I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 553 New York Spring
"Major General, what brings you to us?"

Just as the fighting began on the West Coast, on the East Coast of America, in New York City under the cover of night, a senior officer and junior officer arrived at the major general's command post.

"Gentlemen, we are all members of the Army Officer Academy Alumni Association. Please sit down."

Although America is known as a 'rule of law society,' it is not devoid of human relationships. In fact, due to immigration, everyone is very enthusiastic about joining various 'organizations.'

Alumni associations are one such example: especially those of Ivy League universities with long histories and large student populations, which have their own internal job search networks that can help graduates find jobs through alumni. For instance, many alumni of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania work for large companies on Wall Street.

There are countless 'brotherhoods', and even secret organizations like the 'Illuminati'.
As the mid-level officers and colonels sat down, the major general made a gesture.

Outside the window, fully armed soldiers could be seen jogging past.

This is?

The dozens of officers and colonels who came to the banquet were all taken aback.

Training exercises in the middle of the night?

"Time is precious, so I'll keep it brief."

Having made up his mind, the major general looked around and stated his purpose directly.

"I want to become an 'archbishop'."

???

A sound of chairs overturning rang out, and the officers and colonels who had just sat down all jumped up as if they had sat on electric chairs.

"Sir, I might be hallucinating. You just said—"

A junior officer stammered as he tried to confirm.

What do you want to become?

As he spoke, he disrupted the 'spirituality' within his body, attempting to interfere with any supernatural abilities acting on his mind.

"Become an archbishop, and if necessary, I can repeat it again: Archbishop!"

archbishop?
archbishop?!

For a moment, the entire command center fell into dead silence.

Even the major general's close confidants, who were already aware of the situation, felt their heads buzzing.

archbishop?
Isn't that old Edgar's title?

What's wrong with our superior? Why is he suddenly saying such crazy things?
Could it be that supernatural power has gone out of control... cough cough cough, and is transforming into a 'star's companion'?
The power of the entire 'Holy Church' comes from that 'Holy Maiden', and this power itself carries considerable risks; each advancement could lead to loss of control, and the risk of losing control would accumulate if this power were used for a long time.

There are actually quite a few in the Holy Church's army who have become 'Star Families' due to their power going out of control.

This is one of the reasons why the 'Holy Church' has a large number of members, yet their fighting spirit is low.

The more they fight, the shorter their lives.

“I’m not crazy,”

Facing the strange gazes of numerous lieutenants and colonels, the major general spoke calmly.

“You all know very well what happens when someone loses control of their power—I am very calm and very rational right now.”

"I will lead you into the deep-sea cathedral and seize the position of 'Archbishop.' Simply put:"

It was a mutiny!

The extraordinary power of the 'Holy Church'

Excessive use can lead to madness, most notably the urge to kill.

Judging from the major general's confident demeanor, he certainly didn't seem like one of those out-of-control strange relatives; but in this situation, it was more like he had truly gone mad.

"Excuse my bluntness, sir."

A school officer stepped forward and saluted.

“You can’t become the ‘Archbishop,’ just as you can’t harm that great man in the Deep Sea Church.”

Rank suppression!

This is the fundamental rule of the 'Holy Church's' power. No matter how much they train, they can never attack those three adults: a single glance from them is enough to render them immobile.

Well, there are actually more than three. There is also Professor Ramley's daughter, but as a little maid who has been by the 'Saintess's' side for many years, she almost never shows her face.

They all have the tentacles of a small octopus inside their bodies, which are higher in rank than any superhuman who gains power through the serum.

"I naturally have a solution to this problem."

After the major general finished speaking, he released the trace of 'father' aura within him.

? ? ! !
In an instant, the room was filled with crackling sounds again; by the time the officers and colonels reacted, they were already slumped to the ground.

"This"

"Impossible, how could you..."

This feeling is all too familiar: rank suppression!

As the horrified lieutenants and colonels looked up in shock, the major general had already suppressed his aura.

“I received a revelation from the Father, who is very, very dissatisfied with the Holy Church!”

As he spoke, the major general clenched his fist and swung it forcefully.

"The church is full of incompetent people who only know how to enjoy themselves!"

"They occupy high positions, without fighting or shedding blood, and take for granted everything we've earned through struggle! Is that fair?"

of course not!
Those present were all 'combat veterans' who had been on the battlefield.
I was already very dissatisfied with those capitalists and celebrities: we are all members of the Holy Church, and while I am fighting on the front lines, these guys are enjoying themselves in the rear.

Fake squid!
However, under the leadership of 'Archbishop' Old Edgar, this force was the largest and strongest.

These officers and soldiers had neither the strength nor the means to resist.

Now, the major general before them claims to have received revelation from the 'Father'; this has shown the officers and lieutenants the possibility of rebellion, but—

The pressure just now was indeed terrifying, but without evidence, who knows if it was some kind of extraordinary power?
If the operation fails, they will inevitably be charged with 'abdication'.

This is far more serious than treason!
"This is apostasy."

Someone had already said that out of the blue, but after being glanced at by the major general, they immediately shut their mouths.

"Failure is called apostasy; success makes you a hero!"

"Gentlemen, are you really going to let those worms ride roughshod over you for the rest of your lives? This is for the future of the Holy Church—"

Seeing that everyone remained silent, the major general began to make promises:
“Once I become an ‘archbishop,’ you will all be promoted to ‘bishop.’”

History will prove that our choice was correct!

bishop?

This immediately piqued the interest of many people.

A life lived in mediocrity is one way, a life lived in power is another.

Why not give it a try?
These lieutenants and field officers, who had fought alongside the "veterans" in the civil war, believed that the "Holy Church" had made a tremendous contribution, yet the benefits, status, and power they received were disproportionate to it.
"I will bear all the punishment alone!"

"I will never keep this glory to myself!"

As the major general uttered those resolute words, the gazes of the many junior officers and field officers who stood up in the room gradually turned frenzied, sharp, and fanatical.

Bet!

"Sir, please lead us!"

"The corrupt people in the church must be purged—" As one lieutenant or colonel after another voiced their opinions, the atmosphere in the command post became fervent.

"Major General,"

A trusted aide pushed open the door.
"The 1st Airborne Division has assembled."

The figures outside the window earlier were the sounds of troops gathering: as the major general turned and walked out of the command post, the other officers and lieutenants followed.

In the square outside the command post, hundreds of sergeant majors from the 1st Airborne Division, dressed in powered armor like 'steel cans', had already assembled; and thousands of superhuman soldiers had also gathered nearby.

These sergeant majors wore the latest 'Defender IX' heavy exoskeleton powered armor, their full-body armor making them look like burly robots.

This armor set features enhanced protection, with composite armor up to 3cm thick resembling a heavy giant helmet, costing over 70 million US dollars per set. Behind this exorbitant cost lies defensive capabilities comparable to a heavy tank, so strong that even dog-level superhumans cannot penetrate their defenses.
Wolf-level superhumans also find this composite armor, which incorporates trace amounts of superhuman metal, very troublesome.

While supernatural powers are terrifying, human technology has not been completely abandoned; combined with supernatural materials, it continues to be updated and developed.

"Everyone!"

The 1st Airborne Division was the Major General's elite force.

In modern armies, commanders are no longer able to treat their troops as their own private forces, unlike in ancient times.

However, on the battlefield of the extraordinary, the strong ultimately reign supreme: his rank of major general was earned through his own hard work and dedication, and these sergeant majors naturally respected him greatly.

"The army of the fire demon is ravaging the west coast of America!"

In the square under the cover of night, the major general, leading a large group of officers, began his final pre-battle mobilization.

"However, some scoundrels within the 'Holy Church' are only concerned with their own pleasures; they do not take the slightest action to share the burdens of the 'Father'!"

"Our Father has driven back the foreign 'Sun God,' and now it is our turn to drive back those fiery creatures! For our Father in the sea, let us be faithful—"

As the major general raised his hand and placed it over his heart...
Hundreds of sergeant majors in the square raised their hands, creating a clattering sound.

"loyalty!"

"loyalty!"

"loyalty!"

Among these sergeant majors, some who had received advance notice had already begun shouting slogans.

The remaining men instinctively shouted: "The army is the place that values ​​discipline the most. Since the superior has given the order, let's carry it out!"
Daring to question one's superior's orders
In any army, such an outcome would be instant death.

"Destination: The Deep Sea Cathedral, let's go!"

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

One after another, powered armored vehicles surged out of the command post and headed in a mighty procession toward the Deep Sea Cathedral.

Along the way, a large number of vehicles and pedestrians stopped; looking at these fully armed troops parading through the city, they instinctively felt that something big was happening, but they couldn't figure it out.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"what?!"

"An army is heading towards the cathedral?"

"Rebellion! Rebellion! How dare they, how dare they—"

The Deep Sea Cathedral is home to a large number of high-ranking members of the Holy Church, and even at night, many priests are praying—no, it should be said that they pray at this time precisely because it is night.

So when they heard the report that the army was coming this way, everyone was shocked and incredulous.

How dare you?

"This is the heart of the Holy Church."

"Stop them! Who is the commander of this army? I'll make him regret ever being born!"

Amid Old Edgar's roar, a large number of priests rushed out of the church, furious and ready to cause trouble for the army: You mere soldiers, you've rebelled!

Then, it ran head-on into a pile of 'steel cans'.

"Which army do you belong to?"

A 'bishop' habitually stepped forward and poked the other person on the forehead.

"Call your superior officer—ah!!"

Bang!
A short stick crackling with electromagnetic light slammed into his head, and the million-volt current knocked the unsuspecting 'bishop' to the ground.

"They're not afraid of the 1st Airborne Division?"

A muffled voice came from beneath the armored helmet.

"These are no longer ordinary believers; we must strike hard!"

"beat!"

Anyone who dares to obstruct us shall be beaten to death!

I--

Before the bishop on the ground could say anything, a huge metal boot stomped down on his chest.

"The Major General sends his greetings, Bishop."

The power armor lowered its head, its weight of several hundred kilograms and the extraordinary strength of a wolf-level being crushed down; causing the usually aloof 'Bishop', who had almost no combat experience, to subconsciously open his mouth wide.

And goodbye!

The short stick, crackling with bright white lightning, was shoved hard into the 'bishop's' mouth.

crackling-

The lightning flashed continuously, a dazzling display of light from the 'ASP IV' super melee weapons equipped by these sergeant majors, capable of continuously releasing millions of volts of electric shocks. Wielded by these super sergeant majors, they struck at a rate of six strikes per second, causing the priests scattered on the ground to howl in pain.

These priests were all extraordinary individuals, yet there were differences among them.

How could someone who spends their days in comfort and ease in the rear possibly be a match for a battle-hardened soldier who has retired from the battlefield?

Clang, clang, clang!
Bang! !

The doors of the Deep Sea Cathedral, which had been hastily closed, were suddenly pushed open, and a group of extraordinary lieutenants and colonels, truly 'like wolves and tigers,' pounced on the priests and bishops.

The major general walked alone into the church, where his enemy lay: Archbishop Edgar the Elder!

"Damn traitor, kneel down!"

Deep inside the church, old Edgar also saw the newcomer and immediately raised his hand to rebuke him.

However, the major general, who usually obeyed with just a glance, walked step by step without being affected in the slightest.

?

brush,

A figure flashed,
"What--"

"Old man, do you know how long our military has been putting up with you?"

Grabbed by the throat and lifted up by the major general, old Edgar, filled with shock and rage, asked the last question of his life:

"What are you going to do?"

"Inherit everything from you, you piece of trash!"

Pfft

(End of this chapter)