Chapter 550

Chapter 550: Night Fire Like a Dragon

Kacha—

A bolt of lightning tore through the sky, and the exploding thunder echoed among the mountains. Large raindrops fell rapidly, hitting the dome, eaves, windows, treetops, and ground.

The heavy rain poured down from the sky, dense raindrops like a solid wall.

Water splashed up from the ground, the dense sound covering everything. Mud splattered with the rain, filling the air with a musty smell.

Despite the noise, there was suddenly a sense of tranquility.

Headquarters of the Sacred Spear Knights.

Outside the window, heavy rain fell, and droplets splashed onto the windowsill. Tiny water droplets were blown into the room like mist, bringing a cool sensation.

Six people sat around the table in the Knights’ Hall. Odysseus sat at the head, with three people on each side, and Farera was among them.

“Has there been any news from the Ten Sword Palace recently?” Odysus asked.

“No, Cypheus has stayed inside and never goes out, nor does he respond to recent events,” replied a Thousand Riders commander.

“It seems he plans to let this matter simmer until the heat dies down before handling it slowly,” analyzed one of the knights.

“But wouldn’t this affect his reputation?” another Thousand Riders commander said.

“Perhaps he doesn’t care. Cypheus has built a vast network of interests within the church over the years, relying on students, colleagues, seniors, and juniors. These allies won’t change their stance due to a small incident and a damaged reputation. The true voters in the grand election are not ordinary cultivators but those who hold power, such as bishops and high-ranking officials of the Twelve Palaces.”

“That puts us at a disadvantage. We were hoping for some action from him,” sighed a Thousand Riders commander.

“Maybe he realizes that no matter what he says now, explaining himself would only be a mistake.”

There were many Thousand Riders commanders in the Sacred Spear Knights, but only a few were truly Odysus’ trusted confidants. While Cypheus operated like a broad net, Odysus focused on a few loyal supporters.

These Thousand Riders commanders and their subordinates were truly willing to die for him, which gave him extra peace of mind.

The papal election would begin next month, with eligible voters including bishops from various churches, high-ranking officials of the Twelve Palaces, and captains of the three knight orders.

It should also be noted that the Judgment Bureau had no voting rights. This was both a restraint and protection, as they would supervise the election process and not need to take sides.

In terms of votes, the bishops from various churches accounted for about 70%, the Twelve Palaces for 20%, and the three knight orders for 10%. Although the bishops had the majority of votes, their factions were scattered and unclear. They had some connections with the Twelve Palaces within the church, knew the current situation, but their positions were not firm.

“However, it’s not entirely ineffective. Recently, many bishops from foreign lands have visited the Grandmaster to reconsider their votes,” said one of the Thousand Riders commanders.

They discussed the latest developments.

“What about Byness?” Odysus suddenly asked.

“Archbishop Byness has been staying in the Water Bottle Palace as usual, with no special actions. However, something interesting happened a few days ago,” answered someone.

“Oh, what happened?” the others became interested.

“It’s said that a newly recruited member of the Judgment Bureau tried to enter the inner palace but was stopped by guards. She then showed her Judgment Bureau badge.”

“Haha, how amusing. I guess she’s young and doesn’t understand the implications.”

“Judgment Bureau members rarely show their badges unless they have solid evidence and intend to kill.”

“I bet the guards were both amused and exasperated. Later, because she was young, they didn’t pursue it further.”

“What happened after that?”

“After that? It seems the nun was brought into the inner palace for a serious reprimand before being released.”

“However, this incident has made many speculate whether Byness has any problems, as she was visited by the Judgment Bureau. That’s not a good sign.”

“But for us, it’s good news. Byness has shallow seniority, although she has Sequence 9 strength, she hasn’t been promoted long and isn’t stable. This makes me feel more secure in dealing with Cypheus.”

“Compared to the straightforward Byness, the wily old fox Cypheus is much harder to deal with. He will be the biggest obstacle for Lord Odysus in the papal election.”

“But he’s been passive lately, leaving us with no good strategies,” added another knight commander.

“Let it be then.” A knight commander raised his hand. This person was Farera, the Thousand Riders commander who had recommended himself to Odysus.

“If the fire isn’t big enough, we’ll add more fuel. Then we’ll see which bishop dares to stand with Cypheus.” He slowly said, then clenched his palm covered in steel gauntlets.

—

Days later, more rumors about Cypheus spread within the Holy Mountain. Some said he kept child lovers, bullied widows and orphans, suppressed former teachers, and even cheated during his priest exams.

These rumors seemed vividly true, sparking discussions among the clergy, even during their leisure time. The rumors spread widely, reaching from headquarters to branches across the land.

“Hey, did you hear? There are some things about Archbishop Cypheus recently,” said one young cultivator to another after work, sitting on a stone.

“What specifically? I’ve heard so many rumors, I didn’t expect such behavior from a top figure.”

“Haha, who isn’t? But now exposed, I suspect there are many bishops like him.”

Although these rumors were detailed, most were from the past, with little evidence. Even if Cypheus defended himself, it would be difficult. Most people didn’t care about the truth, only finding it interesting.

—

Ten Sword Palace, Inner Water Palace.

Cypheus still sat on the bench by the pool, eating sweet and crispy berries while listening to reports from below about the various rumors.

“Heh, quite amusing,” he said with a mocking smile, his plump white face devoid of any lively expression.

“If Odysus sent troops to arrest and interrogate me, I’d be worried. But now, using these rumors to bring me down is truly amusing.”

Like a knight skilled with a lance suddenly trying to use words to break someone, abandoning his strengths to fight with weaknesses against an experienced opponent.

Cypheus called two attendants, whispered instructions, then dismissed them from the palace.

Days later, more rumors and speculations about Cypheus grew wilder. Initially about his immoral behavior, then about coercing a queen to replace her son as prince. Later, rumors even claimed he faked his Sequence 8 extraordinary abilities, using some fake artifact.

Recently, another rumor spread that he deliberately assigned priests who entered the Olive Leaf Palace to remote temples in the mountains, forcing them to live a hard life for decades. The once brilliant talents remained at Sequence 3, causing much sorrow.

At the same time, more people began calling for the Judgment Bureau to investigate Cypheus, remove him from office, and strip him of all rights.

More people started shouting and marching in the Holy Mountain, their numbers larger than ever.

In the Water Bottle Palace, the bedroom bathed in the golden afterglow of sunset.

Golden twilight fell on the white sheets, half-covering a silver-haired girl.

Lolan Hill sat on the bed, unfolding clothes she had just collected, folding them neatly and placing them at the head of the bed.

Kacha—

Moments later, the door suddenly opened.

“Lohil.”

Bolie rushed in, grabbing the silver-haired girl’s hand excitedly. “Don’t fold the clothes, let’s go out and see. Something big is happening in the Holy Mountain today.”

“What happened?”

Lolan Hill responded verbally but finished folding the nun’s robe before standing up.

“Something big happened. Many people are holding torches heading towards the Ten Sword Palace, apparently to seek justice and overthrow the evil archbishop, Cypheus.”

As she spoke, she pulled the girl outside, walking towards the mountain path.

Night fell. The sun had set, leaving only faint blue-purple twilight in the sky.

Crowds filled the mountain path under the Water Bottle Palace, noisy and agitated. Many held torches illuminating the surroundings, slowly moving forward. At least several thousand people were present.

“Remove Cypheus from his position!”

“He doesn’t deserve it!”

“Coward!”

“Scum of the church!”

Some faces were filled with anger, shouting loudly, while others were excited and curious, following behind to see how it would end.

“Let’s follow them,” said Bolie, typical of someone who enjoys watching a spectacle from afar.

“Don’t get too close, let’s watch from a distance,” Lolan Hill shook her head. She felt tonight’s events were not simple.

“Alright, I’ll listen to Chief,” she said.

“At this point, you remember I’m the chief of the academy,” Lolan Hill patted Bolie’s head somewhat impatiently. Her younger classmate had become much livelier recently.

After a brief conversation with Bolie, she turned her gaze back to the distance, towards the direction of the Ten Sword Palace. It was dark there, just like usual.

—

The crowd on the mountain path moved like a fiery dragon, continuously advancing slowly, growing longer and thicker.

During this period without a chosen pope, the church seemed leaderless. Various factions became bolder, and more people joined in the event.

Hearing the commotion outside, bishops from different regions participating in the election conference came out of their residences, looking down at the flame dragon stretching from the foot of the mountain to the waist.

“Shall we go down and see, Sir?” a priest asked the elderly bishop beside him.

“Let’s go and see how Cypheus explains himself,” the elderly bishop said, supported by a priest, stepping onto the mountain trail.

Outside the Song Palace, several priests in white robes also watched the distant lights.

“How extraordinary, this time,” said a woman with hair like sunset.

“Do forgive us,” replied another blonde woman, holding a scepter adorned with feathers and musical notes.

“Elyse doesn’t need to be embarrassed. We certainly won’t laugh at you because of this,” said the woman with hair like sunset, then giggled.

“Among our group of sisters back then, you’re the highest in rank and extraordinary level. I’m still at Sequence 7,” she continued.

“Jua’s always asking for trouble. How are we supposed to live, you six at Sequence 6,” the women nearby teased.

Though they were no longer young, these women had studied together in the Holy Mountain, maintaining a strong bond. They gathered every two years, and this time coincided with the papal election. Elyse was now the Scepter Priest of the Song Palace.

“Is Jua still a bishop in Hope Lane?” asked a black-haired woman nearby.

“Yes, life there has been steady, except for a few years ago,” Jua replied.

“There was a huge uproar back then. I heard several major trading companies in Hope Lane clashed, burning down buildings, bombing ships, and sweeping cities with golems. Later, the Frost Rose sent airships to assist,” Jua explained.

“Indeed, but the right and wrong are complicated. Ah, those children I once watched grow up are all gone, only one left,” Jua seemed to recall something, sighing.

“Enough, let’s go see. Maybe the church will change this time,” Jua said, pulling the others behind her and jumping off the cliff. Several golden light balls rose from the darkness and drifted toward the Ten Sword Palace.

Inside the Ten Sword Palace, Inner Water Palace.

The courtyard was already filled with rows of golden-armored guards, each holding diamond shields and dark gold lances, swords hanging at their waists. About 3000 guards were present.

“Lord Cypheus, I have arranged the guards. Please give your orders,” reported a guard captain solemnly.

“Good, thank you. Have 2000 of them divide into teams to protect the Ten Sword Palace. The other 1000 stay in the courtyard for support,” Cypheus instructed.

“Do not harm those coming up the mountain. I know this is difficult, but you must do your best. If anyone is injured tonight, I will ensure proper treatment and care. No need to worry.”

“I trust you.” After saying this, he named a few captains and patted their shoulders, reassuring them.

They responded loudly and quickly departed, deploying guards throughout the Ten Sword Palace. Over 300 priests participated, ready to heal the guards and even set up barriers.

Seeing them disperse, Cypheus patted the large chair beneath him. Four guards lifted it together, carrying him to the high platform inside the main gate of the Ten Sword Palace like a sedan chair.

Cypheus glanced at the people below, nodded slightly when everything was in order, then sat down, closing his eyes and resting silently.

What would happen tonight, he had anticipated. And now, it was the most critical moment.

Let’s see, I want to see what Odysus is planning to defeat me. If you can’t kill me today, I will make you regret it for the rest of your life, suffer endlessly.

Below the Ten Sword Palace, the surging crowd slowly advanced, while the sides of the mountain path were filled with waiting forces. They quietly waited, preparing to see how tonight’s drama would end.