The prince took some time to calm himself down before using a solemn tone to announce to the rest of the attendees, “A plague suddenly broke out at the Templar Fort, infecting most of our armies there. Because of this, we have lost at least half of the combat force there. At the same time, large number of devils are coming out from the Door of Abyss and our fighters are giving it their all in the arduous struggle with the illness of their bodies.”


  After listening to the prince’s words, the room was filled with gasps. A voice queried in a hurry, “Y-Your Highness, is this t- true

  Why did a plague appear all of a sudden at Templar Fort that was stationed with a large number of chaplains?”


  That was the question on everyone’s mind. Could it be that the chaplains were negligent of their duties? At once, all eyes in the room landed on the elderly Archbishop.

  “Gentlemen, this was the news that we received from the messenger sent by Templar Fort. When he reached the nearest Church from Templar Fort, he was already dying and this was the

  message that he could pass on,” the Archbishop explained, “The chaplain of the church found an epidemic disease on him, a disease that had never been seen before. He tried to heal him using Theurgy and he found out that this disease is curable but it would take a long time to do that. So, if this plague suddenly had a massive breakout, it would be too late to turn the situation around.”


  “What exactly is the symptom of that plague?” A bald man suddenly chimed in. It was the good-for-nothing military strategist who advised Vidomina in her foolhardy plan, Kertz the Great Sage. This time, he came as the delegate for the Door of Conundrum.

  “Dizziness, vomiting, fever, which in turn leads to internal bleeding and organ failure,” The Archbishop replied, “The fighters from the Physical Division were still able to hold on for a little longer due to the strong physical conditions of their body. However, once the sorcerers were infected with this plague, they immediately lost their ability to fight. I think this is one of the main reasons why the plague had spreaded to such an extent.”


  “Since the symptoms of this plague are so apparent, why is there no precaution being taken the instance of the first outbreak?” The Alchemists Association’s delegate queried, “This is not the first time the enemy used a plague to attack us! No matter how dynamic the disease is, as long as it is isolated and dealt with properly as soon as possible so as to prevent the spreading of the disease, it

  pose any problem to us!”


  “Exactly! This is why we’re feeling puzzled, too! According to the deduction from the Holy City, the enemy might have used some special means of transmission for the plague to spread around, like the rare forbidden plague spell or something. There is a possibility that an evil necromancer is involved as well,” The Archbishop continued to say.

  The moment his speech ended, all of the attention of the attendees immediately turned to the Sorcerers Association’s delegate.

  There were many sorcerers at Templar Fort, their main function was to support the troops and take precautions against whatever powerful spells that the enemy might cast. The moment somebody mentioned that it could be a forbidden spell at play, the first person people would question was none other than the sorcerers.

  “What are you trying to imply?” The delegate of the Sorcerers Association yelled furiously, “The sorcerers that are posted in Templar Fort are not directly affiliated with the Association at all! The Association merely helped to refer those sorcerers to the fort and they were the one who hired those sorcerers. This has

  to do with the Association at all. Besides, didn’t the Alchemists Association allocate a team of apothecaries there as well? Why don’t you guys ask

  instead?” He pointed towards the delegate of the Alchemists Association.

  “What does this have to do with us? Are you trying to shirk your responsibilities? If you mages have the ability to stop the curse in the first place, do you think this would be happening right now? If anything, shouldn’t the Church be responsible for all that is happening?” The delegate of the Alchemists Association retorted harshly.

  No other organizations dared to have a direct confrontation with the Church but the professional associations were a whole different story. For the sake of humanity, both parties often worked together but at the same time, frictions and disputes were unavoidable. Particularly, the Achemists Association who competed directly with the Church in certain fields.

  Seeing how the meeting was about to turn into a cat-fight, the Archbishop could not help but crumple his face in displeasure. Sighing deeply, he finally opened his mouth, “Gentlemen! The reason I called for you today is not to shirk our responsibilities. For this incident, the Church will bear the responsibility but right now, what’s more important is to resolve the crisis at hands first. The army of Templar Fort is fighting with their lives right now against the plague and the devils as we’re speaking. Do we really need to quarrel over such a petty thing?”


  The moment the words left his mouth, the room immediately became quiet. Everyone finally started to come up with all sorts of solution to deal with the problem.

  The solution was easy. Those with strength would contribute their strength; those with money would contribute money; and lastly, those with skills, would contribute their skills. All of them would work together and form a joint expedition troop that would leave as soon as possible to Templar Fort.

  In fact, at the time of the meeting, the Church had already prepared its own reinforcement troop. All that they needed was the cooperation from the Sorcerers Association in setting up a large-scale transmition formation and as for the cost incurred, a few generous aristocrats would be paying for it.

  After every delegate had finished communicating with their main ‘bosses’, the meeting began to proceed much faster. The royal family of the Walthart and several other great aristocrats agreed to bear the cost and the Church would send its troops. The rest of the associations would each perform their own duty and work together to overcome the ordeal.

  Even President Rhansey gave his word that he would form a student army that would be made up of senior students and lecturers.

  It was only when faced with demonic threats from the devil that humans would become more united.

  After a preliminary agreement was reached, the interim meeting was adjourned and all the delegates rose up to walk away. Only President Rhansey and the two Church leaders were still sitting in their seats. Looking at such scene, the other delegates could guess that they probably had some other things to discuss so they hurriedly left to give them privacy.

  “Come to think of it, why is the judicial judge here for the anniversary of the Celestial Fortress Academy? He’s

  just a small nobody!” An aristocrat’s representative asked the person beside him in a small voice.

  “Who knows? The Judicial Court has always been very mysterious. Why don’t you go ask them?” Another representative answered in an equally small voice.

  “No, forget it. The Judicial Court is the

  I want to offend. Anyway, compared to the Chief Judge, I’m more curious as to why the president of the Celestial Fortress Academy joined in the meeting as well.”


  “So? Didn’t the President said that he’s going to form a student army? Don’t ever underestimate the strength of the Celestial Fortress Academy just because they’re mere students, okay?”


  “Yeah, you have a point! The top students from the academy are the future and hope of our empire!”


  The three men left in the conference room had no idea about the discussion that was going on outside the door but of course, they weren’t interested at all. The Chief Judge, Lord Haart, who did not speak much during the meeting looked at the elderly Archbishop before he said in a heavy tone, “Teacher Nicholas, do you think our mission will be successful?”


  He showed a completely respectful attitude towards the Archbishop. The cold and almighty aura that he exuded during the meeting was nowhere in sight.

  “Lord Hart, the disciple I am most proud of, you should not ask this question,” the Archbishop shook his head before saying in a firm and pious tone, “This is the glorious test that the Lord has given to us that would guide us to the path of sublimation. This is not a question of being able to succeed or not, but instead, we

  succeed no matter what!”


  “Yes, I understand,” The Chief Judge who looked like a middle-aged man lowered his head in shame, “I have ordered all the judicial paladins to sneak into Arfin City without being noticed. They will come to the academy and provide protection,” Then, casting a glance at President Rhansey, he continued, “Sir President, you should not let the students join in the fight. They are a force that we should never underestimate.”


  “You have your own mission, and I have a glorious traditon to uphold, too,” President Rhansey stubbornly said, “The Celestial Fortress Academy is not a pretty greenhouse that cultivates only ornamental plants! Compared to your

  plan, I’m more worried about the safety of the whole Southland!”


  “My disciple, you should not question the decision of President Rhansey. It’s very commendable of him to go along with our plans. You should pay him more respect,” The Archbishop chimed in as he lifted a hand up to hold and rub his temple. It seemed like the long meeting took a toll on him.

  “Let’s be quick, I don’t think I can hold on much longer anymore, “The Archbishop announced and held another hand to touch his right chest, feeling the majestic and powerful heartbeat there.

  The next morning, the news of the plague started to spread around. It was a household news that the Southland was about to set up an expeditionary troop to assist Templar Fort. Thanks to the propaganda spreaded by the multiple organizations, the crisis did not cause any panic among the people but instead, it aroused the heroic desire in them. At once, there were many people who were eager to donate to the army that a long line of queue was formed in front of the Church everyday. Everyone had faith that mankind would win the battle.

  Even Mia who went out and listened to the speech that was deliberately inciting the emotions of the people immediately came back and wanted to donate her hammerhead shark plushie to the army as well.

  Of course, Baiyi quickly stopped her and gave her a hard scolding. Her little face was pinched till it went all red and she was even punished by having her dinner taken away from her!

  It was only until the little girl came crying at him and apologized for her rash impulse that he finally pulled her into his arms and wiped off the tears on her face. Rubbing her face and appeasing her at the same time, he ordered Attie to heat the food up for her.

  “Next time, don’t be so rash in making any decision, okay? Always be rational and have your own opinions and judgements!” Baiyi nagged while stuffing a piece of bread into Mia’s mouth.

  “I understand what you feel but look, Sharkie has been following you for so long and has protected you so many times! How do you have the heart to give it away?” Baiyi stroked Mia’s head and asked at the same time.

  “I-I’m sorry, Mr. Hope. I-It’s all my fault……” She swallowed the bread and quickly apologized to him.

  “I-I am also very reluctant to let S-Sharkie go…… B-But…… I really want it to protect i-innocent people……” Mia plastered her face against Baiyi’s chest and looked at him with her puppy eyes as she said that.

  “Sharkie will not protect anybody else except for

  If you want to protect other people, you

  to rely on your own strength,” Baiyi added, “I know that right now you don’t have the power yet to protect them but don’t worry, as long as I’m here, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll able to do that!”