Holmes’s domain was the ‘Brutal Slaughter Field.’ At will, he could conjure assault rifles of any caliber and performance level he desired. Furthermore, so long as he was within the domain’s shroud, he could effortlessly control the bullets he fired—accelerating them, slowing them down, altering their trajectory, even nullifying the sound of them cutting through the air. Wherever Holmes’s domain extended, if one was unprepared, escape from his attack was impossible unless they were a genuine top-tier powerhouse.

Due to a lack of proficiency, the power of Holmes's domain was not yet immense. However, as his mastery over it grew, he would undoubtedly become an assassin branch for Gu Xiechen.

Chaos erupted among the Curia’s ranks. Essen Hammor, whose protective divine art had just dissipated, had a leg shattered and cried out in agony before passing out from the pain. Two Cardinal Archbishops trembled with fury, angrily dispatching numerous personnel to search nearby locations where snipers might be hiding. But Gu Xiechen and Holmes had already vanished over a hundred li away; how could they possibly find them? This score would thus be chalked up against the Pantheon Alliance.

“These sinners should have been in hell long ago!” one Cardinal Archbishop spat a sinister curse. “Do they truly have the audacity to confront us directly? Is the intelligence we received actually true?” The other Cardinal Archbishop signaled for his colleague to cease his cursing, glancing impassively toward Gu Yuru, who stood nearby, subserviently wiping cold sweat from his brow.

The two Cardinal Archbishops suddenly laughed, greeting Gu Yuru with feigned warmth. “Pious believer, put your faith in the Lord, and no evil in this world can harm you!” Gu Yuru forced a strained smile. He desperately wanted to ask these two hypocritical Cardinals a frank question: if no evil could harm him, then what about the dead and wounded clergy lying on the floor? Did they not believe in their Heavenly Father?

However, Gu Yuru lacked the courage for such a display, so he could only maintain his meek expression as he was roughly ushered onto a patrol vessel by a squad of Church Knights.

The main body of the Church forces quickly retreated to the Vatican. Gu Yuru was escorted to a chapel situated to the east of the Central Cathedral, where Tzit, dressed as an ordinary priest, along with other high-ranking Church officials like Andre and Amphet, awaited his arrival before a pure silver crucifix towering over ten meters high.

“Blessings upon you, devout child!” Tzit said with a spring-like smile, gently stroking Gu Yuru’s head.

Gu Yuru foolishly mimicked a small cross on his chest, slightly confused about Tzit’s status. Judging by his robes, he appeared to be merely a priest. But Tzit’s next action caused Gu Yuru’s mouth to fall open, nearly dislocating his jaw.

Tzit casually pointed a finger at Essen Hammor, who had just been carried into the chapel. A beam of holy light descended from the chapel roof, and Essen Hammor’s shattered leg began to regrow at a speed invisible to the naked eye. Gu Yuru was stunned. He stared blankly at Tzit, who shimmered with a divine light, and instinctively fell to his knees.

In that brief instant, Gu Yuru genuinely entertained the thought of surrendering himself devoutly into the arms of God.

Tzit looked kindly at Gu Yuru and asked softly, “Child, why were those sinners pursuing you? Can you tell me? Before God, there are no secrets!” A sacred white light enveloped Tzit completely, and Gu Yuru thought he saw six colossal wings flickering behind him. Without the slightest ability to resist, he reached into his trousers and pulled a small storage chip from a hidden pocket in his undergarments.

Tzit’s face twitched, and he instinctively took a step back. The brothers Andre and Amphet both retreated two firm steps, their gazes shifting simultaneously to Essen Hammor.

The just-healed Essen Hammor glared furiously at the Andre brothers, who were staring blankly at the ceiling, then frowned as he accepted the chip from Gu Yuru.

A data reader was quickly brought over, and the intelligence provided by Porphyres was fully displayed before Tzit and the others.

Tzit paused for a moment, furrowing his brow as he calculated the potential impact on the Church should the Romans acquire that colossal fortress.

Andre shook his head, unconvinced that such a metallic hunk of junk held any significant value.

Only Amphet and Essen Hammor jumped up simultaneously, crying out, “My God, great Lord, what an opportunity this is!” Amphet leaned close to Tzit’s ear and whispered a few words. Tzit’s expression shifted rapidly as Amphet spoke, and soon Andre edged closer too, followed by Essen Hammor. The group huddled together, murmuring incessantly.

Gu Yuru strained his ears, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. Despite nearly twisting his neck off, he could only vaguely catch a few keywords: Thirteen-Star Chain. Believers. Immigrants. Papal Gardens!

Amphet pointed at Gu Yuru again, raising his voice as he addressed Tzit with a smile: “Your Excellency Tzit, I know this Mr. Gu. If the intelligence I possess is correct, he is a direct descendant of the Gu Corporation, and quite capable among the younger generation of that conglomerate.” Tzit gave a dismissive “Oh.” Amphet quickly added, “The Gu Corporation is the largest military-industrial group in the Earth Federation, possessing the Federation’s largest battleship production lines.” Gu Yuru puffed out his chest; hearing outsiders praise the Gu Corporation always compelled him, as a member of the group, to acknowledge it.

Tzit’s expression shifted slightly. He scrutinized Gu Yuru up and down, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. “Shipbuilding? Can your Gu Corporation build colony ships?” Gu Yuru replied with utmost reverence, “Yes, the colony ships built by the Gu Corporation have an excellent reputation throughout the Federation.” “Hmm!” Tzit pressed urgently, “Then, how many people can your largest colony ship carry at once? Fifty million? Can it accommodate fifty million people?” Fifty million immigrants in a single load? Gu Yuru was momentarily frozen, then managed a dry laugh, “Are you speaking of an entire immigrant fleet?” Tzit immediately frowned and spoke coldly to Amphet: “You handle this pious child. The Gu Corporation? Very well, they should all be devout believers. As for—”

He pointed at the gigantic fortress being sucked into the subspace storm on the light screen and sneered: “This thing has been turned into a battleship production line? If it can manufacture giant warships, then it can manufacture giant colony ships. Good stuff, bring it back for me!” Amphet, Andre, and Essen Hammor all bowed in unison. “As you command, esteemed Excellency!” Half an hour later, intelligence regarding the Church’s impending action against a certain colossal warship was relayed through highly classified channels to the Pantheon Alliance.

Both factions immediately began large-scale mobilization.