"I do not think so. The Lionheart Empire isn’t capable of requesting such a favor from the gods. Furthermore, they don’t like to associate with the divine. So, it’s impossible," one of the masked figures said, his voice heavy and brimming with power.
"However, on the other hand," another masked figure interjected, "I’ve discovered that the Holy Church received aid from their goddess during the battle."
"Oh? Is that so? Give more details," the leader demanded, raising an eyebrow as a glimr of interest sparked in his eyes.
The masked man nodded and continued, "The Goddess of Light and Justice sent two of her most prized servants—angels—to assist the Pope in this war. However, despite this overwhelming advantage, the Holy Church still lost."
"Moreover, a mysterious group completely erased not only the Holy Church but also the entire surrounding region. The Holy Church no longer exists—it’s been wiped from the face of this world."
"There’s nothing left except a massive crater where it once stood—so vast, it looks like a great lake. I’ve never encountered a spell capable of causing destruction on this scale."
"Did you try to analyze the mana signature left behind by whoever cast the spell? What did you find?" the leader asked, his tone sharp as his brows furrowed.
The masked man shook his head. "Unfortunately, I couldn’t detect any mana signature at the site. It was as if the destruction were the result of a natural disaster, not the work of a powerful mage or magic knight."
’Very strange... Could soone have erased the traces of magic?’ the leader mused, a shadow falling across his expression. ’But that would require more than two hundred experienced mages working together in harmony. Nearly impossible.’
His gaze darkened as a possibility crept into his mind.
’If no one can detect any residual mana... that leaves only one logical conclusion—the person who destroyed the Holy Church doesn’t use mana at all.’
The leader of the Golden Skull Organization—known only as Mr. Black—fell silent for a few monts, his eyes narrowing with intensity.
’Wait a mont! Isn’t that the ability of that brat?! Is he responsible for the Holy Church’s destruction too?!’
After a long pause, Mr. Black asked with a grave tone, "What about the individual who’s been causing us so much trouble? I’m talking about the brat nad ’Yuan.’ Where is he now?"
"He’s currently residing in the Holy Light Empire, more specifically at the Imperial Palace with the Imperial Family," another masked man responded promptly.
"I see... Now everything makes sense—how the Holy Church lost the war to the Lionheart Empire and was annihilated."
The leader muttered to himself before letting out a deep, drawn-out sigh.
’After causing such a large-scale disaster, he must have already drawn the attention of the gods from High Heaven... Those self-proclaid bastards...’
His expression turned cold, and the room filled with a suffocating silence as everyone digested the implications of his realization.
—
Two days had passed since Emperor Lucien issued a new decree to the noble households of the empire, establishing a law regarding the keeping and selling of slaves.
According to this new mandate, slavery—whether through ownership or trade—was now illegal throughout the empire, and punishable by law. The punishnt ranged from life imprisonnt to public execution.
The slave traders across the empire were trembling in fear. However, so wealthy slave rchants had begun openly protesting against the law. With the empire weakened and fewer officials to enforce order after the disappearance of the Holy Church, the boldness of the noble houses and slave rchants grew. They showed little to no fear toward the Imperial Family.
The entire capital city descended into chaos as the number of protestors increased with each passing hour. The Holy Knights, assigned to uphold imperial law, were being overwheld.
They struggled to keep the crowds under control, and the growing unrest began to affect the daily lives of ordinary citizens, who were caught in the turmoil.
"Stop protesting! The new law demands that all slaves be released, or you will face the consequences!" one of the Holy Knights shouted, attempting to assert authority over the unruly crowd.
"Law, my ass! We won’t follow such a decree!" one of the slave rchants roared in defiance. "There’s no way we’re releasing slaves we’ve acquired with so much effort and money!"
Imdiately, other slave rchants joined in the uproar.
"That’s right! There’s no way we’re following this stupid and ridiculous law!"
"Tell the Emperor to dismiss this nonsense imdiately! Or we’ll never stop protesting!"
"We’ve spent enormous amounts of wealth and resources acquiring these slaves! We won’t release them unless the Emperor compensates us!"
Their cries grew louder, their fury directed at the Imperial Family for passing a law that, in their eyes, stripped them of their wealth and status.
anwhile, inside the Imperial Palace, the mood was tense and uncertain. The uproar beyond the palace walls unsettled the court, and the Imperial Family struggled to determine how to handle the rapidly deteriorating situation.
"I’m worried about the nobles and the rchants protesting outside," Emperor Lucien said with a sigh, seated beside his wife on an ornate sofa. "They’re demanding we withdraw the new law."
"Indeed," Empress Elendriel said with a troubled look on her face. "But Yuan will not remain silent if they keep refusing to release the elves. He has to leave soon for the Blank Clan."
"That’s the problem," Emperor Lucien agreed, nodding grimly. "I don’t want my people to die. But if they continue to defy the law, my hands are tied. I won’t be able to protect them—even if I want to."
"This is truly a troubling situation for us..." Elendriel murmured, her voice growing firm. "I just hope the nobles and rchants don’t let their arrogance and greed push them into making a foolish decision... Because if they do, it won’t end well for them."
Just as the Imperial Family was discussing the commotion outside, Yuan and his wives arrived at the scene. Their powerful presence imdiately drew the full attention of the Imperial Family.
"It appears you all are having a hard ti dealing with those greedy rchants and nobles who are causing a commotion," Yuan said as he sat before the Imperial Family. His wives also took their seats beside him.
"Unfortunately. We did give them many warnings, but they continue to reject the new law. That’s why they’ve begun protesting—because I refused to repeal it," Emperor Lucien sighed.
"Actually, this law has existed for many generations now," he continued, his tone heavy. "However, after the Holy Church took over the empire, rchants began selling slaves openly, completely disregarding the Empire’s law."
"I already expected sothing like this to happen. Don’t worry—leave everything to us. We’ll handle it from here," Yuan said with a smile on his face—though to the Imperial Family, it didn’t feel like a smile at all.
"Since they’ve ignored all warnings, it’s ti for them to pay," Lily added with a cold grin. She had always despised the nobles for their arrogance and boundless greed.
The Imperial Family could only watch them leave the palace. They lacked both the strength and the authority to stop Yuan and his wives from unleashing a massacre in the city. In front of them, they were utterly powerless.
"I hope it doesn’t turn into a bloodbath..." Emperor Lucien sighed, hoping for the best.
However, he was absolutely certain that many nobles and rchants would lose their lives today—because of their own greed and arrogance.
"You’ve done your part. It’s not your fault that they’re going to die," Empress Elendriel said, placing a hand on her husband’s shoulder. "Don’t stress yourself over this. Rember, you have a duty as the emperor of this empire."
"You’re right. I should focus on making this empire safe and prosperous again," Emperor Lucien nodded, taking a deep breath.
—
"Dismiss the law! We won’t follow such a law!"
"You have no right to stop us from selling or buying slaves! Even the Holy Church allowed it—who are you to stop us now?!"
The Holy Knights were struggling to control the situation. Thousands of people had taken to the streets in protest, and the common citizens were beginning to suffer from the growing chaos.
"What is the aning of this nonsense?"
A calm yet imposing voice suddenly echoed through the street from above. A crushing invisible pressure descended upon the protestors, pressing them against the ground.
They gasped for air, their bodies trembling under the imnse pressure. Breathing beca difficult. Pain surged through their limbs as they tried and failed to resist.
When they looked up, they saw a handso man levitating in the air. Beside him, a group of breathtakingly beautiful won stood atop flying swords, gazing down at the crowd with clear disdain in their eyes.
Shock spread across everyone’s faces as they took in the surreal sight. It was a scene beyond their imagination—too impossible, too overwhelming. They were utterly dumbfounded, their minds blank with disbelief.
Among the won standing on the flying swords, the crowd spotted two elves of extraordinary beauty, and their faces turned pale the mont they recognized them at a single glance.
"T-Th-The Queen!! And the S-Shadow Killer!!!"
Every slave rchant and noble who had bought or sold elves as slaves began to sweat coldly, their bodies trembling uncontrollably with fear.
Mireya was famously known as the Warrior Queen of the Elves, while Sylvia bore the infamous title of Shadow Killer—the most dangerous assassin on the Beast Continent. Even beyond the continent, her na alone was enough to strike fear into people’s hearts.
"Do you think you could live peacefully after abducting and selling my people?" Mireya’s cold, icy voice resounded like a blade slicing through the air, sending chills down every spine. "You’re delusional if you believe that."
"Now, free our people at once—or face the consequences... with your very lives," Sylvia added, her voice laced with killing intent, a terrifying grin spreading across her face as she gazed down at the protesters.
"Or..." Sylvia continued, raising a brow, "are you all ’unwilling’ to release them?"
"T-That’s a very unreasonable request, don’t you think?" a man among the crowd spoke up, surprisingly bold. "After all, we’ve invested so much money to acquire them. They are our property now."
"Is that so..." Sylvia chuckled softly. Then, without warning, she vanished from her position, leaving many gasping in shock.
"Then you can die!"
In the blink of an eye, a head went rolling across the ground—the head of the very man who had dared to speak so arrogantly.
The grueso sight stunned the entire crowd into silence. Even the bystanders—those who hadn’t taken part in the protest and had co only to observe—were struck speechless by the sudden display of deadly force.
User Comments
0 comments from readers