A Hospital in Another World?-Chapter 883: The Holy Sword Strikes Ostend

"We should deploy troops immediately."

"Our forces are insufficient. We must report to the Radiant Holy City and have them send reinforcements."

"I think we should contact the local lords and have the nobles collaborate and send their troops."

"What if they don't send enough troops? What if they only send a few hundred or a thousand? A city like Ostend can't be taken with just a small force!"

"I still suggest contacting the main army and waiting for their return so we can attack from both sides."

"And what if the main army gets stuck on the road and is ambushed from both sides…"

Led by Archbishop Joyce, the head of the clerics of Calaias City and the guardian of the Solace Cathedral, the six leaders had three different opinions. Whenever one suggested a plan, the other two would rebut it.

Two votes against one could barely form a unified decision; one vote against one against one could go on for three days and nights without any consensus. Finally, Archbishop Joyce snorted coldly and stood up abruptly:

"I'll report to the Radiant Holy City first. Everyone, let's activate the Divine Array and open the communication channel together!"

On this point, the others had no objections—or even if they did, they couldn't voice them at that moment.

Everyone left the conference room together and arrived at the small prayer room beneath the altar. Archbishop Joyce personally drafted a report and had the others review it and seal it with their rings.

Then, everyone gathered around the center of the array, collectively kneeling to pray:

"O Lord, you are high above, watching over all. Nothing in this world can escape your sight, and nothing can obscure your perception."

"O Lord, your faithful servants pray to you now. Please grant your power, so your agents in this world may know all that transpires here and now…"

As their prayers echoed, the gems embedded in the Divine Array began to light up one by one. Led by Archbishop Joyce, the other bishops placed their hands on the array, channeling holy power into it.

Soon, a point of white light appeared at the center, expanding into an oval-shaped portal within moments.

Archbishop Joyce quickly inserted the report into the portal. Then, one by one, all hands withdrew from the array. The portal flashed and then quietly extinguished.

"Everyone, wait here and arrange for your attendants to prepare." Archbishop Joyce stood up and looked around sternly:

"Personnel, supplies, and communication with the local lords—if nothing is ready when the people from the Holy City arrive, I doubt anyone would want to face the Holy City's wrath."

Through the unreserved transmission of the Divine Array, the news of Ostend's fall and the collapse of the Grand Divine Array's chain reached the Radiant Holy City that very day. The Pope was furious, the leader of the Holy Knights was furious, and the Grand Inquisitor was furious…

In short, the archbishop and the bishops waited less than four hours in the underground altar. The light circle lit up, and a scroll bearing the holy seal was ejected straight out of the portal:

"Archbishop Joyce, you and all bishops are ordered to take decisive action and ensure the control of the Ostend Cathedral is regained!

If that cannot be achieved, then heretics and traitors must be severely punished to demonstrate the Lord's might to His flock!

To this end, Archbishop Joyce is authorized to use any means of attack except the final resort.

The attack must achieve results within three days. If it cannot, the local situation must be maintained until the Church sends reinforcements."

"Gentlemen, the Pope's decree is very clear." Archbishop Joyce respectfully read the decree and showed the parchment to the surrounding bishops and archbishops, his face solemn:

"Within three days, we must launch a powerful attack and achieve decisive results. Therefore, I propose combining the power of six Divine Arrays to activate the Radiant Holy Sword. Who agrees and who opposes?"

"……"

"……"

The archbishop of the Seacliff Cathedral in Cologne City hesitated to speak but ultimately swallowed his words;

The archbishop of the Flower Cathedral in Bankton City silently bowed his head, not uttering a word. Since Bankton City was farthest from Ostend, his cathedral would expend the least amount of divine power;

The other two resident bishops remained silent. If the taller ones didn’t speak, what could they say?

"Very well, sign the documents and notify Dix City. Three…" Archbishop Joyce glanced at the others, estimating the time needed for the most distant bishop to return to his cathedral and make arrangements, then provided a relatively generous timeline:

"Six hours later, ring the holy bells and begin collective prayer. At dawn tomorrow, with the first ray of sunlight, activate the Radiant Holy Sword and cleave through Ostend City."

"For the glory of the Radiant Lord."

"For the glory of the Radiant Lord!" The bishops collectively made the prayer gesture and responded in unison.

The bishops, archbishops, attendants, and holy knights mounted their horses and rode back to their cities. Soon, in each city, the Holy Knights drove the citizens into a frenzy:

"Everyone, tonight, all must come to the cathedral for prayer!"

"Not a single person missing! What? Your son Tommy has a broken leg? Don't worry! We've arranged for each street to have an overseer and special vehicles to transport those who have difficulty moving!"

"Pregnant women? Pregnant women must come too! It's not like you'll be in labor at the cathedral, and even if you are, divine healing is safer!"

No matter how they rounded people up, the holy bells of each cathedral rang on time. In each city's cathedral, large crowds gathered, bowing before the altar and praying loudly to the Radiant Lord under the guidance of the priests:

"Almighty Lord, we come before you to pray for our brothers and sisters in Ostend. Please grant your grace and blessings, so that our brethren there may return to your favor. We pray to you today, strengthen their faith…"

"Almighty Lord, I entrust my health, my family, my work, my career, and my life into your hands. Please watch over, protect, and bless us…"

"Almighty Lord…"

The priests opened the holy books and lit the candles. The acolytes and assistants rang the holy bells and struck the golden gongs. The choir boys sang hymns loudly, transforming the entire cathedral into a dreamlike atmosphere…

Every hour of prayer, devout believers in some cathedrals distributed drinking water. Four hours later, they brought out large barrels to distribute black bread and hot oatmeal.

If not for the occasional coughs or someone clutching their stomach and sneaking out of the hall, the entire prayer session would have been perfect.

Even so, a faint mist gradually rose from the hall to the altar, from the altar to the cathedral spire. It then concentrated in the central cathedral, gathering into the entire Divine Array…

"The attack is coming."

"Yes, the first strike will be the most powerful…"

On the walls of Star Fort, Count Ostend and his wife stood side by side, looking southwest into the dense night. Though they couldn't see or hear anything, the heavy pressure in the air continued to prick their senses:

"When I was little, I saw a Divine Array activation. Just the array of Ostend shattered a ship five miles away, ship and crew alike…"

"The Holy Lily Cathedral has already been bombed." The countess squeezed her husband's hand with a forced smile:

"The array beneath it is also damaged. The nearest Dix City is over thirty miles away. Even if they attack, it won't be very powerful. Don't worry."

"No, you don’t need to worry." Count Ostend hugged his wife and pushed her down:

"You go to sleep. I'll be here. You need sleep to have enough spells tomorrow, right?"

He coaxed and pushed until he got her to bed. Then, his face darkened, and he strode out:

"Armor me! Tonight, before dawn, we must take the Holy Lily Cathedral! No need to capture them alive. Exterminate them all!"

"Don't worry, it's being done." A leisurely voice answered. Count Ostend turned to see a tall, black-haired youth strolling out, smiling slightly:

"Leave the cathedral to us, Count. Now, what you need to handle is—"

He tilted his head. Immediately, a young man with a stiff face walked over and stood before the count. The black-haired youth continued to smile:

"We found this… your distant relative? Southwest of Ostend, ten miles from the city. We were concerned for his safety, so we brought him back."

The count furrowed his brow deeply. This person was his distant relative and the one favored by the church to inherit his title after his youngest son passed. He gripped his sword hilt, then let go and took two steps forward:

"Kujin, what were you doing outside the city?"

"I…" The young man’s face twisted with both hatred and struggle. The black-haired youth made a gesture:

"Tell us what you were doing. Count, rest assured, we've used magic on him. He can only speak the truth~~~"

"I… I was going to report to the church…"

Kujin squeezed out each word. Count Ostend closed his eyes, then opened them, and closed them again:

"Alright. Then, please, go report to the Radiant Lord."

The sword flashed and withdrew. Blood sprayed as the young man collapsed.

"The Count is decisive!" The black-haired youth gave a thumbs up. His mage badge shone brightly, matching his smile:

"Then I'll get busy. Tonight, we need to evacuate everyone to avoid the church's first strike—"

That night, Ostend was abuzz with activity. By dawn, as the first ray of sunlight lit the sky, a white light, as sharp as a sword, struck down!

Table of content - Next Chapter >>>