204 - The World Conference (6)

204 - The World Conference (6)

TL/Editor: raei

Status: ongoing

Illustrations: none

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In the large clearing before the Purification Cult's main branch...

An unusual sight unfolded - no, one that should have been impossible.

The radical faction members who had practically ruled the Purification Cult were all kneeling respectfully.

Before them stood the moderate faction members with triumphant expressions.

Though it appeared the radicals had submitted to the moderates, the reality was slightly different.

The radicals had submitted not to the moderates but to the woman smiling before them.

"What, not going to attack anymore?"

This scene hadn't played out peacefully from the start.

Perhaps because it was their first sight of her in hundreds of years?

Halasho and the other radicals had refused to accept that the woman before them, Liushina, was the Witch of a Thousand Killings they worshipped like a god, leading to battle.

As soon as fighting began, Liushina laughed madly while mercilessly slaughtering cultists with her signature blood magic. Seeing this display of the "Beast Mother" known only through oral tradition and records, Halasho immediately dropped to his knees begging forgiveness.

"No, we apologize for our irreverence in not recognizing Mother immediately! We've committed a mortal sin!"

Renet nervously waited for Liushina to say "Then die," but fortunately those words didn't come.

"Hmm, at least your instincts are good. I was planning to kill everyone if you kept attacking."

Though her follow-up was still chilling.

With that, Liushina clicked her tongue as if bored and walked past the kneeling Halasho and radicals toward the main building.

Collins quickly fell in beside her.

"You created those blood wolves or whatever? Take me to where you keep the data on them."

"Of course. Haha, now that Mother has returned, the Purification Cult can finally be unified."

Expectation filled Collins's eyes as he spoke.

In truth, both radical and moderate factions pursued the same ultimate goal.

They only differed on timing - before or after the witch's return.

Thus, with Liushina's return, that distinction had essentially lost meaning.

"My heart leaps thinking about purifying the world together with Mother."

But Liushina's next words completely shattered his expectations.

"I've no plans for that."

"...Pardon? What do you mean? Wasn't Mother's goal to purify the world by killing all life on earth?"

"Well, I did want to kill everyone, though not quite so grandly. But that's changed now."

"But why..."

Bewilderment filled Collins's eyes.

Liushina's words essentially denied the Purification Cult's entire reason for existing.

But unconcerned, Liushina continued in a calm tone.

"My master doesn't like it."

"What? Master? You're saying there's someone Mother serves?"

Collins's expression grew even more shocked.

"Just who could this per- no, this being be..."

"There is. One monster of a person."

A monster she couldn't even imagine defeating.

As she recalled a certain man, a refreshingly different smile from before spread across Liushina's lips.

The emperor's throne was heavy.

At least, that's how Evelyn had seen her father.

Understood by no one.

Unable to show any weakness.

Emotions thoroughly hidden.

Always crushing everything else to maintain supremacy.

A position more lonely and treacherous than any other.

That's why Evelyn had resolved.

To become emperor and shoulder all those burdens herself.

To never let anyone else bear that weight.

Without letting a single person die.

Yet now Zion, who had seemed least connected to it all, was trying to shoulder that burden.

"Zion, you won't be able to bear that seat."

That's why Evelyn needed to know.

Whether her youngest sibling, practically her only blood relation, truly qualified to bear that weight.

No, truthfully, she wanted to make him give up even now.

She didn't want to see Zion meet the same miserable end as their father.

SWOOSH-

The tip of Evelyn's symbolic Lion Sword Lioner slowly pointed toward Zion.

"That's not for you to judge."

Zion coldly answered as he grasped at empty air beside him.

Evelyn slightly bent her knees while watching the countless shockwaves erupting from this.

Her form vanished from that spot and-

BOOM!

With exploding air, reappeared right before Zion.

As the princess's sword clashed with Zion's Eclaxia, now filled with black stars along its blade-

--- --!

The entire view began alternating between black and white.

"Whoa..."

This sound unconsciously escaped the dazed observers' lips.

The battle unfolding in the training ground's center.

No, could this simply be called a battle?

The scene before them was that awe-inspiring.

Hearts unconsciously racing and shivers continuously rising!

People's eyes fixed not on Evelyn but on Zion.

They knew well.

How strong Evelyn Agnes, called the strongest knight, was.

So while amazed by her transcendent swordsmanship, they could dismiss it thinking "Well, she is the Lion Princess after all."

But Zion was different.

'He's matching the Lion Princess... evenly?'

Though rumors had spread widely, few present had directly witnessed Zion's power.

So except for those like Ahmad and Ackendelt who had recently fought alongside him, most wore disbelieving expressions.

Was this man truly Zion Agnes, who just a year ago had been called the abandoned pureblood and confined to the Sinking Star Palace?

Even if true, was such growth possible?

It defied belief.

It felt like everything they had thought natural about the world was shattering.

'Moreover, that appearance is like...'

As some observers began recalling someone while watching Zion fight,

'Strong.'

Zion thought this while continuing to clash with Evelyn.

As expected of one who approached the title of strongest even in the chronicle.

The Lion Princess's strength exceeded his expectations.

'Is it because she reached seven stars?'

More faithful to fundamentals than anyone while simultaneously more skilled than anyone.

Though contradictory, these words perfectly suited Evelyn.

Perfect and flawless.

Every ordinary strike carried killing power, and her defense was like an impenetrable fortress wall.

Like watching a fortress of unified offense and defense.

"Taking the throne."

Evelyn's subdued voice flowed as she split Zion's Black Star darkness with Heaven Opposition light, as if ignoring type advantages.

"Means bearing the heaviest burden alone."

Her offensive grew fiercer.

The barely maintained power balance began cracking as advantage shifted toward her.

"And no one will understand you."

CRASH!

Wounds began appearing one by one on Zion's body as the situation grew urgent.

Zion knew.

That continuing like this could lead to defeat.

But it was too early to give up.

'This is manageable.'

One thing.

There was one thing where Zion held absolute advantage over the Lion Princess before him.

"You know what?"

SCREECH!

Zion smiled coldly at Evelyn who glared at him from sword-locked close range where their breaths mingled.

"I was never understood to begin with."

"...!"

As Evelyn's eyes wavered, sensing something in that smile - CLASH!

Zion's sword began to change.

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