The Avenger of Laterano / I'm Not Who I Used to Be!

But the Pope's unease grew stronger, and after the mainframe went silent, Rhodes Island followed suit.

Is the relationship between these two like that between land and sea, seemingly distinct on the surface but actually already intertwined?

The Pope dared not think about it too much, and could only pray in his heart that his faith could give him true guidance.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Huang Cao took the initiative to approach Presis, the Cyber Ghost who was living comfortably in a single room on the island and would occasionally go to the band to listen to their music.

But most of the time she spends with her two little rabbits, looking every bit the virtuous wife and loving mother.

If it weren't for the "gravity" of the storyline, perhaps Presis would be more popular with this version of himself.

"What brings you here, esteemed representative of Terra?"

What is the title of the Terra representative?

"It's just a way of addressing you. After all, the only people I've ever truly respected are you and the Doctor. Everyone else is just a minor, insignificant interlude."

"... Fine, I won't force you to change your mind, because even I sometimes have to admit your thoughts. But I'm here today to ask for your help."

"I guess it's because of that machine. Do you want to become a god for the Sarkaz race?"

Presis asked directly, but the other party gave a different answer.

Huang Cao: "I guess so, but I don't want to get involved in such strange things as religion. I have another idea."

"Therefore, I will become faith itself, and the Lateran host will be my most handy tool to complete the puzzle of the nation of Lateran."

"I will become the guide for these people of light and birds during the darkest of times, uniting them completely through faith and eliminating the long-standing social conflicts in Lateran."

Presis was clever and quickly figured out what the other person wanted from him.

The guy in front of me probably doesn't know how to use the mainframe, and there's no time to learn on the spot, so I'll have to do this job for him.

Chapter 715 Avengers Against Lateran

Although Master Huang has a high IQ and is also good at science and engineering, he is at the T0 level in the entire Terra.

But it's really too much to ask him to learn all the knowledge of Pre-Civilization on his own.

How could the knowledge of an entire civilization be learned so easily, unless one has a cheat code or some kind of accident occurs?

Having Utopia's technicians investigate would indeed achieve the desired effect, but it would be better to directly contact Presis, the terminal administrator.

"Since that's the case, tell me your plan. I'd like to see what kind of creatures these little animals will become under your leadership. Perhaps without you, they'll fall back into chaos."

"It's hard to say, but I can only take it one step at a time. I've done all I can."

When one is successful, one should benefit all under heaven; when one is unsuccessful, one should cultivate one's own virtue.

Huang Cao believed he had done a very good job, so the psychological pressure he felt had almost disappeared since a hundred years ago.

No internal conflict, and every day is comfortable.

"When there is a major conflict of faith within Lateran, everyone will place their faith in their original doctrines, and the aura of all Sankta is connected to the mainframe. Therefore, I need you to completely steer public opinion toward me at the right time."

"Why not act now, instead of waiting until then?"

"Because ideas that have been carefully considered are more perfect, and sudden releases without any thought only seem strange. Only when both sides are evenly matched are sudden changes more convincing."

Imagine a Lateran living a perfectly good life, and suddenly you're asked to join Utopia. Anyone would find that strange, even if it's a divinely ordained message.

However, if prior to this, societal shifts in beliefs and thinking had already drawn both sides into an endless debate, affecting everyone involved, then the situation might have been different.

So, whether it's good or bad, everyone has gained some understanding.

If a person can gain the support of half the population, the descending god they believe in will then gain the support of everyone and maintain a high degree of stability.

After all, the other group is not a small number, and there are quite a few wavering individuals among them, so this is the best course of action.

"I see. It seems you are indeed very good at manipulating people's hearts." Presis was referring to Lateran, but Huang Cao felt there was something else behind it.

But it doesn't matter. Who knows what she's thinking? This person should be on my side now.

Since that's the case, there's no need for excessive speculation.

Watching the man's departing figure, Presis smiled slightly, stretched out her hands, and made a grasping motion, as if she wanted to hold him tightly in her hands.

"Doctor, you're right... I might have started to enjoy the feeling of constantly observing someone."

Meanwhile, as Rhodes Island gets closer and closer to the Holy City, a certain city surrounding the Holy City...

Hundreds of thousands of believers were chanting the doctrines of Utopia around a square.

Arturo, dressed in a Utopian-style outfit, simple and capable, played music from his violin that continuously elevated the listener's emotions.

More than 200,000 Sarkaz and more than 100,000 Liberi came for one idea.

Let all races share a paradise!

"My fellow countrymen, the time for change has come."

Arturo stood on the high platform, her gentle, girlish voice, accompanied by the magic of her violin, precisely reaching everyone's ears, as if whispering in their ear.

"This is the moment of salvation. Rhodes Island's ships will be filled with all races and sail together toward that paradise without suspicion. Flowers, birds, fish, insects, and even demons and angels can live together on the same land, no longer hindered by the Black Stones in terms of kinship, no longer hindered by race in terms of love."

"The halo will shine upon everyone; I am with you, the lord is with you."

Everyone's emotions were stirred up at this moment, until a certain limit was crossed, and the halo above Sarkaz's head began to flash.

Then, the first halo appeared above Liberi's head, followed by a second and countless others.

A miracle occurred.

This time it wasn't fake; it really happened.

It worked!

Ah Cao, you're truly a god!

Arturo was also surprised to see the halo above Liberi's head. Although she believed that Acao would not break her promise, she was still very shocked to see this scene in front of her.

After the halo emanated, dozens of haggard-looking men and women suddenly stepped out from the crowd.

"Please forgive our sins, divine messengers," said the leading woman.

The halo atop Arturo radiated a blazing light, proclaiming, "Tell us your sins, and God will deliver judgment."

The woman said, "We used to work together for the Papal Hall's intelligence organization, until today I witnessed a miracle. My lord, you are right. I am willing to give everything for the faith in Utopia!"

The Papal Hall, as expected.

Arturo tapped her fingertip lightly, and the halos above these people's heads emitted an even brighter light. Then, the information of dozens of people was displayed before her eyes.

All the spies planted in the Papal Hall are here. They really know how to target the front row, probably hoping to arrest me at this time.

They never expected a miracle to actually happen, and they immediately switched sides.

"On behalf of Him, I forgive your sins. To acknowledge your mistakes and correct them is an incomparably noble quality. Go back to the Herd; you are no different from the others now."

A deafening roar of cheers erupted from all around, seemingly enough to shake the entire city to its core.

"The pilgrimage to the Holy City is about to begin. Leave here and spread our beliefs. Faith is with you, and the halo above your heads is proof."

With Utopia's covert assistance, hundreds of thousands of people, carrying ample provisions and water, embarked on their journey to the Holy City.

Most of the Sankta were not stopped by the Holy City guards along the way, because this was a regular activity that was not changed even when Rhodes Island came.

However, amidst the endless pilgrimage procession, the Holy City's guards failed to notice that some of the pilgrims had ear feathers hidden under their hoods.

The concept that only the Sarkaz could have a halo above their heads is almost deeply ingrained in Lateran's beliefs.

Even if someone grows demon horns on their head, the halo will at most dim, but will not disappear completely.

Therefore, no one will know the full extent of the impact these birds will have on survival.

Because fanatics often care most about miracles, and miracles must actually happen.

Two days later in the Holy City, a young Liberi woman named Gia walked out of a dark corner onto the main street.

Gia, once the fiancée of Faith Blender, was driven out of the Holy City by the latter himself.

Now, she has risen from the ashes in Utopia and found her own happiness.

Lentimute, that's her husband's name, and also the name of her savior.

In the snowy plains on the border of Lateran, it was Lentimute that rescued her.

Now, she will become the most ruthless avenger of this moment, using the sharp blade in her hand to tear off Lateran's mask of hypocrisy.

And it adds a touch of brilliance to the utopian faith here that no one can ignore.

Chapter 716 I am no longer who I used to be!

"Long time no see, Partridge. I heard you adopted a red-haired baby decades ago. Was it to atone for your past sins?"

"Gia... aren't you already... why are you still so young?"

Patrizion, who was patrolling the city, was stunned.

A familiar voice traveled through decades and reached his ears.

The tall knight turned to look at the young girl, who was exactly the same as she had been decades ago, with almost no change.

"Is it a human, a remnant soul, or just someone else's Originium Arts?"

"It seems my cousin hasn't told you the truth yet. Indeed, what right do you, such a cold and heartless person, have to know the truth? Even if you did know the truth, it wouldn't stop you from firing the next bullet."

Gia swung her longsword, step by step toward the tall, gun-wielding knight.

"What exactly happened over the years... you should have..."

"Are you saying I should have died in the wilderness?"

Gia revealed a dazzling ring on one finger. "Unfortunately, not only did I not die, but I also found the person I love, and I am now a mother."

Partridge's tall frame trembled violently, but he quickly regained his composure, his tone carrying a hint of relief:

"May the Lord bless you, Gia, I sincerely wish you happiness."

"But you are still an Originium Infection patient, and according to my duty, I still have to deport you. Don't make things difficult for Lateran, okay?"

The tall knight noticed a trace of Originium on the girl's hand. Utopia's healing methods deliberately preserved some external features, so it was easily recognizable to anyone.

Therefore, according to the rules, he must deport the "girl" in front of him.

"Participion... the oldest guardian of the Holy City now, decades have passed, and you are still the same as before, stubborn and ruthless. Are you protecting cold dogma or the Lateran?"

"If I could, I would protect both, but there is never anything in this world that can be perfect. I am issuing this warning to you on behalf of the Papal Hall, Ms. Gia, you are suspected of violating Lateran law. Please come with me."

The sound of mechanical gears turning emanated from Partridge's massive body, precise and majestic, much like the entire Lateran.

Gia smiled, a cold and resolute smile, as she drew her slender and ornate longsword from her waist.

"Participion, decades have passed. You are now old and frail, while I am still young. How much of my former strength do I still possess?"

Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from the woman before him, Partridge couldn't help but feel secretly alarmed.

He had only ever seen this kind of imposing aura in some Lateran sword masters in the past, but Gia's sword aura was even more fierce and dangerous.

The other person's hands are probably stained with a lot of blood...

"Gia, what have you been through all these years? You've married the person you love and had children with him, so why do you have this kind of aura?"

"Because I'm too weak to protect my loved ones or maintain my current life, after seeing my face, which is no different from what it was decades ago, don't you understand? I'm not the same person I used to be."

Is this revenge against me?

"You don't deserve it. Don't think too highly of yourself. But you must disappear for a while. Don't worry, I'll find an old friend to look after you."

"But you might not be able to stop me, and my comrades are all around. Lay down your weapons, and perhaps there won't be any additional punishment."

Patrić didn't know the extent of his opponent's strength, so to be on the safe side, he decided to call for his teammates first.

"Then we can give it a try." Gia smiled, not in a hurry to attack.

Partridge spoke into the communicator in his ear, "Traces of infected detected. Requesting backup."

The communicator only emitted a series of static noises, while the surroundings of Partridge were enveloped in shadow until they swallowed the entire alley.

"Originium Arts?"

Yes and no.