It wasn't long before Ellis Cathedral opened its doors to welcome the congregation, and York finally met the experts from Argentina, led by Kaga Lian and A. Rogoff.
Unlike the serene demeanor of the Warren couple, these experts exuded an elite lawyer-like presence, seasoned by experience.
Each of them was articulate, and their words were not just idle talk; every sentence they uttered was logically founded and deliberate.
Importantly, and unexpectedly for York, these experts had managed to identify the dens of monsters through various police cases across Argentina.
This meant that, in their pursuit of understanding these creatures, the experts had truly committed to rigorous effort.
"We once believed that Earth was just one of many dimensions, and thought these monsters, like us humans, were merely inhabitants of different dimensions who normally did not interfere with each other," Kaga Lian respectfully explained to the young archbishop who managed the entire Argentine diocese and appeared far younger than his position suggested.
She would not underestimate him due to his age, having heard of his deeds through various channels.
What she had heard was nothing short of miraculous.
"But for some unknown reason, after a period of coexistence, these creatures suddenly became violent and started attacking humans, resulting in numerous incidents," Kaga Lian's tone turned somber as York stopped flipping through his documents and glanced at the well-maintained, distinguished old woman, saying indifferently.
"Monsters will always be monsters, no matter what. They are not our kind, nor are they inhabitants of our Earth."
He understood the sentiment, akin to the fable of the Farmer and the Viper or those who kindly nurtured cold-blooded animals.
These people only realized that not everything deserved such sacrifice after being harmed or betrayed.
Kaga Lian, slightly stunned, was about to respond when she felt a tug at her sleeve.
Turning, she saw A. Rogoff signaling her with a gentle shake of his head, bringing her back to her senses.
"Yes, you are right, Archbishop," Kaga Lian maintained her respectful demeanor in her reply.
York noted this interaction but was unconcerned, as he and these experts were not exactly on the same path and would likely have no further contact after this encounter.
However, he was grateful for the work they had done.
"This is what should be done," York stated as he stood up and sincerely thanked them.
"Thank you."
Kaga Lian, A. Rogoff, and the others smiled more brightly and waved their hands dismissively.
"It's no trouble at all, Archbishop. This is our duty. If our research can be of use to you, that would be wonderful."
York nodded slightly and handed over a map marked with monster dens and a document with addresses to Erin, then made a statement that caused the experts' expressions to stiffen.
"Tell the officials I need to borrow their military tonight."
With that, York smiled slightly, "Tonight is Christmas Eve. Let's offer the people of Argentina a night of peace by sacrificing these monsters."
"Yes, Archbishop."
Erin took the documents, nodded earnestly, and left the group.
"You might want to see the fireworks," York suggested to the experts, hinting at the upcoming military action. "You might even see the true faces of these monsters at the final moment."
Kaga Lian and A. Rogoff could only nod respectfully to the young archbishop.
As the experts departed, York shook his head and walked toward the deeper parts of Ellis Cathedral.
Deciding on a full-scale operation, with clergy leading and the Argentine military supporting to clear out the monsters, there was still one crucial step missing—the research findings from Xili.
He had brought back many special local products from another world.
Such as the power of holy stones, which could perform miracles in their native lands.
Although the real world had methods to harness the power of holy stones, the alchemical equipment that allowed ordinary people to utilize a small stone for great effects was quite special.
Because, if mass-produced, it could provide new strength to front-line scholars of the supernatural like the Warrens, Kaga Lian, and A. Rogoff.
This was his contribution to these people.
Their methods were too simple; if holy water, prayers, and firearms were ineffective, their only fate was death.
Thinking this, York, greeted by saluting knights, nodded and entered a room.
Inside, much like Father Mike's office, were shelves of bizarre items—a proper research lab.
He found Xili, unkept and excitedly assembling equipment on a large table, as if playing with a complex toy.
Hearing York's footsteps, Xili looked up excitedly, "Archbishop, come see this."
York smiled and approached, "How's the research? We need it tonight."
"Wait." Xili grinned, speeding up his assembly of small components into a coherent whole.
York, however, saw what looked to be a spotlight, akin to those used in concerts or other venues, essentially a large flashlight.
"What's this?" York asked, puzzled, not understanding the situation. While his intelligence was extraordinary, he hadn't focused on scientific studies but was more knowledgeable about monsters, demons, and fantastical items.
As Xili had marveled at the alchemical equipment and its use of light electromagnetic theory, concentrating on the particles emitted by the holy stones, York had interrupted his lengthy explanation, only wanting results.
"Done!" Xili announced, inserting a crystal-clear stone into the device and smiling, "Take another look."
York watched as Xili flipped a switch, allowing him to witness a beam of light that filled the entire lab, reaching every corner like a magic mirror.
Remembering Xili's mention of particles, York murmured, "If only we could see the particles, then no matter what, I could..."
His voice trailed off as Xili looked on, puzzled.
"Archbishop, what were you saying? Do you need me to explain the theory?"
"No need."
York smiled, "How powerful is this device?"
"First, it can locate hidden filth," Xili began, confirming its ability to detect demonic seeds within the corrupt and eradicate them in another world.
"Second, it burns the restrained filth when shone upon them," Xili continued, then paused, feeling somewhat speechless.
"Archbishop, aside from the first point, its effects seem no different from holy water."
"Who says so?" York chuckled.
"Finding hidden filth is enough, especially since the effect lasts as long as the holy stone's power isn't exhausted. This equipment can be used for as long as possible..."
Xili's expression brightened, and he nodded, "Indeed."
"Xili, you've done well this time. Scholars and mediums worldwide will thank you," York clapped Xili on the shoulder, acknowledging his work.
"I'll make sure the church acknowledges your contribution and tell Father Mike about your achievements."
Xili, slightly embarrassed, could only chuckle, realizing the significance of his work, though he knew the real credit belonged to York.
"Archbishop..."
Before Xili could finish, York had already moved on, heading further into the cathedral.
"Come, Xili, after we deal with the monsters tonight, we still have to hold the midnight Mass for Christmas Eve," York called back.
Xili, touched but smiling, turned off the holy stone spotlight and followed his archbishop.
"Okay, Archbishop, but is tonight really Christmas Eve? Another year has passed so quickly; I've aged another year."
"The older I get, the slower time seems to pass," York countered with a cough, catching Xili by surprise.
"Archbishop, you..."
York's laughter followed, "Hehe."
That day, the officials were cooperative.
Armed with heavy firepower, military squads were deployed to monster dens in towns and communities, also managing to evacuate the locals.
As the areas prepared for Christmas Eve, these places instead fell silent with a deadly seriousness.
With no one around, communities or villages set up heavy weaponry—tanks, rocket launchers, and even snipers were positioned at the outskirts.
Under such conditions, York, along with Erin, Xili, and a group of experts, quietly arrived at a certain community where a man named Blume lived.
In just one day, two people had died here.
One was a child, whose body was reportedly dug out from its grave and returned home step by step.
This confirmed the experts' findings: the monsters could control human bodies.
Besides the first victim, the second was Blume's neighbor Walter, who had been renovating his house at night.
Walter died at home in the afternoon, his arms and legs broken and stuffed into a small half-meter jar.
All this was discovered while evacuating the locals.
Everywhere had monsters, affirming the experts' accuracy in pinpointing their dens.
As the sun began to set, York gave a signal.
The clergy at the command post bowed and entered the command center.
Everywhere began to move.
Almost simultaneously, they activated Xili's researched holy stone spotlights.
"It's getting dark," York noted as he saw the sun sink.
His 3D map had already shown the lurking monsters.
They weren't merely hiding in another dimension as the experts suggested but were like unseen cockroaches in corners ignored or invisible to humans.
As A. Rogoff, the expert, had said, darkness and light coexist with monsters on Earth and in their dimensions—not invisible to humans, but hidden in blind spots out of human sight.
Cameras, which capture everything, could photograph these creatures.
"Though it's dark, it will be illuminated by light," Erin responded.
York smiled and agreed.
The next moment, the holy stone spotlights lit up, encompassing the entire community.
Every hidden corner was illuminated, revealing all lurking monsters.
Tall, thin ghostly figures, crawling humanoid creatures, and twisted limb-crawlers—various bizarre monsters emerged.
Their common feature was the bright red, gaping maws and a sudden surge of malevolent energy.
It was a shocking sight as every corner of the community revealed the presence of monsters.
As the holy stone spotlights hit them, their bodies ignited like burning flames, their dark matter fueling the fire, intensifying it to the point where some monsters were engulfed in flames several meters high.
Their shrieks filled the air as they started to charge towards the lights. Despite their initially swift movement, the influence of the holy stone spotlights slowed them down, gradually revealing their forms as they moved.
Though their momentum was frightening, the concerted rush of the creatures still posed a daunting spectacle. Kaga Lian, A. Rogoff, and the other experts were so terrified that they stepped back.
Only York remained expressionless, watching the advance. Erin and Xili, along with a group of monks, moved forward to form a protective circle around him.
"Fire!!!"
"Fire!!!"
At the panicked command of a military officer, the pre-deployed heavy weaponry roared to life.
The sounds of gunfire and explosions resounded, and the once peaceful community was destined to be leveled.
"So, in the end, they are merely flesh and blood," York observed as he watched a several-meter-tall monster, which had seemed almost invincible, being instantly obliterated by a tank shell. He shook his head.
"Let's go back."
He then turned to leave.
"We'll conduct the midnight Mass for the congregation and welcome the night of peace."
As long as they were carbon-based life forms, they stood no chance against a prepared military force.
"Yes!"
Erin and Xili exchanged a glance before following their archbishop.
Piu! Piu!
Bang!
At that moment, fireworks meant to cover the operation burst into the sky, creating a dazzling array of patterns and colors. The spectacular visuals were a feast for the eyes.
York continued walking, enjoying the view.
Behind him, the strange and bizarre monsters were being obliterated by the military's heavy firepower.
In front of him, the fireworks glowed brightly.
York looked at Erin and Xili, who had caught up to him, and reached into his pocket to pull out two apples.
"Christmas Eve, one for each."
Erin and Xili, a bit confused about their archbishop's intentions, accepted the apples subconsciously.
"Yes."
York smiled and then took another apple for himself, biting into it.
"Aren't you eating? Don't you eat apples on Christmas Eve?"
Erin and Xili exchanged a glance before taking a bite of their apples.
The apples were crisp and delicious.
"But... Archbishop, I usually don't eat..." Erin remembered to add.
Xili spoke up, "Me neither."
He cautiously asked, "Archbishop, do you always eat apples on Christmas Eve?"
"Yes," York responded automatically, but then something clicked, and he laughed lightly.
"This is a tradition from Huaxia, where 'ping' (apple) sounds like 'ping' (peace), so they call it 'peace fruit,' symbolizing a wish for safety and peace in the new year."
York watched the fireworks, took another bite of his apple, and explained,
"I like this tradition, so I always eat an apple in the church every Christmas Eve, hoping for peace in the coming year. But this time, it's different,"
Looking at the softened expressions in Erin and Xili's eyes, illuminated by the fireworks, York spoke warmly,
"This time, it includes you both. I hope you can stay safe while I'm in the rift, waiting for me to return..."
___________________
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