine power that shielded Holy Light I within.
Holy Light I's origins were mysterious. It was said that he was a prince whom the old emperor, Louis XIII, had secretly raised outside the capital.
Several years ago, after the original first prince and third prince suddenly died of