NOVEL NEXT Chapter 603
<603 – Delicious Linked Quest (27)>
Titosso peeked out from behind the curtain, his face serious as he watched the religious and political heavyweights gathered. He felt so intimidated that he couldn’t muster a single word.
Hiiing~ I don’t think this is my place… I want to tell Oknodie I can’t do it right now.
“Stop being silly. Do you think the people here came to see you? They’re probably super annoyed. If you screw up, poor Nepher-tem will look like a joke compared to the disaster awaiting you!”
Uwaaaah! I hate Yufi!
“Titosso, consider my position too. Just look at how scared he is. If I’m trembling, you can imagine how he feels.”
Despite desperately trying to act nonchalant, Nepher-tem’s legs were shaking like they were getting a massage, making it hard for her to even make eye contact.
“I truly can’t even speak…”
Even Yufi, who usually acted tough, was tense watching the situation where the saints visiting them had one dying, another losing their holy powers and becoming a wreck, while only one barely survived to get interrogated.
Honestly, this was a situation that could not be seen positively, not even as a compliment.
If the church that lost the saints turned their wrath on the three saints attending the ceremony, their lives would be like a lantern in the wind, ready to be extinguished.
“Please try not to be too tense. Since this gathering has so many high-ranking officials, it might be overwhelming for students, so our Academy is helping with the ceremony execution.”
Fortunately, considering their unfortunate position, the Academy provided support for the poor saint students.
“Fortunately, you won’t gather as many pitiful stares as you might think. A rather special guest has come to distract everyone’s attention.”
The current Empress Masugaki, who returned to her alma mater and was clearly excited, silenced all the border powers whispering among themselves.
The former Emperor, now referred to as Seonhwang, was an individual that everyone in the Empire, the border regions, and even within the church factions was watching, filled with tension.
“Aren’t you bold to show your face in front of us?”
However, there are always those in the world who can withstand pressure and commit acts that everyone merely fantasizes about, embodying a bravery that can be envied.
If there was a candidate for the title of today’s bravest, it was none other than King Yorzep Honeyblood of the Doich Kingdom.
“Your cruel grain plundering policies have forced the citizens of Doich Kingdom to always endure hunger. Every nation present here has suffered the same! The many deaths around the world stem from your blunders, and do you think after stepping down from the imperial throne, we’ll bow our heads to you quietly?”
The three saints hidden behind the curtain were taken aback, but the King of Doich boldly exposed Seonhwang’s misdeeds.
What if the furious Seonhwang retaliated with force, and then the Principal stepped in, leading to a legendary duel? The aftermath would surely be catastrophic.
With the shockwaves of such a clash, the Academy could be razed, and the three saints could end up trapped in collapsing buildings, waiting for rescue while sobbing, Hiiing~.
“It’s trivial.”
Trivial…? Are you saying those many deaths are trivial to you? Say it again, Hiuqmag!
“Before my family ascended the imperial throne, wars broke out every year on the continent, and the era of chaos was rampant.”
Hiuqmag didn’t seem the least bit ashamed, nor was he desperate to defend himself against allegations of past wrongs.
He was like a father attending his daughter’s art recital.
A person who has any pride cannot show their face in such places, as their very existence becomes a shame and obstruction to their child’s path.
He confidently revealed the source of his pride in not being such a pathetic papa.
“Every year, millions of humans died at the hands of their fellow humans. Deaths and diseases, despair ran rampant in those inhumane times. Humanity was forced to kill and be killed by its own kind to escape numerous foes.”
“I brought about humanity’s era by eradicating the long-standing mythical terrors and remnants of the old age scattered across the continent.”
“The Empire has rejuvenated, and the border regions can no longer defy the order led by the Empire.”
King Yorzep raised his voice.
“What do your ancestor’s deeds have to do with you? You are merely a cruel murderer tarnishing their names!”
“If you think that way, you are mistaken. Having left the Empire, I now have no reason to guard its secrets. This is a rare opportunity; let me enlighten you.”
“…?”
“Choi-e Choi Hiuqmag. Uonjo Hiuqmag. Real Hiuqmag. Tito Hiuqmag. Each Hiuqmag who served as Emperor for several decades or over a hundred years was all me.”
“?!”
“The history of Hiuqmag can indeed be said to be my history—except for my foolish son and my fairly decent daughter.”
The Emperor who served for hundreds of years and repeated his office brought life to the urban legend regarding Hiuqmag’s conspiracy.
Everyone attending the saint ceremony was utterly taken aback, even King Yorzep was so stunned that he couldn’t find his voice.
Seonhwang looked down at him and said.
“By ending the era where millions died and maintaining the world’s order and stability at the cost of a million sacrifices, if that’s a sin, I gladly embraced being a sinner for the world. So if you want to blame me, feel free. But, be prepared for the consequences.”
“I’m not afraid of the vengeance of a dethroned Emperor!”
“Vengeance? That could be one way to look at it. However, the revenge you shall receive won’t be from a war with me, but from history itself. The punishment that will haunt you will be far worse than what any foolish king, tyrant calling for a million sacrifices can inflict upon you.”
Indeed, the times of war said to have existed hundreds of years ago had claimed countless lives.
“The fact that you claim to have ended that era doesn’t erase the truth that you plundered the continent’s grain and plunged the world into chaos! You are the nightmare of this age. While the Three Great Evils are among us, you are the true enemy!”
The extreme nature of this attempted suicide made one wonder if it was an act of art, stirring among the monarchs.
As the dramatic silence lingered, Seonhwang let out a small chuckle.
“Do you think I’m nothing without the Empire? Has your false courage made you bold enough to confront me?”
“Of course. Losing a territory automatically weakens a noble. A ruler who loses territory is no exception. Especially an Emperor! You are no longer the fearsome Emperor once revered by the world!”
The Emperor, a figure marked by both achievements and blunders, stared back indifferently.
“Then why are you merely flapping your gums? I have not run away. Am I not standing right in front of you? If you want to judge me, then go ahead.”
Absurd boldness could truly elicit admiration.
He had committed many sins, yet no one could deliver judgement upon him.
Is he really someone weakened?
He’s left the Empire but seems more intimidating than before?
There’s something inhuman about the current Emperor. Did we perhaps liberate him from the chains of the Empire, making him even more terrifying?
A creeping sense of anxiety and fear arose.
The mood shifted as the church faction stepped forward.
“Humans are beings ruled by the logic of power. There’s no way humanity can judge you, but the heavenly gods can.”
Hoo. Are you perhaps a disciple of the Pre-existing Immanuel?
“The holy mother Immanuel will raise the hand of one whose guiding principles do not contradict universal principles. The mother of humanity, wishing to preserve existence, will gladly accept you as a heretic.”
At this moment, the Pope boldly declared the possibility of applying a Heresy Declaration and imposing enduring penalties on Seonhwang!
In an atmosphere that appeared to be spiraling toward chaos into a parental fight instead of a saint ceremony, Titosso, trying to escape, was seized by Yufi, who called him a coward, while Nepher-tem, bathed in blinding light from the Light Stand, screamed as pandemonium ensued.
“…”
Amidst the noisy turbulence behind the curtain, Hiuqmag bravely stretched his arms wide as if to announce himself.
“Do whatever you wish. If you fear divine judgement, I never claimed to be an emperor.”
The Pope did not hesitate.
“Oh holy mother Immanuel, your long-time servant faces an enemy of the church. For the sake of my devoted heart, I beseech you for a Heresy Declaration!”
Every Pope gripped their hands tightly in prayer.
All the monarchs glared at the Emperor with curses in their hearts.
Every high-ranking cleric, high-ranking official, and high noble present wished for the downfall of Seonhwang and divine retribution.
[The Benevolent Deity Immanuel is in deep distress.]
[Judgement is in progress.]
Holy Radiance began to surround the Emperor, starting to assess his status as a heretic.
[The God of Death uncovers the Emperor’s transgressions.]
[Benevolent Deities remind not to forget the Empire’s long-standing monotheism.]
[Numerous commoners across the continent send prayers lamenting Seonhwang’s tyranny.]
Immanuel’s holy image hovering in the air twisted in fury.
As a sword gradually descended towards the Emperor’s head…
[One god reminds that the Dark Princess’s papa is the Emperor.]
[Another god warns not to forget the future evaded due to the Dark Princess’s existence.]
The descending sword halted.
[One god leaks the Dark Princess’s End of Nightmare testimony.]
[Another god sneakily put away the Dark Princess’s Sleepwalking Image.]
[Yet another god shows the Dark Princess’s Pitiful Image Eating Stones, evoking sympathy.]
The sword slowly began to rise instead.
The magnificent visage that had appeared with flair ascended back to the heavens and scattered along with the light, and the Pope fell to his knees, spitting blood.
Heresy Declaration
[This declaration against this existence is a non-exempt prayer that violates the universal principles.]
[The holy power you dedicated to your prayer is nullified.]
[The Benevolent Deity Immanuel revokes your Papacy.]
With this divine punishment, Hiuqmag was recognized as innocent by the very god who should have imposed penalties!
Before the stunned crowd, the proud Seonhwang opened his mouth.
“Even the gods recognize my innocence, so I suppose it’s time to watch my adopted daughter’s little performance. If you have grievances, the name of Immanuel will not grant you forgiveness.”
The individual who lost his holy power and his papal status made a comment fueled by rage he couldn’t contain, collapsing in the process.