Chapter 21: Public Opinion, In the Name of the Goddess of Fertility!

The three Half-gods of the Church of Procreation had turned on each other.

Sislia’s eyes sparkled; she truly loved witnessing scenes like this.

But she didn’t forget what her mission was.

***

The Dawnlight soared into the sky, scattering the dark clouds above, and warm radiance shone once more.

Then.

She immediately raised her voice and questioned Vic, the Pope of the Church of Procreation.

“Does the Church of Procreation want to go to war with the Church of the Dawn?”

“What do you mean by releasing Half-god power within the territory of the Violet Empire’s capital!”

Sislia’s words roused the crowd’s emotions.

They all glared angrily.

***

Just now, when the wild winds were howling, it truly felt like they were going to die.

In the Violet Empire, there were not as many people who believed in the God of Procreation as in other empires.

And especially in Violet City.

The majority believed in the Dawn Goddess, particularly after it was recently confirmed that the Goddess had not fallen.

A fresh wave of believers had joined.

At this moment, no one knew who started it, but someone called out.

“The God of Procreation has fallen to corruption, become an evil god, and has completely abandoned mortals!”

In an instant, the crowd was ignited.

***

“Hiss! I feel the same way. Lately, I’ve seen so many Elves from the Nation of Nature and beastmen fleeing out!”

“To do something like this—whether or not he’s an evil god, there’s not much difference now.”

Vic didn’t even have time to tend to his own wounded rear.

He raised the Authority of Proliferation staff, and instantly, a person identical to Vic split out from him.

Then two Vics split again.

They only stopped after eight of them had appeared.

All eight prepared to strike at the people gathered in the square.

Only then did Lu Ming, who had been silently observing, make his move, gripping a long spear in his hand.

***

It was none other than “Immortality.”

Lu Ming had transformed its form with a rule alteration.

He’d also added the rules of “sharp enough to slay Half-gods,”

and “drains life continuously after being struck.”

But these rules only worked on beings below the level of a true god.

They had no effect on true gods.

His figure flashed, turning into a streak of flowing light. The fierce tip of the spear became a crescent moon that slashed across the chests of all eight Vics.

***

In an instant.

The Half-God Slayer Rule took effect.

The seven clones Vic had split using the God of Procreation’s power instantly lost all vitality.

Their bodies collapsed to the ground.

As for his true body, though not yet dead, his life force was quickly draining away.

Pale golden divine blood seeped from his wound.

Vic’s face was full of disbelief as he pointed a trembling finger at Lu Ming.

***

Seeing Lu Ming appear unguarded,

Vic burned the last of his life, gathered all his divine power, and prepared for a final counterattack.

“Proliferation Judg—”

Before Vic could restore his Authority of Proliferation staff, Sislia stepped forward sharply, gripping the Sword of Dawn.

Her eyes were brimming with murderous intent, and a chilling smile curled on her lips.

With a single slash, all that could be seen was a sky full of dawn light.

***

Vic felt his body suddenly lighten, as if his soul had been freed from its flesh—he had burned out completely.

Then he looked toward Kitto, who was still locked in fierce combat with Black Silk Lady Melia.

His eyes brimmed with hatred and sorrow.

“You’re all just acting. I’m the real one!”

After saying this, Vic fell to the ground and died, hatred lingering in his eyes even in death.

Having slain yet another enemy, Lu Ming felt his control over his body surge once more.

He didn’t even glance at Vic.

With a backward flick, he hurled his spear straight at Kitto.

With a thunderous boom.

Kitto was impaled through the abdomen by “Immortality,” pinned to the ground.

The howling winds ceased, falling completely silent.

Blood seeped from Kitto’s lips as he stared straight at Lu Ming, a mocking tone in his voice.

“To be pinned here by such a beautiful lady—what an honor! Might I have the privilege, tonight—”

Before Kitto could finish,

Sislia rushed forward, Sword of Dawn in hand, and thrust it into Kitto’s mouth, the blade pressing against his throat.

“Say another word and you die.”

Though her words were calm and unhurried, Kitto felt a chill run through his heart for no reason at all.

He truly didn’t dare to utter another sound.

***

Lu Ming also made no move to prevent Kitto and Melia from calling for the descent of the God of Procreation.

But he was certain they wouldn’t dare attempt it.

The God of Procreation would never descend upon Violet City.

Even if He did, what could He do—slaughter the citizens of Violet City?

It wasn’t as if there were no gods standing behind the Violet Empire.

Nor was Violet City lacking in Other Churches.

None of them would allow the God of Procreation to run rampant.

***

Lu Ming made a casual gesture, and two people hurried out from the crowd.

One was Annie, Sislia’s attendant.

The other was a High Priestess of the Church of the Dawn.

Both held old-fashioned cameras in their hands.

As they approached, they respectfully presented two already-developed photos.

Captured within was the image of the Pope of the Church of Procreation, a malicious expression on his face as he attacked Sislia.

Lu Ming looked at the photo and nodded in satisfaction.

Soon, these images would spread across the entire Otherworldly Continent.

“The counterattack is about to begin.”

***

At this moment, the citizens, stirred to fervor, began spreading news of what happened on their own.

Seeing the atmosphere was right, Lu Ming immediately called forth the two main stars.

Restored to their true appearance, Lisi and Lucia, mother and daughter, emerged from the Church of the Dawn.

Of course, both Elf women were dressed appropriately.

After giving Lisi an encouraging nod, Lu Ming sent Lisi and Lucia to the center of the square.

***

The moment the mother and daughter appeared,

even Kitto, always so flippant, changed his expression.

“Those damned fools from Thorne’s lot, and the scum from the Other Churches, they actually let Elves from the Nation of Nature escape!”

Only now did he realize what the Church of Procreation would face after today.

But in truth, he didn’t care; he’d only joined the Church of Procreation because its doctrine suited his twisted heart.

What he cared about was his own life.

***

“Are those… water Elves from the Nation of Nature?!”

“I’ve never seen such beautiful beings! They must be victims of the Church of Procreation!”

Lisi took a deep breath and began to speak to everyone.

She told how the Church of Procreation had forced their Elf tribe in the Nation of Nature to change their faith.

Those who refused—

would have the Church of Procreation’s doctrine forced upon them directly.

But she did not mention the existence of Other Churches; this was Lu Ming’s special instruction.

Her heartfelt words moved listeners to tears and filled them with sorrow.

The emotional impact was immense.

***

After condemning the sins of the God of Procreation,

Lisi began to praise a being called the “Goddess of Fertility.”

She said this was a supremely kind and great deity, and it was she who had helped Lisi and Lucia when they had nowhere else to turn.

She had given them the chance to reveal the Church of Procreation’s true face and rescue their fellow Elves from the Nation of Nature.

Lu Ming did not waste such an opportunity.

He immediately had Sislia produce a magical item called the Nianying Crystal.

With this device that could record and play back images, they captured everything Lisi and Lucia said, as well as the crowd’s reactions.

***

Lisi’s speech ended.

The crowd erupted.