Time is comming...

In a place far away,

There stood a person with an ethereal aura, a holy figure with majestic presence. Anyone could feel the pure aura flowing out of his body, his face couldn't be described in words, and his presence can only be described as if it could wash the sins of even the lowest of the scums. Basking in holy light, wearing golden robes embroidered with indiscernible runes, this person was none other than the messenger of God, also known as the 'GREAT POPE ANDREW'.

Besides him stood seven men in the room, all wearing golden Armour basking in holy light. Although, if one looked closely enough, they could see the difference in runes and patterns embroidered in each Armour also, the design at each one of their backs was unique. Each one had his special sword.

All of the seven men, also known as the 'Great paladins' had their heads bowed down in front of the Great Pope, none of them daring to raise their heads in front of the messenger of God himself after all if not for the particular situation they wouldn't even have the chance to meet him. At that moment, a person spoke-

"Great Pope-…"

The Pope swept his gaze to the origin of the voice, the owner of the voice could feel his entire body go numb and his soul being laid bare before the Pope, but still, this didn't make the person lower his head. On the contrary, surprisingly, he even met the gaze of the Pope with his own. No one else could have managed this feat and what was even more shocking was that Pope displayed a rare smile on his face, not minding this person's action at all.

"Holy son looks like heavens made the right choice in choosing you."

"…"

This person here was none other than one of the holy sons of the church and that too newest one at that. He had a unique fan on his waist, which looked quite odd. But being holy son couldn't still describe the greatness of the feats he had managed to accomplish over the years; even now, many of the holy sons and daughter didn't dare to look into the eyes of the Great Pope.

"What is the situation of our Church in the current world; tell me how your latest mission went..."

"Pope unexpected things occurred, the hidden families and factions far surpassed the initial predictions disrupting all our initial plans. Therefore, I have failed you; Pope, I deserve to be punished."

"It isn't your fault. Predictions were bound to be failed. Tell me the situation of our light faction."

"The light faction holds its banner over 15% of the world territories instead of the initial predicted 35%. We could have never imagined that there were so many hidden factions and families, especially the major new players- ''. The dark faction, our major competitor, holds a banner over 13% of the Territories; if my guess is correct, they are also in a similar situation as us."

The tone of the holy son was quite grimed. It was evident from his tone how bad the situation was. This was to be expected as science progressed; people began to lose faith and trust in God. Over time, the church began to lose power and believers.

"I see, I knew our predictions would be off the mark but never knew it would be to this extent. If not for the recent death of the oracle it would still have been fine. With that too, I don't blame any of this on you."

"I couldn't be more thankful for your kindness…."

Although the Pope said that the oracle died recently, only 200 years have passed since the prophet's death. This shows how little the Pope valued time. But it still shocked him that the church had fallen to such a state; maybe he should have been a little more proactive. But, despite this, he still didn't blame any of it on the holy son, not because it wasn't his fault but because only he knew the actual value and potential of the man standing in front of him.

"The time is approaching the end. So get the preparations done soon and inform your brother and sisters about the situation."

"Wh-what, but isn't it too early? We should have had quite enough time…?"

"Some unexpected events have taken place. I can't tell you more."

The look on the holy son's face was of disbelief and shock. He couldn't comprehend the Pope's words. According to the previous knowledge, they should have quite a few years, but it looked like they didn't even have a year left, according to what the Pope said. If what Pope said was true, then the situation was dire. Understanding the situation, he was dazed for a second and then his eyes seemed to have ferocious glint, and his entire demeanour changed.

"I understand. I will deliver the message to senior brothers and sisters and will wrap up the loose ends and missions soon."

The Pope seemed happy with the situation handling capability and attitude of the holy son. He knew how much these qualities would help the holy son in future ordeals. As if satisfied, he raised his hand, and a golden fabric came into existence. Even though it was only a piece of cloth, it radiated golden light enough to blind someone if they stared directly at it. Everybody seemed surprised as nobody expected this.

"For the past few years, your contribution to the church has benefited it greatly. Accomplishing feats that never have been achieved before, you should have been awarded earlier. However, knowing your choice of weapon is a little unique, I prepared this gift to reward you. This is the 'HOLY ANGELIC SILK' said to be made off from the fallen feather of an archangel itself. Weaving runes in the little fan of yours will greatly enhance it and even have a chance to upgrade its grade."

"But-t…"

"You wouldn't reject this little token of appreciation of mine, right…."

"I believe first senior Brother and second senior sister are much more worthy to receive this kind of gift."

"They already have received their award. So you shouldn't be worried about them."

"Then I will surely not be shy in accepting it."

"…Great!"

Nobody could believe what they were hearing when the Pope first said this kind of treasure shouldn't exist in the first place, but nobody doubted the Pope's words as everyone knew that Pope couldn't lie unless he wanted to be punished by heavens.

Holy son, Asphalt knew the value the treasure held. Therefore, he shouldn't receive this treasure even if Pope took all his feats and accomplishments into consideration. It wasn't that his feats were small. It was just the value of treasure was too high. This was why he declined in the first place, but later, he realized that Pope must have grand plans, so he chose to accept it.

After accepting the reward, the Asphalt turned to leave the church, but just as he was about to leave, he heard the voice of the Pope.

"Try to recruit as many talented people as you can and expand our banner over more territories; the time is coming near."

"Sure, I promise I won't fail to meet your expectations…."

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Meanwhile, in a fallen church,

There seemed to be man ranting mantras in an ancient unrecognizable language. The man wore a dark robe and crazed expression on his face. He excluded a terrifying frightening presence as if he was the incarnation of the devil itself. He had menacing patterns ruined into his skin which could send chills down anyone's spine.

Many people were present, but none spoke. They had their heads bowed down not because of respect but fear. They could see and hear the cries of the five people laid on the Altar, but none of them dared to move. They knew what fate awaited the living sacrifices. After all, this was for the great Lucifer.

Not a single soul moved except the chanting man until the five people wailed their last cry. Then, the man seemed to have stopped chanting and entered a meditative state and seemed to radiate with a red light.

A few seconds later…

"HAHAHA, HAHAHA, finally the Lord has heard our prayers, I finally found it, those church bastards sure hid it long enough. Finally, I can see the path to the rise of our dark faction and revival of our Lord."

Nobody understood what the Great one meant. What did he find? What did the church hide? And how can they rise amidst the constant struggling against the church? There were too many questions left to be unanswered.

Then suddenly the door opened, a slender woman with a slight brown texture and mature body wearing a crown on her head and holding a book in her hand entered the room. Despite being a natural beauty, nobody dared to look at her.

"Father, you seem quite happy did something big happen…?"

Hearing the gentle voice turned his head towards her daughter. Previously present crazy expression washed off his face, and his runes disappeared as if they were never there. He may have committed the most horrendous crimes, but he was a caring father in front of his daughter. Perhaps in the whole world, only she was the one that could make him calm and make him change his decisions.

"Ah! Delina, it seems you have come to meet me, Ahem! I have told you to tell me beforehand if you wanted to meet me, I would have made preparations before."

"Hmph! Why would I need permission to meet my dad."

"Don't be angry. You know I have a lot of work to do right, how is the condition of the boy anyway?"

"His growth has taken quite a leap forward, and he seems to take pride in his role."

Delina knew her father was changing the topic, but she still answered as she knew he was right, she should have told him beforehand, but it still pissed off her little that she had to take permission to meet her dad.

"His role as the vessel of the great Lucifer plays a crucial role in our plans. Make sure you oversee his growth and don't involve yourself in factions. Your brother will take care of them."

As much as he yearned for the organization's mission to succeed, he never even thought of involving his pure daughter in it. His son was fit for the work. He would never let Delina enter the dark side of this.

"But brother will be overburdened. So I want to help him."

"I am not asking you but telling you."

The man said in a high voice scaring everyone. Delina was frightened. She had never seen her father talking in such a tone, and she stormed off the room crying.

The man sighed, it was too much for him to scream at his precious daughter, but he had to do it for her good. He looked at a man standing in the shadows with a ferocious glint.

"Son, I have found the location of the 'ASTRAL PEARL'. You know what to do."

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Similar situations were taking place worldwide. Every major faction and family were wrapping their missions. There were different kinds of reactions from every faction/family. Some were panicking, some were happy, but everyone knew that they had to end preparations fast. The time was coming.

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