If the four of them survive, it is inevitable that they will grow into fanatics.

But can they really survive?

The cavalry charged forward at great speed, and in just a few breaths, they were right in front of them. Nick’s lips curled into a ferocious grin, his greatsword at the ready. Confident in the momentum of his charge, he believed he could send Landon flying with a single blow.

At this critical moment, a sudden change occurred!

The seven or eight meter tall, dilapidated statue of the God of Light suddenly erupted with dazzling rays of light.

The radiance was like a blazing sun, illuminating the entire St. Luke Monastery as if it were broad daylight, so bright that no one could keep their eyes open.

Neighhhh~

A dozen or so warhorses seemed to be terrified, their hooves digging into the ground, refusing to move even half a step forward. The battle-hardened cavalry on their backs, caught by the sudden stop, nearly got thrown off their horses by the inertia.

“What’s going on?!”

Nick and the cavalry’s faces turned grim, tinged with fear.

Everyone’s gaze was drawn to the statue of the God of Light, which was undergoing a dramatic transformation.

The changes continued.

The statue, which had barely been propped up, covered in cracks and yet to be repaired, was not only bursting with brilliant light, but its fractured surface was miraculously healing in the glow.

The surface of the statue gleamed like white jade, radiating vibrant life.

In the blink of an eye, the statue actually came to life.

That’s right—it came to life.

The statue’s eyes, which had been slightly downcast and half-closed in compassion, slowly opened. Its gaze was like thunder and lightning, looking down from above at the invading enemies.

At the forefront were the captain of Luke City’s Third Patrol Regiment, Nick, and his dozen or so elite cavalrymen.

Under the statue’s majestic gaze, they were instantly overwhelmed by a sense of impending doom. Terror surged from their chests, making their heads spin and limbs go weak, nearly causing them to fall from their horses.

The divine might was like a prison—they didn’t even dare to think of resisting.

……

Chapter 10: Rule by Grace and Might

……

“How is this possible?! Didn’t His Majesty proclaim to the whole nation that the God of Light has perished?”

Lord Knight Nick was so frightened that his face turned deathly pale, and even his sword hand trembled slightly.

The recent series of monastery massacres and public executions of the God of Light’s followers should have been enough to prove His Majesty’s proclamation. If the God of Light were still alive, how could he have stood by and watched as hundreds of monasteries were destroyed and countless believers slaughtered and burned in acts of blasphemy?

That’s why the Third Patrol Regiment dared to turn their blades on the God of Light’s followers.

But now, everyone was stunned, faces ashen, so terrified that they dared not make a single move.

In contrast, William Clark’s followers had an expression of disbelief shining in their eyes. They believed in the God of Light, and under the encouragement of the Saintess and high-ranking believers, they had been inspired to unite as one, even to the point of fanatical martyrdom.

But the vast majority of them had never dared to hope that a miracle would truly occur, that the God of Light would personally descend to protect and save such weak and helpless believers as themselves.

In fact, in these few short years, countless monasteries had been toppled, countless devout believers burned to death, and there had been no word of any miracles.

Yet under the same divine gaze, the believers felt majesty, warmth, and safety, as if they were bathed in endless holy light.

“Everyone, a miracle has occurred.”

The swordsman Landon, standing at the front lines, shouted with a voice full of conviction and fervor, “The great Lord of Light has returned victorious from a distant corner of the universe, once again protecting His faithful and cleansing the evil emperor corrupted by demons. Protect the faithful, judge the evil emperor.”

Landon’s words instantly gave all the believers a reason and an explanation.

The God of Light had not shown miracles before because He was off fighting evil gods. Now that He had returned, He could once again protect His followers and restore His divine might.

And the current emperor, corrupted by demons, had seized the opportunity to overthrow the church and massacre the faithful—truly despicable and hateful.

With the arrival of the miracle, all the believers were swept up in excitement and fanaticism, shouting in unison.

“Protect the faithful, judge the evil emperor.”

“Protect the faithful, judge the evil emperor.”

Their voices were passionate and thunderous, shaking the heavens.

“We’re saved, child, we’re really saved.” The once hopeless peasant woman clutched her seven- or eight-year-old daughter, weeping tears of joy. “The great God of Light has returned. The dawn of light has arrived. The darkness will soon be driven away.”

“Mom, is that the great God of Light?” The little girl stared wide-eyed at the statue of the God of Light, which seemed to have come alive, her face full of curiosity.

The peasant woman hurriedly covered the little girl’s eyes, anxiously saying, “Child, you mustn’t look at or speak about the deity. That would be an offense against the divine.”

She was terrified. In the past, to look at or speak carelessly about the statue of the deity would have meant being judged.