Chapter 299: Cultist Detector (3)
Chapter 299: Cultist Detector (3)
I swung the ice blade again with the exact same posture, the exact same angle, and the exact same strength as the first time.
It was a feat made possible by the System Correction, which ensured I never made a mistake.
"Huh?"
A glint of intrigue appeared in Havel’s eyes as he watched from a hair’s breadth away.
Thwack!
Simultaneously, a massive spray of blood erupted from the cultist’s hand.
"ThepainofthefleshisbutamomentandourspiritshallbeeternalIamyouweare..."
Despite the deep gash, the crazed cultist paid it no mind, continuing to mutter to himself...
But everyone else in the room was struck speechless.
The sheer volume of blood that had burst forth was clearly different from when I had tested the petty criminal.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes and turned to Havel.
"What do you think?"
"...It was an identical strike, without a hair's breadth of deviation from the previous one. Yet, as you can see, the results are quite different."
"Have you not split a boulder with a mere twig before? Is it possible this is a similar technique?"
"No. The strike I showed you back then may have looked like I was just holding a twig, but in reality, it was only possible through sophisticated aura manipulation. However, in that swing just now, there was no flow of power whatsoever."
"I see. Though his achievements are rapid for his age, he is likely not yet at a level where he can deceive the eyes of a Sword Master. If there is a possibility, it must be the Authority of the Righteous Light, just as he claimed."
Rodrigo nodded and turned his gaze back toward me.
"I shall believe your words. Now that we are prepared to identify the cultists, it is time to drag the rats out. Who is the one the Righteous Light whispered to you about? Give me a name, and I will have them on their knees this instant."
"Thank you for your immense trust, Your Majesty. However, I have one request."
"Speak."
"Since things have come to this, I would like to ask for a verification of everyone present."
The surrounding crowd began to stir as they grasped my meaning.
"So... you're saying you're going to cut each of us once?"
"A mere commoner dares to point a blade at my body, regardless of his talent!"
"Ho ho. He is no ordinary commoner. Besides, if this is what it takes to earn His Majesty's trust, it seems like a gain rather than a loss."
The reactions were varied: some were dumbfounded, some were indignant, and some were slightly excited at the prospect of proving their purity.
However, their opinions didn't actually matter.
No matter how powerful a noble was to frequent the Imperial Palace, they were beneath the Emperor—and the Emperor held the sword known as a Sword Master to enforce his will.
In short, the decision rested with Rodrigo.
After a moment of deliberation, resolve settled in Rodrigo’s eyes.
"Very well. We shall do as you say. However, the entire process must be conducted under the supervision of Sir Havel."
"As you command."
I bowed my head deeply to hide the smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth.
*
Starting with the attendants standing still like folding screens, to the knights guarding their posts with discipline, the mages watching with interest, the priests who offered their hands with gentle smiles, and finally, the nobles with dissatisfied expressions.
I cut the hands of literally everyone in the audience hall.
The people who had been indifferent at first changed their tune once one of the maids was revealed to be a spy for the Boiling Silence.
She tried to make excuses with a terrified face, claiming something was wrong, but as Helena poured out a massive amount of Holy Power, her disguise melted away, revealing her true form.
For someone to infiltrate this far, her disguise wouldn't have been stripped by ordinary Holy Power... but the Holy Power of the Saintess, Helena, was far from ordinary.
It was the same principle as a rock being able to block a stream, only to be crushed before a waterfall.
Of course, this method would likely only strip the disguises of those up to the level of a Bishop or some Archbishops.
The important thing was that it became even more certain that I could actually identify cultists.
The complaints vanished the moment the maid’s head rolled on the floor.
In fact, some were so desperate to prove their innocence that they asked to be cut first, which surely must have made the real cultists break into a cold sweat.
One of them, perhaps having given up entirely, pretended to offer his hand only to throw a concealed weapon at me, while another tried to release poison throughout the entire audience hall.
However, proving he hadn't earned his rank as a Sword Master in a raffle, Havel intercepted every single attempt.
I mean, a guy throws a marble filled with poisonous gas from at least twenty meters away, and he blocks it just by swinging his sword from where he stands?
Even the slight leak of poisonous gas was sucked back into the marble after he made a few slashes in the air.
He claimed he controlled the spreading smoke with sword winds, but how does that even work...?
Anyway, after checking everyone except the Emperor, the Imperial Consort, the Crown Prince, and Havel.
I managed to catch a total of four spies.
Perhaps having expected only one or two at most, Rodrigo’s face twisted fiercely.
"This is embarrassing. To think so many rats have crawled into my own home, of all places."
"They are the ones who have been infiltrating spies since they lost the War of the Gods and retreated into the shadows three hundred years ago. Please do not be too disheartened."
Calmed by Havel’s words, Rodrigo let out a short sigh and continued toward me.
"Well, in any case, it is a relief we weeded them out before anything happened. Could you perhaps stay for a few more days and look over more people?"
"I would be honored to do so."
Rodrigo nodded with a satisfied expression after tossing more work my way.
Well, he won't make me work for free, so it's not a losing deal.
"By the way, Your Majesty. I would like to move on to the main subject now."
"Oh. I was so agitated that I forgot for a moment. Yes. Who should I bring? There is no one in this palace who dares ignore my command, so just say the word."
This was the important part. Everything until now had been a sort of preliminary preparation.
You know, like clearing out the mobs before taking on the boss.
Gulp.
I swallowed hard and lifted my head. Ignoring the puzzled reactions of Rodrigo and those around him, I looked straight at Fiona.
"Imperial Consort. Fiona de Levantine is a Cardinal of the Church of the Boiling Silence and its de facto leader, having been designated as an Apostle."
The reaction was instantaneous.
"What in the...!"
Rodrigo bolted upright from his seat. The other nobles began to whisper among themselves while looking at me.
The content was predictable.
How insolent. How can he be so fearless when the Emperor cherishes the Imperial Consort so much? But what if it's true? And so on.
Fiona, the subject of all this commotion, clung to Rodrigo with an expression of ultimate grievance.
"Your Majesty! It is not true! Me, a cultist? Never!"
"I—I know. Of course. There is no way you could be a cultist. This is merely a formality to prove your innocence."
"Innocence! Was there even anything suspicious about me to begin with? Are you doubting me, who has been by your side for a lifetime, because of a single word from that man? How could you...!"
Fiona burst into tears, unable to continue.
It felt as though her sorrow and sense of injustice had truly overwhelmed her, causing the tears to fall involuntarily.
If she was trying to win sympathy, it was highly effective.
Not only did Rodrigo’s expression soften, but the others watching also stopped their "What if...?" speculations.
However, that wouldn't allow her to simply bypass this moment of accusation.
Helena and I exchanged glances, and Carla also blinked rapidly at the bewildered Havel.
As if to say that now was the time to fulfill the promise.
While Havel hesitated, catching his breath, Helena stepped forward first.
Dazzling Holy Power erupted from her entire body. Though they were indoors where the sun could not be seen, light descended from somewhere and bathed Helena.
And before long, the atmosphere shifted drastically.
The air grew heavy. My heart began to thud against my ribs from the pressure of facing a being far superior to myself.
By the time the light covering Helena like a veil vanished, the one standing there was no longer Helena.
It was the Righteous Light.
The most courageous and powerful Good God had descended to the earth.
Solari, now sporting lion ears and a tail made of light, spoke in a solemn voice quite different from her usual tone.
"I declare in this place: Fiona de Levantine is a cultist. Should anyone shield her, whoever they may be, the Church of the Righteous Light shall never forget."
In simpler terms, she was saying she’d remember the names of anyone who interfered.
In addition, as if having made a decision, Havel dropped to one knee.
"Your Majesty. It is merely a palm. For the sake of proving Her Highness's innocence, you must not shield her now."
"Even Sir Havel..."
Rodrigo trailed off with a stunned expression. However, he was by no means a foolish emperor.
Understanding the situation and its gravity, Rodrigo gripped Fiona’s shoulders and pulled her away.
"My lady. I will apologize later. For now, please follow my lead."
"Your Majesty..."
Fiona hung her head, stalling for time. She couldn't escape this place anyway.
If there was a reason she was stalling, it was likely because she was trying to find a way to deceive us.
Of course, it was futile. I had called it the Authority of the Righteous Light, but in reality, it was the power of the System, which operated on an entirely different mechanism.
Eventually, Fiona nodded silently and reached out her hand toward me.
"Is this enough?"
Her voice was sharp, as if she were angry. Yet, one could glimpse a sense of dignity that did not shrink even before a manifested god.
A defenseless, outstretched hand. If I just went over and cut it, I could reveal her as a cultist.
From the moment I created this situation, it was already as good as my victory.
But would the opponent not know that?
Fiona, who had infiltrated the Imperial Family with no power other than her disguise ability?
She would likely attack the moment I drew near, or perhaps she had prepared something in that short interval.
Yes. For example, using her disguise ability to make the wound appear smaller.
If it were Fiona, a Cardinal-level who had received only the power of disguise, it was entirely possible.
That was why I had spent a long time discussing what to do with my companions, and we had found our own answer.
I nodded to Solari, who was radiating a brilliant halo, and took a step forward.
The moment everyone’s eyes were focused on me and the ice blade in my hand.
"All cultists shall be annihilated...!"
Simultaneously with Solari’s cry, a giant lion’s paw materialized in the air.
Havel, who had thought it was just a simple cut to the palm like before, swung his sword in a panic... but Solari in her full Spirit Possession state was far stronger than the usual Helena.
Like a true Sword Master, Havel managed to slice through half of the lion’s paw, but he couldn't stop the remaining half from slamming down onto Fiona’s head.
BOOM—!
A thunderous roar echoed through the entire audience hall, accompanied by a flash of light so blinding it seared the surroundings.
"......"
"......"
"......"
At the unexpected result, everyone remained silent, looking back and forth between us and Havel.
No matter if it was done in the name of a god, they didn't think Havel would just overlook the harming of the Imperial Consort in the Imperial Palace and in front of the Emperor.
Indeed, Havel was about to swing his sword toward us... but suddenly, his expression twisted in horror, and he diverted his blade's path.
Swoosh—!
The strike, imbued with vivid aura, blew away the remaining clusters of light and the thick dust all at once.
It was a situation that would puzzle anyone. However, once everything obscuring the view was cleared, they had no choice but to understand Havel’s actions.
Fiona stood with her head bowed, enveloped in an energy as thick and dark as the shadows of midnight.
A lamenting voice drifted through her disheveled hair.
"O Boiling Silence... You should have just let me die instead."
It was a calm confession.