This old man remained silent from beginning to end, not speaking a word. What exactly was he thinking?

Was he contemplating how to deal with Kreti afterwards?

Flora knew she might be overthinking, but this possibility did truly exist.

So, she silently moved her position, stepping directly behind Kreti, standing between her and the Sun Pope.

Miss Demon's willingness to sacrifice herself to buy time for others was certainly commendable, and Herbert would praise her if he knew.

But this time, she was overthinking a little.

It was useless. Even if she stood in front and sacrificed herself proactively, the Sun Pope could suppress them both simultaneously.

Moreover, the Sun Pope had no intention of doing so.

He and Herbert had already agreed upon a contract not to harm his companions.

More importantly, he wasn't asleep at this moment but was pondering something else.

"This kid..."

When Herbert fell with an angelic form after failing to kill the avatar of the Evil God even with his help, he once doubted if something went wrong with Herbert.

But when he saw the scarlet Dragon Knight rise from the ground, he finally understood Herbert's intent.

"The true hero… is not an angel, but a mortal?"

The old man comprehended and silently exhaled.

This was the answer Herbert gave to the Sun Pope.

Since you want me to be a banner inspiring everyone to advance, then I will choose my own identity.

Compared to a pure white angel favored by the gods, a knight representing mortals can better ignite the fighting spirit in their hearts.

Moreover, thinking even deeper.

What Herbert denied was not just the angel.

But... the gods.

Have mortals reached this point solely by the gods' grace and charity?

Certainly not.

Herbert was about to prove it to the world once again—that mortals, too, could defy the gods.

Such mere mortals could scorn the gods and blaspheme against them.

In the past, countless blasphemers had done it.

He also wanted to be among them.

He would accomplish it as well!

...

"You… actually reached this point."

The God of Sinful Desire quickly perceived a difference after Herbert's retort.

Among the mortals influenced by its domain, some showed signs of gradually awakening.

It didn't discover the specific method but sensed that Herbert and others certainly did something.

These guys actually managed to reach such a point.

The God of Sinful Desire's power came from the mortals' fall, and in contrast, its power would be weakened.

"...What did you do?"

Herbert shrugged and said casually, "Just had companions wake them from their nightmares."

How could he explain it to you?

A big loudspeaker for the audience? A troll spitting trash talk server-wide?

"So, this is what you depend on?"

The God of Sinful Desire didn't dwell on their method but instead said, "Even if you could save some people, what about the others?"

The winged serpent grinned widely, sneering at the Paladin standing on the Giant Dragon's back, mocking, "Do you think I'll let you save everyone and become a hero?"

"Hmm?"

With its inquiry, the aura of decadence between heaven and earth instantly multiplied several times over.

The mortals previously struggling on the edge of salvation were instantly dragged into a deeper Illusion Realm.

The God of Sinful Desire got serious, fully stimulating the power of the [Fallen] domain.

Is it flaunting its power?

No.

It's a threat.

Using the lives of tens of thousands of mortals as a threat.

You may have the qualifications to become a hero.

But can you save everyone?

Faced with its threat, Herbert was silent, slowly lowering his head.

"..."

Then, unable to hold back, he burst into laughter.

"Pfft, hahaha!"

The smile beneath Herbert's helmet was incomparably radiant, even appearing somewhat wicked.

"Finally, you've finally… used your authority."

"What?"

The God of Sinful Desire suddenly sensed something amiss, feeling an extremely unpleasant sensation, instinctively wanting to retract its power but—it was too late!

Crack!

At this moment, another force long dormant within its body erupted.

Ssss—

The body of the winged serpent began to burn, the entire form as if engulfed in flames.

"Sun? No! Incorrect!"

The body was consumed by flames, yet the God of Sinful Desire's mind was unaffected, cooly analyzing the anomaly.

"It's the power of the Saint!"

When the Law of Sinful Desire descended, the Sun Pope's Law also forcibly intruded.

The two opposing forces clashed violently within its body.

Boom!

Although neither effect was completely nullified, both forces were significantly diminished!

And this was what Herbert needed.

But when did this force lodge within the avatar's body?

It suddenly eyed the scepter clutched in Herbert's hand—it was that Divine Artifact, which carried the Saint's will!!?

Damned mortal, how dare you take such risks in front of me!

"You! How dare you—"

Then, the enraged god heard the youth's light laughter.

He said:

"This farce, it's time to end."

...

...

"No, I don't want to succumb…"

"Awaken!"

"I must, for my lord…"

With the God of Sinful Desire's seriousness, the followers within the Illusion Realm received a huge impact.

Amid the suddenly increased desire, their consciousness became more and more submerged, heavier and heavier.

Suddenly, the feeling instantly vanished, and their spirits relaxed.