Geyera left Blackstone City.

Once again, he left his hometown, just like he did all those years ago.

Truth is, he recognized them—that family being bullied, they ran the shop where he used to get spinach cakes as a kid. That woman had been his... playmate, sort of. It wasn't that they couldn't relate anymore because they'd grown up and were in different social classes now. It was because he was confused... He didn't know if the God of War had changed, or if the clergy at the Temple of War were twisting the teachings...

Originally, the way he understood it, war was about protection. About survival. Fighting off invaders to protect the people you cared about, or invading others to get resources for the people you cared about. Everything came down to protection.

But now? What was he seeing?!

Bloodthirsty murderers, power-hungry conquerors, slaughter, blood, greed, lust... It was like every disaster humanity could produce was concentrated right here. Was this still the God of War he believed in? Was this still the church he wanted to build?

For the first time, he questioned his faith.

He felt his entire worldview crumbling.

And honestly, there were plenty of people like him.

Across the southern territories, tons of people were starting to question their faith. Their doubts mixed with massive amounts of faith power kept flowing into the God of War's body, but the God of War didn't seem to care. He just kept pushing, kept demanding they start an unprecedented war as soon as possible!

The huge changes in the Kingdom of Dawn's southern territories, plus what was happening in the neighboring smaller kingdoms, obviously couldn't escape the Gray Fort Emperor's notice—especially not his Shadow's... particularly when the Magic Net enhanced that Shadow.

Pretty much every day, a constant stream of information from human kingdoms all across the continent made its way to the Gray Fort Emperor's hands.

"Your Holiness, the celebration seems to be coming up soon, doesn't it?"

Finally, the very day the so-called "Holy Army" started its all-out assault on the Kingdom of Dawn's southern territories, the Gray Fort Empire couldn't sit still anymore. They invited the Pope of the Church of the God of War—someone who'd grown up with the emperor—to the Gray Fort Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, yes. In forty-two days, it'll be this year's celebration day." The War Pope remained calm inside, though his face was cold as he looked at the Gray Fort Emperor. "May the God of War bless you and your nation. The celebration..."

"The celebration will proceed as scheduled, of course." The Gray Fort Emperor looked deeply at his childhood friend, a barely noticeable coldness flashing in his eyes. "The Church of the God of War is the most powerful and largest church in my Gray Fort Empire. Millions of Gray Fort citizens worship the Church of War. The celebration is basically like a national holiday. But I want to remind you of something—the event is getting too big. I hope you can keep your original mindset, push forward, and properly guide our believers down the right path."

A peaceful smile appeared on the War Pope's face. "Of course, that's my duty and responsibility, Your Majesty."

This annual celebration had been held consistently since the Gray Fort Church of the God of War was founded. On this day, the God of War's faith power would reach its peak. On this day, the God of War could do many things that He normally couldn't. As the War Pope, the God of War's greatest supporter and believer in the mortal realm, he could sense a lot.

This absolutely could not go wrong.

After a brief silence, the War Pope added, "I hope this year's celebration can be the grandest one in history. It'll symbolize that the Gray Fort Empire has completely finished its reforms, and both our economy and national power will reach unprecedented heights. Of course, we'll still maintain order. I guarantee nothing will happen that would embarrass the royal family or create problems for the empire."

"I trust you, my friend. We go back over forty years."

The Gray Fort Emperor's seemingly friendly words seemed to contain something else, but the War Pope didn't care. He just smiled and said, "Yeah, we've known each other forty years. Why don't you convert to my Church of the God of War? That way, we'll always see everything in this world from the same perspective... It would make the Gray Fort Empire even better."

The Gray Fort Emperor spread his hands. "To ensure the empire's stability, to let all churches develop safely within the empire, I can't join any one faction. The entire royal family is the same way. Sorry... But I can give you support in other areas."

"...You've used that excuse to turn me down countless times. But that's okay, I figured as much—you won't convert. At least, not right now." The War Pope smiled. "But I believe that someday, you'll change your mind. The God of War is the only true god in this world!"

"I believe that too." The Gray Fort Emperor nodded slightly but didn't continue. Only when the War Pope seemed to be getting impatient did he speak again. "I don't want the Gray Fort Empire getting into any wars in the next few years."

"Whether war breaks out is up to you as emperor. I'm just a church person... But surely you don't think all believers of the God of War are warmongers, right? Our core principle has always been that word: 'protection.' I myself am not a pro-war type."

"Of course, I know that. I'm very clear on that point. After all, our empire's generals and soldiers are mostly connected to the God of War, or even converted to Him, right?"

In the great hall where just the two of them sat together without even any servants—everyone thought the childhood friends were just catching up—the peak of imperial power and the peak of religious authority in the Gray Fort Empire still communicated in riddles. Even if outsiders were present, they'd probably have a hard time picking up on everything.

But that was understandable. Both men's patience was already at its limit. The Gray Fort Empire had just gone through a reform and been shocked by Magic Conductors—it needed to rest and recover. But the War Pope, following his god's will, needed to push for a massive war as soon as possible. To make that happen, he had to get the Gray Fort Empire involved.

This might be their last peaceful conversation.

Their fundamental conflict couldn't be reconciled.

After who knows how long, the War Pope finally left. The Gray Fort Emperor immediately used the Magic Net to summon carefully selected high-ranking military officers and other necessary personnel to the palace for a meeting!

Every single one of them was not a convert to the God of War. And precisely because of that, only one in ten officers showed up. It was terrifying!

Maybe it was just his imagination, but the Gray Fort Emperor had this feeling that if it weren't for the supernatural legions (Magician Legions plus elite knight regiments) still being under the empire's control—under his control—the Gray Fort Empire would have already been dragged into the quagmire of war by the Church of the God of War...

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