The leader-like figure declared, "The Fourth Epoch is about to draw to an end. Soon, the legendary age of supremacy will cease to exist.
"Those Fabled Creatures that perished long ago and now slumber above the Astral Realm shall return. Angels and Saints will walk among Humans as they did in the First Era.
"And what we must do is take advantage of this chaotic interval—
"To bring about the return of the Eighth Dawn Deity, the exalted, the Golden King Rhine."
Following this proclamation, voices of debate and astonishment rose in waves. Although, as members of the Golden Dawn, they more or less understood the organization's purpose, the frankness of such a public announcement caused a considerable stir, with whispers filling the air. Even Shiayar couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly. The statement from this entity, suspected to be the leader of the Golden Dawn, was brief, yet the amount of information it carried was substantial.
The Golden King—Rhine. For any resident of the Western Continent, from those seated on Thrones and the Legendary to any commoner, this title was universally recognized. He was the founder of the Holy Calendar, the one whose name was stamped onto every Rhine gold coin on the Western Continent.
He, no, *It* is the Eighth Dawn Deity beyond the seven orthodox gods?
This piece of news wasn't entirely unexpected for Shiayar. After all, for a supreme being capable of initiating a new Era and truly embarking on the path to godhood—let alone achieving True God status—it wasn't surprising. It's just that I had thought the Golden King would choose to ascend a Throne, but now, being referred to as the Eighth God unequivocally means that the other party had forsaken their human form, Shiayar mused. What truly intrigued him was the news of the Golden King's return.
Tsk— he thought. The ancient gods slumbering in the Astral Realm are to return, the Abyss is to rage, and the Sacred Spear and Sacred Sword are being unsealed one after another. It's clear they're planning major upheaval, not allowing even a day of peace.
Shiayar couldn't help but sigh. No matter how I look at it, this seems to be a prelude to shattering the Fourth Epoch and forging a Fifth Epoch. And judging by the scale, this event seems far beyond comparison to the calamity at the end of the Third Era. Although the end of the Third Era was indeed chaotic, with Legendary and Demigods emerging and Saints roaming the land, not many True Gods resurrected. Only the Crimson Red Moon, that Skulking King, took the field—half-crippled, his courage shattered, hardly daring to fight, and barely at the level of a Demigod.
The leader continued, "Of course, the return of the exalted one takes time and cannot be completed quickly.
"Therefore, the Western Continent must be as chaotic as possible.
"That Second Princess has received the recognition of the Sacred Sword. Coupled with her power that has already broken through the Throne realm boundary, once she is formally crowned, the Empire's rule will become utterly unshakeable.
"Therefore, Isadella von Freysberg—
"Since she is an existence that should have been erased by the Corrective Force, it would be better if she were buried forever."
Atop the bronze long table, the leader pronounced this chilling statement. No one objected. From ancient times, the purpose of the Golden Dawn has always been the so-called 'guarding of the correct historical progression.' And what constituted the 'correct historical progression' was, naturally, determined by them.
After a long pause, someone beside the bronze long table spoke in a hoarse voice, "Those evil followers seem to have prepared an item of faith and a Godly Descent Ritual, attempting to interfere in the imperial succession ceremony through the birth of an Evil God. However, the Godly Descent Ritual is too ostentatious. If performed in other cities, once the Godly Descent's Body walks the earth, it will easily attract the attention of other forces of the Order Faction, especially the Dawn Church. During the coronation ceremony, the Empire Capital will surely be under strict martial law, making it difficult for a large number of evil followers to enter."
He was clearly someone involved in the Lost Realm, closely linked to those evil cults, and perhaps even a high-ranking member of an evil cult himself.
An elderly female voice then rang out, "I will handle the Dawn Church. At that time, the Sacred Court will hold a Bishop Conference. Most of the Legendary Rank Cardinals will attend. For twelve hours, no Legendary from the Holy See will intervene in the affairs of the Empire."
It was the astral spirit body who had entered along with Su Lun.
Shiayar looked up from the shroud of dark mist. The strength of this astral spirit body is roughly half a Vortigern—nothing to write home about. But based on her words, she is evidently a high-ranking official within the Church; otherwise, she wouldn't have the ability to control the timing of the Bishop Conference. She might be one of the Cardinals in a high position.
Another elderly voice spoke up after another moment, "I can solve the issue of martial law in the Empire Capital.
"However, the Godly Descent Ritual and the item imbued with the Power of Faith need to be handled by me.
"Additionally, upon successful completion, I require an Unclaimed Fragment of Divinity or an Authority Fragment as my reward."
Goodness, what kind of secret organization is this? Might as well rename it the Traitors' Campground, Shiayar thought, concealed within the dark mist. He instructed Jayee through the Soul Pact to frenetically document the astral spirit body information of the speakers. The appearance of the astral spirit body incarnations was very vague, making it difficult to directly discern their real-life identities. However, by recording their characteristics, Shiayar would be able to recognize them if they came into contact face-to-face in the future.