For most of the attendees, the destruction caused by Apollo and the Realm of God didn't directly affect their interests. Some organizations that didn't have a good relationship with NATO wouldn't mind Apollo destroying a few more NATO military bases or messing up the European Union by killing some Western politicians.
Therefore, when Fodessa proposed an alliance against terrorism, most of the attendees chose to remain silent.
Clad in a military uniform, Fodessa squinted his eyes and cursed in his heart. However, he knew that the attendees wouldn't take the initiative to stand out. Thus, Fodessa cleared his throat and said slowly, "We, France, believe that the Realm of God is a mysterious and powerful terrorist organization. It isn't something that can be done by just one organization. Therefore, we are eager to find an ally.
"To be honest, France's special forces training is far inferior to many of our friends and organizations here. However, as the first country to be threatened, we definitely need a strong counterattack.
"In order to gain a strong ally, our higher-ups have decided to use the legendary artifact, the 'Sword of Thanatos', as the price. "If everyone here is willing to be the main force of this anti-terrorism operation and assist us in the safety of the Seventh Division, the Sword of Thanatos will belong to no one else."
After Fodessa finished speaking, whispers broke out in the hall.
Everyone understood that although France wasn't as powerful as many of the organizations here, it was impossible for them to forcefully take the sword. It wasn't that France wasn't easy to deal with, but the other organizations would target the sword snatching organization as a target to be eliminated — because it wasn't morally stable.
No one would be foolish enough to stand out, even if they knew that France couldn't protect the 'Sword of Thanatos'. The best move of the French Security Bureau's meeting this time was to let all the large organizations and important countries know that the sword was in their hands. In a sense, when everyone knew, no one dared to take it by force.
Therefore, having a legitimate opportunity to obtain a Divine Artifact was more precious than anything else.
While France provided this opportunity, its own interests would also be protected.
If anyone only wanted the sword and did not care about France's survival, it would give the other organizations a chance to criticize them. Therefore, if anyone really wanted the Sword of Thanatos, they would have to be strong enough to protect France.
In this way, among the organizations present, some of the organizations that were not competitive had already lost hope. They could only wait for the first-rate organizations to come forward and compete.
"I have a question," a white-haired man in a blue shirt sitting in the first row raised his hand lazily and spoke in broken English. He was the general of Takamagahara, Nurarihyon, who had caused trouble for Yang Cheng previously.
The sudden shout perfectly drowned out the chaotic whispers below.
Fodessa made a 'please' gesture. "Mr. Nurarihyon from Takamagahara, please speak."
At this time, the katana in Nurarihyon's hand was used as a tickle, rubbing against Nurarihyon's back.
With a yawn, Nurarihyon asked, "I'm very curious. Where did you get the Sword of Thanatos? Besides, you keep saying that you want us to cooperate with you, but we haven't even confirmed whether the sword is real or fake. What's the point? "
After Nurarihyon finished speaking, many of the leaders of the organizations expressed their doubts in agreement, requesting to see the Sword of Thanatos first before proceeding to the next segment.
Fodessa replied, "I only recently learned about the origin of this artifact from our director, Mr. Depney. Previously, it was discovered by the shipwreck salvage team. After appraisal, they found that the sword was not an ordinary antique, so it was handed over to the Seventh Bureau. We have sent a photo of the sword to the Vatican, the Dark Parliament, and the British Sword in the Stone. Everyone knew very well that these three organizations had the longest history and the most abundant ancient documents. We only announced this news after we received a positive answer from them. "
As he spoke, Fodessa gestured to the Vatican, the Sword in the Stone, and the others who were seated below the stage. "Cardinal Cruyff of the Vatican is here today. Storm Lola of the Sword in the Stone has also brought her elites. Prince Sargeras of the Dark Parliament is also here. If you don't believe me, they can testify that this sword matches the appearance of the Sword of Thanatos described in the ancient documents. "
Sitting in the middle of the front row was Cruyff, who had gray hair and a kind face. He had a funny onion nose and wore a red bishop's robe. He nodded with a smile.
Lola and the rest of the Sword in the Stone didn't show any reaction, but it could be considered as tacit approval. As for Sargeras, he was smiling like a gentleman as usual.
Everyone started whispering to each other. Fodessa's words were quite credible. After all, everyone knew that the Vatican and the Dark Parliament were arch-enemies. The Sword in the Stone was England's trump card secret organization, which was across the sea from France. Their relationship with France was extremely delicate. Since they had come to a consensus, there was no doubt that it was fake.
"Of course, to show our sincerity on the French side, I will first let everyone see the Sword of Thanatos that we are keeping." Fodessa smiled and nodded to his adjutant, Bolton, who was standing behind him.
Fatty Bolton understood and directed a few special forces soldiers behind the podium to open a steel door behind the podium.
Under everyone's gaze, a brightly lit passageway appeared behind the podium. Four soldiers who had gone to retrieve the sword ran in quickly.
This kind of interconnected design was everywhere in the base. It was very convenient for different regions to mobilize different troops and resources. It could also rapidly control the base's passageway and apprehend the enemy in case of an invasion.
Many people in the venue were filled with anticipation. After all, most organizations didn't have a clear understanding of the deeds of the gods, and the concept of a divine weapon was unreal to them.
Among the group of people waiting, Cardinal Cruyff of the Vatican subconsciously glanced at Sargeras, who was sitting upright not far away.
The two representatives, one in the light and one in the dark, smiled and nodded to each other in a friendly and mysterious manner.
Just as everyone was filled with anticipation, suddenly, a dull explosion came from the passageway behind the podium!
Boom boom … Bang …
Everyone present was shocked. They immediately looked at the brightly lit passageway, but didn't know what had happened.
Fodessa, who was on the podium, was the most panicked. He thought that everything would go smoothly. Did something happen after all?!
"Damn it, someone must be trying to steal the divine weapon when no one is watching!" Someone shouted from somewhere.
"Everyone, rush in! This is too despicable! "
"Go stop him!"
Almost all of the two hundred or so people had unique skills that were different from ordinary people. Those who could attend the secret meeting were all elites of their respective organizations. They were usually proud and arrogant. Now that they had come to see a divine weapon, it was snatched away before they could even see it. It was as if they were being toyed with. How could they tolerate it?
In the blink of an eye, dozens of figures rushed into the passageway behind the podium. Their speed was so fast that they didn't seem human at all.
Fodessa was stunned. If it weren't for the special forces soldiers, Bolton, and the other attendants pulling him to a corner, he would have been trampled on by them!
"It's over … What the hell is going on?!" Fodessa yelled furiously.
Of course, there were some who didn't rush into the passageway. For example, the Vatican, the Sword in the Stone, Takamagahara, and the Jaguar, who were the leaders, didn't leave.
When there were only dozens of people left, the onion-nosed Archbishop Cruyff suddenly stood up and smiled calmly at Prince Sargeras, who was sitting leisurely opposite him. He said, "Prince Sargeras, do you still remember me?"
Sargeras frowned. "Hmph … I haven't been active in the Vatican for almost a century. Those I know are probably long dead."
"But I know you." Cruyff smiled. "When I was a ten-year-old child, I met you once with my priest. More than ninety years have passed, and you're still the same. I, on the other hand, am even older than my priest. "
Sargeras revealed a look of realization. He smiled and asked, "What are you trying to say, child?"
The old Archbishop Cruyff, who was over a hundred years old, being called a 'child' made the others feel awkward. But considering Prince Sargeras's age, it wasn't wrong at all.
"My priest is the previous Cardinal of the German district, Belsard," Cruyff said with narrowed eyes.
Sargeras was taken aback. He pondered for a moment, then nodded. "So it's him. Ah … I remember now. Seems like you want to avenge your priest … Haha, the child of the cardinal I killed more than 90 years ago has become a cardinal again. Do you want to avenge me? It's not the first time in my long life, but I'm still very interested. "
Cruyff wasn't angry at Sargeras's mockery. He chuckled and said, "I'm already someone who's going to meet the Lord soon. Being able to fight a prince is the last thing I can do for the Vatican. But before that … there's a naughty lady here. Should we stop her? "
Cruyff's words puzzled everyone present. What 'Miss'? What 'steps'?
Yang Cheng, who was sitting at the back, raised his head and looked at the ceiling of the conference hall. He smiled but didn't say anything.
Suddenly, Archbishop Cruyff waved his hand. His red sleeves billowed, and a majestic aura caused his hair and beard to dance in the air. His entire body shone with a dazzling milky-white light!
"Holy Light!"
Cruyff shouted. A two-meter-wide platinum pillar of light shot up from beneath his feet!
The pillar of light was solid. When it touched the solid ceiling of the conference hall made of metal and concrete, it didn't stop at all. It completely shattered the material!
With an unstoppable momentum, the pillar of light pierced through the ceiling and broke through the darkness above the island!
"Ah!! Bastard Vatican!!! "
A feminine cry came from outside the ceiling, as if she had been frightened by something terrifying. Many people in the conference hall had an impression of that voice — wasn't that Sargeras's daughter, Lilith?!
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