Throne of Magical Arcana

Of the Grand Cardinals on the ground inside the Bright Hall, besides the legends such as saint cardinals and divine knights, there were also about ten level-nine clerics. They were also Grand Cardinals, and they were talents that the pope and the legendary experts had the highest hope in. They were either leading a small parish or managing different affairs in the Holy City, like the six ninth-circle archmages in the Highest Council of the Congress of Magic.

After Anasta solemnly announced that he was Benedict III, Philip, a level-nine bishop, felt that his mind was clear and forgot there were any other things in the world, when he heard the beautiful hymns and touched the peaceful light. While feeling moved, he felt that a light illuminated in his heart. Then, the light gradually expanded into a projection of a seven-floored Mountain Paradise.

The shadow of a six-winged angel flew out into Philip’s heart of belief, subliming his soul.

Inside the Bright Hall, Philip was surrounded by a layer of flowing, incessant ivory light. His vibe soared exponentially, turning the environment clean and holy.

Witnessing it, Benedict III put on a sincere smile. “This is the Lord’s grace. We now have one more brother and one more companion to purge evil!”

Melmax understood that Philip had finally ‘seen’ the projection of Melmax in his mind when the voice of the Lord arrived, and that he had advanced into a saint cardinal.

Inside the holy light, Philip’s soul became clear from inside to outside. He raised his head, his eyes pure and delighted, and he drew a cross on his chest. “Only Truth lives forever.”

“Welcome, fellow. Let’s work harder to make the Lord’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.” Saint Melmax, Saint Maria, Auden and other Grand Cardinals all congratulated him.

Benedict III’s had much more grey hair than a moment ago. He said peacefully and firmly, “The Lord’s grace has never diminished. We will survive any crisis eventually.”

“Melmax, your mission to search for Torrens is now transferred to Auden, and you will lead one Grand Cardinal and part of the ascetics to Aalto to reinforce Philibell and Beliel. Danisos has been disobedient. Maria, you will go to the north with two Grand Cardinals, in case the heretics invades the south. Kati, you will bring two Grand Cardinals to Stuart and reorganize the defense in the Storm Strait with the assistance of the legendary knights.” Kati was another female saint.

Because there was no need to defend the four countries of the strait and the north coastline, and they had the assistance of the legendary knights, the Church still had enough hands and did not have to abandon too much territory in the alternate dimensions.

Melmax agreed with the plan. Although the legendary experts of the Church would be focused in the Duchy of Orvarit, the Holy Heilz Empire, Stuart and a few important alternate dimensions, making the Holy City of Lance and the central area undefended, there was still His Holiness, the Angel King and the newly-advanced Philip. Nobody could attack the city abruptly.

After the situation was settled, they would be able to restore the previous practice. Only one or two legendary Grand Cardinals would be left in those places for defense with local legendary knights. The rest of them would be focused in Lance for timely reinforcement and attacks.

Thinking for a moment, Melmax asked, “Your Holiness, Grand Duke of Orvarit is gone. How are we going to deal with the Violet family?”

Benedict III shook his head. “It’s Natasha’s personal action. Punishing the Grand Duke of Orvarit is fine, but striking the entire Violet family might anger the nobles and worsen the situation. So, you and Milton will choose someone from the Violet family to succeed the title.”

“As you wish.” Melmax did not object. He, too, did not want the family known as ‘Shield of Truth’ to abandon the South Church like the family of ‘Sword of Truth’, which would panic everybody.

As Benedict III sent out orders and the Grand Cardinals were dispatched to local places, the dangerous situation after the South Church lost the territory on the side of the Storm Strait, four legends, three saint cardinals and six legendary knights were gradually stabilized, and the Dark Congress missed the chance to bite the Church hard due to their internal strife yet again.

With Philibell, Milton and Beliel defending the place with the northern fortress and the divine power circles of Aalto, Danisos could not secure a victory on his own even though he was at the peak of legendary. There were also conflicts within dragons, and many of them were sleeping. Dracula, on the other hand, was too busy hunting a werewolf prince to bother the Dark Congress.

After Ines returned to Lance and Torrens, ‘Angel of Wisdom’, joined the North Church, the Congress of Magic’s ‘Mushroom Cloud’ seemed to have died out. With one demigod, two top legends (the Angel King and Melmax’, three level-three saints, fifteen legends and thirteen legendary knights in other countries, the South Church remained the strongest force, but it’s gap between the North Church and the Congress of Magic had significantly been narrowed.

……

After he returned to the late pope’s library, Benedict III waved his hands, hinting for the few cardinals to leave. He sat on the chair and looked at the new picture: “Benedict II, 602-824.”

Suddenly, his face became pale again, and both of his hands were trembling beyond his control. His vibe dropped and rose many times before it was finally stable, but his hair seemed even greyer and his eyes even dirtier.

“‘Bliss’ is truly hard to bear…” He heaved a sigh.

After he recovered, he looked at the room where Mecantron, the Angel King, was at, as if he could see him through all the divine power circles and walls.

Mecantron, who was as gorgeous as a female, stood next to the window. His long gold hair had dimmed a lot.

He suffered heavy wounds from Eternal Blaze and the recoil of ‘Paradise on Earth’. He coughed every now and then, vomiting gold blood that was as intense as clusters of energy.

However, such wounds were not fatal at all for the Angle King. He was recovering at a visible speed.

Benedict III moved his eyes back and put on an uncanny smile.

Then, he stood up and walked to the cabinet of important files. Finding the column that was named ‘Douglas’, he drew many files from it and read them again: “The target does not seem to reject my speech…” “He often feels lost…” “He is perhaps vacillating…”

“—By Artil.”

Reading those files, Benedict III took out the report of ‘latest arcana theories’ from the column of ‘Congress of Magic’, trying to understand the description on the special theory of relativity in it. He said in a low voice:

“Although Artil is not around to influence him, it is evident that his motion system has encountered great problems. Perhaps, he is even more lost right now. I should find a chance to talk to him…”

……

In Antiffler in the Holy Heilz Empire…

Inside the royal palace, Rudolf II suddenly raised his head in his room of prayers. Eighteen pairs of dreamy wings were unfolded behind him, as he said in both confusion and delight, “Is he wounded?”

Recalling the feeling, Rudolf II closed his eyes, turning unpredictable and hallowed.

……

In the frozen World of Souls that did not have any sound or additional color, Rhine’s red coat was rather eye-catching.

Walking in the disordered shadow of Rentato, he said to himself solemnly, “Where did the thing inside Sard’s body run to?”

……

After he left ‘Thunder Hell’, Lucien returned to the Atom Institution, only to discover that Lazar, Annick and his other students were both scared and happy.

“Master, why did we suddenly declare war on the Church?” Allyn had been spinning like a ball under the energy storm of ‘Eternal Blaze’ after losing most of the momentum, which was a more terrible experience for Heidi than when she passed the Storm Strait on a boat. Her face was pale because of vomiting, and her voice was weak.

Lucien smiled, “Such a thing certainly needs to be kept confidential. There are a lot of spies in the Congress.”

Their families had been moved to Allyn, so the students were all overjoyed after they were back to themselves, announcing that they could finally travel in Rentato and other places. As Lucien’s students, they did not even dare to leave Allyn before they reached the third circle.

Then, Heidi, Katrina and other students asked about the legendary battle just now, and Lucien told them the things he knew frankly.

“Master, did you kill many level-nine clerics? Were there Grand Cardinals?” Katrina was rather confident in her teacher, who had escaped from the Demigod-lich when he was only in the sixth circle!

Lucien shook his head. “How could I join a legendary battle? I only helped Nekso Palace in the Nekso Palace.”

Because he was too weak, he barely contributed to the plan of operation, except that he informed the Highest Council that Nekso Palace could directly contact the pope. Therefore, those old foxes soon drafted a Plan C.

Natasha’s speech that she used to convince the nobles, on the other hand, was written by him. On the premises that she reserved the veto right and the levy right on the nobles’ dominions, she actually did not compromise as much as it seemed.

“Master, you will become a legend soon enough.” Chelly, having received Lucien’s help, adulated him in a joyful mood.

Lucien did not say anything else. There were many things that needed to be addressed. Therefore, he surpassed them and entered his own office.

“Layria, did you see the additional iron ring on master’s left hand? Hehe, perhaps he won’t be single any longer any soon.” Heidi observed keenly and remarked.

Then, Layria also realized it. “‘Element’, the Holmish crown ring on master’s right hand, is also gone. Great men are always picked first. How I envy her.”

The ladies were immediately refreshed. In the spirit of gossip, they chattered nonstop.

……

Inside the Land of Truth, Douglas received a report from the tower guard, who stated that Francois, a member of the Affair Committee and a ninth-circle archmage, had come to visit him.

Francois was an ancient sorcerer who followed Douglas to establish the Congress of Magic at the beginning. They had been close to each other. Therefore, Douglas asked the tower guard to let him in after examining him.