Chapter 720 - 720 The Threat of the Holy Light Sect
The Light Church was an empire-level force entrenched in the Eastern Continent. As its name suggested, it was a divine sect, worshipping one of the main gods, the Goddess of Light.
Different from the light religious tint of the Elven Empire’s beliefs, the Light Church was more akin to the religions found on Earth, possessing a strong religious hue. From top to bottom, the Pope, bishops, priests, deacons, and others had distinct religious characteristics.
Lainekel also mentioned that after the Divine War, perhaps because the orderly gods, including the Goddess of Light, no longer walked the earth, the Light Church, composed purely of divine faith, quickly fragmented due to dissent among several high-ranking members.
Today’s Light Church was not the same as it once was, resisting the vanguard of demons, possessing a pure faith-based organization. It had been through several splits, destructions, reconstructions, and revivals.
“Lord, the spy sent by the Light Church is a fanatic believer, with extremely firm faith and will. Even Lady Alice can only obtain partial information with her intervention.”
Speaking of the Light Church, Wilus’s face shows a hint of seriousness, speaking with a heavy tone, “The Light Church intends to attack the Ocean Crown!”
“What’s the reason?”
“It seems to be related to your power.”
Ji Chen squints, showing some interest on his face, and gestures with his chin
to continue.
Wilus takes a deep breath and continues, “According to the investigation of that fanatic believer’s memories, he was sent by one of the factions within the Light Church, the Holy Light Sect.”
“The Holy Light Sect?”
“Yes, my Lord. The Holy Light Sect is the most radical, fanatical, and extreme faction within the Light Church, and they are the most thorough in implementing the divine oracle. They often crusade against other churches in the Eastern Continent in the name of eradicating heretics and upholding the divine oracle. Sometimes, they even go mad enough to attack other factions within the Light Church. Its followers are all extremely militant and fervent warriors.
And the Light Church is no longer the force it once was, guided by unified church ideology. Although it appears unified on the surface, many people know that it has long disintegrated internally, with various factions unrelated to each other, only gathering together when the interests of the entire church are at stake.
So this time, the Holy Light Sect sends a spy to gather intelligence, intending to attack the Ocean Crown, a plan unknown to other factions within the church.
And according to the memories, the explanation given by the high-level members of the Holy Light Sect is roughly that the gods have descended the divine oracle, stating that you, my Lord, have long been bewitched by demons, turned into a puppet. Not only have you harbored a demon-remodeled person in your territory, but you have also deceived major powers to trust you, acting as an insider for demons, ready to strike back when war breaks out.”
After Wilus finished speaking, he sighed and said, “This sounds ridiculous, but those fanatical believers of the Holy Light Sect seem to believe it completely. Their reasoning is, how could you become so powerful in such a short time without the help of demons?”
Ji Chen’s mouth twitched, a look of speechlessness on her face. There were even such miraculous reasons…
Was it his fault that he became powerful so quickly?
From the conversation, it was easy to hear that this matter originated from the upper echelons of the Light Church.
These charlatans must have lost their minds to claim that there was an oracle saying he was bewitched by demons. This was obviously absurd. The orderly gods were restrained by the dark gods, and even the Elven Mother Goddess, Eluvita, could not deliver an oracle. How could the Goddess of Light manage to do so?
Furthermore, it was clear that the demon-remodeled person referred to Lainekel. So the question arose: only Ji Chen, Miligas, the Elven Queen Laphia, Elin, and a handful of elves knew of Lainekel’s existence.
Moreover, how did the Holy Light Sect know that the Ocean Crown sided with a demon-remodeled person?
Excluding their side leaking information, apart from them, demons also knew about this.
So the answer was already very clear.
—This was probably the handiwork of some demon lord.
Somehow, demons had managed to make the upper echelons of the Holy Light Sect mistakenly believe they had received an oracle, or perhaps they had already secretly bewitched the upper echelons, manipulating them into starting a war.
Otherwise, no matter how crazy they were, they wouldn’t strike at the Ocean Crown at such a critical juncture, damaging their own power for no reason. After figuring this out, Ji Chen quickly made a decision and said in a deep voice, “This is most likely the work of some demon lord… Regardless, since the Light Church wants to attack the Ocean Crown, we naturally cannot sit idly by. Now immediately dispatch reconnaissance teams to patrol the waters east of the New Moon Islands, and be sure to spot the fleet of the Light Church in time!”
The Light Church was a force in the Eastern Continent. To reach the New Moon islands, they would have to cross half of the Western-Mid Ocean. Considering that this was a plan manipulated by some demon lord, the fleet of the Light Church might have already set sail.
Ji Chen didn’t want the enemy fleet to arrive at their doorstep tomorrow without their knowledge.
At this moment, in a sea area of the East Pacific, a large fleet composed of hundreds of ships was sailing steadily.
On the deck, believers wearing white robes were kneeling, their eyes closed tightly, their hands clasped together in prayer.
“Great, supreme, eternal Goddess of Light tells us, in the distant Western-Mid Ocean, the puppet manipulated by evil has gained the trust of the world through deceitful words, and darkness shrouds the heavens and the earth!” “Great, supreme, eternal Goddess of Light tells us, if allowed to continue, the world will be engulfed in endless darkness, and the light will fade away!” “Great, supreme, eternal Goddess of Light tells us, to wield the weapons in our hands, the fervent holy words, the blazing light, to give great purification to evil!”
“To give great purification!”
The worshippers opened their eyes, lifted their weapons high, and passionately shouted on each ship.
On the main ship at the heart of the fleet, Bishop Plas, clad in a creamy white robe and sporting a gentle, serene countenance, absorbed the fervent cries that nearly drowned out the ocean’s roar. A subtle glint of crimson danced in his eyes.
Then he walked into the cabin and entered a hidden chamber. As soon as he opened the door, a foul smell rushed out.
But Plas showed no reaction, quickly closed the hatch, and went to the deepest part under the dim light.
A tall figure sat quietly on the throne.
Approaching this figure, Plas bowed to the ground with reverence and fervor. “Your Excellency Vida, everything is going smoothly according to plan now. That territory will soon be conquered by us, completing the mission given to us by King Darius.”
The figure moved slightly, gradually revealing itself from the dim light.
His skin, as dark and rough as pitch, bore veins that crawled like serpents across his chest. Though human in appearance, his eyes swirled with a blood-like hue, emitting a powerful aura of malevolence and bloodthirstiness.
This human or monster called Lord Vida showed a touch of satisfaction on his face.
“Indeed, after the success, I will mention your merits to King Darius.” Plas became excited. “Thank you for your promotion, your Excellency.” Vida spoke with emphasis and seriousness.
“But even if the advantage is great, do not underestimate this war. King Darius entrusted me with the task, and the lord of that territory is formidable.
Once we reach our destination, I will personally block that lord, and you will take advantage of this opportunity to land quickly, slaughtering any living beings on the island, and destroying all buildings and facilities, only then can the mission be accomplished.”
Plas said with hatred, “Of course, any creatures that try to stop the demons from returning to this world must be eradicated. Demons are the supreme race, while humans, elves, and other races can only be slaves!”
Vida expressed satisfaction. “Your mindset demonstrates real potential for acceptance by demons. I hope that one day, like me, you’ll receive an infusion of demon blood and evolve into a genuine demon.”
Plas nodded excitedly, quickly ended the conversation, and left.
As he closed the cabin door and turned away, his fervent gaze instantly returned to calm, a hint of scorn appearing at the corner of his mouth. Humph, who the hell wants to become a real demon and end up looking like you?
What a joke.
If it weren’t for having no other choice, why would he submit to these demons, even more evil than the infidels?