Kael was not at all surprised when he felt his passive skill, [Attack and Defense Barrier], which protected him from reconnaissance magic, activate. This was precisely the effect he had been anticipating.
Since his arrival in this new world, he had deliberately refrained from altering the existing storyline. Therefore, at this very moment, Momonga should have just used [Remote Perspective Mirror] to observe the critical situation in Carne Village.
With the rare item [Divinity of the Fated God] in his possession, Kael held immense potential to build a formidable army of followers in the future. However, that dream was still far from realization.
If he were forced into a direct confrontation with Momonga at this time, he was acutely aware that his chances of victory were almost nonexistent.
Nevertheless, Kael did not feel the need to succumb to excessive panic.
The fundamental difference between himself and Momonga lay in his extensive knowledge of the intricacies of this new world, his profound understanding of the potential of his powers in this alien realm.
Conversely, Momonga was still in the dark regarding this crucial information. The immense power of the Great Tomb of Nazarick could not be mobilized in a short amount of time.
Moreover, due to his strong attachment to the security of the Great Tomb, Momonga's style of action tended to be overly cautious and conservative. Even a slight sense of unease would make the undead ruler reluctant to take rash actions for a long time.
Thus, Kael had more time to build the foundation of his own power and gradually expand his influence.
Having successfully 'dispelled' the prying eyes peering through the magic screen, Kael refocused his attention on the terrified villagers of Carne.
His remarkably conspicuous appearance, coupled with the passive effect of his skill that radiated a golden light all over his body, and the presence of the angelic army summoned through super-tier magic standing guard around him, left everyone present stunned and staring at him with a mixture of awe and confusion.
Is that a God...? Is it truly a God descending from the heavens?
From the expressions of bewilderment etched on the villagers' faces, Kael could easily guess what was raging in their minds at that moment.
Without uttering a single word, he simply extended his hand. Instantly, a magnificent golden throne materialized out of thin air, floating gracefully and steadily in the air.
Just like the [Heavenly Feather Belt] that circled his feet, this Golden Throne was also inlaid with glittering crystals that amplified levitation magic. However, aside from its basic function of floating, this throne had no other practical function and was purely created to give a dramatic impression.
But this was precisely the psychological effect Kael needed at this moment.
With a leisurely movement, he bent his knees and leaned back. After settling comfortably on his golden throne, he surveyed his surroundings with a calm gaze and said in an authoritative voice, "I have just awakened from a long slumber and have yet to fully comprehend the changes that have occurred in this world. Who among you is willing to explain the situation to me?"
After these words were spoken, a deathly silence enveloped the entire area.
The villagers were undoubtedly deeply grateful to Kael and the angels for their life-saving assistance. However, Kael's previous mysterious actions and his extraordinary power made them realize that the man before them was no ordinary person. He was at the very least an extremely powerful magic caster, an existence far beyond their comprehension.
Although the social status of magic casters in the kingdom wasn't particularly high, for border villagers like them, magic casters were still figures to be revered and belonged to a vastly different social stratum.
Therefore, even if some of them wanted to step forward and answer Kael's question, hesitation and a sense of inferiority due to the difference in status would inevitably hold them back.
Not to mention the Slane Theocracy soldiers neatly disguised as Baharuth Empire Knights.
Didn't they see that this person had obliterated several of their comrades with terrifying lightning power before he dramatically appeared? In fact, he had commanded the angels to cease their actions, clearly indicating his dissatisfaction with their plan.
Speaking of which... angels?
The Slane Theocracy had a very comprehensive training system for magic casters who adhered to their faith. Therefore, the Theocracy soldiers were not unfamiliar with summoned creatures like angels. However, the angel's form before them was completely different from the ordinary angels they knew.
On its back stretched iconic white wings, but it did not wear full armor like ordinary angels or the valiant Flame Archangels. Instead, it wore a unique military uniform, made of a combination of elegant armor and shimmering silk.
Furthermore, its head was not covered by a steel helmet but by a platinum hood that enveloped an energy orb that continuously spun gently like a beautiful nebula.
Perhaps... this was a high-ranking angel, a creature far more powerful and noble than the Flame Angels often touted by the adults in the Scriptures of the Sun.
The person who could control such a mighty angel... they had better not act rashly. The slightest mistake could bring terrible disaster upon themselves.
Seeing that not a single person dared to answer his question, Kael frowned slightly, an expression of displeasure evident on his face.
Then, his cold gaze shifted and landed on a random knight in the crowd. "You," he said curtly in a commanding tone.
Even before the designated knight could react, two [Resurrection Angels] walked steadily towards him.
"You... what do you want to do!? Don't come closer!!!" the knight shouted in panic.
Seeing the two approaching angels with menacing auras, the knight finally realized the danger he was in. He retreated hastily, swinging his sword in the air as a futile form of protest and self-defense.
However, the knight did not realize that in his direction of retreat, another Resurrection Angel had moved swiftly to intercept him.
When summoned, these magical creatures actively acquired some basic knowledge from their summoner. Angels were high-level monsters and possessed a certain level of intelligence.
Seeing the knight openly defy Kael's will, the Resurrection Angel showed not the slightest bit of tolerance. With a swift movement, it raised the staff in its glowing hand and struck it hard against the unfortunate knight's body!
Bang!
"Ah!"
A scream of pain mixed with the sound of a heavy impact. The knight wearing heavy armor was instantly thrown into the air by the Resurrection Angel's staff, then fell heavily to the ground with a terrifying thud.
"What strange power this is! ...." muttered the vice-captain of the Knight Order, Londes, with wide eyes.
Seeing what had happened to his unfortunate comrade, Londes suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Unconsciously, he stared at the Resurrection Angel beside him with a horrified gaze and took a step back, away from the terrifying creature.
Perhaps noticing his suspicious movement, the Resurrection Angel turned its head slightly, and its nebula-like swirling face slowly turned towards Londes.
In an instant, Londes seemed to freeze in place. His legs felt weak and difficult to move, and a drop of cold sweat ran down his forehead. A chilling fear gripped his heart.
Fortunately for Londes, the creature only gave him a cold warning glance and showed no signs of taking further action.
Londes let out a sigh of relief, feeling his heart pounding heavily in his chest.
On the other hand, the two Resurrection Angels ignored the groans of pain from the knight lying on the ground. They grabbed one of his bloodied arms and lifted the helpless body before Kael.
Charm Person!
Kael raised his right hand slightly from the armrest of his golden throne, releasing a powerful wave of mind-controlling magic towards the knight now held in the angels' grasp. With a cold gaze, he began to ask questions: "Tell me, who exactly are you?"
"...A member of the third squad of the first battalion of the Sixth Army of the Slane Theocracy, Elion," the knight replied in a hollow voice, devoid of expression.
"Slane Theocracy? What is the Slane Theocracy?" Kael asked inquisitively.
"The Slane Theocracy was founded..."
…
Under the influence of the powerful magic, the knight named Elion answered all of Kael's questions truthfully and without resistance. His strange state and vacant gaze made everyone present feel horrified and uneasy.
Especially the other knights who were also loyal soldiers of the Theocracy.
They revealed their identities as members of the Theocracy and divulged the secrets of this covert operation so easily. If they returned to the Theocracy... no, even before that, if the scripture leaders of the Sun Scripture who were overseeing this team's operation learned what had happened, they would surely be executed without mercy on charges of treason!
"Bastard! What exactly are you talking about!?" shouted a knight in the crowd, unable to restrain himself from venting his anger at the seemingly dazed Elion. He was the captain of this knight team, Belius.
As a bourgeois heir who lacked any real combat skills and had only come to carry out this mission to boost his declining reputation, he clearly could not accept the terrible consequences of his betrayal of the holy Church.
If this operation failed due to his own mistakes, there might still be a glimmer of hope for forgiveness. But now, the mistake came from his useless subordinate, and he, as the responsible captain, must not be held accountable for his subordinate's foolish actions!
Intrigued by the hysterical shout, Kael shifted his cold gaze towards Belius.
Kael instantly recognized the figure by observing the panic and anger clearly etched on his face, a stark contrast to the composure of the other Theocracy soldiers. Wasn't this the useless captain who was stabbed to death by the Death Knight summoned by Momonga in the original storyline?
Tsk, the Church is a country that claims to uphold humanity, but it turns out not all of its citizens have good morals.
After grumbling inwardly with a cynical tone, Kael raised his hand towards Belius with an expressionless face.
Fifth Tier: Holy Fire!
Instantly, dazzling holy flames erupted and directly engulfed Belius's body.
Although this skill was more effective against the undead, killing a useless captain who was only between levels 2 and 5 in an instant was an easy task for Kael. Belius burned to ashes in the blink of an eye amidst his horrific screams of pain, leaving a strange smell like burnt meat filling the air.
"You dared to shout in the presence of a God. This is an unforgivable act of blasphemy. Burning yourself in holy fire is the greatest absolution I can grant you," Kael said in a calm tone, yet every word he uttered felt cold and bone-chilling.
As everyone heard those words, they felt an unbearable chill run through their bodies. A deep fear quickly spread in their trembling hearts.
This... God? He doesn't seem like the friendly and benevolent type. He's extremely dangerous!
A similar conclusion arose in the minds of many who witnessed the terrifying scene.
Kael completely disregarded this minor incident. He surveyed his surroundings with a sharp gaze and finally stopped at the figure of the blonde-haired girl who looked frightened yet brave. "You," he said curtly, pointing at Enri with his finger, "step forward."
Suddenly being called out, Enri couldn't help but be momentarily stunned. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest.
However, recalling the tragic fate of Captain Belius that had just unfolded before her eyes, she dared not delay the command of this terrifying God and immediately stepped forward with trembling steps.
"Sister!" a small girl cried out anxiously.
Before Enri could take her second step, her hand was grasped tightly by her younger sister standing beside her. Her younger sister's nervous and tearful eyes clearly tried to stop her from approaching that terrifying being.
Enri's face stiffened, and she whispered harshly to her sister, "Nemu! Be quiet and stay here!"
After saying those words firmly, she ignored her younger sister's tears that had begun to well up, forcefully pulled away the small hand that gripped hers tightly, and then walked with hesitant steps towards the mysterious and powerful being who sat regally on his golden throne.
The closer she got, the more respectfully Enri knelt before Kael, lowering her head deeply. She opened her mouth, but an overwhelming nervousness prevented her from uttering a single word.
"I am a powerful and eternal being," Kael said in a resonant voice, "a god who controls fate."
"Thank you, God," Enri finally said, mustering the courage to overcome her embarrassment at not knowing how to address a deity. She also expressed her deepest gratitude for the help they had received. Then, with a slight tremor, she raised her head and looked at the man sitting calmly on his golden throne.
The dazzling golden light radiating from Kael's body made it difficult for her to see the man's face clearly. However, now that she was closer, Enri realized that the man before her possessed an extraordinary handsomeness, far surpassing that of any man she had ever seen in her life.
Perhaps, this was the perfect appearance that only the great gods possessed.
Enri secretly admired in her heart, captivated by the aura of divinity emanating from the man. Suddenly, she saw the God smile gently at her, and her heart beat even faster.