Chapter 85
Elia sighed and turned off all the lights in her room before lying down on the bed. As the light from the room dimmed through the window gap, the footsteps of the guards standing at the door began to slow noticeably.
“…….”
As the atmosphere in the hallway grew completely still, Elia quietly pulled out the ancient book from beneath her blanket. The worn tome had been long forgotten in a shabby little shop on the empire’s outskirts.
It was no wonder, considering the author lived centuries ago.
It was the diary of Barbas, the second Pope of the Kelyon Empire, who was torn apart for denying the holy scripture.
Holding her breath, Elia slowly flipped through the fragile pages. The evening light was still faint but enough to make out the faded letters. She had to read as much as possible before the night deepened.
[The fleeting desires of humans are the very craving that calls Belial into the world, allowing it to resurrect and grow ever stronger.]
“Desire?”
Elia frowned, confused. Fleeting desires? What did that have to do with Cyrone, who seemed to have everything he wanted? She struggled to steady her growing unease and continued reading.
[Those who make a pact with Belial have their hearts destroyed and souls dominated. Their original bodies, now soulless, are sealed deep within Belial’s box, and after a certain time, they completely vanish.]
“…Vanish.”
A sudden weight dropped in Elia’s chest. Could it really be true that Cyrone traded his soul with Belial? If so, why? What empty desire had driven him to this? If the book was accurate, Cyrone’s original body was on a path toward irreversible, total extinction.
[Raphael, the angel who serves beside God and heals mankind, alone wields the holy sword capable of judging Belial. During the primordial war between the heavenly and demonic realms, the Great Saint manifested Raphael’s power once and only once. Though the world was saved, the Great Saint vanished completely.]
“….”
Elia was already familiar with the story of the Great Saint and the Ortho War. She pondered quietly on the Saint’s disappearance, where could she have gone? Was she truly the only one who could wield Raphael’s power?
A chilling darkness crept in, filling the room and blurring her vision. Frantically, Elia turned the page.
[Even within the holy temple that honors God’s will, it is said that with the Great Saint’s disappearance, those capable of manifesting Raphael’s power have vanished as well. But these are laughable rumors spread by those who do not understand God’s will. God placed our savior closest to us, within our very midst.]
A cold wind whistled against the windowpane. The sound of commotion began to rise outside, it must have started raining. Night was falling faster than usual. Even the last permitted light withdrew, and the room was soon engulfed in gloomy darkness.
Elia squinted her eyes, struggling to read the final line.
[The Great Saint lives, becoming the heart of the savior.]
This was the very passage that had led to the death of Barbas, the pope of the empire. Elia’s shoulders shook involuntarily. How had he been so certain? She parted her lips and read Barbas’s last farewell:
[Very close to you.]
* * *
“The war with the temple will claim more than two thousand lives just from our army alone. When you add the wounded and civilian casualties, the losses will be astronomical, Your Highness.”
Camille raised her voice in frustration. The temple wasn’t just a military force; it was a collective wielding divine power. No matter how strong the empire’s army or weapons were, this war was hopeless.
Already, a grim sense of defeat weighed heavily among the soldiers.
Yet Cyrone remained nonchalant. Camille continued in a trembling voice.
“Especially Daigana, it’s a land where divine power can be freely used. If that happens…”
Camille paused, unable to even imagine the horror. But Cyrone’s face was merciless as he replied.
“The plan remains unchanged. Send every man over fifteen to the front. They can at least serve as human shields.”
Camille’s hope for even a glimmer of optimism was crushed, her face turning pale.
“Your Highness, I do not wish to debate God’s existence. But right now, the people of the empire have nowhere to turn but to the temple. You intend to destroy that temple!”
Camille pleaded desperately and even knelt before Cyrone. But Cyrone looked down at her with unfeeling eyes, then picked up a pen again.
The document in his hand was the first legal step to strip the pope of his title. Just as he seemed about to sign, Camille sprang up in shock.
“Are you my lord… or a devil?!”
Camille gave an outburst. She had reached the very limit of her endurance.
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