https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-792-Lanchi-s-Resolve-in-the-Face-of-Adversity-Part-1-/12585523/
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Chapter 792: Lanchi's Resolve in the Face of Adversity (Part 2)
Chapter 792: Lanchi's Resolve in the Face of Adversity (Part 2)
Their numbers were like a mighty army, an unstoppable force.
"You rebels, have you gone mad?!" The loyal Guardian Knights of the Pope, steadfast in their vow to protect the Pope and uphold the nation, questioned with determination.
"It is you who have forsaken your faith and become rebels!"
The clash of the two forces was like a fierce storm, their weapons colliding with an ear-piercing clangor.
Sigil charged at the forefront, a valiant female warrior.
She brandished the Saint Lant Heretic's Divine Protection Sword, and none could stand against her.
The Pope's Guardian Knights rushed to meet them, but Sigil's movements were graceful and agile. She darted and leaped, keeping her opponents at bay, never allowing them to come within a few meters of her.
The Grand Knight and the Inquisitor General followed closely behind Sigil, each showcasing their unique strengths.
The two eighth-tier powerhouses of the Saint Lant Heretic Church were like war gods, decisive and merciless in battle.
The Grand Knight continuously cast divine spells, summoning forth thunderous roars, while the Inquisitor General's hammer strikes were fierce and relentless.
The besieging enemies fell one after another, their bodies sprawling down the lofty steps of the Papal Hall, as black mist swirled and spread across the marble floor.
Before long, Sigil's assembled forces successfully breached the doors leading to the Audience Chamber.
Pushing open the towering, intricately carved purple-black iron mesh doors, they were met with a chill draft from beneath the soaring dome.
The enormous circular chamber, capable of accommodating thousands, had walls made of azure marble, adorned with statues of saints and knights, their golden edges gleaming under the light of a massive crystal chandelier hanging from the center of the arched ceiling, where thousands of flickering candles illuminated the entire hall.
Flanking the long red carpet leading to the throne were rows upon rows of fully armed black knights.
They were evidently more formidable than the Guardian Knights outside, their eyes glowing crimson with mechanical doll-like expressions, holding their spears with cold and stern jaws, resembling an array of stern statues.
Even the holy light began to distort and warp, the music in the Papal Hall turning into a dissonant dirge.
Many of the clergy members who had broken in with Sigil couldn't help but shudder.
They didn't know when the atmosphere in the Helshamreim Papal Hall had become so bone-chilling.
This further validated the unanimous conclusion reached by Saint Sigil, Grand Inquisitor Elmu, and the other high-ranking members of the Saint Pulant Church—
The Pope had indeed fallen.
Clack, clack.
The footsteps of the elite Silver Knights echoed behind them as they all arrived at the final battleground, the Audience Chamber.
They had already set up the 'Shield of the Firmament' formation.
Additionally, Queen Kexia had entrusted Sigil with the nation's treasured artifact, empowering her to manipulate the Helshamreim city defense barrier to suppress the Pope.
Even the royalty had chosen to side with Sigil.
Although the Temple Knights were uncertain if Sigil's desperate gamble would succeed, they knew that if she accomplished this feat, she would undoubtedly become the new Saint Emperor of the Saint Pulant Church and, in the future, rely on the faith of Saint Pulant to ascend to the ninth tier.
"..."
Standing at the forefront, Sigil fixed her gaze on the throne at the far end of the red carpet, her eyes filled with wariness and hostility.
There, atop a towering set of steps, sat Pope Lancelos Saint Anasterius.
"You've arrived, my dear child. Why do you turn your blade against me?"
He wore a pure white robe, a triple tiara, and a silver-white mask, holding a black mist skull scepter as he lazily sat on the throne, looking down on the world.
The stained glass windows around the hall cast a colorful glow on the Pope, his mask appearing kind and benevolent, with a faint smile on its lips, as if he were a magnanimous and compassionate ruler.
But his bewitching tone sent shivers down the spines of all the clergy members.
Even towards Sigil, whom he had raised personally, he showed no hint of the affection he should have, his attitude filled with mockery.
"You are no longer Lancelos. You are now nothing more than a vengeful wraith, consumed by hatred!"
Sigil's eyes were filled with struggle and reluctance, but her resolve was firm.
"..."
The clergy members saw the trembling of Sigil's sword-wielding hand and heard the quiver in her voice, understanding the heart-wrenching pain she felt as she prepared to assassinate the Pope, committing this heinous act of treason.
"Is that so?"
The white-robed Pope drew out his words, as if humming a tune.
He finally stood up.
"I never thought that today, I would have to take your life with my own hands, Sigil."
The Pope looked down at Sigil, his eyes turning sharp.
Sigil's gaze penetrated the obstacles, locking with Lancelos' eyes high above.
In that moment, time seemed to freeze, and all was silent.
Only the two souls, locked in a final judgment, stood in silent confrontation amidst the currents of history.
"You no longer deserve to address me by that name."
Sigil tightened her grip on her sword, taking a determined step forward, unwavering in her stride as she ascended the steps towards the throne.
She drew closer to the fallen tyrant, determined to tear away his rotten facade and reveal the truth to the world.
"Oh? It seems I've been too lenient with you, allowing you, a wolf in sheep's clothing, to become so bold."
Suddenly, a peal of thunder rumbled, and pouring rain lashed against the marble floor outside the Papal Hall, sending mist rising into the air.
"I am no longer your little wolf."
Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating Sigil's face through the rose window.
She moved swiftly, closing in on Pope Lancelos and launching an attack.
"That's not for you to decide. I gave you your life, and I can take it away whenever I please."
The Pope waved his scepter, and a dazzling black light descended from the heavens, enveloping Sigil.
She gritted her teeth, both hands clutching the sword as she deflected the Pope's dark magic, the blades clashing and sparking.
She swung her sword towards the Pope, but he effortlessly countered with his scepter, their powers equally matched in a stalemate.
When the 'Shield of the Firmament' formation and the blessings of the clergy took effect, the Pope's footing seemed to falter, and he took half a step back.
"Lancelos, you have indeed grown too weak. You cannot defeat me now!"
Sigil declared.
"Foolish child, you are not yet ready to defeat me."
The white-robed Pope scoffed, "The secular body cannot hope to challenge the authority of the Holy Pope!"
He freed one hand, and a dazzling black radiance gathered in his palm, from which countless chains burst forth, aiming for Sigil's limbs.
Sigil's body trembled with surging power as she bit her lip and pressed forward, sword aimed at the Pope.
The Pope dismissed her with a nonchalant wave of his scepter, the explosive release of psychokinetic magic sending Sigil flying back.
In that critical moment, Sigil was yanked away from the throne by the chains and slammed into the ground, the impact shaking the entire temple.
Moreover, the Pope's combat experience was unmatched, and he was protected by an invisible yet impenetrable shield.
Unfazed, Sigil unleashed the full might of her sword, taking advantage of the moment when she was pulled back by the chains to strike back with a sneak attack. Even if she had managed to land a blow on him, it would only create a tiny ripple on the surface of his shield.
"Sigil, if you are willing to submit to me again, you are still my beloved daughter, and I can dote on you even more. I will overlook your betrayal."
The Pope spread his arms wide, gazing down at Sigil at the foot of the steps, his eyes softening as if offering her an embrace or seeking to dominate her.
"..."
Sigil steadied herself amidst the rubble, her eyes wavering as if she were about to give in to the Pope's temptation and pounce on him.
Then, she shook her head vigorously, her determination to kill unwavering.
Sigil charged at the Pope once more.
"Don't let his mental magic interfere with you!"
This time, freed from the Black Knight army, the Grand Knight and the Inquisitor General flanked the Pope from both sides of the long staircase, joining the assault.
They were certain that Sigil had almost fallen prey to the Pope's insidious mental magic.
How insidious and evil!
"That's right!"
Sigil echoed, feigning agreement.
In truth, the Pope had not used any magic at all.
With a mighty force, she thrust her arm forward, her purple eyes gleaming as the power in her fist resembled lightning in the night sky. She was determined to take the Pope's life with this strike!
The Inquisitor General wasted no time, his massive body swinging the war hammer towards the Pope once more.
At that moment, the killer intent emanating from him caused his armor to glow with a faint red light, as if it were burning with intense heat.
The Grand Knight's binding magic also followed suit, leaving the Pope with no opportunity to dodge.
Buzz! !
Sigil's fist felt like it had collided with an invisible iron wall, and a black mist rose from the ground in front of the throne, accompanied by a metallic buzzing sound and waves of energy.
Caught off guard, Pope Saint Anasterius could only resort to close-quarters combat, his defensive shield beginning to crumble.
The Pope stood his ground against the three attackers, turning the tide of the battle. The murderous intent of his former companions burned within him.
His green irises, hidden behind the silver-white mask, flickered with a momentary loss of focus, as if recalling something from the past.
The impenetrable shield around his white robe started to disintegrate.
"It's the end for you, Pope."
A hidden royal assassin nocked an arrow and swiftly fired a barrage of arrows at Pope Saint Anasterius.
The piercing sound of the arrows cutting through the air was sharp and grating.
The assassin's aim was true, and Pope Saint Anasterius struggled to deflect all the arrows with his mental power.
A series of "swish" sounds filled the air as several arrows found their mark, piercing the Pope's robe and drawing blood.
The Pope clutched his shoulder and stumbled back a few steps.
"Sigil, now!"
The Grand Knight shouted.
Sigil nodded, drawing her sword once more. Her white knight's robe fluttered in the air as she moved with the agility of a swimming dragon, her sword aimed directly at the Pope's brow.
Just then, an unexpected turn of events unfolded!
"No! I won't lose like this..."
The Pope muttered to himself, his head shaking wildly as if he had gone mad.
The ceiling of the Papal Chamber emitted an ear-piercing tearing sound, and countless stones and debris rained down.
Immediately after, a sea of crimson lotuses erupted from the depths of the earth, engulfing the Cloud Temple.
Amidst the flames, a colossal creature took form—a nine-headed fire serpent with a length of several dozen meters and a body covered in scales.
"Even if the four of you, including Sigil, who is close to the ninth tier, were to besiege me, you are still no match for me! Absolutely not!"
The Pope stood shakily, raising the Black Mist Skull Scepter as he slipped back into a state of frenzy.
His words seemed to emphasize the fairness of the battle, but none of the knights present would be so naive as to think that the Pope was providing a commentary on the fight.
Before he finished speaking, the nine-headed fire serpent lunged at them, its massive jaws opening wide to release a scorching breath.
The rolling flames swept across the marble floor, charring the tiles black and causing hot steam to rise.
The knights' shield formation transformed into a barrier to withstand the flames.
Sigil leaped back nimbly, barely avoiding the serpent's breath, but still feeling the searing heat wash over her.
She looked up to see the summoned beast towering over them, its eighteen eyes gleaming with greedy, insane red lights, sharp fangs, and hooked claws.
Yet, Sigil remained fearless, her fighting spirit soaring.
"The Pope has been forced to resort to using a summoned beast! Don't be afraid!"
She turned and shouted to encourage the knights.
"I am here to lend you a hand, as commanded by Queen Kexia!"
The royal assassin joined the front lines, adding to the assault.
The two strongest members of the Saint Pulant Church, the Grand Knight and the Inquisitor General, exchanged a glance and joined the fray as well.
The nine-headed fire serpent, excited by the humans' offensive, let out an ear-piercing roar.
It retracted its wings and dove towards the ground.
Its claws dug deep grooves into the marble floor, sending debris flying in all directions.
Sigil took the lead, tossing aside her sword and punching at the serpent with her bare hands.
A loud clang reverberated as Sigil's formidable strength allowed her to grasp the fire serpent's front claws with both palms, a dazzling light gathering in her grip.
Simultaneously, on the other side of the fire serpent, the Inquisitor General's war hammer blazed with deep red flames as he aimed a powerful blow at the serpent's body. However, the serpent's scales were incredibly tough, and the hammer only caused a slight vibration without leaving any mark.
The royal assassin fired a barrage of arrows, aiming for the serpent's eyes. But the thick scales around its head deflected the arrows, and it closed its eyes to dodge them effortlessly.
The Grand Knight leaped high into the air, brandishing the sacred lance and stabbing downward towards the serpent's neck.
Even the versatile Grand Knight could only manage to slightly embed the tip of the lance into the serpent's scales, unable to penetrate further.
The nine-headed fire serpent roared and flapped its wings, sending all four attackers flying back with a powerful thrust of its limbs.
Sigil held her ground, barely managing to steady herself after five steps.
"Sigil, with this level of strength, do you think you can take my place?"
Before the Pope could finish his sentence, the nine-headed fire serpent arched its back, its entire body enveloped in a dazzling crimson light.
The radiance grew more dazzling, illuminating the entire Papal Chamber as bright as day.
Then, a piercing howl emanated from the center of the sphere, causing the souls of all the clergy members to tremble.
The Pope was invincible.
This thought filled everyone's minds.
A sense of despair began to spread, linking their hearts together.
"I will tell you, I am the strongest. Now, step down from that position," Sigil said arrogantly to the St. Pulant Pope.
The more disadvantaged she was, the more her battle intent burned fiercely.
The aura emanating from her was like that of a queen ruling over the land beneath her feet—she was not content with just dominating what was before her but sought to conquer everything within her sight.
Just as the unstoppable behemoth was about to break through their defenses and destroy the entire Papal Chamber, something happened.
The moonlight descended.
Perhaps it was the arrangement of the Goddess of Fate, or perhaps it was the blessing of the Silver Moon Goddess.
Sigil's body was enveloped in a silvery light.
Her wounds instantly healed, and her state became even stronger than before.
The Temple Knights were astonished by this sudden turn of hope.
"Even the deities are on our side!"
Sigil's voice echoed throughout the Helshamreim Papal Chamber.
"Yes, the deities are on our side!"
The other clergy members, seeing the divine blessing-like radiance emanating from Sigil and her ever-increasing power, also felt a surge of hope and were invigorated.
The priests raised their staves and began chanting incantations. As their chanting grew louder, a soft white light gradually filled the entire Papal Chamber. Only pure and pious souls could conjure such light, and at that moment, everyone bathed in it felt their strength enhanced.
Even the Nine-Headed Fire Serpent was stung by the white light, letting out a painful hiss.
Sigil unleashed a powerful punch, slamming into the fire serpent's scaled body.
It stumbled back several dozen meters, baring its fangs and claws, nearly crashing through the wall of the Papal Chamber and falling into the cloud sea.
"What? Even the deities have chosen you?! Sigil!"
The Pope roared, his voice shaking the entire chamber.
"No, don't overdo it. It's not very convincing," Talia commented in Lanchi's mind.
Although she admitted that Lanchi's performance as the villain was excellent, his acting skills were impressive, but some of his lines were too on the nose, and she felt a headache coming on.
She was a little worried that Sigil wouldn't be able to keep up with Lanchi's theatrics.
In the Audience Chamber.
The priests' beams of light continuously targeted the Nine-Headed Fire Serpent, their chanting voices unceasing.
The white light grew brighter, transforming into chains that bound the fire serpent's limbs and body. The Grand Knight, the Inquisitor General, and the royal assassin also joined the assault.
The Nine-Headed Fire Serpent let out an earth-shattering roar as it struggled desperately, but Sigil's frontal assault was too powerful.
Its scales began to fall off, and the red light in its eyes gradually dimmed.
Seizing this opportunity, Sigil punched the fire serpent again with all her might.
A thunderous crash reverberated as Sigil's formidable strength allowed her to grasp the fire serpent's front claws with both palms, a dazzling light gathering in her grip.
Simultaneously, on the other side of the fire serpent, the Inquisitor General's war hammer blazed with deep red flames as he aimed a powerful blow at the serpent's body. However, the serpent's scales were incredibly tough, and the hammer only caused a slight vibration without leaving any mark.
The royal assassin fired a barrage of arrows, aiming for the serpent's eyes. But the thick scales around its head deflected the arrows, and it closed its eyes to dodge them effortlessly.
The Grand Knight leaped high into the air, brandishing the sacred lance and stabbing downward towards the serpent's neck.
Even the versatile Grand Knight could only manage to slightly embed the tip of the lance into the serpent's scales, unable to penetrate further.
The Nine-Headed Fire Serpent roared and flapped its wings, sending all four attackers flying back with a powerful thrust of its limbs.
Sigil stood her ground, barely managing to steady herself after five steps.
"Sigil, with this level of strength, do you think you can take my place?"
Before the Pope could finish his sentence, the Nine-Headed Fire Serpent arched its back, its entire body enveloped in a dazzling crimson light.
】
【After being narrowly defeated by Sigil and the others, you went completely insane and fled the Papal Chamber, heading south.】
【From then on, Sigil quickly took control and became the new Saint Emperor of the Saint Pulant Church, leading the Saint Pulant Theocracy.】
"With the whereabouts of the fallen old Pope unknown, presumably heading south, the entire southern region of the Saint Pulant Theocracy will be on high alert."
Lanchi muttered to himself.
After Lanchi's confession to Sigil in the principal's office, revealing the truth about the Honing Empire and entrusting her with his final wishes, Sigil reluctantly agreed to Lanchi's request, despite her reluctance.
(End of Chapter)
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