"Then... how can this be considered misleading the public?"

Old John’s words were forceful, carrying an indescribable power that resonated in the square, in everyone’s hearts.

The voice, both dignified and calm, was like the sound of a melodious bell, reverberating deeply within the hearts of the people.

Many people began to calm down, unable to help but recall the various rumors about the Life Church they had heard from all sorts of sources in recent years.

For a moment, the voices of cursing gradually faded, and many citizens slowly emerged from their anger, looking at the trial on the stage, discussing fervently.

The expression of the Judgement House Bishop changed subtly.

With a sullen gaze, he sternly rebuked:

"Sophistry! Lies!"

"The glory of my lord cannot be desecrated, the brilliance of my lord shall not be tarnished!"

"After the war between gods and demons broke out, my lord led the gods to resist the Abyss, to invade Hell, always fighting for the safety of the Segis World, yet the Life Church expanded its faith while my lord was fighting on the front lines, this is an unworthy betrayal of justice!"

"Such a hypocritical church has no right to preach on the continent! Let alone, to mislead the believers on my lord’s land without permission!"

Old John sneered:

"Betray justice? Mislead believers? This is even more laughable."

As he spoke, his expression turned cold:

"As far as I know, after the war between gods and demons, the forces of the Abyss invaded the Segis World in a massive offensive, it was the Eternal Church that was unwilling to assist, intending to use the power of the Abyss Demons to deplete the strength of my lord..."

"It’s just that my lord, powerful and righteous, turned the tide at the most critical moment, defeating the invasion of the Abyss!"

"In this way, how is it considered a betrayal of justice?"

"If anyone is to be accused of betrayal, it is the Eternal Lord who was unwilling to assist! If anyone is to be accused of betrayal, it is the Eternal Church wishing to weaken the Life Church with the power of the Abyss!"

"How dare you! How could a blasphemer like you even mention my lord’s name?!"

The Judgement House Bishop rebuked.

Old John was even more disdainful:

"So what if it’s mentioned? Since you brought up betrayal, then let’s talk about it thoroughly..."

"Everyone knows that my lord is the Life Goddess Eve, but how many people know that my lord’s full name is Eve Yggdrasil?"

"My lord’s identity is not just the Life Goddess, but also the great World Tree!"

"She is the embodiment of life, the mother of nature, the ruler of the Silver Era, once hailed by the gods as the mother of all gods!"

Saying this, he cast a mocking glance at the clergymen of the Eternal Church:

"Why did the World Tree wither a thousand years ago, why did the Holy Mania Empire rise, this history buried by the Eternal Church... do I need to elaborate?"

Hearing Old John’s words, some of the more senior clergy of the Eternal Church had subtle changes in their expressions, while the crowd below cast curious glances.

Watching a commotion is the nature of every mortal.

And the true identity of the Life Goddess named by Old John also surprised many people in their hearts.

It brings up an important point.

Although the news that the Life Goddess is the World Tree is no longer a secret due to Eve revealing her identity, this extraordinary realm’s information remains elusive to the vast majority of ordinary people.

For the majority of the civilians present, this was the first time they were learning this information.

However, the beings of the Segis World are not unfamiliar with the World Tree.

The Silver Civilization of elves has left too deep an impact on all races of the Segis World, even after a thousand years, it has not faded, and most of it relates to stories of the World Tree.

In various myths and legends, the mighty World Tree always appears in the form of benevolence, justice, and kindness.

For this reason, upon learning that the Life Goddess is indeed the World Tree, the mood of the bystanders became subtly complex.

This subtlety became more pronounced under the clearly altered, yet unadmitted expressions of the bishops and priests.

The discussions seemed to grow louder...

As for Old John, he fully embraced his stance.

He held his head high, with an expression of disdain, under the displeased gaze of the bishop and amidst the priests’ suspicious looks, he poured out the secrets from a millennium ago that he had read in the Holy Scripture:

"Speaking of betrayal, it’s the Eternal Church that betrayed the Life Church, or rather... it was the Nature Church of old!"

"A thousand years ago, it was the Eternal Lord, who achieved divinity with my lord’s help, who repaid kindness with betrayal!"

"A thousand years ago, it was the gods of the Heavenly Realm, who, for their own selfish desires, ambushed my lord to prevent her from progressing further!"

"If we’re talking about traitors, the Eternal Church is the traitor!"

"Silence! You shameless blasphemer! How dare you desecrate the revered name of my lord!"

The Judgement Bishop raged, rebuking loudly.

The other clergy members present also cast furious looks, and some who couldn’t bear it directly stood up, glaring angrily at Old John.

Even Pope Benedict II, at the center of the high platform, had lost much of his smile.

He gazed at Old John with an increasingly deep look.

For a moment, wave after wave of powerful aura pressed down on Old John, the rage-filled deterrence of each archbishop of the Eternal Church.

Old John felt a tsunami-like might bearing down upon him from all directions, pounding his spirit and soul, causing his face to turn pale, and unable to suppress a muffled groan.

Crimson blood trickled down from his nostrils and the corners of his mouth.

Yet, his spine remained straight, and his gaze was serene.

He smiled faintly, with an expression of mockery:

"Is this the Eternal Church? The anger after exposing one’s scars, isn’t it out of fury and shame, isn’t it hypocrisy and pretense, what else could it be?"

"You—!"

Listening to Old John’s sarcasm, the Judgement Bishop trembled with rage, his eyes nearly spitting fire.

Seeing the angry bishops, Old John decided it was best to stop before he goes too far, not continuing to linger on the old events of a thousand years ago.

He sighed lightly, saying:

"Of course, past affairs are past, like fleeting clouds, they no longer matter."

"The great Goddess has admonished us in the ’Life Scripture’ to remember history to learn its lessons, but to focus more on the present and future..."

"Mentioning the past is not to proclaim the innocence of the Life Church but to remind you all that trying to label my lord and our Life Church as traitors, the Eternal Church... is not qualified."

"In my view, to the human world, to the vast populace, the Life Church is the future and hope, while the Eternal Church is nothing more than impending garbage to be swept into the dustbin of history."

"You... how dare you! You vile heretic! How dare you desecrate my lord, desecrate the great Eternal Holy Sect!"

Upon hearing this, the Judgement Bishop finally burst into fury.

He retorted:

"My lord is bright and just, rewarding good and punishing evil, it is because of my lord’s protection that humanity could become the protagonist of this era. My lord’s achievements, how could a mere heretic and a traitor to humanity like you comprehend?"

Old John sighed softly:

"I do not deny the contributions the Eternal Church has made to human society, however, the Eternal Church is also a shackle, restraining further development of human society, limiting the collective progress of all races and civilizations in the Segis World..."

"Absurd! Sophistry! Deception!"

The Judgement Bishop accused.

Old John chuckled softly, standing ever more upright.

The fluttering snowflakes landed on him, adding a touch of carefreeness and abandon:

"Judgement Bishop."

He looked into the eyes of the Judge, with a clear gaze:

"Since you do not agree with my words, then... do you dare to debate our respective religious doctrines with me?"

Hearing these words, the Judgement Bishop’s gaze hardened slightly.