Destined Orchestrations

The Fall of the Radiant Church Shakes the World

When news of the Radiant Church's complete destruction and the utter annihilation of its members reached the Holy Light Alliance, it was like a massive boulder had been cast into a tranquil lake, sending ripples of shock and unrest through every faction. Reactions varied greatly across the continent.

Raymond, upon receiving the news, could barely contain his excitement. He paced back and forth in his chamber, his face brimming with joy and pride. "Unbelievable!" he thought, his heart pounding. "His Holiness is far more powerful than I ever imagined! At last, the Radiant Church has reclaimed its honor. No one will dare look down on us again!"

On the other hand, Cardinal Karo of the Radiant Church was struck as if by a bolt of lightning. The moment the devastating news reached his ears, he sat there in stunned silence, his eyes vacant and unfocused. The words echoed in his mind over and over: The Radiant Church has fallen.

Once a pillar of faith and power, the foundation of everything he had fought for, everything he had believed in, had been reduced to nothing. He was now alone in the world, adrift in an ocean of despair, utterly lost.

The Alliance Responds

The other factions, upon hearing the news, were first struck by disbelief before lapsing into heavy silence. It was clear to all that the power Rowan had demonstrated was far beyond their expectations. The rise of the Luminous Church was now inevitable. It would soon become an unstoppable force on the continent.

At this moment, many rulers and strategists came to the same conclusion—it was best to stay out of the Luminous Church's affairs. Involving themselves in its rise would only bring unnecessary disaster.

In the Holy Light Church, Cardinal Ketch sat quietly in his chair, deep in thought. His sharp mind analyzed the shifting balance of power, weighing the risks and opportunities that lay ahead. After some deliberation, he summoned a council meeting—there were many issues that now needed to be renegotiated.

Soon, representatives from all factions arrived for the discussion.

Karo also attended, but unlike before, he sat in silence, his expression still vacant, as though his soul had yet to return from the abyss of despair. He had not yet decided what path he should take next.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, Ketch cleared his throat and began:

"Given the current situation, the Duchy of Loran will henceforth fall under the jurisdiction of the Luminous Church. I assume no one has any objections?"

A heavy silence followed. The representatives exchanged glances, understanding the undeniable truth—strength reigned supreme. The Luminous Church had established an overwhelming advantage through sheer military force. It was futile to oppose them. One by one, they nodded in agreement.

Ketch then turned his gaze toward Karo, his tone noticeably gentler.

"As for you, Karo, come with me to the Holy Light Church. The Radiant Church may be gone, but that does not mean its legacy is lost. You are a spark of that legacy. If you play your cards right, perhaps one day, the Radiant Church can rise again. After all, the Radiant God is still a lower-tier deity, and his divine foundation is not to be underestimated."

For the first time in days, Karo's hollow eyes flickered with light—a glimmer of hope in the darkness. He rose swiftly, bowing deeply.

"Thank you, Cardinal Ketch, for your kindness and guidance. I swear, the Radiant Church will rise again!"

With this, the negotiations concluded. The representatives departed, each carrying their own thoughts on the shifting landscape.

Rowan's Next Move

Meanwhile, back in the Luminous Church, Rowan finally received Raymond's report. The moment he confirmed the Radiant Church's fall, the weight he had been carrying for so long lifted slightly from his shoulders.

The war had been long and arduous, but at last, it was over. Now, it was time to consolidate power, to stabilize the lands under the Luminous Church's control.

Just as he was about to delve into the next phase of planning, a familiar ding echoed in his mind.

[System Notification: Detected the presence of an Ancient Goddess of Blessings within the Forgotten Lands. She possesses immense auxiliary combat abilities. It is strongly recommended that the host marries her—doing so will bring great benefits to your future endeavors.]

Rowan's brows furrowed. "A goddess?" he muttered. "How can such a powerful existence still remain in this realm?"

The system promptly responded:

[The Goddess of Blessings was sealed in the Forgotten Lands ages ago. After countless years of imprisonment, her power has dwindled to a mere fraction of what it once was. However, she is now in grave danger—on the verge of perishing completely. If you act quickly, you have a significant chance to claim her as your own. Do not let this rare opportunity slip away.]

Rowan let out a deep sigh. "And where exactly is this 'Forgotten Lands'?"

[The Forgotten Lands will reappear in the Forgotten Mountains one year from now.]

Rowan pinched the bridge of his nose. "A woman who won't even appear for another year, and you're already telling me to prepare? Isn't this a little premature?"

The system coldly responded:

[I am merely ensuring that you do not waste this precious opportunity. Ungrateful host.]

Then, no matter how much Rowan pressed for details, the system remained silent.

Shaking his head, Rowan summoned Blake.

"Blake, although we have eliminated the royal family of Loran and destroyed the Radiant Church, remnants of resistance still linger throughout the duchy. Take your men and root them out—leave no survivors."

Blake nodded solemnly. "Understood, Your Holiness. It will be done."

Rowan's expression remained calm, but his tone was firm.

"However, I want you to keep enough forces to assist Duke Leo in maintaining order. Our first priority is stabilizing the duchy. We must ensure that no opposition remains, but at the same time, we cannot allow chaos to disrupt the transition of power."

Blake bowed. "I understand, Your Holiness. I will see to it that every last remnant of resistance is crushed. The Luminous Church will reign supreme over the land of Loran."

Rowan gave a slow nod. "Do not fail me, Black. This is only the beginning."

And so, as the Luminous Knights charged forth to deliver the final blow to the remaining rebels, Rowan turned his gaze toward the horizon. A new chapter was about to unfold—one that would shape the future of the world.

And somewhere in the distance, in the mist-shrouded Forgotten Mountains, an ancient power was waiting to be claimed.