The Dragon God's Ultimatum, Francis's Unveiled Past

“Dragon God! We owe you no explanations!”

A voice, sharp and imperious, emanated from within the Cloud Banner.

But the Dragon God was even more overbearing. “Step out and explain yourselves, or face war!” He spun around, extending his arm and roaring, as dragons in the sky flapped their wings. “Which of my subjects, of Samuel, fears war!?”

“Roar...”

The dragons shrieked, their formidable aura permeating the heavens!

The Dragon God thundered, “The Dragon Clan and the Papal Curia forged a solemn pact long ago: before the conclusion of the Five-Battle Pact, any faction attempting to enter the Eye of Heaven Forest must secure the simultaneous seals of both parties! This covenant stands before my Golden Grand Tent! Divine Envoys, you trespass upon the Eye of Heaven Forest – do you bear the seal of my Dragon Clan!? You do not! This is a blatant disregard for Samuel! Even if your deity descends, my Dragon Clan will fight to the last breath!”

With a cold snort, a long silence followed beneath the Cloud Banner.

Was this silence a display of defiance? Or were they simply rendered speechless?

Hmph!

The Dragon God cast a chilling glance at the Pontiff, who was whispering softly and smiling amiably, then slowly raised his right arm. “Thorog, prepare for the first assault! Within the Eye of Heaven Forest, spare no one who is not of my Dragon Clan!”

The Pontiff let out a light cough. “Dragon God, the Five-Battle Pact is not yet concluded...”

“Pontiff, I am negotiating with the representative of another deity! I have not invited you to participate! During this negotiation, any word from you will be taken as disrespect to the Dragon Clan, as a declaration of war! Sol, deploy the Great Wing Formation, cover Thorog's charge!”

The Pontiff continued to gaze calmly at the Dragon God, his eyes as still as an ancient well, betraying not a single thought.

*Hmph, Samuel, you are indeed formidable! Yet... you could never guess that I already hold Constantine in my grasp... In that case, there's no need to contend with you over fleeting gains and losses!*

The dragons in the sky stirred, already obeying the command and spreading out. One squadron of colossal dragons aimed directly at the Pontiff, while another pointed towards the Divine Envoys' Cloud Banner!

Even more gigantic dragons opened their maws, their imminent dragonfire already aimed at the entire Moon Lake shoreline!

The Dragon God's arm rose to its highest point. “Pieres, issue the Dragon God's Decree! Within the Dragon Clan camp in the Eye of Heaven Forest, all my kin are to ascend... My entire clan from Mount Miglio, heed my command! Dragon God Samuel declares, war...”

“Dragon God, temper your wrath!”

Finally, a voice emerged from beneath the Cloud Banner. Du Chen heard the collective long exhalations of countless people, and his own tightly strung heart eased.

*Damn it, from the looks of it, the Dragon God truly dares to ignite a war!*

Just as he caught his breath, Du Chen hurriedly fixed his gaze on the Cloud Banner.

The milky-white mist in the sky suddenly twitched twice, as if something was descending from the clouds along the flagpole, landing on the water vapor. Then, the mist dissipated, revealing the scene within!

Upon seeing the sight, the Pontiff remained as calm as ever, while the Dragon God and Zigurd snorted with disdain. Du Chen, however, felt his blood surge!

Deboning had said that in Turco Port, only six or seven little girls were imprisoned on the flagpole, held by dog collars. But now, Du Chen counted, and there were actually thirteen!

The Pontiff had “delivered the goods”! He could now act with certainty!

Besides the little girls, there were also four small white tents beneath the Cloud Banner. From one of them emerged a person – the very middle-aged woman who had led the charge to snatch Beibei that day... Mas had said she was at least seventy or eighty years old, but the deity's Secret Technique for preserving youth made her appear only in her forties.

“Donna greets the Dragon God!” The white-clad woman offered a slight bow, then declared haughtily, “I humbly convey my deity's regards to His Majesty the Dragon God!”

The Dragon God's raised hand finally lowered, but the colossal dragons remained on high alert.

Donna glanced at the Pontiff and said, “My three sisters and I, acting on my deity's command, are negotiating with several friends who select Divine Servants for our deity, to take over the past decade's worth of...”

“I only want one answer!” The Dragon God cut her off with a sharp roar, his piercing gaze fixed on Donna. “Will you aid the Papal Curia, or remain neutral? Which do you choose!?”

Donna exchanged a glance with the Pontiff but received no hint from his stagnant, dead-water eyes. She declared furiously, “Dragon God! I respect you as a deity, which is why I speak to you courteously! However, no one dictates our actions!”

These small gestures made Du Chen understand: the Divine Envoys and the Pontiff indeed had a secret agreement targeting the Dragon God! *That Dragon God...*

“Choose, or face war!” The Dragon God ascended into the sky, his arm slowly rising once more!

“Hmph!” Donna stomped her foot heavily. “We will not assist either side!”

“Excellent. Thorog, deliver my Dragon Clan's seal to these Divine Envoys! Let Heaven and Earth bear witness, by the dignity of a god! You will remain neutral!” The Dragon God looked down from above, surveying the Divine Envoys with haughty disdain. “I hope you do not tarnish the honor of your esteemed deity!”

Donna's lips twitched with fury. She snapped, “By the dignity of my deity, we will absolutely not assist the Papal Curia! But we *will* remain here. I want to personally witness how miserably you will be defeated in the Fifth Battle!”

“Defeated!?”

The Dragon God burst into wild laughter, his red hair swirling, his Blood-Eyed gaze suddenly locking onto the Pontiff. “Sama! In the Fifth Battle, I will personally intervene! Which of you will answer my challenge!?”

All eyes converged on the Pontiff, save for Du Chen, who was still scrutinizing the Cloud Banner. Yet, Du Chen inwardly wondered, *The Dragon God has thrown down the gauntlet; surely the Pontiff will accept the challenge personally, right?*

However, the Pontiff lightly flicked his sleeve and smiled. “Before sunset tomorrow, your answer will appear on your desk, alongside a formal declaration of war! Mas, withdraw the troops!”

Du Chen froze for a moment. As Aliza urged him to hurry, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind: *“Brilliant! Truly brilliant! To phrase a legendary 'strategic withdrawal' – a roundabout way of avoiding battle – with such imposing power and majesty, the Pontiff truly lives up to his title!”*

After the Papal Curia's forces began to move, the Dragon God turned, raised his arm, and roared, “Return to camp!”

His wild, domineering voice sent ripples surging across Moon Lake!

The next moment, the Dragon God stood with his hands clasped behind his back at the Dragon Clan camp on the northern shore of Moon Lake. Before him stood the Dragon God's Palace, no less magnificent than the Pontiff's Golden Grand Tent! He gazed up at the crimson dragon statue adorning the palace's summit...

Silently, four colossal dragons transformed into humanoids, kneeling quietly behind him, their gazes fixed on the red dragon statue alongside their lord.

After a long pause, the Dragon God spoke solemnly, “What do you wish to say?”

“This... Your Majesty, today's actions were truly too reckless. If we force the Divine Envoys and the Papal Curia into an alliance, then we...”

“Hmph! Reckless!? Do you imagine they wouldn't have allied if I hadn't pushed them!? I am forcing them to *dissolve* their alliance!”

The Dragon God reprimanded them sharply, then strode into his palace. “From today onwards, Thorog shall act in my stead. I will dedicate myself entirely to preparing for the Fifth Battle next month!”

“Your Majesty!”

One individual stood, about to speak further, but another silver-haired elder restrained him. “Pieres, let it go! Don't you see? Just now, the Pontiff, with his deep cunning, revealed nothing. But Donna's subtle actions have already made it clear! The Divine Envoys have allied with the Pontiff!”

The green-haired Pieres insisted, “Even if they have allied, Your Majesty's actions today were still too risky. What if this ignites a full-scale war...”

“Hmph! So be it, if it's war! Pieres, since the Divine Envoys and the Pontiff have already allied, their next step will undoubtedly be for those few Divine Envoys, who are merely Eight-Star at best, to seek reinforcements from their deity to support the Pontiff! At that point, we would face an even more formidable enemy! A war is inevitable, sooner or later, and we cannot avoid it! If that's the case, it's better to take the risk today. If war breaks out, we are already prepared, and our opponents are fewer! We'll also have time to brace for that deity's retaliation! Conversely, if His Majesty genuinely forced those Divine Envoys to publicly declare their neutrality today, then we would have eliminated a powerful enemy! Therefore, whether His Majesty fought or not today, he incurred no loss!”

Thorog let out a cold laugh. “On the other hand, although those Divine Envoys represent their deity today, there are, after all, only four of them, and the strongest is merely an Eight-Star. Even with the protection of an Aqua Cloud Banner, they are no match for my Dragon Clan's thousands of mighty warriors! While that deity is powerful, distant waters cannot quench a nearby thirst... His Majesty chose the most opportune moment to pressure them! Moreover, His Majesty adamantly adhered to one principle: it was the Divine Envoys who first violated the Eye of Heaven Forest Covenant by presumptuously entering without our clan's seal! Given that deity's prideful nature, her Divine Envoys must surely feel guilty today. At such a moment, His Majesty, holding the moral high ground, forces them into a choice: retreat or war. So... hehe, do you understand now!?”

“So that's how it is!” Pieres nodded, then hastily added, “But there's no need for His Majesty to personally participate in the Fifth Battle...”

“Indeed, His Majesty's long-hidden trump cards could also be deployed in the Fifth Battle; there's no need for him to personally risk his life against the Pontiff! But did you not see the Pontiff's reaction today? Was it not exceedingly strange? He actually allowed His Majesty to force the Divine Envoys to dissolve their alliance... This can only mean one thing – the Pontiff has acquired leverage no less significant than the Divine Envoys themselves! If His Majesty doesn't personally oversee this, how can he rest easy!?”

Thorog suddenly let out a deep sigh.

“Ah, let His Majesty unleash his full power! For forty years, His Majesty has dreamt of devouring Constantine alive. Now, a rare clue has emerged. If you dissuade him from acting, how else will His Majesty vent the hatred festering in his heart...”

The green-haired Pieres nodded sadly, raising his gaze to the crimson dragon statue atop the palace. He said dismally, “Yes, ever since that traitor Constantine murdered his wife, His Majesty's only sister, on their wedding night...”

“Say no more! Do you wish to invite ill fate by speaking of taboos?”

The silver-haired Thorog waved his hand. “Disperse, all of you. Let us simply remember that Constantine is a deranged madman whose crimes are unforgivable! In this battle, my Dragon Clan shall surely triumph!”

“Victory! Victory!”

The roaring of dragons thundered through the camp, shaking Moon Lake and even reaching the Chariot of the Gods on the southern shore!

The Pontiff listened attentively, responding only with a serene smile.

An extra person had joined the Chariot of the Gods: Du Chen's teacher, Zigurd! His expression was displeased, and he frowned. “Francis, what's with Brook by your side? And why are you wearing a White-Robed Archbishop's vestment!?”

*Finally, it's here.* Du Chen recounted the narrative he had mentally rehearsed countless times, speaking apologetically. “Teacher, the situation is thus: do you recall the elder who transformed me into a Heaven-Bestowed Hydro-Body?”

Zigurd harbored doubts, yet he didn't vent his anger on the student he had always perceived as “perfect.” He nodded. “Of course, I remember. You were providing disaster relief on the Newin River, helping an old man. He struck your palm and gave you a bowl of water, and immediately you transformed into a Heaven-Bestowed Hydro-Body!”

“That venerable old gentleman is named Du Chen. After he helped me transform into a Heaven-Bestowed Hydro-Body, he didn't actually vanish without a trace as I previously claimed!” Du Chen bowed his head remorsefully, whispering, “The truth is, he has been looking after me, and has even imparted some incredibly powerful Secret Techniques... Teacher, I am truly sorry, but I promised Mr. Du Chen I wouldn't tell anyone about these matters, including you. I am deeply regretful...”

Zigurd's brow furrowed even deeper. “So, you've received good karma! But how do you explain the robes you're wearing?”

“Zigurd, my brother!” the Pontiff interjected. “This matter falls upon my shoulders... Francis is indeed currently my Executive White-Robed Archbishop...”

He cleverly altered Du Chen's position, completely omitting any mention of the intelligence organization – the Enforcement Temple!

“Heh heh, since you and I are brothers, I shall speak plainly!” The Pontiff knew well that those hollow, ethereal “divine pronouncements” would never deceive Zigurd, so he adopted an open and candid demeanor. “That Du Chen is a deity as powerful as myself, and Francis serves as his representative in the mortal realm! This matter, by chance, came to my knowledge... With that said, you should understand, shouldn't you?”

Zigurd snorted. “Sama, my brother, I understand! Hmph! With your usual methods, you would naturally resort to every possible means to win over this Du Chen, the Divine, and Francis is merely a bridge. You would naturally seize control of him! I presume you threatened and enticed him, but knowing Francis's character, you surely exploited his benevolent nature to guide him, ensuring he wouldn't tell me the whole truth, didn't you!?”

The Pontiff shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. “That is precisely how things transpired!”

*Old Pontiff, you're a true comrade! With your words, I've become an innocent young man caught between two powerful figures, a wronged boy, haha!*

Du Chen chuckled inwardly. But outwardly, he adopted a sorrowful expression. “Teacher, His Holiness the Pontiff said that if I were willing to become a White-Robed Archbishop and not inform you, he—he would fully support the development of Durkes City. Oh, that is, my territory. I renamed it...”

“And Brook?”

“He is Mr. Du Chen's Divine Servant, and is currently helping me perform good deeds!” Du Chen's eyes lit up, and he spoke excitedly, “Teacher, Mr. Du Chen's philosophy is remarkably similar to my Battle God Oath: to perform good deeds across the world! To help all who can be helped!”

Du Chen lowered his head gloomily, saying with remorse, “I'm sorry, Teacher!”

Zigurd remained silent for a long time, uncertain if the combined fabrication of Du Chen and the Pontiff had convinced him. He clapped Du Chen's shoulder. “Regardless, thirty thousand commoners now live lives filled with hope because of you... For this alone, you remain my most outstanding student!”

*Phew...*

Du Chen immediately felt immensely relieved. With Zigurd's hurdle cleared, he had effectively shed several invisible shackles for his future endeavors, making things much more convenient!

Zigurd then said, “Sama, my brother, from now on, Francis will only hold an honorary position within the Papal Curia, serving merely to connect you with Du Chen, the Divine! How does that sound?”

The Pontiff chuckled. “To be frank, I have already made contact with Du Chen, the Divine, and he will join the Papal Curia's Divine Temple! As for Francis's status... it shall be handled as you, my brother Zigurd, suggest! Heh heh, he remains your student after all!”

Zigurd ceased to engage with the Pontiff.

Seeing the atmosphere grow somewhat awkward, Du Chen smiled. “Teacher, I have good news for you: Junior Brother Cassian has changed significantly!”

Zigurd's heart brightened. “He's no longer that mischievous scamp?”

“While Junior Brother still occasionally throws childish tantrums, he's become much more sensible. He's currently studying governance within my territory, preparing to become a good emperor in the future...”

Du Chen spoke enthusiastically, his happiness genuine – Cassian had improved, and all those good deeds would be credited to him!

But at that moment...

At Moon Lake, beneath the Cloud Banner!

Donna fumed, secretly cursing the Dragon God for a while, then suddenly slapped her forehead. She exclaimed urgently, “My three sisters, I was so enraged just now that I lost my wits!”

“What's wrong, Elder Sister?”

“Francis! It's Francis!” Donna repeatedly called out Du Chen's name several times, stomping her foot. “The Dragon God called Rimel's father Francis!”

“What's wrong with that? We all heard it beneath the Cloud Banner!”

“Damn it, Third Sister, Fourth Sister didn't personally witness what happened back then, and Second Sister, don't you still realize? Francis!” She shouted Du Chen's name again!

The Second Sister suddenly realized, her face instantly turning ghastly pale. She tried to reassure herself, “Impossible! There are countless people named Francis across the Three Continents!”

“Damn it, while there are indeed many named Francis, how many could possibly resemble the Portraits of *that* man!?”

Donna spoke gravely, “We must confirm if this Francis is... Phil's third son, the one who was supposed to be an imbecile, Francis!”

“Phil!? The Phil who faked her death to deceive our deity, then fled into Celestial Capital!?” The Third Sister exclaimed in shock, “Impossible, Elder Sisters! While Fourth Sister and I didn't witness this personally, we heard it from sisters at the inner lake – when Francis was born, our deity personally turned him into an imbecile! He—he couldn't possibly have recovered, let alone become a Six-Star Battle God! No one can break our deity's Secret Technique! Absolutely no one!” She shrieked as if losing her mind!

“Which is precisely why we must investigate thoroughly!” Donna's face was grim, and she declared fiercely, “Go now, immediately!”