The Grand Purge

Orbach's corpse was gone...

Du Chen touched his nose, leaning back in his chair, his gaze drifting over his clothes, his expression unreadable.

Mas continued, gesticulating wildly, "You should have seen it! Everyone saw the empty coffin, and Bonis was so stunned he was a beat late, almost blasted by a cannon! The Old One merely glanced at the coffin, but his face turned green... The most frenzied, though, were the Beastkin. Do you know? Out of the two hundred thousand McAllen Guards protecting the Grand Chasm, fourteen hundred committed suicide on the spot as atonement..."

Mas spoke, spitting as he went, but Du Chen's thoughts had already drifted from him.

Why Orbach's corpse had vanished—the current intelligence was insufficient to deduce the truth, yet it was enough to analyze the gravity of the situation. Firstly, it was undeniable: the Beastkin would go mad. They would relentlessly pursue Orbach's corpse, disrupting the Pontiff's entire deployment for the Second Human-Fiendkind War!

Secondly, who stole Orbach's corpse? Certainly not the Papal Curia, nor the Fiendkind. It must be a third party outside of these two! And this third party was likely incredibly powerful. Having stolen Orbach's corpse, they were destined to be an enemy to both the Papal Curia and the Beastkin... A third-party force intervening in the Human-Fiendkind War would unleash endless variables!

It was human nature not to fear great difficulties ahead, but to dread the unknown variables. The reason the Pontiff had issued a Five-Ringed Edict summoning him was probably to leverage Du Chen, the Divine, to deal with these future uncertainties, wasn't it?

As Du Chen pondered, Mas vividly finished recounting the disappearance of Orbach's corpse. Then, lowering his voice, he said, "That's the first matter. And there's another reason the Old One, the Pontiff, gathered you, Shadow Godfather, and me... He wants your assistance in a Grand Purge!"

"A Grand Purge?"

Mas nodded heavily. "This time, Philip and Brockman escaped. There are traitors within the Papal Curia, and they were merely Number Three in the Fiendkind Eminence Project! That alone shows the extent of the Fiendkind's infiltration of humanity! To avoid being led by the nose in the coming war, we must cleanse our internal spies! Those were the Old One's exact words!"

Du Chen nodded slightly. The Pontiff's decision was beyond reproach, but a Grand Purge... it was a double-edged sword. If handled well, Fiendkind spies would be thoroughly eliminated! If mishandled, it would lead to internal suspicion, and the alliance would fall into disarray before the war even began!

Mas's face was grim. "The Old One also said that too few people within the Papal Curia could be trusted! You and Du Chen, the Divine, once severely damaged the Fiendkind's Undead project, ruining their meticulously planned scheme of many years. So, you and Du Chen's Divine Cult must be innocent, which is why the Old One hopes you will assist him in the Grand Purge!" When the topic of the Grand Purge came up, Mas lost his usual boisterous storytelling, his brows furrowing as he sighed repeatedly. Du Chen had never seen this reckless man so dejected.

"Boss Mas, how far along is His Holiness the Pontiff's Grand Purge?"

"All Papal Curia clergy have undergone the Amia Silver Needle test, but only a few small fish and shrimp were found. And the Old One said that Fiendkind spies aren't necessarily Violet-Bloods; Red-Bloods can also betray their race to the Fiendkind. So he gave me a list of people who are definitely trustworthy. As for the rest... they all need to be investigated!"

With that, Mas handed Du Chen a slip of paper with only five names: Zigurd, Mas, Francis, Bairu, and the Shadow Godfather!

Du Chen exclaimed, "Does that mean only these five people in the Papal Curia are above suspicion, and everyone else is...?"

"Everyone else is a suspect!" Mas said heavily.

"What methods does His Holiness the Pontiff intend to use to investigate the suspects?"

Mas shrugged. "The Old One has issued an edict throughout the Papal Curia: everyone is to monitor each other, report suspicions, and within the time limit of the Grand Purge... freedom of speech is guaranteed!"

Du Chen's expression changed dramatically. This order, how similar it was to what a certain vast empire in his previous life did before the World War! His history had already proven that this order was a self-dug grave! Du Chen urgently asked, "Anyone can investigate and provide evidence, but what about the power of life and death?"

"The power of life and death? Oh, the power to kill is only in the hands of the five people on the list. Others can say what they like, accuse freely, but they are not allowed to kill!"

Du Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief. But then, another thought occurred to him: *Huh?* He was on that list, which meant... he possessed the killing authority bestowed by the Pontiff. As long as someone displeased him, he could raise the banner of justice and eliminate them?

*Damn it!* His Holiness the Pontiff was being far too generous this time!

No! The Pontiff wouldn't trust him that much! Du Chen rubbed his nose, considering another possibility...

Mas said flatly, "That's the situation. For the specifics, you'll have to discuss it with the Old One."

Du Chen then asked about Deboning. After Du Chen's disappearance, Dus, this Du Chen, the Divine, had no one to support him and found it hard to remain hidden. So, with the help of the two Grand Matriarchs, he went into hiding, with the official story being that Du Chen, the Divine, was worried about Francis and had pursued him into the Subterranean Abyss. All subsequent affairs were handled by Deboning, who, despite not specializing in such matters, tackled them bravely and performed exceptionally well!

Du Chen was very satisfied!

The Papal Curia's flying beast lived up to its reputation; it was even faster than Du Chen's Wyvern Carriage, reaching the skies above the Auerbach Grand Canyon in just a day and a half.

The once sacred and solemn Grand Chasm was now desolate and shattered, littered with the wreckage of battle. Even the mountain walls on both sides of the chasm had collapsed significantly. The Pontiff and his entourage had set up their encampment at the very site where the memorial service had been held.

Du Chen landed before the encampment's entrance and, looking around, suddenly noticed something peculiar. "Mas, where are the banners of the Beast Emperor and the Saint Baton Clan? Why are there so few Beastkin?"

"The Beastkin army has already delved deep into the Labyrinth of Life to defend against the Fiendkind, and also to search for Orbach's corpse!" Before Mas could answer, the Pontiff strode out of the tent. He gave Du Chen a slight nod and said calmly, "Child of the Gods, you've certainly made me search for you recently!"

Du Chen smiled faintly, stepped forward to pay his respects, and whispered conspiratorially, "Your Holiness, I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?"

The Pontiff's eyelashes flickered, and he chuckled calmly, "Let's go inside. Tell me the good news first; I've heard far too much bad news recently..." With that, he entered and sat on a golden chair.

Du Chen smiled. "The good news is, the Fiendkind's lair – the Subterranean Abyss – is currently under a fierce assault. Their opponents are terrifying, so Bonis will likely have to mobilize all his Undead legions to resist... The Fiendkind will be too busy to deal with us humans for now!"

*Crack!* The Pontiff crushed the armrest of his chair, then gave a slight smile, brushing away the splinters. He chuckled softly, "Francis, I don't know how to reward you! This truly is excellent news!"

Du Chen pursed his lips, smiling. "Your Holiness, don't be hasty, I haven't finished... Since the sinking of Lans Island, until sixteen years ago, I've brought back all of the Fiendkind's movements and most of their secrets to you!"

The Pontiff's pupils contracted sharply, but his face remained outwardly calm and impassive. "Very good, extremely good! Child of the Gods, now tell me the bad news!"

"The bad news is... the Scarlet Army!"

Du Chen then recounted his experiences in the City of Penance, though he made three alterations. First, the Brockman family had not returned to the human world but had been used and abandoned by Du Chen, perishing in the jaws of Huhuhu Beasts. Second, the existence of the small Duding, the Life Tree Seed, was completely fabricated; Du Chen's escape was due to Du Chen, the Divine, finding him. And the third alteration was that Julie's identity was not exposed; she had been saved but then instantly weathered into ashes.

Having finished, Du Chen presented Julie's ashes, along with a significant amount of Fiendkind intelligence obtained from the Brockman family!

The Pontiff listened quietly, then slowly spoke, looking at the items before him. "Mas, divide the ashes into three parts: one part to be enshrined in the Divine Temple, another to be sent for research, and the last part to be sent to Grand Pontiff Brook! Also, this matter is to be known only among us. Understood?"

After Mas left, the Pontiff looked at Du Chen. "The Gods' representatives have two issues requiring confirmation. First, will the Huhuhu Beast be exploited by the Fiendkind and turned against us humans?"

Du Chen replied, "Absolutely impossible. Before I released the Huhuhu Beasts into the Subterranean Abyss that day, I considered it thoroughly—the Fiendkind's main force is the Undead legion, derived from the Undead aspect of the Life Tree. The Huhuhu Beasts represent the life aspect of the Life Tree; they can absolutely not coexist or cooperate. In fact, they are natural enemies! For the Fiendkind to utilize the Huhuhu Beasts, they would have to abandon their Undead legions!"

The Pontiff nodded. "Hmm, the matter of the Huhuhu Beasts should not be publicized for now. You know, it's only during crises that humans can unleash extraordinary courage. If they knew about the Huhuhu Beasts... hehe. Second question: is that Scarlet Army truly as powerful as you described?"

"Absolutely true!"

The Pontiff fell silent for a long time, then slowly rose. "I understand. Francis, you have rendered a great service to humanity this time. I will have your deeds carved onto the Divine-Fiend Chronicle!"

The Divine-Fiend Chronicle? What's that?

As Du Chen wondered, the Pontiff led him into an inner room within the tent. Upon seeing the scene before him, Du Chen's eyes lit up. The room shimmered with golden light, its walls covered with military maps. In the center stood a tall Memorial Stele. Pointing to it, the Pontiff said, "In the War of Fallen Gods long ago, Divine Emperor Prince recorded the deeds of the gods upon this stele. I emulate the Divine Emperor; this inscription will ensure future generations remember your accomplishments!"

Du Chen examined the two-man-tall Memorial Stele. He saw many names already etched upon it. The first line read... Hawkins: Second in line to the Saint Baton Family, Commander of the Crimson Mausoleum Guards, fell in battle on August 31, 1280, of the Fallen Gods calendar, in the Auerbach Grand Canyon...

Hawkins had died after all!

*Sigh.* Du Chen's mind recalled the military council that day, the Beastkin giant patting his chest, solemnly vowing, "Leave the suicide mission to me, Supreme Father God, rest assured!"

...

*Thump! Thump!* The Pontiff's tapping on the map pulled Du Chen back to reality. Sama IX pointed at the map of the Three Continents and said, "Francis, Mas has already told you the situation, so I won't waste any more words! Accept your mission now!"

Du Chen stepped forward, bowing to listen!

The Pontiff's finger traced the sea south of Einz on the map. "The Second Human-Fiendkind War has begun. Three days after your disappearance, the rulers of various nations accepted the Papal Curia's proposal and once again formed the Holy Alliance! They are willing to fully support me against the Fiendkind! I have divided the Aethelgard Continent and Arcania Continent into seventeen war zones along national borders. Each great power and its subsidiary nations are responsible for one war zone. The current task for all major war zones is to consolidate and prepare for battle, search for any Fiendkind lifelines within their jurisdiction, and simultaneously... conduct a Grand Purge within their own nations!"

*Heavens, has the entire human world already begun a Grand Purge?*

*Please, don't let this ignite internal strife!*

Du Chen gazed at the map and suddenly noticed that his Durkes City, along with a large area of sea opposite it, was not within the Lanning war zone. He couldn't help but look at the Pontiff, puzzled.

*What are you trying to do, old man? Separating my territory from Lanning, essentially creating a major split, isn't that just openly inviting Bargnar to deal with me?*

The Pontiff laughed. "Durkes City has been designated the Eighteenth War Zone, and you shall command it! Francis, you bear a heavy responsibility!" Smiling, the Pontiff looked at Du Chen, as if to say, *Yes, this situation is exactly what I intended. Damn it, do you think I don't know? You've gathered thirty thousand Beastkin troops and put them under the command of God-General Dud. This strength already makes me, the Pontiff, wary, so I need to 'tap' you a bit. Also... hehe, the worse your relationship with Lanning, the easier it is for me to control both of you, isn't it? It's merely political maneuvering!*

Du Chen saw through the Pontiff's petty tricks clearly, but what could he say? With a single phrase, "for humanity's grand cause against the Fiendkind," the Pontiff compelled Du Chen to offer a forced smile and say, "I understand, Your Holiness, your efforts are truly painstaking!"

Sama IX seemed not to hear Du Chen's half-hearted sarcasm. Instead, his finger gently traced the ocean on the map as he continued, "During the War of Fallen Gods, the Sea Clan and the Fiendkind had no significant conflict. This time, the Sea King also seems unenthusiastic about resisting the Fiendkind..."

This was understandable. The Fiendkind's counterattack against humanity was to claim the right to live under the sun; their sole goal was territory! Since it was 'territory,' what did it have to do with the Sea Clan? At the same time, the Sea Clan had no interest in land. There was no fundamental conflict of interest between them, so the vast Sea Clan, under the leadership of Sea Emperor Thanes... would simply watch the spectacle!

The Pontiff continued, "However, the Fiendkind's lifelines are ubiquitous. If the Sea King doesn't cooperate with us, it will be very difficult for us to intercept the Fiendkind's lifelines in the ocean... Therefore, your Eighteenth War Zone also bears the heavy responsibility of dealing with the Sea Clan along this front!"

Du Chen glanced at the area delineated by the Pontiff: roughly a triangle extending from Durkes City, all the way to Golden Sands Cape on the Azure Heaven Continent, and the very center of the Grand Delta Sea!

This mission was not difficult at all. Gode, the young Prince of the Grand Delta Sea, was a follower of Du Chen's Divine Cult!

Du Chen curled his lip, not taking this task to heart.

"That's all for war preparations and diplomacy. Next is the matter of the Grand Purge!" The Pontiff took a Golden Token from his sleeve and handed it to Du Chen. "You will investigate discreetly. As long as there is any clue, you may use this Golden Token to immediately execute the suspect!"

In other words, *kill as you please, and if anything goes wrong, I, the Pontiff, will cover for you!* Du Chen smiled. "Your Holiness, what if the suspect is a national ruler, or possesses enormous power?"

"Rulers of Minor Nations with armies under two hundred thousand are at your discretion. As for Rulers of Great Powers... leave them to me!" A hint of murderous intent flashed in the Pontiff's eyes!

Du Chen's heart skipped a beat! The possibility he had considered on the way here was now confirmed...

...

The Pontiff smiled, his expression returning to normal. "These are all long-term grand plans, so you don't need to rush. However, there are two things I need you to do now!"

"Please tell me, Your Holiness!"

"First, King Lanning is very displeased about my decision to make your territory the Eighteenth War Zone. He has even used 'exploring lifelines' as an excuse to transfer some of Arges's Army Corps south, towards your border! You must handle this matter appropriately!" He paused, then pointed to the very center of the map. "Second... look here first!"

Du Chen looked at the giant island in the center of the map. "That's Bog Island. It's known as the 'Center of the Four Seas' and was once the domain of the Goddess of Wisdom and War, where a nation called the 'Miki Duchy' even existed. But I heard that a few years ago, it was occupied by the Sea Clan due to its rich crystal diamond deposits! The Miki Duchy, like many small nations, vanished into history..."

Du Chen knew about Bog Island because of Annie, as Annie's home, Emerald City, was only three hundred nautical miles away from Bog Island!

However, as the shadows of all women were replaced by a melancholic and beautiful figure, Du Chen had gradually forgotten about this island and Annie along with it...

Why was the Pontiff bringing up Bog Island now?

The Pontiff pointed to Bog Island. "Five years ago, the Sea King personally led a large army to occupy Bog Island and destroyed the Miki Duchy. But out of respect for me, he did not destroy the Goddess's Palace of the Miki Duchy. He only smashed the colossal statue of Miki Goddess but preserved the Enshrinement Temple, thus not desecrating the corpse of the Goddess of Wisdom and War..."

A faint ripple stirred in Du Chen's heart. "Could it be that, following Orbach's corpse...?"

The Pontiff nodded. "Half a month ago, the Goddess's Palace was consumed by a great fire. Out of the Papal Curia's dignity, I sent a letter condemning the Sea King. But Sea Emperor Thanes responded with a very blunt letter. Here, it's in the drawer. Read it yourself!"

Du Chen took out the letter, opened it, and the very first sentence made him burst into silent laughter.

The Sea King wrote, "What does the Goddess's Palace catching fire have to do with me? Sama, I gave your Holy Church enough face by not destroying the Goddess's Palace five years ago. What more do you want? Let me tell you, I'm also furious. On the day of the fire, all the guards stationed at the Goddess's Palace went missing, and there was a massive riot on Bog Island. Half my slaves escaped, and I lost a large amount of important goods..."

As Du Chen was laughing, his heart suddenly trembled. Judging by the timeline, half a month ago there was a major riot on Bog Island, and the Sea King's slaves and treasures suffered huge losses... Five days ago, he had encountered the Sea King, who was conducting a massacre while searching for treasure, and he had rescued Fak!

Could Fak be a slave from the Goddess's Palace, a survivor of the fallen Miki Duchy!?

Du Chen continued reading, and the contents below shocked him even further. The Sea King wrote, "Sama, let me tell you some bad news. After the fire, I tidied up the Goddess's Palace and found that the Miki Goddess's corpse was gone. I suspect those slaves stole the corpse. I'm telling you this so you can keep an eye out; don't say later that I've committed blasphemy! Understand!?"

Du Chen looked at the Pontiff in bewilderment.

"Francis, you should have understood... Yes, after Orbach's corpse went missing, the Miki Goddess's corpse also disappeared. To me, these two events are far from ordinary! The disappearance of Orbach's corpse has now been completely sealed off, and all Beastkin who knew about it have entered the Labyrinth of Life. I want to ask Du Chen, the Divine, to secretly investigate this matter!"

Du Chen replied, "My Divine Lord will certainly agree!"

"Good. You and Du Chen, the Divine, will first inspect the Auerbach Grand Canyon, then find an excuse to visit Bog Island! The Golden Token of life and death is already in your hands; you may make your own decisions. I have only one request—try not to provoke the Sea King!" The Pontiff waved his hand, and Du Chen took his leave.

As soon as he stepped out of the tent, Du Chen saw two people and paused in surprise, then quickly said respectfully, "Teacher, why are you here? Godfather Ferdinand, long time no see!"

It was Ferdinand and Zigurd. Ferdinand, with his purple eyebrows, smiled. "Your Excellency, Godfather, as a Godfather of the Einz Diocese, how could I not come? On August 31st, you fought fiercely with Bonis, and Dean Zigurd and I arrived consecutively on the morning of September 1st!" He briefly explained his situation, then, understanding the situation, didn't ask further questions, instead ceding the space to the reunited teacher and disciple.

Zigurd, who had been looking solemn and pondering how to deal with the Fiendkind, narrowed his triangular eyes the moment he saw Du Chen, his face as still as water. "Francis, you've really done well! You've *really* done well!"