Chapter 1009: 16.55 First Red Star - Night Attack

"What did you say!?" The two cardinals exclaimed in shock and disbelief.

Cardinal Darius exclaimed in incredulity, "Impossible!"

"How can the Supreme Holiness be still alive!? We saw him..." Falling into an unknown trance upon hearing about the news of the founder, Cardinal Lemuel looks like he lost his sanity. He started talking about things abruptly

"Lemuel!"

Darius Rueden abruptly raised his voice and silenced Lemuel Elon, who had lost his calm after learning that the Templar Temple's founder was still alive. Furthermore, he became a G.o.d, which no one could have predicted. After all, that had resulted in the founder's death at the cliff's edge. Who would have guessed he'd be alive after all?

The room fell silent, as Cardinal Lemuel struggled to keep his shock and panic from showing on his face. He collapsed bonelessly in his seat while still in astonishment. Cardinal Darius could only scowl as he watched his companion lose control, the messenger looking around with perplexity in his eyes. He couldn't comprehend why the two cardinals would react in such an unexpected manner.

Cardinal Darius glares at the messenger and yells, "Why are you still here? Do your orders!"

"Yes!"

The Cardinals resumed their conversation after the messenger had left the room. He knew about the death of the First Pope, Kelan Light, based on how Cardinal Lemuel had responded just now.

Darius says to Lemuel, "You almost slip with your words just now! How do you think those little ones would react if you acted in such a suspicious way? We swore never to speak a word of what happened that night. We are now the people of Pope Kenan!"

"I know. It won't happen again. It's just... you know what we saw that night... I just can't..."

"Enough! Just shut up! It's all done. Forget about it!"

Cardinal Darius cut Cardinal Lemuel's speech short because he couldn't tolerate hearing the rest. Just the two of them knew what happened that night. Despite the fact that their arrival at that location was unexpected, by keeping what transpired that night a secret, they were able to obtain the rank of Cardinals, which was just one step below the Pope and the Holy Son. Yet, the truth of that night is too heavy for them to conceal, and it consumes their conscience every second they are alive.

"We should have met in the market instead of on that cliff that night. Why the heck did you bury your money in the mountain? Can't you just save it in a bank?"

Darius Rueden's head felt like it was about to explode every time he remembered why they were caught up in that scheme that night. They needed to go to a mountain to retrieve the gold his friend had buried so they could pay for the event that night.

"That was the bribe we received at each exorcism," Cardinal Lemuel responded, "and the temple will know about it if I save it in a bank."

Tsk!

Cardinal Darius said, "Forget about it now. As long as we have poison gu in our bodies we cannot betray the Pope. Let's focus more on the current situation."

"If only we won't have to die if that b.a.s.t.a.r.d died! I wouldn't even care if he lives or dies!" Cardinal Lemuel said with words full of rage.

"We cannot do anything about the situation. He wouldn't kill us at least as long as he focuses on protecting him while he is unconscious. As for that person in the underground prison, let them take him away. I don't care." Darius Rueden said.

Lemuel Elon said, "Forgive me. If only I didn't drag you with me that night, you won't have to get..."

"Enough. What happened is already done. Focus on the future. Moreover, he has lived long enough, I'm getting tired." Darius Rueden said.

Lemuel Elon sighed as if he was agreeing to what his friend had said. They had lived their lives under the control of the Pope only to be afraid of death day after night.

---

At midnight, at the territory under the Templar Temple, a loud explosion happened at the main gates causing chaos in the whole land.

BOOOM! BAAMM!

HOOWL~

"Ah! The werewolves are attacking! Tell the Cardinals!"

"Block them! Don't let them in!!!"

"d.a.m.ned dogs! Kill them all!!!"

Humans and Werewolves clashed at the gates and explosives were used. The sounds of explosions, spells chanting, screams, and laughter mixed remixing an unwanted melody called war.

"Hahaha~ humans are not different from scarecrows as long as you are hit! Weaklings!!"

"Stop wasting time! Destroy the gates completely so our pack can all enter!"

"Don't let them finish their spells! Punch their mouths if you have to."

Everyone can perceive the hostility that exists between the two races. The werewolf kind despises weakness, and strength is vital to them. It's a skewed view of the Fenrir Tribe. On the other hand, humans can't tolerate anything stronger than themselves. They would live in constant fear as long as a being stronger than they existed, and they would do anything to eradicate such existence.

Almost all of the Templar Temple's attention is focused on the gates, but the Underground Prison was more carefree than the other place. Mayonaka Yoru and Luciel Dawn were seated in the group, covered with a blanket as if on a picnic, and watching a movie on a tablet. They even have beers and some snacks like beef jerky, dried fish, and even cheese.

These two can barely hear the bustle outside and don't seem to mind. The underground prison's facilities are so guarded that one cannot enter without the wardens' biometrics.

Mayonaka Yoru is the lone Warden at present, and he always stays inside the underground jail, never intending to leave. His food was given to him by his minions outside the door.

---

Rumbles~

The sound of the land trembles, but the two appear unfazed because the prison walls have been hardened with spells and will not collapse even if there is an earthquake. The constant tremor of the earth gave the two guys the impression that something was awry. It was only when they spread their aura through the divine sense that they learned that the Templar Temple was under attack.

Luciel Dawn remarks, "The Templar Temple is under attack by werewolves."

"This is weird. Why would they attack all of a sudden? Though the Pope being out of commission was enough as a reason but still... for the werewolves who love to fight the strong to attack someone's base while its main force is not available is truly unbelievable," Mayonaka Yoru commented.

Silently agreeing with Mayonaka Yoru's statements, Luciel Dawn searched all the roads surrounding their location to see whether any other invaders were creeping within the Templar Temple's domain. As expected, he noticed a small group steadily coming, and when he sensed the familiar presence approaching, he smiled. He hears the sound of someone falling before he becomes delighted.

THUD!

When he turned around, he saw Mayonaka Yoru holding his right shoulder, crouching as he bore the pain.

Hiss~

Luciel Dawn asked worriedly, "What's wrong with you?"

"Old man, check the back of my right shoulder! I feel countless needles poking it. It's itchy and painful!" Mayonaka Yoru said.

Luciel Dawn tugged Yoru's garments up to check the back of his right shoulder, his countenance was frightened and uneasy. He was shocked to find dark clouds, which represent the night, and gold stars were strewn among them, as well as a pulsing tattoo in front of him. This imprint appears to be living on Mayonaka Yoru's skin. But Luciel Dawn recognized it right away and understood it was an imprint crest shared by a werewolf and his Luna.

Luciel Dawn says, "Is this your crest? What is this? Night and Stars?"

"Crest? Old man, are you talking about the Imprint Crest?!" Mayonaka Yoru looked extremely delighted upon hearing his words. He ran towards the cold pool and brought out a mirror to see his Imprint Crest. "Why did it appear on my back? I can't see it at all."

"Sigh~ come here. I will take a photo for you!" Luciel Dawn said. He took the young man's phone and took a photo of his crest so he could see it clearly.

Mayonaka Yoru enthusiastically received his phone and looked at the photo of his imprint crest, which represents the acceptance of fate between two individuals. Yoru understood why the other half had this crest after seeing the stars protected by the evening clouds.

He feels overjoyed just thinking about the person he holds in his heart.

"I knew it. I was never mistaken in the first place. It had always been you..." murmured Mayonaka Yoru as he reflected on his first meeting with the love of his life. At first, he a.s.sumed the reason he couldn't take his look away from him was because he is an enemy with whom he will never get along in this life. In the end, he becomes the person with whom he shares his fate and soul. His mate and the other soul owner.

Luciel Dawn did not prevent the kid from inspecting his own crest. It has been argued that for werewolves, the survival of their Luna is far more crucial than their own lives. They would do anything to defend it, even if it meant going up against their own tribe. Because of this, most wolf packs would protect the Luna as if she were their own.

Mayonaka Yoru, who had had enough of staring, turned around to face his prospective father-in-law, saying, "Old man, they are coming, aren't they? Your family was about to pick you up."

"Yes, they are now on the hidden routes. Though I don't know why they have the map about those routes which is usually only known by the Pope and the Holy Son." Luciel Dawn said.

"The Holy Son must have given it to them. Este-chan is his right-hand man after all. Moreover, I heard some rumors that he fancies your daughter, Old Man. What should we do?"

"Why would he fancy my daughter? Amy is a pureblood vampire while he is a human."

"Old Man, is that something you should ask?" Mayonaka Yoru said while staring at this man who was the former strongest exorcist but still fell in love with a n.o.ble vampire in his teens. He was looking at him as if asking, 'Are you for real?' that kind of expression.

Luciel Dawn avoided his eyes and said, "Pretend I didn't say something."

Being stared at that way made Luciel Dawn feel a little ashamed. He knew he had no right to doubt love between races because, after all, he was one of them. He had it much better than the others. He not only married his vampire bride, but they produced children, both of whom are still alive. Because of the continuous cold war between the three races, love between races is not openly acknowledged in this society.

---

At the Chamber of the Pope...

The two cardinals barricaded themselves inside and turned deaf ears to the priests outside pleading for a.s.sistance. Outside, these two were getting part in the battle. They intend to emerge only if the invaders have breached the Main Temple's major defenses. To avoid being chastised, they sent several individuals to see the underground prison, notably the lowest water dungeon where that man was locked.

They delivered this directive so they could tell the Pope when he awoke and found that his most treasured prisoner had been taken away. The werewolf's strategy was to destroy as much as possible within the Templar Temple's domain. This is the same as destroying someone's house while the owner is away. In the case of the Templar Temple, the Pope was still in slumber and it was unknown when he would wake up. Because of this, the werewolves were confident that they could decimate at least half of the territory in this attack.