Chapter 534 (1): Bite the Bullet and Let Elian and Elohim Take the Blame

Lando Estate.

Family banquet.

A black luxury sedan was parked at the door of the estate. Wayne, wearing a black suit, emerged with an impeccably dressed Senna.

Her pure white evening gown hugged her captivating curves tightly. Her long, pinned-up blonde hair framed her stunning face, her natural beauty accentuated by light makeup. Every part of her embodied class and elegance. She looked like a goddess walking right out of a classical oil painting.

The three luxury cars’ value remained undepreciated. Even though Wayne was now in the company of real goddesses, the women with ‘na’ in their names, Senna, Filomina, and Anastasia, were still as radiant as ever.

However, while their status stayed constant, Silvia’s status had been rising. Thus, Senna’s status had lowered comparatively. In the family, at least, Senna was destined to be at her student’s mercy.

Since this was a family banquet, faith had no place at the dining table, and the difference between a pope and a high reverend didn’t matter. If it mattered, it would only be worse for Senna. Silvia was not only the God of Nature’s master and mother, but she was also the Holy Mother of another religion.

Senna, a mere Pope of the Church of Nature, didn’t even belong in the same conversation with Saint Silvia.

The meta had been updated too quickly.

The table was divided into two sides. On one side was the passive-aggressive Silvia and the punching bag Senna; on the other side was the audience, including Auston, Wayne, Veronica, and Megan.

Veronica, an outsider, shouldn’t be in attendance, but she still showed up at Silvia’s request. Though she kept calling Veronica adopted and a daughter-in-law, what mattered was that Veronica was Wayne’s fiancée.

Wayne had taken a lover home to meet his parents. If Veronica didn’t show up, it was hard to say if she could remain his betrothed.

The other lovers wouldn’t matter, but not Senna. Silvia knew her master too well. Senna was a shrewd, cunning woman who was more than Veronica could handle. Silvia had to be the one to stand in the ring.

Auston was here for entertainment. He had lost sleep last night because of Wayne’s provocation, and misery loved company. When he heard that Senna was visiting, he immediately perked up.

Megan’s thinking was much simpler. As long as her master, mistress, young master, and young lady were happy, she was happy.

Silvia had dressed up for the occasion in a low-cut evening gown. Her graceful beauty made it impossible for Auston to look away. It was obvious that she planned to defeat Senna in every aspect.

Unfortunately, her beauty still paled slightly in comparison.

Senna smiled faintly with a calm gaze. The look seemed to say that while Silvia was lucky to be born this way, her master would always be her master.

Silvia huffed, speaking in a thin voice, “You’re Senna, aren’t you? What’s your full name?”

Senna raised an eyebrow and responded softly, “Senna Castellana.”

“Nice name, and your looks aren’t bad. What do you do? How old are you? How good at magic are you?”

“I work at the Church of Nature as the Pope, and I’ve just become a demigod.”

“How about your age? How old are you?”

“...”

“Speak. Are you mute?”

The conversation gave Auston a serious case of secondhand embarrassment, and Megan couldn’t help but lower her head. Mistress Silvia was being embarrassing. She said the lines of a villain and didn’t speak like a good woman.

Veronica looked at the two women with wide eyes, holding her breath lest she disturb the argument.

How exciting! The old hag is going after the other old hag!

Wayne also watched them with rapt attention, unable to suppress his curling lips. If the warm-up was already this exciting, wouldn’t the actual match be epic?

“It’s fine if you won’t say it.” Silvia lowered her utensils and wiped the figurative stain on the corner of her mouth. Eyes narrowed, she shot Senna a sideways glance rather than looking at her straight on, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Judging by your appearance, you aren’t young anymore. Why would you subject my son to your presence? Are you after his youth or his wealth?”

“While Wayne was young, he was mature and behaved himself properly. He is remarkable in character, morality, and attitude toward others and society.”

Senna gave a perfect response, which was also meant as a soft cut to express her dissatisfaction with Wayne. “He has a strong sense of responsibility and knows to show his gratitude and pay others back. He’s honest, credible, and self-disciplined, with excellent self-control. He manages his time and people’s feelings methodically, making others feel at ease and respected.”

“I’m drawn to his charm. I’m not after anything but his person...”

“Moreover, his excellence must stem from a good upbringing. He’s grown up under the influence of his parents and the environment created for him...”

Senna paused to smile at Silvia. “I knew before I came that Wayne’s mother must be an educated, magnanimous lady. She’s definitely not the kind of second-rate woman who uses her status to make unreasonable demands. Now, I’m even more certain about that.”

Who are you calling unreasonable and second-rate?!

Silvia slammed the table. When Senna maintained a serene smile, she cursed that she had almost bitten the bait.

Silvia was the star of this banquet. She was the one in charge, and the upper hand had always been hers. She should be the one infuriating Senna.

Meanwhile, the four people in the audience seat were having a grand time. Veronica, especially, felt like she was witnessing a masterclass. Among the trio of magical girls, Kristen always made compromises for her, and Vera could never beat her. She had never experienced such exchanges between masters. She marveled at the old hag’s mastery while committing the lessons to memory.

Once she went home, she would try the tricks on Vera!

“Good. Though you lack manners, your eloquence resembles mine. I’ll consider you having inherited the good trait from me. That’s a bonus.” Silvia moved the utensils with grace, glancing at Senna. “Unfortunately, you’re too late. Do you see that girl, Veronica? She’s Wayne’s fiancée. You’re at best a lover.”

Senna nodded. “Time is a fickle mistress. She comes and goes quietly, leaving everyone with various regrets. However, she’s also left me with the best man. What more could I hope for?”

Holy, how are you so good at arguing? x5

Are all popes like you? Incredible! x5

Senna’s understanding response made Silvia feel like she had punched a ball of wool. She gnashed her teeth together and bit out, “The Lando family is a noble family with a long history in Londan, and we have strict rules. As an outsider coming to the city for a livelihood, you should watch yourself. If I ever find out that you’ve brought dishonor to the family, I’ll have many ways to hold you accountable.”

Wake up, Auston thought. Wayne’s already brought all the dishonor to the Lando family.

Please stop, Mistress, Megan thought. This is embarrassing!

Veronica, on the other hand, thought, Keep going. I love this. And Wayne would wholeheartedly agree with her.

In the next hour, Silvia tried to kill her master with random punches, but all of her attacks were blocked. Her master was doing tai chi, not only defending herself perfectly, but also using counterforce to sour Silvia’s mood.

Wayne had not stopped them. Although he had taken Senna here to make Silvia happy, and the outcome was the opposite of his intention, Senna had already followed his order and pulled her punches. Silvia was unable to defeat her because they belonged to different weight classes. If he favored Silvia further, Senna would be unhappy.

Try to turn things around, Master, or Senna would be holding a military parade at the Arc de Triomphe.

Later, another round of catfighting began in the study. It was Silvia’s personal study rather than Auston’s. The curious audience sat on the sofa by the wall, while the two female leads continued their pointed remarks.

Megan was going to enjoy the show when she suddenly remembered that she was the butler. She went out to make tea.

Wayne stopped her.

He shifted toward Veronica to make room for Megan to sit down and watch. She shouldn’t barge into the match and stop Silvia from flaunting her feminine prowess.

He had a feeling that Silvia would win the second round.

Glancing at the empty seat and then at Auston, who was right by that seat, Megan chose to stand behind Auston rather than sit down.

Wayne shook his head. Megan was too passive. She would never be more than a butler at this rate, and no life would be created.

Whatever makes you three happy.

Megan was an artificial great dragon, the Lando family’s butler, and Silvia’s mount. After she became a great dragon of Darkness, she had also become Auston’s mount. The three of them were bound together. The fact that nothing had changed... It might mean that they enjoyed the status quo.

Putting himself in Auston’s shoes, Wayne refused to believe that Auston was simply a loyal lover who rejected all other women. Instead, he suspected that Auston was into some strange, unusual kink.

The second round wasn’t a banquet but official work after mealtime. Thus, Silvia, the District High Reverend, was the one reporting her work from the desk, sitting down, while Pope Senna listened and confirmed her subordinate and student's work standing up.

Yes, it all made sense.

Bam!

Silvia slammed the desk and demanded, “What’s going on? Why did you move the headquarters to Londan? With you here, who’s going to be in charge in Windsor from now on? And what’s the point of the Londan head office? You might as well remove me.”

I would love to, but your son wouldn’t let me!

Senna smiled. “It is the God of Nature’s decree for the headquarters to relocate. Everyone must follow it. If you have any complaints, I can move the Londan head office to Ostarrichi instead to make it a new branch.”

“Oh, is this how you talk to me?!” Silvia glared at Senna. “So you’re the Pope and my master. So what? Do a pope and a master not have to follow the conventions for seniority? Address me respectfully and call me Mother!”

Senna’s eyes twitched. Looking down at a forty-five-degree angle, she mumbled, “Mother.”

“Louder. Haven’t you eaten anything earlier?!”

“...”

“Are you glaring at me? Try again if you dare!”

“Mo! Ther!”

“Why are you being so loud? Do you have any grievances about me? If so, say it. Then you’ll get what you deserve.”

Wayne shrugged on the side. What did he say? Silvia would definitely win this round. As long as she stayed unreasonable, there wasn’t much Senna could do.

Auston and Veronica both approved of Silvia’s unreasonable approach. Though it was a little embarrassing, it wasn’t a serious problem. The point was to knock Senna down a peg.

Auston didn’t like Senna. When he was dating Senna and later married her, Senna had threatened him with death many times. Rather than a parental figure, she was more like a villain who tried to break the couple apart.

Also, she was unhinged.

Veronica didn’t like Senna, either. Why was the old hag so beautiful? And why would she shamelessly go after her student’s student, who was much younger than her?

Oh, actually, she had seduced her student’s son in this version of the Lando family tree! That was even more shameless! Such depravity was rare even in the depraved high society. Did she think she was bringing back the old tradition?

“The headquarters of the Church of Nature will relocate, and it’ll be in suburban Londan. I’ve already brought the Philosopher’s Stone. The portal will be set up in an old castle...”

Senna talked about where the new headquarters would be established. In the next two days, the portal would be cleaned up and strengthened with defense mechanisms, then the headquarters could begin operations.

“Wait, that castle... belongs to my family.” Silvia’s eyes widened. “What’s going on? Why would the Lando family supply the real estate for the church’s relocation? Have you paid the rent?”

“You’re so devoted, High Reverend Silvia,” Senna praised.

“Cut your sarcasm. I hate old women who talk in circles like you. You don’t speak from the heart at all. Unlike you, I’m always honest.” Silvia raised an eyebrow. “My loyalty and my family are two different matters. The rent needs to be figured out.”

“The God of Nature gave me permission,” Senna said with a smile. “That’s also an oracle.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. What does that have to do with the God of Nature?”

“Don’t you know?” Senna asked in surprise, turning to the audience to look at Wayne. Wayne turned to look at Veronica—wrong person. He turned to look at Auston.

Have you not told her?

Auston scowled. Why would he tell Silvia? How would praising Wayne benefit him? He would have to be out of his mind to boast about Wayne’s feats to his wife.

“What should I know...?” Silvia’s heart sank. Thinking back to Wayne’s track record, a bead of cold sweat ran down her cheek. She said tentatively, “Has Wayne... Um, has the Goddess of Nature... So, is the family providing the real estate because of that?”

Because of what? Stunned, Veronica grabbed Wayne’s elbow with rage blazing in her widened eyes. Bastard, how audacious are you to lay a finger on the goddess?!

Calm down, Wayne thought. This isn’t how you address the God of Nature!