I impersonated God in America

Although this fruit was used as a support item throughout the original story.

But it is actually a pretty good fruit.

This fruit is similar to the Venom-Venom Fruit, but there are actually quite a few differences; one is more physical, and the other is more magical.

The single-shot Venom-Venom Fruit is indeed a powerful weapon, especially in enclosed spaces where it is virtually invincible.

But the venom must come into contact with the skin to be effective.

Diseased fruits can be released into the void to spread diseases.

In modern times, this fruit is more dangerous than the Poison-Poison Fruit.

Because it is untraceable.

Bullets have ballistic trajectories, venom leaves chemical residues, and explosives contain gunpowder components. These are all traceable in modern times.

But when one person sneezed while walking into the subway station, the entire city started to get a fever three days later, and no one knew where the source was.

Any known biological weapon would be rendered obsolete by this fruit.

The key is that the condition is under control.

The mortality rate can be adjusted to zero.

It only leaves a high fever and rash, which will heal on its own in two weeks without any lasting effects.

Although no one will die, this terrifying epidemic is enough to cause enormous chaos in a city.

It's important to understand that the power of widespread panic is not insignificant.

Lynn arranged the fruits into the warehouse slots one by one.

He leaned back in his chair.

The aftershocks of the Sardinian livestream are still unfolding, and the remaining wish power is still rising.

It's time for the next stage.

Chapter Thirty-One: How could the French be so wicked?!

Office of the Pontifical Archaeological Commission, Papal States, late at night.

Bishop Paul closed his diary and put his pen aside.

Although many people think that taking notes is somewhat useless

But for him, it's already a habit.

This notebook has been with him for many years, from the first time he participated in archaeological work until the recent coming of the saints.

[Perhaps one day this diary will become a classic.]

[Chapter 3 of *The Travels of Saint Paul Monteverdi*: Did Saint Paul witness the apparition of Saint Longinus in Sardinia?]

That sounds pretty cool.

"Although the Italian military recovered some of the stone snake's remains, according to the subsequent analysis report from the Biological Management Department, the structure of the remaining material was basically ordinary calcium carbonate."

"Furthermore, the core objective, the Sibyl Bottle, has successfully arrived in the Papal States."

The Papal States have gained tremendous benefits this time.

"In addition, the Church's diplomatic situation has changed significantly within days, and everything is moving in a positive direction."

"Donations from wealthy believers around the world have surged dozens of times over the past two days."

"The Sacramento has received a large number of applications to purchase indulgences..."

"The infamous indulgences are actually being offered for sale by those people who are begging for more money. It's really... hard to say."

"Perhaps for those people, money is no longer the most important thing."

"If only I had known this would happen, why did I do it in the first place?"

He wrote the last sentence and closed the diary.

"Although the church is not as omniscient as outsiders believe, at least it is now wearing the tiger's skin, and that is enough."

Footsteps came from outside the door.

The assistant monk pushed open the door, his breathing still uneven: "Your Excellency, His Holiness the Pope now summons you to the private study of the Apostolic Palace."

Paul nodded.

He stuffed his diary into the inner pocket of his robe, placed his hand on the Rosary on his chest, and turned to leave.

--------------

Private study in the Papal Palace.

The warm yellow desk lamp cast a soft halo around the desk.

The Pope sat in a high-backed chair, with a newly delivered relic management report spread out in front of him.

There were also four cardinals in the study, including Giovanni, who once presided over the entire Mass procession on the coastal highway.

The Secretary of State and the Cardinal stood beside the Pope.

The earthenware vase was placed in the very center, under everyone's gaze.

"Your Excellency the Prophet, I am the current Pope of the Church. First of all, please forgive us for disturbing you. The main reason for this meeting is that we wish to obtain some assistance from you." The Pope's voice was calm.

"Perhaps you've guessed the church's current predicament. We have indeed lost the extraordinary channels and related powers, just as you imagine. But we want to know why?"

"The War of the Gods".

Upon hearing this word, everyone instinctively clutched their robes, holding their breath to avoid disturbing the prophet's speech.

“Long ago, the Star Cup appeared. The Star Cup symbolizes the origin of the world and absolute dominion over the world.”

"Although it does not grant the holder invincible power, it symbolizes the world's recognition of the holder."

"For the Star Cup, Heaven and Hell fought a war in the most primordial times. The angel legions and the Hellish allies clashed on the human battlefield, but the world clearly could not withstand this pressure, so it began to crack."

"Upon seeing the cracks appear, the gods temporarily halted their work and invited countless prophets from mythology to jointly make a prophecy."

"The prophecy revealed the outcome of this war: both sides would perish together. Humanity would be utterly torn apart, and there would never be a winner in this war. Upon seeing the prophecy, the gods finally chose to sit down at the negotiating table."

"But the Star Cup is too tempting, and the throne of heaven has been vacant for too long. The gods have decided to start a gamble, or rather, a game."

"From the day the third spiritual tide begins until the appointed day, the side that collects more souls will gain dominion over the three realms."

"The rules of the game must not be violated. With the signing of the contract, Heaven and Hell withdrew from the human world from that moment on, agreeing that they would not be allowed to set foot in the human world again unless certain conditions were met."

"The only souls that can be collected in advance are those of the most wicked or saints who can go to their place of belonging."

No one spoke in the study.

"After the second spiritual tide receded, and then the spirituality began to decline, without the direct intervention of God, the world structure you have now became what it is today."

"But shouldn't these churches have records?"

Sybil's voice carried a hint of confusion.

“As His representative on earth, the Roman Catholic Church, even if spiritually depleted, should not easily lose the lineage held by the Pope.”

The silence in the study lasted for several breaths.

The four cardinals exchanged glances, then simultaneously turned their gazes toward the Pope.

The Pope coughed twice, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Although I hate to admit it, the church's lineage is probably... about 80%... or maybe... broken."

A cardinal nearby couldn't help but interject: "Indeed, it shouldn't be like this. The papacy is passed down through the Apostolic Lineage, and the authority of St. Peter is recorded in complete documents and oral traditions from one pope to the next..."

“Indeed, the Church’s power in the secular world is strong enough that I cannot imagine a situation where your lineage would be cut off.”

Sibyl's voice was very soft.

[Dated?]

Everyone present froze at the same time.

"Wait a minute! It seems there really was a gap in the lineage!"

Bishop Paul's finger stopped on the Rosary, and he belatedly spoke.

They all thought of an event that was of profound significance to the church.

"The Papacy of Avignon?!"

In short, King Philip IV of France wanted the Church to fund the war, but the Church believed that papal authority was paramount and refused to provide the funds.

Then Philip IV launched a campaign of "How many divisions does the Pope have?" and sent troops to storm the Pope's residence, where the Pope was beaten and humiliated, and eventually died a few weeks after being released.

Subsequently, with the strong intervention of Philip IV, the Archbishop of Bordeaux was elected as the new Pope, known as Clement V.

Fearing opposition from the Italian people, Clement V never dared to go to the Papal States to ascend the throne, and ultimately chose to become pope in Avignon on the French border.

For the next seventy years, the Papal States experienced a unique form of monarchical rule during the feudal monarchy period.

This event is also known as the Avignon Prison Incident.

The bishops present all realized who had caused the break in the continuity of the Church's lineage.

"Holy crap, how could the French be so wicked?!"

Chapter Thirty-Two: Prophecy

"Let's not rush to criticize the French; let's put the issue of historical dating on hold for now."

The Pope picked up the glass of warm water on the coffee table and took a sip.

"Your Excellency, you should know about the mark on the back of Bishop Giovanni's hand."

“A stigmata,” came the reply from the lead box. “The light that Saint Longinus left in his palm is a sign.”

"What do you mean?"

"A sign of being recognized by saints. Saint Longinus left him his last bit of power before he vanished, which is equivalent to stamping his name in the register of heaven."

"From now on, he will resonate with any holy relic he comes into contact with more easily than others. In other words, he now has the opportunity to resonate with the holy relics left in your church's treasury."

Giovanni looked down at the holy mark on his palm.

The surrounding bishops were already showing envy in their eyes.

The register of the Kingdom of Heaven.

For a devout believer, this is the greatest honor.

"To what extent can it be done?"

"It depends on the amount of spiritual energy remaining in the relic itself. If there is any residue, there is a chance to awaken it."

The Pope placed the water glass on the coffee table and did not ask any further questions.

"That concludes today's questioning. Everyone, please leave now. Bishop Paul, you stay—no, you leave too."

The Secretary of State, the Cardinal, paused for a moment.

The four cardinals exchanged glances and then left the study one by one.

Only the Pope and Sibyl remained in the room.

The Pope stood up and walked to the window.

He remained silent for a long time before speaking.

"What is the future of the church? Can a great prophet deliver a prophecy for the church?"

Sibyl remained silent for a long time.

Then her voice seeped out from beneath the lead seal.

"When the serpent of the underworld arrives, darkness descends, but the lost lamb will be guided to victory."

The Pope's finger rested on the windowsill.

"Who is the lost sheep?"

"I don't know. Prophecy doesn't provide explanations; it only places signposts on paths you don't yet know you're going to take."