One of the visitors who was quite familiar with him bluntly stated that they also held high positions within the government and came under pressure from the church, not to listen to any pleasantries.
“Of course, as you wish, we will begin immediately.” Frank smiled readily. Perhaps it was the angle of the lighting, but his face appeared exceptionally smooth and delicate today, or rather, exceptionally fair, reminiscent of cold alabaster.
"The explanation of how to use it may take a little longer to allow time for the remaining guests to arrive."
"Who else did you invite? Aren't they all here...?" Several of the most distinguished guests, who were also among the organizers, were somewhat confused upon hearing this.
But in the next instant, they couldn't care less about asking any more questions.
A steel-reinforced quartz column, cut into a hexagonal shape, rises slowly from the ground, and in the center of a soft velvet square cushion, a simple, even rustic, stemmed wooden cup stands silently.
The original grayish-yellow wood color peeks out from beneath the few remaining layers of damaged paint. Several old, dull patches cling tightly to the inner wall, seemingly formed by something oxidizing over a long period of time in the air, resembling dirt.
The exquisite and elegant gowns exuded a confident air, while the dazzling jewels reflected a mesmerizing brilliance. Against this dreamlike backdrop of luxury, the worn-out wooden cup looked particularly pathetic, like a beggar who had stumbled into a king's banquet.
But at this moment.
The beggar is the true protagonist!
"...The blood of Christ, the source of life." Hundreds of burning gazes converged, almost igniting the air.
The younger participants were able to barely maintain their composure, while a large number of those who were already past the halfway point in their lives managed to squeeze out almost groaning words from their throats.
This is the reason why they, who were scheming against each other and had their own conflicts, cooperated sincerely and participated together!
Power and wealth may have an end, but eternal life will make up for this deficiency!
"Hurry, let's get started..."
The outward appearance of gentleness and aristocratic demeanor is like a hypocritical mask that has been ruthlessly torn away, revealing the hideous demon called desire beneath, which eagerly reaches out its hands to seize the coveted treasure.
As if echoing these fervent calls, a peaceful glow enveloped the quartz display stand, and tiny drops of deep red and clear liquid appeared out of thin air, like glistening pomegranate seeds or the finest rubies, pouring into the rustic wooden cups to form a shallow pool.
An indescribable fragrance filled the air, neither floral nor honey-scented, but rather containing the most primal pulse of life, making every cell in the person smelling it stir with excitement.
Amidst the ugly spectacle of obsessive infatuation, a few crystal chandeliers flickered almost imperceptibly for a moment.
A high-ranking wizard, hidden in the shadows, suddenly frowned. Although he was a corrupt official recruited by the host as a guard, his strength was not to be underestimated. He keenly sensed something amiss.
The wizard squinted, his fingertips gently rubbing the ancient talisman he wore at his waist. The abstract stone symbols emitted a faint but steady light, echoing his magic, and the feedback indicated that everything was normal.
But the experienced man did not let his guard down and immediately turned and left, preparing to lead the guards to begin the search and strengthen security.
However, the moment he stepped out of the hall, the scene before him suddenly changed. The quiet corridor was empty except for a pair of gleaming, dim eyes that rapidly expanded.
"An enemy is in sight—"
Realizing something was wrong, the wizard mustered his last strength before losing consciousness and sent a warning to his employer.
The next second, the terrifying power of decay and corruption swept in like a hurricane, instantly taking over his soul.
Being overly conscientious is not a good habit...
"Now, please come forward one by one, distinguished guests."
Inside the magnificent hall, Frank on the stage still wore a smile, seemingly oblivious to everything that had happened, as if he had never received any news.
Chapter 515 Beginning 2
Tonight, the empty sky resolutely refuses the disturbance of the stars and moon, revealing the purest darkness from its vastness, like a thick, boundless curtain stretching across the heavens and earth.
In the misty, verdant forest, the vast estate is quiet and serene, gazing at the brightly lit skyscrapers on the horizon, forming a stark contrast with the bustling city that symbolizes civilization, as if they were two completely different worlds.
As time slowly passed, the chill in the air grew deeper, and the wandering water molecules were finally able to huddle together, turning their joy of meeting into a wisp of crystal dust, generously sharing it with the world.
A six-pointed, shimmering white petal drifted silently, twirling and dancing lightly, before timidly landing on my palm, leaving only a slight dampness in an instant.
"They've begun, and now is the perfect time for them to enter the scene!" Granny Eileen calmly withdrew her hand.
Behind her, numerous figures dressed in magnificent robes stood ready to depart. The dim shadows of the trees obscured their faces, but their eyes shone brightly.
As the leader of the delegation dispatched by the Holy City, Abbot Clement stepped forward, his calm eyes revealing an eagerness that was hard to conceal.
"Prepare to depart from the kingdom of lambs in the pasture and return to the glory of the Lord."
His feigned slip of the tongue, laced with barbs, immediately drew a sharp rebuttal.
“Please be careful with your words, dear brother. People today have the right to choose how they worship the Father. That rigid and harsh era will never return.”
Several Protestant elders and pastors from various denominations turned and approached. Their somber expressions were reflected in their casual black suits and simple priestly ties. Their words were consistent with their attire, firmly standing on the side of secular society.
"Our plan is simply to retrieve the Holy Grail; please refrain from any extreme actions..."
Aunt Eileen's brows furrowed sternly, and before the argument could escalate into a heated argument, it was skillfully extinguished in its infancy.
She had experienced the same things too many times in the past few days and was somewhat numb to them. She felt even more exhausted than when she fought to the death with dark monsters in the past.
The resurgence of extraordinary power brought an opportunity for the sublimation of life, but the sublimated humans are still human, with their own convictions and sense of justice.
Whose justice is more correct than anyone else's?
Upon realizing this, the old woman lost interest and picked up an old spindle wrapped with pure white cotton thread. Dozens of clergymen then softly chanted in unison.
"Saint Giddens guides us in the right direction..."
As the ancient prayers, strung together with Latin phrases, echoed, holy symbols of all sizes danced like feathers, twisting into fine threads like cotton yarn. Under the name of the patron saint who governs weaving and roads, they were woven together, and a straight tunnel appeared in the void, ethereal yet with a strange sense of solidity.
Having learned beforehand that a considerable amount of extraordinary power had been gathered at the target location, it was only natural that a powerful defensive system had been set up. From the very beginning, they went all out, their eyes resolute, prepared to withstand backlash and even injury.
Surprisingly, the expected resistance was negligible, and the teleportation channel opened smoothly as if it had always been there.
The two groups, who shared a common belief but belonged to different camps, did not quarrel again. They entered one after another, seemingly polite and courteous to each other, yet clearly distinct.
"They put on an embarrassing farce for everyone to see. Luckily, you were there, otherwise they would have continued to cause trouble."
The old nun stayed behind, turning back to the figures and giving them a wry, apologetic smile.
"Don't worry about it. Even a large family and a big business have their difficulties. People have to consider many things in life."
An elderly Chinese man with meticulously groomed white hair walked slowly towards us, smiled tolerantly, revealing his understanding gained through life's experiences.
"Not to mention you, even someone as noble as His Majesty of the Holy City cannot truly do as he pleases." Si Tuyuan's tone changed, and his expression became serious.
"Regarding the information we mentioned, how is your research progressing?"
When the conversation turned to serious matters, the old nun's expression became solemn, and a complex light flickered in her eyes.
A hero accidentally discovers clues that the Demon King has been resurrected, and with a single call to arms, the world responds, and all sides unite to overcome the crisis... This kind of fairy tale only exists in Japanese RPG games.
In reality, when faced with such a significant situation, all high-ranking leaders would only be suspicious, probing, and scrutinizing it repeatedly with a neurotic eye.
This has nothing to do with the identity and credibility of a "hero," but rather with the instinctive logic of all those in positions of power.
"Your willingness to be present and support our operation proves the reliability of the intelligence. We will notify the higher-ups as soon as possible and contact our allies to verify it."
A loud drum doesn't need a heavy hammer; a single point is enough to make it clear. The relationship between the two organizations is one of both cooperation and competition. Anyone with discerning eyes knows that the Church's influence will greatly increase after acquiring the sacred object. Under such circumstances, the fact that the Church is still willing to go all out to help undoubtedly shows that what the other party said is at least quite reliable.
……
……
Shouts and exclamations mingled together, creating a deafening roar.
Inside the secluded underground club, a lavish feast unfolded, with clinking glasses and dazzling lights casting colorful hues onto faces flushed with excitement.
The men in suits roared and screamed, while the women in elegant gowns laughed shrilly. The once-debonair gentlemen and ladies had torn off their masks of propriety, seemingly transforming into unrestrained wild beasts… or perhaps, they were revealing their true nature?
"It's true, it's true!" The noblewoman, with her high-piled hair, repeatedly stroked her face, feeling the rough wrinkles that no amount of makeup could cover gradually disappear. She laughed in surprise, and her footsteps became more and more forceful.
The sharp high heels pierced the strong flesh, leaving it bloody and mangled, showing no regard for the fact that the crawling Black boy was already on the verge of death—after all, she was just a toy for venting her frustrations, and given her status, no one would even mention the word "compensation."
"I haven't felt this good in over thirty years!" The white-haired financial tycoon stared at his bulging biceps as he repeatedly performed arm curls, the heat rising from his skin to a deep red.
He laughed loudly, bent down and roughly picked up a petite body, completely disregarding the stares of the crowd around him, and rushed impatiently towards the corner.
The foul-smelling blood mingled with the sweet wine, and desperate pleas danced with unrestrained laughter.
For some, it's heaven; for others, it's hell.
Chaotic and depraved, evil and twisted.
Frank sat high on the stage, watching all this with a peaceful and content expression, like a farmer gazing at a golden autumn field, filled with the joy of a bountiful harvest.
"How ugly...and how beautiful..."
The gloomy politician's lips didn't move, but he murmured something incomprehensible, his tone strangely different from his usual one.
"Such a pure taste of sin is truly intoxicating..."
In a daze, his face paled even more, almost to the point of being transparent, as if something sticky and wet was lurking beneath his skin.
Suddenly he raised his head, his eyes snapped open, as if flames were leaping within them.
"Our last distinguished guest has finally arrived. Welcome to our grand feast..."
A furious shout suddenly exploded, the intense sound waves instantly drowning out the ethereal sigh, and shaking the hall doors so badly that fragments flew everywhere.
"As expected of sinners who have fallen to the lowest depths, what do you have to say now!"
Chapter 516 Beginning 3
His angry shout was powerful and awe-inspiring, like thunder, causing the surrounding air to freeze.
However, beneath the righteous words, there seemed to be a hint of surprise.
Two dazzling spears, seemingly forged from platinum, shot in. The two alert superhuman guards, who had just raised their weapons, were pierced through the shoulders by the sharp tips and pinned to the wall.
Clement strode into the hall with his back straight, and looked around, taking in a series of distorted and despicable scenes.
His hair bristled with rage, and without a second thought, he kicked away the two intertwined, wet bodies beside him, a hint of smugness quickly surfacing beneath his disgusted gaze.
We're so lucky! It's even better than we expected. Now even those heretics who have betrayed the Holy City have nothing to say!
He wasn't as rigid as he appeared, having been dispatched here; he knew full well the prominent positions these people held. In the current situation, it was obvious that the law wouldn't punish everyone.
— Nearly half of the top echelons of the entire Federation are involved. If a just trial is to be conducted impartially, it would be tantamount to forcing the entire social system of the country to disintegrate. Regardless of the original stance of the authorities, they would have to jump out and fight to the death.
But this is still a huge scandal, and using it as leverage is undoubtedly a trump card that can shake up the church's power structure.
As other companions entered one after another, the appalling scene unfolded before their eyes. Several elders of the Protestant Church quickly realized this as well, their faces turning extremely grim. They understood each other's heavy worries without needing to say a word.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” Clement asked, stepping forward.
"It not only blasphemes faith, but also violates secular laws."
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