Chapter 516: Propaganda War

"All of them?" Sylvester was amazed, to say the least. "And how is your sister?"

At that, Gabriel smiled fondly. "She got married to the son of the Blacksmith Guild's chief. Apparently, they fell in love at some point in the past, and I only found out when they decided to marry. I've relocated them outside the Holy Land to Sand City."

"That was the right decision, Gab. I don't know how desperate Niel is and how far he may go in his pursuit to bring us down. Mum is...in Green City, and I want to quickly make my way there and defend the place." Sylvester seriously said, getting back to the important topic since time was of the essence.

Gab agreed, "Then you'll appreciate Bishop Lazark and Elyon being here."

"They're here?" Sylvester looked around. "I can use Bishop Lazark's abilities for something utterly important. I have a letter that needs to be delivered up north, beyond the Pentapeak mountain range."

"You mean... the undead lich?" Gab realized. Although he wasn't present during the events that unfolded in the north, he was aware of the Supreme Wizard Undead Emperor Lich residing there.

Thud!

"Lord Bard?!"

Just then, another voice called out his name, but Sylvester recognized it. He looked at the entrance, and as expected, it was his favorite necromancer, still clad in his oversized black robes and hood over his head. The little skeleton undead cat was also there, looking around cutely.

Sylvester went ahead and gave the man a hug. "Thank you for not losing faith, my friend."

Lazark returned the embrace, displaying a rare moment of emotion. "Welcome back, Lord Bard. I had been receiving word of a strange occurrence in the West for almost a year, but I never knew you were behind it."

"To be honest with you, I nearly died in Sandwall that day. But, by the blessing of Solis, who directly saved me and ushered me forward to continue my battle, I survived. No matter what happens, just know that Solis is with us—we stand on the right side of history." Sylvester reassured them, just in case they harbored any doubts.

After that, Sylvester looked past Bishop Lazark and noticed the Tiger Beastkin, Elyon. He respected the man a lot and trusted him more ever since Felix's kidnapping case.

So, he gave Elyon a hug as well. "You look great in that armor, Elyon."

"Thank you, Lord Bard." Elyon smiled, his voice as majestic as ever. "Mother Xavia gifted this to me a year ago."

'Of course, she would. To her, everyone close to me is like a child meant to be spoiled.' Sylvester chuckled in his heart and stepped back.

"Thank you for being here. Don't worry about the people. They will receive food and shelter from me. For now, our first priority is to secure Green City and make plans to take the Holy Land. Do we have any verified information about the enemy's strength?"

"We do," Gabriel uttered. "Niel has ten Cardinals by his side and nearly all of Holy Land, albeit unwillingly. After the departure of those who disagreed, the Holy Army's strength amounts to six million. Additionally, with the other wizards, staff, and more, their total strength reaches ten million. But we believe there are a few Counties and Baronies that will support the Church, potentially pushing their numbers beyond fifteen million in total."

"And they have been recruiting commoners for a year." Bishop Lazark added. "I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to lure in a few million commoners, desperate for money or just food."

Sylvester sighed and took a seat at the side. He looked at the Priests toiling at desks and smelled their doubts. "Leave us...We have matters to discuss."

Gabriel nodded and swiftly sent them away, knowing that any one of them could be a spy or simply blackmailed to be one. "What are you thinking, Max? What's the plan?"

Sylvester thought about it for a while. "There are only five million Inquisitors at best, and if we combined the forces of Gracia and the Highland Kingdom, we might reach a total of fifteen million. But we can't risk that since Riveria might attack Highland and Gracia when they're distracted. So I need to at least send the Highland Kingdom to subdue Riveria first—that brings our number to almost ten million. Sure, we may have eleven Grand Wizards on our side, but the Holy Land possesses a significantly greater number of Masters and Arch Wizards."

"We're greatly outnumbered," Aurora interjected. "The Holy Land also possesses a remarkable Navy."

Sylvester was already aware of that. "Then we have to start with information warfare. The realm is yet to learn of my return. The many soldiers and Clergymen in the Holy Land serve Niel solely because they know no better. Once they learn that Lord's Bard is back, opposing Niel's despotic rise to power, doubts will rise, and cracks will appear within their ranks. Know one thing, the most important thing for us right now is public support. As long as we have the mandate of the people, we have the blessings of the heavens."

"But we can't win with that alone," Gabriel said. "How do you plan to weaken them?"

"By poaching soldiers and Clergymen from them. Let's establish a Church-In-Exile first and label the Holy Land as corrupt and under the sway of demons. Furthermore, years ago, I built a machine called a printing press. I'll have the Dwarves make it—with it, we shall generate propaganda posters at a rate of tens of thousands per hour. Bishop Lazark, I'll need you to create larger flying undead and use them to spread the posters around the realm. We shall use artwork instead of just words, so the illiterate can understand."

Sylvester knew he already had a lot of goodwill throughout the East Sol, and he just had to rekindle the memories to make them remember him.

But he didn't stop there. "We'll make special posters for those currently serving the Holy Land. Pressure them, make them question Niel, and give them instructions on where to go and how to serve the right side of history. Even if they refuse, it will weaken their morale.

"At the same time, block all supply lines to the Holy Land, destroy any way for them to stockpile food. Before we face each other on the battlefield, we must weaken their minds and bodies while we ourselves thrive in will and might."

Gabriel, Bishop Lazark, Elyon, Aurora, Soulbreaker, and Dagorith listened to him with great interest. For some, it offered a rare glimpse into Sylvester's mind, while others merely missed that aspect of him.

"I will also use other holy means to reach out to the people." He assured them, after all, Elder Magic was a pathway to abilities deemed impossible. "But we must not forget our first goal—protecting Green City."

"When do we leave?" Gabriel inquired.

"Tonight. So go and rest," Sylvester ordered, officially as the most senior Clergymen among them—a Saint as well as a Sanctum Council member, a Cardinal. His words held authority.

After the long discussion, they all retreated to their personal small tents to get some rest. Sylvester did the same, settling down with Miraj in his lap.

"Chonky, I will need you to do something for me. It's dangerous, but only you can do it." Sylvester looked the fluffy furball right in the eye. "How fast can you fly?"

Miraj resolutely stood on his hind legs. "I can go woosh! I'm very fast, Maxy. I flew over the Divine Desert in a single day searching for you."

"..."

Sylvester was taken aback. "That's...Indeed very fast. Alright then, listen closely. I want you to take special explosives I'll make and throw them over the weapons and food reserves in the Holy Land."

"That's it? It's easy peasy for me, Maxy!" Miraj thumbed his chest with a paw. "When do I go?"

"Tomorrow. It will create a great distraction for us to defend Green City and protect Mum."

Miraj was very emotional when it came to Xavia, so he was extra excited to do it. "Don't worry, Maxy. We'll protect Big Mum and squish her with a thousand, no a million...no infinite hugs!"

"Hah...we will." Sylvester caressed Miraj's head. "I'm going to close my eyes and try to speak with someone. You can sleep if you want to."

Taking a long, calming breath, Sylvester closed his eyes tightly. He became one with his surroundings, and his breath seemed so slow that one could mistake his body for dead. However, within his mind, there was chaos and unfiltered noise, for what he attempted to do was something he had never tried before.

What Sylvester was trying could be called the true Solarium Web. Previously, he only established a one-on-one connection, and in true essence, that was nowhere near a web. But the true Solarium Web was something that could spread all around and connect him to not just with one person, but with everyone within range.

He had never tried it before due to his lower Wizard rank, but now it was an entirely different thing. He was a Kingdom destroying threat against whom no Grand Wizard could stand.

'Alright...It's working. I hear the voices, but there are too many all at once...I have to filter them out, gradually silence them, and restrict the web to outgoing only.'

Sylvester focused slowly, cutting off some of the Solarium Connections and silencing the voices. Gradually, as they became increasingly scarce, he began to hear them clearly.

'Does Kiki love me?'

'I want candy.'

'Come back, dear...where are you?'

'Oh Solis, what sin have I committed?'

'Is eating someone already dead a sin?'

'May the Holy Light enlighten us—please bless my business, Solis.'

'Ah...Ah...Slow down...'

'Who is this new Pope? Never heard of him before...'

Sylvester finally silenced the last of the voices and was met with complete silence. However, he could sense that the connection still lingered, and now his voice could reach them. As for the range, he guessed it was reaching as far as Kinman City, the capital of Duchy of Normani, which he considered good already.

'Alright, Sylvester... you can do this.' He told himself. Starting with a whisper and gradually increasing the voice. At the same time, he ensured his voice carried weight and echoed magnificently.

♫Such disappointment, what became of the world I created.

Humans, elves, giants, dwarves, or dragons—are all related.

I gave free will and a heart full of love, yet it all was negated.

Pains my essence—this world loses to make me feel elated.♫

Sylvester then allowed a few voices to come back to him, so he could see if it worked.

'What? What was that...I feel so much warmth in my head...God?'

'Devil?'

'Am I going crazy? Who's talking?'

'Show yourself!'

'Oh, Solis...We have failed you...'

Sylvester nodded, confirming that it was working. So he continued with the message, ensuring they knew which side to follow.

♫Tiny humans make war to protect me—who built the world.

I am Light; I am Land; I am Solis—I hear all curses ever hurled.

Now sits a demon in my home, ruling as if a blessed man.

But regardless, Light shall defeat evil—never shall succeed his plan.♫

♫O' my children, hear my words of the blessed Light.

You killed my son once, but he still remains bright.

As he is eternal, his radiance is the supreme might.

Rise—time has come, light or dark, who shall you fight?♫

Thud!

The connection broke, and the minds of the people felt overwhelmed by the sudden heavenly experience.

Their knees went weak, and they fell to the ground. But, when they looked around themselves, just like them, they noticed many more.

It was evident to all that god had spoken, and this was an experience they could not ignore.

[A/N: See Elyon here]

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