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Chapter 447: The Power of the Bloody Church
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Kathleen can’t help laughing while flapping her feet under the desk table when she saw the video Alice sent her in the middle of her taping.
An evil grin beamed on her lips as she put her big smile on recording this segment for TDT.
“Why is she smiling like that? It’s creepy.”
“It’s that evil smile again.”
“Yep. Something happened again.”
“Who do you think is the unlucky one?”
“She wasn’t even afraid of Gats. She can do almost anything as long it’s fun to her.”
The back staff could only sigh to themselves. They knew Kathleen Brew is going to do something big again… and there will always be someone to take the brunt of the blow.
*****
Night…
Siva deployed all of his Liberty Drones to help him see and hear what was happening in a wider range in the City of Horbe.
As expected, there was a group of more than eight hundred parked on a hill on the eastern side. If not for the fact that he had ordered Electra to spread the fake news of an assault on a remote Church on a place somewhere, these 800 people would have used a Barrier Magic to shield their presences.
“The Malevolent Aura will only trigger if they are in a 2km radius from me. They are at least 9km away and so they didn’t notice me detecting them in this distance.”
Electra was a little shocked.
Aside from true Immortals and above that had their Mana Sense stretching all over the surface of the planet, in Terroa, only the Dragon Race had an extended range of sensing presences on a 2km radial area with them as the origins.
“Order them as planned.” Siva gave the order and Electra nodded on the Guard Captain in a corner of their secret room in the city.
The plan was now officially in motion.
More than 30 Vajra departed from the wall and flew on a formation. These 30 Vajra is at least a quarter of the entire fighting force of the current tribe and sending them off for a fake mission is making even Mohindra panicky.
For security purposes, Siva gave the group leader a Liberty Drone and through it, he can still receive further orders, while also giving Siva a wider scan range from their group.
Horbe was bigger than Alexandria. It was also older and a lot more archaic compared to the cities in the Surface Continents.
It was a city that existed from the earliest years of the earliest civilizations in Terroa.
Siva’s scanning range now extended up to 290km but he didn’t let the Liberty Drones float in a static position… he made them roam.
He also let the Black Knight Armor Set roam about in the city in a patrol of its own. It moves very fast and has a 10km Absolute Domain on its own just like the Liberty Drones.
Siva had the [Orbiter Bracelet] and so he can still control the Liberty Drones and the BMA from his original hiding place without delay.
All the more now that he put a Mini Realm inside it Siva can always recall or teleport towards the BMA when the situation demanded it.
*****
He was seated in a 4-position and he had his back on the soft cushion of the chair.
A map was laid out in front of him and in this room, there were only four people; Electra, Mohindra, the Guard Captain, and him.
Minutes went by, Siva pointed on marked locations with his finger and spoke, “I found three locations that has confirmed activities. This, this, and this. A group of people are also coming from the north at a fast speed, numbering around forty. With all 800 from before hiding here… I think they’re going to attack the city soon.”
“I thought they were going to wait?” Electra asked.
Siva shook his head, “Because we planned a fake ambush for them, they are now planning to use this chance to attack the city right after they finish building that formation. I suspect that this formation they’re planning to build is a Blood Prison Spell. As they waited for a long time to build it, it’s safe to assume that this is a really massive formation.”
Mohindra was seething in anger, “Are they still in the city?”
“They never left the room where I discovered them and the other points I also mentioned are perhaps the core locations to control the spell formation.”
“When are we going to move?” asked Electra.
“The incoming group from the north might be the ones carrying the supplies. Once they enter the city, we’ll ambush them. Electra, you take care of the first location. Mohindra, you take care of the second. The Guard Captain will take care of the third area. Remember to finish your attacks as fast, as silently, and as strong as possible. After we’re done with our ambushes, I will immediately give the order to attack the location on the east with the 800 enemies. We will meet there and destroy the enemies as fast as we can while not giving the enemies a chance to call for reinforcement. Are we clear on the mission? If something happens in the midst of our operation, you have to remember that taking the enemies down as fast as possible as the main objective.”
Mohindra and the other two nodded silently.
Siva gave them Communicators each and although they aren’t fans of Terran-Human Technologies, it was still a fact that they know how to use them.
“These devices are modified and it will show you the locations of the target as well as make you hear what they are talking about even if you’re far away from them. Just remember not to leak your aura as to not alert the enemies.”
After the last deliberation of the plan, the four of them departed.
Siva, on his long sleeve and black slacks and the faceless mask, traveled the night sky with the help of a few small ‘parts’ that formed an exoskeleton on his body to carry him through the domain.
“Hmm, I should build something like this for easier maneuvering and avoid creating a trademark for the BMA to be recognized at first glance…”
An idea took root on his mind as he stated to form the foundation of another Invention on his arsenal.
Too bad, this is not the time for the thought.
*****
From the north side of the wall, 4km away, was a group of Acolytes wearing refugee disguises.
Even if the Blood Dragon God Church accepts all and do not differentiate about their followers, there was still the rite of passage for all members to pass through before they are baptized in the blood pool and officially becomes sons of the Church.
For these forty something individuals, their rite of passage pertained to safely delivering this batch of supply to a secret hideout in Horbe... and help the Elder in charge of the upcoming assault sacrifice the city to their [God]. Only when the mission was a success will they be promoted and baptized to the official rankings of followers. All followers were given the blessing of the Blood Dragon God and they all become more powerful than they are now in addition to being granted the right to master the Blood Prison Magic —which is the greatest magic spell of the Church.
Blood Prison Magic can suppress Gods and Devils!
So far, the requirements of the Magic Spell were a stringent one. Also, since it was originally Dragon Magic, it shouldn’t work for Terrans, yet, once the follower is baptized in the Blood Pool, they will be granted a “Warrior Blood” that came directly from the Dragon Magic made by their [God].
This is the blessing and it allows Terrans to use the Blood Prison Magic, and allows Dragons to incorporate a new Dragon Magic into their already existing Dagon Bloodline.
Of course, mastery of the Blood Prison Magic still adheres to the individual. The faster one masters the Magic Spell, the earlier he can abandon using a spell formation to deploy the hex.
Joining the Church… there were only benefits and almost no detriments. Why would they not join it?
*****
“Stop.” Stern raised a fist and the ranks of acolytes behind him shook to a sudden stop as they gazed at him nervously.
“What is it?” asked an acolyte.
Stern was a former Hunter of the Terrans but their corrupted government framed him because he had broken the legs a lascivious son of a High Seat that tried to rape his wife.
He should have killed him but he didn’t. And it was the biggest mistake of his life.
When the High Seat father found out about him, he was sentenced to death and his property were seized. He was dishonored as a traitor and his wife and family sentenced to 100 years of slavery. He’d watched it all happen.
His wife aggrieved, she committed suicide and also brought their two children with her. She cursed the Terran Government and broadcasted the crimes of the child of the High Seat before executing herself and their children in public. The act only damaged the High Seat Elder superficially because the news and the event were covered up, and the details are changed, manipulated, and twisted against him.
Stern was broken by hate.
On the night of his public execution, a hand hidden in the cloak stretched out to him and promised him his revenge while making him stronger.
What he needed to do is nothing more than a very trivial matter… just deliver the supplies.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Stern didn’t care if it was the Bloody Church. What he cared for was just his revenge so he accepted it and became an Acolyte.
From Terrafirma to Horbe was a very long journey.
It took them four years before they reached the border of the island country and their original 1000 Acolytes had now become just 40 or so. The way was filled with treacherous landscapes and varied monsters and hungry Dragons. But they persisted and now, they are about to complete the mission and reason they were on this road. Their goal and his sweet revenge, is on the other side of that wall.
“We’re here.” Stern said and he looked at the wall of rock in front of them.
“Is this it?” said the Acolyte. “Where’s the cave?”
“We’re in front of it.” Stern said, not interested in speaking further as he walked on.
Stern crouched down as he checked a shrubbery in front of them. The mountain slope was steep as the trees were ancient and the rocky walls hard. A protruding piece of rock unlike the others could be seen eye-catchingly different when he sweeps the shrubs apart.
A smile broke on his cold complexion.
He swipes the air and a talisman appeared in his right hand which he stretches towards that piece of rock that differed from its surroundings.
A bloody light later, the rock wall parted and a wide entrance 5m large opened up with a hiss in front of the group.
“This is it.” Stern said icily. Silent cheers erupted in the group behind him. “Let’s go.”
Not wasting time, the 40 tempered and now trained Terran Acolytes entered the cave and just as the last person was about to join the group, a hand stretched out from the darkness.
[You are inside the Killing Zone. Your defenses are reduced by 70%]
Before he could react, something liquid yet metallic and cold rapped his body, along with a silent swish of a scythe’s blade, separating his head from his body without making a sound.
No one noticed that this group of 40 had already been reduced by one.
Unbeknownst to all of them, Siva was hugged by the black of the BlackTech in the darkness as he gazed at the sight of the entrance and recalled that bloody light earlier.
“This is a Mercury Spell. So there are still children of Hermes in this Terran Society…”
Siva didn’t linger and followed the group behind as he left a Mini Realm near the entrance just in case he needed to use this pathway.
“I should be dealing with this faster but I’m rather curious about this cave.”
No one noticed that the group lacked one member as the cave was dark and the air was turbid as it is eerie with the sound of wind.
While Siva was following them, he already scanned the place. To his surprise, the cave doesn’t stretch in a straight line towards the city. It goes deeper in the direction of Horbe.
[Boss, the Mohindra’s group dispatched the targets successfully and silently, and is waiting your signal to gather and attack the group in the east.]
“Tell the Ambush Team Leader that there are 10 people following their ambush team, maintaining a 2.5km distance away from their detection range. It is better to dispatch them immediately to not alert the 800. I believe that there is at least an Elder in that group. If all 800 activate Blood Prison Magic, all of them will be in danger.”
[Sending target coordinates. Countermeasure plan in motion. The Team Leader confirmed. Boss, the Guard Captain said that there was a deep hole in his target’s area. He sent a team to investigate the hole and is asking for further instructions.]
Siva’s ears perked up.
“Send the BMA down. I have a feeling that this is not just a simple Blood Prison Formation they are building here.”
[Yes sir.]
Siva made a ‘call’ through the Mini Realm.
“Electra.”
{Yes.}
“Silently gather your men on the East Wall and wait for my orders. I’m following the group of 40 into a deep cave. I have a feeling that there’s more to it than just them building a massive Blood Prison Spell Formation here.”
{Alright.}
The group was fast. Since the cave was man-made and the walls and floor were smooth, the entire trip went on in under a quarter of an hour.
“They’re traveling really fast.”
[I can’t detect their energy levels, sir.]
“You don’t have to. Just from the fact that we’re already following them thru my Absolute Domain is already a fact in itself. These guys are strong.”
On his vision was a map and Siva was surprised that there was a 5km unreachable wall in front of them that the NanoField can’t pass through.
[Barrier Formation, sir.]
“It should be.”
[So I really need that receptor.]
“I will get it for you.”
[Please make it faster.]
“I know.”
[Boss, don’t worry, I’m not nagging.]
“…”
Soon, they reached the wall that the NanoField of his Absolute Domain can’t pass through. It was a rock wall.
Just like before, Stern raised the talisman in his hand and after a bloody flash of light, the rock wall opened with a creaking sound.
But as soon as it did…
DING!
[You’ve sensed the presence of a Blood Dragon God Elder!]
D-D-DING!
[Malevolent Aura is activated.]
[Endurance has been doubled]
[Blood Verse mode in effect.]
DING!
[Blood Verse: for each Blood Dragon God follower you kill, all sustained injuries will heal. Lasts until the last of the Blood Dragon God follower is dead in the Hunter’s immediate vicinity.]
DING!
[You are too weak to fight a Dragon God Elder!]
DING!
[Blood Verse in effect! All attacks against a Dragon God Follower have damages increased by 100%]
DING!
[Blood Verse in effect! All attacks received from a Dragon God Follower have the damage decreased by 33%]
An elder!
A Priest!
There is a priest in the vicinity!
Siva was hidden by the Mini Realm and he began to feel the pressure. Is it a Terran or a Dragon? I hope it’s only a Terran and not a Dragon…
Although it was unlikely to be a Terran Priest, Siva still hoped that it wasn’t a Dragon that he was going to face in this place.
Terrans are weaker in comparison to Dragons. But if all “Elders” of the Blood Dragon God Church are Dragons just like that Salamander in Chapter 18, then he might be in trouble if he’s found out.
Good thing, he was hiding 100m away from the group through his Mini Realm.
Still, as soon as the barrier was lifted, Siva had also scanned the space on the other side of the barrier.
It was a massive cave!
Below it was burning and churning lava. Within that lava was a Fire Dragon ladened with chains and a pair of eyes filled with hatred towards its captors.
“Are they intending to destroy Horbe?”
Siva wanted to go inside but he hesitated. What if the Priest was strong and was able to detect him when he approaches?
Before he could even land on a conclusion, a voice of authority came from inside the cave.
“You came.” It was of a female’s voice. “Out of the 100 elites that we’ve seen, you are what’s left. 39. Not a bad number.”
“39?” Stern was really surprised this time. “But there are 40 people when we came here…”
He looked back at Siva’s direction but didn’t see a thing. The owner of the voice was also alarmed. A Mana Sense spread out from inside the cave and it passed through Siva’s location. He felt a pressure and instinctively added another three layers of Mini Realm to cover his location.
And as soon as it did, a crushing earthen spell rose from his feet and crushed his location.
Stern and the others were very surprised.
The sound of shattering glass was heard and Siva held his breath as he ‘felt’ the destruction of three Mini Realms as if they were fragile figurines.
It pained him so, both emotionally and mentally, as the Mini Realm—or the Inventory Plus Ultra itself— was connected to his thoughts. When the three Mini Realms shattered, it also felt like something in him was destroyed and somehow caused him a jolt of pain that he grabbed his head in instinct.
“You were followed.” A woman, a Terran, walked in and dismissed the spell she just used. “It might be that newly ascended Immortal in the surface or one of his lackeys. Good thing, I was the one who was here or you all would have jeopardized the plan.”
As the Earthen Wall subsided, there was nothing in there except the dissipating remnants of broken glasses —of what was left of three Mini Realms.
Siva’s heart hurt seeing the wasted Mini Realms.
But he was alive and it was a fair trade. If he hasn’t traded three Mini Realms in instinct earlier, he could have been the one crushed like that earlier.
“Is he dead?” asked Stern warily.
“If it’s just a lackey, he’s definitely dead, lost in the fabrics of space or something; but if it’s that newly ascended Immortal in the surface, then he’s at the very least injured. Even if he’s an Immortal, he can still be hurt by our God’s blessings. Adding to that the Blood Prison inside, he could only think twice before trying to barge in here again.”
“God is really powerful…”
“My faith is renewed!”
“All hail our God.”
While the others wore jubilant expression, Stern is still staring at the remnant shreds of scattering broken fragments of space.
He had an odd expression. There was longing and there was also indifference at the sight of it.
“Don’t worry, since you are here, you can be one step closer to your goal.” Said the Terran Elder. “A new dawn waits you all… come, it is time for you to be baptized.”
Siva looked at the Terran Priest and recalled that insta-cast spell she used on him.
“Earthen Wall but slightly different. There was the slight tinge of Dragon Mana in it.”
Siva recalled the words she said: being baptized.
He recalled some ancient rites in the past and then thought of a few similar ‘rites’ that could grant their practitioners additional traits and presences.
“So this was one of those… baptism……”
He was looking at the party and didn’t dare to move since he can’t even move in the first place.
Siva cast five layers more of Mini Realms on his body before deciding to follow them inside.
Another Mana Sense surged and passed through him but this time, his presence didn’t leak out and so no attacks came at him.
He can’t move but the Inventory Plus Ultra is linked to his mind and with but a thought, a ‘gate’ formed 49m away. Now that the Inventory Plus Ultra is Lv6 the casting range had also increased to 50m.
Every level increases casting range of the IPU by an additional 5 meters. From 20m at Lv0, it went up to 50m at Lv6.
After three blinks, surrounded by the five layers of Mini Realms, Siva finally entered the cave and saw and ‘scanned’ what was in it.
—HUGE!!
The scanning range of the Liberty Drone with him was at maximum output of 90% charged, 10km in range, but even the sphere made by the NanoField is still unable to stretch out to the ceiling and the walls beyond where he came from.
Siva looked down. There wasn’t just a single Fire Dragon in here but multiple… perhaps over 100!
—what place is this?!
He screamed inside.
The cave closed behind him and the female Terran Priest of the Bloody Church —a Quasi-Immortal, to Siva’s surprise— was just one of the five that was now closing in on his direction.
His curse was burning his mind, screaming to kill all and every Bloody Church follower in here.
There were glowing Blood Prison Spell Formations on floating Grey Rock chunks and they resonated with each other to form a monstrously large Blood Prison Spell Formation.
Six Elders —Priests that can insta-cast spells on the same magnitude as the one that shattered his three Mini Realms were surrounding him.
“Sandra! Why did I feel you stretching your Mana sense and casting a spell?” one of the four newly arrived ‘Priests’ asked.
Of the Priests in Siva’s view, this one was the only one that wore a different robe.
“Apologies Cardinal Hossain.” Bowed Sandra, the only female Priest amongst them, “I discovered an intruder and eliminated all traces of him. I shattered a solidified fabric of space. I strongly suspect that it’s the newly ascended Immortal of the Surface Continents that had followed them here.”
She motioned for Stern and the newly arrived group of un-baptized Acolytes.
Siva’s heart churned.
Cardinal. It’s a freaking Cardinal…!!
Not a Bishop, not a Priest… but a Cardinal… next in line to a Pope!
Priest was the lowest in their ranks. Next were the Bishops… then the Cardinals… and then the Pope.
According to the Intel of the Vajra Tribe, currently, there are two Popes —one was called Pope Ajora and the other was Pontifex Balaam. These two are really strong. Ajora and Balaam were Dragons and they control the East and West factions separately.
Ajora is a Female Lao Shan, the Nature Dragons.
Balaam is a Male Hydralisk, the Poison Dragons.
To have one Cardinal oversee this operation by a group of Priests… this means that the “Elder” the group in Horbe was talking about wasn’t a Priest, but was actually a Cardinal.
And to make things worse, Siva could feel that all of these five were stronger than him. Even the only female in their group, Priestess Sandra, was a lot stronger than the other males aside from that one Cardinal.
“Then we don’t have more time to waste.” The Cardinal said, “Quickly, prepare for the delivery of these materials and establish the Ark Gate! We will invade Horbe tonight and sacrifice them all to our God and bring him closer to his awakening!”
Loud cheering noises rung and their Mana erupted to cover the entirety of the area where Siva was hiding. Every layer of Mana he felt, the more his body quivered and shook.
The curse was becoming hungrier by the second.
But the, not too far away, Siva heard the howling of the wind and turned to look at that direction.
“Shit…” he couldn’t help cursing.
Yet again, Siva’s heart lurched into skipping a beat.
There were hundreds of them Bloody Church here that they looked like flies as they blocked the fiery horizon of this underground lava palace.
He warned Electra immediately, “Every one of you, prepare for a bitter struggle!”
{Why, what’s wrong?} she replied, her voice didn’t betray the hint of anxiousness. If Siva was anxious then it means the trouble was bigger than normal.
“I have a Cardinal, four Priests, and maybe more than a thousand Baptized Acolytes underneath the city. There are also hundreds of Fire Dragons here and they are planning to invade Horbe through an Ark Gate! Group Leader! Eliminate the 800 outside the city and come back instantly. Captain, establish your defense line now. Electra, start evacuating all the citizens; the Church is going invade your city!”
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Crisis!!
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Next Chapter: Siva makes a decision…