No one dared to question the authenticity of that voice because the aura emanating from the tall tower alone reflected a Holy Light affinity that surpassed anyone else's. It was the purest Holy Light legend says is only possessed by a Pope closest to the Holy Light God.

Even the lowest tier Holy Light Magic, when imbued with the Pope's Holy Light, could rival high-level magic—an almost cheat-like artifact.

Since the chaos of the Holy Light Festival, the Pope had awakened and re-engaged with managing the Church's daily affairs.

He seldom spoke to the believers, yet those bishops and even the archbishops seemed to be under his constant supervision every day.

It was as if every high school student had an invisible homeroom teacher beside them while studying, never knowing when they'd hear a sudden yell in their ear, "No slacking off."

Terribly frightening, brother.

"They seem more exhausted than the laborers at the docks...."

Anleisi recalled encountering a bishop on her way here. The bishop's plump body had slimmed down to a healthy figure from overworking these past days, with dark circles thick enough to resemble a giant panda.

"Luckily, I'm not a bishop."

She felt the same respect and awe toward the Pope as everyone else did, believing that as long as she behaved herself, she wouldn't draw his attention.

However, it seemed unlikely that she wouldn't be noticed.

She had come to headquarters because she lost Hepa Town, and her subordinates were completely routed by the rebel army, chased for more than ten miles—a humiliating defeat.

This time, it was likely the archbishop would hold her accountable.

"But then again, I'm not the only one who lost a battle."

Several other commanders were also outwitted by the rebel army during the Holy Light Festival, and remembering this, Anleisi felt less anxious.

This could be considered a humiliating defeat for the entire Holy Light Church.

Fortunately, the aftermath of the Festival had been completely suppressed, and under the Pope's grand manipulation, something seemingly incredible was achieved.

The number of new believers in the Holy Light Church was increasing!

"Though I had heard of it, I didn't expect the Church would actually choose such a multi-faceted approach this time."

The Church had laid out all strategies, high, middle, and low, in its missionary endeavors, never before launching such an aggressive proselytizing campaign. Over the past few weeks, almost every living person in Scameroon had their daily conversations dominated by the term "Holy Light Church."

Whether it was the public display of miracles by Divine Blessings or the massive distribution of flyers from the sky, or the material offensive of increasing military pay and distributing benefits to the vast number of believers, the Holy Light Church spared no effort to spread the gospel of the Holy Light further.

Evidently, these tactics proved effective, and the increased number of believers was the best evidence.

As an established church, the Holy Light Church, when fully mobilized, demonstrated potential other small churches couldn't match in lifetimes.

To Anleisi, these operations indicated that this traditional church had finally started to embrace modern trends, employing a series of promotional methods that resonated with contemporary preferences.

After all, in previous missionary efforts, the Holy Light Church stuck to old-fashioned methods like performing divine miracles, which people had grown accustomed to. To attract people now, something more practical must be offered.

Like how the Starfire Church distributed rice.

Now that Anleisi was still in an employment relationship with the Church, she felt she should be happy about the Church's transformation.

But still...

She really longed to return to the Sain Dungeon to relieve some stress....

Kaius, finding it too bothersome, didn't come, leaving the burden of facing those bishops on Anleisi.

"Seriously, can't believe there's such an irresponsible brother."

She pouted and, under the guards' guidance, walked into the decision-making hall enveloped in Holy Light.

A group of bishops, seen as God's spokespersons by believers, were already seated. But in Anleisi's eyes, these people weren't divine spokespeople.

They appeared more like God's chosen workhorses, each looking as if they might die from overwork at any moment, even the archbishop seemed close to dozing off.

Just then, a pure Holy Light illuminated the long table surrounded by people, instantly energizing those showing signs of fatigue—not that they weren't tired anymore, but they forcibly perked up.

Because this ball of Holy Light represented the Pope's current attention to this place.

Anleisi shrank back, trying to minimize her presence, wanting nothing to do with the Pope.

"Ahem, since everyone is here, I shall discuss the matters at hand..."

The archbishop stifled a yawn and pulled out a thick stack of documents from who knows where, tapping them on the table before reading them out one by one.

His monotonous tone bore a striking resemblance to a corporate drone squeezed to the point of living dead.

"Excessive missionary exposure has led to significant funding depletion, and combined with the previous efforts to calm the chaos from the Festival, finances have become tight..."

"The introduction of new missionary methods has been remarkably effective, but grassroots personnel's unfamiliarity has caused a series of disturbances..."

"Our missionary efforts have drawn discontent from the Return to Forest Church and the Dark Moon Church, requiring us to soothe our two allies' emotions...."

"In areas controlled by the Three Great Religions, the missionary effects have been great, but not so on the rebel army side..."

With each issue, the archbishop would assign someone to handle it, and the assigned individuals usually replied with a sigh, agreeing without any change in expression.

These high-ranking individuals were increasingly resembling corporate drones! Anleisi inwardly grumbled continuously.

Originally, she came here with some apprehension, expecting harsh criticism from the archbishop for the commanders who lost battles. Even though she had told herself their criticism was no big deal, she couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.

Yet an hour passed, and the archbishop continued assigning tasks in that defeated office worker tone, seemingly forgetting about them, the defeated commanders.

Can we just get this over with...

Anleisi looked at her fellow commanders, indeed, everyone wore a tormented expression.

Finally, the archbishop turned his gaze towards them.

Here it comes!

Anleisi immediately sat up straight, ready to bravely face verbal attacks like a strong nut against the enemy.

"As for all of you, well, I don't know what to say. The failure to secure the Festival and the subsequent military unrest is partly my responsibility. You are not solely to blame," the archbishop adjusted his increasingly strong glasses, "this meeting isn't about passing blame. Rather, it's to reallocate you to your respective war zones. If there are any objections, please speak now."

With that, he began announcing the names of the commanders present and their assigned war zones.

Anleisi finally breathed a sigh of relief, but when she heard she was assigned to the Return to Forest Church's territory, she couldn't help but voice her opinion:

"Wait a minute, archbishop, why not let me retain responsibility for my original zone? I'm sure I can reclaim the Sain Dungeon."

The light representing the Pope flickered a few times, but everyone pretended not to notice, whereas Anleisi saw it and didn't take it seriously.

"Regarding the Sain Dungeon, His Holiness already has other plans; for now, do not approach Hepa Town," the archbishop replied.

"Why?"

Anleisi was puzzled. She still intended to reclaim the Sain Dungeon, hoping to lead another charge!

The archbishop's eyes suddenly turned serious, refusing her request with undeniable firmness, using only one sentence.

As the meeting adjourned, Anleisi was still pondering the meaning of that sentence.

"We're not prepared for war with the Sain Dungeon...?"