From God of Lies to Lord of All Worlds

Chapter 113: Who in America is Worthy of the Red Robes

Angus did not call anyone to accompany him.

After truly understanding the power of the Holy Light, Transcendence, and mystery, he, along with Caroline, Leon, George, and the others, had already reached a conclusion.

In this kind of supernatural combat, low-level modern weapons were completely meaningless. It would require at least napalm-level firepower to cause them any real trouble.

Even then, it would only be trouble. Killing them would be extremely difficult, as their abilities could perfectly protect their personal safety.

The very essence of Transcendent power and modern technology existed on entirely different dimensions; one could even say they were two completely different forms of existence.

In terms of physical destructive capability, both had their strengths and weaknesses. However, once the conflict ascended to the spiritual plane or the divine plane, things became completely different.

The general idea was simple: 'If I cannot win, I can call for backup or launch a sneak attack from the mystical plane. If you cannot win, are you really just going to blow yourself up to take me down with you?'

Therefore, he simply took a car to the edge of the city, only to be extorted out of a hundred dollars by the taxi driver.

Angus, who prided himself on being able to perceive human hearts, never expected that this seemingly honest white driver would fleece him for a hundred dollars over such a short distance.

Shaking his head with a wry smile, Angus left a speck of light in the man's heart, ensuring he would repent for his sins in the dead of night.Of course, if the man refused to repent, that speck of light would transform into very real and undeniable punishment.

This was Angus: decisive, calm, possessing formidable judgment, and never wasting time on internal conflict, while simultaneously remaining compassionate and devout.

After this minor incident concluded, Angus turned his gaze toward the "church" before him. Outside stood a group of men in black suits, along with several individuals dressed in clergy attire.

The moment they saw Angus, expressions of absolute horror suddenly appeared on their faces, because Angus was still wearing his red robes!

In the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, only one class of people could wear red robes: the Cardinals!

These were individuals second only to the Pope. Within the system of the Church, they represented the highest power and authority. The men who followed Yujin Freize looked upon Angus's arrival with palpable panic.

"Your Eminence..." they stammered, caught between fear and astonishment.

"Where is Yujin Freize?" Angus asked, furrowing his brow as he looked at the guns gripped in their hands. "When the Lord guided you, did He teach you how to wield firearms?"

"Using guns to coerce the faithful? Using guns to vie for power and wealth? Or perhaps using guns to deal with heathens? Is this what you are supposed to do?"

Hearing his words, these men still tried to explain themselves. "Your Eminence, this is Bishop Yujin's..."

"The bishop tells you to take up guns, so you take up guns? You are blaspheming divine authority!"

Angus was furious, declaring sharply, "All of you have violated the Code of Canon Law! According to Article 1367, everyone present incurs automatic excommunication. Barring a special pardon from the Pope, none shall be forgiven!"

"Your actions involve severe blasphemy. In my capacity as a specially appointed judge of the Religious Tribunal by the Pope, I hereby strip you of your clerical offices and reduce you to the laity! This is a Papal Edict!"

Coming from anyone else, this statement would merely be a simple administrative punishment, but from Angus's mouth, it was a literal divine decree!

A radiant light descended, and peculiar white motes of light were stripped from everyone present, flying directly into the Holy Bible held in Angus's hand.

This signified the revocation of their status. Without their clerical roles, they instantly lost all the benefits and authority that came with being members of the Church!

Panic spread rapidly among these thugs. Their usual bullying and monopolizing arrogance instantly turned as soft as noodles before Angus.

This was originally Pope Mario's plan. With the mysterious descent of supernatural forces, the arrival of angels, and the dawning of an era belonging to the Church, it was more necessary than ever to cleanse the Church's internal structure. Only then could they avoid being discarded in the impending massive upheaval!

If they did not purge themselves, the day an angel descended, the holy fire that engulfed the Garden Cathedral would become the fate of the vast majority of the clergy!

Such a scenario would cause catastrophic damage to the Church's prestige, which was exactly why Angus had received full authorization from Pope Mario.

"Respected Cardinal, what should we do now..." these gun-toting fanatics murmured. Watching the motes of light leave their bodies, they felt as though they had lost something fundamental, and waves of fear and regret washed over their minds.

Angus pointed behind him. "Return to your St. Mary's Cathedral. The Religious Tribunal will judge your sins there! Do not even think about fleeing. If you run, it will not be the Religious Tribunal coming for you!"

Everyone froze upon hearing this. If the Religious Tribunal had emerged, did that mean the Inquisition would also reappear in this world? It couldn't be, right? Surely it wouldn't be that terrifying?

They did not dare dwell on the thought. Staring at the Cardinal's wrathful expression, they dropped their weapons and fled the scene in a blind panic.

Leaving Angus all alone. He gazed at the church that had been completely sealed by bricks and stones, grasped the cross on his chest, traced the sign of the cross on his forehead, and began his prayer.

"Lord of Hosts! You once wore the burning bush as armor, and today You take this humble shell as the vessel for Your holy wrath—"

"My consecrated hands grip the Keys of Peter,"

"My feet illuminate the Road to Emmaus,"

"Though surrounded by wolves, the holy blood forever boils and shall not clot!"

"Should serpent venom seep through my teeth,"

"Let my bones and blood bloom into a new thorn wall to resist the darkness;"

"Should I fall into the dust and mud,"

"Please shatter the bronze sacrificial cup in my palm,"

"And let the pouring fire of the holy body burn away the eyes of the wicked!"

"May this journey, in life or death,"

"Solely testify to the mystery of the lamb conquering the lion!"

"Amen!"

The completed prayer caused his body to radiate a brilliant light. A transparent barrier enveloped his form, while the divine protection of angels settled over his spirit.

At the same time, his mind became extraordinarily focused and vigilant. His body received a unique enhancement as the power of the Holy Light and Divine Faith materialized into tangible substance upon him!

What was originally just a glow from within his cross gradually transformed into undeniable, true power through his devout prayers.

This flawless execution made the watching Bai Yang's eyes light up. As expected of his very first God-Chosen! This method of manipulating Wish Force was simply far too "perfect"!

Only after completing these defensive preparations did Angus slowly approach the front of the church. He lightly rapped his knuckles twice against the bricks and stones sealing the door. "Open the door. I am here for Yujin Freize!"

The moment the words left his lips, the solid stonework before him parted, revealing a pitch-black doorway. Without a single shred of hesitation, Angus stepped right inside.

His silhouette was instantly swallowed by the masonry, and the church doors sealed shut behind him once more.

Angus dared to do this, of course, because of the unique property of the cross resting on his chest: the ability to discern the true nature of certain things.

On a smaller scale, this ability was merely a helpful tool in daily life. For instance, it allowed him to see if the numerous people at the cathedral were lying, or sense if imminent danger lay ahead.

On a larger scale, it acted as a profound perception ability regarding the future. He could perceive the very existence of many obscured things, understand the basic composition of divine artifacts, and detect the location of mysterious beings.

Take this church, for example. Through Angus's eyes, he could see that there were only two living people inside. One was Yujin Freize, and the other was a man named He Sai Carmen.

As for the sealed church itself, it manifested to his senses as a product of the Babylonian Tower Brick Deconstruction Art. This was the very reason Angus had taken the initiative to pray, protect himself, and apply buffs to his body beforehand.

There was a Transcendent presence here. With his divine protection, he could withstand the influence of any Transcendent being without fear.

Angus intended to meet this man named He Sai and ask him exactly why he had abducted the Church's Auxiliary Archbishop. Even though Yujin was clearly a sinner guilty of blaspheming God, only the Church had the right to judge him!

The immediate consequence of the entire church being thoroughly sealed by stone was endless darkness. Naturally, this did not hinder Angus in the slightest. He gently raised his hand. "And God said, let there be light!"

A white orb of light burst outward from his palm. Drifting upward like a miniature sun, it suspended itself near the ceiling, brilliantly illuminating the entire interior of the church.

And so, the figure clad in flowing red robes was completely revealed to the two men inside.

One was a man sitting casually in the center of the room. The other was the bishop, tightly bound by stone with no room to move anything but his head.

Staring at this scene, Yujin was absolutely dumbfounded. 'What am I seeing? A Cardinal using divine miracles?'

'What? My God! How did I know absolutely nothing about this? Is the Miami Cardinal keeping secrets this well? In all these years, has the man never spoken a single word of truth to me?'

Yujin still remembered when the stories of the Divine Descent in Luo City first spread. That old geezer—the Cardinal and priest of St. Mary's Cathedral—had earnestly assured him with words like, "Even I don't possess Transcendent power, so no one else will either!"

'Thinking about it now, it was all total bullshit! That old geezer was definitely deceiving me!'

'Can't anyone see that this relatively young-looking Cardinal is practically brimming with divine power? That old geezer's divine miracles have to be just as strong, if not stronger!'

Meanwhile, on the exact same raised platform where Yujin was restrained, the Hispanic man in the tailored suit observed the Cardinal with intense amusement. He spread his arms wide. "Welcome to my church, Mr. Cardinal!"

Two Transcendent beings had finally crossed paths!