Uncle here isn't your average office worker!

King Ivanista XI gave Roy an approving look and asked, "Most opinions about competitive knights on Earth are exaggerated, but after meeting you, I know that those comments about others being exaggerated are the real exaggerations."

"Before we begin our formal conversation, I have a question I'd like to ask you."

Roy nodded. "May I ask?"

"Mr. Roy, how much do you know about Laterano? Do you have any friends from Laterano, or have you ever received help from Laterano, or do you follow the Lateran religion?"

"Ivanisetta XI asked."

Roy thought about it seriously for a while, then shook his head.

He didn't have a deep understanding of Laterano, nor did he have any friends from Laterano. He knew quite a few people, but only to the extent that Roy knew her, and she didn't know Roy. As for believing in Laterano religion, not to mention that Roy himself didn't have a religious habit, even if he did, after knowing the nature of the law, he would not be able to believe in Laterano religion.

Having received a reply, King Ivangelista XI's smile remained unchanged, but his tone became somewhat serious:

“I’m sorry, I’m asking this question purely out of doubt. The promise you made to Violet is outrageous, the ‘fate of Terra’. This is clearly not something that Lateran and you, two small individuals, should be able to bear.”

"So please understand, Laterano welcomes all guests who yearn to witness the glory of the paradise, but will never allow anyone to try to destroy or subvert this hard-won peace, no matter who they are, where they come from, or who is behind them."

Before the negotiations even began, the atmosphere was already tense.

Volume 1: Chapter 275 Within Seven Steps, the Fist is Fast

Roy never thought negotiations would be easy.

In the magical place of Terra, even a lowly soldier on the street is a thinker who has transcended petty concerns, his mind filled with ideals of national identity, ethnic differences, racial prejudices, and the pursuit of a great revival. And the leaders here are even more astute and shrewd.

Even the Black Serpent, despised by most, possessed a theory of infinite war that could be considered a seductive ideology. His cruel methods of dealing with unruly people led most to experience the five stages of life: contempt, slander, understanding, becoming, and transcendence. Not to mention those national leaders who speak eloquently and persuasively.

While Evangelista XI is portrayed by Roy as "kind" and "principled," yet also somewhat "rigid and conservative" like a KFC Colonel, it's undeniable that his debate with Andorn, a reminiscent of a Western cowboy, played a crucial role in making the storyline of "Wu Dao Xian Lu" one of the pinnacles of the Ark Story Collection.

Roy never dared to underestimate the old man's determination to defend Laterano. To some extent, he was also well aware that his arrival would inevitably bring unprecedented changes to Laterano, even a change unseen in a millennium.

Having obtained Trevor Friston's testimony, Roy has confirmed that the Sarkaz's legal system is essentially a military management terminal system used during the pre-civilization wars. Whether it's the halos above the Sarkaz's heads serving as "signal receivers" and "friend or foe identifiers," or the wings of light behind them, or their empathic abilities facilitating communication and cooperation, these are undoubtedly powerful weapons on the battlefield. They are also one of the guarantees of Laterano's military strength that has allowed it to continue to this day.

Once Roy gains access to the terminal using the authentication code, he will effectively control the fate of the Sarkaz race—a race of the same ancestry and lineage as the Sarkaz. If they cannot gain legal recognition and be integrated into the system, their sealed horns and long tails will inevitably be exposed again. That will be the Sarkaz's deeply taboo fall, and this fall could very well affect the entire Laterano.

It's no exaggeration to say that if Roy were an ambitious schemer like Black Serpent or Theresis, he would now possess the ultimate weapon to utterly destroy a race, both physically and mentally. Whoever he wants to become a Sarkazan can become one; whichever Sarkazan he wants to fall from grace will be expelled from his race.

Therefore, he could best understand what the old man was wary of. And it was precisely for this reason that he needed to present all of this clearly before him:

“Your Holiness, I do not wish for you to interpret my words as a threat. I am simply stating the facts.”

“We all know that there are gods on Terra. Whether it’s those colossal beasts that have left behind power since ancient times, or those conceptual gods whose true nature is unknown, or even just the embodiment of a will, or those powerful creatures in the deep sea. They are revered as gods, and have their followers and religions, because people in the primitive era naturally have awe and longing for powerful life. But the Lateran religion is different from all of them.”

King Ivangelist XI's expression tightened, his brow furrowed slightly, and as if trying to bolster his authority, he retorted in a somber tone:

"What's the difference? Both the scriptures and the doctrines teach us to follow the Lord's guidance and do good—"

“Because Lateran’s faith is not in any particular god, but in a commandment.” Roy did not intentionally interrupt the Pope, but when these light words came out of Roy’s mouth, the whole room fell silent.

King Ivangelista XI's expression was priceless.

He was a remarkably composed man. Even during his debate with Andorn, facing his undeniably impactful ideas, he was able to refute them with reason and evidence, responding with ease and never losing ground. Even after their passionate exchange, upon confirming that Andorn had not fallen from grace, his expression held only a hint of relief hidden beneath a sense of helplessness. He silently fulfilled his responsibilities as Pope, saint, executor and advocate of the law, revealing the truth of Lateran to yet another potential saint.

But that's because Andorn is a Sarkaz. No matter how unorthodox his thoughts may seem to Ivangelist XI, he is still a Sarkaz. He has the right to question his own life and the right to learn the truth after passing the test.

But Roy is different. Roy is Kuranta, and if he wasn't lying, he had never even been to Laterano before, nor did he have any Sarkaz friends.

How was he able to succinctly reveal the truth about Lateran?

Pope Ivangelist XI let out a deep breath. Just when Roy thought he might ask him a question, the benevolent pope unexpectedly reached into the lining of his priest's robe and swiftly pulled out a rather small revolver, pointing it at Roy.

"We didn't have to escalate things to this point. It's best not to use guns on people so easily."

Roy pursed his lips, trying to persuade him.

“I have no ill intentions towards Laterano. On the contrary, I love this city and have no intention of destroying it. I'm here simply to state the facts; the final decision rests with you—”

"No need to say any more."

King Ivangelista XI shook his head.

“Mr. Roy, since you are familiar with the law, you should understand my predicament. I don’t like this approach, but please understand that I have no other choice.”

"boom--"

A bright gunshot rang out instantly throughout the Papal Palace.

When the cavalrymen guarding the door broke down the gate, they were met with a breathtaking scene.

Pope Ivanista XI, holding a short pistol, aimed at Roy, wisps of smoke still rising from the hot muzzle. His eyes, behind his small round glasses, were wide open, as if witnessing something unbelievable. Opposite him, Roy sat motionless on the sofa, his right hand slightly raised, his index finger and thumb clamping down like steel pincers, firmly on a bright silver etched bullet.

As the cavalry stormed in, Roy's arm muscles began to tense, veins bulging, transmitting power to his fingertips, and the sturdy etched bullet actually began to tremble.

"Kacha——"

The trembling didn't last long. With a barely perceptible, crisp cracking sound, in the presence of Ivangelista XI, the bullet that had been fired from his gun and caught by Roy with astonishing speed and force at a distance of less than two meters began to gradually shatter and disintegrate, eventually being crushed into grains of iron dust by two fingers.

"Within seven steps, the punches are fast. But I'm a very reasonable person."

He maintained the utmost courtesy, but to others, this courtesy had become a display of restraint from a powerful figure.

“I can explain those principles, but if you really don’t want to listen, then please understand.”

Volume 1: Chapter 276 The Right of Final Interpretation

The weapon of criticism cannot replace the criticism of weapons.

After a warm and friendly exchange, King Ivangelista XI looked at the dark muzzle of his Guardian Gun, which was now in Roy's hands, opened his mouth, and finally raised his hand from the bottom of his heart.

"Please take a seat."

Roy pointed to the sofa behind Ivanista XI. The soft feathered sofa had probably reached the end of its life. The exquisite and luxurious silk surface was covered with bullet holes of all sizes, exposing the warm white down inside. Long cracks looked as if it had been scratched and torn by some terrifying beast. Who would have thought that this was caused by the musketeers' weapons?

Compared to Roy's sofa, which was only covered in dust, it looked like a pitiful person who had suffered an undeserved disaster, watching helplessly as the culprit who had hurt it slowly moved towards it, and then put its butt on its already overburdened body.

"crunch-"

Hearing the "groans" of the sofa beside him, Ivangelista XI felt a sharp pain in his teeth and his mind became hazy, as if he were having a long dream.

Who could have imagined that someone could emerge unscathed from a face-to-face firefight with two musketeers, and even launch a counterattack while under heavy fire? And who could have imagined that someone's reaction speed and strength would be so formidable that they could catch bullets with their bare hands, let alone bullets from God's machine gun?

King Ivangelista XI originally thought that everyone playing with guns and magic would at most be a little fantastical, but who would have thought that Roy would not abide by the basic rules at all, this is pure fantasy!

"Let's talk this out. I think we should go somewhere else?"

King Ivangelista XI, trying to appear as amiable as possible, made the suggestion.

It's not that he wanted to find another place to fight Roy again; now that he knows Roy's fighting strength, there's absolutely no way he'd do that. Who knows what kind of big stunt this Terra Superman might pull next? What if he loses control and Laterano has to re-elect the Pope tomorrow?

The law has taught us that survival is the first necessity of civilization. As the leader of Lateran, by protecting myself, I am putting this principle into practice!

His suggestion to change locations stemmed from the fact that this place was clearly no longer suitable for discussing any classified information.

The lounge in Hall 11 was now practically a ruin, fit for rebuilding Kazdel. The entire room, from floor to ceiling, was riddled with bullet holes. Chandeliers, glass ornaments, and vases were shattered. The saints in the oil paintings on the walls either had eyes popping out of their sockets and were grinning foolishly, or had bullets lodged in their eyes and were praying with their hands clasped together. The sofa beneath you was in danger of tipping over at any moment, and the cavalryman slumped in the corner had every reason to be dizzy. It hardly looked like a place for normal conversation.

Moreover, given Sarkaz's penchant for stirring up trouble, the reception room is probably already packed with a bunch of amused onlookers. If they don't evacuate quickly and send people to maintain order, within half a day, news of the Ever Knights' 1 hour and 22 minutes speedrun through Laterano, giving Terra a little bit of a shock in Kazimierz, will spread throughout the entire land!

Although King Ivangelist XI no longer cared about preserving his reputation in his later years, he still valued Lateran's international image. He had been planning the "Messenger of the World" program for four years, and in the end, he was using Lateran's reputation as a guarantee.

Fortunately, Roy seemed to be true to what he said, harboring no ill will towards Lateran. Faced with Ivangelist XI's somewhat sorrowful request, he did not refuse, but instead, with a flick of his wrist, openly and legitimately put the gun into his pouch, raised his chin at him, and said:

"Go wake them both up. I don't think I hit them too hard."

"No need, no need, we're awake!"

The two gunners, who had been lying huddled together on the ground, sprang up as if awakened from a deep sleep, touching the dent in their armor, and said with some trepidation,

"There are still rooms in the Tenth Hall. Your Holiness, please go there first. We'll return to our posts. Medical and repair expenses will be reimbursed by the Papal Court!"

Having said that, they eagerly opened the door, jogged through the noisy crowd outside, and left the scene. Even Roy couldn't help but sigh, Sakorta was as optimistic as ever. He actually dared to leave the Pope alone here.

"Well, Mr. Roy, please wait a moment."

King Ivangelist XI said apologetically. A moment later, two musketeers quickly returned to the lounge with more colleagues, stopping the Sakortas who were about to rush in to witness the scene. As the area outside the Eleventh Hall slowly cleared, King Ivangelist XI stood up again:

"Okay, please."

Their tone became much more polite.

.........

“Mr. Roy, I’m actually quite curious, how far have you come to understand the law?”

In the brand-new lounge, Ivangelista XI finally asked the question that Roy had prepared long ago.

This time, Roy answered with ease: "The Lateran scriptures are compiled. Whether it is exhortation to do good, belief in gods, or observance of rules and precepts, these contents are all fabrications by the founders and saints of the past. To be precise, they are gestures and compromises made to cater to the times."

If the era were barbaric, with nations constantly waging war and forming alliances, then the sacred texts would encourage believers to "sacrifice for their country, fight for their faith, and only those who defend their faith and country will be liberated." If the era were civilized, with nations yearning for peace and development, then the sacred texts would proclaim, "Uphold the precepts, lead people to goodness, do as you please but do not harm, and the peaceful and devout will ascend to heaven."

The doctrines in the scriptures are constantly changing, and the Lateran scriptures have undergone countless revisions to this day. The original content and appearance of the scriptures, like the original origins of the Sarkaz, may have long been forgotten by history, except for saints and a very small number of people.

"But no matter how the content changes, the core of the holy book is actually only one thing, which is both the idea and the purpose, and that is [survival]."

"In any case, maintaining the continuation of the species is always the top priority. This is the core of the scriptures and laws."

Roy looked into Evangelista XI's eyes. The old man's expression was as stiff as a statue; he remained silent, neither confirming nor denying. But in a way, when a saint who has devoted decades to studying and comprehending the scriptures, laws, and doctrines offers no rebuttal or correction to another's viewpoint, it is itself a form of tacit acceptance.

Roy, not waiting for a response from Ivangelist XI, continued:

"And the law, in its external manifestation, is a giant machine. A lost terminal."

"Do you know its owner?" King Ivangelista XI suddenly asked.

Roy is not a Lateran, does not know the Sarkaz, and could not possibly know these secrets from their own mouth. Therefore, setting aside all possibilities, even the least likely one, now becomes the only answer: Roy's knowledge comes from the "master" of the law; he knows the creator of the law.

Under the watchful eye of Ivangelist XI, Roy nodded: