Dole was not afraid of clashing with the Light Holy See, nor was he afraid of clashing with the Dark Holy See. Both were religious states, ruled by the will of their gods. They would not dare truly oppose him either—especially their level nines. The level nines were all pondering how to reach a higher world; there was a chance they might actually come after him.
Knowing their habits, Dole had already thought it through. So long as he did not blaspheme the God of Light or the God of Darkness, at most they would trade verbal blows and send someone over as a token gesture.
Of course, it was not impossible that they would send their strongest experts to exchange a few blows with him. Nor was it impossible that Standa himself would act against him, perhaps bringing some divine decree along.
As for divine decrees, Dole was no longer so afraid of them. Though divine decrees were powerful and possessed the ability to erase karma, as long as he could keep interfering with them, he could emerge unscathed.
However, given the Light Holy See's current intentions toward the Glory Empire, they might well make a move against him. But only within the Light Empire, or out at sea. They would not dare come out, much less go to another country and create diplomatic conflict. Trading insults was one thing.
Just then, Dole felt the threads of fate violently tremble.
Then he saw someone ahead suddenly rise from the ground far in the distance, carrying an immensely powerful aura of darkness as they charged toward him. Yet that aura was hardly worth mentioning.
Dole's heart sank. The Dark Holy See was making its move.
He did not stop. Instead, he continued forward.
A level nine had suddenly barged