Under the hazy cold moon, darkness shrouded the sky, and a mist enveloped the land. In this gloomy domain, tombstones stood like hefty silhouettes, erect beneath the pallid moonlight.
Tall forests surrounded the cemetery, and as the wind blew, the fog howled. Leaves rustled, breaking the domain’s dead silence.
In the cemetery’s center, where the fog was thickest, flickers of phosphorescence wavered. A group of people in black stood holding lanterns, adding a touch of horror to the deathly stillness.
The believers of death arrived as promised, waiting for the Death Knight to convey the Divine Decree.
It was an exceedingly foolish gathering. If surrounded by the Tri-Goddess Alliance’s mages or if this meeting were but a trap, Lundan’s death believers’ leader would be caught in one fell swoop.
But still, they came, driven by devout faith as well as by blind folly.
As time crept towards the wee hours, pairs of eyes in the surrounding woods opened, waiting for the arrival of the Death Knight.
The gathering had numerous participants – not just the death believers. Several churches watched closely, and even the enigmatic Dark Knight had made his way to the Grand Cemetery.
The midnight chimes rang out, the fog so thick one could not see their hand before them. Amidst the believers’ anticipation, the crisp sound of horse hooves arose from the depths of the cemetery.
Evil Spirit Dogs parted the fog, and a pale-coated, black-hatted undead servant led the reins, as the Death Knight arrived on his warhorse before the followers.
"Goddess above, we come with the utmost reverence to heed the Knight’s teachings."
The believers bowed deeply, praising the Goddess and her Knight. Some even sought to kiss the Death Knight’s boots, only to be frightened off by a fierce growl from the Evil Spirit Dogs.
To the common folk, the Death Knight’s grim and dilapidated armor was filled with resentment and anger towards the living. His sword yearned to feast on fresh blood, and death and pestilence followed in his wake, an embodiment of despair.
In the eyes of the death believers, everything was the opposite. The Knight was noble and mysterious, his entire being exuding elegance.
The believers held their breath, thrilled to be in close contact with the Death Knight. Clenching their fists, they felt their lives were now complete. Even if they were immediately sent to the Asylum, they’d have no regrets.
"I am the Death Knight, coming in the name of the Goddess to spread the faith of death, to recount the Goddess’s Divine Decree. You are all Her most devout children, and I am pleased that you could come."
Wayne swept his gaze across the crowd, his skull emitting a sonorous voice, "As for the others, though not invited by me, since you have come, I am willing to regard you as guests. Come out, there’s no need to hide."
As his words fell, the believers stirred with outrage, clamoring to drag the heretics out and bleed them.
The presence of the Death Knight emboldened the believers, who now clung to his coattails. They felt invincible, as if filled with boundless strength.
Wayne snorted coldly, cutting off the endless chatter of the believers. His sharp white gaze swept into the distance, and he laid a hand on his sword, "As I said, there’s no need to hide. Doing so only shames your faith."
Rustling footsteps sounded as hundreds of figures emerged from the forest, clearly defined, from different factions, some close and some distant.
Seeing the thieves’ army large in numbers and clearly holding the advantage, the death believers fell silent, retreating to stand behind the Knight.
Changing sides, the cowardice of the believers no longer amused him; it was merely shameful.
The uninvited guests largely came from four powers: the Heavenly Father’s Court, the Liberty Mage Alliance, the Tri-Goddess Alliance, and an ally assisting from the Dark Church.
Among them, the Goddesses’ Alliance could be divided into three forces: Nature, Sun, and Moonlight.
Wayne spotted two familiar faces among the Goddesses’ Alliance’s ranks: his teacher Hefei and Main Coach Dick from the gym. Focusing on his comrades, he took note of a representative from the Moonlight Church.
A properly dressed woman around fifty years old, her thin face showing signs of aging, yet her spirit seemed vibrant. With sharp eyes and a formidable aura, she emitted an impression of strength.
Others remained hidden in the forest, unrecognized, but Wayne paid them no mind; he was there to preach, not to fight.
Wayne looked around and had all the believers of death stand in front, implying it was shameful to hide behind others.
Have no shame, but the Goddess still does!
"I bring the Goddess’s Divine Decree: Lundan has once again been defiled..."
Unconcerned with the commotion beside him, Wayne calmly continued his narration, "Some are born into poverty and squalor; others, into ugliness. Meanwhile, some are born into wealth and beauty. The disparity between people is so vast that the world is filled with injustice. But..."
"All will walk towards death, all will meet death. Whether you resist or oppose it, eventually, everyone must leave this world and enter eternal peace. Death is the great equalizer."
"Death is fair, peaceful, and before it, all are equal. No matter who you are, you will die one day; this is the fairness bestowed upon all by the Goddess."
Listening to the Divine Decree, the believers reflected with emotion, confident they had not misplaced their faith, echoing the truth in their hearts as spoken by the Knight.
As for the guests, they were perplexed. The Death Knight spoke profound truths, yet what did he really mean to convey? If this was the Divine Decree, it seemed rather hollow.
"You can speak all your life, yet you will never recruit more followers for the Goddess of Death. Step down, and let us show you what true professionalism is."