Among the Radiant Expedition, Oswald's breath hitched. "That's not my father!" he whispered in horror.
Though the figure bore an uncanny resemblance to the emperor, Oswald knew without a doubt that it was not him.
The god, now inhabiting the emperor's body, raised its head and took a deep breath, relishing the cold, mist-laden air.
"Ah, how delightful it is to inhabit a human body," it murmured, its voice resonating deeply.
The sound alone was enough to drive ordinary n to madness and death.
With a predatory smile, the god surveyed its surroundings, its gaze brimming with greed.
The Radiant Expedition stood frozen, their nerves taut as they faced the overwhelming presence. Among them, an aged paladin's trembling voice broke the silence.
"A true otherworldly god… it has descended," he whispered, his hand shaking as it gripped his sword.
A younger paladin beside him replied with a mix of fear and defiance.
"An otherworldly god? Why are you so afraid?" scoffed the young paladin, his voice dripping with youthful arrogance. "I've hunted down plenty of them before."
The seasoned paladin shook his head grimly, his face pale. "That's no ordinary otherworldly god. It's a fully materialized entity, baptized into this world. You have no idea of their true power… We must warn the commander imdiately."
Without waiting for a reply, the older paladin hurried toward the expedition's leader. But Alejandro, nephew of the Pope and commander of the Radiant Expedition, was too blinded by ambition to heed any warnings. His eyes glead with excitent at the prospect of claiming victory over an otherworldly god, bolstering his reputation and bringing further glory to the kingdom.
"Commander! We must retreat!" the elder paladin urged. "The emperor's life extension was tied to this god—there are no forbidden secrets to claim! Leave this fight to the others before we suffer needless casualties!"
Alejandro shoved the old paladin aside, his face twisted in anger. "What nonsense are you spouting, old man? Do you doubt the Radiant Expedition's strength against a re god? Get back in line!"
His voice rang with inflated confidence and insatiable greed for glory. The veteran paladin's warnings fell on deaf ears.
"Commander Alejandro," the elder paladin tried again, desperation creeping into his voice, "this is not just any god. Rushing in without a plan will cost us everything."
"Enough cowardly drivel! If my uncle hadn't insisted on bringing you along, I would've dealt with you myself! A paladin of the Holy Radiance dares to speak such cowardly words?" Alejandro's voice bood with indignation.
He had no intention of relinquishing what he believed was his mont of glory. Alejandro was fully imrsed in his delusion of becoming a hero through this battle.
The veteran paladin, watching the scene unfold, felt an overwhelming sense of dread. It was as if he were witnessing the inevitable downfall of the order he had served faithfully all his life.
The otherworldly god, gathering its strength, glanced downward at the humans below. Its sharp mind assessed the situation.
"Annoying," it muttered, narrowing its eyes at the group of powerful warriors lingering behind the paladins. "Best to avoid them."
Among the humans, it noticed several formidable individuals, including two first-class magical beasts and a striking black-haired man who stared at it with unnerving intensity. The god averted its gaze, its thoughts flashing back to its days of imprisonnt beneath the Pamir Empire's palace.
It rembered the day the continent's strongest warriors united to hunt it down. The countless years spent sealed away in the darkness ca rushing back, filling it with rage. Finally freed by the emperor's desperate bargain, it now faced another potential confrontation with powerful adversaries.
Cursing the emperor silently, it thought, If that wretched man were still alive, I'd make him suffer the most excruciating death imaginable!
Yet, as it silently lanted its misfortune, the black-haired man stepped aside, seemingly granting the god a clear path. The god's confidence returned. It realized that this group had no intention of engaging unless provoked.
The paladins, however, were a different matter entirely. Their hostility was blatant, and they were already positioning themselves for an attack.
"Well, this works," the god mused. "The emperor's contract demanded I kill everyone in the capital, but there was no deadline. I'll deal with these dogs first and handle the rest later—one by one, after those strong ones leave."
Straightening with a facade of grandeur, the god spoke, its voice dripping with mockery.
"Ah, how convenient. So many pesky insects have gathered here."
Its gaze swept over the Radiant Expedition with open disdain. Compared to the warriors behind them, the paladins posed little threat. The god's eyes glead with contempt as the paladins tightened their formation.
Watching from afar, Michael smirked. Like many others, he harbored resentnt toward the Radiant Kingdom. Their opportunistic ddling was tireso, but they ca ard with the Pope's insignia, claiming moral superiority. Pushing them away without causing political complications had been impossible.
Yet now, they had foolishly walked into their own demise. Michael had no intention of intervening. This was a spectacle to be enjoyed.
anwhile, Alejandro drew his sacred sword and shouted triumphantly, "Prepare yourselves! We will vanquish this evil and return with the emperor's secrets. The Radiant Kingdom shall be stronger than ever, and the Pope himself will celebrate our triumph! Are you ready to embrace martyrdom?"
The paladins, save for the veteran, responded with fervent cries.
"Radiance! Radiance! Radiance!"
Alejandro basked in their enthusiasm, his face alight with pride. "In the na of Radiance, smite the evil! Paladins, charge!"
"By the light!"
"For Radiance's call, we shall be sanctified!"
"Let there be light!"
Brandishing their swords, the paladins charged forward, their voices ringing with chants of praise. Watching them, the veteran paladin wept silently, his wrinkled face etched with sorrow. Unable to abandon his comrades, he reluctantly followed.
"Oh, Radiance… why have you forsaken us?" he murmured, his heart heavy with despair.
In a well-manicured corner of the imperial palace gardens, an unexpected argunt had broken out. Observing the paladins charging toward the otherworldly god, one of the powerful warriors from the expedition casually spoke up.
Reviews
All reviews (0)