The Hymn of Holy Light soared, reaching the heavens; even the clouds above the square were swept away, and golden sunlight poured down, illuminating Cardinal Stray in his red robes, as well as countless devout believers of the Church of the Holy Light.
In that moment, their figures suddenly merged into one, forming a golden sea.
Reporters from The World Times faithfully recorded the scene, but their hearts were filled with emotion.
Behind the square stood a complex of ancient church-palaces, sacred and venerable. Within one palace called the Sanctum, Pope Gary II stood straight-backed, his aged body seeming to contain boundless power.
His gaze seemed to pierce layers of space, landing upon the Vatican square as he murmured, "The Lord's radiance will once again shine upon this land!"
"Indeed, the Lord can once again descend upon this land!"
Spoke a gray-robed elder standing behind Pope Gary II. Slightly hunched, barefoot, and wild-haired, his small, frail body seemed to house a primordial beast.
He was Gabriel, one of the Church of the Holy Light's few remaining antique-grade ascetics. In years past, he had joined the Crusader expeditions and earned great military merit for the church.
Meanwhile, behind Pope Gary II and Gabriel stood a group of red-robed cardinals and Holy Light Paladins—the backbone of the Church of the Holy Light.
The Church of the Holy Light's second 'Bathing in Holy Light' event had drawn global attention.
Nearly every major media outlet in the world had sent reporters to cover the event. Numerous online streamers also occupied nearby high ground, broadcasting live.
Halfway through the Hymn of Holy Light, everyone present was swept up in emotion; even many reporters were affected, showing devout expressions and forgetting to film.
Just then, a silver pillar of light suddenly descended from the sky, coming to rest above the square.
A stunningly beautiful angel descended, with golden hair and a pair of gently flapping silver wings, impossible to tell if male or female.
"The Lord's envoy has come again to bless His children!"
Cardinal Stray shouted excitedly, and instantly, everyone looked up at the angel, their eyes filled with devotion and worship.
"Greetings, divine envoy!"
Suddenly, someone knelt down and bowed to the angel.
"Welcome, divine envoy!"
More people immediately followed suit, bowing down one after another.
Soon, more and more people knelt, regardless of race, until the Vatican square became a sea of worshippers.
"People of the Lord, I come on His behalf to bless you all!"
The angel spoke, their voice still impossible to tell male or female. The tone was strange, almost like singing—beautiful and mesmerizing.
Then, with a casual wave of the angel’s hand, a vast shower of silver Holy Light rained down, not only covering the faithful in the square but also enveloping the surrounding journalists.
For everyone touched by the Holy Light, it felt as if they’d returned to the safety of the womb—utterly blissful and intoxicating. At that moment, their faith in the God of Light soared to unprecedented heights; if the God of Light commanded them to die, they would obey without hesitation.
People around the world watching this scene were equally shaken to their core.
But just then—
A blood-red streak flashed across the sky.
Boom!
The angel was knocked out of the air, crashing hard onto the high platform in the square. Spiderweb-like cracks appeared across his body.
"What’s going on?"
Countless people snapped out of their trance, staring blankly at the elegant old man floating in the sky, dressed in a suit and smiling calmly.
"Who is he? Why did he attack the angel?"
"Hilder! Why is he here? Damn it!"
A furious roar echoed from the Sanctum.
Hilder—the last surviving Grand Duke of the Vampire Clan, an ancient monster who’s lived for over a thousand years, his power terrifyingly strong. His very existence is why the Church of the Holy Light has never been able to wipe out the vampires.
Yet here he was, appearing at this critical moment and wrecking the church’s plans.
"That brazen bastard deserves to die!"
The church’s leadership was furious.
But the angriest of all was the two-winged angel.
Wrenching his body free from the platform, the two-winged angel beat his wings and shot back up into the sky, facing off against Hilder.
"Filthy bat! How dare you interrupt my blessing? You’ll pay for this!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a primitive Holy Light sword appeared in the angel’s hand.
"Slash!"
A streak of silver sword-light ripped through the air, slashing toward Hilder.
"Heh heh!"
Hilder let out a strange chuckle.
His figure blurred and vanished from sight!
Boom!
In the next instant, he appeared right in front of the two-winged angel, throwing a punch. The angel turned into a shooting star, slammed down onto the platform again—exactly where he’d crashed the first time, only now embedded even deeper.
"Impossible!"
Seeing this, Pope Gary II and the others in the Sanctum were stunned. The two-winged angel was supposed to be overwhelmingly powerful—even a Vampire Grand Duke shouldn’t be able to beat him. Was it possible that Hilder had broken through and become a Vampire Prince?
As for the countless believers in the square, they were utterly bewildered. In their hearts, angels were untouchable and invincible, yet now their champion had been smashed from the sky twice. In that moment, it was as if something inside them broke.
"You’re ridiculously weak!"
Just then, Hilder flipped the angel the middle finger.
"You bastard! You filthy bat—you dare profane the Lord’s envoy? I’ll purify you in His name!"
Roaring, the two-winged angel shot up again. His silver radiance blazed, and he dove at Hilder like a bolt of lightning, sword in hand.
"Weakling!"
Hilder sneered, his fist wrapped in blood-red aura. After refining the drop of blood granted by the Queen, he’d advanced to Prince rank and his bloodline was purer and stronger than ever—he no longer feared the Holy Light.
Bang! Bang!
With one punch, the two-winged angel’s Holy Light sword was knocked flying; with another, Hilder’s fist crashed into the angel’s head.
The angel was sent flying yet again.
But this time, Hilder didn’t let him go. He flashed after the angel, grabbed his right leg, and swung him like a club.
Boom!
The two-winged angel was smashed down onto the high platform, which couldn’t withstand the force and collapsed with a thunderous crash.
"No! The divine envoy can’t beat Hilder! Help him, quick!" Pope Gary II shouted in panic.
Immediately, the Holy Light Paladins behind him turned into streaks of golden light, shooting toward Vatican Square.
"Divine envoy, we’re here to help you!"
Twelve Holy Light Paladins flew in, their greatswords blazing with golden light as they slashed fiercely at Hilder.
"Get lost!"
Hilder just sneered, unleashing a flurry of punches.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The twelve Holy Light Paladins were blasted away; in midair, their bodies exploded into clouds of blood mist.