"Maniya City is the Holy City of the Eternal Church and the central hub of the empire. They’re so focused on Old John, where else would they take him? Not to mention, our Amway Chamber of Commerce’s underground intelligence agency isn’t just for show."

"So that’s how it is!"

"As expected of Lord Dema!"

The players realized suddenly.

Seeing their exaggerated expressions, Demacia twitched the corner of his mouth, suddenly questioning whether these guys truly admired him or were simply after his mission reward for evangelizing experience.

Of course, he didn’t bother thinking too deeply about it.

Rather than getting tangled up in these minor details, it’s better to think about how to rescue Old John.

After all, he’s one of the few NPCs with a positive impression of him!

And he’s a purple epic NPC!

Not to mention, he was recruited by Caesar, and Caesar also knows him. In a sense, he was Caesar’s evangelizing mentor, surpassing the master!

So if you round it up...

Hmm... it’s equivalent to Demacia being Old John’s grandmentor!

Yes, that’s right!

This is how generations should be calculated!

A grandmentor rescuing his apprentice’s apprentice, it’s a matter of course!

He’s definitely not doing this with the intent of triggering some hidden plot!

Demacia was filled with internal drama.

Riding a little donkey (which he specially switched to after approaching the city) while listening to the players’ flattery from behind, he led the group to the front of Maniya City.

Segis World’s undisputed largest city, Maniya, had a population exceeding three million.

The city’s architectural style was primarily the domed Mania style, resembling a combination of Roman and Byzantine architecture from Blue Star, with a color theme of platinum representing the Eternal Church, shimmering in the sunlight.

This city, lauded as the Eternal Holy City, was extremely wealthy, having never suffered the ravages of war even after countless changes in imperial power. No ambitious individual dared to bring the flames of war to this religious center, limiting their mischief to the imperial palace within the city.

As a result, the city was magnificently grand and bustling, causing even players who had witnessed the prosperity of the Chosen City to widen their eyes in awe.

Of course, they weren’t here for sightseeing but for serious business.

"Lord Dema, so... where exactly is the Divine Favored John? How should we attempt the rescue?"

An inquisitive player following Demacia asked.

Demacia’s expression grew solemn.

His gaze traveled beyond the bustling streets of Maniya City, finally stopping at some distant endpoint.

There, a black castle stood incongruously against the city’s style, exuding an eerie solemnity.

"According to records, there is a castle named Dorolia in Maniya City that imprisons all political prisoners opposing the noble class on the continent and those who blaspheme the Eternal Church..."

"This castle, blessed by the Divine, is known as an unbreachable prison fortress. If I’m not mistaken, the Divine Favored John must be held there."

Demacia said gravely, looking at the castle at the end of the street.

The players looked at each other:

"So... how do we sneak in?"

"Yeah, there are no game hints either..."

"Game hints? Ha... Do you still believe ’Elf Kingdom’ needs such player-restricting tools?"

Demacia sneered.

As he spoke, he shook his head:

"Just watch how I operate! I brought you along in the first place to broaden your horizons."

"You’re all newbies. The waters in the Human Kingdom run deep, and the Eternal Church isn’t one to be underestimated. I’m worried you won’t handle it..."

"For this rescue mission, I’m enough on my own. I don’t need help from you newbies who haven’t even reached Gold tier."

"But Lord Dema, didn’t you say that prison is blessed by the Divine? I recall reading on the official website that anything blessed by the Divine cannot be harmed by mortals."

A player who had done their homework asked in confusion.

However, Demacia merely chuckled triumphantly:

"When did you get the misconception that I can’t handle Divine blessings?"

With that, he raised his head proudly and said:

"Never mind Divine blessings, even if the Divine themselves were here, I’d make sure they regret it!"

Hearing this, the players rolled their eyes, clearly skeptical.

Noticing their looks, Demacia couldn’t be bothered to explain.

Heh.

A bunch of newbies!

No idea what kind of power he still has hidden in his hands!

Thinking about this, Dema reached for the bone whistle he had hidden.

Inside it, there was a divine punishment from the Death God!

Alas...

If it weren’t for the discovery that the glow on the bone whistle seemed to weaken over time, as if it had a lifespan, he wouldn’t have chosen to bring it along. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Considering it further, a legendary divine punishment that could wound even a divine being couldn’t possibly stay forever with a player for self-defense; it’s better to use it early and exchange it for something useful, lest it expire.

And this... was Dema’s trump card for causing chaos in Mania!

"So... Lord Dema, are you planning to use your method to break into that castle prison?"

A player behind him asked.

"Break in? No... resorting to violence is foolishness. Only at the very end, when there are no other options, would I consider fighting. Everyday, if you can use your brain, then do so."

Dema pointed to his head and said.

"Use your brain?"

The players were slightly taken aback.

Dema chuckled and continued:

"Watch and see, I’m not only going to stride right in, I’m going to have the Eternal Church invite me in."

"Hmm?"

The players’ curiosity was thoroughly piqued:

"So... Lord Dema, what do you plan to do?"

"Of course, become someone who can enter the prison."

Dema laughed slyly.

After saying this, he leaped off the small donkey, flew into action, heading straight for a column of guards and, under their bewildered gaze, pulled out a banner embroidered with the Life Scepter from his pocket, waving it wildly while fervently exclaiming:

"Down with the Eternal Church! Down with the hypocritical Holy Mania Empire!"

"Overthrow the nobility! Liberate all mankind, Segis World belongs to the Life Goddess!"

Upon hearing his words, the expressions of the guards changed uniformly.

They snorted coldly, rushed forward, and subdued Dema.

"Annoying... coming across a Life Church lunatic first thing in the morning... lock this nonsense spewing guy in the castle dungeon!"

The Guard Captain spat disdainfully and ordered the guards.

Soon, the guards dragged Dema into Dorolia Castle Prison as if he were a dead dog.

Seeing this scene, the players in the distance were stunned.

Could this work?

And Dema, being dragged away by the guards, chuckled and winked at them.

In the chat channel appeared his subtitles brimming with satisfaction:

"Dorolia Castle Prison holds political prisoners and heretics."

"If you want to get in, why not become a political prisoner and heretic?"

All players:...

Is this possible?!

They instantly felt energized, eyes filled with eager anticipation.

Though Dema had already said he didn’t need their help, as players who love causing trouble, how could they not want to join in?

With Dema’s example before them, they quickly formed a plan and began looking around.

Not long after, they saw a patrol of silver-armored knights.

Those weren’t anybody else but the Eternal Church’s Judgement Knights!

The players exchanged glances, subtly nodded, then, imitating Dema’s manner, rallied together and shouted fanatically:

"Down with the Eternal Church! Down with the hypocritical Holy Mania Empire!"

"Overthrow the nobility! Liberate all mankind, Segis World belongs to the Life Goddess!"

Seeing them surround the notorious Judgement Knights, the surrounding citizens were all stunned.

Subsequently, the Judgement Knights, blocked by the players, frowned slightly, looking at the players with a deadpan gaze.

The lead Captain snorted coldly:

"Hmph, arrest all these heretics! Bring them to the stakes in the square for execution!"

All players:???

This... this isn’t how it was supposed to be?!