In the Western world, the church's exorcism ritual was quite straightforward. It involved reciting the demon's true name and related information, exposing it in this world, and achieving a certain level of positioning.
This process was akin to precisely pinpointing the demon, allowing the Almighty God to notice the disturbance.
Then, God would enhance the power within the priest performing the exorcism, amplifying the strength of the recited scriptures, enabling the priest to successfully exorcise the demon.
In this final step, with God's attention, the priest conducting the exorcism would become practically invincible in a certain sense.
"Bael, Baalberith! Evil god! You are an evil demon. Through the power of the Almighty Lord and the hand of Jesus Christ, you and your legion shall be destroyed and cast into the abyss, never to rise again!
Therefore, you must submit to God and resist the devil, and the devil will flee from you. Baalberith, I command you! In the name of the Almighty God, leave this world immediately!!"
York slammed his hand towards Diego, who was staring at him, and in the next moment, Diego's body turned into molten rock and disintegrated into nothingness.
The incarnation of Baalberith that had possessed Diego instantly dissipated without a trace, leaving no residual presence.
"It's over," York exhaled, feeling the sensation within him and sighed.
Diego and the devout believer Lady Mehliban couldn't be saved. When Baalberith succeeded in possession, reaching the final stage, their souls were already controlled by Baalberith.
This meant they had become slaves to Baalberith, unable to ascend to heaven due to the influence.
With York's words, the holy domain that had enveloped the world vanished, returning to its original state. The missing house stood as evidence of what had transpired, along with the accumulated ashes on the ground, proving the reality of the demonic horde from hell.
"Father?" John Wick, who had been watching quietly, called out softly, looking at York's broad back.
"Are you alright?"
Hearing this, York shook his head and began walking back towards the undisturbed car.
"Let's go, John. Next, we prepare to counterattack hell. We can't let those disgusting demons come up here, snatching the souls of our comrades and devout believers without consequences."
York's words left John Wick wide-eyed and bewildered.
"From now on, we need to show them we are not to be trifled with. They can come up and possess, but they can't take our comrades' souls! Those souls do not belong to them.
We must make those demons who come and go as they please understand that there will be a price to pay for their actions!"
Listening to this, John Wick, following his bishop, felt an inexplicable excitement.
This familiar excitement reminded John Wick of the thrill he felt during his killer days when completing a major task.
"Yes, Bishop!" John Wick responded loudly.
York opened the car door, a smile forming as he sat inside.
This time, he indeed planned something big. However, preparing for a counterattack in hell would take time. For now, preparations were necessary.
He intended to start with the Norwegian Diocese, using the numerous weapons Hilly had developed. Through the church's sealed spatial nodes, they would forcibly invade hell.
The potential consequences weren't his concern; those were for God to bear. Although demons could also invade the human world, it was much more challenging for them, heavily restricted.
The higher the demon's level, the greater the pressure they faced.
This pressure wasn't something a mere demon god could handle alone.
Otherwise, given hell's power, the human world would have perished long ago, despite advanced technological weapons. Possession and mental erosion could easily solve things. One might be infected before pressing the button.
At worst, God would intervene. York refused to believe that God wouldn't act.
Of course, preparations had to be thorough. This time, York would lead a small group into hell, testing the waters.
If successful, and with Hilly developing even more powerful holy bombs, York would bring the entire Norwegian Diocese, combining forces with the government, to launch a full-scale counterattack in hell, making those demons pay dearly!
Feeling the car's motion and sensing John Wick's excitement, York reminisced about his past.
"After all, it's not the first time," he murmured to himself.
Back in Flom, York issued several commands.
He instructed Hilly to start developing a large number of exorcism weapons, with the greatest possible power. He had full access to resources and support from John Wick, Hannah, and Alesha.
He then took Erin to Oslo, the capital of Norway and the oldest city on the Scandinavian Peninsula, to meet with the retiring Bishop Giorgi at Oslo Cathedral.
York moved swiftly. After making the necessary arrangements in Flom, he took the church's private jet to Oslo.
Within a day, he arrived at Oslo Cathedral.
Surrounded by numerous clergy, he headed towards the cathedral.
At the entrance, York paused to look at the Oslo Cathedral, the center of the Norwegian Diocese and the office of the Archbishop.
This might be his future office.
Using his expanding vision, York assessed the scale of Oslo Cathedral.
The cathedral was vast, its grounds extending beyond his vision's range.
As the administrative center for the diocese and the archbishop's office, it was grand and majestic.
The front doors bore intricate carvings, symbolizing the church's sanctity and authority.
Tall spires flanked the building, with dazzling gems at their peaks, shining in the sunlight.
The walls featured stained glass windows, casting colorful light inside, creating a mysterious and sacred atmosphere.
The clergy inside outnumbered the tourists who had gained entry.
The holy power within the cathedral was palpable, with intricate formations visible to York.
At the entrance, York saw Bishop Giorgi's assistant, Father Cameron, bowing slightly with a serious expression.
"Bishop York, Bishop Giorgi is waiting for you in his office," he said solemnly.
York nodded, knowing that the urgency of the situation had spread across the Norwegian Diocese and possibly reached the Vatican.
Although they didn't know his exact plans, it was clear something significant was happening.
Bishop Giorgi, now retired and ready to enjoy his life, was likely waiting for him, wondering about his intentions.
"Lead the way," York said calmly.
"Yes, Bishop York!" Father Cameron maintained his posture, leading the way.
York followed, flanked by curious tourists and numerous clergy, making their way to the Archbishop's office building.
The Archbishop's office wasn't in the main cathedral building but in a separate, standalone structure.
This building had its private chapels and was not open to tourists.
Guided by Father Cameron, York arrived at Bishop Giorgi's office, entering the large doors guarded by two robust monks, each exuding significant holy power.
These monks were clearly captain-level, far stronger than the monks accompanying York.
In York's mind, Hilly's research prowess became a unit of measurement as he considered these monks' strength.
"Bishop York!"
Acknowledging their respectful bows, York glanced back at Erin and the other clergy, as well as Father Cameron, and said calmly, "Wait here."
"Yes, Bishop York!" they responded respectfully.
York nodded, and the monks at the door opened it, allowing him to enter Bishop Giorgi's office.
Inside, the office was luxurious, reflecting the personal taste of its occupant, Bishop Giorgi.
The room was spacious and elegant, filled with books and documents.
A large map on the wall marked the diocese's boundaries and important locations.
A beautifully crafted pipe organ suggested that Bishop Giorgi enjoyed listening to music.
York's attention shifted to the center of the room, where Bishop Giorgi sat on a sofa, looking at him. As their eyes met, Bishop Giorgi frowned and spoke.
"York, why are all the clergy in the Sognefjord area gathering in Flom? What are you planning?"
York smiled and replied, causing Bishop Giorgi to be momentarily confused before bursting into laughter.
"I want to counterattack hell and bring back the souls of Father Diego and the devout Lady Mehliban. They deserve to return to the Lord's embrace."
Bishop Giorgi's initial confusion turned into hearty laughter.
"Haha!"
He pointed at York, laughing so hard that tears came to his eyes.
"You really are..."
His words trailed off, almost out of breath. York approached and used his calming power to steady the old bishop's breathing, then sat on the sofa opposite him, finishing the water on the table.
"Ah," Bishop Giorgi exhaled, his eyes gleaming as he looked at the young bishop.
"I finally understand why you had McMillan's genius son continue his research. You had this plan all along? When I first heard about it, I thought it was a ridiculous joke."
He continued, "It seems that Hilly's research has been successful?"
York nodded. "So, Bishop Giorgi, will you try to stop me?"
Bishop Giorgi smiled and gestured to a document on the table. "I am retired, York. You are now the head of the Norwegian Diocese. I can't stop you."
York picked up the document, reading the orders from the Holy See allowing Bishop Giorgi's retirement and his succession as head of the Norwegian Diocese.
"Except for the Pope, no one can interfere with your plans for the diocese," Bishop Giorgi said, smiling as he took a sip of water.
"The fate of the Norwegian Diocese is now in your hands."
"Excellent," York replied, placing the document back in its folder.
"It seems I now have the authority to access the sealed spatial nodes of the diocese."
Bishop Giorgi said nothing, simply watching York.
York understood his gaze and reassured him,
"Don't worry. I won't act rashly. This time, I'll only take a few people to explore."
Hearing this, Bishop Giorgi breathed a sigh of relief. Though he supported York's ambitions, risking the entire diocese on a test mission was too much. He feared the consequences could affect the whole world.
"York, if you pursue this, you can't avoid the Vatican," Bishop Giorgi reminded him.
"I know. Before that, I will visit the headquarters and speak with the Pope."
York stood, holding the document folder, and bowed to Bishop Giorgi.
"Thank you for your support, Bishop Giorgi!"
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