Inside the Holy Hall's grand hall, candlelight flickered.
The priest held the letter in both hands. He glanced sideways at Claudio, hesitating to speak.
The Pope smiled faintly, composed yet imposing. "Speak. Sir Claudio is our ally. There is no need to hide anything."
The priest unfolded the letter. The moment his eyes fell upon its contents, his entire body trembled.
The Pope raised a brow, confusion in his eyes.
The priest's voice was hoarse, as though every word weighed a thousand pounds. "Three Holy Seats... have fallen."
The air in the hall instantly froze.
"The Yeke Kingdom royal family has announced!" The priest swallowed. "The Church assassinated a kingdom hero and attempted to undermine regional stability. Effective immediately, all churches throughout the kingdom will be sealed, and all priests expelled..."
When his words fell, silence filled the hall.
The Pope's knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists. Scorching heat spilled uncontrollably from his body, burning blackened marks into his robe.
His expression shifted from shock to gloom, finally turning into overwhelming killing intent.
Claudio's pupils constricted. He stared fixedly at the Pope, studying his expression, trying to determine whether this was another act put on for him.
But when he saw the nearly tangible fury in the Pope's eyes, he believed that it was true.
But how was that possible?
Wu Heng had killed three heroes by himself while being ambushed?
Just how far had he grown?
Bang~!
The Pope shot to his feet, and the chair beneath him exploded into fragments under his imposing aura.
This intelligence left him with no time to maintain his bearing. Without saying a word, he strode away.
Claudio remained seated, only recovering after a long while. "It seems the times really are about to change..."
After muttering to himself, he rose