I'm supposed to be beheaded right at the start, but I'm immortal!

Chapter 26. The True and False Holy Maidens, the Imperial Edict, and Ku Xi Xi

"Old wizard, you're back? What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?" Green asked.

Although the old wizard saw that Green was with other unfamiliar people, he didn't ask any questions and simply said:

"Oh dear, this is really bad!"

As he spoke, the old wizard recounted everything he had seen and heard over the past few days, as well as the plans of the group of believers.

After listening, Catherine said, "I see."

"So it seems that the reason Gordon saw the scene of people dying suddenly disappear was because this wizard told us the information."

"Who are you?" The old wizard looked at the other person with a puzzled expression.

"This is Ms. Catherine from Nienia, and the people around her are all her students," Green explained.

"I see," the old wizard breathed a sigh of relief. "With the academy's teachers present, this matter shouldn't cause any major trouble."

"The turmoil caused by the Outer Gods is a matter of utmost importance. As teachers and students of the Hero Academy, we absolutely cannot stand idly by."

Catherine said seriously:

"Mabel, take the students to Mayor Philippe to explain the situation and see if there's anything we can do to help."

Mabel nodded: "No problem."

"This..." Vincent wanted to say that this was an Outer God disturbance, wouldn't it be too dangerous?

"It will count towards your credits," Catherine added. "I'll go back and inform the department head and the president of the college. I'll be back soon."

"We understand! Take care, Ms. Catherine!" The short-haired girl, Sean, exchanged a glance with Mabel and immediately said.

Seeing Vincent's hesitant manner, Sean felt utterly disdainful.

What an idiot.

With the department head and the principal coming, even if there's some unrest, what's there to be afraid of?

In other words, this is a merit given to them for free!

If you can offer even a little help during this upheaval in the Outer Gods, how many people will think highly of you if you write that into your resume?

After Catherine walked towards the train station, Green and his group headed towards the city hall.

Compared to the excited Sean, Mabel shook her head dismissively:

"It's just an Outer God uprising, right? I stopped it before, Boss!"

Vincent looked at her doubtfully. "Really?"

"Ha, foolish mortals," Mabel said disdainfully.

She then recounted how she, Green, and two others encountered a divine force in an abandoned factory, defeating the Outer God believers and earning Sean's admiration.

"Holy crap (｀Δ´)! Our boss is amazing!"

"Hmph, of course! I imagine even ordinary third-tier cultivators would have to back down from Brother Dao's Razor Slash, yet I, the Big Sister, managed to withstand it!"

On the way, Mabel boasted and bragged.

Fenrir nudged Green in the back and whispered:

"Wasn't it you, Mr. Green, who repelled Brother Dao?"

"Hmm," Green nodded, "How did you know?"

The girl didn't seem afraid of the external disturbances; on the contrary, she was exceptionally curious. With her hands behind her dress, she said energetically:

"Because Mabel is only at the third level of the Lantern-Bearing Realm, and that wizard also seems to be at the Lantern-Bearing Realm. After thinking about it, isn't it only you, Mr. Grimm, who can do it?"

Green smiled. Indeed, after all, only her little fangirl Sean would believe Mabel's exaggerated claims.

.........

St. Petersburg, City Hall.

Since coffee beans, a specialty of the Western Continent, spread to other continents, this cheap and invigorating product has become the first choice for laborers, and its unique aroma makes it a hot seller.

However, Philip didn't like drinking this stuff. Apart from its energizing effect, it wasn't as refreshing as the cola, a specialty drink from the hero's hometown.

"Coca-Cola is so delicious." Philip shook the liquid in his glass and gulped it down.

The owner behind this magic airship exhibition is his alumnus, an alchemist who graduated many years ago, Lance, an old St. Petersburg native.

The exhibition was a large-scale event; the stadium could practically hold half the population of St. Petersburg. Therefore, to eliminate security risks and maintain order, Philipp sent people to inspect the stadium well in advance.

The exhibition of the magic airship in St. Petersburg has attracted countless visitors, bringing huge economic benefits. Philip is happy to see this, but all of this is contingent on no unforeseen events.

If this exhibition is ruined, many people will blame the government, accusing them of being a bunch of incompetent, useless idiots who waste taxpayers' money.

Although most of the sheriffs from the Public Security Bureau had already been sent to patrol the area, Philip was somewhat worried that if more were sent, it would be difficult to maintain normal public security in the city.

At that moment, his secretary walked into the office.

He's a rather quiet young man, but shrewd and capable, that's just...

"Haha, Maya, has the vaccine I ordered yesterday started production yet?"

"I have already instructed the municipal government and the pharmaceutical companies we cooperate with to begin production, Your Excellency."

Philip nodded. "Very good."

The Iron Cross virus that Green and his team had previously discovered had put him on high alert.

Those ruthless bastards haven't been caught yet. Who knows if they still have the virus on hand, or if they'll take advantage of the exhibition to poison the crowd?

If an unexpected incident does occur, that will be the time for these vaccines to truly shine.

"By the way, go to the Public Security Bureau later and gather some of the patrol officers to go to the Wanmin Stadium."

Only after receiving these instructions did Philip feel somewhat relieved.

"I see."

Haha Maya nodded and placed a newspaper on her desk before leaving the office.

"This is today's edition of the Rhine River newspaper, Your Excellency Mayor."

The Rhine River Newspaper is an affiliated force of the Adventurers' Guild, and like the adventurers themselves, it is spread throughout Therra and is quite influential.

Philip was flipping through the newspaper.

"The new Witch King of the North has taken office and entered the Forbidden Forest yesterday to pay homage to the Ancestral Spirit King."

"Yesterday, the Church of Holy Light announced that the Holy Maiden has been chosen between Lilith and Aisilia. Aisilia has become the current Holy Maiden of the Church of Holy Light, acting on behalf of the will of the Holy Light and traveling to all corners of the world."

"The Fijian Empire in the western continent is in turmoil. The Royal Guard Knight Commander has killed the old king and established a new Fijian government."

"A dragon attacked the capital of the lost empire on the Eastern Continent and abducted the imperial princess. A month later, the princess returned safely from the dragon's lair. The princess said that the person who saved her did not need any reward, but she needed help to find a person named 'Green'."

The distinguished guest who saved the princess is currently visiting the capital, and the king of the lost empire has issued a bounty for Grimm, searching the entire country for him.

Philip flipped through the newspaper as usual, not paying much attention to its contents.

Since the Demon Vanguard appeared on the Western Continent, many barbarian nations and tribes have fallen apart.

Meanwhile, the truly powerful empires and tribes were conserving their strength in the battle against the demon vanguard, searching everywhere for the whereabouts of the Sixth Hero of Thera, intending to establish good relations with him before he rose to power, and to use this relationship to reshape Thera's political landscape after the Sixth Hero slays the Demon King.

As for the last piece of news, the dragons... Ever since the Ancient Dragon King was shot and killed by the hybrid blacksmith Xiu Gu, the entire dragon race disappeared without a trace and hasn't appeared for many years. Many people thought that the ancient dragon species might have become extinct, but unexpectedly, they have reappeared in the world.

As for the news about the Lost Empire searching for "Green" nationwide, he pondered whether it was a coincidence of the same name or whether they were looking for the Green he knew.

Philip was drinking a Coke, but just in case, he still had to go to the stadium in person.

But as he stared at the unremarkable newspaper in front of him, he gradually frowned.

Something seems... off?

As a transcendent being of the Radiant Sea Realm, he subconsciously sensed something was wrong and sat up straight.

"The Witch King takes office, Fiji is in turmoil, and the Eastern Continent searches for Grin..."

He soon realized that he seemed to have been subconsciously ignoring a news item.

Asheria became the current Saintess of the Church of Holy Light, acting on behalf of the will of the Holy Light, and traveling to all corners of the world...

Philip asked in confusion, "Wasn't the Holy Maiden of the Church of Holy Light always in St. Petersburg?"

But he also knew that the Rheinische Zeitung would not publish fake news.

"The Holy Light Church's saint was only elected yesterday, so who has been staying in St. Petersburg for the past two weeks?"

Philip suddenly realized that cold sweat had appeared on his forehead and was dripping down his forehead.

When the saint arrived in St. Petersburg, he never even bothered to verify whether her identity was true.

Logically speaking, this should be an impossible thing to happen, but I didn't bother to ask the Church of Holy Light for confirmation, as if some force made me subconsciously ignore this point.

And, even more critically, he already knew that someone in the city was suspected of plotting a rebellion against the gods, a matter of great importance that he should have reported to the Emperor no matter what, yet he hadn't done so...

Upon realizing this, Philip instinctively uttered three words:

"Obstruction of perception!"

Those followers of the Outer Gods, perhaps from the very first meeting, had somehow created a cognitive barrier around him.

This is a "miracle" that is often possessed by high-ranking believers among Outer Gods who are hailed as "messengers of God." Once one is affected, one will subconsciously neglect important matters, making it impossible to guard against.

Without hesitation, Philip immediately dialed a number using the landline phone on his desk.

"I am Director General of the Gbe-U.S. Army, number 009. Please speak."

"Mayor Philip of St. Petersburg: There are heretics in St. Petersburg..."

Philip reported all the intelligence he had gathered to his superiors in detail.

The person on the other end of the phone answered immediately after hearing the message.

"I have dispatched personnel from the Gbe-U border stationed in the southern provinces to provide support. I will report the situation to His Majesty the Emperor later. Now, please keep St. Petersburg on high alert."

After hanging up the phone, Philip immediately summoned the head of the police department and put the entire city of St. Petersburg on high alert.

At that moment, Haha Maya suddenly walked into the office and said:

"Your Excellency Mayor, Green, Mabel, and students from the Magic Academy request an audience."

Philip rubbed his temples and said:

"Let them in."

.........

"Has the miracle's validity period expired?"

Amidst a tremendous roar, the magical airship, embodying the labor and wisdom of countless people, soared into the sky.

The saint who resembled Alice stood in the cockpit of the airship, looking down at St. Petersburg, which looked as tiny as an ant, and murmured to herself.

Her face beneath the veil remained expressionless, as if she was confident she could suppress any resistance, no matter how great.

As for Lance, the owner of the airship, he had long been "converted" by her, joined the Holy Church, and worshipped the gods.

At this moment, Lance is piloting the airship towards the St. Petersburg National Stadium.

The priest and the wandering merchants stood guard around the saint, who asked:

"Is everything ready?"

"Please rest assured, Your Excellency, everything is prepared this time," said the wandering merchant.

"very good."

Among a group of believers, Brother Dao watched from afar as the divine messenger and others spoke eloquently.

He knew very well that he was lucky.

He had long since given up any thoughts of revenge against the three mafia members and the leader of the punk group.

Because no one in St. Petersburg could be a match for the messenger of God.

That is a terrifying existence called the Sun Realm. With the help of the gods, it is likely that no one in the three upper realms can defeat it.

No one can survive; they will all use their lives to carry the "gods" and allow the great "gods" to descend upon the world.

The magic airship continued to approach Petersburg.

The saintess snapped her fingers gently.

In the slums, something strange is quietly happening.

The dilapidated plastic shed could barely be called a home, and the little boy was happily cooking chickpeas in front of an iron pot.

In the Southern Continent, chickpeas and black bread are staple foods for the lower classes. Although the beans are astringent and sour, there are enough of them to fill one's stomach without any problem.

Even so, he was still very happy.

My father, who had been suffering from illness, recovered a few days ago thanks to the Holy Maiden's treatment.

The little boy ladled the stewed chickpeas into a bowl, only to find his father lying on the bed, his back to him, trembling all over.

"Father? Ah!"

The little boy's father suddenly turned around, his eyes bloodshot, as if something was growing wildly inside him, stretching and swelling his originally thin body. His expression was furious and cruel, which startled the little boy.

The boy looked at the little boy as if he had seen some delicious food, his mouth wide open, saliva dripping from it, and he muttered wildly.

"Son, it's delicious! I want to eat it all! I want to eat it all! Eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat... Ugh!"

"Eat if you're hungry!"

The monster was about to open its blood-red maw when it approached the terrified little boy, when suddenly it felt a strong push against its back.

Green kicked him away with a powerful flying kick.

The monster tried to struggle, but Fenrir, who was following behind Grimm, lightly tapped his wand forward and chanted a spell:

"Prohibit moving!"

Old Terrera, translated as:

"No moving allowed here!"

...............

The Southern Continent, the British Empire.

Royal City.

Beneath the Golden Throne.

The head of the Gbe-U said:

"Your Majesty, this is the current situation. Philip called again to say that at nine o'clock today, the Outer God followers will attack the Wanmin Stadium in their magic airships and start a disturbance."

There's still half an hour until nine o'clock.

On the golden throne.

The being known as the Emperor tossed out an imperial edict, which landed in front of Director Gebewu.

"Order a blockade of St. Petersburg, forbidding anyone from leaving. The unrest caused by the Outer Gods will have endless consequences and must be completely eradicated. Take this imperial decree to St. Petersburg."

Director Gebiewu nodded without hesitation, his face expressionless, and took the imperial edict: "Your Majesty, I understand."

After he left, only a faint laugh could be heard from the main hall where the emperor was.

"Kuhehe".

.........