Chapter 82: Fallen Star (2)

Chapter 82: Fallen Star (2)

TL/Editor: Rungir

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On a night so dark even the moon hides behind the clouds.

"We sped up the Emperor's death just as planned," a man with a blank face said, hidden in a quiet corner of the Imperial City. He spoke to a woman wearing a priest's robe.

"That's right, it'll be easier for us to act now. Your idea was a good one," the woman replied, nodding and smiling at him.

They claimed that the Emperor's death the previous day was their doing.

This was partly true.

They didn't poison the Emperor with demonic poison, but they did make the symptoms show up faster.

"The Imperial City will become even more chaotic now."

Their original plan didn't involve the Emperor, but the recent death of the third prince, Enoch, messed up their plans. They decided the Emperor's death would be a good distraction.

The Imperial City had been chaotic recently, filled with all kinds of incidents, but it wasn't the chaos they wanted.

All these incidents happened because of others, not them. And even worse, the Imperial City seemed to be finding stability after the chaos.

The death of the Emperor would shake up this delicate balance.

"I wonder where we should start?"

As the woman pondered out loud with a gleeful voice, the man spoke up.

"Why not use the Emperor's funeral to target Zion Agnes?"

"I wouldn't recommend that. No doubt many ambassadors from all over, including the borderlands, will come to the Imperial City for the funeral. We would stand out too much, and there's a high chance of failure."

If a lot of people were to gather, naturally, many of them would be powerful, and the alert level would rise.

Trying to act against Zion Agnes in such a situation would undoubtedly be harder than usual.

"Instead of getting rid of Zion Agnes, what if we try to recruit him?"

"That's absurd..."

The woman started to object but then widened her eyes as if a new idea had struck her.

Seeming to know what she was thinking, the man continued, "After all, we don't need Zion Agnes's mind."

"You mean, like the fourth prince? That might work..."

She wondered why she hadn't thought of it earlier.

"But isn't that Tara's job?"

The woman asked the man, suddenly considering this possibility.

They were both part of the Five Demon Spirits, but they did different work and competed with each other. They hadn't worked together until now.

"I suppose we'll have to swallow our pride and ask."

Lowering their heads to a demon of the same rank was tough and stung their egos, but the man thought it was necessary to get rid of Zion Agnes, even if it meant doing so.

To him, Zion Agnes was a big headache.

"Since you talked to Diral last time, I'll take care of it this time," the woman said, shrugging in response to the man's words.

To her too, Zion Agnes was a problem, maybe even a bigger one than the man realized.

"This time, for sure..."

As the woman murmured these words, her eyes turned as cold as ice.

---

Raei Translations

---

Emperor Urdios Agnes's death.

Maybe it was because he used to rule the world, even though he had been sick and bed-bound for several years recently.

The news traveled across the empire instantly and shook everyone.

Funeral preparations in the imperial city started right after the emperor's death, and mourners began gathering from everywhere.

"So many of them."

Standing in the open space in front of Baekseong Palace, where the emperor's funeral preparations were underway, Zion watched the lines of mourners that filled the area and spilled over into the surrounding spaces.

Yet, only about half of them had arrived.

"I guess the beastmen won't show up?"

Among the many mourners, the beastmen were almost nowhere to be seen.

It was an odd sight, but for Zion, who knew what would happen in the next year, it was expected.

His gaze moved from the mourners to the coffin of Urdios, lying on a grand platform.

"You wanted me to save the empire."

The emperor's final wish and command.

His hair, dyed a radiant gold, served as a testament to his unwavering devotion to the God of Light.

His golden eyes, matching his hair, brimmed with divine light rather than celestial stars.

Coupled with his handsome features and imposing height, the man before them was the spitting image of the first prince as described in the annals.

'Has the narrative changed again?'

Zion, observing Rubrious, was filled with uncertainty.

According to the original narrative of the annals, the first prince should not have attended this funeral.

No, he shouldn't have made any significant appearances in the future at all.

Rubrious was known as the Fanatic Prince.

Living up to his title, he, who had devoted his life to the Church of Light, had little interest in political power games, including the throne.

He had all but severed ties with the royal family, including the emperor, and had chosen to reside within the confines of the church instead of the imperial city.

Hence, his appearance at the funeral was all the more surprising.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Evelyn asked in a frosty voice as Rubrious approached the emperor's coffin.

"Is that how you greet someone you haven't seen in a long time?"

"I asked what is happening."

"It's my father's funeral. Naturally, I should be here."

The first prince replied, unfazed by the chilly reception.

"Hah..."

Evelyn's face twisted into an expression of disbelief at his words.

From the moment their father, Emperor Urdios, fell ill and took to his bed, right up until his death, Rubrious hadn't shown his face even once.

Then.

"And from now on, I will preside over my father's funeral."

These words flowed gently from Rubrious's mouth.

At that, those around him, including Evelyn, gazed at the first prince, momentarily unable to understand his words.

"You've done a commendable job preparing in my stead, as the eldest, Evelyn."

Rubrious addressed her with sincere gratitude.

Indeed, had things proceeded as initially planned, it would have been right for the eldest prince to take the helm.

However, he, who had neglected all matters of the royal family in favor of religion and had not even shown up in the imperial city for several years, had no right to say so.

Yet, Rubrious's eyes, showing no signs of wavering, seemed to truly think that it was only natural.

As if he was the successor to the next throne and the other royal family members were merely roles to aid him.

Indeed, Rubrious's words about leading the funeral revealed his ambition for the throne.

"How can you be so shameless and unreasonable...!"

Before Evelyn could object with angry eyes to his attitude of supreme self-importance.

"Ah, and also."

Rubrious, as if recalling something, mumbled briefly and began to walk somewhere, turning his body.

And where he stopped was.

"It seems the rumors that you've changed a lot are true."

None other than in front of Zion.

The first prince, looking at Zion with a gentle smile.

Zion met the eyes of such a Rubrious.

Eyes filled with fanaticism, believing only in their own faith.

Then, soon.

"Come under me, Zion."

From the mouth of the first prince.

"And devote yourself to the God of Light."

A faint voice flowed.

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