Inner Destroyer

　To be honest, this statement sounded very strange and gave Qi Xing a headache.

　"Don't underestimate the power of illusion. After all, you've heard the phrase 'Brahma's Dream.' Everything in the universe can be said to be an ever-changing illusion... Having said that, I doubt you'll be able to use this silver coin well."

　Qi Xing certainly felt the same way. The way the silver coin's power manifested was closely tied to the personality and psychology of its "envoy." While the concept of "illusion" might sound grand and elegant, it was too Indian-esque, and probably wouldn't suit Qi Xing well...

　Maybe not necessarily.

　"Where there is Maya there is Brahman; behind the veil of illusion there must be reality."

　Qi Xing answered calmly,

　"I'll use it carefully."

　If you don't use it properly, you'll be carried away by the power like Professor Vanstra and go mad. After all, this is the power of the evil god, and it's not something to be trifled with.

　"Come on."

　The evil god replied lazily,

　"Don't make it like Romani."

　Qi Xing felt a little strange about this. In fact, he had already felt it was strange before: "After you saw the little girl just now, you seemed to look down on Romani. Why is that?"

　"A person who needs to split his soul, give up half of himself, and give up half of his power in order to maintain his own consistency, rather than someone who completely tames and controls himself..."

　Samael said coldly,

　"How can you be considered a qualified 'Silver Coin Messenger'?"

　"I originally thought he could be a test for you, a trial, but I didn't expect him to be a half-baked demon king. Sigh, it's so hard to find a good boss these days..."

　If Romani hadn't died, he would probably have been so angry that he would have died after hearing what the devil said.

　This is the dark creator god of this world. Tyrants armed with silver coins despise other humans—and Samael, she probably despises everything in the universe.

　Even Qi Xing, as an "Adventurer", was only slightly taken seriously by her, but they were not truly equal and could only be considered "the same kind".

　Just like adults look down on children, even though adults and children are both human beings.

　Even though Qi Xing had overcome a mental barrier today and gained some understanding, he still had a long way to go in dealing with the devil in the future.

　The little girl, Renée, couldn't see Samael. She could only see Qi Xing mumbling to himself while holding the silver coin. She immediately became worried and glanced around nervously.

　Qi Xing didn't want to let Leni worry any more.

　"It's okay. I'm just trying to gather my emotions."

　Romani was dead, even the silver coins had been taken by Qi Xing. The "heart chamber" had begun to collapse. The entire prison world trembled, and the entire "Inner World" struggled, but it could not resist the end from Hades. The thick walls twisted in the cracks, the cage bars collapsed, and the stone floor sank and shattered, facing utter destruction under the judgment of the God King.

　It was as if a tear had appeared in the sky, and a dazzling light poured down from above, illuminating this area forged by sin and despair with holes everywhere.

　This was Qi Xing's second time destroying the "Inner Realm." Even professional exorcists rarely encountered these "Inner Realms" in their lifetime; the thought of it was truly terrifying.

　Renee's long golden hair fluttered in the wind, and her slender body was still trembling slightly. It seemed that she had not yet recovered from the destruction of this world. But at least this time, she was no longer motionless.

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　An indifferent bystander.

　Qi Xing reached out and hugged her tightly. The space beneath their feet began to collapse, turning into endless fragments, sinking towards the "Dream of All Beings" -

　But he leaped up and turned into a stream of golden light, breaking through the collapsed prison, breaking through the dying darkness, and rushing towards the distant but unstoppable light.

　They soared, traversing the shattered sky, traversing the raging tide of dreams, leaping towards the material world at the end of the rift. The roar of collapse filled their ears, the annihilation of the "Inner World" lingered behind them—and before them, pure light.

　The world suddenly brightened.

　The boundless sky, the gentle breeze, and the early spring sunshine are gentle and full of vitality.

　Renee stared at everything in a daze. She had never seen the outside world before. Now, she finally felt the warmth and weight of the sun. She slowly raised her hand, her fingertips touching the warm glow, as if she couldn't believe it was real.

　"Is this... the outside world?"

　She couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

　"No."

　Qi Xing grinned,

　"This is just the beginning of your new life."

　"The world outside is even bigger."

　-

　To the east of the ruins of the ancient city of Herculaneum—or to be more precise, the ruins of the past, since not even a trace of them remains now—there stands a low hill quietly.

　The morning light shines on the dry rocks and soil, and a dead tree stands alone.

　A crow stood on the top of a tall tree, its jet-black feathers trembling gently in the wind, its dark red pupils reflecting the ruins of the ancient city of Herculaneum. It kept gazing at the dusty ruins.

　It watched as a golden light shot straight up into the sky. A hero, enveloped in golden light, clutched a slender girl in his arms as they leaped from the darkness of the earth, the light trailing a brilliant trail behind them.

　Hundreds of miles away, a man sat quietly, his eyes slightly closed, his fingertips resting on a rune, a smile playing on his lips. His consciousness pierced space, merging with the crow's vision.

　He was wearing an exorcist's robe. The distant scene was making his breathing slow slightly, and his fingers unconsciously tightened, making Crow stare at the two people leaping into the sky.

　Is he the Association's detective magician, determined to determine whether "Leip Zhenren" has returned victorious?

　But before Qi woke up, he had instructed the Vampire Knights to keep an eye on the people in the "Association" and not let the Exorcists take action rashly. So, Exorcists shouldn't do such things.

　Unless he had escaped from Rome before yesterday and sent his servants to wait in advance.

　Unless he was what Elaine and Qi Xing had realized before - "There might be a traitor among the top leaders of the Association."

　Unless he was the vice president of the "association" that Elaine had discovered was missing and no one knew where he had gone...

　He is Vittorio Spina.

　Traditionally, non-religious organizations affiliated with the Vatican have a clergy president and a secular vice-president. This practice, known as "one sacred, one secular," is a dual-track system.

　The president of the "International Exorcist Association" is Father Amos, and the vice president is of course not a clergyman, but an exorcist hired from the public.

　He was in his early forties, with a straight build and black hair slightly graying, but neatly trimmed. Beneath his metal-rimmed glasses, his deep, piercing gray-blue eyes were visible. Only when he saw the golden, glittering "Leip Zhenren" burst out of the "Inner Realm" from afar did he feel an irrepressible excitement.

　Awesome! Awesome! This is absolutely fantastic!

　"This is the possibility that humans should have! Once awakened, even the temptation of silver coins can be resisted, and even the Demon King can be defeated!"

　Confidence and joy overflowed from his heart, and the man who was intoxicated by the light could not help but sing loudly of his own correctness.

　That's right.

　He was the man wearing a black voodoo mask and talking to Francesca before.

　He is the insider of the "Association" whose true identity is unknown even to Francesca - but there is no doubt that he is not a follower of Romani Domingo.

　If he really was a supporter of Romani, how could he possibly cheer for the current disastrous defeat of "Black Spartacus"? In fact, the current situation is exactly the "miracle" he really wants to pursue.

　Yes—miracle, it is a miracle! What a beautiful word!

　Because of "Leip Zhenren"! He was the man who single-handedly defeated two "Silver Coin Messengers," disregarded all worldly principles, resisted temptation, and accomplished a miracle!

　He had, of course, heard of Master Leipu's past before he joined the Association. He'd fled a demonic sect, burdened by the irredeemable fate of his family's bloodline. Even so, he'd fought his way to this point, a lone warrior slaying demons and monsters! Wasn't such a hero worthy of his idealized cause?

　——Therefore, in order to create a new world, to cultivate saints and heroes, and for an ideal land where all people can live a beautiful and happy life, he is also willing to help "Master Leipu" prepare more trials and prepare a step for him to take a step forward!

　He almost went crazy with excitement just thinking about how the great hero would overcome difficulties one after another and defeat evil demons one after another!

　That’s Vittorio Spina.

　Just by looking at this part, you can probably get an idea of ​​what a bad guy he is.

　Although Father Amos neglected his duty to deal with the two Roman "silver coin messengers", he would not have let so much internal information of the "association" leak out just by "not dealing with it". Who was it, which bastard high-level person secretly leaked the important information?

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　Send it out to let Professor Vanstra and Romani know where to steal things?

　Of course, it is this person, the Vice President of the International Exorcist Association.

　Incidentally, his magic was based on Nordic runes, and was definitely quite high-ranking. For a Nordic rune master, controlling a crow familiar to spy was a classic spell.

　As Sister Elaine and the Papal Council realized what was happening, it became clear that Vittorio Spina would never be able to return to the Association.

　Everyone knows the Vatican's wealth. Being Vice-President of the Vatican's most important international outsourced demon-hunting mercenary organization is a prestigious position, yet Spina resolutely abandoned it. Not only would he abandon his lofty social standing, but all his assets would undoubtedly be confiscated. Once the "Association" finally came to its senses (which would likely take only a few days at most), he would undoubtedly be hunted by witch hunters worldwide.

　But for the sake of his great ideal, Mr. Spina can still resolutely abandon all of this!

　What to do next?

　Where can we go to join more dark organizations, attract more demons, and use them as experience points to feed the great hero?

　How will the hero defeat them one by one?

　Mr. Spina absolutely believed in the victory of "Rip Master." That's how he believed in human possibility!

　No matter what difficulties or hardships hinder us, we will continue to move forward for a better future! The unwavering heart that advances only with the dazzling brilliance! This is the proof that humans are the most intelligent creatures!

　As long as you never give up halfway, you will definitely be able to open up the future!

　——If you feel like you don’t know what this paragraph is all about, please don’t worry, he is just that kind of person.

　Mr. Spina simply never had the slightest doubt about any of this.

　After all, there is no shortage of crazy people in this world.

　059: Thunder Man: Return of the Hero

　"Rip Man" is back!

　Although it wasn't the first time he had massacred the Silver Messengers, Professor Vanstra's killing didn't happen when no one was around to see it, and it didn't cause any significant damage.

　This time, "Black Spartacus" truly caused great harm to the five million people in Rome.

　The heavy atmosphere had not yet completely dissipated, and the air still held a lingering sense of fear. However, when the golden figure, holding the little girl, stepped into the Sistine Chapel, everyone's attention was irresistibly drawn to him.

　It was because they had witnessed the power of the "Silver Coin Messenger" with their own eyes, experienced the despair brought by the human devil, and were suddenly saved in the extreme despair and fear - so now, when "Rip Man" returned from the "Inner World" and returned to the auditorium, whether it was those who were originally here or those who had just come to the auditorium to take refuge, everyone looked at him, and almost everyone looked at him with awe.

　As the morning light streamed through the stained glass windows of the Sistine Chapel, reflecting a dazzling, divine light, it shone upon the hero's golden armor, as if even the gods were adorning him. The priests stood in silence, their expressions solemn yet tinged with a hint of fear. Some quietly made the sign of the cross, their lips trembling as they whispered a prayer.

　The gazes of the Association members toward Rep-san were even more innocent, pure admiration radiating from their eyes. This was because their hero had accomplished something no human could—and this was their hero, theirs!

　The wall behind the altar of the Sistine Chapel is dominated by Michelangelo's renowned, monumental altarpiece, "The Last Judgment." The magnificent fresco now overlooks the entire scene. The scene depicted by the great artist seems to resonate strangely at this moment—Christ the Judge, perched in the heavens, his powerful gestures shattering the stillness, pronouncement on the fate of all.

　In the lower right corner of the mural, countless souls struggled in hell. Their twisted faces seemed to reflect everything that had happened before—the terror of the Silver Messenger and the despair of the Demon King's destruction.

　Under the brilliance of "The Judgment", people couldn't help but hold their breath, as if they were witnessing the advent of a new judge.

　The silence lasted for a moment... until applause suddenly came from the side.

　It turned out to be Elaine.

　“Thank God for sending heroes like you to us.”

　She clapped her hands and said loudly,

　"Let's give a round of applause to the triumphant heroes!"

　As if responding to her, who had been the first to applaud, sporadic clapping gradually began to rise... then grew louder, gradually becoming accompanied by cheers. Before he knew it, Qi Xing was surrounded by a cheering crowd. They kept thanking him, touching him, and asking for handshakes.

　Thank you, Rep Man!

　In an instant, an incredible sense of solidarity developed among the crowd.

　Qi Xing was certainly not so stupid as not to understand the meaning of Elaine's behavior. For a moment, he found it a little funny - no matter what, the Holy See would definitely be wary of the "Silver Coin Messenger" and other human demons.

　After all, Qi Xing knew in his heart that he wielded a power that was nearly unchecked and susceptible to demonic influence. Regardless of whether he was a hero or not, it would be absurd for the Church not to be wary of him.

　However, with Elaine taking the lead, the matter was settled, and the Pope's Privy Council had no choice but to accept it.

　The hero who saved Rome, "Rip Man".

　In fact, Qi Xing himself didn't really care how the Vatican would react. He wasn't interested in celebration banquets or anything like that.

　Smiling and shaking hands with everyone, he told the other nuns that Renee was rescued.

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　Victim, let them take her to clean up first.

　After that, he called Captain Gwendolyn, Lady Remina, Elaine, Amos... to the lounge next to the auditorium - he had something more important to discuss with them than the celebration banquet.