This heretic cannot be burned, he must be hung up and whipped!

And the tools to carry it out, unfortunately, are not in the hands of the Pope, but in the hands of a group of fanatical lunatics.

"Your Holiness, we must control a Chapter that is absolutely loyal to you, otherwise all our plans will be interfered with by the Strategic Prophecy Committee."

An aide said.

"It's simple—what general doesn't crave victory? What soldier doesn't yearn for glory? Those observers can glimpse a glimpse of the future and then bring the methods of victory to the generals.

He who controls victory controls the army. Unless we can give the generals the same victory."

A cardinal added: "The differences between the General Staff and the Strategic Prophecy Committee are becoming increasingly serious. Now those crazy people have begun to interfere with scientific research. They have the final say on what should be studied and what should not be studied. Doesn't God care about it?"

Benedict frowned. "Okay, stop complaining for a moment. Don't say anything that's not conducive to unity. Our unity is based on faith. From now on, these kinds of things can only be said in private. Don't get caught."

I want to find some new regiments to form. I just don't believe that with so many brains in our General Staff, can't we bring victory to the soldiers?"

A staff officer suddenly had an idea: "Hey! I have an idea, Your Holiness, the main reason we can't control the regiment is that the generals have too much power. This is not good. We can't let the generals tell us how to plan. Send the personnel who are loyal to us to the grassroots level -

We want the church to command the gun.”

"That makes sense, I——Ugh!!!"

Just as Benedict was about to speak, severe pain attacked his brain. His connection with the Supreme Being in the Warp became very weak, almost completely severed. He secretly activated his psychic power in an attempt to strengthen his connection with the Supreme Being, but was surprised to find that there was an ever-expanding turbulence surging in the depths of the real world and the Warp.

The turbulence was mixed with blue and white light and strange roaring sounds. After a while, the light and roaring sounds disappeared, but the space swept by the turbulence wrapped in blue light became very blurred, and these blurred areas showed no signs of dissipating in a short time.

No matter which two powerful beings fought to the point where "all the rules of the subspace were destroyed", the Pope wanted to open champagne to celebrate.

"A great opportunity! My loyal bishops, the opportunity has come! The opportunity to make the Strategic Prophecy Committee lose its prestige in the army has come!!"

"Ah?" "Pope, are you okay? Quick! Someone, stop the bleeding!" "Wait——"

The mortal bishops looked at the Pope, whose face was covered in blood from his nose, in confusion. His physical pain could not mask his ecstatic voice:

"The Strategic Prophecy Committee's connection with God has been severed. Our chance has arrived!"

"Pope, are you mentally okay?" asked the chief of staff.

"Believe me! I feel it. If you can't feel it, it's because your connection with God is not deep enough. Don't question it, just believe me."

"But Your Holiness, what should we do?"

"Use failure, use failure to make our generals who fanatically believe in prophecy realize that the Strategic Prophecy Committee is unreliable. Order the front to attack and say it is God's order. Let the General Staff put other unimportant fronts aside and find which places are easiest to break through and which places are most likely to win, and let the battle groups in those places obey the General Staff's combat plan.

This way, their chances of victory are very high. However, those generals who did not follow the prophecy could not even fight a battle, so how could they win? After so many years of blind obedience, only the bloody lessons can make them wake up.

"But...but that would kill a lot of people..." A cardinal hesitated.

"If we don't seize this opportunity to take control of the army, many more people will die in the future. When the lunatics of the Strategic Prediction Committee take control of all power with the support of the army..."

"But the committee may not agree..."

"No one can hear God's instructions anymore. I said I can predict the future. How can he prove that what I said is false?"

"I understand." The bishop lowered his head, as if in silence for the soldiers on the front line.

A general also asked: "Who will bear the responsibility for the failure caused?"

"So we must seize this opportunity! Don't let a major strategic failure occur. I allow tactical failures, but you must control them and not let them turn into strategic defeats. And—"

As long as the victory is bright enough, a series of small failures will not be worth mentioning."

The general nodded and began to think about the attack plan.

"It's too risky... Your Holiness, this is even more terrifying than walking on a tightrope. You'd better—"

"Which pope doesn't walk a tightrope between man and God?"

The Pope's words were so shocking that no one present dared to think about the details.

After waiting for a few seconds, no one raised any questions.

"Advisors, you've drawn up so many plans. Tell me which one has the highest chance of success, which one is most certain? Which one will achieve the most dazzling victory? Where should I launch my crusade?"

The staff gathered together, discussed quietly for a while, and presented the plan that had been revised countless times. Benedict took it without hesitation:

"March to Budapest! The regiment that rescued the Saints and Dominicans doesn't need to bring them back to Rome to report. Rescue our 400,000-plus soldiers!"

PS1：220票票下一更4.5k起步嗷！1月票/刀片/100打赏等于20票票！

PS2: "People in Zongman, a magical tool every week"

Flames Rising: 1914: Chapter 26 You Liar! You Thief! I Curse You! (7.6k)

At this moment, the shallow layer of the ether sea

“Wow——” “Ahh——!”

Blue-white flames traced a blazing arc through the Warp. Neos held a greatsword in hand, and wherever the blade pointed, flames poured down like water. The various Warp creatures wailed shrilly as they burned under the flames, then turned to ash and dissipated into the void.

"Is this what you are capable of? How disappointing." The observer's voice came from all directions. Its body made of pure psychic energy was looming in the warp, like a ball of mist that kept changing its shape.

Neos ignored the observer's taunts, concentrating on swinging the greatsword, each swing accompanied by a burst of psychic energy. However, just as the blade was about to reach the observer, space suddenly distorted, deflecting the attack.

"what?"

The deep, raspy laughter of the Observers echoed from all directions, and the prayers of countless believers echoed in the void. Neos turned abruptly, slashing his sword, only to see only a distorted void.

"You know nothing of the Aether Sea," the Watcher said scornfully, "Welcome to our realm, Cursed One!

Go back to your world! You dare to step into our territory without even any training. What drives this ignorant fool to go so deep into the ether sea?"

Neos frowned, the flames on his greatsword blazing, reflecting the rage in his eyes. "I've said it before, I'm here to kill you, to destroy you, the devil's minions. You've tormented this world for so many years, you must pay the price!"

The observer laughed even louder, with a hint of contempt. "Price? What a noble yet ridiculous excuse—you don't even know the truth of all this, hahahaha!

Who do you think you are? A savior? A brave warrior deceived by the king? Here, you are nothing more than a lost soul, destined to be devoured by us.

The conversation between the two sides did not affect the battle. He felt that the space around him was constantly changing, and the Observer was distorting the laws of this area. He tried to use his psionic power to resist this distortion, but the Observer was obviously more familiar with the operation of the warp than he was.

Seeing that the area around him was about to be changed by the observer's strange magic, he knew that he would be at a disadvantage if he delayed any longer, so Neos shouted angrily and swung his giant sword. The flame on the sword drew a scorching arc and rushed straight into the space around him where the observer's laws were distorted, reducing them to nothingness.

"Shut up, demon! Your tricks will have no effect on me! As for the truth—your corpse will tell me the answer!"

The observer didn't show up, but his voice was still there, provoking him: "Useless? Then let me see how long your confidence can sustain you."

As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful surge of psychic energy washed over him like a tidal wave. Neos quickly raised his sword to block it. The flames and invisible psychic energy collided, erupting in a piercing roar. But at the last moment, the force strangely deflected, brushing past his side and blasting into the void, shattering a floating, twisted crystal. The crystal shattered, shattering all the surrounding crystals along with it!

“Snap!” “Snap!” “Bang bang bang bang—”

A series of explosions and the waves of crystal shattering gathered together and spread out in all directions.

Neos' pupils shrank, and he thought to himself that something was wrong. He realized that the Observer was no ordinary demon. It was proficient in psychic magic and knew the power of its own flames, so it never engaged him in close combat.

"Sure enough, old ginger is still spicy."

Countless psychic waves emerged from the depths of the warp. The Observer spread its wings, and the eyes on its wings blinked excitedly, as if welcoming the arrival of something.

"Come on, my compatriots, let's show this arrogant fool some real power!"

Instantly, countless demons emerged from the void. Some sported misshapen wings, others sported hideous fangs, while others were wrapped in writhing tentacles, emitting eerie whispers. Each creature exuded a sickening, evil aura. Like a tide, these demons surged toward Neos, surrounding him.

"Roar!" The scream was so loud that even his flames began to shake.

"Get out of my way!" Neos roared, and powerful spiritual energy burst out from his body, forming a shock wave that spread in all directions. However, at this moment, the Observer seized the opportunity. It had been waiting for this moment!

Several psychic attacks mixed with curses passed through the group of demons and headed straight for his vital points!

“Woo——” “Damn it!”

Neos narrowly avoided the fatal blow, but was still grazed by several of the attacks. Blood gushed from the wounds, transforming into pale golden vapor upon contact with the Warp. Strangely, when this blood came into contact with the bluish-white flames on the sword, the flames turned into a scorching gold.

“Chi——”

The weak demon melted like snow under the scorching sun just by being illuminated by the golden flames.

The Observer watched this scene thoughtfully. It sensed the special power contained in Neos' blood and decided to keep its distance, continuing to command the demons to consume his physical strength.

"Keep attacking him! Whoever can injure him will be qualified to enter my Lord God's kingdom and enjoy souls!"

"Roar!" The fearless demons rushed up.

Neos gritted his teeth and swept the giant sword across. Every swing of the sword was carried with the force of thunder, and the demon's limbs and poisonous blood splattered in the air.

"Cursed! Your physical strength is depleted all the time, while ours is endless! Do you think you can kill us? Can you kill a concept? Hahahaha!"

"Just wait for me! When I get out, I'll show you what burning books and burying scholars is like!"

An endless stream of demons poured forth from the rifts of the Warp. The Observer mocked him constantly, disrupting his thoughts. From time to time, he flapped his wings and unleashed psychic spells, twisting Neos's attacks or amplifying the demons' ferocity, allowing them to pounce upon Neos's weaknesses, ready to strike him in the throes. Neos's breathing quickened, beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his sword, though still sharp, began to show a hint of sluggishness.

"No, this can't go on!" He realized that if he didn't break this situation, he would be exhausted sooner or later.

He must kill the leader as quickly as possible!

Psionic energy spread like ripples, and he sensed a faint yet cunning wave coming from behind him on the left. Neos' eyes snapped open, and he spun around, swinging his sword. The flames transformed into a roaring dragon of fire, tearing through space and charging straight into the void.

"Naive." The observer's voice was full of teasing. It flashed and disappeared out of thin air. The fire dragon roared and crashed into the distance, setting off a psychic storm, but failed to hurt it at all.

"You may be skilled, but you are by no means invincible!"

The Observer's voice echoed in his ears: "Superb? No, it's just that you're too immature. Do you think this little power can threaten me?"

"Then try this! Warp Bug!"

Neos gritted his teeth and used the tip of his sword to slash the wound on his shoulder, light golden blood gushing out. He swung his sword violently, and the golden blood merged with the blue-white flames, instantly erupting into a dazzling golden blaze.

"boom!"

Flames burst forth like the sun, illuminating the entire battlefield. Weak demons were reduced to ash beneath the rays, while even stronger demons were unable to withstand the attack and fled. The observer narrowed his eyes, as if thinking, but did not step forward to intervene.

"This power may be able to hurt my master..." It flapped its wings twice and disappeared into the void.

Neos took the opportunity to transform into a streak of blue-white lightning and rushed into the depths of the warp. The golden flames were still burning behind him, covering his tracks.

...

Time lost its meaning in the subspace. Perhaps it was a few minutes, or perhaps a few days. Neos didn't know how long he had been running.

As he continued to delve deeper into the subspace, the surroundings grew increasingly bizarre. The once tranquil starry sky twisted into indescribable shapes, and all sorts of bizarre forms appeared and disappeared in the void.

A eerie whisper sounded, sometimes close at hand, sometimes far away.

"What the hell is this place?"

Neos realized that he had lost himself in the depths of the warp, which was the worst possible situation. In the previous battle, he had completely forgotten the direction he had come from, and now he couldn't find the way back.

The need to maintain the necessary protection at all times consumed his remaining physical strength. Although the wounds on his body had stopped bleeding, he could feel his essence - the blue-white sun had shrunk.

"hiss--"

A ball of twisted chaos crashed into Neos's territory, making a burst of explosion. Neos felt that his power was weakened a little bit.

The scene around him grew increasingly bizarre. The once hazy starry sky had completely collapsed, replaced by distorted geometric shapes, shimmering crystals, and shadows. The air was filled with a sense of madness, as if countless madmen were whispering in his ears.

He felt his will being eroded by these strange things and he had to concentrate at all times to stay awake.

"Pfft!"

Neos cut a wound with the tip of his sword, and the pain kept him sane.

"Hey—look! This is the gift the tyrant brought you."

Suddenly, a deep laugh broke the balance, coming from all directions. Neos stopped abruptly, summoned a ball of blue lightning with his left hand, and the greatsword ignited with flames.

"Who is it again? Get out here!"

From the depths of the roiling chaos, a dragon's head slowly emerged. Half-crawling on the ground, its sickle-like claws gleaming coldly, its scales flowing like liquid mercury, its twenty-meter-long tail gently swaying, its eyes blazing with deadly poison, its chest gleaming with a star-devouring light.

"You can call me...Lucifer." It whispered, the breath of sulfur and fire spewing from its nostrils, and its tone was cold and confident. It displayed its body elegantly, like a noble showing off his gorgeous clothes at a ball.

"This is the depths of the Aether Sea, a place the tyrant has no time to care for." Lucifer continued, his tone tempting, "It seems you need some help. I can provide it... Of course, it requires a small price."

Neos gripped the giant sword tightly and stared at it warily without responding. "Are you the Lord of Hell in the alien's mind?"

"No—no, no!" Lucifer growled, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "The seven rings of Hell have taken turns vying for this position, and this time the Lord of the Flies holds the throne. If you help me reach the top, I will aid you, even resurrecting your Paladin."

"Do you think I would believe a demon's promise?" Neos sneered, pointing his sword directly at Lucifer: "I don't need the demon's charity, and I will not help you to cause trouble. I will rely on myself to get out of this chaos!"

"really?"

Lucifer moved slowly around Neos as he seduced him, his massive body gradually enveloping him.

"Time is on my side, cursed one. Your strength is fading, and you will soon be weakened. Then you will understand the generosity of my offer. I am the Lord of Pride, not of Generosity, and you—remember this."