"Call..."
A howling wind blew outside the clock tower, dispelling the stench that had accumulated in Lino City for years and bringing a touch of freshness to the air.
The cold wind felt like a knife, tearing at the flesh of pedestrians on the road and causing excruciating joint pain.
In such a harsh winter, with a lack of clothing and food, this winter was like an insurmountable barrier to hell for the poor.
Even so, large numbers of poor people still gathered at the entrance of the Church's recruitment office, shivering in the cold wind, their faces pale with cold, yet their eyes still shining as they lined up to be selected as soldiers.
Just two days ago, His Holiness the Pope's conscription policy had instilled immense fear in the poor, who were desperately trying to escape. He was even branded a tyrant. But in the last two days, everything has changed, and he has completely transformed.
This was because the new Pope Adam had issued yet another decree: those who joined the army would be provided with food and lodging, and soldiers were allowed to plunder at will. Eighty percent of the loot would be handed over, but two percent could still be kept for themselves.
The poor, who were already struggling to survive this winter, now truly saw a way to live. Not only a chance to live, but with a bit of luck, they could even defy fate and seek a new life in an enemy country.
Therefore, conscription has changed from the previous system where Church knights had to go out and capture prisoners to the current system where prisoners simply come to them.
His Holiness the Pope was transformed from First Stage tyrant into a holy ruler, a wise ruler, and even the God. The image of the Church was completely restored, and countless people sincerely praised the Church for its mercy and God for his holiness.
"His Holiness the Pope truly loves his people like his own children!"
"Of course! Oh dear, if I could plunder something from the Boya Empire, I could truly become a person of high status!"
"I don't want to steal anything, I just want to steal a wife."
The poor people queuing up for conscription were no longer hungry or cold. They talked excitedly about raiding the Boya Empire, fantasizing about the thrill of it all, and were even no longer afraid of the battlefield.
The cacophony of sounds coalesced, buzzing like flies.
"Human hearts are truly fickle!" Norton exclaimed with deep emotion. He had personally witnessed how this group of people had transformed from hating the Pope so much that they wished they could skin him alive to vent their hatred, into the papacy they were now.
This made him realize that he should be more wary of humans and must eliminate any kindness he might have.
In the past, the environment made it difficult to decide whether to help or not. In this life, with the environment in which these poor people, whose bestiality far surpasses their humanity, deserve no pity whatsoever.
These people have no heart.
Norton stood in the attic, gazing at the massive procession of poor people in the direction of the Church, and released his magnetic field.
"Whoosh!" (Onomatopoeia, but there was actually no sound)
Although the magnetic field is invisible and colorless, it still seemed like an invisible halo, spreading out instantly and covering the entire area of Lino City.
Norton felt that his own magnetic field seemed to change over time, not in terms of its size, but in terms of its intensity.
However, he couldn't tell exactly how much his magnetic field had changed, since it wasn't affecting him directly. He could only understand the range of the magnetic field, not the sensations it evoked.
But the people of Lino City were well aware of this.
The chaotic queue of poor people suddenly fell silent, and even the Church missionaries and Church paused for a moment.
However, in the next moment, the Lino City gradually returned to its usual noise.
It felt a bit like a chaotic classroom suddenly and spontaneously coming to a standstill, but it was also completely different.
The silence in the classroom was determined by the collision of human speech cycles, while the sudden stillness in Lino City made everyone feel as if something was pressing on their hearts, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to be just an illusion.
But that fleeting illusion caused the Lino City to freeze for a moment.
"There has indeed been a change. Has the deterrent been strengthened?" Norton's ears could pick up sounds from extremely far away, and this ability also allowed him to keenly perceive the momentary stillness in Lino City.
While his previous experiments with magnetic field abilities in the slums had a deterrent effect, it required someone to see him to be truly effective. Now, however, the group of people could see him without him even noticing, yet the effects were already apparent. This undoubtedly proves that his magnetic field's external capabilities are indeed advancing.
In reality, the true power of the Pressure doesn't manifest in the people of Lino City, but rather in the New-Type Vampire.
However, compared to the advancement of magnetic fields, he discovered a more important problem.
" The Church of Lino City has been unsealed? Abraham, you really haven't disappointed me!" Norton's focus on his abilities was drawn to the Church area he sensed.
Previously, although his magnetic field ability could cover the entire city, the Church area was always a dark zone, making it impossible to perceive anything, just like a fog on a map.
But now things are different; the darkness has been dispelled! He can sense the scene inside the Church in Lino City clearly, even how many Vampire and people are inside, and what they are doing—he can perceive it all perfectly!
This undoubtedly proves that the Church of Lino City has been taken over by the New-Type Vampire he has developed!
A grotesque smile stretched across Norton's withered, bark-like face. His bloodshot eyes were fixed on the direction of the Church, and he let out a gleeful laugh.
"Hehehehe, I, Norton, have been a beggar for almost ten years, longer than Zhu Yuanzhang! And now, it's finally my turn to be emperor!"
The Church in Lino City has been completely wiped out by the Vampire inside, and religious items have probably been burned as well. With his current physique, Norton is now invincible in Lino City!
Then it's time for His Norton to ascend the throne!
Norton's eyes turned bloodshot, and he then jumped from the twenty-meter-high clock tower.