The location of the Blood Calamity is very well hidden. Apart from the believers themselves, few people know their exact hiding place. After all, as a sect that often causes trouble everywhere, it wouldn't be good if their stronghold was too conspicuous.
Over the course of a century, the Crimson Calamity has changed its headquarters nearly five times, even surpassing the mighty rabbit.
However, for the Dawn Cult, which is the most powerful and has the largest number of believers, this kind of secrecy is nothing. Dawn believers who travel around will always accidentally discover their traces and then report this information to the Holy See in exchange for contributions.
Upton, the Grand Master of the Knights of Dawn, stopped and warily surveyed the surroundings.
Getting lost several times made him a little irritable, but fortunately he still found his way here.
Before them lay a swamp in the northwest of the Western Continent. Rising gray mist shrouded the area, and crisscrossing thorns obscured their view, allowing them to vaguely discern a rugged path leading into the depths.
The wind howled through their golden armor, a chilling gloom enveloping them. The surroundings were utterly silent, save for the occasional mournful cry of a crow.
Based on the location shown on the map, this should be the headquarters of the Crimson Calamity.
"Commander, should we send someone to scout ahead?" the deputy commander asked, feeling uneasy for some reason.
Upton laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "Do you think there's anyone on the continent of Ver who can rival me? Is there any force that can defeat the Knights of Dawn? All schemes and tricks are nothing but illusions in the face of absolute power! Let's go straight there!"
"Huh? But Commander..."
Afraid that the person beside him would start nagging again, Upton narrowed his eyes and preemptively said, "What? After following me for so long, are you still afraid of this and that? If you ask me, your Pope uncle has taught you to be too cautious. You're as timid as a rabbit! No, even more timid than a rabbit. You're a chosen one of divine revelation level, so don't disgrace the face of a prophet."
As he spoke, he glanced disdainfully at the person next to him, wondering how this timid and talkative fellow would ever take over his position.
"Alright, Commander." The deputy commander could only swallow his words.
Upton turned to look ahead with satisfaction, flames burning in his chest. He drew his longsword and waved to the knights behind him: "Let's go!"
Divine power surged, covering the muddy swamp with a layer of gold. The horses' hooves trod on it as if it were flat ground, and the ferocious thorns were no match for the Dawn Knight's longsword and hard armor. Only then did the vice-captain feel a little relieved.
A towering red castle gradually came into view before them. Upton raised his head and urged them to speed up.
Just then, the deputy commander noticed that the crystal pendant he was wearing at his waist flashed and hurriedly called out, "Commander, the Vatican is contacting you!"
"Why are you contacting me at this time?" Upton muttered, and was about to rein in his horse when he saw a figure flash past five meters to his left. The figure was so familiar that it immediately drew his attention.
"Who goes there?" His face darkened, and he hurriedly chased after them, tossing the crystal pendant to the deputy commander.
"Huh?" The deputy commander hurriedly took over, ordering half the men to catch up with the commander, while he stopped to contact the Holy See.
The crystal pendant is made of Dawn Crystal, a powerful crystal that can easily serve as a medium for their communication.
Infused with divine power, the crystal's light converged to form the outline of a human face—Elder Aubrey.
Upon seeing the deputy commander of the Dawn Regiment, Aubry frowned and asked, "Why is it you? Where's Upton?"
"The regimental commander chased after a figure..." The deputy regimental commander was on the verge of tears.
"Find him quickly and tell him to get away from the territory of the Blood Calamity immediately! Three gods have descended there and possessed Miss Melody, Saint Vincent, and Miss Caroline. You are no match for them. Be careful and retreat for now, awaiting the Pope's next order!" Elder Aubrey warned.
"Huh?" The deputy commander's eyes widened. "How did those three end up here? And a deity too..."
"Alright, I'll explain the details later. Quickly find Upton and tell him to get you out of here!"
"Alright, alright." The vice-captain realized the urgency and dared not think any further. He hurriedly led the remaining knights in the direction of the captain.
Following the hoofprints left by the commander, they soon found the commander and the other knights, but the scene before them left him speechless with fright.
The stench of blood enveloped them; the swamp was littered with corpses—the bodies of the half of the knights who had followed their leader!
Most of their bodies were mutilated, as if they had been devoured by some ferocious beast.
"This...Deputy Commander!"
The other knights behind him panicked instantly.
Where is the commander? The vice-commander forced himself to calm down and continued searching for the commander's whereabouts. Finally, a knight found Upton, whose fate was unknown, in the thicket of thorns.
They hurriedly helped the commander onto his horse. Just then, the deputy commander saw a figure slowly appear. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Miss Melody!
Her long, flowing golden hair was exactly the same as before, but her empty and terrifying eyes sent a chill down his spine.
He immediately turned his horse around: "Run! Run with me!"
They poured all their divine power into the horses' hooves and galloped recklessly back the way they came.
Finally, after a long and frantic run, they finally left the swamp.
The deputy commander breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed that the "Miss Melody," who appeared to be a deity, had not pursued them.
“How could Miss Melody have become like that? Was she really possessed by a god? Which god? I think I just saw blood on the corner of her mouth, it was…” a young knight said, still very frightened.
"Shh! Don't say it!" The deputy commander frowned. "You absolutely must not mention the names of those gods, and don't even think about them!"
"Yes!" the knights answered in unison, but each of them wore a face of despair and fear.
Half of their fighting force was so easily wiped out just now, in just a moment, without even hearing the sound of battle!
The deputy commander was silent for a moment before saying, "Let's go a little further away. Have a few people warn the residents in the vicinity, and it would be best if they left this place."
Although it is located in the wilderness of the northwest, there are still a few scattered households living there.
"yes!"
They only felt relieved after they had gone quite a distance.
The vice-captain told the other knights to rest, and then placed Upton on a rock to check his injuries.
He glanced at the commander from horseback and saw that his breathing was very weak, but thankfully he was still alive.
"It's just that his divine power is depleted, and he doesn't have any serious injuries. It seems that the captain just requested divine intervention."
The vice-captain, relieved, removed his helmet, revealing a face covered in sweat. He whispered to the unconscious captain, "You called me a coward, but you led so many knights to their deaths. How are you going to explain this to His Holiness the Pope? If you ask me, we need to be more cautious..."
As he spoke, his voice grew softer and softer, and the sky darkened; the sun had already set. Recalling the terrifying scene he had just witnessed, he quickly closed his eyes and prayed, "Great day prophet! Can you tell us what to do?"
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