Chapter 359: Chapter 241 Main Storyline Begins
Solar Calendar 4419, September 21st.
The conspiracy of the Red Apple Church to spread plague was exposed.
All related evidence was reported by the Shelter in Fossil City, prompting the Six States Parliament to convene a large meeting to discuss how to deal with the matter. Meanwhile, the Sun Royal Family also received the news.
Unlike Chen Lun’s experience a year and a half ago, with the gallery case and the battle in the square. Although the mastermind behind the scenes was the Red Apple Church then as well, the negative impact was limited to the Inner City District of a single city.
And because of Chen Lun’s timely intervention, the situation did not become irreparable.
So, at that time, the matter fizzled out.
The Empire intervened, suppressing all voices. The Red Apple Church merely forfeited its mission right in that district, and the matter was declared over.
In reality, the Red Apple Church suffered no real loss.
This type of “indulgence” was not what the Sun Royal Family wanted but rather what they could not help.
No longer at the dawn of the Kingdom, the growing issues inherent for thousands of years demanded too much of the Sun Royal Family’s effort. Even the Sun Royal Family could not lightly move against the Righteous God Church, the most powerful Transcendent force.
The Royal Family was not unaware of the Red Apple Church’s minor actions in the past, but since those did not touch on the “essentials,” they turned a blind eye.
However, this time the plague was so widespread, already covering the southern part of Gem State, affecting five or six cities, dozens of towns, and hundreds of villages.
The number of deaths and the indirect economic losses were incalculable.
The Red Apple Church could not escape blame.
Most importantly, the evidence was uploaded and made public.
The Sun Royal Family could no longer remain indifferent.
In response to the incident, the Moon Church, Constellation Sect, History and Ritual Association, and even the usually low-key Hailing Group and Madman School, began to denounce the Red Apple Church collectively.
The five main Righteous God Churches jointly suggested that the Sun Royal Family expel the Red Apple Church and, if necessary, even suppress it militarily.
They all pledged their strong support.
But while the Sun Royal Family was still hesitant, Prince Dazlert overrode all objections and solemnly announced that he would invoke “Holy Sanction” against the Red Apple Church—by expelling them from the country and banning the worship of Lady Rose within the Empire.
This decision caused an uproar within the upper echelons of the Royal City.
This was one of the Seven Righteous God Churches! Churches of the True God!
If they really did this, it might lead to an unimaginable war!
But before the order was formally issued, another major piece of news arrived first—
The Anlong United Kingdom officially declared war on the Tresor Empire!
The situation at the western border suddenly turned tense, and both sides began mobilizing troops, on the verge of war!
The entire Empire fell into madness as a result, as the vast majority of its inhabitants raised flags and shouted, looking forward to the Empire’s armies crushing the Anlong United Kingdom and reclaiming territories lost for hundreds of years.
Others were deeply worried, for war is cruel, and the fighting between two countries could lead to countless deaths.
Not two days after Anlong United Kingdom’s declaration of war, massive upheavals suddenly erupted throughout the Empire!
Towns destroyed, countless civilians dead, a series of explosions and fires demolished houses and lives, painting a picture of purgatory on earth.
At the root of it all lay the Red Apple Church’s doing!
They seemed to have anticipated the decision of the Sun Royal Family and chose to strike first!
The unrest in the Empire officially began!
This was a remote city, somewhat smaller compared to other cities in the same state. But located in a valley rich with industrial ores, it had a thriving heavy industry.
In comparison to the many cities of Gem State, its status was significant.
On a seemingly ordinary day in the city, the Red Apple Church in the city center suddenly took on an eerie atmosphere.
Many believers who came to worship entered The Great Gate but then were never seen again.
Even family members of believers who later came to look for their loved ones at the church went in but did not return.
This quickly caught the attention of the Security Office, which immediately dispatched officers to investigate.
But invariably, every officer who entered the Red Apple Church disappeared.
This Red Apple Church location instantly became a dreadful taboo zone!
The once sacred building now loomed ominously, like a monster’s lair consuming people, and no one dared to approach it anymore.
Under official recruitment, a group of about a hundred players temporarily teamed up, following two teams of Shelter Investigators to conduct an investigation at the Red Apple Church.
The two team leaders at the front were both Transcendents.
But no one anticipated what happened next.
As soon as the church’s great doors opened, hundreds of people poured out, muttering strange prayers, with ecstatic expressions, like madmen.
They were all the previously missing individuals!
Just in a single encounter.
The front row of Shelter Investigators were immediately tackled, and the crazed individuals climbed on top of them, biting madly, like a mob of ravenous beasts.
The scene turned chaotic, drenched in blood.
“—Fuck! Is this a zombie apocalypse?!”
“—How did the Red Apple Church turn into something ?!”
“—Take them down, take them down!!”
Although the players were surprised, they remained composed. To them, this was just a mission, no matter how bizarre; it was simply about leveling up and defeating monsters.