Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 528: Chapter 528: The Holy Light

For most of the attendees at the meeting, the destruction caused by Apollo and the Divine Realm did not directly affect their interests. In fact, some organizations that did not have a harmonious relationship with NATO wouldn't mind Apollo destroying a few more NATO military bases, causing chaos in the EU, or killing some Western political figures.

Therefore, when Fedesa proposed the idea of joint anti-terrorism efforts, most people present chose to remain silent.

Wearing a military uniform with a stern expression, Fedesa squinted his eyes and cursed a few times internally. He had anticipated that no one present would step up to take the lead. Fedesa cleared his throat and said slowly, "Our country, France, believes that it will take more than just one organization to eliminate the 'Divine Realm,' a mysterious and powerful terrorist organization. Therefore, we are eager to find allies.

Frankly speaking, France's special forces training is not as advanced as many of the friends and organizations present here. However, as the first country threatened, we absolutely need strong means to retaliate.

To secure powerful allies, our high command has decided to offer the recently discovered legendary artifact, the 'Sword of Death,' as a bargaining chip. If any of you here are willing to lead the anti-terrorism efforts and fully assist our Safety Bureau, then the Sword of Death will be yours."

After Fedesa finished speaking, the hall buzzed with whispers.

Everyone understood that although France was not as powerful as many of the organizations present, it was impossible to seize the sword by force. It wasn't because France was difficult to deal with, but because other organizations would target any organization that tried to seize the sword, making them a common enemy due to moral high ground.

No one would foolishly jump to the forefront, even knowing that France could not keep the "Sword of Death." The best move of this French Security Bureau meeting was to let all major organizations and important countries know that the sword was in their hands. In a way, everyone knowing made it less likely for anyone to dare to take it by force.

Thus, having a legitimate opportunity to obtain the "artifact" was more valuable than anything else.

While offering this opportunity, France's interests would also be safeguarded.

If anyone merely wanted to seize the sword and disregard France's survival, it would give other organizations an excuse to criticize. Therefore, whoever truly wanted the Sword of Death had to be powerful enough and also protect France.

This way, some of the less competitive organizations present had already lost hope and were just waiting to see the top-tier organizations step forward to compete.

"I have a question," said a white-haired, blue-robed man sitting in the front row lazily raising his hand. It was none other than the Grand Commander of Takamagahara, Nurarihyon, who had previously caused trouble for Yang Chen.

Nurarihyon's sudden shout perfectly drowned out the chaotic whispers below.

Fedesa made a gesture of "please," and said, "Mr. Nurarihyon from Takamagahara, go ahead."

Nurarihyon used his katana, Mikazuki Munechika, as a back scratcher while yawning. He asked, "I'm very curious, where did you get your Sword of Death? Moreover, you keep saying you want us to cooperate with you, but we haven't confirmed if the sword is genuine. What's the point?"

After Nurarihyon finished speaking, many leaders of the organizations agreed and echoed the question, demanding to see the Sword of Death before proceeding further.

Fedesa answered, "The origin of this artifact is something I recently learned from our director, Mr. Depney. It was discovered by a scientific exploration team during a shipwreck salvage operation. After authentication, it was found to be no ordinary ancient relic and was handed over to our Safety Bureau. We sent photos of the sword to the Vatican, the Dark Council, and the British Excalibur Order. As you all know, these three organizations are among the most historically rich and have the most extensive ancient documents. We received positive confirmation from them before announcing this news."

As he spoke, Fedesa gestured towards the representatives from the Vatican, Excalibur, and the Dark Council seated in the audience. "Cardinal Cruyff from the Vatican is here today. Miss Laura from Excalibur has also brought their elite members. Prince Sargeras from the Dark Council is present as well. If anyone doubts the authenticity, they can vouch that the sword's appearance matches the descriptions in ancient texts."

In the front row, Cardinal Cruyff, dressed in red robes with gray hair and a kindly face, sporting a somewhat comical onion-shaped nose, nodded with a smile. Laura from Excalibur and her team remained impassive, which was still a form of tacit agreement. Sargeras, as usual, maintained his gentlemanly smile.

The attendees began to murmur among themselves. Fedesa's claim held credibility; after all, it was well-known that the Vatican and the Dark Council were arch-enemies, while Excalibur, a top secret organization from the UK across the channel, had a complex relationship with France. Their unanimous agreement indicated there was no fabrication.

"Of course, to show France's sincerity, I will let everyone see the 'Sword of Death' that we have secured," Fedesa said with a smile, nodding towards his adjutant, Boutin.

The chubby Boutin understood and instructed several special forces soldiers behind the podium to open the steel door behind it.

Under everyone's gaze, a brightly lit passageway was revealed behind the podium. Four soldiers quickly ran inside to fetch the sword.

This connected design was present throughout the base, facilitating the movement of troops and supplies between different areas and enabling swift control of base passages to apprehend invaders in case of an enemy attack.

Many attendees were filled with anticipation. Most organizations did not have a clear understanding of the deeds of the gods, and the concept of an artifact had always seemed elusive to them.

Amidst the waiting crowd, Cardinal Cruyff from the Vatican subconsciously glanced at Sargeras, who was sitting upright not far away. The two representatives, one from the light and one from the dark, exchanged friendly and mysterious nods.

Just as everyone was brimming with anticipation, a sudden muffled explosion echoed from the passage behind the podium!

"Boom boom bang—"

The attendees were startled and immediately looked towards the brightly lit passage, unsure of what had happened.

Fedesa, on the stage, was the most panicked. He had expected everything to proceed smoothly. Could something have gone wrong after all?!

"Damn it, someone must be trying to steal the artifact while no one is looking!" someone shouted from somewhere.

"Everyone, rush in! This is too despicable!"

"Stop them!"

About two hundred people, most of them with extraordinary skills and elite status within their organizations, were now eager to see the artifact. They felt like they had been played, and they couldn't tolerate it.

In an instant, dozens of figures rushed into the passage behind the podium with inhuman speed.

Fedesa was stunned, and if it weren't for several special forces soldiers and Boutin pulling him to a corner, he might have been trampled!

"What the hell is going on?!" Fedesa shouted in fury.

Of course, not everyone lost their heads and rushed into the passage. Representatives from leading organizations like the Vatican, Excalibur, Takamagahara, and Jaguar remained in their places.

As the crowd dispersed and only a few dozen people remained in the hall, Cardinal Cruyff, with his onion-shaped nose, suddenly stood up. He cast a calm smile towards Prince Sargeras, who was sitting leisurely across from him. "Prince Sargeras, do you remember me?" Sargeras frowned and replied, "Hmph, someone from the Vatican. I haven't been active for almost a century. Anyone I knew is probably long dead."

"But I remember you," Cruyff smiled. "When I was a ten-year-old child, I met you with my priest. More than ninety years have passed, and you still look the same. But I am now older than my priest was back then."

Sargeras' expression turned thoughtful, and he smiled, "What are you trying to say, child?"

The others present felt uneasy hearing Cardinal Cruyff, who was over a century old, being called "child." But given Prince Sargeras' age, it was entirely accurate.

"My priest was the former Cardinal of the German District, Belsard," Cruyff said, squinting.

Sargeras paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face, before nodding. "Ah, I remember now. So you're here to avenge your priest? A cardinal's child from ninety years ago, now a cardinal himself, seeking revenge? It's not the first time in my long life, but it certainly interests me."

Cruyff, unfazed by Sargeras' taunts, chuckled and said, "I am close to meeting my Lord. To battle you would be my final service to the Vatican. But before that, shouldn't a certain mischievous lady stop her steps?"

His words puzzled the others in the hall. Who was this "lady"? What "steps"?

At this moment, Yang Chen, who was seated at the back, looked up at the ceiling, smiling silently.

Suddenly, Cardinal Cruyff waved his hand, his red sleeve billowing. Despite his old age, an overwhelming aura surrounded him, causing his hair and beard to flutter as a blinding milky white light enveloped him.

"Holy Light!" Cruyff shouted. A two-meter-wide platinum beam of light erupted from beneath his feet, shooting upwards!

The beam, seemingly solid, penetrated the metal and concrete ceiling of the hall without slowing down, shattering it completely. With unstoppable momentum, it pierced through the roof, breaking through the darkness above the island!

"Ah! Damn Vatican."

A feminine scream echoed into the hall from outside the ceiling, sounding terrified. Many in the hall recognized the voice—it was Sargeras' daughter, Lilith!