Meanwhile,
within the Inner Ring District of the Silver Ring in the Third Era,
Su Wen had already begun urgently discussing the next course of action with the azure-haired Witch.
Elsewhere, in the Current World, a massive cathedral of the Roman Curia lay like a slumbering beast beneath the boundless moonlight.
But upon closer inspection,
its location seemed as though it were hiding within the moonlight's shadow.
The cathedral soared into the clouds, its Gothic spires seemingly ready to pierce the heavens. Ancient stone walls were covered in the weathered traces of time, while dark green moss spread through the cracks like mysterious runes.
The stained-glass windows refracted hazy halos in the faint light, as if recounting former glory and mysterious legends.
Inside the cathedral,
the solemn atmosphere was so palpable that it made breathing difficult. Reliefs of angels and saints were carved into the towering pillars, lifelike enough to seem ready to break free at any moment.
And at that moment,
an astonishing transformation was unfolding before an exceptionally tall statue at the very center of the cathedral.
The image of the statue, once solemn and compassionate, seemed to be wantonly smeared by an invisible hand. It gradually blurred, as though some mysterious force were pulling at it from behind.
Then, without warning, a hazy light gate like an illusory bubble tore open the void, its radiance pouring forth like spilled mercury.
A Punished Knight, tall and powerfully built, completely encased in heavy black armor, slowly stepped out with heavy yet resolute strides.
His armor gave off a cold metallic sheen, and the runes engraved upon it flowed with strange energy, revealing that his extraordinary rank had reached the awe-inspiring fourth tier.
Upon his broad back,
an ancient, sinister coffin lay silently.
As he walked,
the coffin trembled faintly,