After hearing Pope Lostor's words, all the members of the Church Council fell silent.
"Does anyone have a different opinion?"
Lostor swept his gaze across the faces of all the Church Council members.
Michael remained silent for a while without speaking. Although the other members each had their own thoughts, none of them spoke either.
Although there were two factions within the Church of Eternity, under these circumstances, everyone put the church's interests first.
Now that someone had bullied their Church of Eternity, anyone who objected would become an enemy within the church.
"I have no objections!"
"Neither do I!"
"I support the pope's command!"
"..."
The Church Council members began stating their positions.
Lostor nodded, then slowly rose to his feet.
"In that case, begin the ritual to summon Eternity's Afterimage!"
Lostor spoke solemnly, his expression grave.
Inside the Sanctum, all the members of the Church of Eternity gathered together.
Reverence appeared on all their faces.
Before them, the members of the Church Council, led by Lostor, gathered in front of Eternity's statue.
This statue of Eternity was their faith and their everything. They firmly believed Eternity could bring them everything they needed.
They had believed this for so many years.
"Divine Eternity, today your followers wish to borrow your power to help us sweep aside those who stand in our way!"
Lostor knelt on one knee and spoke slowly.
At the same time, the Church Council members standing behind him also knelt, their faces reverent.
"May we borrow your power!"
All the followers present also knelt before Eternity's statue in unison.
"May we borrow your power!"
Their voices resounded through the Church of Eternity.
Resolve appeared on Lostor's face, and he drew his right hand across his left palm.
With a tearing sound, Lostor's left palm split open.