Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Chapter 93.
Aiden walked down the aisle flanked by rows of devout followers. With every step, prayers and praises erupted around him. They glorified Aiden, wishing for the empire's prosperity and the revival of their noble houses.
Amidst this flood of blessings, Aiden checked his status window. His divine power was skyrocketing. His lofty hypocrisy continued to achieve new heights through reverence and admiration.
It had been long since he surpassed the highest rank, yet there still seemed to be room for further growth. His current level could no longer be quantified by grades or numbers.
A fairly satisfying result.
Aiden, who had been scanning the air, abruptly halted his steps. At the far end of the hall, before the entrance leading to the corridor, he turned his head back.
The princess and Yuriel stood side by side, watching him.
Aiden exchanged glances with Yuriel. Suppressing his discomfort as much as possible, he spoke.
"Yuriel, follow me. There's somewhere we need to go."
Compared to addressing the princess formally, speaking casually to Yuriel was far more awkward for Aiden. But he would have to get used to it.
Yuriel approached with a radiant smile. For some reason, she seemed in high spirits. The princess followed closely behind her.
Of the two standing before him, the princess spoke first.
"The Holy Empire is preparing an Ascension Ceremony. You should head there immediately."
Aiden shook his head.
"There's much to be done first. The ceremony can wait."
It was highly likely that preparations weren't even properly underway. The Ascension Ceremony was a rite to acknowledge someone as a god—something the empire, which worshipped a singular deity, had never performed before.
They would have to establish the procedures and methods from scratch.
If he headed to the church now, he might be tied down for months.
The princess responded calmly to his refusal.
"Then I shall instruct them to take their time."
The church would prefer it that way too. Given the ceremony's historical significance, it couldn't be rushed. There was absolutely no need to hurry.
Aiden nodded and spoke.
"Do so. I must take my leave now. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask. I'll likely attend the coronation ceremony."
It was a political statement. Before the eyes of countless high-ranking officials, Aiden had firmly declared her as the next emperor. With Vacheksar's endorsement through scripture, Raphelia's legitimacy had become unshakable.
The moment Aiden finished speaking, several nobles frowned. Not everyone gathered here was on the princess's side, it seemed.
The princess smiled in response.
"Truly an honor, Your Radiance."
"Yeah, see you next time."
With that, Aiden swiftly left the imperial capital.
*The Holy Spear Gargantua and his steed Petra had been safely retrieved. Aiden took only those two and refused all other offers of escort.
Lavish robes, platinum carriages, and countless guards and servants were of no use to him. They would only hinder his movements.
A single horse and sturdy armor were enough.
Under the bright midday sun, Aiden raced across the open plains. Yuriel, seated in front of him, leaned slightly against his back—effectively nestled in his embrace.
It was unavoidable due to Petra's speed. The rushing wind was too harsh to endure otherwise.
As he guided the horse, Aiden spoke near her ear.
"You'll be staying at the Valenstahl Sanctuary for a while. I've heard it's nearly complete, but it won't be as comfortable as the papal palace. Can you bear with it for a bit?"
Unlike Aiden, Yuriel lacked the stamina to converse while galloping. She simply nodded.
Aiden continued.
"Try to invite Sword Saint Sachilié if possible."
He intended to appoint the old man as an instructor for the special forces. Of course, he had no plans to force the matter. But that old man wouldn't refuse Yuriel's request.
"And my saintess doesn't have to abandon her surname. From now on, you are Yuriel Sachilié again."
It was a way to leverage the power of House Sachilié. That prestigious family was the empire's foremost noble house and military faction, capable of serving as Aiden's solid rear guard.
Yuriel silently signaled her agreement.
Through this and other methods, Aiden planned to develop the Valenstahl Sanctuary. He needed to continue gathering talented individuals.
The sanctuary would serve as a forward base for conquering demonic realms. That was also why he was heading to meet the spirit Elquidora.
That creature stole the life force of the empire's eastern lands to breathe life into the Forest of Giants. In turn, the east grew increasingly barren while the forest flourished.
Aiden could exploit Elquidora's ability—plundering demonic realms to expand the sanctuary. Since Saya had already arranged a meeting with the spirit, Aiden could head straight to the World Tree.
There was one more thing he looked forward to.
Yupe. Nearly a month had passed since he consumed Gusian's demonic energy. It was safe to anticipate the majesty of a celestial demon.
Once flight became possible, organizing the continent would become far easier.
With a pleased heart, Aiden urged his horse onward.
*A verse from scripture surfaced in Yuron's mind: "Misfortune arrives without warning." It was a passage that perfectly matched his current situation.
Everything had been perfect. They had triumphed in the winter war, the lord he served had ascended to divinity, and he had overcome his wretched past to live a purposeful life.
Two years since meeting Aiden. Though he had despaired at his own weakness, he had never once felt as miserable as before. If anything, he had been happy.
But it didn't last. Now, tragedy had found him again without the slightest warning. No—Yuron had walked into it himself.
At the foot of a mountain dense with towering trees, where even sunlight couldn't penetrate the darkness, Yuron swallowed dryly.
He had come to the Forest of Giants under Yuriel's orders. Siron was unharmed, and Yupe had become the celestial demon of the One-Horned Beast. The beautiful nine-tailed fox was somewhat terrifying, but she didn't harm him—merely regarded him like an insect.
In any case, there was no reason to feel tense. All he had to do was wait for his lord.
With that thought, he had fallen asleep—only to wake up standing alone in this place.
And face-to-face with a demon.
A being he couldn't even meet eyes with. Its overwhelming presence crushed Yuron's heart. This was no ordinary demon of the continent.
It was none other than the Archdemon Gusian.
A single ominous crimson eye occupied half its skull-like head. The demon gazed at Yuron and slowly spoke.
"Child, let me advise you. This is no illusion."
Yuron had read about Gusian in scripture countless times. The source of "Despair," which dealt in illusions. Therefore, even this had to be false.
The demonic energy Yupe failed to fully absorb must have created this phenomenon. That was what Yuron believed.
He stared at the ground, too afraid to face the demon directly.
"...Bullshit. I know this is an illusion."
A chilling laugh followed.
"My authority has fallen, it seems. Blame that detestable scripture. Do you truly think I would lie to the likes of you?"
It insisted this was real. Yuron gritted his teeth.
"Demons can't cross the divine barrier surrounding demonic realms. You can't be here."
"Common sense, indeed. But I am an Archdemon who has lived for three hundred years. I have always been the one to shatter your common sense. In a way, isn't the mere fact that you stand here already defying common sense?"
Yuron ignored the demon's words and turned his back, intending to return to the cave where he had been.
Gusian's voice continued.
"Think about it. How could a wretch like you possibly stand beside the Radiance? Truly, it defies all reason."
Of course, Yuron knew this well. That was why he had trained relentlessly, constantly breaking through his own limits.
"Thus, common sense is always overturned. Accept the present in that context. I am truly here. Now, remember—I have spoken the truth."
Despite his mind going blank, Yuron forced himself to think. The way to escape Gusian's illusions. Enduring pain was likely the only method.
But he... had none.
Yet he had to endure. The moment he begged for his life, he would be tarnishing Aiden's name.
As he distanced himself from Gusian, Yuron steeled his resolve. To face the demon head-on, he whirled around—his eyes burning with determination.
But Gusian was gone. No matter how quickly he scanned his surroundings, not even a trace of the demon remained. The forest was eerily silent.
'What the...'
His lips began to parch. It felt as though the demon would appear behind him at any moment, tearing off his arms and gouging out his eyes.
Extreme tension began to choke Yuron's prayers. The suffocating moments stretched endlessly.
But nothing happened. The forest remained enveloped in silence.
Just as he began to find it strange—rustle. The sound of crushed leaves came from behind.
He whipped his head around. A nine-tailed fox shrouded in blue haze stood there. In the darkness, cold eyes gleamed like drifting smoke.
She spoke.
"What are you doing here? I told you to keep watch, little girl."
Yuron immediately drew his sword. A translucent aura enveloped the blade as a low hum resonated.
"Demon bastard, come at me if you dare!"
Saya's expression twisted violently.
"...What did you say?"
Yuron wordlessly tightened his grip on the hilt. His hands trembled violently.
The moment Saya's face turned icy, Yuron lunged first—kicking off the ground with footwork that closed the distance instantly. He thrust his sword toward her pale neck.
At the moment of contact, Saya casually flicked the blade aside with the back of her hand. Twang! The sword flew weakly and embedded itself into a tree.
Immediately after, she seized Yuron by the throat.
"Annoying brat..."
The sparring sessions between the old Sword Saint and this runt. Saya assumed Yuron was demanding the same from her.
If not for Aiden, she would have torn him limb from limb.
She stared straight into Yuron's eyes—and found something odd. There was an excessive resolve in them, alongside extreme terror.
After a brief pause, Saya loosened her grip slightly and spoke.
"What do you want?"
"D-do as you please."
Saya felt her patience pushed to the limit. If she stayed any longer, she might just kill him.
She threw him to the ground and exhaled deeply, suppressing her rising bloodlust as she stepped past him.
Yuron, driven by bravado to overcome his fear, shouted.
"Gusian! You coward! Running away is pathetic!"
Saya abruptly stopped. She glanced sideways.
"Say that again."
Yuron glared at her without answering. She frowned in exasperation.
"I heard 'Gusian.' Am I right?"
"N-no matter what form you take, I won't be fooled."
In an instant, Saya sensed something amiss. Without hesitation, she leaped into the air, darting through the trees at full speed toward the cave.
Aside from Yuron, the scents of Deril, Sein, Yona, and Gielran lingered nearby.
Meaning only Siron remained in the cave. Whether this was Gusian's illusion or not, they had likely been lured here just like Yuron.
Finally, Saya stopped before the massive cave entrance. Her keen senses blared alarms. A foul stench—disguised among countless other smells, but unmistakably the residue of a demon.
She pushed her blue energy into the cave, illuminating the pitch-black interior—and froze in horror.
Yupe lay convulsing on the ground. Beside her, Siron—bound—faced a grotesque demonic fiend.
Gusian grinned at Saya. This was no illusion. Like Fenrir, Saya possessed absolute immunity to mental interference—so she knew.
An Archdemon had set foot on the continent.
And it reached out toward Siron.
The moment it touched him, Siron's eyes began to stain red. He easily tore through the restraints formed of energy and stared at Saya.
Gusian watched the scene with delight.
"Now, where might the Radiance be?"