Chapter 92
Chapter 92
Episode 92.
An unfamiliar ceiling.
That was Aiden's first thought as his blurred vision slowly adjusted. An unfamiliar sensation—his sharp eyes rarely ever presented him with such a hazy view.
He furrowed his brow, but his sight remained unclear. Raising a hand, he rubbed his eyes and felt something crusty—sleep had gathered in the corners. Enough to obstruct his vision. In the four years since he had arrived in this world, this was nearly the first time he had slept long enough for such a buildup.
Once he wiped his eyes clean, his focus finally returned.
White marble engraved with sun motifs. Somewhere in the imperial palace. The moment he realized this, Aiden abruptly sat up.
The plush bed shook. The cascade of platinum-blonde hair spilling over the edge swayed along with the motion.
It belonged to someone slumped against the bedframe. With a rustle, she slowly lifted her head.
Even with exhaustion weighing on her features, the woman's beauty was undeniable—Yuriel. Sunlight filtering through the window traced delicate patterns across her pale skin.
She sat in a chair, staring intently at Aiden. Moments later, the corners of her eyes began to glisten with moisture.
"Saintess, the demonic realm—"
Before Aiden could finish, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face against his chest.
A choked sob escaped her.
"...I—I really thought—"
Yuriel's body trembled faintly.
Aiden couldn't fully grasp the situation, but the raw emotion in her voice and the desperation in her grip made it impossible to push her away.
After a brief hesitation, he silently returned the embrace. Her voluminous hair tickled his nose, carrying a sweet, floral scent.
Silence lingered between them for a while, broken only by intermittent sniffles.
"...I'm sorry..."
Eventually, Yuriel's trembling subsided. She slowly pulled her face away from his chest and looked up at him.
Her eyelids were red. She seemed to have calmed slightly—her tears had stopped.
Aiden gently wiped the dampness from her cheeks before speaking.
"What happened?"
The labyrinth, the curse, Atraxia, the demigod demon, the imperial princess, Blue Flame, Kadak... Aiden remembered none of it.
Yuriel pulled away from his embrace, taking a deep breath to steady herself. After composing her expression into one of relief, she answered.
"Everything—everything turned out fine."
The unease gnawing at Aiden's heart melted away like snow.
"...Did Atraxia survive?"
Yuriel nodded.
"She ascended again. She asked me to thank you and said she would repay you the next time you meet. And..."
She trailed off momentarily. In her mind flashed the gaze of the Moon's soul as she had looked at Aiden—filled with longing, but not romantic affection. It seemed as though she had something left unsaid.
Aiden spoke.
"Did she leave any other message?"
"No, nothing. But... I felt like there was something she wanted to say. Just my intuition."
"I made an oath to the Moon. It's likely related to that. More importantly—where are we? It seems I've been asleep for quite some time."
"The palace beneath Raphelia. ...Actually, you've been unconscious for over half a month."
Half a month? Aiden couldn't help but be stunned. That wasn't just sleep—it was a coma. Only now did he understand Yuriel's earlier reaction. She must have been too worried to rest properly.
"My apologies. I've caused you distress."
Yuriel shook her head slowly.
"You have nothing to apologize for. I was just... scared. Seeing someone as strong as you unable to wake up..."
As if recalling the past two weeks, she shuddered slightly.
Aiden studied her silently. Upon closer inspection, she had grown noticeably thinner. Knowing Yuriel's personality, she must have stayed by his side day and night, tending to him.
He slowly rose from the bed. Though she protested, his condition was remarkably stable—there was no issue.
"You shouldn't yet—"
"It's fine."
With those words, Aiden scooped Yuriel up in his arms. The sudden action made her gasp, looking up at him in surprise.
"W-What are you doing now?"
"You should rest."
He promptly laid her down on the bed, then took a seat in the chair.
When she tried to sit up, Aiden gently pressed her back down.
Flushed red, she lay there awkwardly until he draped the blanket over her, easing some of her discomfort.
Aiden spoke.
"You can sleep for a while."
That was impossible for her. Her heart was acting up again. Yuriel glanced at the door before murmuring.
"...What if someone comes in?"
"It doesn't matter. You're my Saintess, aren't you? No one would dare criticize me for caring for you."
This was Raphelia's palace. In the Holy Empire, they might have had to be cautious, but here, the ruler was a firm ally.
At the words "my Saintess," Yuriel pulled the blanket up to her nose.
Aiden sank into thought.
Blue Flame.
The reason for his half-month coma undoubtedly lay with the azure fire. Blue Flame, fueled by divine power and life force. Given how he had unleashed it to the point of engulfing the entire vicinity, it was no surprise his body had broken down.
He could roughly guess the conditions for its manifestation, but controlling its intensity was another matter. He didn't even know how.
He needed to discuss it with Zeras. Since he had recently bestowed Blue Flame upon him, they could research it together in practical situations.
Another concern surfaced—Siron.
"Take good care of your little maid. You underestimated me too easily."
Gusian's words were likely just a bluff to unsettle him. With Yupha absorbing miasma by her side, unexpected incidents were unlikely. Saya would also be there. Yet, Aiden had still fallen for the demon's taunt.
He had kicked her, giving her an opening to weave illusions. A mistake.
That said, he couldn't dismiss it entirely as a lie. A faint unease lingered.
Yuriel peeked out from under the blanket, studying Aiden before speaking.
"You're already drowning in worries the moment you wake up."
"I need to go to the Giant's Forest."
That had been their next destination anyway. He had to meet the World Tree's spirit, Elquidora.
"Don't worry. Yuron and Deril sent a messenger hawk. Sir Siron is safe."
Aiden gave her a puzzled look.
"Why would they...?"
"I sent them. I was there when Sir Siron made her contract with Gusian, wasn't I? And when that bastard provoked you this time, too."
In short, Yuriel had acted with remarkable intelligence. Choosing Deril and Yuron over others was also an excellent decision.
If someone from the Church or the Empire had encountered Saya or Siron in her current state, the outcome would have been obvious. Reports would have reached the Church—The Hero's knight is a demon worshiper.
Yuriel continued.
"Sir Gielran went with them. Saya is... somewhat dangerous, so..."
She glanced at Aiden cautiously, unsure if he would take offense at her slighting his lover. She hadn't meant it that way.
Aiden nodded.
"You did well. That said, Saya wouldn't harm my people. Not unless provoked."
Yuriel had sensed as much.
"That's how it seemed."
"Regardless, sending the Sword Saint along puts my mind at ease."
Even without Saya, the Giant's Forest itself was perilous.
Moreover, Gielran was a steadfast ally—and Aiden's devout follower. Yuriel knew this well.
All in all, it was an extremely satisfactory response.
Aiden smiled faintly. Without thinking, he reached out and stroked her hair—just as he would with Saya. Both froze in mutual awkwardness.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"Yuriel, may I enter?"
Aiden cleared his throat before answering.
"Come in, Your Highness."
Yuriel bolted upright as the door opened. The imperial princess took one look at the scene and chuckled.
"Awake, I see. Though it seems my timing is unfortunate."
She strode toward Aiden as she spoke.
"How's your condition? Every saint and priest has come by at least once. Though none could compare to that blushing maiden over there."
"Y-Your Highness..."
"She should let you know of her devotion, shouldn't she? I can fill in the details."
Yuriel shot her a mildly sulky look.
"Please stop teasing me."
"Haha, very well. I'll cease. However—"
The princess turned to Aiden.
"Are you well?"
"Perfectly fine. There's no need for concern."
She nodded.
"There's much to discuss, and grievances to air, but first—take a look at this."
From her robes, she produced a scripture and handed it to Aiden.
The Book of Phaidna.
He flipped it open.
"Her Majesty Raphelia declares: If the men of the Empire remain unsatisfied, let them strive harder."
—Year 380 of the Vacheksar Calendar, Year 1 of the Valenstalgian Calendar.
Excerpt from the New Testament Scriptures, Phaidna's Fragmented Thoughts.
The princess grimaced slightly.
"Phaidna played me for a fool. Instead of preaching patience, she scribbled all over the holy walls."
Aiden focused on something else.
"She called you Empress."
The princess nodded.
"The Sun also issued a separate proclamation."
Aiden turned to the Gospel.
"Holy Vacheksar Proclamation: The Sun has named the rebels 'Defiers of Heaven,' branding them as hypocritical apostates. He commands, 'Slaughter them,' and the flock shall obey without question."
—Year 380 of the Vacheksar Calendar, Year 1 of the Valenstalgian Calendar.
New Testament Scriptures, Vacheksar Gospel, Verse 2.
Aiden's expression darkened slightly.
In essence, this meant that any citizen of the Empire who did not acknowledge Aiden as a god would be labeled Defiers of Heaven—apostates to be purged.
This was a development that needed to be stopped.
The princess handed him a piece of parchment.
"This is the Church's stance."
Skimming through it, he saw that the Holy Council had interpreted Aiden as the Sun's "Proxy Deity on Earth."
Not a bad political move. Though the addition of Aiden's divine name to the calendar left some gaps, religious scholars were adept at filling such holes with elaborate justifications.
Aiden's thoughts were thus:
While not the most perfect outcome, things had still turned out remarkably well.
As he finished reading, the princess studied him intently before speaking slowly.
"There's still one matter left to settle."
Aiden looked at her.
"What would that be?"
"Our relationship and titles. And frankly, it's already been made clear. The Church has decided it for us."
She smiled faintly, as if resigned. Then, slowly, she knelt on one knee.
"First time kneeling outside a chapel."
Imperial royalty never bowed except in prayer to the Sun.
Their gazes met in midair. A brief silence passed before the princess's eyes grew solemn. In a grave tone, she spoke.
"Saint Valenstalga, Proxy Deity of the Sun. The imperial family shall uphold Your Divine Decree and prepare a throne befitting Your Holiness."
His honorific would be Your Holiness, and his title—The Radiant Sovereign.
As such, the Pope's title was demoted to Your Eminence.
Aiden nodded. There was no longer any reason for him to address the princess with deference—nor was it permissible by doctrine.
Helping her up, he replied naturally.
"I get the gist."
The princess let out a small laugh. Though somewhat awkward, she wasn't displeased or uncomfortable.
She walked toward the door and gestured.
"Shall we step out?"
When she opened it wide, a vast hall was revealed, bustling with high-ranking clergy and nobles.
The moment they saw Aiden, they bowed in perfect unison. A resounding chorus of voices echoed through the chamber.
"We greet Your Holiness, The Radiant Sovereign—!"
It was as if they had rehearsed. With the Empress's official proclamation, Aiden's position would be firmly cemented.
Of course, these individuals didn't represent the entire Empire. Some religious upheaval was inevitable. The damage had to be minimized.
He planned to use their common enemy—the Demon God Cult—to unite them.
Surveying the crowd, Aiden spoke.
"As of this moment, we shall eradicate the Demon God Cult from the continent. Prioritize this above all else. Once they are annihilated—we march upon the demonic realm."
His first divine decree. Leaving those words behind, Aiden strode through their midst. There was much to be done from here on out.