Only God

Be a martyr.

Since the age of the Disciples, the True Religion had always had a culture of martyrdom, where those who were persecuted and welcomed death were often worshipped and praised by others.

In the Church, there has always been a unique glory belonging to martyrs.

Many devout and zealous Priests and Believers were always prepared to become martyrs. They were always looking forward to persecution, sometimes even actively seeking it, in hopes of becoming martyrs to exchange for glory after death.

But what if, after martyrdom, there wasn't any glory to speak of?

Not only was there no glory to speak of, but one's reputation after death could also be humiliated and despised by others.

Given that, it's unknown how many would shy away from such a prospect.

People always seek benefits and avoid harm. They would gloriously sacrifice themselves for glory, yet live a life of compromise because of contempt. Look, how simple humanity is, as simple as animals.

Being a martyr is not difficult, the glory after death is enough to tempt someone to give up their life, but to be a martyr despised by all requires a truth, requires a Savior.

Because only truth, only a Savior, would make someone willingly endure such martyrdom—not a sacrifice for glory but an ugly death.

Eden's words echoed throughout the spacious venue. Almost everyone fell silent in that instant, and the air was filled with an indescribable atmosphere.

Such categorical tone, such a fearless attitude, shook the souls of countless people. The Priests seated there felt an inexpressible gloom spreading.

Despite the tense atmosphere in the venue, Eden had finished his plea. He had nothing more to add. Now, whether he was to be judged a heretic and even executed didn't matter to him. He was prepared to serve a thousand years, even ten thousand years of posthumous contempt.

After a long while, some people slowly picked up their anger, loudly cursing Eden's madness and shamelessness, while others shed tears like rain, showing sympathy for Eden once again, and some fainted outright, motionless in their seats.

At the Royal Family's seats, the Co-Emperor Philip stared in shock at everything happening. He was somewhat unable to grasp the situation—was it his father's autocracy overwhelming Eden, or the "truth" that was overthrowing autocracy?

His mood was agitated beyond discernment, his neck kept sweating, and he couldn't help but grip his wife's hand tightly.

The sister of the Co-Emperor, the Empire's Second Princess Arsia, was also stunned. She originally thought that the meeting at that time was nothing more than a façade. She never imagined that the Priest would be so resolute.

The envoys from afar, Ausenco, looked curiously yet quietly at the scene before them. They were just a group of Observers, and whatever the Great Council decides had nothing to do with them.

A while after Eden had finished speaking, the Emperor's anger had not subsided. Before he spoke, to prevent further provoking the Emperor, the Great Shepherd Danschel hurriedly ordered the bell to ring out, declaring the afternoon's trial over.

The dong, dong sound of the bell began to take effect, and the Priests slowly came out of their shock. Thousands of Priests in the venue were the jury for this trial, and they would vote on the outcome of the heresy verdict before the evening prayer bell rang.

The trial paused temporarily, and Eden was taken back to the detention room by the Guards, waiting for the verdict. With Eden's departure, it was as if a heavy weight had been lifted, and the voices in the venue started to rise gradually. Shortly thereafter, the Priests began to engage in heated discussions about the heresy verdict.

The voices in the venue were fervent. This large jury could not come to a decision for a long time.

The sacred and solemn air drifted through the venue, and Veldor was extremely nervous. He tried his best to persuade the other Priests to cast dissenting votes, while Pastor Casas next to him seemed to have given up, constantly sighing, hands clasped in prayer, silently blessing Eden.

The sun was setting. The day was passing, and before long, it would be time for evening prayers. The discussions within the venue had not ceased, but it was clear to all that the scales were tipping in favor of supporting the Emperor.

Even though Veldor was vigorously speaking up for Eden, it was hard enough for him to convince a few wavering Priests, let alone convince thousands in the venue. Moreover, Eden's act of expressing heretical views was already a foregone conclusion.

Seeing that Veldor still refused to give up, Pastor Casas advised:

"You who have seen the Prophet, you've already done enough for him, enough. You not only live up to your conscience but also up to God."

Veldor involuntarily clenched his teeth and looked around at the Priests in the venue with an angry gaze, beseeching them in his heart to show a bit of mercy.

It was obvious though—his pleas were in vain.

Before the evening prayer bell rang, the Priests began to vote, and Veldor was powerless to stop it from happening. He could only watch in despair as the number of affirmative votes rose.

In the end, when the few Priests in charge of the vote count verified the numbers, the result was also pronounced.

In the name of the sacred Great Council, the situation of Eden of Leitsbi expressing heretical views and harboring heretical thoughts was factual.

This announcement finally brought the trial to a conclusion. Eden was judged a heretic and was ordered to reform within two months, to renounce heretical thoughts. If he offended again, he would be dealt with according to the Empire's Law.

When Veldor heard the outcome, his heart chilled by half. He should have anticipated this outcome.

Although there were two months for reform and renunciation of heretical thoughts, he knew Eden wouldn't do so. Even if Eden would, the Emperor had enough means to push Eden towards death. In other words, Eden was beyond saving.

"God, what else can I do? What else can I do?"

Veldor clenched his fist. He watched helplessly as Eden was escorted from the detention room back into the venue by the Guards, watched the Emperor announce the verdict from high above, and set the specific punishment and rehabilitation site for Eden.

Even as the Emperor announced the outcome, Eden remained neither servile nor haughty, just as he said before—he was prepared for martyrdom.

"His fate was sealed long ago, may God have mercy on him."

Pastor Casas said sorrowfully.

"No... there is still a chance..."

Veldor murmured to himself as if in a trance.

Pastor Casas looked at him with a mix of confusion and astonishment.

"There is still a chance..."

Veldor repeated, his expression gradually becoming one of struggle, as if in a battle between his conscience and his desires.

Not far away, the Emperor watched the heresy priest with a cold gaze.

After some time, Constantine VI regained some composure and reflected on the entirety of the trial, feeling a sense of marvel.

This priest had caused him so much trouble; dealing with him had brought little satisfaction and nearly cost him his dignity.

With these thoughts, the Emperor couldn't help but regret. Perhaps he should have forgiven the madman on the spot on that day. He shouldn't have entangled himself so much in mundane affairs.

However, everything was settled now. Looking at the madman's righteous demeanor, he wondered how long it would remain once the man was delivered to the monastery he had designated.

Thinking maliciously, Constantine VI's face retained its solemn and majestic demeanor,

"Priest Eden, you have been judged as a heretic, and you will have two months to repent and renounce your heretical beliefs. If after two months you still remain obdurate, the Empire's secular judges shall not hesitate to sentence you to death."

As his words fell, a small stir went through the assembly, which didn't last long. This outcome was anticipated.

From her place in the Royal Family, the Queen looked pityingly at the priest Eden, her conscience compelling her to silently pray for intervention against her husband's wrath.

Arsia looked at Eden, instinctively wringing her hands, a feeling of indescribable anxiety and tension welling up inside her.

Nearly no one noticed a shadow sprinting out of the assembly seats with great speed.

The first to spot the dark figure was the Emperor, who had once seen a similar shadow unexpectedly emerge and slap him across the face.

"Don't kill him! Don't kill him!"

Cries erupted from the center of the assembly.

A Dwarf priest stumbled forward, shouting loudly at the Emperor,

"He is someone esteemed by the Prophet! He is someone esteemed by the Prophet!"

The frantic cries captured everyone's attention, and priests gaped at Veldor's outburst.

Someone esteemed by the Prophet...

What does that mean?

Eden turned his head, looking at Veldor with surprise and confusion, unable to understand the situation.

He had never met the Prophet Xilan.

Veldor continued to cry out, screaming,

"Servants of God, you must not harm him!"

The Dwarf had nearly reached the Emperor, his voice hoarse as if he was shouting himself to exhaustion.

The so-called "someone esteemed by the Prophet" was just like "the Prophet's Letter," false, all lies.

Before rushing out, Veldor had hesitated, doubted,

If I invoke the Prophet's name, how am I any different from those who falsely claim to speak for God?

At that moment, he was overcome with a sense of guilt, but when the Emperor delivered his verdict, he hadn't time to think and charged forward.

The priests looked between Veldor and Eden in shock, everyone knew that Veldor had met the Prophet, which lent his claims credibility.

For a moment, the name of the Prophet held everyone in thrall.

Breathing heavily, Veldor stood before the Emperor, looking up at the ruler of the Empire, and pleaded in an almost threatening tone:

"The Prophet intends to protect this man! Your Majesty, if you wish to kill him, you must kill me first!"