Once again, it was proven that in the great game played across the continent, no side would ever move exactly as their opponent anticipated.

The very next morning, just as Murphy and Aurora had finished discussing their countermeasures and the mobilization orders for the Monte Territory were beginning to be dispatched.

A decree, wrapped in a terrifying divine pressure, arrived with the first blinding rays of dawn. It descended upon Monte Castle with extraordinary speed and by an extraordinary means, reaching not just them but the entire Vilt Kingdom—and indeed, every nation within the Truth Church Court’s sphere of influence.

This was no ordinary letter, nor was it a request for negotiation relayed through the Crescent District.

When that Rhombus Crystal—burning with pure white Holy Flame and engraved with the Eye of Truth and the Crescent Embracing Stars Emblem—tore through space and appeared above the main hall, everyone understood that the nature of the situation had completely changed.

The crystal hovered in mid-air, its Holy Flame burning silently, bathing the slightly dim morning hall in a sacred light.

A grand, solemn, and oppressive wave of Spiritual Power radiated from the crystal. It was not a sound, yet it boomed directly in the minds of all who possessed a certain degree of Spiritual Power, every word a hammer blow striking the soul:

"In the name of Oriane, upholding the divine will, a Supreme Cardinal Decree is hereby issued!" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Aurora, who was in an antechamber off the main hall checking supply lists, heard the voice and her expression changed drastically. She immediately rose and strode out.

Murphy also arrived from his study in an instant. He stood at the entrance to the main hall, his expression calm as he watched the hovering crystal, his gaze profound and unreadable.

The grand spiritual wave continued to resonate, its contents cold and direct:

"The Otherworld passage in the Iron Ridge Mountain Range is out of control. Vile creatures run rampant, gravely threatening the peace of the Main World and the foundations of the sacred order. This is the inalienable duty of all believers and secular powers to defend."

"Decree One: Effective immediately, in all nations where the light of Truth shines, all secular Lords, vassals, and nobles, regardless of rank, must, within three days of receiving this order, conscript and assemble their most elite armed forces. They are to march to the designated war zone and accept the unified command of the local district’s supreme commander to participate in the holy war to purge the Otherworld threat. Violators will be deemed to have forsaken their faith. Their lands will no longer receive the protection of Truth, and their authority will no longer be divinely recognized."

"Decree Two: All families and territories with supply agreements with the Church Court’s Holy Hall Pharmacy, regardless of prior contractual terms, who fail to dispatch troops on time as per Decree One, shall, from the date of their violation, have all potion supplies unilaterally and permanently terminated by the Holy Hall Pharmacy. This includes, but is not limited to, all types of auxiliary Knight’s Secret Medicines for cultivation, Healing Holy Water, and constitution-enhancing potions. Past contributions and favors will not be taken into account."

For any noble family that relied on the power of Knights to maintain their rule and military might, Knight’s Secret Medicine was no less important than food and weapons.

Cutting off the supply of Secret Medicine was equivalent to strangling the lifeblood for cultivating and maintaining high-level military power. For those Knights stuck at a bottleneck and in desperate need of a specific potion to break through, it was tantamount to severing their path forward.

And the next part of the decree made the gazes of everyone present turn involuntarily toward the motionless Murphy.

"Decree Three: All registered Great Knights whose strength has reached or is approaching the Peak of Mortality, regardless of location or position, must, upon receiving this decree, unconditionally prioritize the following order. They are to immediately set aside all current affairs and report to the Blackstone Fortress, the command hub of the eastern front in the Iron Ridge Mountain Range war zone, at the fastest possible speed, either alone or with the smallest necessary escort. Delayers, in addition to facing the penalties of Decree Two, will face direct inquiry and sanctions from the Cardinal Court of Judgment."

"Reiteration: These three decrees constitute a Supreme Cardinal Decree, with priority over all secular royal edicts and local district negotiations. The right of interpretation and final judgment belongs to the Holy City College of Cardinals."

"May the Holy Light guide you forward, to cleanse the filth and defend the order."

As the final mental syllable faded, the Holy Flame on the Rhombus Crystal abruptly contracted inward. Then, with a soft SNAP, it shattered into countless fine motes of light and dissipated into the air, leaving only a dead silence in the main hall.

Sunlight streamed in through the high windows, forming straight shafts in the air, yet it could not penetrate the frozen silence.

Aurora walked quickly to Murphy’s side. Her face was pale, but her eyes remained calm as she spoke quickly in a low voice, "This is a mandatory conscription of the highest level... there’s no room for negotiation. The threat of the Holy Hall Pharmacy cutting off supplies is fatal to all nobles. And the third decree..."

She looked at Murphy, her eyes filled with worry. "It’s clearly aimed at top-tier individual combatants like you. They don’t just want troops; they want you, personally, on the front lines immediately. It’s illogical, unless..."

Murphy finished her sentence, his voice steady and devoid of emotion, "Unless the situation on the front lines has deteriorated to the point where they need top-tier individual martial power to stabilize the line, or to fill the gaps in high-end combat strength."

He walked to the center of the main hall, to the spot where the crystal had hovered, which was now empty.

"The Church Court, or rather, certain powerful figures within the College of Cardinals, have made their choice. They’ve chosen to prioritize reinforcing the Main World and dealing with the crisis in the Iron Ridge Mountain Range. At the same time, they want to ensure enough power—especially strategic-level assets like those at the Peak of Grand Knight—is thrown in that direction to contain the deteriorating situation as quickly as possible."

"They’re using the full authority and resources of the Church Court as a wager to force everyone into submission," Aurora said, her voice laced with a chill. "Fail to send troops, and you forfeit the future of your family’s military power. Delay or defy, and you could face an even more severe judgment. And as for you... they won’t even allow you time to bring a full escort. This is practically..."