The terrible pressure in the room did not subside until Leit and Neillo and their group left.
"call……"
These clergymen who lived a life of luxury in the Holy Mountain were each adjusting their rapid breathing. Even civilized ones like Paladins and Demon Hunters were still feeling a lingering fear.
The swordmaster Degni, who was defined as a "liar", greatly exceeded everyone's expectations.
Archbishop Shadoman stared blankly at the gem fragment in his hand, looking somewhat bewildered.
There is no doubt that although the gem in his hand is dull, it is not an ordinary thing judging from the strange sounds and exquisite appearance he heard, not to mention being hidden under an ancient statue.
However, Leyte and the others left in anger one after another just by seeing the gem object, which cast a shadow of doubt over the entire place.
"My Lord Archbishop, what exactly is the gem in your hand? Do you know what they mean when they speak?"
This doubt existed in the hearts of everyone present, and a bishop in the crowd asked it out loud.
"I……"
As soon as the irritated Shadoman uttered the word "I", he saw curious eyes all around him seeking answers. The majesty of being the archbishop forced him to cheer up.
"This gem is a treasure handed down by the church. It was originally hidden inside the old statue in the central cathedral. It is a symbol of God's gospel!"
The Archbishop took a breath and continued:
"They were so excited when they saw this gem. I think it is enough to prove that Neillo, Leit and the priests have betrayed the faith of the Supreme God... Hmm!"
The more I talk, the smoother my thoughts become. Anyway, I must not appear too weak at a time like this.
"I followed the oracle of the Supreme God and found the gem, but because of their offense to the Church, the Supreme God was angered, and the gem was broken..."
Although the last sentence sounded a little guilty, the anger that was not shown on his face was also half true. After all, the gem was indeed broken, even though Shadoman more or less felt that the reason for the breakage might not be caused by the other party.
"Humph, they actually threw away the Paladin badge. I don't know what gave them the confidence to do so! If they hadn't been thinking about them, they would have served the church and the Supreme God for many years... This can simply be considered heresy!!"
After the shock from the Sword Master just now, Shadoman still didn't dare to issue the order to arrest. After reprimanding a few times to show his anger, he gave a look to several bishop-level figures, then stood up and left.
All those above the level of bishop had to leave, which also foreshadowed that this church meeting would end in a bad mood.
…
Ten minutes after the church meeting ended, several witchers and several paladins walked together on the cobblestone road.
"It's OK. There's no one in front or behind."
One of the Paladins whispered to his fellow travelers, and the others visibly relaxed a bit.
"Do you think they really abandoned their faith in the God of Light?"
A demon hunter looked back at the direction of the mountain top and asked the people around him meaningfully.
Another paladin touched the badge on his chest.
"Betraying faith? That's Leyte Solo..."
The punishing hand of God in the mortal world!
After a short silence, another person spoke hesitantly.
"The Archbishop may know something but he didn't tell us. What do you think of that Sword Saint... well, the man described as 'Sword Saint Degni'? His power..."
After listening to the priest's words, everyone was still frightened. The feeling just now was almost a matter of life and death.
Especially strong ones like Paladins and Demon Hunters, who can feel the horror even more. The opponent obviously has the intention to kill, but forcibly restrains himself.
"If the swordmaster Degon had taken action just now, no one would have been able to stop him!"
"really……"
"Well... even if I had my accessories with me at the time, I'm afraid I wouldn't have the courage to swing the sword. That kind of power..."
"Yeah, that kind of power!"
To put it simply, these people are warriors. When they entered the country at a young age, they had not been corrupted by power. Instead, they were more yearning for strength.
"Then since it is unlikely that Leit will abandon his faith, why did this happen today?"
"Yes, what did the sword master refer to? What do the archbishops know?... In today's church meeting, the bishops' opinions were really consistent... It was like they had rehearsed it in advance."
Everyone could hear the sarcasm in the demon hunter's words, but apart from remaining silent, it was not easy to agree with such "treasonous" words.
…
In the rest area on the mountainside, another fifty or sixty people who were eagerly awaiting the return of the Sword Master and his companions were greeted by returnees with gloomy faces.
The situation is not just unsatisfactory, it has risen to the level of conspiracy.
After Leyte and Neillo's explanation, everyone found it unbelievable, but helpless.
It turns out that the top leaders of the Holy Mountain have always known about the "crystal", and it is even not difficult to tell how old the crystal is from its color.
A terrible and sad possibility, or rather, a terrible and sad fact.
With the intelligence of Neillo and Leyte, they had figured out everything on the way back, and all the doubts that had not been sorted out became more and more obvious.
…
At the dining table in the lounge, Neillo stated a fact with sadness.
The Church of Light actually knows about the "Otherworld Crystal", and is even very likely to know about the "Otherworld Summoning" and "Doomsday Crisis", and perhaps even knows more inside information.
Obviously, the former founder or founders of the Church of Light also obtained power from another world, or simply received guidance from the power of light from another world like the Sword Master during the era when evil spirits were rampant.
That is why there is a church, and that is why the church is named "Light". The origin of everything is imaginable, and it also explains the exaggerated development of the church.
In the earliest days, the church might have strong people like the Sword Master, or even direct help from the bright forces of another world, so that a foundation of trust could be established among mortals in a short period of time, which was also the basis of belief that later developed into the worship of gods.
In the words of Neil Lowe.
"When the crisis faded and the world returned to peace, the power of the world of light also left. Strong men like Sword Saint Degni either died of old age or fell into a deep sleep... At that time, the church began to corrupt and degenerate!"
After enjoying the support of everyone, the popularity and the power like an emperor, the people in the original organization began to generally desire to maintain this power.
Perhaps there was still the idea of commemorating the power of light, so the original organization gradually began to become a religious organization, and a fictional god of light was created.
All oracles from ancient times to the present are false, and all actions carried out in the name of God can ultimately be explained as the church’s own desires.
The corruption of the local church is but a microcosm of the entire Church of Light.
Everything today was a conspiracy, including the previous excuses and this time's church meeting which was obviously planned in advance. They didn't need to listen to the meeting between Leyte and others because they already knew it.
Asking himself and others to go to the Holy Mountain in person would only be a direct rejection or simply a charge.
This description was not explained by Neillo all at once, but in his and Leyte's speculations and narratives, it almost pointed to such a result.
In just over ten minutes, everyone's faces were filled with horror. Some priests and servants even had their hands trembling slightly, as if their inner world was about to collapse.
"The Archbishop and his men, why are they doing this!!! Aren't they worried about the world crisis and the coming of disaster?"
A servant of God asked a question that puzzled many people with a chill in his heart.
"Maybe it's the benefit..."
Leit opened his eyes, which had been closed, and recalled what he had seen and heard before.
"What if they do what we hope, what if the church's scramble is revealed? Without the true God of Light, what about the divine authority? The former church leaders were reluctant to give up, and after enjoying it for so many years, the younger generation today may be even more unbearable..."
If you think about it carefully, it is true. For the sake of profit, the top leaders of the Holy Mountain are likely to do anything.
"Will they attack us?"
A general from Asia City raised this question with concern.
"Heh... Actually, they were planning to take action when they were at the top! I also think that they did everything they could to get us to come to the Holy Mountain not just to refute us, but..."
A witcher who went with him stood up with a sneer. Everyone could guess what he didn't say.
"There were at least a hundred Enlightened Ones gathered in the cathedral, and even more Holy Guards of the Vatican. When we left, the Knights Templar were even ready to take action, but unfortunately, they were unwilling to believe and admit that the Sword Saint was real!"
The intimidating aura made people dare not take action. Even though the Holy Mountain was extremely afraid of them and wanted to keep them, as long as the Sword Saint Degni was there, they could leave safely.
Qin Xiaoxia, who was silent most of the time and only suggested some possibilities at critical moments, also stood up with a sigh.
"Perhaps there is also an element of fear. When people face a disaster beyond their control, sometimes the most direct way to escape is... not wanting to believe it!"
"Okay, I'm tired but I don't want to rest here. Let's leave here. They won't help us anymore..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
