The Wedding Crasher

The words sent shockwaves through the wedding hall, especially among the devoted followers of the Radiant God. All eyes turned toward Rowan, filled with apprehension and expectation, yearning for an answer that would ease their concerns. Even the other guests turned their gazes toward him, waiting in silence.

Emperor Montrey, in particular, looked on with anticipation—this moment could determine his future.

Rowan met Laika's gaze with a calm smile and said, "Utter nonsense. Do you think you have the right to speculate on divine matters? You overstep your bounds."

Laika, undeterred, smirked and replied, "We'll see about that. Let's test it right here and now. Actions speak louder than words."

Rowan's eyes remained steady. "You are not worthy."

Laika's expression twisted with rage, his eyes burning with fury. "Let's see how long you can keep up that act!" he roared.

He had arrived brimming with confidence, certain that the weakening of divine miracles meant Rowan would be no match for him. Yet, Rowan's utter disregard enraged him. Gathering all his strength, Laika unleashed a terrifying sword aura, a strike powerful enough to rend the very air apart, streaking toward Rowan with lethal force.

He was already savoring the image of Rowan struggling to withstand the attack, expecting to see the pope's powerlessness laid bare.

The devoted followers of the Radiant God gasped in horror, their hearts tightening with fear.

"Can His Holiness really withstand this attack? Radiant God, please protect him," some murmured in anxious prayers, their eyes fixed on Rowan.

Raymond's face turned deathly pale, panic gripping his heart. He knew that Laika's words weren't entirely baseless. The power of divine miracles had indeed weakened.

"This is it. The Pope won't be able to handle that attack. The Radiant Church is doomed," he thought, his mind filled with despair.

Alice's hands clenched tightly, barely holding back her distress. "Rowan, please… you must be safe."

Emperor Montrey, however, was elated. He had never expected the Church of Illumination to send a Grand Swordmaster. Not a single Grand Swordmaster existed in the entire Lanen Duchy.

"The Radiant Church is finished. My opportunity has finally come!" he mused, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he envisioned his future rise in power.

Yet, as all watched in anticipation—whether with worry, glee, or malice—Rowan remained unmoved. He merely lifted his hand and, with a casual wave, invoked Divine Judgment.

A brilliant pillar of light descended in an instant, forming a radiant barrier that effortlessly dispersed Laika's sword aura. The fearsome energy that had threatened to tear through the hall vanished as though it had never existed.

But Rowan's attack did not stop there. The pillar of light, undeterred, surged forward at blinding speed, striking Laika before he could react.

"Impossible! How is he this powerful?!" Laika's eyes widened in sheer terror, but he had no time to resist. The moment the divine radiance enveloped him, he was erased—gone without a trace, as if he had never stood there at all.

A stunned silence filled the hall.

The followers of the Radiant God were the first to react, eyes wide with awe.

"His Holiness is incredible! The Radiant God has not abandoned us!"

The fear that had gripped their hearts moments ago was replaced by exhilaration. One strike—one single strike—had annihilated a Grand Swordmaster. The very idea was unthinkable. They now saw Laika's words for what they were: lies, blatant falsehoods meant to shake their faith.

Their reverence for the Radiant God and their pope soared to unprecedented heights, their belief in the church's strength unshakable.

No one was more shocked than Raymond. He stood frozen, mouth slightly agape.

"This… this isn't possible. Divine power was supposed to be weakened!"

He, more than anyone, knew Rowan's true capabilities. He had seen firsthand how the miracles had waned. Yet what had just unfolded before him defied all reason.

"How… how did he summon such an overwhelming Divine Judgment?"

Alice, who had been wracked with worry just moments ago, now beamed with unconcealed delight, her sapphire eyes sparkling.

"So this is the true power of the man I married! I'm truly the luckiest woman alive."

Her heart swelled with admiration and love for Rowan, feeling utterly certain she had made the best possible choice. Now, she eagerly looked forward to their future together.

The other guests were equally stunned. Watching Rowan obliterate a Grand Swordmaster with a single move forced them to reconsider their prior assumptions.

"We may have underestimated the Radiant Church's strength…"

If Laika had been wrong about Rowan's power, what else had he lied about?

But no one was more shaken than Emperor Montrey. His mind reeled, his hands clenched at his sides.

"This… this can't be…" he murmured in disbelief.

A man capable of such overwhelming power—there was no way the Radiant God was wounded. If the Radiant Church discovered his secret dealings with the Church of Illumination, there would be no escape for him.

Behind him, the so-called envoy of the Church of Illumination looked equally dumbfounded, his face contorted in a mix of horror and rage.

"What the hell is going on?! Our intelligence said the pope was so weak he couldn't even defeat a low-level swordsman!"

"Who the hell fed us that garbage intel?!"

Panic surged through him. He needed to report this immediately. The invasion plans had to be halted. The intelligence had been catastrophically wrong—Rowan's power had not diminished in the slightest. In fact, he had broken through to the realm of Divine Envoy.

Otherwise, there was no way he could have annihilated a Grand Swordmaster in a single move.

Rowan took in the reactions around him, the corners of his lips lifting in satisfaction.

"Laika's arrival was truly perfect timing. His challenge not only allowed me to demonstrate my strength but also served as a warning to all factions—none of them can act recklessly now."

With that, a sense of ease washed over him. He had achieved everything he needed today.

Now, there was only one thing left to do.

His gaze shifted toward Alice, and his heart burned with anticipation.

The faster he consummated this marriage, the sooner he could claim the system's reward.

Raymond, having finally recovered from his shock, quickly seized the moment, his voice ringing across the hall.

"Let the wedding continue!"

At his command, the hall burst back into lively celebration. Music resumed, guests relaxed, and the joyous atmosphere returned as if the life-threatening spectacle had never occurred.

But no one was more ecstatic than the devoted followers of the Radiant God. Their eyes glowed with reverence as they spoke of Rowan's miraculous power, their faith renewed stronger than ever.

"With His Holiness leading us, the Radiant Church will shine brighter than ever!"

As the ceremony reached its grand conclusion, the newlyweds finally made their way toward the bridal chamber. Rowan lifted Alice effortlessly into his arms, their eyes locking in an intimate gaze.

With a smile, he carried her toward the wedding bed, eager to embrace their future together.