Chapter 828: Chapter 52: Total Annihilation

Bishop Michael lifted that obsidian saw sword, filled with a barbaric aura and stained with the blood of countless people and fierce beasts of the wilderness, between the "firmament" and the "ocean" and leaped into the air.

In a trance, it seemed as though the roar of a jaguar resonated in people’s ears.

Guatamuz, the Heroic Spirit of the last Jaguar Warrior residing in this sword, emitted a silent roar, making each serration on the obsidian sword appear as the sharpest fang.

Compared to Jeanne’s holy radiance, the even more intense and frenzied Holy Flame enveloped the entire figure of Archbishop Michael.

At this moment, the power displayed by Archbishop Michael almost reached the same level as Jeanne in her "Holy Body" state.

The magic dragon in the sky paused its futile breaths, its massive golden eyes watching Bishop Michael who seemed to be courting death. Yet, on its majestic dragon face, there was still an endless indifference.

"To challenge a magic dragon with human strength, the church still conceals such terrifying power!"

Porfirio shuddered; he knew the church’s hidden strength was mighty, but witnessing such power still made his scalp tingle.

"Hail Mary! In our lifetime, to witness such immense Holy Power!"

The commanders of the Knight Order, being insiders, were even more shocked.

"How does Archbishop Michael do it? I pray devoutly every day, honing my martial skills, burying myself in ascetic practice, but the gap between my power and the Archbishop’s not only hasn’t closed, it has widened."

"I heard that the Archbishop planted a lot of belladonna, mandala, potato chips, and cannabis herbs on his estate and manor. The Archbishop may have embarked on that path..."

"Do you mean, the test of God?"

The commanders of the Knight Order were astounded. The test of God meant the extensive and prolonged use of hallucinogenic drugs, even actively refining them to increase their toxicity, and after becoming thoroughly addicted, quitting them.

After this, the spirit and will of the user would be in extreme torment every day.

This is the most extreme form of ascetic practice. The vast majority of those who regard themselves as strong-willed, as if made of steel, only end up being enslaved by these drugs, no longer able to utilize the holy radiance, becoming walking corpses instead.

"Is the magic dragon scared stupid? Why doesn’t it dodge?"

Seeing the Archbishop getting closer to the demon dragon while holding the Holy Object, the commanders of the Knight Order couldn’t help but have a foreboding sense, as an Ancient Dragon level superior dragon naturally would not be foolish.

If it dares not to dodge, it can only mean it still conceals a trump card.

...

Losa looked calmly at the obsidian sword descending towards him. This sword was swung by this Mexican clergy, using the holy power stored within the Holy Artifact over countless years as the cost, and the "Artifact Spirit" within had completely locked onto his aura.

Even if Prajna now took him into the "Death Space," this obsidian sword would break through the barrier and strike him.

Since he couldn’t dodge, Losa simply did not avoid it.

Boom——

A clap of thunder shattered the clear sky.

A golden long spear slowly emerged beside Losa. Since advancing to the King’s New Spear, Losa had never used it, choosing instead to enshrine it under the name "Holy Spear of Longinus" at Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Alexander.

Though the time was short, the power of faith stored within was already considerable. After all, during the Middle Ages, those willing to travel the long distance to the Holy Land were always among the most determined and devout.

With the appearance of the "Spear of Destiny," a melodious dragon roar suddenly exploded.

An illusory dragon shadow coiled around the spear, shooting towards the descending obsidian sword.

In a moment of illusion, Archbishop Michael felt as if he was reverently praying before the Holy Mother and the Christ Statue, and the wielder of the Holy Spear opposite him was the embodiment of God — but how could that be possible?

As the Spear of Destiny approached, an intangible pressure felt as if God was commanding him to lay down his weapon and submit.

This blasphemous thought made Archbishop Michael’s anger grow even stronger: "Go to hell! Damn blasphemer!"

Boom——

The Spear of Destiny collided with the obsidian sword, and Bishop Michael felt his holy radiance rapidly depleting — this was the effect of the Law-Breaking Spear.

The Eastern Monarch, regarded as the Son of Heaven, akin to the status of Holy Son Jesus, gave Bishop Michael a familiar feeling, which was to be expected.

"Damn it, this can’t go on."

Looking at the magic dragon in the sky, still gazing down at him with those golden eyes as if it were looking at an insignificant ant, Archbishop Michael’s anger rose again. Resolutely, he raised his hand to grab the golden long spear.

Bang——

The golden spear pierced through his body, instantly shattering it into ashes.

Yet after the destruction of his body, what remained was endless holy radiance, which frantically poured into the obsidian sword, carrying a spirit of deadly resolve, and it struck the magic dragon in the sky with a sudden force.

...

The impact of the complete annihilation of the new army was undoubtedly significant, first and foremost being the issue of regional Caudillo fragmentation.

One of the keys to Mexico’s unity was Porfirio’s new army, with the church’s support also being a key.

Now, with both suffering heavy losses, it would be strange if the local separatist forces did not seize the opportunity to rise up and seize power.

"Mr. Losa, should we advance across the Rio Grande River now?"

Leon and the rest of the Wolf Race had a huge appetite, not only wanting to annex New Mexico, but also setting their sights on Chihuahua, Coahuila, California, Tamaulipas, and New Leon. To them, they had already succeeded in defeating

Little did they know that to try and swallow it all at once would render Texas completely caught between Mexico and the North American Colonies, and suffer heavy blows in international public opinion.

Moreover, expanding too quickly would sharply increase internal conflicts. It would be better to leave the land in Mexico’s hands, and with its weak national power, Texas could, once it had digested the already occupied territory, continue to gradually encroach step by step.

"No, we retreat." "Mexicans have never really been our opponents. The real threat is in the north. We’ve only hurt it, not broken its bones."

Losa shook his head and refused. Advancing at this point could force the fragmented Mexico to unite against Texas and even completely side with the English.

"Let Juliano announce our victory over Mexico"

Losa’s plan was to carve up Mexico with the French and, if necessary, even bring in the British to completely muddy the waters in the Central America region,