"Skyeye Guild, Brotherhood of the Old Gods, Sunlit Chapel, Skypeak Tower…"

"Now, only Oracle Mountain and the Ordon Theocracy remain," Aurek mused.

As soon as Harry returns, he would immediately begin dismantling the Ordon Theocracy!

The Ordon Theocracy was the sole overlord of the entire Fasior Plains, with unfathomable depth. Even a semi-overlord like the Skyeye Guild had a Sage Rank figure stationed there, and the Ordon Theocracy likely had even more Sage Rank figures. The hidden strength of the Theocracy needed to be forcefully pried out.

Whatever schemes they were plotting in the shadows, this thorn in the side had to be removed!

"Your Majesty!"

A court attendant hastily entered the palace, respectfully presenting a letter.

"An envoy from the Selene Empire has arrived with a royal decree. Please, Your Majesty, have a look."

Aurek turned and gazed at the letter. With a slight flick of his mind power, the letter flew into his hand. He opened it and began reading its contents. A rare look of seriousness appeared on his face.

The Empress of the Selene Empire, Silvina, had invited him for a meeting.

Aurek did not decline. The contents of the letter had piqued his interest.

...

In the northern border of the Empire.

The Skyeye Guild and Duke Frostborne's estate had been swept away.

In the south, the Libera Kingdom, Duke Onassis, Grand Duke Sentino, and the three semi-overlord factions supporting them had all been crushed.

The imperial legions from various provinces were swiftly advancing to take control of the reclaimed territories. Tina, Violet Thunder, and Overthunder led numerous Stellar Rank warriors to defend the frontier.

Now, the entire Eastern Region was left with only the Marchin family on the other side of Oracle Mountain and the ancient overlord that had stood for thousands of years atop Ordon Mountain—the Ordon Theocracy!

...

In Ordon Theocracy.

Deep within the picturesque mountain range, by the Holy Creek Lake, two elderly men were engaged in a game of chess. Around them stood five other elders, all fully focused on the game.

"Have we figured out where the Stellar Rank warriors of Crossbridge Empire came from?"

One of the elders, a man with thick brows, asked.

Another elder, who was watching the game without lifting his head, replied:

"We only know they came from Eryndor City, but their origins remain a mystery."

"However, we have discovered something special about these warriors."

"They seem to wield some form of elemental power, including spatial power. I suspect Aurek has mastered an ancient secret method that allows him to cultivate an army by utilizing world rules."

"Could it be possible..."

The elder who was playing the game with the thick-browed man slowly said.

"That he's receiving assistance from another world? Aurek's disappearance—whether he is alive or dead—no one can be sure."

"Are you suggesting that Aurek is behind this?"

The elder with thick brows paused as he moved a piece.

They were clearly not unfamiliar with the idea of other worlds. Wasn't it the gods who ascended to the divine realm who went to other worlds?

"No matter what, keeping Aurek alive is a ticking time bomb."

Another elder spoke gravely.

Once, the Veynar royal family had been so insignificant that they hadn't even attracted their attention. But now, several semi-overlord factions had been wiped out. Tens of thousands of Stellar Rank warriors from the Empire were exposed in broad daylight. Even the Ordon Theocracy could no longer afford to underestimate it.

"Let's not act rashly for now!"

The Life Chanting Elder reminded.

"Regardless of whether the Church has enough strength to respond, Pope Ronyx has already issued an order to wait for the Divine Gate to open!"

Wait for the Divine Gate to open!?

The other elders looked puzzled. The Divine Gate had disappeared without a trace for millions of years—could it even be found again? Did Pope Ronyx know some secret that no one else did?

The thick-browed elder spoke.

"Even if we do nothing, Aurek's ambitions will likely not stop at just dismantling several semi-overlord factions. He will probably not leave the Ordon Theocracy alone either."

"But since the Pope has given this order, let's activate the Ordon Divine Formation to prepare for a potential attack from Aurek."

"Hmm!"

The others nodded in agreement.

They were quite familiar with the unique abilities of the elemental assassins and the spatial transfer abilities of the Void Warlocks.

The Ordon Divine Formation, a powerful ancient array taught by the war god Sazin when he ascended to the divine realm, was capable of defending against attacks from Sage Rank and above. It was the final line of defense for the safety of the Church.

The Life Chanting Elder continued:

"Also, let's leak information about these imperial warriors to other factions in the Eastern Region."

Once the Crossbridge Empire's tens of thousands of Stellar Rank soldiers were revealed, these old-timers would no longer be able to sit idly by.

...

Under the blazing sun.

Harry and Golden Armor had just returned with the soldiers who had entered the Godfall Gorge.

With the help of Life Sorcerers, the injured soldiers were gradually recovering.

Inside the palace.

Sophia wore a white long dress, her slender figure graceful and enchanting. Unlike Josephine and Natasha's regal grandeur, she was petite, only reaching Aurek's shoulder, with an agile, fresh aura that resembled a neighboring girl. Her golden eyes were particularly mesmerizing.

Her liveliness added a rare bit of energy to the solemn palace.

Watching her chat and laugh with Josephine and Natasha, Aurek felt the last heavy stone in his heart finally lift.

For him, there were now few matters inside or outside the empire that caused him worry.

Lucy smiled as she watched this heartwarming scene.

Meanwhile, Gloria's gaze shifted toward Aurek.

She shared a few similarities in appearance with Lucy: similar stature, facial features, and temperament. Both were mature, authoritative women.

However, unlike Lucy, Gloria was more serious, more like a strict mentor.

Gloria spoke up.

"Your Majesty, do you plan to take action against Oracle Mountain?"

She was already aware of the Empire's military movements.

Aurek did not deny it.

Gloria continued:

"The ruler of Oracle Mountain, Lars, is a peak Divine Envoy Rank expert, and he is qualified to ignite the God Fire. The only reason he hasn't done so is his fear of the divine tribulation. He… is very difficult to deal with!"

"Moreover, he has a hidden identity…"

"Lars is a Nature Spirit, born from the convergence of the elemental veins of the Ankidor Mountains and the world's essence. He is a Divine Oracle Dragon!"

Aurek stood with his hands behind his back, his voice calm but resolute.

"Nothing can stop the Empire's advance!"

"Even if it is a real ancient dragon, I will still sever its head."

One thousand Stellar Rank warriors not enough to kill the dragon?

Then use ten thousand! A hundred thousand!

"If Your Majesty decides to go to war, General Harry and I should be able to suppress him," Lucy spoke.

Gloria furrowed her brow and looked at Lucy.

Although Lucy was at Sage Rank 6, it would be difficult for her to face a Divine Envoy-level expert who had one foot in the divine realm, let alone someone like Lars, who was nearly fully ascended to divinity.

Lucy secretly transmitted a message to Gloria, explaining Harry's true combat strength.

After hearing this, Gloria could not help but be shocked.

To trap and kill two Divine Envoy-level experts by himself was a feat that even she found astonishing.

She gazed back at Aurek, her eyes full of curiosity and intrigue.

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