Chapter 242: Reactions from All Sides, Combat Priests Mobilize!

Bzzzzzz!!

Thousands of green-headed flies transformed into clouds, swarming out to cover and spread across the entire base.

"Aaaah!"

"Quick! Set up defenses!"

"Crosses, use the crosses to repel them!"

"No! Don't!"

"..."

Screams, cries of pain, and counterattacks all unfolded in an instant.

At this moment, those disgusting flies that usually only spread germs had become lethal assassins, claiming one life after another.

Rat-tat-tat!!

A significant number of soldiers chose to launch an attack on the demon Given Gula. Human mechanical weapons spat out bullets capable of shattering stone slabs; in a single instant, a barrage of bullets sprayed onto the demon.

Pshhh, pshhh—

Unexpectedly, these bullets all sank into that seemingly indestructible black-green skin. No! They didn't just sink in!

Gurgle, gurgle—

That black-green skin acted like a rotting swamp; the moment the bullets hit, they lost all momentum and were actively corroded and swallowed up!!

Given Gula opened its massive maw and let out a roar of laughter.

Souls!

Flesh!

Wails!

It hadn't been this satisfied in a long time; this was truly a grand banquet.

Jack, trembling at its feet, suddenly stood up, staring angrily at the soldiers who had launched the attack. "Who gave you permission to fire?! Put down your weapons!"

???

The soldiers looked at each other in disbelief, staring at the director. But before they could react, the green-headed flies began a suicide assault, melting their body armor and feeding on the liquefied flesh and blood amidst their screams.

Given Gula watched Jack, a look of surprise in its yellow pupils. "Not bad, truly not bad."

Plop!

A cluster of green-headed flies dropped from its hand, landing on Jack and rapidly merging into his skin.

Visible to the naked eye, Jack's complexion began to improve.

Although it wasn't the Demon King Beelzebub, as a servant and subordinate demon, it possessed some similar abilities—specifically, the control of plagues.

Cancer was troublesome, but by remodeling his very being, it could be resolved. Though he might no longer be himself, no longer human, hadn't the problem been solved?

Heh.

Next, using this guy as a foundation, it would properly enjoy itself in the mortal realm. Opportunities like this were rare; it had to harvest a wave before the Church reacted. And it should leave behind some contingencies to continue summoning in the future—this was what one called... sustainable development!

With a thought from Given Gula, a portion of the green-headed flies quietly gathered into a cluster, clinging to clothing and merging into the bodies of certain people.

Of course, most of the flies were still harvesting lives in the base. Thanks to Jack, there were quite a few people gathered here, especially in the offering warehouse, which was packed full of them!

Feeling the increasingly abundant souls and flesh, Given Gula couldn't help but let out a moan, its yellow eyes closing in ecstasy.

In the sky.

An invisible figure watched all of this indifferently, standing perfectly still.

With hands behind his back, Louis's eyes glowed with a faint light. He had watched the entire summoning process and realized that the success was largely due to the girl sacrificed at the end—she possessed a powerful soul, a potential medium!

Furthermore, this array was truly extraordinary, having forcibly torn open a rift to Hell.

Should he call these capitalists generous?

The offerings... were far too many.

As for this "giant green-headed fly" below, Louis sensed it briefly and found it only brought a sense of danger, not a fatal one. It was likely the same as Malthus—the main body was a Great Demon, while this projection or flesh-avatar was merely a Top-Tier Demon.

In other words, while somewhat troublesome, it was still within the range of what he could handle.

Therefore, he wasn't in a rush to deal with it; he wanted to test a few things first.

At the same time.

Within the Church in the Vatican, an anomaly was detected.

Ever since the Pope announced the return of darkness and the arrival of demons, the Church had begun a series of power restructurings, reactivating many organizational frameworks.

Many modern departments were suddenly disbanded, and several strange new ones were reorganized.

Among them was a department named the Holy Soil Division.

A priest sat motionless within a circle of salt, clutching a Bible, eyes closed, muttering to himself.

"Plague... stomach acid... river of rot... eyes of Hell... flies..."

Suddenly, he opened his eyes.

"America! Rhode Island! Harrisville!"

In an instant, the dozen priests around him stood up in unison and walked out.

Moments later.

An order was transmitted to the Ministry of Clergy. An old priest carrying two large guns walked out of the Vatican and arrived at a newly established Exorcism Academy within the Vatican grounds.

He then led a group of people out.

Gabriele Artelmo, an elderly priest with a thick beard and a muscular frame.

Following him were several priests and nuns he had personally trained. One of the priests asked, "Father Gabriele, where are we going?"

"Heh, to conduct a trial."

"Although I don't think this trial is necessary, since the Pope has spoken personally, I can only bring you along. Consider it a chance for me to provide cover while you undergo a real trial."

A trial?

The priests and nuns changed expressions. They hadn't forgotten how they came to be here or why.

They had graduated not long ago, but had been left unassigned. It seemed they were being brought to face something massive!

Would they have a chance to see a real demon during this trial?

Except for one priest, the others all looked expectant.

"Cotton, what's wrong? We are about to confront a demon for the glory of the Lord! Cheer up!" He raised a steel cross the size of a human head, which he used as a weapon.

The other priests and nuns also raised their weapons: crosses used as bludgeons, pistols engraved with crosses, and heavy Bibles wrapped in iron chains...

Cotton shook his head, his expression solemn. Unlike the others, he had personally experienced a demonic event and knew how terrifying they were. Could the things they learned at the Exorcism Academy really deal with a demon?

Recalling the terror of Abaddon, Cotton's doubts deepened.

Seeming to sense Cotton's fear, the muscular old priest Gabriele suddenly turned his head and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Father Cotton!"

Cotton instinctively stood at attention.

"Do you remember why I chose you?"

"It was because I read your file and admired how, in the moment you learned the truth of the world, you still summoned the courage to charge at the demon."

"Perhaps you were an insincere believer before, but in that moment, you returned to the embrace of the Lord. So, believe in yourself, believe in the Lord, and have no fear."

"Alright?"

Accompanied by Gabriele's words, it was as if a certain power took root in their hearts. They all straightened their backs, especially Cotton, whose mind flashed back to the moment he charged at Abaddon.

His eyes shifted slightly. "Thank you, Father Gabriele, I understand."

"Good!"

"Now, board the private jet, and we shall proceed to our destination at full speed!"

Sitting on the private jet.

Gabriele exhaled slightly, looking at the bustling city below through the window, his eyes hazy.

As the Church's Chief Exorcist, he had handled thousands of demonic events in his life. While most were fakes or low-level spirits, he had banished many demonic projections. Aside from that perverted smoker, he was the most capable combatant in the Church.

Oh, wait.

There was also Bishop Irene; since sealing Valak a few years ago, she had fully activated her Saint's bloodline and was now his equal in strength.

But it wasn't enough, it still wasn't enough...

Lord, why...

Gabriele gradually closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.

At the same time.

Within the headquarters of the Bureau in Washington, an instrument emitted a shrill alarm.

In an instant, everyone in the base—directors, managers, janitors, and soldiers—had their expressions change.

In the office.

The Director was staring at a map.

Moments later, he found the approximate location.

"This energy signature... Hell, it must be Hell. But how is this possible? No matter, contact the nearest combat team immediately. Air-drop the prohibited items, and if necessary, contact the military for a full blockade!"

England.

In a certain room, Valak, who was plotting the next unsealing action, sensed something.

In the darkness: Tall! Dark! Pale!

Dressed in a nun's habit, Valak emerged from the shadows, twisting its head to look in a certain direction. "Hell... rift... Who has come? Is Mammon moving this quickly? No, I cannot be this slow anymore. I must accelerate the progress. Perhaps, I need an assistant?"

"Hm? The gaze of a certain medium..."

Valak revealed its ferocious fangs, sending a warning toward the gaze that had been cast.

"And... the scent of my own kind..."

On the street outside, a cultist carrying a doll was walking hurriedly. Beneath her feet, a shadow followed closely along the water in the sewer.

Harrisville.

This tiny city had unknowingly drawn the attention of two major organizations, and with their actions, it was destined to be the focus of countless eyes.

Inside the base.

Countless green-headed flies were still wreaking havoc. Given Gula was chewing on a human corpse with large bites; in the demon's mouth, humans and livestock seemed to be no different.

At this moment.

Given Gula paused its chewing, turning its head to look to one side, as if it had seen something.

"Someone has come. A medium?"

(End of Chapter)

"Someone is coming, a medium?"

(End of chapter)