Emperor Aldric blinked several times, "Holy... land?"

"You mean... turning an entire sovereign kingdom into a religious state dedicated to Lady Rheanne?"

Brandon nodded, "Exactly. We declare Nacirfa a neutral holy land under the direct protection and guidance of the Goddess Rheanne.

"The land becomes sacred ground... like a place where Rheanne’s followers can gather, and most importantly, a buffer zone that no empire can claim without provoking ’divine wrath’."

Emperor Aldric leaned back against the couch as he processed the audacious idea.

"That’s... extremely bold."

He let out a stunned chuckle. "You want to turn a strategic kingdom that both Eurasania and Cene have bled over for decades into a theocracy? One centered around Lady Rheanne herself?"

With a nod, Brandon replied "It’s the cleanest solution. If we create a holy land under Rheanne’s name, any aggression toward it becomes a direct challenge to her. Neither Cene nor Eurasania would dare move against it openly."

"The internal factions in Nacirfa can be restructured under a council of priests and administrators loyal to the Goddess. It forces the entire continent to acknowledge Rheanne’s authority properly."

Emperor Aldric exhaled slowly, staring at the fruit platter as his mind raced through the political implications.

"It would require careful diplomacy... especially with Eurasania. But if both empires agree to respect the holy land’s neutrality..."

He trailed off, then gave a slow nod "It could actually work. It might even bring long-term peace to that cursed region."

"I heard you have been staying in Eurasania for a while. Did you talk with the Emperor about this?"

With a nod, Brandon replied "No need to worry about that. I have already spoken with him. He even agreed to build churches for Rheanne in his Empire."

Aldric raised an eyebrow upon hearing this "Building churches for Rheanne? This could cause some conflicts with the existing churches for Sun and Land."

"But considering her contributions to this world and humanity, she is worthy of such divine status."

With a soft sigh, he muttered "It seems Lord Kael is quite the ambitious one when it comes to elevating the Goddess. Very well. If Eurasania has already begun building churches in your name, then Cene shall not fall behind."

Brandon smiled in his heart "Good to hear that."

---

"What?"

Rheanne looked at Brandon in shock "A holy land dedicated for me?"

Before Brandon could even respond, Rheanne’s hand shot out and grabbed the front of his collar.

In one fluid motion, she pulled him closer and began shaking him back and forth.

"You-! I am already considering building churches in my name and here you are building a whole Kingdom in my name?!" she exclaimed in exasperation.

Brandon let himself be shaken with a helpless smile on his face as his head moved back and forth.

He didn’t resist as he knew better than to fight her when she got like this.

Rheanne’s cheeks were faintly flushed with embarrassment as she continued to shake him.

"Kael! Have you lost your mind?!" she scolded in a frustrated tone.

"I told you I would think about the churches. Just think! And now you casually declare an entire kingdom should become my holy land? "

"Do you even understand what that means? Pilgrims and priests chanting my name every day... I am not some deity who desires worship!"

She gave him one final shake before finally releasing his collar, though she kept glaring at him with those piercing blue eyes.

Brandon straightened his clothes with a wry smile, "I know it sounds extreme. But this plan prevents both Cene and Eurasania from fighting over it, and it creates a neutral ground where your followers can gather safely."

Rheanne let out a deep breath and sat on her bed "Always thinking some extreme ideas and dragging me along without warning."

"Also does Eurasania Emperor even know about this Holy land?"

With a shake of his head, Brandon replied "No, but I lied to Aldric that Eurasania Emperor already agreed to this."

Rheanne’s jaw dropped "What? What if the Eurasania Emperor didn’t agree?"

Brandon shrugged casually as he walked over and sat beside her on the edge of the bed "He’s going to be my father-in-law eventually. I can use Amelia to talk to him and sugarcoat it nicely."

Rheanne stared at him, "And if that doesn’t work?"

"Well, even without Amelia I can convince him," Brandon replied confidently.

"He doesn’t want another war right now either. He already agreed to build churches dedicated to you across his empire."

"Once he sees the strategic benefit of a neutral Holy Land acting as a buffer between the major powers, he’ll come around. It prevents bloodshed and gives him a way to save face." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Rheanne looked at him for a long moment, "Kael, do you ever think things through normally? I sometimes wonder what is going on inside that head of yours."

Brandon chuckled softly "I do think things through."

Rheanne stared into his eyes and she let out another long sigh before leaning forward, resting her forehead against his shoulder.

"I know your intentions are good... but sometimes your ideas are too extreme. A whole kingdom named after me? People will start treating me like an actual living goddess everywhere I go. I never wanted that kind of worship."

Brandon wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, letting her lean against him.

"You don’t have to act like a goddess," he murmured, gently stroking her white hair.

"Just be Rheanne. The rest will fall into place naturally. And if it ever becomes too much... I’ll be right here with you."

Rheanne stayed quiet for a while.

Eventually, she muttered against his shoulder "...You’re lucky I trust you so much, you scoundrel."

Brandon smiled "I know."

*knock* At that moment, a firm knock echoed through the bedchamber.

Rheanne lifted her head from Brandon’s shoulder. She paused for a brief second, sensing the presence behind the door, and a little giggle escaped her lips.

She quickly pulled back from his lap and Brandon let out a tired sigh, already knowing what was coming.

He stood up, rolled his shoulders once, and walked toward the door.

The moment he opened it-

WHOOSH!

A powerful punch shot straight toward his face like a cannonball.

In the last instant, Brandon’s hand snapped up and caught the fist mere inches from his nose.

Standing before him was a tall woman, nearly the same height as Brandon.

She had a wild grin plastered across her face.

Her body was packed with well-defined, powerful muscles that showed her years of brutal training.

She wore a simple black combat outfit that hugged her athletic frame, with a crimson cloak draped over one shoulder.

Her hair was black, tied in a messy high ponytail, and her sharp black eyes sparkled with excitement.

She looked at him with a feral smile "I heard you came back, so I came to greet you~"

Brandon’s expression remained flat. Without hesitation, he twisted her wrist slightly, locking her arm in an uncomfortable angle.

"Is this how you greet people, you damn bitch?"

BAM!

He drove his fist straight into her face with precise power.

The woman staggered back three full steps, her boots scraping against the polished floor, but she didn’t fall.

She shook her head once, then laughed loudly, wiping a small trail of blood from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Hahaha! Still got that same nasty right hook, Kael!"