The walls constructed from rough stones were covered in mottled moss, and the dim torch flickered in the cold air.

The bulky iron bars were full of the rust of years, as if they were the tears of time. In the darkness, the candlelight flickered, casting dappled shadows on the cold walls, exuding a heavy and oppressive sense of despair.

Heretic Judgement Court, dungeon.

This was the most terrifying and the most secure prison on the Mireya Continent.

A corner forgotten by the world.

Every brick and tile here was inscribed with complex runes, set with magic prohibition and surveillance spells, making it impossible for even a mosquito to escape easily.

Occasional dragging of chains and low moans came from the depths of the blackness, accompanied by angry roars like those of monsters, sending chills down one's spine.

On the outside of the dungeon, in a dark solitary cell.

Cardinal Grand Priest Filiberto, disheveled, appeared listless, his hands and feet were restrained by magic-prohibiting chains, and even a magic iron ring for sealing was placed around his neck.

The sacred robe of the Chief Priest on him was stripped off, leaving only a disheveled prison garment, making him look as if he had aged decades.

With the creaking of iron bars, the cell door was opened, and several judgement knights wearing black robes walked in.

They lined up on both sides, expressionless.

Filiberto slightly lifted his head, his dull and cloudy eyes gradually regaining a trace of clarity, and when he saw the stooped figure walking in under the escort of the Judgement Knights, a gleam of hope quickly flickered in his eyes.

"Lord Great Judge! Lord Great Judge! You've finally come! Is it to release me?"

Filiberto trembled and rushed forward excitedly.

But the next second, the expressionless judgement knight blocked his way.

"Lord Great Judge?"

Filiberto's eyes widened.

The dim torch cast flickering shadows, and the Great Judge Francesco was equally expressionless, the gray pupils filled with coldness:

"Filiberto, do you know your sin?"

Filiberto was stunned.

"Lord Great Judge, don't joke, this is no longer the Holy Palace, and the one from the Bloodline is also not here, release me quickly, time is running out, I still have to prepare the Divine Arts array for the God Slaying plan!"

He laughed dryly.

"God Slaying plan? Hmph, you still remember the God Slaying plan!"

Great Judge Francesco let out a cold snort, his old voice filled with annoyance and anger:

"Do you know, because of your impulsiveness, our plan almost completely failed!"

"Because of you, now more than half of the priests in the Holy Palace believe in the Saintess identity of the Falling Star Queen, because of you, our plan to divide the faith has nearly failed! The plan to seize the Divine Artifact was almost exposed too! Now I'm afraid even Angus and Serena have started to suspect us!"

Hearing the Great Judge's words, Filiberto opened his mouth and stammered:

"But... but I was following Chief's orders to prepare..."

"Orders? You still know orders? The order given to you was clearly only to monitor her, why act directly? You even exposed our three Legendary!"

Francesco said angrily.

Filiberto swallowed a mouthful of saliva, gritted his teeth and said:

"I... I was also forced, she had already sensed my problem; I even felt her locking onto me. If I hadn't acted, she might have acted against me next."

"In that situation, I... I could only strike first."

Saying this, Filiberto lifted his head and said:

"What about your side, why didn't you and Chief act? She didn't bring too many guards and had already entered the scope of the Holy Palace's magic radiation. If you and Chief had acted just now, perhaps we would have captured her!"

"Foolish! That is a deity! Not a mere Legendary! Even if it's only been a few years since resurgence, it's a genuine deity! And a Main God who once opened an era! Does such an existence not have precautions?! How can you, a small Legendary, handle it!"

Francesco scolded.

"But... but..."

Filiberto stammered.

"But my ass! Even if she hasn't regained all her Divine Power, even if her strength hasn't broken through the limits, don't forget, Holy Knight Angus is beside her, and Demon Hunting Cardinal Serena has also returned to the Holy Capital, with these two Legendary Clergy holding Divine Artifacts there, do you think you could succeed?!"

Francesco roared angrily.

"Then... then what should I do? My identity has been exposed, and I probably can't stay in the Holy Palace anymore, my tasks haven't..."

"Your tasks, Chief and I will arrange them. As for you..."

Francesco looked at Filiberto indifferently, and coldly said:

"'Saintess' has already released the word to publicly try you. Seeing the final investigation results, both the Cardinal Priest Team and the priests attached great importance to it, and have already proposed a public trial to the Judgement Court."

"Public trial? No... absolutely not! Lord Great Judge, I absolutely cannot go through a public trial!"

Filiberto widened his eyes, said in panic.

Francesco let out a cold laugh:

"Of course you can't go through a public trial, you know too many secrets, our Lord's plan is about to succeed, absolutely no mistakes can be made at this time, so..."

Francesco gave a gentle smile, then said:

"I'm here to send you on your final journey."

"You... you're going to kill me? No! You can't kill me! I'm a Legendary! One of the few Legendaries in the Holy Hall! A loyal believer of the Lord! You can't kill me!"

Filiberto widened his eyes.

"Of course, I know you are Legendary, and of course, I know you are a fanatic believer of my Lord, so... fulfill your final value as a Legendary and fanatic believer!"

Francesco said.

After speaking, he gestured slightly to the Judgement Knight behind him.

The Judgement Knight immediately sprang into action.

With a flurry of footsteps, an iron cage filled with seals was pushed forward.

Inside the cage was a monstrous creature shackled in chains, dressed in tattered noble attire, enshrouded in black mist, with sharp teeth and claws, its body full of swollen lumps, its horrific visage faintly recognizable as human.

"Roar—!"

It roared continuously, crashing against the bars of the iron cage.

"A... Legendary Blood Demon?! Francesco! What... what are you doing?!"

Filiberto's face was filled with terror.

"Rest assured, we will continue with the actions you have anticipated, your blood, your flesh, your soul, will become a part of our God Slaying sword."

Francesco said.

Finishing his words, he signaled for the knights to open the cage door.

The iron bars opened, and the monstrous creature, like a predator that had caught the scent of blood, lunged at Filiberto, quickly pinning him down.

Deep growls accompanied the sound of tearing flesh, mingled with Filiberto's shrill screams, echoing far and wide within the dungeon.

...

At the depths of the Holy Palace, before the towering statue of the Creator God.

Chief High Priest Gregory XII put down the Divine Scripture, ending his prayer.

"Chief, the Great Judge has arrived."

The attending priest respectfully said.

"Let him in."

Gregory XII slowly opened his eyes and spoke gently.

"Chief."

The Great Judge Francesco entered the Prayer Hall and saluted him.

Gregory XII glanced at the attending priest, who sensibly withdrew, leaving only the two Legendary Clergy in the great hall.

"Was it resolved?"

Gregory XII asked.

Francesco nodded:

"Resolved, Filiberto, and those three who were recently promoted to Legendary, have all been fed to the offerings."

"What a pity, nurturing four Legendaries wasn't easy."

Gregory XII sighed.

Francesco said in a deep voice:

"There was no choice, if it weren't for that person arriving at the Holy Palace, risking exposure of the First Embrace, we could have had four extra Legendary offerings."

"Close enough, it would've been the icing on the cake, but we have enough offerings already, avoiding mistakes at this crucial moment is what matters."

Gregory XII said.

"Chief, how should we handle the Demon Hunting Institute and the Holy Hall Knight Order? They are likely to investigate Filiberto's death, and... that 'Saintess' might also be interested."

Francesco asked.

Gregory XII glanced at the radiant statue of the Divine Lord and said:

"Sacrifice those believers who have abandoned the Royal Court faith, someone must be held accountable for their deaths, it will divert the attention of the Holy Hall Knights and Demon Hunting Knights, as well as that of Falling Star."

"Sacrifice them? Chief, despite losing the Royal Court faith, they are all zealous believers of my Lord! Most of them are fanatic believers!"

Francesco couldn't help but remind him.

"Indeed, they are zealous believers of my Lord, but don't forget, from the moment they abandoned the Royal Court faith, no matter how fervent their faith in my Lord, they lost their reason to exist."

Gregory XII said calmly.

After speaking, he looked at the Great Judge Francesco and smiled:

"Great Judge, do you know what Filiberto's most serious mistake was?"

"What... was it?"

Francesco asked.

"He betrayed the faith of the 'Creator God'."

Gregory XII said.

As he spoke, he caressed the Royal Court Holy Scripture in his hand, saying calmly:

"Never forget, we are believers of my Lord, but we are also believers of the 'Creator God', my Lord chose us not because of our fervent faith, but precisely because of our identity as Holy believers."

"The faith in my Lord cannot be forgotten, but neither can the faith in the 'Creator God' be abandoned, only then... can we help my Lord claim all that rightfully belongs to Him!"

——————

To make up for yesterday, there's more tonight.

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