The Witcher: Start with the Lord Marrying a Wife.

Chapter 603 The Twin Popes Appear

The reason I was able to inscribe the Book of the End here is because of your appearance.

David raised an eyebrow and listened intently. He felt an invisible chain binding him in the air, a warning from time itself.

“Your time travel is not just an arrangement of fate, but a huge closed loop of time.” Glenhill continued in a low voice, “Back when I was close to the fall of civilization, I came into contact with the afterglow of the divine redemption emanating from you. At that moment, I knew that the future would be changed.”

So I wrote our secrets, warnings, and hopes into this secret book—that's why you stepped into the 'Time Corridor'.

David's eyes were deep as he felt the flow of information across time rushing toward him. Countless fragmented memories surfaced in his mind, memories that were not his own, yet seemed to be closely connected to the depths of his soul.

Suddenly, a muffled boom came from the depths of the void rift in the distance.

A dark shadow, like a ferocious beast, swept through the air and enveloped the entire ruined world.

A dark and imposing figure gradually became clear. He was dressed in a black and gray robe, beneath which was an unstable form that gradually transformed into a mixture of mist and runes.

This is the Pope's Shadow, a legendary secret entity that is said to control the dark forces behind the Eternal Night Council and is also the mastermind behind many dimensional conflicts.

He is currently tracking David through an extremely secretive and dangerous spacetime rift.

"The Pope...they've actually intervened." Leah's voice trembled as she gripped her staff tightly, as if clutching at the last glimmer of hope. "The Council of Eternal Night is just a facade; the Church is the one truly in control...We've been used for far too long!"

The earth trembled as he approached step by step, and a cold, piercing, and chaotic energy erupted from the shadow, compressing and twisting the surrounding space into a suffocating state.

The priests raised their protective shields to shield themselves from the powerful impact, but they all knew in their hearts that this was not an enemy that could be defeated by weapons, but a great calamity that concerned their future survival and even the fate of their souls!
At the same time, the tremors inside and outside the hall dissipated in layers, and a strong abnormal fluctuation swept out like a tide—this was the first time correction impact eruption!
The torrent of history begins to backfire on those who attempt to alter the course of the past or future. Countless fragments of the past, souls with unfinished missions, and distorted points of a collapsing reality converge into a raging torrent, tearing all the broken memories together and then cutting them apart again.

The protective barrier shimmered with a purple glow, and countless runes danced and spun in the air, like stars falling from the sky and rising again, but it was still unable to withstand the surging momentum of this cataclysmic event!
Lia's face was deathly pale, but she gritted her teeth and stood against the wind, her eyes flashing with unwavering determination: "We cannot back down! If the corrective impact swallows our beliefs, all our sacrifices will be in vain!"

Cynthia stomped her foot on the ground, her body covered in frost runes that shone even brighter due to the extreme cold, making her look like an ice crystal sculpture in the biting wind.

"What we need to protect is not just life, but also truth and free will!"

The head priest, veins bulging on his forehead, loudly commanded everyone to steady their resolve: "Today's judgment has become a critical turning point. We must resist the torrent of fate with even stronger faith, otherwise this path of purification will never be completed!"

The thunder outside the main hall gradually subsided, but the space continued to tremble, and some of the young shamans looked pale and even exhaled heavy breaths.

But after exchanging glances, they huddled together again, using all their remaining willpower to try and support each other's fragile defenses.

This is a war in which a spiritual barrier is built with flesh and blood, a last bastion against fate that cannot be compromised!
David stood at the center of the spacetime light projected by the stardial, feeling his bloodline meditation constantly being activated, continuously absorbing and harmonizing the chaotic energy brought by the corrective waves.

He realized that he was not only a leader and a key figure, but also an indispensable piece navigating between the past and the future.

"No matter how many corrections we make, no matter how many traps we face, I will not lose my way." His voice was deep but revealed an unwavering determination. "This is our time, and our only chance to restore order to this broken world and let the true dawn shine in every corner."

Just then, a sharp, piercing buzzing sound came from the depths of the void rift. The Pope's shadow released a huge magical net, freezing the surrounding space into a silver-gray crystal matrix, and approached David like the most ferocious hunter that devours soul will!

The war drums sounded, each beat striking the hearts of the warriors, invigorating their hidden strength and inspiring their unwavering courage to resist the destructive tide.

But everyone also knows that this battle is just the prologue to the first chapter of a long journey...

The aftershocks of the void rift still lingered in the air as David slowly returned to the Silver Moon Royal Court and stepped into the familiar and solemn hall.

Despite the nightmarish experience of the Time Corridor, he remained calm and clear-headed.

The pale blue runes on the sundial were still shimmering faintly, as if telling an unfinished secret.

David walked slowly into the council chamber, the place where the highest power of the royal court was once concentrated.

The heavy door was pushed open, and the hinges made a slight creaking sound that echoed in the empty hall.

He looked around and saw that the towering stone pillars were inlaid with the ancient inscriptions and emblems of the Silver Moon Clan, and every detail carried a heavy historical memory.

Hill was already waiting there, his expression solemn, his eyes sharp as an eagle's as he stared at the magical projection screen floating in mid-air.

That was a compilation of interrogation records from high-ranking members of the Eternal Night Council. The flames flickered in the fireplace, but could not dispel the chilling atmosphere.

“Commander David, you’re finally back.” Hill’s voice was deep and firm. “We desperately need your insights. These messages reveal issues that are far deeper than we anticipated.”

David did not speak immediately. His gaze swept over the flashing data and images, and interrogation transcripts unfolded silently: senior members stated, denied, and even panicked with expressionless faces.

What they are involved in is not only a power struggle, but also the flow of hidden funds. A huge, tightly linked network that is being tried to cover up is gradually revealing itself.

Hill frowned and pointed to an extremely secretive flow of funds—the "Indulgence" trading system. It was a huge financial operation controlled by the Church of Holy Light, which converted believers' sins into trading currency through Indulgences, while the Council of Eternal Night secretly profited handsomely from it.

This funding not only provided them with material support, but also deepened the Vatican's control over the gaps between the political and military systems.

“This chain is very well hidden,” Hill said in a low voice, “but through this data, we have finally found some clues. The headquarters of the Council of Eternal Night may very well be hidden deep within the Holy Sepulchre of the Vatican.”

The air in the hall suddenly froze, and everyone felt as if they were being struck by an invisible hammer.

The Holy Sepulchre, a name that sends chills down one's spine—it is not only the burial place of saints of the past, but also a place where countless conspiracies and secrets lie buried, one of the deepest sources of conflict and darkness.

Cynthia stood quietly, raising her slender fingers to lightly brush the frost runes on her chest. The icy blue patterns emitted a cold light as her aura fluctuated.

“If the news is true, we will be facing a grand conspiracy that transcends the boundaries of faith, politics, and even magic.” Her gaze was sharp. “It is not just a serious challenge to the royal court, but to the free will of the entire continent.”

Hearing this, Lia gripped her cane tighter, her worry gradually turning into anger. "Those so-called guardians are nothing but the ones manipulating the chessboard, while we are the ones being sacrificed and deceived!" Her voice trembled, yet remained resolute. "We must unveil this fog and let the truth see the light of day!"

The high priest stepped to the center of the crowd, his pale robe sleeves fluttering in the wind.

He sighed, “To truly investigate the Holy Sepulchre of the Vatican, we need not only great power, but also wisdom and patience.”

This place is filled with ancient taboos; violating them will bring unpredictable consequences.

David turned and gazed at the crowd, his eyes as clear as winter snow, yet with an unyielding resolve: "This is our mission, and no matter how treacherous the road may be, we cannot back down."

This struggle is no longer simply a matter of good versus evil; it concerns whether the future world order can be rebuilt.

He silently retrieved more detailed data, displaying three-dimensional maps and financial flow network diagrams on the magic projection screen. Each clue led to more doubts: mysterious accounts, disguised organizations, and even untraceable personal identities were intertwined in a complex and dazzling way.

But these clues are gradually outlining the shape of a vast and unpredictable black web.

As time went on, a sense of oppression became more and more obvious, and every face in the hall appeared particularly serious and solemn under the lights.

They knew that this was not only a political storm, but also a battle of spiritual beliefs, and the most brutal challenge to the boundary between ideals and reality!

Hill suddenly slammed his fist on the table, the sound like thunder breaking the silence: "Next, we must form a special task force to conduct in-depth investigations into the Holy See's underground crypt."

No matter how dangerous it is, we must uncover the truth behind this!

Lia straightened her back, her tone resolute: "I am willing to serve as captain and lead the expedition team through the darkness! I know that every inch of that land is full of treacherous traps, but only by being there in person can we truly unravel the mystery!"

Cynthia nodded in agreement: "My frost runes will protect everyone in times of crisis. I am willing to go with you to the death."

The high priest pondered for a moment and said, "We still need to prepare more arcane protective arrays and summon soul mentors to help resist any forbidden magical obstacles that may appear."

The crowd looked at each other, a tense yet resolute atmosphere filling the air as they faced the unfinished task.

However, the uncertainty about the future did not weaken their will to step into the unknown darkness together—on the contrary, it aroused an even more ardent fighting spirit!

David surveyed the group of warriors who had sworn to defend their homeland once more, feeling the powerful energy resonating between them, like stars converging into a surging river.

"This is our era, the most crucial decision since the Silver Moon's existence began, and the oath passed down through generations."

No matter how arduous the road ahead, we will surely overcome all obstacles and let the dawn light shine on this land!

The night in the Silver Moon Royal Court remained heavy, with a cold wind carrying drifting snowflakes, passing through towering stone pillars and thick city walls, bringing with it the faint sound of distant bells.

David and his companions stood in the royal chamber, preparing to step into the legendary underground crypt of the Papacy, a place shrouded in taboos and intrigue.

An indescribable solemnity and deathly silence filled the air, and every step seemed to tread on the scars of history.

Lia frowned slightly, gripping her frost staff tightly as she stared at the dark entrance to the passage ahead. "This is our first real counterattack, and also our most dangerous battle." Her voice was soft, yet it carried an unwavering resolve. "Deep within the Holy Tomb lies the darkest and most deadly secret of the Eternal Night Council."

Cynthia stood to one side, her icy blue runes shimmering in the shadows, as cold and dazzling as an extreme star.

She raised her eyebrows slightly, her gaze sharp: "They must have laid many traps and ambushes; we must remain highly vigilant."

The high priest, draped in a pale robe, clasped his hands together and prayed softly, his voice flowing like a stream through the silent earth, "May the gods protect us and dispel the darkness..."

David took a deep breath and adjusted the chaotic core within his body to its optimal state, causing that mysterious and intense energy to surge like a volcanic eruption.

He knew that this battle was not only a test of physical strength and magical power, but also a challenge to the limits of faith, will, and wisdom.

The group entered the dark and winding tunnel.

The air was damp and smelled of ancient gunpowder, and broken stones would occasionally roll down from underfoot, creating faint echoes.

On the walls of the passageway, broken inscriptions depict the epic history of the Papacy's past glory and its fall and rise.

The Witch Knights were divided into several squads, each member wearing full armor, their eyes resolute, brooking no hesitation.

A veteran shaman raised the Silver Moon Banner in his hand, which fluttered in the cold wind as if an ancient oath had been raised once more.

Upon entering the core area of ​​the Holy Tomb, a magnificent altar suddenly came into view.

The altar is inlaid with an immortal rune that shimmers with a ghostly purple light; it is the symbol of the Eternal Night Council's control over power.

The location of the core magical artifact.

However, the surrounding area was heavily guarded at this moment, and a group of fallen Templar Knights quietly appeared. They were wearing rusty yet imposing black and silver armor, and the mottled bloodstains on their swords showed countless traces of bloody battles.

"Guardians, you have finally come." The leader sneered, his once fiery but now cold as ice as he stared at the crowd. "This land has long belonged to Eternal Night, and we will remember the Pope's will with our blood."

Before the words were even finished, a bloody battle erupted instantly.

Sparks flew as the swords clashed, and each swing shook the palace walls.

The priests brandished their silver blades, clashing and fighting with the fallen knights. Blood stained the ancient stone slabs, and also stained their vows and beliefs.

Like an ice queen, Lia used her icy blue magic to freeze the enemy's movements during the fierce battle, instantly rendering them unable to retaliate.
Cynthia, on the other hand, used her superb swordsmanship to defuse the enemy's offensive, and with each leap she accurately cut off the opponent's weapon;
(End of this chapter)