Meanwhile, in the Katsuragi Holy Church, a wave of unrest stirred among the clergy. Reports from various scouts detailed the rapid evolution of multiple regions within the Land of Katsuragi. This sudden advancement triggered a sense of both confusion and alarm within the Holy Church.

  The gathered Council of the Holy Church of Katsuragi sat in stunned silence as their scouts delivered their reports, each revelation more astonishing than the last.

  The first group, assigned to monitor the Kokoro Heart Federation, described how what was once a simple village had transformed into a thriving federation. Not only had its infrastructure evolved, but its people had as well, attaining unprecedented levels of power.

  Another group, responsible for keeping watch over Yuki no Mura, reported that the small village had now ascended into the capital city of Kokoro Heart Federation. Even more alarming was the presence of magic-tech advancements—a fusion of magic and technology far beyond what the church had anticipated or sanctioned.

  Further reports came from Okinawa and Sado Island, echoing the same troubling pattern of sudden evolution. Each region had undergone drastic transformations, and as the council questioned how such changes could occur—and who was responsible—one name surfaced repeatedly:

  Joseph Benjamin Carmen.

  "That name… why does it sound so familiar? Like we've heard it before or seen it written somewhere," a male councilor spoke aloud, his voice laced with unease.

  "Yes! I remember now," a female councilor exclaimed, her words sparking recognition among the others as they briefly fell into thought.

  "Isn't that the name mentioned in the holy book of prophecy?" she continued. "The one said to be either the savior destined to save the Four Lands and the world… or the harbinger of our destruction?" A heavy silence followed before she added, "Whether he is the true savior or an imposter, we must proceed with caution. If necessary, we must act—by any means."

  Murmurs filled the chamber. The name lingered in the air like an unspoken curse. The Holy Council was still processing this when yet another group of scouts entered, their expressions grave.

  "We bring urgent news," one scout began. "Joseph Benjamin Carmen has achieved the status of a True Demon Lord."

  A wave of shock rippled through the room, but the revelations did not stop there.

  "The demons and monsters of these regions now live in harmony with humans and demi-humans," another scout continued. "Moreover, the evolution of these lands is not slowing—it is expanding."

  "Impossible!" a council member roared, rising to his feet. "Such abomination is an insult to our God and a desecration of the sacred lands of Katsuragi!"

  "Blasphemy!" a female council member echoed, her voice seething with contempt.

  Another council member, deep in thought, furrowed his brow. "Could it be that the immense aura we felt that day… was his ascension? The power surge we all sensed—was it Joseph Benjamin Carmen becoming the Unkillable Demon Lord?"

  "It seems likely," another member muttered grimly. "Our scouts did not intervene but observed from the shadows. Their accounts are consistent. However, we must confirm our suspicions."

  A high-ranking elder leaned forward, his voice carrying an air of finality.

  "Send another scouting party—to Sado Island. This time, they are not to merely observe. They will intervene. Once we confirm the truth, we will take action."

  "And punishment," another elder added coldly. "Not just for Joseph Benjamin Carmen, but for all regions and individuals who have been corrupted by this heresy. They have defied the sacred divine laws of both God and the Katsuragi Empire."

  "More than that," a female councilor interjected, her tone laced with anger, "Joseph has disrupted the magical barrier that shields the Land of Katsuragi—all to further his so-called magic-tech expansion. That alone is unforgivable."

  The chamber fell silent. The weight of their collective judgment was absolute.

  "As it is said, so it is written," the heads of the Holy Council declared in unison.

  The fate of Joseph Benjamin Carmen and his evolved territories was sealed.

  For the Katsuragi Empire would not suffer a Demon Lord’s defiance.

  Gathered in the Council of the Holy Church were the overseers of Katsuragi’s many regions. They were the highest authorities before any dire matter was reported directly to the Katsuragi Victory Empire. Among them sat the Divine & Celestial Rulers, the highest-ranking figure of the church—a being of immense divine power, either supernatural or a human blessed by the gods.

  Supreme Mortal Authority, High Church Commanders & Enforcers, Councils & Religious Authorities and Warrior Orders & Clergy.

  All these gatherings have various divisions and subordinate factions within their hierarchies. The chamber filled with murmurs and tension as the council deliberated. The rise of new powers was not something the Holy Church could afford to ignore.

  ***Here’s the hierarchy of the Holy Church, ranked from highest to lowest:***

  1. Divine & Celestial Rulers

  The Sacred Council of Heaven – A group of celestial beings, possibly angels or divine entities, who dictate the Church’s ultimate goals. Their will is considered divine law.

  The Voice of Eleleth – A mysterious figure claiming to speak for the most powerful of angels, Eleleth. They serve as the link between Heaven and the Church.

  Saint-Kings (or Saint-Queens) – Legendary rulers who once led in the name of God. Some are believed to have been resurrected or granted immortality to guide the Church in times of crisis.

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  Elder Prophets – Ancient seers who receive divine visions and reveal God’s will. Their words shape the Church’s doctrine and future.

  2. Supreme Mortal Authority

  His Holiness, the Divine Pontiff – The supreme ruler of the Holy Church, chosen by divine will and revered as the closest mortal to God. He wields immense spiritual authority over all believers, commanding the Church’s armies and safeguarding its sacred relics. Some claim he has glimpsed Heaven itself, and his word is absolute in upholding the divine order.

  The Holy Popes – A lineage of powerful spiritual leaders who once ruled the Church. Some were true saints, embodying divine grace, while others were corrupted by ambition. Ancient texts speak of The Black Pope, a shadowy figure who betrayed Heaven. Among them, The Lost Pope, an exiled ruler, is rumored to still influence the world from the shadows.

  3. High Church Commanders & Enforcers

  The Liege of the Sacred Throne – Second only to the Pontiff, the Liege governs the Church’s armies, inquisitors and political affairs. This position has often been held by warriors turned priests, blending faith with strategy. Some believe the current Liege harbors a dark secret—whispers claim he commands the Holy Assassins, an elusive order hidden within the Church’s ranks.

  Archbishop of the Divine Order – Leader of the militant branch of the Church, overseeing divine warriors and exorcists in their battle against fallen angels and demonic forces.

  Cardinal Inquisitors – High-ranking enforcers of divine law, hunting down heretics, supernatural threats, and traitors within the Church. They act with near-absolute authority.

  The Holy Knight Orders (Elite factions of the Holy Church, reporting directly to the Pontiff and his commanders):

  Templars of the Divine Oath – Devoted knights who guard the Church’s highest-ranking figures and its most sacred relics. Their armor is said to be unbreakable, blessed by Heaven itself.

  Paladins of the Radiant Dawn – Warriors of absolute faith, wielding divine energy in battle. They are frontline combatants against demons and supernatural forces, feared even by Hell’s strongest.

  Black Knights of the Abyss Watch – A secretive order of knights who operate in the shadows. They handle dark threats, assassinate corrupted clergy, and engage in battles where the Church’s honor cannot be publicly tied. Some say they use forbidden techniques against enemies too powerful for ordinary soldiers.

  4. Councils & Religious Authorities

  Reverends of the Celestial Order – A council of high-ranking priests who serve as advisors, enforcers of doctrine, and keepers of forbidden knowledge. Each Reverend wields a divine relic or miraculous gift, interpreting prophecies, leading exorcisms, and safeguarding sacred texts against those who would misuse them.

  5. Warrior Orders & Clergy

  Holy Knights of the Sacred Blade – The elite warriors of the Church, wielding divine weapons and clad in blessed armor. As the first line of defense for holy sites and the vanguard against supernatural threats, they charge into battle with unwavering faith. Some among them are personally knighted by the Pontiff and entrusted with relics of immense power. From battlefield commanders to divine executioners, the Holy Knights serve as both the Church’s sword and shield, enforcing its will with righteous fury.

  Priests of the Holy Flame – Devoted warriors and scholars of the Church, tasked with guiding believers, hunting heretics, and battling supernatural threats. Trained in both scripture and combat, they wield sacred artifacts, perform exorcisms, and serve as the Church’s frontline defenders. Among them, the Divine Exorcists stand as an elite sect, trained specifically to confront demons and fallen angels.

  Nuns of the Eternal Light – Holy women devoted to prayer, healing, and prophecy. Some are gifted with divine visions, while others are secretly trained in combat. The Sisters of the Veil are a mysterious faction rumored to protect sacred knowledge hidden even from the Pontiff.

  Battle Nuns of Saint Astra – A warrior order of nuns trained in sacred combat. Clad in holy armor and wielding blessed weapons, they defend holy sites, purge evil, and escort the most important figures of the Church. The legend of Saint Astra, a nun who defeated an archdemon, inspires them.

  ***Here are legendary knights, a fallen knight faction, and holy relics tied to the Holy Church:***

  Legendary Holy Knights (Heroes of myth, whose deeds shaped the Church’s power)

  Sir Aldric the Ever-Blessed – A Templar who wielded the Blade of Sanctity, a sword that burns only the unholy. He was said to have single-handedly held back an army of demons for three days before vanishing into a beam of light. Some say he ascended to Heaven.

  Lady Seraphine the Dawnbringer – The first Grand Paladin, known for striking down a fallen angel in single combat. She wielded the Lance of Radiance, which could pierce through any darkness. Legends say she will return in the Church’s greatest hour of need.

  Lord Malphas the Blackened Saint – A former Holy Knight who turned against the Church after uncovering a forbidden truth. Though he was cast out, his Voidforged Gauntlets were never recovered, and rumors whisper that he still walks the earth, hunting those who betrayed him.

  ***

  The Fallen Knight Order: The Exiled Templars

  Once the Church’s most loyal knights, the Exiled Templars were branded as heretics after refusing to obey a command that went against their faith. Now, they are rogue warriors, wandering the world in search of truth. Some still fight for divine justice, while others seek vengeance against the Church that betrayed them.

  Their leader, Grandmaster Veylan the Forsaken, was once the Pontiff’s greatest knight, but now he wields the Shattered Sigil, a broken relic said to hold a fragment of Heaven’s power.

  Holy Relics of the Knights

  (Weapons and artifacts infused with divine energy, wielded by the most powerful knights in history.)

  The Blade of Sanctity – A sword that only harms the wicked. In the hands of a righteous warrior, it shines with divine fire.

  The Lance of Radiance – A legendary spear that channels pure light. It is said to be able to slay even celestial beings.

  The Crown of the Chosen – A golden halo-like relic that grants its wearer divine foresight, allowing them to see an enemy’s moves before they happen.

  Voidforged Gauntlets – Cursed relics wielded by Lord Malphas. They can absorb divine energy, making them one of the few weapons capable of countering holy magic.

  The Shattered Sigil – A broken relic of unknown origins, carried by Grandmaster Veylan. Some say it was once part of God’s own armor.

  The Gathering of the Great Powers:

  In the far reaches of existence, beyond mortal comprehension, the Council of Spiritual Realms convened. It was an event unseen by the eyes of men—a gathering of gods, monsters, and supernatural entities, each a being of unimaginable power.

  Among them sat the Ranking Gods, the Ancient Beasts, the Primordial Spirits, and the Lords of the Abyss. These were the entities that dictated the flow of reality itself, shaping destiny with but a whisper.

  Today, their focus was singular:

  Joseph Benjamin Carmen—the newly ascended True Demon Lord.

  His evolution had not gone unnoticed.

  Some within the council saw opportunity.

  Others saw threat.

  A few considered intervention.

  And some… had already decided.

  "The balance has shifted," spoke one of the Elder Gods, his voice like rolling thunder. "A mortal has risen beyond his station. His ascension threatens the natural order."

  "Do you fear him, then?" mused a Shadow King, his form shifting like liquid darkness. "Or do you fear what he represents?"

  "The Unkillable Demon Lord," a Celestial Warlord remarked with intrigue. "A fascinating title… but nothing is truly unkillable. Everything has a weakness."

  A Dragon Sovereign let out a deep chuckle, smoke rising from his nostrils. "Perhaps… but what of his world? His Federation? It is growing, expanding. A land where humans, demons, and demi-humans coexist. Should we destroy him, we must also decide what to do with what he has built."

  "That world is an aberration," spat a Holy Tribunal Angel, his golden armor gleaming with divine radiance. "A demon lord ruling a land of peace? Such heresy should not be permitted to stand."

  "But is it truly heresy?" countered a Mischief Deity, twirling a golden coin between his fingers. "Perhaps… it is evolution."

  The chamber stirred.

  There were those who sought to eradicate Joseph.

  There were those who sought to observe him.

  And there were those who sought to use him.

  But one truth remained absolute:

  Joseph Benjamin Carmen's fate was being decided.

  And with it… the fate of the world he had created below.