Vol 4. Chapter 174: The Heavenly Punishment Holy Church Makes Its Move

As Archbishop Pandora finished speaking,

The figure dressed in platinum-white robes slowly turned around under Pandora's respectful gaze, revealing his true appearance beneath the moonlight.

He was a man with dazzling golden short hair, the tips of which were a sacred silvery white. His sharp, dark-red eyes remained perpetually half-closed as he turned to meet Archbishop Pandora's gaze with an expression full of friendliness.

Without a doubt, the man's appearance was entirely ordinary. He was the sort of person who could disappear into a crowd without anyone ever noticing him.

However, the terrifying aura faintly emanating from his body, along with the invisible pressure he exerted upon the very souls of those nearby, made this seemingly ordinary blond man anything but ordinary.

And this man, whose extraordinary bearing was evident even as he stood with his hands clasped behind his back, was none other than the supreme ruler of the Asumos Church.

Kaelrode-Andoluvich.

...

"Pandora, my old friend, please get up. There's no need for such formality."

Rather than immediately responding to Pandora's report, Kaelrode displayed his usual gentle smile and hurried forward, intending to help the kneeling woman to her feet.

"Lord Kaelrode, proper etiquette must be observed. Besides, this is hardly the time for pleasantries."

However,

Faced with Kaelrode's kindness, Pandora shook her head and firmly refused, speaking with a serious expression.

"Your Holiness, please take this seriously."

Her stern, piercing gaze even caused Kaelrode to freeze momentarily. He stopped in his tracks and awkwardly raised his hands in surrender.

"All right, all right, I understand."

For once, the supreme leader of the Asumos Church decisively backed down before Pandora, behaving almost like a student being reprimanded by his teacher.

"Honestly, you and Nick are exactly alike. So rigid, even when there's no one else around. Is everyone who graduates from the Church Academy like this?"

"Your Holiness, now is not the time to discuss such matters."

Pandora reminded him bluntly before continuing in an increasingly urgent tone.

"Regarding the matters I just reported, I ask that Your Holiness make a decision as soon as possible."

"The matters you mentioned just now?"

"Yes. The first concerns Bolufu's arrival at Yexinlian Royal Academy."

Afraid that Kaelrode might not have fully understood, Pandora emphasized her point once again.

"The mission you assigned Mengxi was to bring back the Saint Dragon Heart. I believe the Crimson Leaf imperial family has anticipated this as well. Otherwise, they wouldn't have dispatched that necromancer, Bolufu. He might use the Soul-Devouring Hand against Mengxi to erode her mind. For the sake of the Child of Destiny's safety, I believe it is necessary to dispatch additional powerful individuals to protect her."

"Then, Archbishop Pandora, what do you suggest? Who do you think we should send?"

"I believe Anjinuo would be the most suitable candidate. He excels at concealment and is skilled at protecting the Child of Destiny from the shadows without her noticing. Furthermore, isn't Moran currently somewhere near Yexinlian as well? Therefore, I hope Your Holiness will issue an order to Archbishop Mokaluo, instructing Moran to cooperate with Anjinuo in protecting the Child of Destiny. Considering that Bolufu was formerly the Third Seat of the Ghost Tower, I believe two Heavenly Apostles are necessary to guarantee the Child of Destiny's safety."

Pandora explained her thoughts frankly.

Although she knew about Mengxi's 'miracles,' those 'miracles' were only triggered when Mengxi faced mortal danger.

If Bolufu employed mental attacks to control the Child of Destiny, Mengxi might not necessarily be able to defend herself.

Nothing could be allowed to happen to the Child of Destiny.

Pandora preferred to exercise greater caution. She had no intention of placing excessive faith in the Child of Destiny as Nick had done, even if the Child of Destiny disliked having Heavenly Apostles secretly protecting her.

Compared to her safety, personal privacy meant nothing.

"What does Your Holiness think?"

"Hmm..."

Hearing Pandora's proposal, Kaelrode raised a hand to his chin and fell into brief contemplation.

A moment later, the supreme leader of the Asumos Church nodded slightly.

"I understand. However..."

"However?"

"Archbishop Pandora, I'd like to make a slight adjustment to your plan. Have Anjinuo and Bai Xiaozou go together. The two of them will be responsible for protecting the Child of Destiny and keeping watch over Bolufu."

"Bai Xiaozou? You mean White Yama?"

Hearing this, Pandora couldn't help revealing a trace of doubt.

"Is White Yama really in a suitable condition lately? Ever since Nick returned to the Goddess's embrace, White Yama has seemed completely listless."

"Indeed. And that's precisely why she needs a mission to help her forget the sorrow in her heart. Protecting Mengxi, protecting a good friend... I believe that should help White Yama regain some of her spirits. Besides..."

As he spoke, Kaelrode seemed to remember something, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared.

Now expressionless, the Pope raised his head and gazed toward the bright moon hanging in the night sky.

"As for Moran, I have no intention of involving her in this mission for the time being."

"W-Why is that, Your Holiness?"

"That's not something you need to concern yourself with, Archbishop Pandora. I have my own considerations. Just notify Anjinuo later."

"Yes."

Pandora lowered her head and asked no further questions.

"Now then, Archbishop Pandora, what was that matter concerning the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church you mentioned earlier?"

Kaelrode turned his attention back to Pandora, a faint trace of displeasure appearing in his eyes.

Clearly, to Kaelrode, who worshipped the Goddess, the members of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church—heretics who blasphemed against the Goddess and worshipped the Demon God—had always been a group he was determined to eradicate.

Kaelrode had indeed dispatched Heavenly Apostles and Church forces on numerous occasions, joining hands with the various empires to launch campaigns against the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church in the hope of completely exterminating these cultists.

However,

These heretics were like rats and cockroaches hiding in the darkness. No matter how many were killed, they could never be completely eradicated.

Every single encirclement and suppression operation had been meticulously planned, seemingly without a single flaw.

Yet somehow, those damned cultists always managed to escape.

Even now,

The Heavenly Punishment Holy Church remained a persistent thorn in Kaelrode's side.

However,

Alongside the anger flashing through his eyes, Kaelrode also felt a hint of surprise.

"The Heavenly Punishment Holy Church? Haven't those filthy, cowardly rats been skulking around the northern territories and the small kingdoms in the central region lately? Why have they suddenly appeared near Anvika, the capital of the Crimson Leaf Empire? They certainly seem to have grown quite bold."

"Indeed, Your Holiness. The reconnaissance units of the Dark Moon's Shadow have discovered a large number of individuals wearing the insignia of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church appearing one after another around the outskirts of Yexinlian Academy. Although we don't know exactly how they managed to infiltrate the empire's central region, these cultists clearly have malicious intentions. According to my subordinates' preliminary estimates, the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church has gathered more than three hundred members."

"And what do you believe their purpose is in gathering here?"

"Considering the timing of their appearance, it's difficult not to suspect that those cultists intend to interfere with Yexinlian's ranking tournament."

"With only three hundred people? They're planning to make a move here, of all places? That's rather overestimating their abilities, isn't it? But Archbishop Pandora, since your forces have already discovered these cultists, why haven't you eliminated them directly? Could it be that you're unable to destroy them on your own?"

"That is correct, Your Holiness."

Pandora admitted this without hesitation and presented Kaelrode with a detailed reconnaissance report.

"After sacrificing two squads, we confirmed that the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church members gathered here are no ordinary small fry. Every one of them belongs to the Church's elite forces. Among them are two of their notoriously infamous Grand Archbishops. Furthermore... Welt, the leader of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church himself, is also among them."

"Oh? That fellow Welt has come as well? It seems they're genuinely planning to interfere with the ranking tournament. Or perhaps... they're also after the Saint Dragon Heart? Or could they be planning to assassinate the Child of Destiny?"

Looking at the intelligence report in his hands, Kaelrode raised an eyebrow and began speculating about the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church's intentions.

However, after contemplating the matter for a moment,

The corners of Kaelrode's mouth gradually curved upward, and he made a decision in his heart.

"Regardless of their objective, this is quite a good opportunity."

"Indeed, Your Holiness. This is an excellent opportunity to eradicate the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church. As long as Welt dies, those leaderless cultists will undoubtedly scatter in all directions."

"Then, Archbishop Pandora."

The smile vanished from Kaelrode's face as he cast a glance at Pandora, his gaze now carrying a faint but unmistakable killing intent.

Pandora immediately lowered her head respectfully, assuming a posture of readiness to receive his orders.

"Yes, Your Holiness."

"I hereby place two Holy Decree Envoys, the Third Combined Heavy Armored Regiment of the Temple Legion, and the Cherubim Knights under your command. You have only one mission. Lead them, together with your Dark Moon's Shadow forces, and annihilate those cultists."

"Bring Welt's head before me."

"Yes, Your Holiness. This subordinate will certainly fulfill the mission entrusted to me."