"The reason is simple. Killing you outside would be much less dangerous, but those blindly loyal priests you've bewitched might die for you, potentially causing a split between the Northern Region Empire and the Holy Church. Moreover, I'd rather obtain what's in your mind. To ensure you don't have a chance to self-destruct, I have no choice but to play along."
Sun Fei, thoroughly enjoying his victory, laughed heartily, "Besides, now that I've killed you and left the Holy See, I can simply say you were old and frail, and died of old age. I can then smoothly take over the entire Holy Church without any turmoil or doubt. Isn't that better?"
Di Canio was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Fine, fine, I have no regrets about losing to you. Originally, I wanted to search your mind, grasp everything about you, and then, like I controlled Stábile, hollow out your flesh and blood, and use a human skin to impersonate you. That way, I could guarantee that I could throw the entire Azeroth Continent into chaos before the [ Mother Empress's ] army arrives. I didn't expect you to use the same trick against me. Very well, Alexander, don't be too smug for long. The [ Mother Empress's ] arrival is inevitable, and your victory today is just a temporary reprieve. When the Insect Race army arrives, you and the continent you are trying to protect will eventually be reduced to dust and ruins."
Before he could finish speaking...
Di Canio roared, and a chaotic mental wave burst forth from his body, radiating outwards.
The next instant, he froze on the spot.
Tiny cracks appeared on his scales, followed by a series of cracking sounds. His body seemed to be petrified, shattering into countless uniform fragments.
He ultimately committed suicide.
"This guy endured for a thousand years on the Azeroth Continent, scheming and plotting, almost completely disrupting the continent. From the Insect Race's perspective, he could be considered a hero. Let him die with dignity."
With a wave of his hand, Sun Fei unleashed a surge of golden power, shattering the rubble on the ground into dust. A gust of wind blew, and the dust vanished into thin air...
"He's definitely a very capable guy."
Although Maradona suffered his first major defeat at the hands of Di Canio, he was still impressed. Di Canio orchestrated the biggest conspiracy in the history of the continent, almost overthrowing the Holy Church and the Northern Region Empire, two major powers, making him a true hero of his time.
Sun Fei nodded and began to look around at the surrounding space.
The cathedral, the most mysterious building atop Holy Mountain in Sicily Island, the Pope's residence, is said to be a relic of ancient gods and demons. Indeed, it is incredibly formidable, able to withstand the impact of a life-or-death battle between Peak God King without crumbling. Who could have imagined that within this magnificent and sacred cathedral, two peak-level powerhouses—a pope and a lord of an Insect Race tribe—would perish in such a short period?
The war on the continent thus came to an end.
From then on, no one on the mainland could restrain Sun Fei.
"Now, we can go out, bathe in the cheers of the mountains, become the Pope of the Holy Church, and become the most powerful legend in the history of the entire continent!" Maradona proposed with a hearty laugh.
Sun Fei nodded.
Time passed slowly.
Outside the sanctuary, the Sun was gradually becoming scorching.
Half an hour has passed, and no one knows what happened inside the sanctuary.
The walls, gleaming with silver light, appeared even more sacred under the sunlight, isolating all breath and sound from within. Countless nobles, emperors, and top experts on both sides of the 1,001st step watched this most mysterious and sacred building on the continent with tense and anxious eyes, holding their breath in concentration.
So much time has passed, what exactly happened inside?
You must know that today's coronation of the [ Human Emperor of the Northern Region ] as Pope is a momentous occasion that will determine the fate of the entire continent. We must be careful that nothing unexpected happens.
Boom!
Amidst the anticipation of the crowd, a loud bang was heard, and the doors of the sanctuary finally swung open.
Everyone made progress.
A gentle breeze blew by, and a handsome, tall figure emerged from the doorway. He wore a golden divine robe, Crown of the Gods, and held the Scepter of the Twilight of the Gods. His entire body shone with a holy golden light, making him appear like a deity walking among mortals as he stood at the entrance.
The Human Emperor of the Northern Region!
Holy Pope!
Alexander!
He finally emerged, and judging from his calm expression, it seemed that nothing unexpected had happened. Behind him followed the renowned Continent Martial Saint, Maradona. The only one absent was the frail and dying Pope Stábile.
Could it be...?
" His Stábile... has passed away!"
With a hint of sadness on his face, Sun Fei announced the news that many had expected.
Some people didn't show any surprise on their faces. Given Stábile's physical condition, he was indeed like a candle flickering in the wind. It was a small miracle that he had been able to hold on until today.
Some of the priests, however, knelt on the ground, weeping loudly.
A new emperor is born, and the old emperor passes away.
A new era has dawned.
A perfect cycle.
A perfect transition.
Compared to the loyal and weeping divine masters, the powerful figures, nobles, and emperors from all over the continent on both sides of the steps were not moved by the passing of Stábile. They congratulated Sun Fei and tried to curry favor with this undisputed behemoth of the continent.
The representatives from Juventus and Barcelona looked utterly devastated, their faces ashen.
The ultimate ascension of the [ Human Emperor of the Northern Region ] is an absolute disaster for these two empires. His sworn brothers were once the Young Supremes of the three great empires, and they will likely not let Juventus and Barcelona off the hook.
Sun Fei's gaze swept across everyone's faces.
Looking into those eyes—whether they were ingratiating, anxious, obsequious, restrained, or flickering—he looked up at the azure sky, took a deep breath of fresh air, and then looked down.
"I will unify the continent."
The voice was soft and calm.
Reality is telling a story that seems trivial and unremarkable.
But everyone was shocked, sensing the unquestionable tone and demeanor of this supreme being.
To unify the continent?
Has this day finally arrived?
Although most of the people who came today were aware that the [ Human Emperor of the Northern Region ] possessed two of the continent's most powerful forces and that this year was inevitable, they didn't seem arrogant. He spoke of it so decisively and impatiently.
Has he already grown impatient?
Now, who can stop him?
From the ancient era of gods and demons until the last thousand years, will the Azeroth Continent, which has never been unified, finally find unity in this man's hands?
Despite their deep reluctance, everyone knew that a legendary era had begun.
They were destined not to be the protagonists of this era.
Whew, I'll update with more chapters tomorrow.