NOVEL NEXT Chapter 165: Divine Punishment on the Land of Stars
"Then let us descend like soldiers from the heavens. Though I am not of this era, believe me—someday, we will meet again. For now, I must go to the Land of Stars. Will you come with me?"
Kaede extended the invitation.
"Of course."
Kaguya nodded, placing her hand in his palm.
His hand was warm, and that warmth flowed into her heart. Her pulse quickened, a strange feeling she had never experienced before. Yet she did not resist it. Instead, it felt… comforting.
"Let's go."
Kaede clasped her hand, and together they rose into the skies above the Divine Nation.
"Citizens of the Divine Nation! The envoy of the Land of Stars has disrespected the gods. Divine punishment shall descend once more. Guard this land—do not allow anyone to enter the sacred hall. Emperor, King—you are the highest authority beneath the gods. Fulfill your duties faithfully, never disobey divine command. Do you understand?"
Suspended in the air, Kaede's voice thundered over the city.
The people fell to one knee, the two rulers bowing low.
"We understand! We will obey and never betray the will of the gods!"
Even the common people knelt, their faith in the gods now surpassing the reverence they once held for kings.
With that decree, Kaede and Kaguya vanished into the skies, flying toward the Land of Stars.
In later generations, their territory would become what was known as the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth. Back in these ancient times, however, the geography was reversed—Wind was fertile lakes and plains, Earth was a vast sea.
Descending upon the palace of the Land of Stars, Kaede and Kaguya observed its harsher style. Its guards were strict, its weapons heavier—pikes and blades instead of bows and arrows. Unlike the weakened Land of Ancestors, the Land of Stars had lost none of its power.
Inside the palace, the daimyo discussed with his ministers.
"What of this so-called Divine Nation formed by the merger of the Ancestors and the Ancestors? What are your thoughts?"
"Gods? If tricks and illusions make gods, then our royal guards could all be called divine. Ridiculous. There is no need to debate—send the army, crush them."
"Yes. Their rulers have already been bewitched by those pretenders. If we slay their 'gods,' we could take their place as divine rulers. That land is fertile, perfect for crops. With it, we could defeat the Land of Chains. Do not forget—their people plunder like bandits. If we conquer them, we could unify the world."
The ministers sneered, dismissing Kaede and Kaguya as frauds who had duped fools with cheap power.
"Then it is decided. Once Tenshi returns, we march."
The daimyo nodded, his ministers agreeing.
But before he could finish his words, an unseen force crushed the chamber.
"W-what is this!?"
They clutched their throats, faces reddening, gasping for air. Their nails tore their own necks until blood ran, but no relief came.
And in their final moments of agony, Kaede and Kaguya appeared before them.
"You have angered the gods. Divine punishment has fallen. The envoy you sent to our land is already dead. May your next lives teach you respect."
Kaede's voice was the last sound they ever heard.
The ministers and daimyo perished in torment, their corpses left sprawled across the chamber.
Opening the palace gates, Kaede and Kaguya emerged into the courtyard. Guards surrounded them instantly, weapons ready.
"Who goes there!"
"See for yourselves. Your daimyo and ministers plotted to kill the gods. They brought divine punishment upon themselves. If you submit, you will share in divine glory. If you resist, then divine punishment shall fall upon the entire Land of Stars, and all of you will be reduced to dust."
His words froze them in place. Some looked at each other in confusion, uncertain.
"Go check your daimyo," ordered the captain.
He entered the palace—only to run out moments later, screaming. The guards, alarmed, rushed in after him.
Then they too screamed, as they beheld the grisly sight.
Every one of their leaders was dead, their deaths cruel beyond imagining.
(End of Chapter)
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