The entire town had turned into a scorched land.
When Bishop Howard walked up the hill, he could only see the charred houses and land. Scattered rocks were scattered all over the ground, and the strong smell of blood was everywhere.
There were originally dozens of families living here, but now, there were less than 10% of the survivors. The people who had barely escaped from the war due to good luck or some other reason didn't have the joy of escaping death at all. Instead, they screamed and pounced on the charred houses, searching for the corpses of their loved ones like crazy.
Some people didn't even bother to take a closer look and hugged the mangled corpses in their arms, letting out beast-like whimpers and cries.
That was war.
Looking at this scene, Bishop Howard's heart was heavy. He gestured to his priests to help clean up the scene and deal with the plague. Plague was the most likely to break out after a war, and no place could afford to be tossed around at this juncture.
At this thought, the bishop shook his head with a heavy heart and continued to walk forward.
This time, he began to seriously consider Jenn's proposal for the Church of Holy Light to participate in the war on the Klein Continent. To be honest, before this, although the old bishop was rather tempted by Jenn's proposal and had submitted it to the higher-ups of the Church of Holy Light in the Scal Federation, they were still hesitant about whether the Church of Holy Light should intervene directly.
But now, after personally witnessing the trauma brought to these ordinary people by the war, he had made up his mind to explain to the higher-ups of the Church of Holy Light that shielding the people from pain and harm had always been the Church of Holy Light's mission. Even in times of war, they shouldn't give up on their mission.
At the thought of this, Bishop Howard sighed and followed the mountain path to the other side of the town. Soon, Howard saw the young figure.
Jenn stood there motionlessly, watching the town that had been burned to ashes with a sullen expression. Beside him, the militias were piling up the corpses of the Glittergold Empire's cavalrymen and preparing to burn them.
Although this method of handling the matter was somewhat inappropriate, after seeing Jenn's ice-cold expression, Howard decided not to argue with him over such a trivial matter.
"You're here, Lord Bishop."
Upon hearing the footsteps, Jenn turned around and nodded to Bishop Howard.
Bishop Howard returned the salute and strode to Zayen's side. Together, they looked down at the town that was left with only broken walls and ruins. The cold wind blew past, and they could vaguely hear the heart-wrenching cries and cries of the residents below.
"It seems that the Glittergold Empire is indeed courageous. I didn't expect them to go this far."
After a few moments, Jenn spoke.
However, his tone was stiff, completely devoid of his usual gentle and refined demeanor.
Without waiting for Bishop Howard to say anything, Zayen had already asked.
"Bishop, if I remember correctly, the notice was indeed sent to the Emperor of the Glittergold Empire through the Holy Church, right?"
"Yes, Mr. Jenn."
Upon hearing his words, Bishop Howard nodded. Given Jenn's identity, it was naturally impossible for him to submit any diplomatic documents to the Glittergold Empire. That was why he was the one who sent the letter to the Glittergold Empire's royal family through the Church of Templars. Howard also knew that this was a hint to the other party about the relationship between this territory and the Church of Templars.
He had already learned from Zayen that Passus had become independent from the Scal Federation. To be honest, the news really surprised Bishop Howard.
And he naturally understood the political significance of a decorated noble owning an independent territory. However, out of his usual caution, he didn't intervene too much and let nature take its course.
But now …
Looking at this scene, the elderly bishop was a little displeased. Although he didn't have a deep friendship with Jenn, attacking the independent territory of a decorated noble was no different from giving the Church of Templars a slap in the face.
Perhaps the other party thinks that the Church of Templars can't do anything during times of war?
At the thought of this, Howard's face darkened. Although this was indeed a small matter, it wasn't a small matter for the Church of Templars' prestige to be shaken.
Perhaps this was a good opportunity to convince the higher-ups. If they didn't do something, the Church of Templars' presence would become weaker and weaker, and they might even have no presence at all in the future.
Under such circumstances, reforms were inevitable.
"His Majesty the Emperor isn't willing to accept my request …"
Zayen took in Bishop Howard's gloomy face, but he did not say anything. Instead, he snorted coldly and looked forward again.
"But I assure you, Your Excellency, this matter won't end just like that … Have you brought what I want?"
"I have, Mr. Jenn."
Upon hearing Jenn's question, Bishop Howard took out a gorgeous document inlaid with holy patterns and handed it over.
However, he then frowned and looked at the young man in front of him with some doubts.
"But I still don't understand. What do you want this for?
Indeed, the signing of the peace document witnessed by the Nine Saints is recognized by the Church of Templars. But do you still think that the Emperor of the Glittergold Empire will sign this document obediently?
Mr. Jenn, I know you're furious now, but I hope you can see reality clearly. You can't just walk into the Glittergold Empire's palace, come to the Emperor's throne, and get him to sign his name on this Document of the Nine Saints. "
"Since you think I can't do it, why did you bring me the Document of the Nine Saints?"
Hearing the old bishop's complaint, Zayen smiled, then reached out to take the document, glanced at it, and put it into his arms.
"If I remember correctly, the application for the Document of the Nine Saints isn't simple, and it also requires the unanimous approval of the Nine Saints' representatives. Do you all think that I'm just daydreaming?
If that's the case, then this method is very interesting, isn't it? "
"This only represents the Church of Templars' attitude, and it doesn't mean anything substantial."
Sensing Jenn's slightly teasing gaze, Howard couldn't help but blush.
Of course, he knew that what Jenn said was the truth, but he wasn't lying either.
Apart from being a religious organization on the Klein Continent, the Church of Templars was also responsible for the functions of a legal office and a notary office.
Generally speaking, if there were any major agreements to be concluded between countries, they would need to sign their names on the Document of the Nine Saints. This meant that this agreement would be recognized and paid attention to by all the gods on the Klein Continent.
Of course, although it sounded noble, in fact, this agreement was only useful under the protection of the Church of Templars. After all, there were secret agreements and transactions between countries, and such matters naturally couldn't be told to the Church of Templars.
Hence, the Document of the Nine Saints was usually used for negotiations between the forces under the Church of Templars and other forces. To put it bluntly, it was a kind of contract agreement for a specific organization.
Just as Jenn said, the higher-ups of the Church of Templars had no hope that he could successfully sign a peace agreement with the Glittergold Empire. However, the problem was that Jenn was a noble conferred by the Church of Templars, and his status was noble and formal. Now that he had made this request, it was reasonable for him to go through this process.
After some consideration, the higher-ups of the Scal Federation finally approved Jenn's application and brought over the document of peace that the Church of Templars had recognized.
However, just as Bishop Howard said, this only represented the attitude of the Church of Templars. Obviously, they were also angry that the Glittergold Empire had disregarded the Church of Templars. However, because the Church of Templars had always been lazy, they naturally couldn't deal with the Glittergold Empire over such a small matter.
Now that Jenn planned to continue to cause trouble for the Glittergold Empire, the Church of Templars didn't mind giving him a push from behind. Although they didn't know what Jenn planned to do, if he could teach the Glittergold Empire a small lesson, the Church of Templars naturally wouldn't stop him.
Although they believed in gods, they were still humans after all. As the saying goes, even Buddha has a temper. Now, not only did the Glittergold Empire attack the Scal Federation, they even ignored the Church of Templars' advice and insisted on attacking the independent territory of a conferred noble. If they could still tolerate this, it would be equivalent to being slapped on the left side of their face and giving the other side of their face to slap. Fortunately, among the Nine Saints, none of the gods were stupid enough to give their believers such a doctrine.
Hence, the Church of Templars obviously didn't intend to tolerate this. Moreover …
Howard's expression turned gloomier as he recalled the corpse of the half-demonized Great Mage.
One had to know that the Church of Templars and the Mage Association had a history of grievances. Back then, if it weren't for the Glittergold Empire's royal family protecting the Mage Association, the Church of Templars would have been swept into the trash heap and become companions with the cultists.
And now, these damned fellows were demonizing in front of everyone?
If the Empire's royal family and the Mage Association didn't give them an explanation, the Church of Templars wouldn't mind completing the unfinished work.
But …
Howard was rather curious. He lifted his head and looked at Jenn. After a few moments of hesitation, he finally asked.
"Mr. Jenn, please pardon my rudeness, but I really want to know how exactly do you intend to get the Emperor of the Glittergold Empire to sign this peace agreement?"
"Just like what you said, Bishop Howard."
Zayen smiled when he heard Howard's question.
"I'll just walk to the Glittergold Empire's royal palace, stand before the Emperor, and get him to sign this agreement … You see, isn't this a simple matter?"
"Please don't joke around, Mr. Jenn."
"I'm not joking, Bishop."
Jenn took out his pocket watch and glanced at it. Then, he narrowed his eyes.
"It's about time … Alright then, it's time for me to set off. Bishop, please wait for my good news."
"What good …"
Howard froze for a moment. But before he could say anything, a strong gust of wind from the ground made him shut his mouth. The old bishop couldn't help but turn around to block the sand and dust that blew towards him. At this moment, the sky seemed to have dimmed significantly, and even the land was shrouded in shadows.
After the gust of wind subsided, the elderly bishop turned around again. Then, he widened his eyes in astonishment.
In front of him, a giant dragon the size of a hill stood there quietly. It raised its head high, and its pure white body reflected the brilliance of the sun.
Behind its body, one could see a heavy, huge, and ice-cold luster. It was a terrifying existence that one could associate with destruction at a glance.
"This is …"
Looking at this scene, Howard was flabbergasted.
He sensed the Dragon's Might that emanated from the dragon. It was an incomparably massive might, and just by looking at it, he felt as insignificant as an ant. If it weren't for the firm conviction that he had honed as a cleric, perhaps he would have been shivering on the ground. In fact, the militia and residents had already knelt to the ground the moment the dragon appeared. They gazed at the dragon in awe, their mouths agape, and yet, they couldn't utter a single word.
"People of Parsus!"
At this moment, Jenn's voice sounded again, echoing in everyone's ears.
"Once upon a time, we lived in happiness and peace.
But the arrival of war destroyed everything we once had … No one likes war, and no one desires war.
I once tried to seek the path of peace from His Majesty the Emperor, but now, the arrogant Emperor has made his choice.
But, the blood of the people of Parsus will not be spilled in vain!
I promise you that those who have wantonly destroyed and slaughtered on this land will be punished severely.
And my people, I will be with you!
Now, we will make our voices heard, and let the Glittergold Empire understand that our retreat is not because of cowardice. A tooth for a tooth, blood for blood. They will eventually feel our anger, and they will pay the price for it! "
"Long live the Overlord!"
Hearing these words, the people who knelt on the ground before suddenly cheered loudly.
If it had been in the past, everything that Zayen had said would have been meaningless to them.
But now, after a giant dragon appeared in front of them, everything changed.
One must know that it was a dragon!
For these simple villagers, dragons were almost the final boss of all stories.
And their Overlord could actually control a dragon!
This had already shocked these people, and then they were excited and proud.
They believed that in front of the dragon, the army of the Shagin Empire was not worth mentioning at all!
As the Overlord said, now is the time to let the arrogant people of the Empire taste our wrath.
In the cheers of the people, the dragon spread its wings and flew into the sky.
And behind it, countless huge figures followed closely — like white waves rushing on top of the vault of heaven.
"This …"
Looking at this scene in front of him, Howard was completely stunned. He stood on the hillside, watching the hundreds of dragons flying into the sky. At this moment, there was only one thought left in his mind.
The Shagin Empire is probably going to be in big trouble.