Chapter Eighty-One: Divine Power

On a vast plain, Bill bowed before Yadis and said, “Your Majesty, the tribes here are different from those affiliated with the Church.”

“Because the southern city-states have long harassed this region, and there has been constant suppression of rebellious bandits and wild tribes, the people here place great importance on strength.”

“Though their faith is devout, they are fiercely combative and only respect priests and warriors of great power. Gaining their recognition will be far more troublesome.”

He spoke thus, then dropped to one knee. “Your Majesty need not enter. The Church’s members are waiting for your arrival just ahead of these tribes. As soon as the High Priest comes, these tribes will surely submit.”

Yadis merely smiled at Bill’s persuasion.

Looking at the camp before him, his eyes grew cold. “There’s no need. Since the hosts of this place have prepared in advance, it would be rude not to attend their banquet.”

Bill opened his mouth, hesitated, and looked at Yadis, but in the end, said nothing more.

Soon, they reached the gates of the great camp. Yadis gazed straight ahead.

Standing before him were many warriors, clad in imposing armor, their presence formidable.

From afar, the faint sound of swords and blades scraping drifted in, complementing the tense atmosphere and lending it an air of menace.

“Are they trying to stage a feast of doom and give me a harsh welcome?” Yadis thought coldly as he observed the scene.

For ordinary people, such a display might inspire fear.

But for a deity, what is there to fear—especially when the other party is his own follower?

Yet in the distance, Bill’s heart skipped a beat at the sight, sensing trouble ahead.

Perhaps these tribes still harbored doubts, but as a loyal attendant of Yadis, Bill understood deeply the immense power that radiated from his lord. There could be no one but the God of Nature incarnate.

If anything untoward occurred, the outcome would not be what any of them desired.

Anxious, he quickly turned to a nearby priest. “Go inform our people to come and greet His Majesty immediately. We can’t allow these tribesmen to offend him!”

Meanwhile, inside one of the tents, several people were engaged in heated debate.

“Father, is this really the right thing to do?” a young man asked hesitantly, looking up at the burly man before him.

“What if he truly is the incarnation of our God…”

“If he is indeed our God, possessed of divine power, then nothing here can stand in his way,” the middle-aged man declared loudly, his body radiating a strong aura of bloodthirst and divine energy. “The majesty of our God cannot be obstructed, nor would such a trivial barrier ever confine him!”

His fierce and bloody aura, mingled with the wild power of nature, made him roar with such force that those before him were cowed into silence.

Seeing this, they dared not argue further, but looked at him with anxiety and worry, quietly withdrawing.

“Athwood, what should we do?” Outside, the anxious young man turned to a thin attendant beside him, fear thick in his voice. “Once my father makes a decision, there’s no turning back. Even if the High Priest himself arrives, he’ll just drive him away!”

The attendant, always by his side, looked frail yet carried both battle energy and divine power—an uncommon combination in the North.

Though his figure was slight and his attire a simple leather robe, he carried himself with an air of nobility.

“My lord, at this point, only if several elders of the tribe act together can the chieftain be stopped,” he said, stepping forward and bowing slightly.

“Elders… elders…” The youth murmured, a flash of understanding in his eyes. “That’s it. The Grand Elder is the tribe’s senior. If he steps forward, even my father will have to relent, however unwillingly.”

With this thought, he hesitated no longer, gathering his attendants and heading off into the distance.

…

On the other side, Yadis regarded the array before him in silence, stepping forward.

He walked quietly across the clean, carpeted ground, flanked by mighty warriors.

As he advanced, something seemed to stir; countless gazes locked onto him. Though they carried no malice, the latent intensity and pressure in their eyes was enough to make one shudder.

All eyes were on him.

Alone, standing under so many stares—even a hardened knight or a wrathful emperor would feel uneasy and unsettled.

But to Yadis, this was mere prelude.

After all, the intimidation of mortals means little to a god.

He looked ahead, his handsome face expressionless, musing thus.

With his composure, a hint of respect and approval began to seep from those once sharp gazes.

Yet this was not the end.

Sensing the shift, Yadis became aware of a sudden change within this confined space.

The natural elements around him began to riot, as if drawn by something, gradually coalescing into a divine domain through his natural power.

This domain was unlike any ordinary one; it bore a wild and ferocious aspect, the wrath of nature and an overwhelming majesty, seeking to suppress all before it.

From the perspective of ordinary people, a gale swept across the once tranquil land, flattening the grass, while fire elements gathered in the sky and sparks flickered.

Above the warriors, the light of faith shimmered, trembling and converging in the distance, connecting heaven and earth.

The sight was truly terrifying. Bill, from afar, felt his body suddenly weighed down, oppressed by the power of the domain, discomforted.

Thousands gathered, their faith light focused on one figure, summoning a force both immense and terrifying.

After all, this was their stronghold. The domain of the God of Nature had purified and nourished the land for decades, nearly transforming it into a divine kingdom on earth. As priests of the God of Nature, the power they could summon here was greatly amplified.

For a moment, the wind howled, sweeping through the world and blinding all vision.

Witnessing this, Bill and the other priests felt their hearts sink.

It seemed an instant passed, or perhaps an eternity; just as they were about to intervene, suddenly, a point of light appeared.

Then, in the astonished eyes of the crowd, the winds vanished, and a sun rose at the center, spreading its light. An awe-inspiring divine might radiated forth, suppressing all disturbances and stunning everyone present.