Besides the comprehension of the Law, some hidden continental secrets were constantly being revealed through people’s words.
Everyone was engrossed in conversation, causing quite the distress for a few people of Caesar IV.
The physical endurance of Sanctuary Powerhouses was strong enough to last ten days or half a month without sleep, but they couldn’t manage!
After struggling for two days, Caesar IV had no choice but to bid farewell and leave.
A few ministers, with greater strength, held on a bit longer but still couldn’t last till the end.
After these people left, the exchange meeting also reached its conclusion. From the smiling faces of the crowd, it was evident they did it on purpose.
With different identities comes different perspectives.
No one supported the restoration of Alpha the First, nor were they satisfied with Caesar IV’s attitude towards his ancestors.
Perhaps, in the eyes of these people, the restoration of Alpha the First was just a farce, an old man causing mischief with the younger generation; as long as things were said outright, it was done.
If power was truly the aim, it would suffice to control things from behind the scenes, not to initiate a restoration and invite mockery!
As someone in the know, Hudson decisively chose silence.
Understanding is something hard to alter; truly revealing the old history of Alpha the First would foster endless hatred, and people might not necessarily believe it.
After all, it wasn’t Hudson himself being troubled, so why dampen everyone’s enthusiasm!
The impact of the fall of the Divine Spirits was even more intense than Hudson had anticipated, with the Church being the first to be hit.
With the Divine Spirits gone, it was hard for faith not to collapse.
After the news spread, the fronts of churches everywhere were crowded with people, hoping for feedback from the Divines.
Unfortunately, at this time, Priests couldn’t release Divine Arts; it was all up to Knights and Magicians to maintain the façade, with no feedback from the Divines.
Countless fanatics couldn’t handle this shock and went mad on the spot. Every day believers’ mental states collapsed leading to suicide, causing chaos everywhere.
The orthodox contention of the Clergy ended at this point. All three major Holy Sees fell together, none was holier than the other.
Comparatively, the situation of the North and South Holy See fared slightly better. After all, supported by the state, even chaos could hold the situation stable.
The Old Holy See had it worse, a group purely held together by faith also split as faith crumbled.
Internal conflicts intensified, and Shelter VII, with a plummeting reputation, couldn’t hold the situation together.
The Old Pope personally came forward to mediate but could not prevent the division within the Clergy.
Intensified internal conflicts were one aspect; more so it was the external environment putting too much pressure on them.
In past times, with the Divine Spirits to rely on spiritually, no matter how much pressure was externally applied, everyone could grit their teeth and persevere.
Each still harbored fantasies of the Divine Spirits descending to punish those heretics.
Instead of receiving the Divine Spirits, they received news of the Divine Spirits’ fall. Those internally fragile had long since broken down.
Even the resolute could no longer withstand the pressure.
The "Age of No Gods" meant the continent completely transitioned into the realm of kings and nobles.
To live better, one must integrate; secular reform of the Clergy was inevitable.
Unlike the election system of the Pope, the ways of kings and nobles were more blatant, directly via bloodline inheritance.
With countries meddling behind the scenes, the factions within the conflicting Clergy approached the brink of division.
Watching the factions clamoring to split, the Clergy’s ascetics were left dumbfounded.
They could fight in combat, but handling these secular conflicts was too troublesome.
Members from all sides were like family; in truth, many below were their direct descendants.
"You decide for yourselves then!"
Having said that, Venerable Mofi turned around and left, leaving everyone exchanging glances. This text is hosted at n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
The awkward situation did not last long as several Sanitary Powerhouses turned and left.
"Go ahead with your chaos!
You’ll regret it in the future, but don’t come looking for us then!"
With a wave of his sleeve, Fabrizio initiated yet another wave of strong figures leaving.
Deep down, everyone knew the division of the Clergy was unavoidable, but they still didn’t want to witness it.
"The senior ones have left, those who want to leave can take their people and depart.
The division system is simple, whoever controls the territory, keeps it; if not convinced, fight for it.
After today, everyone will become their own power, meeting in the future as foes, not friends!"
Shelter VII gritted his teeth and said.
After a series of failures and the return of many strongmen from the Church, Shelter VII as the Pope had already lost major power.
If it weren’t for the continuous struggle around the papal position, he wouldn’t have anything left to do.
Initially believing that after the struggle for victory, he would fully retreat into seclusion was a mistake; this waiting resulted in the division of the Clergy.
The seniors within the Church were not as responsible as he expected.
After stabilizing the situation, each became engrossed in their affairs, unable to mediate internal conflicts.
If not for needing a scapegoat for the division, today’s meeting wouldn’t have even informed him.
Knowing the situation was irreversible, Shelter VII didn’t bother to struggle any further.
Wanting to split, they might as well go ahead; regardless of how, he no longer cared now.
Leaving potential conflicts, resolved by the continent’s rules, strength dictated reason.
"Your Majesty, since you say so, naturally we have no objections.
However, now that the Divine Spirits have fallen, the Pope shouldn’t exist either.
Countries have sent notifications, requesting Your Majesty to relinquish the emperor’s title and downgrade to a noble..."