Chapter 1468: Torch

The body carried an indescribable pain, every bone seemed fractured, flesh disintegrating, like a snowman exposed under sunlight, irrevocably heading toward demise.

The silhouettes outside the tent flickered, flames flared, the battle never ceased.

Anthony picked up a sharp sword, struggling to prop himself up with both hands, to stabilize his body, lest he fall down, gasping, blood continuously dripped, soaking the ground beneath.

It hurt, not just a physical pain, but scars etched into the soul, they relentlessly exploded Anthony’s nerves, tormenting his sanity.

Then came the fatigue, a sense of exhaustion never felt before enveloped Anthony, breathing became difficult, as if a rock weighing a thousand pounds was crushing his chest, if Anthony didn’t persist, he might not even be able to hold the sword in his hand.

“It’s really bad, Your Excellency.”

Anthony muttered, a helpless wry smile appearing on his face.

The injuries and fatigue, and the heavy burden of duty, everything was thrust upon Anthony, bombarding a mortal’s soul.

“You… are watching me, aren’t you?”

Anthony moved his gaze with difficulty, looking toward the shadows inside the tent, unsure if it was an illusion or something, he could hear the surrounding whispers, certain sinister and loathing things hovered at his ears, whispering softly.

In a daze, he could see the crimson hundred eyes, along with unending mocking laughter, they were watching Anthony, waiting for the moment of his collapse.

Anthony held on with all his strength, he could not lose, at least not now.

The muscles of the body seemed petrified, hard to move, his eyelids involuntarily closed, wanting to simply fall down like this, into slumber.

The explosive sound suddenly boomed, temporarily stealing Anthony’s attention, very close, just nearby, followed by a heat wave passing through, causing the tent to rustle, for a moment Anthony felt the world spinning, he tried stepping forward a couple times, then collapsed powerlessly to his knees, but he held onto the sword tightly, preventing a complete fall.

“Your Excellency, I think… I found the answer, although I’m not sure, if it’s right or wrong.”

Anthony knelt down entirely, sword plunged ahead, praying.

The ethereal thing that Anthony had been chasing, now seemed grasped within Anthony’s reach, about to be held tightly…

“You didn’t lose…”

He took a deep breath, stood up again, and this time his movements were decisive, as if the fractured bones were recast in steel, though the cost was the re-tearing of healing wounds, emitting the stench of blood.

“Therefore, I cannot lose either.”

A blazing white surged in his eyes, Secret Blood was mobilized again, this time far hotter than before, high-temperature blood surged within veins like molten lava, upon glancing down at Anthony’s wounds, faint sparks could be seen rising.

Like a burning dead tree, between the withered trunks, flames burned, with Anthony’s movements, sparks overflowed from the wounds, dispersing into the air.

At this moment, Anthony’s mood was serene, the previous agitation and anxiety had vanished, almost like “Enlightenment.”

He felt that in everyone’s life, there should be such a moment of “Enlightenment,” one second you are confused, aimless, but in the next second, at a fitting time, you seem to understand the truth of all things in the world, found your mission, dedicating the rest of your life to it.

This feeling was incredible, for a moment Anthony felt his life suddenly became meaningful, everything he did wasn’t in vain.

A tremendous sense of satisfaction welled up from the heart, even the brutal death seemed insignificant at this moment.

“Did you feel this way too, Your Excellency?”

Anthony murmured to himself, his mind still recalling that final scene.

Endless black mist welled up from beneath the Well of Ascension, mingled with blazing white in the darkness, like burning murky gases, yet the new Pope cut through this immense peril with his own strength.

That moment Anthony felt little fear, thinking it was merely an unexpected incident, the new Pope could settle everything, he would need no more than a few hours to slay these formidable foes, then leisurely walk out of the Static Holy Temple, calm and relaxed.

In Anthony’s heart, the new Pope was such a powerful being, as long as he stood beside you, fear would elude, he was the torch, the only light in darkness.

Just like… a savior.

But now the savior has fallen, no light remains in the darkness, Anthony fell into boundless despair, along with those who fought desperately.

“It’s time to leave, Savior.”

Anthony whispered, unsure if he was speaking to the new Pope, or himself.

He drew the sword, walked toward the blazing flames, into the darkness.

…

“Keep suppressing the fire, don’t let a single Demon through!”

Sweno shouted, sword wielded, standing atop the elevated slope, with his command another round of intense artillery fire viciously slammed the city gates.

The ancient city walls guarded Saint Nalos Cathedral through countless ages, endured numerous fierce battles, and now under relentless bombardments, tottered, stones and dust perpetually fell, striking the shattered corpses, fine cracks spread across the walls, perhaps after another round of shelling, it might completely collapse.