"The Life Church is hypocritical, deceitful, evil, and cruel. Since its emergence, it has invaded the lands of the Half-Beast, plundered the wealth of various human nations, and seduced ignorant masses with heretical doctrines, dividing imperial territories and damaging my master’s authority..."

"Since the year 1072 of the Eternal Era, blasphemer John has disregarded the provisions of the Divine Agreement, secretly spreading the faith of the Life Church across Holy Maniya, inciting the populace, and stirring up confrontation..."

"Since blasphemer John began preaching, there have been a total of 47 revolts by Life marauders inside and outside the empire, 34 of which are related to blasphemer John, resulting in the deaths of at least 132 nobles and 27 clergy members, including three Earls, one Marquis, and two bishops, affecting 31 cities... monstrous crimes that cannot be forgiven!"

"According to Chapter 7, section 53 of the ’Eternal Scripture’ Gospel Commandments, the actions of blasphemer John have severely infringed upon the Eternal Church’s rights, violated doctrines and imperial laws, constituting crimes such as blasphemy, incitement, heresy... totaling eighteen major offenses!"

"The glory of my master shall not be violated; the majesty of my master shall not be desecrated!"

"Blasphemer John is insidious and evil, twisted and selfish, luring ignorant masses for personal ambition and gain. His actions are unforgivable. Now, according to the resolution of the Eternal Church’s Judgement Court, blasphemer John shall be punished by fire!"

"John... do you know your sins?!"

The solemn and authoritative voice of the Judgement House Bishop echoed across the square.

At the end, he almost roared at Old John, eyes wide and features twisted with anger.

The words seemed to carry some magic power, with a force that shook the hearts of the people.

After hearing his words, the onlooking masses couldn’t help but feel emotionally shaken, experiencing a deep sense of remorse and guilt, with memories of past wrongdoings flooding their minds, leaving them anxious and uneasy...

This is the cleric’s Divine Arts [Mind Shock].

For a moment, many Eternal Believers who revered the Church, or those with weaker minds, couldn’t help but lower their heads, either confessing in prayer or softly sobbing.

There were also some unstable individuals who glared at Divine Favored John with hatred, as if they wished to devour his flesh...

The oppressive silence formed by the Bishop’s rebuke soon shattered once more as curses erupted again, as if no amount of imprecation could express the people’s hatred for the blasphemer...

If not for the distance, many more stones might have struck Old John. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

However, unlike the angry masses who heard the verdict, Old John remained calm, unaffected by the Bishop’s [Mind Shock].

He gently raised his head, his posture straight, his voice resolute:

"No, I... have no sins."

"How dare you! Blasphemer John, your actions have long been recorded by our Judgement Court, with the Divine Agreement and ’Eternal Scripture’ as evidence. Do you still wish to argue?"

Roared the Judgement House Bishop.

Old John sneered, casting a disdainful glance at the frantic Bishop, then slowly turned his gaze to the serene Pope Benedict II.

He took a deep breath and calmly said:

"Everything I have done has not violated the Divine Agreement... everything I have done is just and right."

"Sophistry! Lies!"

Cried the Bishop.

Old John sneered again, glancing at him:

"Bishop, you say the Life Church is deceitful and evil, but what I see is another scene."

He adopted a solemn expression:

"Since the Life Church appeared, we have resisted Abyss Demons’ invasion, repelled invading demons, and purified the pollution left by the abyss in Segis World..."

"We helped the poor out of hardship, rebuilt homes, adopted orphans, provided relief to the weak, treated the sick without reward, taught people knowledge and skills, helped them overcome setbacks, and survive..."

"We have witnessed people breaking free from despair, rekindling hope for the future, we personally led them out of difficulties and into the future..."

"How could such a benevolent church be labeled as evil and deceptive by you?"

"As for the claims of invading Half-Beast lands and plundering the wealth of human nations..."

"The former is due to the Beastmen persecuting the Elf Clan, invading the Elf Forest first. My master and Elf Believers were forced to retaliate."

"And the latter, it was the Eternal Church, showing no responsibility, repeatedly abandoning the people during Evil God awakenings and demon invasions, while my master guided Believers and warriors to intervene, bringing peace and salvation..."

"This can be proven by the ballads of Minstrels, the bustling caravans, and those who migrated to the regions of the Life Church and freely converted to my master."

"We revitalized war-torn Fengyue Territory in less than a year, making it peaceful and prosperous; in mere months, we helped the destitute poor escape poverty..."

"How then, could this be regarded as plundering wealth?"

"My master merely brought new hope to the pitiable masses after the Eternal Church abandoned its people."

"The ’Life Scripture’ rightly says that the people’s eyes are clear-sighted, all this is not forced by us, but chosen by the people themselves to embrace my master’s faith."