554: Chapter 555 Faith Collapses, Gods Weep; Dragon Flag Replaced at the Cross

Rome, St. Peter's Square.

This was once the spiritual center of the Western world, where every paving stone was soaked with the prayers and tears of the faithful.

But at this moment, there was only despair.

Pope Gregory XI sat slumped on that tarnished golden war chariot, his eyes hollow as if his Soul had been sucked away.

He looked at the Eastern Emperor in the sky, who appeared like a god or demon, his lips trembling, yet unable to make a sound.

God had lost.

Lost completely and utterly.

Even the Six-winged Angel, who was regarded as the Savior, had been captured by them to be used as... though he didn't know what, it certainly wasn't to be a guest.

"Your Holiness..." A Cardinal crawled over on his knees, tugging at the hem of his robe, "We... what should we do?"

"What should we do?"

Gregory XI gave a miserable laugh.

He glanced at his surroundings.

Those fanatical "Gods Punishment Knights" were now like spineless cowards, collapsed on the ground. Having lost the support of their evil power and with the collapse of their faith, they were completely ruined.

As for the ordinary soldiers, they had long since abandoned their armor and weapons, kneeling on the ground to kowtow and beg for mercy from that Eastern man.

"It's over... it's all over..."

The Pope closed his eyes.

"Rumble—"

A massive roaring sound echoed.

The armored chariots of the Great Ming crushed the exquisite garden walls of Vatican City, driving straight in.

The fully armed Great Ming Marine Corps, holding gleaming bayonets and marching in unison, stepped into this holy city.

They met no resistance whatsoever.

Even the most loyal Swiss Guard, upon seeing those five-meter-tall "Xing Tian" mechas stride past the square's obelisk, silently lowered their halberds.

Zhu Yuanzhang, wearing his Flying Fish Robe and with a Spring Embroidery Blade at his waist, strode purposefully toward the Pope.

He looked down at this once-arrogant old man, his eyes full of disdain.

"Old man, where did that arrogance from just now go?"

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered and kicked aside the skull totem.

"Take it away. His Majesty said this thing is evidence and must be brought back for research."

Several Embroidered Uniform Guards stepped forward and, like dragging dead dogs, hoisted the Pope and several Cardinals up.

"Release me! I am the spokesperson of God! You cannot..."

The Pope was still struggling.

"Slap!"

Zhu Yuanzhang delivered a backhand slap, sending the Pope's teeth flying.

"God? That god of yours is being used as a battery by Your Majesty; what kind of damn spokesperson do you think you are?"

"Take them away!"

The Pope was dragged away, leaving a trail of blood and dentures on the ground.

Afterward, Zhu Yuanzhang walked to the main entrance of the cathedral.

He looked up at the massive cross.

"This thing is an eyesore."

He waved his hand.

"Tear it down."

"Boom!"

A Xing Tian mecha stepped forward, its massive mechanical arms wrapping around the cross, and gave a violent heave.

The cross, which had stood for centuries, let out a mournful groan and collapsed with a crash, kicking up clouds of dust.

Immediately following, a bright red Great Ming Dragon flag rose over the ruins.

The golden five-clawed Dragon bared its claws in the wind, as if proclaiming its sovereignty to the entire Western world.

"Hear the imperial decree of Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around, facing the tens of thousands of trembling Europeans in the square, and shouted with his Qi.

"As of today, the name 'Papal States' is abolished."

"This place is renamed—'Great Ming Protectorate of Europa'."

"All churches are to be sealed immediately, awaiting reconstruction."

"Wherever the subjects of my Great Ming reside, all shall be Han territory!"

"All who do not submit shall be turned to ash!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Great Ming!"

Tens of thousands of Great Ming soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shattering the few remaining stained-glass windows of Vatican City.

The Europeans kneeling on the ground heard this thunderous cheering and saw the fallen cross and the fluttering Dragon flag; the last shred of their persistence crumbled away.

They knew that an era had ended.

God was dead.

The Dragon had arrived.