**Western Continent, Mist Court.**
Surrounded by the wondrous phenomenon of the **"Mist Tide and Cloud Sea,"** the Mist Court Imperial City is shrouded in dense fog, isolated from the outside world, forming an independent space.
In the great hall, the King of Mist Court sits high upon his magnificent throne. The regal aura he once possessed—seeming to command the winds and clouds of the world—now trembles slightly.
On both sides of the hall, the ministers resemble startled birds, their faces full of anxiety. Every gaze is magnetically fixed on the divine-like figure standing at the center of the hall.
The Federal Pope.
This renowned figure throughout the Western Continent suddenly and unexpectedly barged into the hall during the empire's council meeting.
The Mist Court Imperial City was guarded by numerous seals and formed a self-contained small space—no outsider could enter.
Yet despite this, the Pope appeared as if he entered an empty place. Even the sovereign of this space—the King of Mist Court—was utterly bewildered.
"I have given you ample time to deliberate, yet you keep evading and hesitating. Since that's the case, I have no choice but to visit you personally," the Pope said softly, sweeping his gaze over the Mist Court people.
The King's face turned pale. It had been ten days since the Pope issued the surrender order.
Although the plan to seek aid from the Ice Plains of the Eastern Continent had failed, deep in his heart, the King still refused to hand over his country to the Pope so easily.
Who would have thought the Pope would come here alone, just like the Summer Emperor of the Eastern Continent!
Such arrogance!
Tensions rising, a blond man stepped in front of the Pope, shielding the King on the throne behind him.
He drew his treasured sword from his waist. The silver armor he wore reflected a cold gleam through the mist.
This man was Raken, the deputy commander of the Mist Court's strongest force—the Royal Knights—and known by the title "Sword of Glory."
Raken's presence relieved the King's tense shoulders, and his nervous heart was somewhat eased.
The King trusted this Royal Knight immensely—trust forged through countless trials of fire and blood. So far, Raken had never let him down.
At this moment, Raken's voice was fierce and resolute like tempered steel:
"If Your Holiness insists on trampling the sacred land of Mist Court, you must first step over my body!"
"Sword of Glory..." The Pope chuckled lightly upon seeing Raken's posture. "A loyal servant indeed. My church happens to lack knights like you. Have you ever considered changing your master?"
The Pope's words did not shake Raken's resolve.
"Born for honor, dying with glory, my heart is like my sword—better to break than to bend!"
"If you refuse to leave, then we shall fight!"
Raken's voice was as cold as an abyss. His holy sword surged with overwhelming power, slashing out a sky-rending blade of energy!
In that instant, dazzling light filled the hall, blinding all who looked.
Before the scorching holy light, the Pope merely raised her left hand, and a card appeared floating before her.
The card depicted a spiraling white light with its name inscribed above: **[Holy Comet]**.
Boom!!!
Raken's attack struck the card, but something strange happened. The unstoppable sword blade seemed to be struck by an invisible giant hand, violently rebounding uncontrollably.
"What?!" Raken's face changed drastically. At the critical moment, he instinctively swung his sword to block the sudden counterattack!
The sharp clang of metal echoed through the hall. Raken was staggered backward by his own attack, leaving deep cracks on the floor beneath his feet.
Almost simultaneously, the Pope vanished like a phantom from her original spot. When she reappeared, she was at Raken's side.
A hand as white and smooth as jade rested on Raken's shoulder.
Raken had no time to react; he was suddenly and silently vanished.
In the Pope's hand, an additional mysterious card appeared.
The card bore Raken's vivid likeness, his face still showing the determined expression he wore while desperately blocking the attack.
The hall fell silent once again. The King was dumbfounded... Raken, one of the Mist Court's strongest, trusted men, was taken down so effortlessly by the Pope?
"A new character card, saved for training later..." the Pope whispered, as if discussing something utterly ordinary, entirely ignoring the astonished gazes around her.
As she finished speaking, she seemed to sense something. Raising her wrist slightly, a third card appeared in her palm.
This card was unlike any she normally used; it radiated a dazzling golden light. The Pope's eyes gleamed with intense joy as she stared at it.
Golden cards were gifts from the gods, and this one... should belong to the war saint born thousands of years ago.
This opponent was formidable. Even with this divine power-bearing card in her hand, she could not fully control him...
Now, that war saint, dormant for thousands of years, had mysteriously revealed his trace?
This was truly a monumental piece of good news, as if it fell from the sky!
The Pope's breathing quickened. Perhaps his appearance could accelerate her plan!
A strong and strange power gathered in the Pope's palm; the golden card shone even brighter.
Through the essence contained in the card's host and her unique divine arts, the Pope swiftly pinpointed his location!
"This spot is quite strange—not in the real world..." she frowned slightly, thinking it over before deciding,
"Finally found a trace, must not let him hide again, or it will be hard to find him later. I cannot let this guy escape!"
With this thought, the Pope closed her eyes slightly, and her pale fingers slowly touched her forehead.
Her aura retracted inward, yet a vast power churned beneath her skin.
Suddenly she opened her eyes and pointed a finger at the floating golden card.
In that instant, the golden card seemed injected with a wild energy and began to tremble violently.
At the same time, the space around the card rippled visibly!
"You have shown yourself; today, you shall not escape!"
The Pope smiled grimly. She planned to split her spirit and forcibly form an avatar, using the card's binding power to cross thousands of miles and appear beside the war saint!
If it were anyone else, the Pope would never use such a costly method that drained her vitality and energy. But this person was the war saint she desperately sought!
Moreover, he was already trapped in her sealed spell, easy to manipulate!
Even though she stood now within enemy territory, she cared little. Capturing that war saint was the top priority!
She was willing to pay any price!