Aeth (thinking):
The time for this has finally come. The last traitor in the palace. You carried out your task quite well.
As the servant finished placing the medicines and was about to leave, Aeth called out to him and ordered him to stop. Aeth took his sword in his right hand and dragged it along the floor as he approached the servant.
Aeth:
"Just one question—and one answer. Who do you work for?"
Servant:
"I'm sorry, my Emperor, but I don't understand what you mean."
Aeth:
"The medicines… I know that in truth they are a poison that slowly kills a person. In this palace, there is no other servant besides you who brings me these medicines. At the very least, use your brain—where are the others? I kept only you till the end."
Servant (crying in fear):
"Please forgive me, great Emperor! The temple ordered me to do this. I received this command from Priest Markus. After your father's death, he said that you were leading the entire empire into disaster. He told me that your death was the will of the gods. Everyone believes in the temple and holds it in great reverence. When you expelled the temple from the empire, it blinded me even more. Please forgive me, Emperor. I have told you everything I know. Spare my life."
Aeth swung his sword and beheaded the servant.
Aeth:
"In my eyes, a traitor is always a traitor. I do not possess a will weak enough to forgive betrayal. Wretched creature!"
At Aeth's command, the guards removed the servant's body from the room.
Aeth (thinking):
The gods wanted my death, huh? What a foolish and fabricated claim. Clearly, they wanted to eliminate me quietly so I wouldn't become a threat—while also using people inside the palace as spies. Now that the last traitor has been eliminated, there is no reason to waste any more time. The war must begin.And besides... it's God himself who wants me to be here.. Markus—especially you—I will tear you apart and kill you!
Claritas Temple of Light
Goddess Lisa was praying to the gods inside the temple, focusing on awakening her Light Aura. At that moment, Priest Markus entered.
Markus:
"Goddess Lisa, you are as beautiful as ever. You are trying to awaken the divine aura. I hope that a beautiful and diligent goddess like you will succeed easily."
Lisa:
"If there were fewer things disturbing my concentration, it would indeed be easier."
Markus:
"My goddess, do not be so angry—it does not suit you. I merely came to inquire about the state of our Light Goddess. After all, I will soon become the High Priest. Your safety and comfort will be directly my responsibility."
Lisa:
"Respected Priest Markus, both your current duty and your duty as High Priest are to ensure the safety and comfort of the people. You need not worry about me. If necessary, there are those who will protect me."
Markus:
"If you are referring to the children by your side, even they were assigned to you by the temple. Should your life be endangered, the entire populace would be considered at risk."
Lisa:
"It seems Priest Markus has something else he wishes to say."
Markus:
"Indeed. I wished to inform you of an event that will occur soon. You should be aware of it as well."
Lisa:
"Has something serious happened?"
Markus:
"The Chaos Empire is preparing for war against the demons. They have directed all their forces to the southern border. Moreover, they have gathered a massive army from civilians among the populace and placed them on the front lines. They are openly trying to buy time by using civilians as living shields. Truly proving that he is a Chaos Emperor worthy of the name."
(He smiles faintly.)
Lisa:
"This is no ordinary matter. We must intervene immediately!"
Markus:
"I understand your concern, my goddess, but there is nothing we can do now. Have you already forgotten what happened during your last expedition? Your life was nearly put in danger."
Lisa:
"Then what shall we do? Sit here silently and merely watch?"
Markus:
"Of course not. King Gerald of Kravendorn will not remain silent about this. He is doing everything in his power to save the people there. The reason he has not attacked the empire until now was to avoid harming innocent lives. And that child who calls himself a hero believes the experienced King Gerald fears him. His foolishness is painfully obvious."
Lisa:
"Foolish or not, I hope King Gerald will disrupt his plans in the near future."
Markus:
"Do not worry, my goddess. The end of the rebellious Emperor and the liberation of the people are very close. We simply need to trust King Gerald of Kravendorn."
Markus (thinking):
Goddess Lisa is truly naive. It is not Aeth, but Gerald whose intention is to turn the people of the Chaos Empire into a living shield. But no matter how you look at it, Aeth is such a fool that he is carrying out our plan himself. I was mistaken—he is still the same incompetent fool.
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