Chapter 580: Seizure

When that enormous seal expanded in the sky to a diameter of at least a thousand meters, everyone present, including Pope John Honorius, was filled with terror and despair. Their faces were as pale as paper, and at that moment they all realized the outcome that was to come.

They were even more shocked by Li Mochen's scheme. This madman's target was not only the 'Blood Crown' but also this holy spear treasured by the Roman Curia.

The 'Kongtong Seal' had not yet descended, but its power had already manifested in the world—the divine domain called 'Isolation'! The divine domain called 'Suppression'! The divine domain called 'Weight'! The divine domain called 'Decree'!

Divine domains are the product of divine authority reaching a high rank. In the ancient times of the East, Zhuanxu wielded this artifact to establish laws, sever the connection between heaven and earth, cut off the link between gods and mortals, and suppress the underworld and hell.

Thus at this moment, the Gate of Heaven was isolated from this world, and all the power infused by the choirs and fanatical believers was uniformly suppressed by the majestic seal.

Thus at this moment, the two Seraphim and seven Dominions, clerics of high rank, all felt the emptiness of their own power. Accustomed to the powerful external force that had been infused into them, they experienced great discomfort after losing it, and at this moment, they revealed flaws that should not have existed.

At this time, Li Mochen's figure once again entered the gap between time and space.

——Dual Forbidden Formula, Ice and Fire Extremity!

With a single sword stroke, he chopped off the head of Bernie Madigan, one of the four Saint Hall Masters, and then black-and-white light and shadow emerged all over his body.

——Dual Forbidden Formula, Life and Death Extremity!

This sword stroke, in the gap of less than a thousandth of a second under the full blockade of the three surrounding Saint Hall Masters, directly split the body of Cardinal Cressey Cook in two!

Among the remaining Saint Hall Masters and Cardinals, this one had the slowest reaction and the slowest adjustment.

Under the effect of his death divine authority and the suppression of the 'Kongtong Seal', the moment their bodies and divine souls were torn apart, it meant death!

Pope John Honorius's eyes were filled with shock and anger, his face twisted, and he shouted loudly: 'PUNCTUM!'

The Lance of Longinus had transformed into a golden lightning bolt, flashing and falling from the sky. Although it had lost most of its radiance, and the thunder serpents outside the spear shaft had shrunk significantly.

Yet it was still immensely powerful, especially after Pope John Honorius's body burned with holy fire, his body and face rapidly aging. The power called 'Fate' was guiding this spear to pierce Li Mochen's brain.

Li Mochen also sensed it. He raised his head, his purple-golden eyes gazing at the sky. That mythical armament, which in its prime could rival the 'Kongtong Seal', was even faster than light and was already extremely close to him, but Li Mochen's eyes showed no fear!

Flames also burned outside his body—the life essence seized from Saint Hall Master Bernie Madigan and Cardinal Cressey Cook. It restored his strength and magical power to their peak, and at this moment, they ascended to the zenith.

'Decree!'

——That was the powerful decree divine domain originating from the 'Kongtong Seal', preventing the Lance of Longinus from approaching.

At the same time, behind him manifested the 'Divine Fortune Purple-Golden Tower', now entirely purple-golden in color.

'I wish that this spear shall not approach my body!'

In an instant, two immensely powerful forces of fate collided, clashed, interfered with each other, changed, twisted, and canceled each other out.

And the remaining nine thousand units of merit energy on the 'Divine Fortune Purple-Golden Tower' rapidly collapsed, burned, and disintegrated!

Li Mochen no longer looked at the Lance of Longinus. His right hand had already swung down, causing the 'Kongtong Seal', which had grown as massive as a mountain, to descend rapidly!

Thus, the flocks of Powers and Dominions in the sky were crushed into bloody foam, while the Archangels and Thrones kneeling on the ground were directly shaken into dust!

The majestic Teutonic National Museum had collapsed, and the remaining six Cardinals and Saint Hall Masters were all suppressed under the Kongtong Seal. Even John Honorius himself was no exception. They had to exhaust all their strength to support the pressure of this top-tier divine artifact from the East.

At this moment, Li Mochen reached out and forcibly seized the 'Lance of Longinus', which had lost most of its power support. But at this moment, not only did the interior of the holy spear generate great resistance, but seven illusory figures also appeared around him.

They all had three pairs of wings, purple-golden feathers, armor condensed from holy light, golden crowns on their heads, and scepters in their hands—exactly as described by the Radiant Church for the seven Archangels.

'You are guilty!'

'You do not revere the divine!'

'——Too presumptuous!'

'That is not something you can touch!'

'Step back, heretic!'

'Mortal! You dare covet my Lord's authority?'

With these words, the Archangels extended their hands, grasping fiercely at Li Mochen and the Lance of Longinus. Although they were mere illusory images, they contained immense power, enough to tear Li Mochen's entire body apart.

But in the next moment, this power rapidly weakened. Because a crown had appeared above Li Mochen's head.

It was originally pure gold, engraved with the symbols of authority—'scales' and 'sword-axe'—but in the eyes of others, this crown, like Li Mochen's armor, was blood-red, filled with the aura of 'war' and 'bloodlust'.

Thus, the power of the seven Archangels was once again isolated from this world by the 'Kongtong Seal', and Li Mochen's hand firmly grasped the holy spear surrounded by holy light. The spear still resisted him, but increasingly weakly.

The decree power from the 'Kongtong Seal' was attempting to twist its will, while Li Mochen's own fate power was trying to resonate with the power at its root.

After all, this weapon, transformed by the Church of Light, was an artifact forged by the Roman gods themselves to kill the 'Son Messiah'.

Even though it had been modified by the Church of Light afterward, and even personally refined by the 'Son Messiah', its core had not changed. It was not something he could not control.

Just as Li Mochen initially suppressed the 'Lance of Longinus' and forcibly mastered this holy relic, the group of clerics led by Pope John Honorius struggled free from the suppression of the Kongtong Seal.

Most of Li Mochen's power was used to seize this powerful mythical armament, giving the few a chance to escape death.

But just as Li Mochen's gaze turned toward them, Pope John Honorius unhesitatingly activated the sacred power of the 'Holy Cross' in his hand. A huge gate of light appeared behind him, ignoring Li Mochen's numerous divine authorities, and sucked him and the several Cardinals and Saint Hall Masters present into it.

'Noah's Ark?'

Li Mochen's brow furrowed slightly. That was another artifact of the Church of Light, whose status was in no way inferior to the 'Lance of Longinus'.

The dazzling radiance, the divine domain-level divine authorities of 'Guardianship', 'Shelter', 'Fortitude', and 'Refusal', all made Li Mochen sigh and abandon the idea of further action.

He had always delighted in striking his enemies with thunderous blows, and had never understood the meanings of 'knowing when to stop' or 'forgive and forget.'

But even as he was now, he knew he could not breach the defenses of this 'Noah's Ark.' It must be the most impregnable sanctuary in this world, one that even the gods of ancient Capitoline Hill (Rome) could not overcome.

Yet Li Mochen felt no regret. He had to retrieve the 'Longinus Holy Spear' before the seven Angelic Kings intervened. Had he been even slightly slower, he might have lost this opportunity.

Compared to his own prospects on the path of 'Destiny,' the lives of these clergy were insignificant—even if they were pillars of the Church of Light and possessed extreme power in this world.

Before obtaining the 'Blood Crown,' he had already feared none of them, let alone now.

After this, Li Mochen turned and bowed toward 'Elemental Master' Renard Hedwig. 'I am sorry, Lord Hedwig. I have no intention of opposing your country, but I must take back the Blood Crown.'

Renard Hedwig's gaze grew even more complex. 'I must congratulate Your Highness. After a thousand years, you have not only reclaimed the glory of the Hohenstaufen family but also washed away its shame and hatred. From today, your name will stand alongside Nature, Magic, Commerce, and even Liberty.'

He actually wanted to tell this guy to get lost now that his business was done, but he held back in the end.

The 'Elemental Master' knew how terrifying a being the youth before him now was.

Even if the seven Angelic Kings descended in person into this prime material plane, they would at best be evenly matched with him.

The mythical armor 'Scarlet Dragon Armor,' though slightly inferior in rank to the 'Longinus Holy Spear' and the 'Kongtong Seal,' was famously unafraid of group combat.

And the man before him was even more so.

Before him, this person had already performed the miracle of single-handedly confronting nearly half of the Roman Curia.

Thus, without a second thought, Reinhard Heydrich addressed the young man before him as 'Your Highness,' knowing that he would inevitably reach this status.

Li Mochen smiled faintly. He cared nothing for the glory or grudges of the Hohenstaufen family; what drove him was merely his own future path.

'I'm not even a Legend yet; I still have a long way to go. In any case, please, Herr Heydrich, be sure to convey my apologies to your country's Chancellor. Tell her that all of today's losses incurred by your nation will be compensated by me personally. You may tally them up and send me a bill.'

Then, after a brief hesitation, he continued: 'I myself also have Teutonic blood in my veins. If your country ever needs my assistance, you may inform me through the Rising Sun Corporation, or recite my name in prayer. Limited to three times, as long as it is within my power and I can be of help, I will not refuse.'

'I personally thank you for your generosity!'

This time, the Element Controller's gratitude was sincere enough. He could see that Li Mochen was already intent on leaving, but couldn't help asking one more question: "Your Highness, I wonder if you could answer one more question for me? I'm very curious—were you deliberately showing weakness earlier, to lure them into using the Longinus Holy Spear?"

"That was the plan. Since the Middle Ages, the Roman Curia has most often used the Longinus Holy Spear against enemies of high divine rank, with a probability of over seventy percent."

Li Mochen smiled: "I wasn't sure; I just wanted to try. If it failed, I wouldn't have been disappointed."

After that, his body flickered and, along with the 'Kongtong Seal' and the 'Longinus Holy Spear,' completely left this land that had been reduced to ruins and utter desolation.

"Wow, that's a promise at the level of a major deity!"

The voice of 'Supreme Shadow' Temur Hegel carried a hint of emotion: "He's actually a very polite young man, isn't he? Also very intelligent, deep-thinking, and able to stay clear-headed. Even standing at such a high position, he knows how to reduce his enemies."

"This young Mr. Wiltonstein can indeed be regarded as a 'major deity,' unless those few can counteract the divine power of 'Equality.' And think back to his words just now, 'or recite my name in your prayers'—what confidence that is. He believes he will surely become a god in the near future, doesn't he?"

This was the younger voice, belonging to another mage: "I wonder how the Curia will handle today's battle? I'm quite looking forward to it. This is the heaviest blow the Old Light Faith has suffered since Copernicus!"

Before he finished speaking, a female figure in a purple women's suit was projected once again beside Leonard Hedwig.

"I've roughly understood the situation. In other words, the Curia has been defeated, correct?"

She looked at the ruins below, called the 'Teutonic National Museum,' with a gaze tinged with annoyance and helplessness: "Now we have a new problem. How should our country handle the aftermath of this incident? Gentlemen, I'd like to hear your opinions."

"Forget it, Chancellor."

It was still the young mage's voice, laced with mockery: "Based on my understanding of the Curia, they will do everything to cover it up and erase all media reports. They can't control the mystical world, but at least on the mortal level, they will suppress it with all their might to keep the world from knowing of this defeat. They have millions of priests and miraculous Forgetfulness spells to handle most incidents. So—"

"So nothing happened, and of course you, Chancellor, and the Defense Department, Security Department, etc., are not at fault. We just need to cooperate a little in the process, and we can even demand that they pay and contribute to rebuilding this National Museum and restoring the lost artifacts."

This was Temur Hegel of the 'Supreme Shadow': "I personally suggest that the Parliament consider granting Andrew Lee Willenstein citizenship and the title of 'Honorary National Mage.' He may not care, but it's very important for the Teutonic Republic, and I believe he will accept it. If Andrew has no objection, then the Parliament should consider including 'Mars Blutig' in the state-recognized pantheon of gods and re-evaluate the divine rank and identity."

The elderly woman frowned slightly. She had some theological knowledge and knew that 'Mars Blutig' was the faith vigorously promoted by the Hohenstaufen dynasty, the imperial family, behind which lay the ambition of Emperor Barbarossa and his descendants to deify themselves.

Blutig in Teutonic means 'bloody,' corresponding to that set of scarlet dragon armor.

But after that Andrew Lee Willenstein had provoked and struck at their Teutonic Republic like this, should the state still bestow such heavy honors upon him?

She felt deeply uneasy, even though her magical advisor had informed her that he had become a new pole in the world's divine system.

So the elderly woman turned her gaze to Leonard Hedwig: "Lord Hedwig, what is your view?"

This 'Elemental Master' looked gloomy and displeased, and did not directly answer the question: "He has already promised to compensate for our losses and to complete three tasks within his power for the Teutonic Republic."

"I see. I understand the situation."

The elderly woman had already dismissed her projection: "I will discuss this seriously with the Cabinet."

At that moment, the 253rd Pope of Rome, John Honorius, had already returned to the holy land of the Lord of Radiance, to his court.

"Cardinal Medici, please go now and handle all the follow-up matters! I think you know what to do, don't you? Please be quick; I need all possible repercussions minimized—"

Weimar Medici couldn't help but take a deep look at Honorius III on the throne, who was aged, weary, and utterly haggard.

The other's intention to send him away was all too clear, and he could not refuse.

So this Miracle Angel then lowered his head and placed his hand over his chest: "As you command, Your Holiness! I will do my utmost."

Then, without any lingering, he walked out of the hall.

After he left, Cardinal Danny Hankins looked dejected: "This is truly a great disaster, Your Holiness! Not only did we fail to stop him, but we also delivered the Lance of Longinus into his hands."

"This is indeed an immensely heavy blow, second only to Copernicus, second only to the Rosicrucians."

Sanctuary Master Ichabod Dellman looked somber: "The Lord's majesty will be diminished, and the Church's enemies will rejoice!"

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Messiah, so that the life of Messiah may also be revealed in our bodies."

Honorius's face turned pale: "This is the sin I have committed! I must atone for it, or I will be ashamed to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

But at that moment, another cardinal entered. His face was equally young, and his temperament was as radiant as the sun.

"From the very beginning, I never approved of using the entire power of the Curia to stop him. What harm could the rise of Barbarossa's descendant do to the Curia now? What if he takes the Blood Crown? Wiltonstein cannot possibly occupy Rome again, nor can he drive out the Pope. All that Emperor Barbarossa did was no more detestable than what several kings of France did. If handled properly, he might not become an enemy of the Curia or the Lord. This only benefits Cardinal Weimar Medici and that Angel King."

This one did not even conceal his hostility toward Weimar Medici and an Angel King.

"But I never imagined the Curia would suffer such a heavy blow."

"Saying all this is useless now!"

Loft Clement, also a cardinal, glanced at him: "Lord Guardian Angel Isolde Aranc! That one has become an enemy we must eliminate! He has defiled the glory of the Lord's kingdom and covets the Lord's authority."

"Understood!"

The young cardinal's eyes turned fierce: "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come! We must eradicate him, as quickly as possible! Having obtained the Blood Crown and the Holy Lance of Longinus, his power will increase day by day."

"Convene a meeting of the College of Cardinals!"

Honorius frowned deeply: "I want all forty-five existing cardinals of the Curia, all cardinal priests and cardinal deacons, to participate fully. Tell them that on the day we eliminate Andrew Lee Wiltonstein, I, John Honorius, will abdicate. I will go before the throne of God to receive my punishment."