Holy Kingdom – Appointment Ceremony (4)

“Rena?”

As if that small voice had reached her, Rena locked eyes with Jade on the podium.

For a fleeting moment, they gazed at each other.

Was she sad? Happy? Resentful?

Jade couldn’t read her heart.

“That…”

Jade tried to say something, but Rena turned her head away faster.

Rena bowed toward the people before her.

“I am Rena, today’s Hero Jade’s companion. I believe everyone here has heard stories about me.”

The incident that had dominated Holy Kingdom newspapers for days, turning the nation upside down.

Seeing the woman exactly as described in the papers, the crowd began to murmur.

“First, I declare I have absolutely no connection to demons. If you just retrace the situation, you’ll realize something doesn’t add up.”

Rena then pointed at the Pope with her finger.

“I am a victim sacrificed to the Pope’s conspiracy. The Pope tried to eliminate me by brainwashing not only the Saint but also me to stay by the Hero’s side. No, he actually succeeded.”

Following Ian’s accusation, another victim’s testimony erupted, and the atmosphere filled with absurdity and confusion gradually shifted away from the Pope.

A fine crack appeared in the Pope’s calm expression.

“Enough! We’ve heard enough heresy from these schismatics.”

The Pope raised his hand toward the crowd, his voice unwavering.

“Citizens of the Holy Kingdom, do not be deceived by these speakers’ words. Criminals’ ‘testimonies’ are always sweet lies. If you truly claim brainwashing, do you have any ‘evidence’?”

“…”

Faced with the Pope’s question, Ian and Rena fell silent for the first time. Ultimately, they hadn’t found the crucial holy relic.

“Haa… You see? They only seek to plunge the Holy Kingdom into chaos.”

The Pope shook his head while massaging his forehead.

“I’ve devoted my entire life to the Goddess and the citizens of the Holy Kingdom. It was I, Praxian here, who rebuilt this land after it became ruins following the Great War, who created today’s prosperity.”

The Pope looked at Veronica.

“I ask the Saint. Have I ever harmed you even once?”

Veronica immediately shook her head.

“No. His Holiness has always cared for me meticulously. Honestly… I don’t understand why Ian-nim and Rena-nim are doing this.”

As the Saint’s answer concluded, the swaying public opinion had already tilted back toward the Pope.

“…This is clearly agitation.”

“Right, it was absurd from the start.”

Amid the flowing whispers, Ian stepped forward.

“Unfortunately, such answers hold no meaning when brainwashing is suspected.”

“No one will fall for such sophistry now.”

A murderous current flowed as Ian in the sky and the Pope locked eyes.

“Very well. This time, I’ll ask you, Ian. Is this a personal act, or the Magic Tower faction’s official stance?”

“…The Tower Lord’s position is that ‘at the very least, we need to investigate.'”

Though phrased indirectly, it meant Ian’s actions weren’t different from the Magic Tower’s opinion.

The Pope nodded.

“So the ambition the Magic Tower hid has finally surfaced. Do you intend to remove me, an obstacle, and seize control of the Holy Kingdom?”

“Of course, we don’t mean to drag His Holiness down from this position immediately.”

Ian calmly presented his demands.

“The Magic Tower faction formally requests verification of all holy relics and magic stones in the Pope’s possession. Additionally, the Saint will be protected by the Magic Tower faction until the investigation concludes.”

“Hoho, we cannot accept such ridiculous demands.”

“All processes will be conducted under observation from other nations. If no issues are found, the Magic Tower faction will take full responsibility.”

Overturning public opinion in one go was impossible.

Ian’s goal today was to create a justification people could accept and understand.

“You still don’t understand. This isn’t a negotiating table. The Goddess’s mercy… ends here.”

The Pope signaled Daniel again.

“Cardinal Daniel. Arrest them immediately.”

Daniel nodded and immediately headed toward the pillars erected in the plaza, while holy knights and priests prepared to attack.

-Thud.

Daniel landed on a pillar and spoke coldly.

“Ian, you’re truly arrogant beyond measure. This is the heart of the Holy Kingdom’s capital. Even a Legion Commander coming here alone would be suicide.”

Beyond the prepared barrier, the capital had a great barrier suppressing magic power and demonic energy.

Moreover, reinforcements kept pouring in from the Grand Temple.

Whether Ian was a genius or a 7-Star Mage, he stood no chance.

“Kuk-kuk.”

Daniel’s face hardened as Ian suddenly began laughing.

“Have you gone completely mad?”

“Cardinal Daniel. Don’t take me for a fool.”

-Kwa-gwagwagwang!

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the sudden explosion-not in the central plaza, but the city’s outskirts.

“You couldn’t have…!”

Daniel instinctively looked up. His eyes filled with shock.

-Srrrrk.

The golden great barrier covering the Holy Kingdom’s capital was disappearing.

“…Do you know what you’ve just done?”

“Given the circumstances. Last time, I swallowed my pride. Shouldn’t we fight fair and square this time?”

Ian shrugged, his usual tone returning.

Soon, a massive magic circle began manifesting on the plaza floor.

-Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.

Countless citizens in the plaza began vanishing.

“They’re just relocating civilians, so rest assured. The woman named Rena below requested this.”

“…”

Daniel could only watch the scene unfold.

“Your Eminence, shall we attack now?”

“Everyone, halt attacks temporarily. We’ll wait until all citizens evacuate.”

Though it was the perfect timing to strike, the situation was too complex. Every action here carried diplomatic implications.

While teleportation continued, Ian naturally flew toward where the diplomatic envoys gathered.

“First, I wish to apologize again for involving you in this matter. But everything I’ve said so far is true. We must stop the corrupted Pope.”

The diplomats’ expressions were complicated. Calculations of profit and loss flashed through their minds like lightning.

While everyone hesitated, the envoy from the Belliam Kingdom stepped forward first.

“We won’t intervene. However… if the Holy Kingdom and Magic Tower cause greater damage, both conflicting parties must bear responsibility.”

“Of course.”

“Teleport us far away too.”

“Understood. I’ll send you wherever you wish.”

Once one person stepped forward, others followed quickly.

“We’ll stay out of this too.”

“We don’t wish to be entangled further.”

“The Rika Kingdom will leave on our own-don’t interfere.”

The diplomats’ reactions were similar.

After prolonged peace, a strange current flowed across the continent.

In this situation, the confrontation between two powerful neutral forces-the Holy Kingdom and Magic Tower-meant no one could hastily take sides without proper information.

“Understood. I’ll send everyone to safe locations.”

After teleporting all diplomats, Ian looked toward the last remaining group.

The Empire’s envoy location.

There, Lavia was watching Ian intently.

“Lastly, I wish to hear the Empire’s stance.”

“Our mages confirmed the earlier evidence wasn’t fabricated. But…”

Lavia rose and approached Ian.

“Is it true the Saint was brainwashed?”

“That is…”

“You should only speak truth before me. The moment you touched the great barrier, I considered cutting you down immediately.”

The flow of mana momentarily fluctuated. The mana that had always been his ally now constricted his throat.

It felt like countless invisible blades pressed against his skin.

“Answer.”

“…”

“Hmm… For the Tower Lord to choose someone like you as a disciple. Is the Magic Tower that lacking in talent…”

Ian couldn’t retort and kept his mouth shut.

White Lotus of the Battlefield-what an absurd epithet.

Behind that beautiful appearance and loyal knightly demeanor lurked a true monster.

“Huu…”

Ian calmly took a deep breath to shake off the tension.

“…Though I called it suspicion, it’s confirmed ‘truth.’ If you wish, I’ll guarantee it with a mana contract.”

“A mana contract? Those can’t be trusted as long as the Tower Lord exists.”

Lavia smiled faintly at Ian-a silent warning not to underestimate her.

“Suppose your words are true. If I don’t intervene here, do you plan to subdue the Pope’s side alone?”

“If everything goes according to plan, I believe we can subdue the Pope and obtain decisive evidence.”

“That’s an overconfident answer. But arrogant people like you always meet bad ends.”

“I wouldn’t have attempted such recklessness for other matters. But since it concerns the Saint-nim, we had to rescue her quickly.”

“Hmm…”

“Lavia-nim.”

A diplomat behind Lavia began whispering something.

“…Understood. If His Imperial Majesty desires it.”

Lavia nodded.

“Ian, congratulations. The Empire has decided not to intervene in the Holy Kingdom-Magic Tower conflict.”

“…Thank you.”

Ian sighed in relief at overcoming a major hurdle.

“The Magic Tower will repay this favor.”

“I’m curious what consequences your childish actions will bring. I’ll watch until the end.”

With those words, Lavia and the Imperial delegation teleported away from the plaza.

**

North of the Holy Kingdom’s capital, deep within treacherous mountain ranges.

Thick fog filled the valley, and black energy-as if seeping from the earth’s depths-oppressed the air.

Then-

Swish-a sharp sound split the void.

Something invisible seemed to tear as thin cracks formed in the air.

The fissures rapidly widened, flashing crimson from within.

-Fzzzzzt!

A dark shadow slowly emerged from within.

A red cape fluttered in the fog as black boots stepped slowly onto rock.

“…Long time no see.”

At those words, kneeling demons bowed their heads deeply.

“Malus-nim. Finally-“

“Yes. I felt it too.”

Malus gazed toward the Holy Kingdom’s capital.

The distant golden curtain was shattering into fragments amid cracks.

“Humans… opened the door for us themselves. How foolish.”

Raspa beside him grinned cruelly.

“What are your orders? The barrier will restore itself within hours.”

“Raspa.”

Malus placed a hand on her shoulder. Instantly, a chilling shiver ran down her neck.

“You… missed the perfect opportunity.”

Raspa’s lips trembled.

“M-my apologies.”

“It’s fine.”

Malus chuckled lightly.

“I never had high expectations of you to begin with.”

Malus walked past the demon horde.

“They… forget fear after just a few years.”

-Kwa-jijijik!

A massive spatial rift opened before him.

“Time to teach fear again to those who forgot.”