Although Rome had already become a chaotic mess.
The situation was worse than they had imagined.
In addition to the Germanic tribes and barbarians, all surrounding nations and forces had joined the fray.
All of them were vying to carve up this piece of fat.
Saint Peter was keeping Nero completely occupied.
He hadn't shown his face until now.
Billions of enemies surrounded Rome, and any scale of warfare occurring in any area would definitely not surprise anyone.
Coincidentally, however.
The Summer Palace region, the Catholic headquarters that had just experienced war, was strangely calm.
Although he had received the news relayed by Toler at the first instance.
After some deliberation.
Ning Cuo did not immediately send troops.
Instead, he ordered those confused bishops to gather all the Catholic forces they could still reach.
The reason was simple.
Although the world was in chaos, as the saying goes, "destruction paves the way for creation."
This perfectly aligned with Saint Peter's prophecy.
Ning Cuo would rebuild the divine kingdom on a field of ruins.
Therefore.
Ning Cuo planned to use this place as a starting point and unify all the surrounding towns and major forces.
He would build a stronghold that could provide him with a stable supply of resources.
Upon receiving the new Pope's command.
Within a short time, over half of the nearby knight families rushed over on horseback.
Those who hadn't arrived were obviously.
Most likely preparing to be fence-sitters.
This didn't surprise Ning Cuo at all.
He had only just ascended.
Plus, the entire world was in a state of upheaval.
In such a chaotic period.
Enough to bury many things.
Many people were still fishing in troubled waters.
For example, the once glorious Knights Templar could only serve as auxiliaries to other cavalry units.
After all, they had been crippled by the Demon Giant Warriors.
With Saint Peter's functional betrayal.
The former glory of God was now thrown into the trash.
That was the Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Committing such an act of treachery.
For Christianity, which had accumulated its reputation for a long time, it was definitely a huge blow.
He glanced at the people around him.
Those who hadn't come, Ning Cuo didn't have time to deal with them for now.
The goal now was clear.
He wanted to unify all those who were still willing to offer their allegiance.
To launch the Crusades of history.
After all, Nero was too proud.
Even if he subdued her with force.
Her status as an emperor would absolutely prevent her from lowering her head.
He had been racking his brains over how to handle this relationship.
But then this happened.
If the Roman Empire was already in ruins.
Then there would naturally be no Roman emperor.
Relying on the goodwill he had built up.
Ning Cuo was confident that he could take advantage of the situation and include her in his harem.
Yes, into his harem.
Come on, they're in this kind of world.
Wouldn't anyone give up those beautiful girls?
Before, he didn't have enough strength, so he could only lie low.
Now he was so strong.
Anyone who dared to say a word would have their head twisted off and kicked like a ball!
Luckily, John XII had stockpiled many troops in the surrounding area.
Plus, most of the bishops were willing to pledge their allegiance.
Don't look at these people being so docile now, like they're honest and kind.
It's definitely not because Ning Cuo has some kind of super strong personality charm.
It's really because his fists are just too painful.
Those bishops who are now bowing their heads have already started to miss John XII in their hearts.
After all, although she had always wanted to completely control the entire Catholic Church, she at least followed the rules.
With Ning Cuo in charge.
Anyone who dared to raise an objection would immediately be killed off under some pretext.
Sometimes they wouldn't even bother with a pretext.
He was incredibly ruthless.
In the words of this newly appointed Pope.
Bishops might be hard to find, but willing bishops are a dime a dozen.
Under the threat of death.
Everyone naturally behaved.
When Ning Cuo's gaze swept over everyone present.
He slowly spoke.
"Next, I need you to gather all the people under your command and form an army, of course, I won't deprive you of your command."
"But on the battlefield, you can only convey my will."
"I've finished speaking, who agrees, who disagrees?"
The scene was silent, but these people couldn't help but secretly weep in their hearts.
John XII, who was still in a coma, had previously tried similar actions.
But with the combined efforts of many people, it naturally ended in a rather miserable failure.
That's why she changed tactics and waited.
She had planned to wait until she was strong enough to completely control the entire Catholic Church and then take over Christianity.
She wanted to use this method to ensure that her will and beliefs could be fully spread.
Although the meaning was the same.
But Ning Cuo was much more direct and forceful.
He didn't show any sign of compromise or concession.
Although Ning Cuo appeared calm on the surface, he was very anxious inside.
He didn't have that much time.
Let alone when Alaya and Gaia would react.
Ning Cuo, who had become the God-era Lord, was deeply bound to this world.
And the population of this world was equivalent to its strength.
Too many deaths would make it harder to develop later on.
In the process of suppressing the rebellion under the banner of the Crusade.
The ultimate goal was to completely conquer this world.
All forces had to be transformed according to his will.
Therefore, Ning Cuo was well aware that his actions would attract countless enemies in the short term.
Even the Roman Empire, which might still be an ally, might fight him.
But it didn't matter.
Ning Cuo now had the confidence and strength to suppress any force that dared to resist.
Without too many casualties.
Kill all those who try to lead the resistance.
If anyone dares to resist again, kill their leader again.
Through this thousand-fold tempering process, eliminate impurities.
Those who remain will be absolutely loyal.
When he chose to become the God-era Lord.
He had no way out.
This world was already deeply bound to him.
Ning Cuo had to take complete control of it in the shortest possible time.
Only when there were absolutely no worries.
Only when there was absolute, pure loyalty.
Would this world not collapse at the first touch when it attacked other worlds.
So Ning Cuo had no intention of playing those childish games with those nobles who had been corrupted by power.
Disobedience! Kill them all!
Those who don't want to be commoners can choose to be slaves.
He swallowed.
The bishops and representatives of the knight families present looked at each other.
After hearing Ning Cuo's next plan.
Everyone felt their scalps tingle.
This was directly going to war with the entire world!
Even the Catholic Church in its heyday wouldn't dare.
Let alone the Catholic Church that had been beaten to a pulp.
Could this newly appointed Pope really think that they could eat the entire world with just these people?
However, Ning Cuo's previous actions made them unable to tell whether he was speaking sincerely.
Or if he was trying to test their obedience.
"Alright, you know what you need to know, I'm not reasoning with you, I'm giving you my orders!"
Ning Cuo snorted, seeing their hesitation, he continued.
"Don't you know what time it is?"
"Never mind the imminent disintegration of Rome."
"The former glory of Christianity is no more, if we don't show our attitude with a domineering stance now."
"Then the Catholic Church is truly finished! God is truly dead in the hearts of all people!"
"Are you willing to die for your faith but not willing to fight for it?"
The question from the soul made everyone realize the truth.
Looking at Ning Cuo's unwavering gaze and the incredibly strong belief radiating from him.
In those bright eyes, there seemed to be an unyielding flame burning fiercely.
No wonder he could be Pope!
He actually has such a determination!
Thinking of this, everyone no longer hesitated.
"I'm willing to serve you, Pope Ning Cuo!"
"The Knights Templar! We pledge our allegiance to you!"
"The Papal Knights..."
One representative of the knight families after another stood up.
One bishop after another prostrated themselves.
They expressed their loyalty to Ning Cuo with their own postures.
Under his speech and personal influence.
These people quickly abandoned their own prejudices and gains and losses.
After all, if Christianity fell.
Their fate would only be worse.
Seeing everyone's fighting spirit.
Ning Cuo finally nodded in satisfaction.
Although they were useless, they could still be reused.
He waved his hand and gave them another dose of chicken soup.
"Everyone, the most important thing now is to gather all the fighting force under your command."
"God is dead, but the light of God will not fall! We will rebuild the divine kingdom from the ruins!"
"God is dead! The divine kingdom shall be established!"
"God is dead! The divine kingdom shall be established!"
"God is dead! The divine kingdom shall be established!"
Watching those bishops and knight representatives with flushed faces roar loudly.
Ning Cuo's expression remained unchanged.
But he couldn't help but think to himself.
God's name really does work.
But since he doesn't believe in it anyway.
He naturally doesn't mind using his name to control everyone's loyalty.
After all, it's one religion against the whole world.
Tens of thousands of Catholic knights, plus the Batanian sworn brotherhood of a thousand warriors and those Demon Giant Warriors hidden in the shadows.
What they'll face next are billions of enemies from various countries and forces.
Although it's not certain that these people will unite.
But only if they all unite together would they have the possibility of swallowing the entire world.