I am a hero of the former civilization.

These idiots actually dared to conduct research, using their power and wisdom to create a terrifying virus for the Herrschers. If I hadn't accidentally stumbled upon it, it would have broken out globally, and even Mebius wouldn't have been able to clean up the mess.

By the time she develops a vaccine, almost all of humanity will be dead.

Roar!

The completely mutated bishop lunged at Ryan, arcs of electricity flashing as he instantly turned him into charred ashes.

Ryan waved his hand, annihilating the last monster, pulled out the USB drive from the server, snapped his fingers, and instantly destroyed it due to voltage overload.

The data has been copied, and the roaring sound overhead is getting closer and closer; clearly, the Moths of Fire have begun their underground extermination.

Ryan glanced at the completely destroyed database and took a deep breath.

Having spent so much time, this was the first time he had directly contacted the 'Faith Faction' and the second time he had witnessed their 'great achievements.' His thoughts were quite simple.

We will spare no expense to uproot you all within a month!

Chapter 258 They're in a panic!

Late at night, St. George's Square.

The once magnificent square has been completely transformed; the art-filled cafes are now ruins, and the beautiful white doves are nowhere to be seen.

The centuries-old stone pavement was crushed to pieces by tank tracks and then charred black by flamethrowers. Some severed limbs and chunks of flesh were set ablaze, releasing raging flames, and a nauseating stench filled the air.

The battle was over, and the disaster was contained within the plaza area, with only stray bullets destroying a few blocks in the surrounding area.

"This really is... hell on earth."

Major Joshua made the sign of the cross on his chest, looked up at the cathedral whose roof had collapsed. He was wearing a priest's robe with a golden cross on his chest. He had a sharp face, a mustache, and a serious expression, and looked no different from an ordinary priest in the holy city.

As a believer, the former abbot of a small monastery before joining the army was heartbroken to see St. George's Cathedral in this state, but his emerald green eyes were filled with rage.

The Holy Church has actually caused such a scandal. If it weren't for the aftermath of the battle that brought him here in advance, who knows how many people would have died.

These monsters are incredibly difficult to kill and have a terrifying contagious nature. Before long, the entire holy city will become a living hell. Most importantly, these monsters emerge from beneath the cathedral.

He glanced beyond the cordon and saw some priests and nuns watching and praying. Then his emerald green eyes froze for a moment.

Among this group of anxious people, he saw a beautiful nun moving through the ruins, either searching for survivors or comforting the terrified civilians.

This is a true nun; compared to her, everyone else is a blasphemy.

Joshua's gaze followed her until he was interrupted by a report from his subordinate.

"Major, we've found the monster's lair."

"where?"

“There is a laboratory right below St. George’s Cathedral, and this is the data we found inside.”

Joshua took it, glanced at it, and his face turned ashen, shattering his last shred of hope.

What a blasphemy!

As expected, it was human experimentation. These indestructible monsters were created by the Church itself. The only good news is that, according to the list, the subjects participated voluntarily. But does that absolve them of all guilt?

"Take me to see it."

"Major, should we report this to our superiors?" The adjutant hesitated. This must involve the Pope, and it was not something the Southern European branch could handle.

Joshua's face darkened, and he practically spat out through clenched teeth, "I said, take me to see it!"

"As ordered!"

A group of people immediately passed through the church ruins. The complex, which served as the Vatican's office, was now filled with soldiers. Soon, they entered the underground and saw large areas of frozen, mangled flesh.

Joshua's already ashen face became even more serious. As a high-ranking fusion warrior with the code CM013, he had already realized that this thing was not an ordinary freezing ability.

Hard as steel, it did not melt even when burned by a flamethrower; this freezing condition transcends ordinary physical concepts.

It's freezing, something even Andevich with his "Ice Shattering Fist" couldn't do. Could it be...?

A terrible thought came to him: Not long ago, the Southern European branch detected a strong Honkai energy reaction. By the time they rushed to provide support, the battle was already over. The subsequent investigation was handled entirely by the intelligence department, and they still didn't know who was responsible for the battle.

Joshua was secretly investigating the matter, always feeling that it was full of conspiracy. But now that he saw the ice sculptures with his own eyes, he suddenly understood.

"Major, these are the surveillance data we recovered. Please take a close look." The adjutant walked over carrying a laptop, trying to hide it from his colleagues.

With just one glance, the priest's eyes froze. The screen was filled with icy mist, from which an elegant gentleman emerged and entered a laboratory. Then, the glass jar containing the monster shattered, and finally, the thick icy mist froze the monitor.

The Herrscher of Ice, according to the data, tried every method but couldn't wake these monsters, and then the Herrscher instantly activated them?

Joshua took a deep breath, his fists clenched with trembling hands, disappointment and anger flashing alternately in his eyes.

The Holy Church is nothing but those damned religious sects!!

......

squeak-

The wooden door was pushed open, and a spirited Ryan walked into the room. He looked up and saw Qian Jie sitting on the sofa with a fierce expression, his resentment chilling to the bone.

"Uh, what's wrong?"

"Get lost! How dare you ask!" Qian Jie stood up abruptly, spitting all over Ryan's face. "First, you dumped a stupid pig on me, preventing me from participating in such a lively battle outside. Tell me, were you doing this on purpose?!"

He was furious, so furious he wanted to punch Ryan into the wall, but then he saw the man's innocent eyes.

"It's a coincidence. I had no idea about all this mess when I went out. I just had bad luck and ran into it." Ryan was genuinely innocent. His original plan was to accompany Aponia out for a walk and return before dinner, but he was secretly pleased.

Jie, you're really stubborn. You've suppressed your fighting spirit and endured it all day. Do you dare say you didn't intend to protect Padofelis?

"You think I will believe it?"

"Yes, otherwise look at my pure eyes, you'll see I'm not hiding anything."

"roll!"

Qianjie was too lazy to waste words, turned around and left, slamming the door shut with a bang, shaking down the wall plaster.

Ryan shrugged, confirming that he was right. If there were no feelings involved, who in the world could restrain this fierce and ruthless hero? It was a matter of seeing through things but not saying it, and controlling the situation carefully.

He turned his head and saw Padofelis with a resentful look on her face. She was huddled in the corner of the sofa, pouting.

"Teacher, shouldn't you apologize to me?"

"Don't even think about it. You know perfectly well that Qianjie looks fierce but won't hurt you, yet you're still so afraid. You should train harder." Ryan was exasperated; he could tell as soon as he walked in.

The reason we keep Pato in the living room is to prevent her from running around, and also so that we can take her away immediately if there is any danger.

Pado is intelligent and has known each other for so long that she knows that Qianjie may be fierce on the outside, but he is a good person at heart.

"But Brother Jie is really fierce, he almost made me faint from all the scolding. And I'm not a stupid pig, at the very least I'm a stupid cat..."

"Alright, Qianjie doesn't hesitate to blow the heads off people he doesn't care about, he's not a bad person." Ryan couldn't help but smile, already imagining how upset Pado must have been today.

That scene, well, let's just take a look at a driving school instructor from Zuan.

"I know, I'm just a little resentful. Oh, right, Brother Jie even saved dinner for you, it's on the table."

Ryan turned his head and saw food on the dining table. Just as he was about to make a joke, the bedroom door was opened a crack.

A furious, terrifying gaze immediately fell upon them, silencing both of them and leaving only the ticking of the clock in the living room.

"Uh, where did Aponia go?" Ryan chuckled dryly. The second rule for dealing with Qianjie was that words like gentle and considerate were all derogatory.

"Sister Nia ran out to help, I heard it's to rescue someone." Pado yawned, hugged her knees, and popped a potato chip into her mouth.

"That's more like her style. By the way, why aren't you going?"

"Because I'm too lazy to move. It hurts so much. I'm wanted by the police, and it would be troublesome if I were recognized."

That's more or less.

Ryan released his grip on Paddo's cheek, accepting the explanation, and was no longer too worried about Aponia's safety.

Unless she encounters a high-ranking fusion warrior or a direct, instant kill, she only needs to speak to extinguish the enemy's killing intent.

However, Pado has been spoiled a bit.

He glanced at the lazy girl, then thought to himself that Pado didn't seem to need to do anything; she could just stay at home and provide a luck boost.

Today was full of luck. Looking back, it can only be described as "by some strange twist of fate." How did I just happen to step out the door and stumble upon a conspiracy?

"You two, this duo of mystical experts, are really useful."

"What are you saying, teacher?"

"It's nothing, I'm going to the balcony to make a phone call, then I'll go to bed early."

"If you don't eat dinner, Brother Jie might get angry."

Ryan was taken aback, suddenly realizing that Qianjie's good intentions were not so easy to accept, so he patted Pado's head.

"Then go and heat it up for your teacher. Don't refuse, or I'll have Qianjie teach you again tomorrow."

Pado shrank back, not wanting to experience today's hellish life again. She quickly put on her slippers and hurried to the kitchen to heat up her food.

This girl is a top-tier mascot.

Ryan twitched the corners of his mouth, and as the stove ignited, his expression slowly turned serious. According to his plan, today's coincidence was of extraordinary significance.

Even if the Southern European branch wanted to suppress it, it wouldn't be so easy; all the data fell into my hands.

He pulled out a USB drive and tossed it up and down, his gaze gradually sharpening. The power of the Seventh Herrscher had touched the interests of most of the councilors, and this coincidence had given Ryan a trump card.

As long as this message is sent out, it can at least take down a bigwig in the faith faction. Given the status of the Pope of the Church, he certainly doesn't seem like a small fry.

Therefore, you don't have many choices left. You can either be slowly killed by me or launch a counterattack. However, since the Herrscher is uncontrollable, your only means of counterattack is to use the Moths of Flame.

I'd like to see just how deeply you've infiltrated the Fire-Chasing Moths.

Jingle Bell--

The phone rang. Ryan glanced at it and answered. It was Möbius's voice. There was a jumble of background noise, and the sound of an engine could be faintly heard.

"Hey, you're just pretending to be dead because I didn't call you?" Mebius seemed a little irritable, which made Ryan glance at Pado.

Thanks to her, we now have a perfect excuse.

"You know what I'm doing. The surprise has been delivered. How was the reaction?"

Mebius, aboard the transport plane, glanced to the side and gave a cryptic smile.

"Not bad, they're getting desperate."