Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism are all branches of Christianity. They can be considered the three major divisions of the faith. However, in China, people have grown accustomed to referring to Protestantism as Christianity.
All three branches believe in Yahweh as the one true God and Jesus Christ as the savior. They all believe in original sin and that Christ's death redeemed humanity's sins. They all take the Bible - both the Old and New Testaments - as their sacred scriptures.
Although Israel is the birthplace of the world's major religions - Judaism, Islam, and Christianity - the global center of Catholicism - the Vatican led by the Pope, where one-sixth of the world's population finds their faith - is located in Italy.
The Vatican is a landlocked city-state situated on a hill in the northwest corner of Rome, the Italian capital.
It is also the smallest country in the world in terms of both territory and population. Since it is completely surrounded by Italy, it is often called a "country within a country."
"Phoenix-nee, where are we going now?" Higokumaru looked at Phoenix standing before her. Phoenix was examining her gauntlets—the divine key known as the Grips of Tai Xuan.
"To Italy..."
Phoenix withdrew her hand and gazed ahead.
"Italy? Where's that? How do we get there?" Higokumaru fired off three questions in quick succession.
"Just follow me. Oh, Higokumaru..."
"Hm?"
"Do you want to take a plane?"
"A plane? That thing humans invented to fly through the sky? Why would we use that? It's slower than I can fly." Higokumaru had encountered planes before—during their flight from the desert to Israel, they'd crossed paths with several aircraft in the skies.
But for Phoenix and Higokumaru, such vehicles were too sluggish.
"Fine then! We'll fly directly! Let's go..." Phoenix took Higokumaru's hand. A pair of fiery wings materialized on her back. She spread her wings... and transformed into a crimson streak of light, shooting toward Italy.
In Vatican City, northwest of Rome, the capital of Italy, lay the heart of Christianity.
At that moment, a man dressed in resplendent robes sat in his study, a golden staff glowing in his hand as he rested his eyes.
He was none other than the Pope, Christianity's most venerated leader.
"You are... the representative of God in this realm?"
A voice devoid of emotion, yet carrying unfathomable depths, suddenly spoke. The Pope's eyes snapped open.
"Who dares?"
Though startled by the sudden voice, the Pope's years of authority showed as he maintained composure. His stern gaze swept the room, but found no intruder.
The Pope's shock grew. This was Christianity's sacred ground, its very heart. Yet... a voice had penetrated undetected. Moreover, the Pope wasn't merely a religious leader—he was also a powerful mage, the Church's chief practitioner of sacred arts.
"There's no need to search. I'm right here!"
The voice spoke again. The Pope's expression shifted completely as he realized he no longer stood in his study, but in a sacred square.
This was a realm of pure white, where every architectural detail radiated an aura of sacred beauty.
Angels with glistening wings soared through the air, some playfully chasing each other while others tended to blooming flowers with expressions of serene contentment.
The scene resembled the legendary paradise, untouched by worldly cares.
"I am here."
As the pope surveyed his surroundings, that unfathomable voice resonated from above. His Holiness immediately looked upward.
There, suspended in the golden light, stood a throne radiating divine splendor. Behind it loomed twin golden crosses, their power seemingly capable of suppressing all creation. Twelve ethereal female angels encircled the throne, each wielding a white cross sword and fluttering their sacred wings.
A moment later, an Eastern woman dressed in peculiar traditional attire materialized before the throne. Clutching the Flame Cross Angel Sword, she ascended with regal poise. A little fox with blazing fur leaped onto her shoulder, its flames dancing in perfect harmony with the celestial scene.
At that moment, the Eastern woman finally lowered her head to gaze at the Pope below with an impassive expression.
Her aura radiated such overwhelming superiority that none dared meet her gaze, as if doing so would be a grave sacrilege.
Even as the supreme leader of the Church, the Pope found himself unable to look directly at the woman above him, forced to keep his eyes downcast.
As he experienced this world that seemed like heaven itself, along with the angels, blazing cross swords, and golden crosses, he sensed their divine power—a force too profound for mortal minds to comprehend. The Pope had already guessed the truth.
If it wasn't his own god descending, then it could only be...
But given the Eastern woman's appearance, she might be a deity from the Bible.
No, she could only be... the Demon Lord standing at the pinnacle of humanity—the Campione!
"King..." The Pope couldn't help but murmur the single word.
A new king, one who had slain the gods of Christianity and seized their divine authority—a true sovereign.
"You should know what place this is, shouldn't you? This is... Arapa's Seventh Heaven!"
The Eastern woman, resembling a queen, floated the blazing cross sword before her. She picked up the little fox on her shoulder without glancing at the Pope below. With calm certainty, she declared:
"What? The Seventh Heaven of Arapa... the realm governed by the Archangel, the God-like being standing beside the Lord!"
Hearing the voice of this new ruler, the Pope couldn't help but be utterly astounded!
The Archangel Michael held a position in the Lord's court nearly equal to that of the Son of God. It was clear... the Campione before him had slain the Archangel Michael and obtained his authority.
"It seems I needn't say more. This sword... is the Sword of Justice from Michael's hand!"
The Eastern woman once again grasped the blazing cross sword before her.
"That is... the sword that defeated Satan and punishes heretics..." As the Pope of Christianity, how could he not recognize the sword's authority wielded by the Archangel Michael?
The Pope cast a deep look at the Phoenix above him. As the leader of the Church with the most followers in this world, he was unaware of when this seventh Campione had been born.
It must have been within the last couple of days, he thought. Otherwise, there would have been reports.