Jiatai City, at the site where the statue of the Lord of Thorns had collapsed, a portal between heaven and earth lay open.

The Light Army poured out en masse. They stepped into the portal amidst the chanting of the "Apocalypse Gospel" by their companions from the Old Continent, under the watchful gaze of the Revenge Angels, fully descending upon Secret Phoenix City. The sacred light, brimming with intense murderous intent, replaced the moonlight, illuminating this ancient and icy metropolis.

The ordinary citizens, whether asleep or awake, were "contaminated" once the Bright Kingdom shrouded them.

The Order Camp, too, suffered from contamination.

Though the people of the Church would surely deem this a form of devout faith's influence. Millions in the city knelt down, bowing their heads, pressing against the ground in a frenzied devotion, they joined in the chanting, praising the glory of the Lord.

The Transcendents witnessing all this knew at this moment that an unprecedented "war" was on the horizon, and they had no role to play in it.

However, the forces affiliated with the official authorities felt discomfort and anger at this scene.

Especially within Secret Phoenix City, belonging to the family with the most profound heritage.

The William family!

As if seeing a vision above the snow-covered metropolis, a vast "monster" phantom flashed across the sky.

That monster, was none other than a flame salamander wearing a crown.

The emblem of the William family!

But the salamander phantom was fleeting, making no reaction, allowing the Holy Light to continue contaminating the people.

On the fourth floor of the Library Tower, Tang Qi, who was writing with great earnestness, paused ever so slightly. He soon let out a sigh and then resumed his work.

Engulfed in Holy Light, Charles I slowly approached the portal.

He was tall and handsome, with an indefinable charm, but at this moment, his eyes showed an unmistakable icy murderous intent. To those peering onlookers, it seemed as if he was not donning his golden Vestment robe, but rather a blood garment as red as fresh blood.

Transcendents with Knowledge, now looking at him, found themselves in a trance.

Knowledge flooded their minds:

"During the Dark Era on the Old Continent, the Church had once given rise to a mad Blood Knight. He possessed immense talent and strength, and his devotion to the 'Master' was unmatched. He had created a series of great achievements for the Church on the Old Continent, conquering vast territories. He attempted to ascend to the Pope's position, but ultimately he failed. There were rumors that the name he had chosen for himself upon becoming the Pope was..."

"Charles I!"

"Does he crave authority, or even more so, does he thirst for slaughter?"

Those Transcendents who felt they had guessed something all shivered inwardly.

Any polymath or scholar who had studied the history of the Church knew of that almost-Pope Blood Knight—not only had he slain countless demons and foes with his Knight Sword, but he had also led armies in several wars that swept across the Old Continent, nearly crippling another Church with numerous Believers—the Heavenly God Church.

The Mysterious Side had made estimations: the lives lost in those wars almost equaled those of the "Blood Mud War."

"If the Lord of Thorns reincarnates and his brilliance causes the citizens of Secret Phoenix City to change their faith, would Charles I draw his Sword of Slaughter?"

The question arose, and the answer seemed to follow immediately.

Suddenly, not just the official authorities, but all observing Extraordinary Forces showed Abnormal Movement.

Unless it was chaos-aligned or Evil Camp organizations like Mam Sanatorium and the Doomsday Sect, other Neutral ones, like the World Tree or the Ancient Mystical Vault, would not wish to see a disaster involving the death of a million people in Secret Phoenix City, one of the Federation's metropolises.

"We cannot allow the Church to engage in a mad slaughter!"

"The people of Secret Phoenix City are innocent."

"We must stop Charles I if he dares to massacre the citizens."

"This is an internal matter of the Church; it should not affect the Federation citizens."

The "Big Shots" on the Mysterious Side spoke out one after another, and Tang Qi also felt a stir from the Holy Eagle Nest Badge in his pocket, as if an emergency meeting were about to be called. The proposal was almost predictable—if the Church proceeded unilaterally, the Eagle's Nest Association, with the principle of protecting the Federation's interests, would inevitably act.

Feeling the movement, Tang Qi paid it no heed as he remained focused on the task at hand, the sound of "rustling" continuing.

As if to confirm his premonition, at Thorns Square, in front of the portal.

Charles I's steps came to an abrupt halt.

This powerful individual, who had not made a single move since he became the Pope, looked coldly at a battered figure nearby, among the bronze thorns and rubble, Ludwig wearing Thorny Suit looked as though he could die at any moment.

He rose, holding the "Confession Sword" in his hand. His body barely had a patch of intact skin, yet his face, far from showing Pain, revealed a moving tranquillity. Gazing at Charles I, he murmured:

"To not embody the way is the way of Magic!"

"Boom!"

A white radiance, similar yet different from the Holy Light, suddenly surged out from Ludwig's body. His Thorny Suit melted at the same moment, and, in an instant, countless thorns radiating the Radiance of Order appeared as if from nowhere.

They disregarded the divine Holy Light and coiled around Charles I, quickly forming a special "arena."

Charles I opened his eyes as the Confession Sword slashed towards him.

Before inheriting Martin Sims' mantle, Ludwig was a violinist and had no idea how to fight. But after embarking on a trial of being hunted alongside the Second Rotten Head, his growth was astoundingly rapid.

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