King-Chapter 1432 - 4: Disaster Strikes_2

Taxing the nobles was a mistake from the start, it’s no wonder the taxes couldn’t be collected.

The harsh truth brought the assembly to silence. If there were no wars, the number of free men in the kingdom would surely be on the rise.

But the situation in the Alpha Kingdom is unique, after every Orc invasion, the nation becomes exhausted and the people worn out.

Many minor nobles went bankrupt, and free men, already struggling to survive, found it even harder to withstand risks.

Seeing the truth, Caesar IV felt no relief, instead, he was even more troubled.

The low proportion of free men is not something that can be resolved in the short term. The reforms have reached a difficult stage, and if they touch the serf system, it would be pure suicide.

For a moment, the reformists were caught in a dilemma!

To continue deepening reforms, they would inevitably have to touch the core interests of the Noble Consortium, and the resistance is simply too immense to push through.

Retreating is also a dead end!

Not only would the previous reforms be overturned, but the political careers of these officials pushing for reform would also come to an end.

...

Papal State, Cabot City.

Since the Five Nations Alliance’s forces took control of the city, its wealth and population have been disappearing daily.

Panic spread throughout the city.

"We can’t wait any longer!"

"The enemy’s relocation speed is quick, if we delay any longer, we might be shipped off too.

We must either start the summoning at once or abandon the plan and leave amidst the chaos!"

A young man said anxiously.

As a member of the elite second generation, he should have been enjoying a happy upper-class life. But a war destroyed everything.

No one survives when the nest is overturned.

The Clergy suffered heavy losses, and the families that clung to the church naturally suffered no less.

It’s not that they want to share the church’s fate, the problem is that the enemy demands too much. The population and treasures are completely looted, what’s the difference from killing them?

Surrender, and at best, life would be preserved.

Glory, wealth, and prosperity, forget about them. The ruling group of each country is one radish per hole, how can there be a place for them, these surrendering generals?

There’s no choice, they can only follow the church to the end of the road.

"No, Lancel!

His Holiness the Pope has ordered, no unauthorized actions.

We’ve made our preparations, but other places are still getting ready. Once we act prematurely and disrupt the plans above, the Holy Court won’t spare us."

The elder hurriedly stopped him.

In recent years, the church has been in a steep decline, the younger generation generally lacks reverence, but the older generation knows how terrifying the church truly is.

Especially their means of dealing with traitors, which are unimaginably cruel.

If the church’s plans were disrupted at this moment, perhaps the Sanctuary Powerhouses would step out to clean the house themselves.

Even fleeing to other countries wouldn’t guarantee protection.

Even if the church is declining, there is still some foundation supporting it. Even if it disappears from the continent, its high-level power won’t vanish overnight.

Watching the church and the nations’ maneuvers, it is evident the situation is beyond control, yet neither side’s Sanctuary Powerhouses have entered the fray.

On one hand, there’s mutual apprehension, and on the other, there’s a racial righteousness.

Top strongmen are a valuable asset to any species.

Unless it’s absolutely necessary, no one would engage in infighting and let the Different Races benefit without reason.

Aside from the newly promoted Sanctuary Powerhouses who have deep feelings for their factions, the rest of the old relics have long grown indifferent.

There’s no way around it; all friends and relatives are dead. Living alone for hundreds of years would drive one mad if they were emotionally rich.

Essentially, strongmen must withstand loneliness.

Of course, there are exceptions to everything, and it’s not surprising if there are a few odd ones out.

The nations have not directly annihilated the church, but instead have taken a gradual nibbling approach, cutting off the church’s hopes for revival, also to save face for those old relics.

"Ancestor, why not pressure those above! If we delay further, the plan will indeed be exposed."

Lancel had just finished speaking when the elder’s expression changed dramatically, then he spoke:

"The situation has changed, the Pope has ordered an early action!

Pass the order, have all our people ready to move, commence the summoning at dusk.

Lancel, you will join me in overseeing the main array.

Once the altar activates, do not hesitate, leave immediately!"

The plan was finally set in motion!

Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

During this period of lurking, everyone was on edge every day, fearing exposure.

Nearly simultaneous with each other, the hidden forces of the church across various places received similar orders.

Time ticked by, and this afternoon felt particularly long.

As the sun set and dusk descended.

"Offer the sacrifices!"

With the elder’s command, countless unconscious boys and girls were pushed onto the altar, bound to the pillars, and their wrists were slit, with blood dripping continuously from the wounds.

In an instant, the men and women on the altar became pale.

Perhaps it was the pain that roused them, as they gradually woke up, but the ropes and locks on their bodies restricted their movement.

Their struggles were futile, only making powerless wails.

Witnessing this scene, Lancel, participating in the sacrificial ritual for the first time, had a look of reluctance in his eyes.

It was truly too cruel; hundreds of people wailing in the underground palace, the atmosphere at the scene was pushed to the extreme.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the void suddenly flickered as if a portal was being opened.

The men and women on the altar were now on the brink of death.

Suddenly the portal burst open, and the elder vanished from the underground palace in a flash.

"Demons!"

After an exclamation, the others involved in the sacrifice also realized something was wrong.

But trying to escape now was too late. The demons, after indulging in the sacrifices, have already turned on them.

"Boy, being able to become my food is your greatest fortune!"

As the voice rang in his ears, the thought of "The Demon King" arose, and Lancel’s face changed dramatically.

Being in the know, his escape speed was almost synchronized with the elder, but it made no difference.

He originally thought this summoning was for High-Level Demons, and with his speed, he might have a chance to escape.

After all, there were still numerous "foods" in the city, the demons wouldn’t necessarily notice a small fish like him slipping away.

But in the demons summoned this time, there was actually an Abyss Demon King comparable to a Sanctuary Powerhouse, and that spelled doom.

As a Sixth-level Golden Warrior, how could he escape from the hands of a Sanctuary Powerhouse!

In an instant, Lancel was captured by the demon. In his final moments, he clearly felt half of his body being bitten off.

The sound of bones cracking echoed in his ears, this was the Demon King feasting!

The elder, who had fled first, could not escape either. As he returned to the surface, the Demon King blocked him.

Relying on a lifetime of experience, he quickly understood he had become a pawn abandoned by the church.

It made sense, considering the summoning of demons couldn’t be linked to the church.

As the Executor, keeping him was the biggest risk, just like he abandoned his own clansmen.

Even his most favored grandson received only a vague hint.

Unfortunately, even with such caution, he could not escape being silenced.

The summoning method provided by the church wasn’t to summon High-Level Demons but to lure a Demon King to descend.

After all, only an Abyss Demon King leading a Demon Army could pose a threat to the enemy.

What was a mere group of High-Level Demons supposed to do?

Regret came too late, and the elder still died at the hands of the Demon King he summoned himself.

The rising black cloud soon drew the attention of the Allied Forces.

"Demons!"

Recognizing the monstrous creatures, the Gryphon Dragon Cavalry responsible for reconnaissance nearly fell from the sky.

Upon realization, without any hesitation, they rushed to the camp to report.

Almost simultaneously, altars across the continent were activated, summoning countless Extra-dimensional Creatures.

The calm was shattered, and the slaughter began!

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