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A scream of agony echoed in the cramped space.

This was the Holy Light Cathedral’s Underground Confessional Room, a place for sinful souls to confess to the Supreme Lord.

As stated in The Divine Book of Glory, all sins would be forgiven here, as long as you sincerely confess everything to the Supreme Lord.

Thwack!

A whip soaked with fresh blood viciously whipped across the pure white back of a young girl, causing delicate skin to break open.

Another chilling scream was emitted, enough to elicit sympathy from even the most cold-hearted listeners.

However, not a shred of mercy could be seen in Pope Gregory, the one wielding the whip. His face was filled with distorted pleasure.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

The whip came down like a torrential rain. The girl’s cries grew weaker until her voice was gone completely, and she fainted.

Gregory continued to whip the girl a couple more times, causing blood to splatter onto the angelic murals on the wall, staining them red.

Discarding the whip, Gregory took a deep breath and once again took on a sympathetic appearance, placing both hands on his chest forming a holy symbol, uttering:

“God has mercy on mankind, the Lord heals the living!”

A platinum radiance instantly filled the confession room. Gradually, the wounds on the back of the girl lying on the ground began to heal. If not for the grotesque scars, one may be tricked into believing all that happened was but a mere illusion.

Seeing that the girl didn’t show any signs of waking, Gregory didn’t bother with her. He straightened his slightly disarrayed robe and walked out of the confessional.

Outside, an attendant who seemed to have been waiting for a while promptly bowed and reported when he saw the Pope:

“Your Holiness, Emperor Reinhardt is waiting for you in the Prayer Hall.”

Gregory nodded to show he understood, then walked up the spiral staircase to the ground level.

After crossing a quiet hallway, Gregory once again entered the Prayer Hall.

Emperor Reinhardt, upon hearing the footsteps, didn’t turn around. He was still gazing up at the statue of the Lord of Glory, and said:

“Gregory, do you think our Lord is dead?”

The Pope paused briefly but quickly resumed his pace. He stood next to Emperor Reinhardt and replied stoically:

“Your Majesty, may you not forget the fate of the last Emperor who maliciously speculated about the Supreme Lord.”

“You mean the ‘Dark Emperor’…” Emperor Reinhardt tilted his head and looked at the Pope provocatively, saying, “But can you still find a ‘Judge’ now?”

The Pope showed no sign of anger and replied nonchalantly:

“Your Majesty, under the inspiration of the Lord’s glory, anyone can be a ‘Judge’.”

“You are right.” Emperor Reinhardt surprisingly nodded in agreement, “But who should be judged? Don’t you know it in your heart?”

The Pope faintly smiled and said cryptically: “Everyone is a sinner, no one can escape the judgment of the Lord.”

Emperor Reinhardt scoffed, seemingly losing patience with the Pope, and said directly:

“Enough, Gregory, don’t put on an act in front of me, it’s a waste of time and quite disgusting.

I’m here to tell you that I don’t care about your disputes with the North Territory, who’s right or wrong. Normally, you could argue all you want, but not now!

The Orc Empire invasion is imminent. I need all of the Empire’s military forces united in the Westland. There can be no internal consumption or disputes!

So, no matter what concessions you have to make, you must pacify the St. Hilde Family for me!”

“Not a single loss from my million-strong army!”

Pope Gregory gave a faint smile, seemingly anticipating Emperor Reinhardt’s attitude, and immediately reassured him in the most sincere tone:

“Your Majesty, like you, I also do not wish to see internal strife in the Empire during this time. Therefore, rest assured, I will quickly quell this issue and not delay your expedition to the West.”

Emperor Reinhardt looked at the Pope somewhat unexpectedly. He hadn’t anticipated the Pope would be so placating, and his previously prepared threats and persuasive words now seemed unnecessary.

Seeing the shift in Emperor Reinhardt’s expression, Gregory naturally caught his thoughts and explained with a smile:

“Your Majesty, I know we have many disagreements and have clashed many times. We do not see eye to eye on numerous issues. But on one particular point, I believe we can unanimously agree.”

Emperor Reinhardt raised an eyebrow, curiously asking: “Which point is that?”

Gregory pointed at himself and then at Emperor Reinhardt, saying: “That point is, the existing order of the Empire must not be disrupted!”

After a moment’s thought, Emperor Reinhardt somewhat understood the Pope’s intent. He curled his lip dismissively and asked:

“You think the North Territory could potentially threaten the Empire’s current order?”

Gregory nodded solemnly and said:

“Your Majesty, you possibly don’t know yet, but the Lords of the Eastern Territories have openly declared their support for the North Territory. Moreover, the Eastern Allied Forces have officially set out not for Westland, but to join forces with the Northern army!”

Emperor Reinhardt frowned, seemingly realizing the gravity of the situation.

Gregory spoke again, his tone deep and sincere:

“Your Majesty, if the North and East Territories can unite against me this time, they could very well unite against you in the future!”

“They dare!” Emperor Reinhardt shot back, his eyes blazing with a furious glare.

“Why wouldn’t they dare?” retorted Pope Gregory with a cold laugh, “You think your prestige among the citizens of the Empire is higher than mine?

Or do you think convincing the various Lords to attack the Phoenix Palace is harder than convincing them to attack the Holy Light Cathedral?”

Emperor Reinhardt fell silent, but his eyes betrayed a cold, unmasked murderous intent.

Pope Gregory noted all of this with satisfaction, but maintained an open-hearted expression on his face, sincerely declaring:

“Therefore, Your Majesty, the current actions of the North and East Territories are unequivocally treasonous!

It is a challenge to the existing order of the Glorious Empire!

If they dare to challenge me and the Church today, they could dare to challenge you and the Royals’ authority tomorrow!”

Emperor Reinhardt shrunk back, finally unable to restrain an outburst:

“Gregory! Don’t think you can disrupt the relationship between the Royal family and the St. Hilde family with such a crude tactic!

Have you forgotten that the Empress of the Empire’s name is Midela St. Hilde!”

Gregory shot him a scornful look, shaking his head and sighing:” Your Majesty, surely you do not believe that mere marriage alliances can establish an unshakeable and enduring trust and friendship between two families?

When lured by that lofty position, haven’t you read enough stories of fratricide and father-son rivalries in the historical records?”

Emperor Reinhardt grunted coldly, still struggling: “But that’s just the internal power struggles of the Lorenzo family. The Empire’s Royal family has always been Lorenzo. No one has ever dared challenge this fact for thousands of years!”

Gregory quickly retorted: “And has anyone dared to denounce the Pope as a false believer in all these years?”

Emperor Reinhardt was momentarily at a loss for words.

Pope Gregory’s azure eyes shimmered with an eerie light. The Holy Light in the Prayer Hall seemed to intensify, as he opened his mouth, his voice booming as though from the heavens above:

“If they dare to judge the Lord’s representative today, tomorrow they will dare to judge the Royal Family of the Empire!”