Chapter 77: The Hall of Audience

"Thud!"

A few soldiers set down their warhammers. These heavy bludgeoning weapons, each nearly one point eight meters in length from handle to head, suited a giant like Faliano perfectly, but in Li Nanke's hands, it looked as though a pony was harnessed to a carriage built for a stallion.

Archbishop Colonna watched coldly. If that officer from the Disciplinary Army hadn't spoken up, this priceless warhammer would have been quietly reclaimed by the Holy See for their own use.

However, it appeared both men were swordsmen, unlikely to get used to wielding a warhammer. This one, especially, was astoundingly heavy—perhaps too much for even a single swing.

Colonna considered privately whether he could find a way to buy back the warhammer later.

Reynold said, "Edward, that's your spoils. I only use a sword."

Li Nanke nodded. Under the gaze of the assembled crowd, he gripped the thick handle with both hands, exhaled, and summoned his strength.

A surge of source energy from the fallen enemies flowed into his Core Material, "Blood Moon."

[Core Material: Blood Moon]
[Level: 5 (69%) → 7 (22%)]

With the Blood Moon's further upgrade, his physical strength and resilience climbed to a new peak.

Li Nanke, relying solely on raw power, managed to lift the entire warhammer by the handle and, with a forceful swing, sent the murderous weapon slicing through the air with a whistling wind.

Several soldiers instinctively stepped well back.

The massive warhammer, its head bristling with spikes and exuding an oppressive weight, was terrifying. A direct hit would reduce any enemy to a pulp of mangled flesh.

"This is a fine weapon," Li Nanke remarked. With a flick of his wrist, the bloodstained warhammer vanished from sight.

"Archbishop, the Holy See is truly generous—such a superb weapon, and you hand it over so readily... Let's keep going."

Colonna's face remained impassive. He now knew there was little hope of reclaiming the warhammer.

The cathedral's inner halls were numerous, corridors winding everywhere, but surprisingly, the interior was sparsely populated. Apart from a handful of Disciplinary guards, most of those present were ecclesiastical staff of the Holy See.

Colonna led the two men to a side chamber to rest and wait, then departed alone, apparently to report the results of the trial.

Reynold sat on a bench. When he saw there was no one else around, his expression grew serious. "Edward, they may not see it, but I know—the warhammer's still too heavy for you. In real combat, stick with your sword. Only then will you unleash your true strength."

Li Nanke nodded silently, offering no protest; it was true that wielding the warhammer was still taxing, but soon enough, he would master this ruthless weapon completely.

Reynold leaned in and whispered, "When are we making our move?"

"The ordinary clergy of the Holy See only know a few basic spells and prayers—they pose little threat. Even Archbishop Colonna is not a major obstacle for us."

"The true powers within the cathedral are the Gravekeeper Archbishop and the other Disciplinary Army judges. But those people are each occupied with their own duties—if we act quickly, we might accomplish our goal before they can intervene."

Reynold had returned to the Holy See for the sake of his sister, Anya. Now, with Li Nanke's help, he had successfully made it back; the plan was already halfway complete.

Li Nanke arched a brow. "Isn't the Holy King himself powerful?"

"Edward, you can't be thinking—" Reynold's heart skipped a beat. "That's impossible. The Holy King's condition is poor—he spends most of his time in slumber. But those Disciplinary Army judges are his constant protectors."

Li Nanke pressed, "Reynold, have you truly never thought of it? Or is it that you have, but Anya is all you care about, because you know helping her escape will likely cost you your life?"

"That's why you can't consider anything else. Even though you know all her suffering stems from the Holy King, you never made him your target."

Reynold fell silent. It was true—he had never expected to leave the Holy See alive.

His goal was to free Anya, but the underground prison was heavily guarded. Any attempt to reach her would inevitably alert the Disciplinary Army.

Even if he managed to help her, he would never be able to fight his way out against their endless reinforcements.

Li Nanke continued, "You were once a high-ranking officer in the Disciplinary Army. You know many of the Holy See's secrets. I recall you mentioned a certain method of resisting invaders by sealing the entire cathedral. Not just outsiders— even the Disciplinary Army stationed outside would be unable to enter?"

Reynold shook his head, dejected. "That's a major spell-prayer. The cathedral's outer walls and main doors are inscribed with it. I don't know who holds the key, but I do know it's not the Holy King—he's asleep most of the time."

Li Nanke mused, "Who in the Holy See is most loyal to the Holy King?"

Without hesitation, Reynold replied, "The Gravekeeper Archbishop. Not just the most loyal, but also the most powerful."

"If Faliano was the strongest in the Disciplinary Army, the Gravekeeper Archbishop is the mightiest in the Holy See. He wields terrifying prayer power—he can even resurrect the dead to serve him."

"Edward, do you suspect the key is with the Gravekeeper Archbishop? If so, that's the worst possible news for us."

His meaning was clear: it had taken every ounce of their skill, and a fortuitous use of the terrain, for the two of them to defeat Faliano.

But the Gravekeeper Archbishop surpassed Faliano in might. The two of them alone could not possibly prevail.

Li Nanke said, "Let's not jump to conclusions. Faliano was far stronger than either of us, and Colonna tried to sabotage us during the trial—yet we won."

"Of course, that’s not the main point. The real point is, would we have faced such an unfair trial without the Holy King’s orders? Would Colonna have tried to sabotage us? The Holy King never intended for you to return to the Holy See."

"Now, we've killed Faliano—an outcome no one anticipated. Even if I don't wish to move against the Holy King, there's no guarantee he won't turn on us first. We must be ready to act at any moment."

At these words, Reynold fell silent. The two of them had fought side by side; Li Nanke had shown time and again through his actions that trusting him was never a mistake.

Before long, Colonna returned and led them to the audience hall.

"The Holy King is pleased with your performance. By passing the trial, you have proven your devotion and earned the right to an audience."

They entered the cathedral's deepest chambers, passing through a massive iron door into a grand audience hall.

Within, the lighting was dim; only a few rays of the setting sun filtered through the high stained glass windows, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow upon the floor.

At the far end of the hall, a giant was grotesquely bound to a thick stone pillar. Though long dead, his face was still twisted in agony from his final moments. Thick, blood-red thorns were wrapped tightly around his entire body, piercing deep into his flesh, fusing man and brambles as one.

That was the First Divine Grace—the Thorned Holy Father!

The tangled thorns stretched to the base of the throne, which was occupied by a withered figure, crowned with thorns and robed in crimson patterns of bramble.

The thorns bound his hands and feet, fixing him firmly to the throne and ensuring he would forever rule from that seat, wielding the authority of the Holy King.

On either side of the throne stood four armored figures, as still as statues. The blades in their hands gleamed coldly, and the visors of their helms were carved with agonized human faces, marking them unmistakably as Judges.

Archbishop Colonna led Reynold and Li Nanke forward. Each step echoed crisply on the hard marble floor, reverberating oppressively through the vast, empty hall, until even the act of breathing seemed to become a painful burden.

Li Nanke's gaze swept over the throne, and his heart sank.

The Holy King himself did not appear formidable, and was bound to the throne—at first glance, not a difficult target to kill.

Yet, to reach the final node, the four Judges beneath the throne were an insurmountable barrier.

Faliano had been the strongest among the Judges, but the combined might of these four far exceeded his alone.

A thousand thoughts flashed through Li Nanke's mind.

(End of this chapter)