"Mr. Secretary, I understand your concerns." Parolin remained calm.
"But you must consider the citizens who have lost loved ones to evil. With every day of delay, that number will continue to climb."
"And right now, by paying a small price, this problem can be completely resolved."
"Your capability within the cabinet is evident to all. I trust you can understand the stakes involved."
As soon as he finished speaking, a buzz of discussion erupted from the audience.
Sitting in a corner, Pence clenched his fists: "Hmph, just now he was claiming the Church protected the public's safety. What a hypocrite."
"Quiet!" Hawkwood reprimanded him.
"We are representing the Lord Knights right now. We must be cautious in our every word and action."
Pence could only pout and lower his head.
Not far away, Gail also frowned tightly.
"It seems this is their true goal. But given the usual style of the North Arican higher-ups, they might actually..." she thought to herself.
"This isn't looking good..." Longbarn narrowed his eyes.
"What's wrong?" the cold and beautiful witch, Winona, asked beside him.
"The Church making such a grand spectacle this ti, deliberately separating the 'exorcists' from the 'North Arican officials,' is undoubtedly a move to bind the other exorcism factions together with the Church," Longbarn explained.
"This way, if the negotiations succeed, the Church will be credited for its foresight. But if they fail..."
Thinking of this, he imdiately stood up.
"Cardinal Parolin, every citizen's life should be respected. I believe this matter requires more careful..."
But he was interrupted before he could finish.
"Sorcerer Longbarn." Parolin smiled and turned to face him.
"I have already discussed this matter with Grand Sorcerer rlin of your Association. He even ntioned bringing an item for . I assu you two are aware of this?"
Hearing this, Longbarn was instantly stunned.
Two Holy Clergy mbers imdiately stepped forward and took the briefcase containing potions from Winona's hand.
"Your Church probably hasn't communicated with the Lord Knights, has it." Hawkwood stood up at this mont.
"Regarding the summoning ritual, I personally cannot make a decision on behalf of the Knights Templar. There are other matters back at the order, so we will take our leave first."
Saying this, he looked at Henry and Pence, and the three quickly headed toward the exit.
But at this ti, a blond young man in a black robe blocked their path.
"Kalvis Saul of the Holy Clans." Hawkwood rested a hand on his sword hilt, then turned back to the stage. "Is the Cardinal declaring war on the Lord Knights?"
"Please quell your anger, Lord Templar Knight. Your order was indeed unaware of this matter beforehand," Parolin smiled faintly.
"However, since this council concerns the Demon God's legion, I imagine the Divine Seal Knights of your order would also be curious about the outco of our discussions. It might be difficult for you to explain if you leave now, Your Excellency."
"Why not wait a mont? It won't be too late to leave once we've reached a conclusion."
Hawkwood's expression softened slightly: "I cannot bear the title of 'Lord' from Your Eminence."
He imdiately found a seat near the door and sat down, with Henry and Pence following suit.
"Mr. Secretary, what is your stance?" Parolin looked at Underwood once again.
The latter's eyes flickered.
Underwood wasn't sure if this matter would ultimately be passed, but he definitely couldn't agree to it right now, otherwise the North Arican governnt's reputation among the public would completely collapse.
"Cardinal Parolin, you should know... I cannot make a decision on such a matter alone," Underwood replied using his previous excuse.
"Sigh..." Parolin shook his head.
"I understand the difficulties of your high position, Mr. Secretary, but it seems you don't fully comprehend the true danger of evil."
After saying this, he clapped his hands.
Imdiately after, the Holy Clergy mbers on the stage stood up, moved to both sides, and pulled holy artifacts from their pockets.
Just as everyone was feeling confused, the side doors of the council hall suddenly opened.
Several Holy Clergy mbers pushed a small cart inside, rolling it all the way up to the main stage.
On the cart sat a box-like object, covered by a black cloth painted with a certain golden rune.
"This is..."
Feeling the Holy Power fluctuations emanating from the black cloth, Hawkwood instantly had a bad premonition.
"What is this?" Underwood also frowned.
Cardinal Parolin did not answer, but instead signaled with a look.
Imdiately after, a nun holding a crucifix stepped forward.
She chanted scripture, and powerful Holy Power fluctuations surged around her.
"Rorsie of the Zadok family..." Hawkwood narrowed his eyes.
At the sa ti, the Holy Clergy mbers holding holy artifacts on both sides joined in the silent chanting, and a circular barrier quickly ford around the outer edge of the main stage.
The next mont, the rune on the black cloth flared with golden light, flickered a few tis, and then gradually faded.
The council hall instantly plunged into silence.
Just as everyone was wondering what the Church was trying to do, a piercing shriek echoed through the hall.
Bang!
The box on the cart suddenly burst open, and imdiately after, a dense evil aura spread outward.
Seeing clearly what was on the stage, everyone present was instantly shocked.
Beneath the black cloth was a man in a bizarre posture. His head was tilted sharply to the side, and his entire neck was split open vertically down the middle. The muscles inside had long since rotted, emitting an overpowering stench.
From any perspective, it was impossible for the man to be alive, yet at this mont, the creature wore an expression of agonizing pain.
The instant the man crawled off the cart, the surrounding floorboards visibly decayed and withered.
"What kind of monster is this... it's already causing reality corruption!" Hawkwood exclaid in shock. "Parolin, do you know what you're doing!"
Unlike what ordinary people saw, in the eyes of exorcists, a powerful evil spirit clung to this man.
"Please do not panic, everyone," Parolin said.
"This is a Demon God soldier the Church discovered not long ago. Because of its unique power, we expended considerable effort to capture it."
"We brought it here this ti so the Secretary could personally experience the true threat of an evil existence."
"As for safety... the Secretary need not worry." He gestured to both sides.
"With the magic array set up by the holy relics, not a sliver of evil power will leak out."
Hearing this, Hawkwood frowned tightly.
The magic array on the main stage did indeed block all the evil aura, but the Secretary and the other North Arican officials were still inside it.
They didn't have holy artifacts in their hands; they would definitely be invaded by the evil when the ti ca...
Thinking of this, Hawkwood felt unparalleled regret. He should have forcibly left earlier.
Once the North Arican officials started showing anomalies, their exorcism factions would undoubtedly be seen as accomplices.
"So this is why they wanted us to bring the potions..." Longbarn clenched his fists, thinking to himself.
"What exactly is going on with Grand Sorcerer rlin! Why would he agree to such conditions!!"
At the sa ti, Gail, in the corner, also stood up and walked toward the main stage with a solemn expression.
On the other side.
The mont the monster appeared, the North Arican officials on stage felt a wave of dizziness.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Underwood's forehead: "Cardinal Parolin, I clearly understand the danger of this thing now. Please, purify it imdiately."
But Parolin smiled faintly: "Mr. Secretary, the abilities of different evil spirits vary, and the deterrence they radiate is also different..."
The Cardinal's voice sounded further and further away in Underwood's ears, while his own heartbeat grew clearer and louder.
Thump thump... Thump thump.
His breathing beca rapid, and he felt an uncontrollable wave of nausea wash over his entire body.
"Cough..."
Underwood wiped the corner of his mouth and turned his head, only to find that several mbers of the Paranormal Special Operations Group had already lost consciousness.
At the sa ti, the monster opposite him was crawling toward him inch by inch.
And the Church Cardinal was still speaking composedly.
But Underwood still managed to catch the mockery in the other party's eyes.
"This is Washington D.C.... how dare these Church guys!"
Even though he had countless questions inwardly, no one was there to answer them right now.
With no other choice, Underwood could only slowly back away.
Thud.
But he quickly bumped into an invisible barrier and subsequently slumped onto the floor.
anwhile, the monster had already crawled to his legs, reaching out a rotting finger toward him.
"No... no!" Underwood's face turned pale as he shook his head desperately. "We... we can negotiate."
His voice was weak and feeble.
"What did you say?" Parolin smiled as he suddenly appeared right beside Underwood.
At this mont, the monster's finger was re centiters away from the Secretary.
Just as Parolin prepared to stop the monster, his eyes narrowed tightly the next second.
He saw the Secretary's breast pocket suddenly erupt with a burst of pure white light, and imdiately after, a powerful force blasted outward in all directions, instantly purifying the monster's hand completely.
A second later, a barrier radiating white light ford around Underwood.
Only then did he manage to catch his breath.
Underwood felt the object in his pocket, recalling the scene before the council began when Claire handed him the crucifix.
"The energy of a thirty-year vintage holy artifact!" Parolin narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself.
But outwardly, he reacted quickly.
He extended a single hand, and the monster on the floor was quickly dragged back onto the small cart.
"Mr. Secretary, are you alright? These monsters are very sensitive to moving people. You must be more careful."
With a simple sentence, Parolin characterized this "accident" as re carelessness.
Underwood's face was livid; he knew the other party did this intentionally.
But since he was still in danger right now, he had to bite the bullet and say, "Thank you for the reminder, Your Eminence."
Parolin nodded slightly, then looked at the unconscious North Arican officials.
"These agents have been frightened by the evil existence. Quickly, wake them up!"
As soon as his voice fell, several Holy Clergy mbers imdiately stepped forward carrying a briefcase. That briefcase was exactly the one Sorcerer Longbarn had brought.
"I believe the Secretary should now understand the danger of evil monsters," Parolin spoke again.
"And there are many threats like this in North Arica. It's very difficult for the public to eliminate them on their own. Only the Church..."
"I'm afraid I cannot agree with that."
A voice suddenly interrupted Parolin.
He frowned and looked over, only to see a tall figure standing at the stairs.
"Ms. Gail, the 'ordinary public' I ntioned earlier does not include the Light of Humanity," his tone turned cold.
"Furthermore, as far as I know, your equipnt and instrunts can only deal with low-level evil that possesses a physical form."
"Is that so? Then Your Eminence's information is indeed sowhat outdated."
Hearing this, Parolin instantly narrowed his eyes.
At the sa ti, Gail looked to the side, and imdiately after, Mark stepped out from the corner carrying a briefcase.
With two clicks, the latter opened the briefcase.
Inside lay a special handgun with a completely transparent barrel section, alongside a bottle of orange liquid.
Just as everyone was feeling confused, Mark skillfully assembled the gun, walked to the front of the main stage, and aid the muzzle at the monster.
"Evil spirits and demons will not be affected by chemicals," Parolin scoffed.
After the world entered the industrial age, the Church had specifically conducted research in this area, so he was very confident.
"Moreover, there is still a layer of magic array, set up using powerful holy artifacts. If the two from the Light of Humanity insist on trying, I can dismantle it right now..."
Parolin was interrupted before he could finish speaking.
Mark pulled the trigger, and a stream of orange liquid shot from the muzzle imdiately.
The next second, Parolin's eyes widened.
He saw the orange liquid pass directly through the barrier; the Church's magic array was treated like thin air.
Afterward, the orange liquid landed precisely on the monster.
Sizzle... Sizzle...
A scorching sound instantly echoed in the council hall, and the monster turned to ash in the blink of an eye.
What shocked the present exorcism factions even more was that the powerful evil spirit attached to the monster was purified without any struggle, leaving not even a sliver of spirit body behind.
"Energy of this purity... it's Source Power! How is this possible!"
Parolin's eyes flickered, finally unable to maintain his composure: "How could you possibly have this kind of thing!"
He stared dead at Gail, as if trying to discern the answer from her face.
But Gail simply replied coldly: "The affairs of the Light of Humanity seem to have nothing to do with Your Eminence, do they? Or... is the Cardinal willing to share the Church's secrets?"
Parolin's face was dark as stagnant water.
He looked around, evaluating everyone in the council hall, not even missing Kalvis and Rorsie.
"Powerful holy artifacts... and Source Power. Just who is it."
He had a few nas in mind, but right now was clearly not the ti to delve deeper.
Claire beside them also recovered. She walked over to Underwood's side.
"Not long ago, the Light of Humanity reached a partnership with the North Arican governnt. They will provide mass-produced exorcism weapons that the public can use," she bowed slightly.
"Mr. Secretary, I had originally planned to inform you of this matter after the council concluded."
"These are minor details," Underwood smiled and waved his hand.
"Cardinal Parolin, looking at it this way, it seems North Arica also has the capability to fight the Demon God's legion?"
Opposite him, Parolin remained silent.
Seeing this, Underwood spoke again: "I see it's getting late, and I have another eting to attend later."
"How about this: I will report the matters Your Eminence ntioned to the President. As for the rest, we can discuss them another day. What do you say?"
Receiving no response, Underwood spoke again: "Your Eminence?"
Parolin slowly raised his head, revealing a smile of his own.
This scene made Underwood feel a sense of dread once again.
The next mont, the entire council hall suddenly shook, and imdiately after, an invisible energy expanded outward.
Everyone in its path was suppressed by a powerful force; so ordinary people lost consciousness on the spot.
A faint glow lit up on Gail and Mark, isolating them from this power.
Longbarn and Winona chanted spells, and a magical light shield quickly ford around them.
The three Knights Templar mbers didn't hesitate either.
Hum—
Accompanied by a clear hum, tall, ethereal spirit bodies appeared behind each of them—the manifestation of the Pioneer Spirit.
At the sa ti, Hawkwood looked at the stage in shock.
"To actually use this kind of holy relic... is this guy insane!"
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