Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

What could truly capture his attention? Aside from the throne of the Holy See, it would probably be immortality…

Kid, that's a bit greedy.

Just as Samael stood in the best seats, looking around and enjoying the actors' performance, the ceremony officially began with Mario's entrance.

The ancient snake, who was paid a salary, also followed the script with great professionalism, playing the accompaniment of the music on the piano stand.

Meanwhile, in the choir, members dressed in white and holding scriptures sang along with the flowing notes, led by Yuika Shuse.

Arcueid, Arcturus, Arakawa, Ayatsuji, Touko, and others who had sneaked in disguised in makeup also had to hold their noses and be forced to perform, praising the damned God.

Similarly, Ryougi Shiki, Tono Akiha, the Wu sisters, Nanaya Shiki, Asakami Fujino, and other cute but fierce little ones, as well as Wu Tiao Lie, whom they had just met the day before yesterday, couldn't help but raise their voices and hum the blessing.

This scene amused Samael, who then chose the most difficult piece from several sheet music scores.

As the ethereal and solemn music played, the crowd rose to their feet and, led by the priest, proceeded with the basic procedures of the Mass celebration.

Generally, a Mass celebration consists of the entrance, greetings, the Word, the Sacrament, the Communion, and the closing ceremony.

The entrance ceremony, as the name suggests, is when everyone stands and sings the entrance hymn at the beginning of Mass. The celebrant and altar attendants then enter the altar to the sound of the hymn. The celebrant leads the congregation in making the sign of the cross and may briefly introduce the Mass of the day.

The subsequent greetings, liturgical rites, and sacramental rites were all pretty much the same and not very interesting.

The most solemn and crucial event tonight is undoubtedly receiving Holy Communion.

The Mass originates from the Last Supper in the New Testament of the Bible. According to the Gospels, on the eve of his Passion, Christ took bread and wine, gave thanks and blessings, and transformed the bread and wine into his own Body and Blood, which he gave to his disciples to eat and drink, commanding them to do so in remembrance of him. After the Supper, Christ was delivered over, suffered and was crucified on Calvary, sacrificing his life.

Therefore, the core meaning of the Mass lies in praising the sacrifice of the Son of Man, sharing the wine that represents the blood of the lamb and the bread that represents the body of the lamb, and washing away one's sins.

At this moment, a food cart filled with glasses of wine was brought out from behind the curtain by Wen Bingyongli, who was serving as an assistant officiant.

The gazes of the priest and the "believers" instantly became fervent, and the atmosphere of the chanting and response grew even more intense.

"We dare to say this because we both obey the Savior's instructions and receive His teachings."

“Our Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

"Lord, deliver us from all calamities and grant us peace in our times; moreover, have great mercy on us and save us from sin, and keep us safe in all troubles, so that we may devoutly look forward to the happiness of eternal life and the coming of our Savior Jesus."

"All nations under heaven, universal authority, all glory belong to you forever."

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace!

As the consecration ceremony concluded, the attendees stepped forward one by one to respectfully receive a glass of scarlet wine, which they held tightly in their hands.

However, the people in the audience exchanged glances, and no one spoke first.

Tch, wanting blessings but cowering in fear.

Mario glanced at it disdainfully, then took a deep breath, picked up the last remaining cup, and silently prayed.

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the eternal God, in accordance with the will of the Father and with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, through your death you gave life to the world; through your Body and Blood, deliver me from all sin and calamity, that I may always keep your commandments and never depart from you!"

In the final moment of his heartfelt confession, Mario, his eyes filled with fervor and determination, raised his glass high and drank the crimson liquid in one gulp.

The church members, who were already accustomed to Mass celebrations, naturally did not hesitate.

However, the exorcists and half-bloods on the field deliberately slowed down, waiting until the high priest finished his demonstration before letting down their guard and joining the celebration.

As the Holy Blood entered his stomach, the ceremony was completed. The half-covered curtain was slowly drawn back, and an altar inscribed with Latin script rose slowly at Mario's beckoning, officially revealing the Holy Sacrament held by the Holy Church.

Immediately, the exorcists and half-bloods present looked on with fervent eyes and solemn expressions.

But under the watchful eyes of the delegates, the visitors had no choice but to suppress any other thoughts, bow their heads in reverence and submission, and join the bishop on the platform in chanting prayers.

"May the Body and Blood of Christ protect us and grant us eternal life..."

Meanwhile, the clergy scattered throughout the underground cavern crossed their hands and chanted the Lord's Prayer, calling for a miracle.

As prayers began, the inscriptions carved on the ground, rock walls, high platforms, and even crystal blocks lit up one by one, resonating with the earth's spiritual energy.

laugh! laugh! laugh! laugh!

In an instant, surging magical power, guided by the magic array, erupted from the earth's veins, centered on the sacred body, and transformed into beams of light resembling the angles of a crown, shooting straight into the sky and tearing open a large, visible hole.

hum!

Immediately afterwards, heaven and earth resonated, and the vortex formed by pure white light gradually expanded, as if a heavenly gate was opening.

At the same time, the ethereal hymns in the sky became clearer, and specks of light fell from the sky, sprinkling down on the earth.

As the light entered their bodies, everyone was pleasantly surprised to find that the blood wine they had drunk earlier seemed to be boiling inside their bodies. Vigorous vitality filled their bodies, and wisps of black mist were expelled from their pores. Their previously drowsy minds became clear and alert.

A blessing? I suppose so.

Samael, standing at the piano, gazed at the humans enjoying baptism in the vast void, cleansing themselves of their filth and sins with the power of the Holy Body and Holy Blood. He did not stop playing; instead, he smiled indifferently.

If Heaven does not help people, people will help themselves.

Since it's something they fought for themselves, let them have it.

when!

However, just as everyone was bathed in the radiance, the midnight bells rang, the earth beneath their feet trembled violently, and streams of chaotic red and black etheric black tides erupted wildly from the spiritual veins. The light dust that echoed this instantly turned into a torrential rain of light, which poured down on the mortal world.

In an instant, black and white, light and darkness, intertwine and clash.

Those caught in the middle of the black tide and the rain of light all wore expressions of pain.

Puff puff puff!

In the blink of an eye, streaks of blazing white light erupted from behind Mario and the leading agents, their original physical bodies were fading and dissolving, their eyes becoming empty and pale, transforming into angelic forms.

The exorcists and half-bloods below the platform were drawn to the black tide like a magnet. The people who were cleansing their sins suddenly turned bloodshot and their bodies swelled up, like ferocious beasts crawling out of hell.

and many more……

Samael's pupils narrowed, and he turned his gaze to his feet.

There's something wrong with the spiritual vein!

Chapter 112 You want to break my defenses, huh? (4.1k)

"A crooked spiritual vein!"

Meanwhile, Aozaki Touko, who was hiding in the choir, saw this and her expression hardened as she realized the crux of the problem.

In fact, this is precisely where the problem lies.

As the name suggests, the Waixin Spiritual Vein is not a conventional spiritual site.

Although it contains amazing magic, it is extremely unstable internally. Changes in time, airflow, and environment can easily cause the ether to become disordered and distorted.

Just now, it seemed that the change of midnight triggered the reversal of the technique.

Is it just a coincidence?

No, it's definitely not just a coincidence!

Just as Aozaki Touko was feeling confused, Samael, who was sitting in front of the piano, had a sharp look in his eyes and a cold expression.

Mario is cautious by nature, and when it comes to important events such as his immortality and baptism, he will definitely scrutinize every step of the process, including any last-minute changes to the location and the spiritual veins to be used.

Given the current serious flaws, it's impossible that... someone deliberately concealed the problem with the crooked spiritual vein.

Wen Bing Yong Li!

In an instant, as his gaze fell upon the black-haired, bespectacled priest behind the curtain, a pleased smile spreading across his face, the answer entered Samael's mind, and the sequence of events gradually became clear.

With the previous spiritual vein manager dying without cause and the Aozaki family failing to select a successor in time, the management of the Wai Xin spiritual vein naturally fell into the hands of the Goda Church.

At the same time, the tricks behind this thing are probably only known to Fumio Eiri, the then priest of the Goda Church and the eldest disciple of the old man Aozaki.

The change of the ceremony venue was also initiated by Father Yongli.

The culprit behind all these sudden changes is about to be revealed.

As for the purpose, it's probably because...it's interesting?

The dramatic performances that offer glimpses of hope only to have it crumble and plunge the viewer into utter despair are a source of immense contrast and are undoubtedly a delightful experience for certain individuals with questionable judgment.

At this moment, the black-haired assistant priest in the corner walked lightly up the high platform.

Clearly, he did not drink the holy blood.

The black-haired priest's slightly narrowed eyes swept over the believers who were bathed in divine power and receiving "grace," then he bowed his head and gently kissed the cross on his chest, devoutly opening his lips to chant, joining in the revelry.

Our Father in heaven,

May all people hallow your name.

May your kingdom come!

May your will be done on earth.

It's like traveling together in the heavens.

Our daily diet,

Today it has been given to us.

Forgive us our debts.

Just as we have forgiven people's debts.

They do not lead us into temptation.

Save us from evil…

See, the Lord is merciful.

Human beings, however, are always making mistakes, constantly demanding, claiming to have faith while harboring selfish desires to receive forgiveness and grace from God time and time again.

As the Lord's flock, how presumptuous and blasphemous it is that you partake of the Holy Communion and drink its blood in order to fatten yourselves up!

If that's the case, shouldn't we offer an equivalent price to show our piety?

We offer this flesh and blood as a sacrifice!

As Wen Bingyongli gazed at the figure gradually shifting between light and shadow, a joyful smile curved her lips, as if admiring a beautiful painting. With one hand she opened the Gospel, and with the other she made the sign of the cross on her chest, uttering a high-pitched hymn of praise.

"May majesty, power, authority, kingdom, and glory be to you."

From time immemorial, to the present, and forevermore—Amen!

In fact, just as Aozaki Touko and Samael had predicted, the change in the earth's energy at midnight would cause the distorted spiritual veins to reverse, thereby triggering the collapse of the magic circle diagram.

This ritual of the Church, in addition to guiding the power contained within the Eucharist and bestowing blessings, is also intended to protect the participants from being harmed by divine power.

Even a mere remnant of a deity's flesh and blood contains laws and divine power that ordinary people cannot withstand.

Once the restrictions are completely lifted, those ants who intend to steal divine power and gain grace will not only face the backlash of the Holy Communion, but may even have their self erased, be assimilated, and transformed into spirits serving the light.

However, despite his satisfaction, Wen Bingyongli still harbored a slight doubt, as the scene before him differed slightly from the script he had envisioned.

Some of the "believers" at the scene were indeed transforming into angelic forms, while others had their demonic bloodline awakened, becoming increasingly deranged and insane.

Angels and demons, they can't believe they were created together...

Well, it doesn't matter. The human world is a battlefield between heaven and hell, and light will surely sweep away darkness.

Wen Bingyongli raised her hand and brushed it across the altar, a joyful smile playing on her lips as she sang merrily.

"God, rise up and scatter the enemies!"

But the righteous will rejoice.

God, rise up and scatter the enemies.

"May your kingdom come here!"

Accompanied by rousing praises, runes on the altar flashed, and the crystal enveloping the saint's right wrist suddenly shattered, unleashing an even more powerful divine might that swept in all directions.

"Roar! Roar!"

Instantly, the exorcists and half-bloods, who had been struggling with their expressions, looked up sharply, drool dripping from their mouths. Their crimson eyes were fixed on the piece of the god's flesh. Several of the first to lose their composure roared and lunged at the high platform.

"Holy! Holy!"

In contrast, the clergy, bathed in light and with luminous wings extending from their backs, swooped forward like puppets, spouting empty praises, colliding with the demonized heretics and vying for the ownership of the Holy Communion.

At this moment, Samael looked at the two teams on the field, whose ugly behavior was exposed under the influence of divine power, his gaze was distant and solemn, and his eyes were full of understanding.