Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: Live Enlightenment
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According to common knowledge, the Three Gods resided in a place called the Solar Palace.
And the "sun" in Solar Palace wasn't some building or symbol—it was the actual sun we all know.
Even though the Three Gods had never specifically mentioned anything about their living quarters, this location was widely accepted as fact, and there were good reasons for it.
'Namely, the range.'
The Three Gods' authority extended from the sun as its center. In terms of distance, roughly about 1 billion kilometers—encompassing Jupiter but falling just short of Saturn.
What this meant was that committing a crime on terraformed Mars or spaceships around Jupiter would result in a stigma being etched onto you, but doing so near Saturn would not.
No matter how powerful the gods' authority was, imposing their laws across the entire universe was impossible.
'However... within that physical range, it's hard to escape.'
Whether on Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, or the residential stations and ships in between, lying would make your nose grow, and committing a sin would etch a stigma. The same held true even in sealed spaces or subspaces. Even ultimate magic barriers couldn't fully shield you from the [Eyes of the Gods].
In other words.
'Strictly speaking, Ardenia should fall within that range too. Since I'm on Earth.'
But reality was different.
There was no trace of the Three Gods' [laws] anywhere in Ardenia. By modern sensibilities, it was a medieval hellscape. If the Three Gods' authority extended there, things like killing people just to save face, out of boredom, or because they were an eyesore—along with everyday discrimination and witch hunts—couldn't possibly persist.
'Well, even divine authority can't influence someone's inner world. No matter how different that world is from a normal one...'
The Three Gods neither recognized Ardenia nor projected their authority there.
And even after I became a priest of the Honor God, the situation remained unchanged. The effects of the authority didn't weaken. My Gold honor rank, which was mere Gold on the 34th Earth with its population exceeding 10 billion, was Platinum-grade in Ardenia.
This meant that the honor I received from Earth and the honor from Ardenia were clearly separated.
'In other words, it also means Ardenia has entered the Honor God's domain.'
Yet, even in that situation, it wasn't influenced by the authority's owner at all. Far from receiving interference from the Honor God, they seemed completely unaware that I was using their authority in another world.
I could tell just by looking at the text right in front of me.
[The Justice God watches you.]
'The Honor God isn't watching me. Or beyond that... my honor rank on Earth has dropped.'
My honor rank, once Gold, was now Silver.
Unlike in Ardenia, where I could manifest high-grade elixirs, on Earth I could only produce standard gear or food. A stigma had etched onto my face, signifying the fall of my honor.
"Hoo."
I organized my thoughts. Reviewed my plan.
'Right. If I exploit this dynamic... it's possible.'
The Heavenly Commerce Association fools had made a huge mistake. Even if the Three Gods managed the 34th Earth like a system, they'd overlooked that they weren't truly emotionless machines.
The Justice God wasn't stepping in despite justice being corrupted and becoming a social issue—not because they couldn't, but because they were simply waiting for the right moment.
Just like when there was a rebellion plot in Ardenia: instead of arresting them the moment I got the intel, I waited until they'd all gathered and actually rose up.
In short, the Justice God was observing everything, and if I could create the "right moment" they were waiting for through my broadcast right now...
'I'll become a priest of the Justice God. If luck's on my side, even an apostle.'
If the Justice God couldn't recognize Ardenia, then having their authority there would be ideal. There were no idiots in the Human Empire openly defying the Emperor, but the stagnant system was starting to rot.
You could smash the heads of those who rebelled openly, but perfectly controlling those who groveled in front while scheming behind was impossible. Spreading the Justice God's authority in Ardenia would be incredibly useful in many ways.
[The Justice God watches you.]
"Yeah. Watch closely."
"Jaeyeon?"
I opened my eyes at the sudden interrupting voice.
"You okay?"
A girl in a cute dress approached me while I was getting my makeup done. This cute-looking woman, known as the Eternal Magical Girl and National MC, was Kang Boram—the host of the talk show I was appearing on, [Into the Room of Truth].
I'd roughly sorted my thoughts on the Justice God before replying.
"I'm fine. But this is my first time on a show like this... any advice?"
Boram pondered my question for a moment.
Though she appeared as a cute girl, she was an elder who'd gone to high school with the Game Master and a veteran broadcaster who'd made her name across South Korea and the entire 34th Earth over a long career.
Soon, she spoke.
"Be yourself."
"Myself?"
Boram nodded at my question.
"Yeah. Variety shows are ultimately about showing yourself to the audience. Acting or playing a character isn't bad, but to truly connect with people, you have to reveal your true self. If you show who you really are, that alone will be your charm."
"Myself..."
"Yeah. Beyond your looks, you have an aura."
I grimaced at the unnecessary comment.
"What do you mean 'beyond'?"
"Quiet. You're unnecessarily tall... I have to look up even when you're sitting."
I watched Boram's back as she grumbled and walked off first, then thought.
'Be myself, huh.'
There was no trembling. For an ordinary person—no, even for actors or celebrities used to performing—appearing on an unfamiliar show would cause tension. But standing before people wasn't anything special to me.
I was the Emperor.
A being beyond human, revered by all imperial citizens.
"Then, allow me to introduce her. The third Transcendent! Second-generation immigrant, apostle of the Game Master, Han Jaeyeon."
At Boram's call, I stepped onto the set. Though it was a variety show, there was no flashy music or thunderous applause. The current social atmosphere was like that.
Around 300 to 400 audience members were looking at me.
Boram said,
"You've all probably heard the stories, but most are seeing you in person for the first time. Could you introduce yourself?"
I nodded at her words.
"I'm Han Jaeyeon. Nice to meet you."
Filming began. Boram skillfully guided the conversation. Recent updates, questions about the Five Dragons, stories about Star Dragon, the spirit arts I used, the hardships of training, chit-chat about the Game Master, and the Survival Island episode.
Boram led the talk, sometimes laughing, sometimes gasping in surprise.
'She's a pro, alright.'
Just answering her questions made the shoot flow smoothly. I didn't even need to spice up my stories—scenes and dialogues captivating the entire audience were created effortlessly.
And then.
"Hm. This is a delicate question, but... is the stigma issue okay?"
The final topic arrived.
"I've had a few confrontations, but it's not an immediate problem. It's not something that would bring out the police or lead to lawsuits."
Laws existed on the 34th Earth, of course. Even if a sin stigma had etched onto me... my father's cause of death was already ruled a suicide, so the police lacked grounds to arrest me.
In the early days of the [Justice Incident], if the Justice God's priests had detained me, they might've held me somehow, but now, with this unprecedented crisis, even the police didn't know what to do.
"Well, for a grave sin like kin-slaying, the stigma is small and faint."
Whether a stigma etched on depended on a vote in the consciousness realm, but the magnitude of the evil karma in the sin manifested physically.
A massacre and an online insult might both pass the majority vote and etch stigmas, but their size, color, and vividness would differ vastly.
"Father..."
I thought quietly.
It felt like ages ago to me. Thirty-five years in Ardenia.
Adding my time on Earth, nearly fifty years in the past.
Yet it came back vividly.
"Father was royalty of the New Royal House. And Mother was a maid who'd served him since childhood. When we immigrated to the 34th Earth, those shackles were gone... but they couldn't accept that."
I slowly unfolded the story. I was surprised at how easily the words came.
The me before Ardenia would've never spoken of it. Not even to my closest friend or lover.
Father's suicide was that big a trauma for me.
But now.
On a program broadcast not just nationwide, but potentially worldwide—far beyond friends or lovers—my mind sharing it was astonishingly calm.
'I've grown stronger.'
A true powerhouse wasn't someone sharp as a blade without flaws. The past me starting fights with others, exploding if my pride was touched—that wasn't strength, but weakness.
A real strong one could reveal even their weaknesses without care.
I... somehow saw myself confronting past wounds indifferently.
"The tragedy of an immigrant unable to let go of the past..."
"Reckless. To... commit suicide over that?"
"My god..."
The audience's sighs faded into the distance. In the darkness, I saw a boy with an unchildlike sturdy build.
[It's your fault! All your fault! Because of you, His Majesty...!]
Mother was crying. Screaming, raging.
In contrast, the child—fighting a Expert father without a speck of mana, cheeks burst, teeth all gone, one eye barely open, one arm and ribs broken—didn't cry.
Just bewildered, burning with aimless rage.
[Stupid! Weak! Pathetic! Annoying!!]
I looked at him. A boy with a large frame for his age, but stunted from poor nutrition.
I knelt on one knee, meeting his gaze.
"Don't waver."
The boy looked at me.
I looked at the boy.
"Be a pillar that carries everything, like a primordial giant."
"..."
The boy didn't reply. But his twisted expression hardened into that of a resolute man.
"What... is this...?"
"During the broadcast...?"
"Watch the camera straight...! A spirit wave is coming!"
Without even circulating energy, my inner power surged. The Great Vessel I'd nurtured for ten years in Ardenia rumbled on its own, beginning to rotate. It soon became a massive flow that would engulf the world.
Ruuuumble--!
"Ugh! Mana!"
"What is it, some energy absorption art? No, my mana seems fine?"
"No, just... the flow itself is sweeping everything around?"
In an instant, the quality of all mana in the Great Vessel transformed. The vessel, still far from full, filled in a flash.
Finally, the completed Great Vessel Late Bloom.
The flowing river gathered into an ocean.
And within that ocean, 'special things' began to awaken.
Hum!
The change wasn't just that. Elements organically linked reacted to the enlightenment.
Clank!
I'd opened the Earth Gate through ten years of training, but that was it. The Heaven Gate, thought distant, opened without pain or change, as if waiting.
"No way..."
"How is this possible? Not even thirty yet..."
"Multiple Transcendent... My god. This puts him in the top tier of 34th Earth Transcendents, right?"
When I finally opened my eyes.
I let out a hollow laugh at the hundreds of cameras now crowding to film me.
'Ah, the plan...'
I'd planned to share my story to dispel ill feelings toward me, then discuss immigrants and justice.
But the moment I became an absolute master, simultaneously opening the Heaven Gate to reach true Chakra Grand Master, the Atman realm.
And the very moment the audience witnessed it all firsthand.
'The plan wasn't this...'
The set was no longer in the mood to discuss justice.