Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!
Chapter 1734 - 1732: The Crisis of This World
In the luxurious conference room, everyone sat at the round table, looking seriously at the Pope and——— the bored Red Ponytail munching on an apple beside him.
In fact, they spent even more time looking at Red Ponytail.
"Although there were some setbacks, welcome to Romania, everyone."
The Pope had returned to normal at this moment, although whenever his gaze swept towards Red Ponytail there was a bit of instinctual fear, faith still supported him to continue speaking.
"This time, I invite everyone..."
"Please wait, Your Holiness."
However, before the Pope could finish his words, he was interrupted by a burly man on the other side. This man was none other than the Emperor of Germania—who was almost the King that married Henrietta. Only to see him staring seriously at the "munching" Red Ponytail, he spoke up.
"I have a question I wish to ask the Divine Envoy."
"Hmm? What is it?"
Red Ponytail, still munching on an apple, glanced at him.
"What exactly do you want to do?"
"Hmm?"
"Tolisstin and Gaul."
Germania III pointed at Henrietta and the silent Tabasa beside her.
"According to what you said, these two nations have successfully embraced the deity you serve..."
"Oh, let me interject."
However, before the Emperor could finish speaking, Red Ponytail interrupted.
"I have not demanded that their citizens must believe in my deity, after all, it’s religious freedom, right? We have the freedom to believe in this religion, believe in that religion, or not believe in any religion, correct? Forcing others to believe is illegal, and ancestor worship isn’t that big a deal either..."
At this point, Red Ponytail snorted lightly, casting a glance at the Pope.
"As long as some people don’t get caught up in their own lies, it’s fine."
"Do you not require faith?"
Upon hearing this, Germania III was quite shocked, his vassal lords also showed surprised expressions. Despite rumors to the contrary, they thought this girl named Red Ponytail clearly wanted to spread the religion she believed in, but now... it seemed not to be the case?
"Your faith is worthless to my Lord."
Red Ponytail rolled her eyes.
"To my Lord, your wealth is like wasteland, what else do you have? Hmm? Build a statue? Kneeling there every day to pray? Isn’t that annoying?"
"Uh..."
Germania III clearly didn’t know how to respond to this answer, but being the Emperor, he quickly coughed a little.
"Then I just want to ask one thing, given that, will you act against other countries as you did with Albion and Gaul?"
Indeed, this was what the vassals cared about most, Albion and Gaul are notable names on this continent, and with Red Ponytail’s emergence, Albion was destroyed in a blink, and Gaul replaced its King upon her words. In this context, other nations were wary, fearing Red Ponytail would target them next.
Originally, Germania III planned to negotiate benefits with Red Ponytail as he did with Romania, but with this kind of response, his plans were completely dashed.
Could this be how true deities act?
Thinking of this, Germania III glared at the Romanian Pope unpleasantly, while the latter only smiled silently.
But regardless, since benefits couldn’t persuade her, he had to address the main issue directly next.
Germania III went straight to the point, and Red Ponytail replied swiftly.
"Hard to say, maybe."
"What... do you mean by this?"
"My Lord is the God of Magical Girls."
Red Ponytail spread her hands, smilingly looking at the opposite side which had suddenly changed color due to her single statement.
"My Lord protects those girls possessing special powers, yet enduring hardships because of them. I suppose you’ve investigated Tabasa and Henrietta’s cases, so I won’t elaborate. So, if the same happens in your country, and someone like them prays and I hear it... you’d better hope for the best."
Upon hearing this, the vassals’ expressions changed drastically. They were certainly aware of Henrietta and Tabasa’s situations; though their experiences were indeed pitiful, especially Tabasa’s, everyone here had survived political battles, having seen similar or harsher tragedies without feeling anything special.
However...
"Absolutely ridiculous!"
Another King couldn’t help but speak.
"The suffering of one girl, can it really be compared to an entire nation?"
"Of course not."
Red Ponytail answered matter-of-factly.
"Can a mere country compare to a girl’s life? Moreover, if even girls with special powers face only suffering, then it indicates the country is about to collapse as well."
"Ugh..."
Upon hearing this, everyone present was completely at a loss for words, unable to reconcile the vast difference between their values and theirs on the opposite side.
"For my Lord, your so-called status, power, glory, wealth—none of this matters; it’s far less important than letting those girls live happily... Got it? I don’t care what you think, my Lord protects those suffering girls, so..."
At this point, Red Ponytail grinned, revealing sharp little tiger teeth.
"Better think clearly, don’t make any trouble, it’s just a matter of minutes for me to deal with a nation."
"..."
This time, no one spoke.
Upon hearing Red Ponytail’s warning, everyone’s hearts raced, mutually glancing at each other without knowing what to say—everyone here was a King from various countries, who doesn’t have lovers or concubines? Who knows if their children don’t possess some special abilities, suffering as a result...
MMP, if one loses their throne or country for such reasons, it’s an utter disgrace! There’ll be a thorough investigation once they return!
"Given this, let’s move to the next topic."
At that moment, the silent Pope finally spoke.
"The reason I’ve gathered everyone is to announce something important."
Stopping briefly here, the Pope looked around at everyone and slowly spoke.
"Actually, this world is about to end."
"..."
Facing the Pope’s words, everyone seemed briefly dumbfounded, except for Red Ponytail, who pulled out a piece of watermelon and took a bite with a "crunch."
"Your Holiness, what do you mean by this?"
After a moment, Henrietta finally spoke incredulously, asking,
"I think perhaps you all are unaware that shortly, this land will fragment, bringing about a situation even more severe than the great upheaval of the past."
"Are you serious?"
This time, Tabasa voiced her rare inquiry. The so-called great upheaval was one of the most terrifying disasters ever on this continent. In fact, a glance at Albion reveals its impact. Albion was originally part of this continent, but now it floats in the sky — all because of that calamity.
"Yes."
The Pope nodded.
"You all should know that the Windstone we use is actually the crystallized power of the Elves. And beneath this continent, it’s filled with Windstone. Currently, the Windstones embedded beneath the land are nearing their limit. In this condition, the surface will be carried into the air... I suppose you all understand what this means."
Upon hearing the Pope’s words, everyone fell into deep thought. They naturally understood, because Albion was the proof. But that was a long time ago, what would the upcoming great upheaval bring?
The fracture of nations, the destruction of territories, everything will ultimately change.
"Approximately how much land will be affected?"
Henrietta asked, trying to suppress her inner anxiety.
"About half the land will rise into the air, and in the next few decades, the great upheaval will gradually manifest across the world."
"This......."
Hearing this, everyone was dumbfounded, exchanging glances, they genuinely hadn’t anticipated such an event.
"Then, Your Holiness, since you’ve gathered us here, there must be a solution, right?"
"Indeed."
The Pope smiled and nodded.
"The reason I summoned you is to initiate the ’Holy War.’"
"Holy War......?"
Hearing this ominous term, everyone was at a loss, while the Pope continued to speak.
"You all must know, the Elves have occupied our Holy Land. In fact, within the Holy Land is a magical device left by the Founder to combat catastrophes. If we can reach the Holy Land, we can prevent the disaster."
"But doesn’t this mean opposing the Elves?"
Germania III immediately spoke.
"Do you think uniting us will enable us to defeat the Elves? Those are Elves!"
Upon hearing the King’s words, many nodded. The difference between them and the Elves was as vast as that between an army of the First World War and modern military, and this gap fostered fear and dread.
"The Founder bestowed us with power. In reality, Miss Valyriel has already mastered this power, hasn’t she?"
With that, the Pope smiled at Henrietta, and she quickly understood.
"You mean... the power of the Void?"
"Yes, the Founder divided his overly powerful force into four fragments. What Miss Valyriel obtained is one of them, and I was fortunate to acquire another part... Moreover, we have a potent ally."
As he spoke, the Pope glanced at Red Ponytail, who was munching on watermelon beside him.
"This envoy of an Otherworld Deity, can I ask you to help us reclaim the Holy Land?"
Facing the Pope’s words, everyone’s gaze immediately turned to Red Ponytail. Indeed, if what this girl said earlier was true, then she surely wouldn’t sit idly by in this crisis.
"Crunch crunch crunch."
But Red Ponytail seemed unconcerned by the eyes upon her, merely finishing the watermelon, wiping her hands, when Henrietta herself couldn’t resist asking.
"Divine Envoy, is what His Holiness says true?"
"Oh, half true, half false."
Red Ponytail replied casually, and hearing this, everyone became tense.
"What do you mean?"
"What he said about the world facing a crisis is true, the existence of a magical device in the Holy Land is also true. But he hasn’t told you the right method."
"Ah?"
"That so-called magical device... in reality, is a portal."
Here, Red Ponytail squinted, staring at the Pope.
"A portal?"
"Yes, a portal leading to Another World. Now you understand? Your Pope wants to take everyone to that world, and then... the world’s catastrophe won’t concern you anymore, isn’t that so?"
Hearing Red Ponytail’s answer, everyone was astounded, even the Pope ceased his smiling and gazed at Red Ponytail with a slightly surprised expression.
After a moment, he managed a wry smile.
"Is it possible... Deities truly are omniscient and omnipotent?"
"Nonsense, did you think I’d be fooled by you?"
Before arriving, Red Ponytail naturally investigated through "Ratziel," otherwise, she wouldn’t have come.
"Is the Divine Envoy’s statement true, Your Holiness?"
At this moment, Henrietta promptly came to her senses and gazed at the Pope, who nodded.
"Indeed."
"B-but, this is invasion!"
"No, this isn’t invasion, Her Majesty the Queen."
The Pope stood up, raising both hands.
"This is a return."
"......Return?"
"Yes, because that world is where our ancestors and the Founder originally existed. That is to say, where the Teleportation Gate leads, is our true homeland."
Upon hearing this, everyone was dumbfounded.
"Burp..."
Red Ponytail patted her belly and let out a full burp.