I chose the safe house, and the Human Alliance regretted it.

Soon, the news spread throughout the capital.

Of the 500 people who went on a secret mission yesterday, 82 returned, while 418 were killed.

In the underground living areas of the six major bases of the Dragon Kingdom, electronic screens lit up simultaneously, displaying the names of the victims.

Each name is paused for three seconds, white text on a black background, like cold tombstones.

Qi Wen, Lao Zhang, Sister Liu... those familiar names flashed before Gangzi's eyes one by one.

"They are heroes of the Dragon Kingdom."

"He is a hero of all mankind."

The announcer's voice was deep and solemn, echoing in every corner.

Below the screen, countless ordinary people stopped and looked up.

Then, the scene changed.

Gangzi, Shi Lei, and eighty other people appeared on the screen.

Their faces were brought to the attention of hundreds of millions of viewers by high-definition cameras.

"Those who return alive will receive the Medal of Immortality. This is the League's highest honor, awarded to heroes who have made outstanding contributions to the future of humanity."

The medal presentation ceremony was scheduled for that afternoon.

At the central square of the capital, red flags fluttered and cannons roared.

Dewey personally presided over the meeting.

His voice, amplified by his supernatural ability, resounded throughout the entire capital city, every word brimming with deep emotion:

"They are the backbone of humanity! They are the torches in the darkness!"

Tens of thousands of people in the audience were moved to tears, and thunderous applause filled the air.

Gangzi and Shilei stood on the podium, their chests adorned with gleaming gold medals.

The medal was so heavy that it made it hard for him to breathe.

Dewey continued on stage, "Heroes have paved the way for us. We need more warriors to take up their torch and continue the journey!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the faces below the stage.

"Now, the Alliance is recruiting a second batch of mission personnel from all SSS-level ability users."

"This mission is fraught with peril, but it will ensure the survival of millions!"

The audience was completely silent.

Then, someone raised their hand.

"Wow!"

"I'm going too!"

Count me in!

The sounds came from all corners, rising and falling.

Looking at the eighty-two "heroes" on the stage, at the medals on their chests, and listening to the inspiring slogans, they seemed to see their own future glory.

Gangzi stood on the stage, looking at the raised hands, his throat feeling like it was blocked by something.

Shi Lei's hand landed on his shoulder; it felt heavy.

Gangzi bit his lip hard, his nails digging into the flesh of his palm.

Below the stage, a long line of people had already formed to register.

Dewey nodded in satisfaction and turned to the people around him, saying, "The second batch of five thousand men has been assembled today."

"Yes"

...........

On the other side, in Northern Europe, at the headquarters of the Covenant Church.

In stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the capital, the atmosphere here was unusually oppressive.

Inside the main hall, high-ranking members of the Covenant Church gathered.

Candlelight flickered beneath the enormous dome.

The central icon has its eyes lowered, as if it too is watching this inescapable judgment.

There are only seven days left until the calamity predicted by Chen Junjie strikes on the sacred mountain.

However, there was no large-scale relocation of base personnel throughout Northern Europe.

In seven days, ordinary people simply cannot leave Northern Europe.

The Covenant Church also lacked the power to relocate everyone.

Inside the main hall, Elijah looked at the first white-haired old man with a complicated expression—Paul XIII, the leader of the Covenant Church.

His face was covered in wrinkles, revealing no emotion.

"Master," Elikai's voice was low, "do we... really have no other way?"

The leader of the Holy Covenant Church slowly opened his eyes.

"Either we perish together, or some of us survive," his voice was old and calm, "is it so hard to choose?"

The main hall was deathly silent.

"The doctrine says that no believer should be abandoned..." someone said softly.

"The doctrine also says to preserve the flame," the Covenant leader interrupted him, his tone completely flat. "If everyone dies here, who will carry on the faith? Who will pray for the dead?"

No one spoke anymore.

The leader of the Covenant Church continued,

"I teach my followers and their families to set out now, as the prophet has said, to stay 300 kilometers away from the holy mountain."

"What about the others?" someone asked.

The leader of the Holy Covenant Church said, "The base has well-developed fortifications that can withstand the attack."

He raised his head and his gaze swept over everyone present.

"Lass," he uttered a name.

Everyone was taken aback.

Ras, the leader of the heretics, has already been captured and imprisoned by the Alliance members, including Liu Feng.

The leader of the Covenant Church continued, "Let him take his infidels and garrison the base."

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze instantly.

Everyone present understood perfectly.

The so-called "garrisoning" was to use the lives of heretics to draw fire and buy more time for the Vatican to evacuate.

Those civilians who were left behind were merely a shield to cover the retreat.

"Illicaeus, go and negotiate with Ras..."

Upon hearing this, Elikai stood up, turned around, and walked out of the main hall.

A secret room in the underground base of the Covenant Church.

Elika and Ras sat facing each other.

Elijah explained his purpose, and the secret room fell silent.

A moment later,

"I have no family." Ras's lips curled into a slight smile. "Now, my family wants me to stay."

"Speak," Ras stood up.

At the end of the corridor, the light was somewhat dazzling, and Lars's figure disappeared into the light.

Elikae sat there, clenching her fists.

Soon, a message spread throughout all the bases in Northern Europe.

"Seven days from now, strange beasts will attack the Holy Mountain. The Pope calls upon all believers and all those with supernatural abilities to take up arms and defend their homeland to the death. This is... a glorious mission."

"The sacred mountain is the foundation of our faith; it must not be defiled by any strange beast!"

"Every warrior who remains will receive eternal redemption!"

"For the Holy Church, for Northern Europe, for all mankind—take up arms!"

Amidst the stirring calls for action, countless people volunteered without hesitation to "defend the sacred mountain."

No one knows whether or not they chose "Defend the Holy Mountain," or not they were on the relocation list.

In fact, those below had no idea that a relocation had even occurred...

at this time,

Once in the capital, five thousand people had assembled and were flying towards the Kashgar Mountains.