The mere presence of this elderly person in the room is enough to drape everything in an air of decay.

Yet the only thing in the room that could be considered lively is probably the old man’s eyes.

Those eyes are not at all what you’d expect an old man of his age to possess.

Bright and spirited, full of vitality.

...Filled with a longing to live and a lingering attachment to power.

The Priest looked at the old man, respectfully bowed, and softly said, "Pope, Catherine Judge... has failed."

"..."

The old man was startled upon hearing this, then his gaze sharpened, staring intently at the Priest before raspily asking, "Why?"

His voice, though somewhat forceful, was very hoarse and rugged.

The Priest kept his mouth shut, unsure of what to say.

Because he was also unclear about the situation over there.

The old man quietly looked at the Priest, his gaze filled with disappointment and anger.

However, he quickly regained his composure, hoarsely stating, "Then let Suzdal and Cardinal Tretyakov go once more, and make sure to bring back that ’Artificial Celestial Kingdom’... There is still time; this is God’s mandate, a chance God has given me to continue serving Him."

"..."

The Priest looked troubled upon hearing this and, after struggling for a moment, softly said, "Suzdal and Cardinal Tretyakov... are currently at the White Stone Church, but they believe an election should take place."

The old man’s eyes lifted sharply upon hearing this, filled with fury as he shouted, "I’m not dead yet!!!"

His hoarse voice echoed through the room, and his nearly failing body suddenly burst with a terrifying energy.

The violent Spirit surged forward.

The Priest felt suffocated, bowing his head with difficulty, he said, "The Cardinals believe that no matter what, there cannot be a power vacuum within the Church. The capital, the City of a Thousand Crowns, is still watching, ready to step in at any time... The issue of the Celestial Punishment Weapon also needs attention.

So they suggest appointing a devout successor, but one who would not exercise the Pope’s authority, only as a precaution."

"..."

Upon hearing these words. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The old man finally calmed down a bit, looked at the Priest before him, took a deep breath, and then sarcastically said, "A precaution? Hoping for me to be touched by the Lord, I suppose?"

The Priest was breathing heavily and dared not say anything more.

The old man remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Postpone the election, and directly tell them, there will be no power vacuum, and I shall not die. Inform them of the Artificial Celestial Kingdom and have them move out.

This is God’s will and must not be defied."

"..."

The Priest opened his mouth upon hearing this, wishing to tell the Pope what he was truly doing... choosing to raid an ally’s territory for that so-called ’Artificial Celestial Kingdom’, and after failing, going for a second attempt.

Did he truly believe the other side wouldn’t get angry?

He felt it was very inappropriate from the very first attempt.

Because whether successful or not, it brought no benefit to the Russian Orthodox Church.

The other side has the power of retaliation!

But.

He dared not defy a dying man, especially when that dying man is the Pope of the Russian Orthodox Church.

It’s an adverse situation for the Russian Orthodox Church.

But for this dying man, it’s altogether a different matter.

"I know what you’re thinking."

The old man saw the Priest’s expression, his eyes seemingly ablaze, "As long as we can bring back that ’Artificial Celestial Kingdom’ and I can stay alive, then all problems will cease to be problems. Our Russian Orthodox Church will not need any allies! And I can deal with any form of their retaliation! Go and carry it out peacefully."

"..."

Hearing these words, the Priest could only remain silent, prepared to head to the Ascension Cathedral’s right to the White Stone Church to notify Suzdal and Cardinal Tretyakov.

But before he could move.

Bang—

The door was suddenly flung open aggressively.

An old man dressed in a silver-white clerical robe suddenly barged in.

Upon entering, he immediately shouted hysterically, "Pope... what on earth have you done!? Was Catherine investigating the information on the Celestial Punishment Weapon!? Or did she act boldly to rob!?"

The Priest was momentarily stunned, then respectfully bowed, "Cardinal Tretyakov."

"Cardinal Tretyakov, mind your tone."

On the bed.

The old man, seeing the Cardinal who posed the greatest threat to him, looked slightly wary, his demeanor shifting accordingly.

But upon hearing this, Tretyakov’s fury only intensified: "First give me an answer!! Pope!!! Do you even know! Just now! Xia Yue from the Celestial Strategy Mansion has already entered the Chamomile Alliance! All Russian Orthodox Church chapels in Amur Oblast! Have been completely destroyed!!! And all the brave believers who dared to stand in the way! Were killed on the spot!!!

He’s clearly here for revenge!!! And moreover! Two other factions of heretics! And all nearby Empowerer organizations! Have sent people over to watch the show! Everyone is watching!!! What on earth have you done!!!"

"..."

On the side.

The Priest’s eyes widened in shock as he heard this, his face showing a look of horror.

And the old man... or rather, Pope Yorgai I also paused slightly, his expression changing.

But before he could speak.

As if the sound of a fighter jet rushing by exploded suddenly!

Yorgai I and Tretyakov sharply looked up, and then their figures instantly vanished.

Leaving only the terrified Priest in the room.

He glanced around, then hurriedly pushed the door open and ran outside.

This time...

He still did not notice the "The Last Judgment" painted on the central dome skylight of the cathedral.

At the same moment.

Yorgai I and Tretyakov had just appeared outside the Assumption Cathedral, witnessing firsthand, in the clear blue sky above.

A white streak of something indistinguishable was plummeting rapidly.

A massive shockwave was blooming behind the white streak.

The white line, like a meteor, fell with a thunderous crash!

In an instant, it arrived before them.

Following that, accompanied by the howling wind.

Thud—

A loud noise erupted!

The white line landed directly on the Stone Church adjacent to the Ascension Cathedral.

The moment the two made contact.

The onion-shaped top of the Stone Church disintegrated on impact, violently hurled by the ferocious shockwave, crashing into the Assumption Cathedral, embedding itself into the outer wall.

Xia Yue waved to disperse the dust, slowly revealing his figure.

Before Yorgai I and Tretyakov could respond.

Immediately.

Crack—

A series of clear, terrifyingly eerie shattering sounds erupted suddenly.

The space fractured like fragile glass... exploding!

Another figure appeared at the top of the tower.

Chen Lusi stood firm, then looked down at Yorgai I, softly saying, "We’ve come to return the courtesy."

The thirteenth century.

The Assumption Cathedral, once seriously damaged during a Tartar invasion.

And now, eight hundred years later, this day, the Assumption Cathedral once again faced its enemies.

But this time, the invaders were not an army.

They were two individuals.