Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss Chapter 211 211: Stripping The Church, One Decree At A Time

Ren and Lilith rode in solemn silence, their horses moving at the sa pace as everyone else along the flagstone path.

They were among the procession of Chosen who followed closely behind the Bishop's ornate carriage, its wheels creaking softly as it rolled through the streets of Sumrhold. The Bishop's crest, a golden tree cradling a star, glinted almost blindingly under the harsh midday sun.

The sun was overhead, shining down directly through the tall and cramped buildings and onto the crowd of people who were pressed tightly to the sides of the road, leaving a long and clear path for the Church procession.

Murmurs floated through the air like smoke, others whispering harshly. So citizens bowed their heads in reverence. Others simply stared, silent and suspicious.

Ren leaned closer to Kevin, who rode ahead beside Jean.

"Is it common," Ren whispered, voice low so it wouldn't carry, "for the King to send ssages directly to a Bishop?"

Kevin glanced back, his expression grim. "No." He replied in a hushed tone. "The King only communicates with the Church through the Holy City and the Synod. If he sent a decree directly to Sumrhold… sothing is very wrong."

Ren absorbed that information, not knowing what to think about it. As long as it doesn't affect his own plans. And this would have the added benefit of keeping the Bishop off his back.

The further they traveled, the heavier the air beca.

As they approached the gates of the Church, Ren took in the sight before him.

Sumrhold's Creation Church was a fortress of devotion, built from smooth, pale stone that shimred faintly under the hot sun. Towers rose high into the sky, each topped with a spire shaped like a branch reaching toward the heavens. Great iron gates, woven with images of vines and celestial bodies, stood before them.

The Church was beautiful.

And oppressive in its beauty.

The gates swung open with a heavy groan, and the entire procession passed through.

Beyond the gates was the Grand Inner Courtyard, a massive open space ringed by marble colonnades, statues of saints, and mosaics depicting the Creation Myth. Every tile, every carving, spoke of the Church's centuries-old dominance over Elnoria's heart and soul.

Here, arranged like the military, stood most of the Order of the Chosen in the city, with the rest at the most important posts.

Rows upon rows of white-cloaked warriors, standing tall, backs straight, hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Their expressions were neutral, but Ren could feel the readiness in each and every one of them. It felt like a thunderstorm waiting to strike.

The Bishop's personal guard stayed close to his side, forming a protective ring around the carriage. But the rest of the Chosen, Ren, Lilith, Kevin, Jean, and dozens more, peeled off to join the assembled ranks.

At the edges of the courtyard, the clergy gathered, whispering among themselves in growing anxiety. The low murmurs rippled outward like a disturbed pond.

The Bishop's carriage ca to a halt before the largest of the mosaics, a depiction of the Shivering Tree, its roots spanning across the heavens.

The Bishop descended.

The silence as he stood before them was deafening.

Then he lifted a hand, summoning the ssenger.

A young man stepped forward, clutching a scroll sealed with the King's Crest. His hands trembled slightly as he knelt and offered the scroll to the Bishop.

The Bishop took it with calm hands, his face unreadable.

He broke the seal.

He unfurled the parchnt.

And then, with clear and loud voice, the ssenger began to read aloud:

"By decree of His Majesty, Mikael, King of Elnoria, in the Year of the Creator 724, let it be known."

"Due to negligence, corruption, and failure to uphold their sacred duties, the Creation Church is hereby severed from its role as protector and steward of the Crown. The Church shall no longer be recognized as the arm of divine authority within the governance of Elnoria."

"Let it further be known that the fall of Rainhold, the unchecked spread of the Red Plague, and the countless lives lost are laid at the feet of those who failed to act."

"If the Church desires restoration of favor, it must cleanse the rot within itself, and prove to all peoples of Elnoria that it stands not for power, but for protection and truth."

"Until such proof is given, the Creation Church stands apart from the Monarchy. No decree, order, or plea from the Church shall carry weight within the halls of kings or courts of n."

"May the Creator guide the worthy."

Silence.

For a mont, it was as if the courtyard itself had ceased breathing.

Then, the ripples began.

Gasps from the clergy.

Mutters from the Chosen.

Glances between high-ranking priests.

Several clerics openly whispered to one another, their voices filled with confusion and doubt.

"Can he do this?"

"The King and the Church have always been one!"

"It's sacrilege..."

The Bishop stood still as a statue, his face carefully composed, like a man who had everything under control, but Ren noticed his knuckles whitening as he gripped the scroll, almost destroying it.

The decree had not just insulted them, it had stripped the Church's very foundation of legitimacy.

Ren kept his own face neutral, standing shoulder to shoulder with Lilith, who was undeniably amused.

Then, the words among the clergy began to change.

"Let us also turn our backs on Elnoria. Let them co begging…"

"What if the King was right..."

"They let Rainhold burn."

"Maybe the Creator has turned His back on them…"

The Bishop finally spoke.

"Silence." He commanded.

The courtyard obeyed.

"We are the Creator's children." The Bishop said, his voice hard. "We are the will of the Creator. We are not so easily shaken. Unity is our shield. Faith is our sword. And with these, we shall endure."

The Chosen pounded their chests once in salute. The clergy bowed their heads.

Beside Ren, Jean leaned closer, her voice barely a whisper. "For the King to do this so publicly…" she said, "it ans things are much worse than anyone expected. Are the infected really that bad?"

Ren tilted his head slightly, confused. "Wait a minute. You guys haven't fought the infected?"

"Not really." Jean said grimly. "Most of us have been behind the city. The infected focused on villages and the church deed them to not be a threat. Until Rainhold."

Ren's brows rose. The Pope really did desire to own Elnoria.

"We're not the only ones who will have this ssage read to." Kevin leaned in with a mutter. "It will also get to the people, and they won't tolerate inaction for much longer. They'll demand we act. They'll demand blood or results."

Lilith's eyes glead, the corner of her mouth twitching in a smile. "And if they don't get it?" She whispered.

"They may very well tear down the Church themselves."