William Quietly Became Pope

News that a Legendary Knight had been taken out by a group of Undead spread across and beyond the battlefield by dusk.

The Noble Coalition's previously disciplined atmosphere had clearly descended into chaos.

In this world, Legendary figures had not never died, but they had either been punished by gods or ambushed or ganged up on by other Legends. Even then, many had managed to escape with their lives and hide in the Wilds. Generally speaking, when Legends lost, one side usually fled far away.

Only Legends or the wrath of gods could kill Legends.

This proverb, long circulated across the continent, could be discarded from this day forward.

Hill saw that some people in the coalition had already begun withdrawing. They were probably those who had followed the Noble Temple to Salar in hopes of profiting. No matter how panicked they were, followers of the Noble Temple would not leave at a time like this.

Only these locust-like opportunists would run at the first sign of trouble. They did not care about offending the God of Space-Time, so naturally, they would not care about the Noble Temple's anger now.

This world placed powerful restrictions on Gods. As long as enough people left, the Noble Temple could not punish so many people on the grounds that they had offended a god.

As for the other downsides, as long as they survived, they could always find a way through them.

After observing for a long time, Hill saw that the Noble Temple had no intention of dealing with those who left. They merely erected a tall earthen wall behind the camp after they had gone. It seemed they were allowed to leave, but would not be welcomed back.

Falan said, "It looks like they still have some confidence."

Adrian said excitedly, "It really is rare to see the future Pope make a move."

"Dionysio has to attack tonight. If he waits until tomorrow morning, morale will plummet." Falan smiled. "Both sides understand that, so it can hardly be called a night raid. Let's see how William defends."

Hill watched the Noble Coalition's camp. An air of grim slaughter was slowly taking shape, and the panic had already vanished.

This truly could not be called a night raid.

The Knights atop Keslote's walls had also been withdrawn. The Mage Towers gradually lit up as well.

William stood on the wall and took one last look before turning and entering a Mage Tower.

What they were competing in now was the psychological endurance of their commanders.

Adrian suddenly asked, "There should be more Magi in William's city, right?"

Hill nodded. "At least two or three hundred thousand. Maybe more."

Falan asked, "That one at the southeast corner still hasn't returned?"

"There may be an opening over there. I remember that area was controlled jointly by several families." Hill replied. "Poor communication, perhaps. A bit of chaos." When multiple factions joined forces, if one defended for a while before rotating with another faction, it would be fortunate if nothing went wrong.

Legends were not fools. The two major factions had no obvious weaknesses, so the two Legends had not simply run off at once. If they got hit too, they would not be able to rest in peace even in death.

If that one had not returned, at least it meant he probably had not died.

"I hope nothing happens over there." Falan said hesitantly. "The Noble Temple's internal struggles are even fiercer than those in a royal court. Dionysio became the universally acknowledged heir to the papacy, and no one dared say anything. William should have noticed, right?"

"They have communicators. If something happens, they can be informed immediately." Hill said at once. "If they cannot kill William, taking those cities is useless. At most, the Legendary figure died for nothing today, and the two sides are even again. There are still over two hundred thousand Undead in the country! That is more than enough for reinforcements."

Adrian gave a bitter smile. "True. William made preparations too. From the places guarded by the Undead, they would have to travel a thousand kilometers before reaching Salar's own cities.

"At the speed their army moves, the Undead would have enough time to gather and drive them back out."

"At most, the Undead will fight another siege battle." Hill said. "They are used to it."

Falan nodded. "William truly was wise. This month of drills was very useful."

"It would still be best if nothing happened." Adrian said. "I hope everything goes smoothly."

Hill suddenly thought of Liang Xingzhu. He remembered people in the territory saying that, in the defense of that city, it was only when those ranked fourth through eighth on the battle merit leaderboard joined forces that they managed to hold on.

What rank was that family surnamed Lu again?

Hill fell into deep thought.

Adrian called Hill over for dinner. "Come eat. Today is a good day. Have a drink with your teacher."

Hill stared at Adrian in disbelief. What did he mean, a good day? A Legendary figure had died, and Falan had fallen into confusion. How was that a good day?

Falan also looked up at Adrian. Did this disciple truly think it was a good thing that the Undead had killed a Legend?

Neither of them said anything. Adrian had always been reliable in his work and was never confused over major matters. But every now and then, he had moments where his mind went offline. After some time, he would come around on his own.

Halfway through the lavish dinner, prayers rose from below.

Hill tossed aside his knife and fork and lunged to the window. Alice, who had been eating at his feet, swiftly jumped onto his head.

"Thunder of disorder, symbol of destruction

Electricity of terror, judging the end

Become the light of punishment

Form the sword of wrath

My Lord Arturas Deshanell

You are the Guardian of nobility

You are the keeper of order

Please heed my oath

Return all enemies to ultimate nothingness

The repeated chanting grew louder and louder, piercing the heavens under the resonance of divine power.

Falan swiftly moved the airship to Keslote's rear left. Even above the clouds, they could feel that terrifying pressure.

Hill watched the Noble Temple's camp from afar.

A three-tiered platform had already been erected there. The faithful knelt densely around it.

Twelve archbishops knelt on the first tier, their hands crossed over their chests.

Three cardinals knelt in the same posture on the second tier.

Dionysio had his eyes closed. Holding a longsword wreathed in lightning, he knelt reverently on the highest tier.

The entire camp was filled with silver holy light.

Seeing the magnificent longsword with its purple Rose set into the cross-shaped hilt, Adrian sucked in a sharp breath. "Has the Noble Temple truly gone mad? That is Rose's Holy Sword!"

Deshanell had been humanity's first king in this world, eventually becoming the God of Nobility and Sovereignty. When he ascended the Divine Throne, he had left behind the sword he carried to intimidate all directions for the Noble Temple when he departed the continent. Over tens of thousands of years, the Noble Temple had never used it. Against previous enemies, they had at most brought out the scepter and crown Deshanell had used before becoming a god.

This was the first time this longsword had appeared. And it was actually being used against William.

Everyone fell silent.

No matter how much they pursued freedom, as people of Salar, they still did not want to see this scene.

Salar's king was below, directly facing this powerful Divine Artifact.

Endless Thunder was summoned, eventually gathering into a terrifying, violent bolt that struck directly toward Keslote.

Keslote's defensive magic array lit up, only to gradually dim beneath the lightning.

Hill clutched Alice tightly in his arms, gritting his teeth as he watched.

"Defy every law of nature, destroy every law of nature,

Defy the balance of all dimensions, destroy the order of all dimensions,

My Lord Kronos!

Within defiance, seek new laws and balance,

Within destruction, seek new principles and order,

Wander between illusion and reality,

Transcend eternal time, transcend infinite space—Dimensional Fluctuation."

A booming chant rang out from the four corner fortresses of Keslote.

The enormous bolt of lightning was swallowed whole by a suddenly appearing rift in space-time.

Hill dropped to the ground on his backside. He had gone a little stiff, and his legs felt weak.

So the Priests of the God of Space-Time did not only know how to heal!

So the God of Space-Time had ultimate divine spells too!

Although most of his subordinates were players, William was still the Pope!

Adrian pulled Hill to his feet. "William is incredible! When did he become the Pope of the Space-Time Temple? He never held any ceremony!"

Falan shook his head speechlessly. "Do not call him William anymore. Once the God of Space-Time ascends the Divine Throne, he will be one of those closest to the Gods. We should call him Your Majesty."

The Rose Longsword floated in the air, its sword light forming a barrier of divine power.

Dionysio had been prepared for his attack to be stopped. But he had never expected it to be stopped this way.

No one had ever seen a Pope take office so silently.

For the Supreme God's dignity, it should at least have been announced to the world!

The Noble Coalition's camp remained silent for a long time. Dionysio was probably calming himself down.

A Pope like William, a Supreme God like Space-Time—perhaps even the well-traveled future Pope had nothing to say?

After thinking it over, Hill could understand.

The archbishops of the God of Space-Time probably would not kneel reverently and invite their god. Nor would they kneel on one knee at William's celebration of becoming Pope to show respect.

Rather than let other gods laugh at them, it was better for him to quietly take office.

It could also give the enemy a huge surprise.

After Dionysio calmed down for a while, he shouted, "William Salar! Follower of a Pseudogod! How many more swords of mine can you take?"

"Try me!"

Hill felt that Dionysio was about to split apart. Was that something a king—and even a god's Pope—could say?

Dionysio seemed to take several deep breaths before speaking. "You are a Pope now too! Speak in a manner fitting your status!"

"Then thank you for the advice?"

Hill felt that Dionysio was about to explode.

Fortunately, it seemed his purpose in stalling for time had been achieved.

The Noble Coalition suddenly erupted in cheers.

Hill grew a little nervous. What had happened?

Naturally, Dionysio swiftly fulfilled his wish.

He floated into the air with a smile. "Follower of a Pseudogod! Calvo Sheen has already breached your city! Just wait for your capital to fall!"

William appeared atop the city wall. "If you have the ability, then go inside! Stop guarding the city without moving!"

Dionysio smiled with perfect courtesy. "Please await our good news!"

Then he descended back to the ground.

The three aboard the airship looked at one another. Had they really jinxed it?

Adrian said, "We did see those two Legends return, didn't we?"

Hill replied, "I did not see anyone fly out. Did they tunnel underground?"

"Perhaps they secretly slipped out with those who withdrew?" Falan mused. "But a Legend's energy cannot be concealed! Unless the Love Temple's Divine Artifact was also used?"

"Illusory Happiness? That veil that can create illusions even Gods cannot detect?" Adrian was astonished. The Love Goddess had only left them two Divine Artifacts. This veil was used to protect the Supreme God Temple of the Love and Arts Church. They actually dared to take it out?

"At the Noble Church's request!" Could they have dared refuse?

Hill was very curious about the details of the city's fall. It was said that the several families together had one hundred and fifty thousand people, more than three times the number in Black Rose City. That did not even include independent players.

Even such a force had been successfully attacked.

There had to be a very interesting reason.

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