Even the smartest people could see that the Holy Roman Empire's flaws were beginning to show.
The front lines were losing battles, and internal conflicts were brewing.
Nero, who had just ascended to the throne, had even fallen out with the Pope.
He even drove the Pope out of Roman territory.
Even though this is the Age of Gods.
The dominant theme is still savagery and madness.
In the heart of Rome, the capital city.
A muscular man, holding a weapon in his hand, roared at the crowd, trying to get their attention.
“The Empire reigns supreme! We have worked so hard for the Empire, participating in expeditions, only to be abandoned!”
“Those noble lords don't care about our lives at all!”
“In one expedition, all my brothers died, but what did I get in return? An indulgence! How ironic! Everything we have done for the Empire is considered a crime!”
The citizens of Rome, bustling in the streets, stopped to watch and gossip.
The war had been going on for too long, and this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.
But what could they do, even if they were unhappy?
The sound of iron boots on stone pavement came one after another. Everyone looked numbly behind them, towards the street in the distance.
A man in religious attire, accompanied by several knights and a squad of guards, passed through the stalls in an orderly manner, walking towards them.
The man's eyes lit up with joy at the sight.
The Church, which preaches the mercy of God, would never exploit him like those noble lords!
Those indulgences must be the work of those greedy nobles.
Thinking this, the man jumped down from the steps, pushed through the crowd, and went to greet the approaching figure, his face full of excitement. He kept calling out.
“Great God, your faithful need your salvation. I have shed blood for the Empire, I have shed tears for the Empire, I...”
“Ah!”
A sharp scream echoed. The leading knight's longsword slammed into the man's head.
The leading priest showed no emotion on his face. Instead, he cleared his throat as he saw the man, who was lying on the ground, bleeding profusely, gasping for breath.
He pointed to the book in his hand and made a cross on his chest.
He waved his hand at the guards standing beside him.
“In the name of God, arrest this heretic!”
Ning Cuo's tone was unchanged as he said these words. He didn't even feel a pang of pity when he saw the man's incredulous eyes.
Being merciful wouldn't save this chaotic era.
It wasn't until the guards dragged the man away like a dead pig for several steps that he reacted and struggled desperately.
“I... I participated in the expedition. I am a Church-certified warrior. You can't do this to me.”
Although he was battle-hardened and fought desperately.
His resistance was obviously futile, and soon he was knocked unconscious by the guards’ punches.
Ning Cuo's eyes were cold as he walked to a nearby crucifix.
He signaled to the knights beside him.
The tall knight who had swung his sword looked uncomfortable and walked over.
“Ning Cuo, you've hanged over 50 civilians this month... If you keep this up, we're all going to be in trouble.”
Ning Cuo's expression didn't change as he heard these words, his face filled with disdain.
“In the area under my jurisdiction, they are making trouble, that's slapping me in the face. In a turbulent world, use harsh measures!”
“Because I believe, the weapons of criticism cannot replace the criticism of weapons, hang him!”
After speaking, Ning Cuo waved his hand, ordering the attendants who were standing at attention again.
That's right, this priest Ning Cuo, who came to preach God in the late Holy Roman Empire of the Age of Gods, is actually a time traveler.
Before he time-traveled, Ning Cuo was lying in bed playing games on his laptop, and his phone was still rolling the dice, but unfortunately, he was too unlucky.
In a fit of anger, he pounded on the bed.
When he opened his eyes again, he was in this world.
After two and a half years of adaptation, he successfully infiltrated the Church with the knowledge of social relationships from his previous life.
Unfortunately, this was not the kind of medieval world he imagined.
This is the Age of Gods timeline in the Fate world.
In other words.
The world is now full of danger, and one man can kill thousands of soldiers.
Those heroes famous in all regions are showing off their feats, showing ordinary people what it means to be a darling of the times.
His thoughts were interrupted.
“No, I'm not a heretic, you can't do this to me!”
The man with the noose around his head seemed to be breaking down and couldn't accept reality. He struggled frantically.
Beneath him was a wooden board that could be opened at any moment. The experienced executioner could ensure that he would break his spine in the first instance, making it easier to send him to heaven peacefully.
Even the bystanders around were quite calm at the sight.
For those living in the end of a dynasty, the suffering of others may be a source of motivation to live.
Especially since this was the first time most people had seen heresy deterrence carried out in the name of God.
“No, no, I have an indulgence! My sins can be forgiven! You can't do this to me! You are the heretic! You are defying the will of the Church!”
The indulgence he had just abandoned now seemed like a lifeline.
The man knelt on the ground and roared continuously.
Ning Cuo curled his lips, walked over, and kicked the railing next to him.
The gears turned rapidly. Before the man could react.
The enormous force of inertia caused his body to plummet vertically. In an instant, his entire throat was torn open.
His vocal cords naturally couldn't vibrate anymore, but his eyes were fixed on Ning Cuo.
As if silently cursing him.
It wasn't until his body fell to the ground with a thud, his head separated, and blood flowed like a river.
Ning Cuo closed his eyes devoutly and made a cross.
There was no movement in his heart.
Because a bunch of text appeared on the panel in front of him.
【Mount & Blade System】
【Daily Task: Intimidation Complete】
【Reward Issued: 20 Hegemony Points, 20 Renown】
【Main Quest in Progress: Gain the highest power of the "Church" in the current era, etch your beliefs in history, and become a Heroic Spirit】
【Personal Information】
【Name: Ning Cuo】
【Position: Church Missionary in Northwest Rome】
【Faction Members: None】
【Hegemony Points: 20】
【Renown: 20】
This system is the Mount & Blade game Ning Cuo played while lying in bed, transformed into a system, which can be considered a cheat, although barely.
Its function is quite simple and brutal, you can get Hegemony Points and Renown through tasks.
These can be converted or directly exchanged for some resources in the system mall.
However, it was already quite difficult for Ning Cuo to get a position in the Church during this period.
If it weren't for the fact that today's daily task was simple, not like the previous ones where you had to assassinate royal ministers, it would be difficult for him to get started.