Marvel's master of cosmic magic

Chapter 545

"Backtrack Water was captured?"

The Pope stared at the report in his hand, disbelief flickering across his face. By all logic, even if the mission had been exposed and he’d been surrounded by Academy City’s espers, Backtrack Water should have escaped. Vanishing without a trace was unthinkable.

Academy City was formidable, that much was true. Its esper system had produced terrifying individuals. But in the Pope’s mind, the balance between science and magic was an illusion. The churches of the magic side were fractured, constantly undermining one another. That disunity was the only reason Academy City still stood as an equal.

"It seems those espers aren’t entirely stagnant after all," a voice said from the shadows.

A man in a crimson suit stepped forward, hands in his pockets, red hair catching the light.

The Pope’s expression darkened.

"Right Hand of Fire. You’ve been moving behind my back for quite some time now. What exactly are you trying to do?"

"What else?" Right Hand of Fire replied casually. "World peace. Universal happiness."

He brushed his hair aside, smiling.

"My first step is simple. Crush Britain. Europe is already under our control, save for them. We cut the foundation out from under them in one strike."

The Pope frowned.

"And this helps you deal with Academy City how, exactly?"

"Academy City?" Right Hand of Fire scoffed. "Those espers were never my concern. My real objective is the Third World War."

The Pope’s pupils shrank.

"Have you lost your mind? Are you still a follower of the faith?"

Right Hand of Fire smiled wider.

"What do you think, old man?"

There was no point hiding it anymore. After today, the Roman Orthodox Church would belong to him. He would ally with the Russian Orthodox Church, seize Britain’s control-type grimoire system, dominate Index, and claim the 103,000 grimoires. With that, he would activate the Bethlehem Plan and fully unleash the Divine Right.

Only then would his ideal world be possible.

"Blasphemy!" the Pope roared.

He tore the supreme spiritual cross from his neck and began chanting. As the Pope of Rome, he could draw upon the faith of billions accumulated over two thousand years, invoking a sealing spell far beyond conventional magic.

Golden light surged forth, binding Right Hand of Fire within the flow of time itself.

"For forty years, you will wander through solitude and reflection!" the Pope declared. "Repent!"

"You’re the one who needs repentance."

A flaming, demonic claw burst from Right Hand of Fire’s back. With a single swing, the golden seal shattered.

"Die."

The claw rose, manifesting a colossal orange blade nearly forty kilometers long, and cleaved downward.

The Pope could dodge.

But behind him lay the Vatican.

He didn’t move.

The cross met the blade. The impact shattered the cathedral. The Pope spat blood and fell to one knee as the basilica collapsed around him.

"Just as I thought," Right Hand of Fire said calmly, retracting the claw. "Too kind for your own good."

He turned away, satisfied. By the time the Pope recovered, the world would already be aflame.

"My plan can finally begin."

"Looks like it ends here instead."

A new voice cut through the dust.

Rowan Mercer descended from the air, his presence finally revealed.

Right Hand of Fire’s gaze sharpened.

"And who are you?"

Rowan smiled.

"Me? Trust me. I’m God."

He wasn’t wearing Misaka Mikoto’s face. This form was different. Deliberately so.

Not out of fear of retaliation, but consideration. If the Church mistook Misaka Mikoto for the attacker and targeted her, that would be inconvenient.

"Then you’re courting death," Right Hand of Fire snarled, hurling a torrent of flame.

Rowan opened his mouth and swallowed it whole.

"Angel power alone won’t do," Rowan said lightly. "It won’t even make me flinch. Go on. Bring out that roasted chicken claw again. It might last longer."

Right Hand of Fire’s expression hardened as the third arm emerged once more.

"Who sent you? The Anglican Church?"

"I already told you," Rowan replied. "I’m God. Still don’t believe me?"

He raised a hand.

A massive white magic circle bloomed overhead.

"Let there be light."

A pillar of radiance descended, carrying the combined force of sun, moon, and stars.

The Fairy’s Glory fell.

...

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