Chapter 618

Chapter 3: The Rushing Clouds

By the time the ceremony ended, it was already night.

On this day, people from all over West Continent came to Abadorelia to pay tribute to the fallen hero, praying that she could return to the embrace of the gods. This was the reason they had the opportunity to enter the Holy City. However, these prominent figures with considerable prestige in their regions, who had responded to the Pope’s call and traveled far, did not come merely for a dead girl.

After the funeral ceremony, this year’s Thanksgiving ceremony was opened to everyone in the city. The Pope addressed the public and spoke about many important matters.

He talked about the disasters faced by Xierjiaya last year, the sacrifices of countless heroes, the Church’s response to these events, as well as future planning and new policies. Naturally, he also mentioned the currency bank. He did not use overly intense language; he calmly explained how the issues would be addressed. But everyone knew that the vast system established by the Williams family might soon undergo significant changes.

Many here had the potential to benefit from these changes.

Regarding this Thanksgiving ceremony, three cardinal bishops were supposed to attend, but two of them were nowhere to be seen throughout the event. The nobles who had come to the capital could sense from this that the upcoming turmoil might far exceed their expectations.

As night fell, secret meetings and negotiations began, and a series of changes started in the Holy City and gradually spread across the region, eventually reaching the entire West Continent…

Time flowed like a stream.

The world, without that girl, continued its calm yet dramatic course.

The funeral ceremony for Saint George Currency Bank in February was highly effective for the Church. Many people, while feeling anger towards the corrupt Williams family, also thought of great individuals like Miss Silvija and the Pope, who worked wholeheartedly for the people.

The young Pope did not disappoint them. Even though he was so young and had only held his position for a short time, he still dared to challenge the old authorities despite insufficient preparation.

In fact, since the end of last year, execution sites across the region had become lively, especially in the southern and northern parts of Xierjiaya, where heads rolled and blood flowed. By March of this year, divine miracles could sometimes even be seen on the streets.

At the end of April, the crimes of Saint George Cardinal Bishop were officially confirmed. The Church announced the confiscation of the Williams family’s entire assets, and the currency bank seemed likely to change its name and appoint new leadership soon.

Dust began to settle.

Just when everyone thought things were stabilizing, an unexpected event occurred one day in May.

On the eve of May Day, at the northern part of Ethanbel Capital, near the Raberil Great Canyon, a thunderous explosion echoed. Amidst the shaking earth, a severe landslide occurred within the canyon, causing the valley floor to collapse. Dust and smoke rose and took half an hour to dissipate.

Given that monsters from the Abyss had appeared here before, and the abyssal mud in the ravine was still sealed by the Church due to its sin, considering that this landslide might cause the spread of that mud, the capital paid close attention upon receiving the news. Soon, security guards rushed to the scene, intending to

Further verification was needed to confirm the location and extent of the landslide…

Suddenly, they saw several ragged people running out from the canyon.

The church’s response to this matter was extremely swift.

Within just one day, the entire canyon was completely sealed off. The priests who came forward claimed that the abyssal mud had leaked and prohibited anyone or any force, including the royal guards, from approaching or making contact. Those who ran out were quickly taken away, along with everyone who had come into contact with them.

Ten days later, the church announced externally that the abyssal mud had not leaked, reassuring the royal city and palace not to worry about it anymore.

This matter should have ended there.

But for some reason, some strange and chilling rumors began to spread at an astonishing speed from taverns across various regions…

No one knew at this time whether these rumors would have any impact on the church in the near future, or if they were just baseless gossip, or if someone was deliberately pushing this matter behind the scenes.

…………

The daylight was vast.

Birds flew back and forth among the flowing clouds, and butterflies fluttered their wings among the blooming flowers.

Summer arrived suddenly, and the climate became hot. Farmers in Silgaya wore straw hats, rolled up their trousers, and worked hard under the scorching sun, occasionally wiping sweat from their faces. Some of them had escaped from the southern region last year and had now resettled, gradually emerging from the shadows of disasters and demons, starting their new lives.

In the Emerald City, the streets were bustling and lively. Wealthy young women strolled around in light clothing, picking through street stalls. Patrol soldiers walked through the streets, passing by adults and children living on this side. Someone whistled at a girl, who responded with a white eye, while the soldiers laughed and moved on.

The royal city’s market was as lively as usual. Stalls selling almond cakes filled the air with their aroma. Couples smiled and called out to passersby, selling their goods loudly. A little girl, enticed by the smell, pulled her mother over and bought a cake, eating it happily.

In front of the magnificent palace in the distance, antelope carriages came and went frequently. Noble individuals with gleaming hair conversed as they entered the palace. On the training ground of the Royal Academy, trainees stood in horse stance under the blazing sun, drenched in sweat and gritting their teeth. Some could no longer endure and fell down, only to be harshly scolded by their fierce and robust instructors, still resentful but obediently readjusting their positions.

On the vast territory of the Valen Empire, hunters riding antelopes and wielding weapons galloped out, forming a ferocious flood under the sky. The army surged southward, and on the towering city walls, the grand duke turned back, his wife standing behind him, much thinner but still beautiful, having returned from the holy city.

He walked towards his wife and gently embraced her.

Those who had died had already turned to dust, but countless others still had to continue living in this world, continuing their significant or insignificant tasks amidst the surging tides of time.

Until the world turned a new page in its silent changes.

In the distant eastern continent, in the desert of Epalista, sandstorms swept past, and ugly insects shed their shells, struggling to emerge from the brown chrysalis, transforming into handsome moths, and flying towards a desolate town nearby.

At a certain moment, a teenage girl lying in a dark room filled with fallen sand in the small town finally moved her fingers after a long period of sleep.

She slowly opened her eyes.