CH 126

A few days later, Elium officially announced the news of the disqualification of the God of Eternity, Raid and his expulsion.

The whole country was both agitated and excited. Riots also broke out in areas with many Raid priests.

I understand their feelings. It would be unbelievable news that the God they had believed in all their lives was the Demon King.

Raid priests, holding a sign that said, ‘Demand the truth from Elium,’ protested in front of the temple for several days.

Paladins also blocked those who recklessly entered, but sometimes people were injured.

It was a week after the first official proclamation when the turmoil was subdued by the Emperor’s order that if they didn’t accept and caused a disturbance in the country, they would be strictly governed by state law.

“Evil Demon Camilla and Demon King Leto… In other words, to commemorate the victory in the battle against Raid, we will exhibit the ‘Statue of Camilla’ in Elium.”

At the castle hall, Reihausd announced the contents of the statue display.

Originally, I was going to announce the news of the God Raid’s expulsion, but it was postponed due to the extreme backlash. It was because it would be difficult for the lost and angry Raid priests to come in and set fire to them.

“The blessings of the Eight Gods.”

“Please keep us out of the dark.”

After the crusade, the believers used the term ‘Eight Gods’ with familiarity.

“May Sir Reihausd have the protection of the Eight Gods.”

I smiled lightly at him as he came down the podium.

He looked at me with dark golden eyes and smiled together.

[The God of Art, Mond, praises Reihausd’s face.]

‘Now that the trap is set, how long will it take for Camilla to get caught?’

All that was left was to wait.

“You decided to visit the Imperial Palace today. The preparations are ready.”

Reihausd’s face was definitely brighter than before. He seemed to have said that he came after receiving counseling from someone, but it seemed to have helped him to shake off his unnecessary worries.

The choker dangling from his neck bothered me a little, but I smiled because there was nothing I could do about it now.

“Thank you. Sir Reihausd.”

“Please be careful.”

After a while, the carriage left the temple and headed towards the Imperial Palace in a stately manner.

The Emperor said he wanted to see me. Maybe it was because of the expulsion of God Raid, the content was just a guess.

The chat window flashed before my eyes.

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, wonders why you refused to meet Cass.]

Fortnight had already passed after that happened… at his house. And he communicated the will to meet through letters several times.

‘But what would I say when we meet?’

Just thinking about that moment again made my face turn red.

[I apologize. I don’t think I’ll be able to meet you because I’m not feeling well.]

And I sent the same reply several times.

I borrowed all the books about dating from the temple library, but I couldn’t figure out how to solve these problems.

“Ugh…”

I wrapped my head around complicated thoughts.

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, scolds you to just be single if you’re born single instead of leading.]

[The God of Love, Odyssey, advises that only misunderstandings will accumulate during the time of hesitation.]

[The God of Benevolence, Oman, advises you to turn around the carriage and storm into Cass’ bedroom.]

‘Maybe I was just in the mood. I wonder if Cass thinks so too.’

Thinking about that day, I had to be wrapped around a blanket several times a day.

Maybe because of that, Daisy looked at me with a know-it-all look and smiles.

“Alright… Now I’m on my way to the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Palace. Calm down.”

[The God of Destruction, Ciel, wags his tail.]

I said to myself, bringing my spirit that had gone to Cass back.

Let’s focus, focus.

“But was it supposed to be this way?”

After a while, I looked around outside the window and furrowed my eyebrows.

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, is disappointed in your sense of direction.]

[The God of Destruction, Ciel, blesses you.]

As expected, the carriage was heading in the wrong direction. Probably towards the dark alleyway opposite to the direction where the temple is located.

Hm, I feel uneasy, though?

As expected, exactly like that. A kidnap.

[The God of Benevolence, Oman, lightly scolds you for not bringing a whip.]

“Even if there’s no whip, I’m okay.”

With Ciel’s power in my hand, I relaxed my body. Then I knocked at the front of the carriage.

Clatterㅡ

With a clatter, a hole was punched in the wall ahead, and the coachman looked back in amazement.

[The God of Destruction, Ciel, shrugs his shoulders.]

“Hiiik! As expected, a demon!!”

“While I’m still saying nice things, will you stop? Or you want us to make it right?”

[The God of Benevolence, Oman, likes your words very much.]

[The God of Love, Odyssey, asks Oman which of the two words that make up ‘make it right’ is better.]

[The God of Justice, Hetuse, frowns and agonizes over the lack of answers from the two Gods.]

Thudㅡ

I knocked once more and the front wall fell completely to the floor, and the horses came to a halt.

The stop was in a maze-like complex alleyway.

As soon as the carriage stopped, dozens of people gathered as if they had been waiting.

“Haa…”

I let out a small sigh.

“Saintess, come out!”

“Pay for the sin of disrespecting God Raid with death!”

“Let’s grab the Saintess and tell the temple of Elium our demands!”

The coachman hurriedly stood between them and glared at me.

‘Hmm. It must have been this.’

Among Raid priests, there were still those who couldn’t accept the expulsion of God Raid. There were protests as a group, and there were also riots, but just when I thought it was a little quiet these days…

I knocked on the door with my hand.

Thud!

People flinched back as the door slammed to the floor.

“What are you doing?”

I asked them with cold eyes.

At first glance, they weren’t meticulously organized soldiers or trained people. Just an angry crowd.

“Saintess, take responsibility!”

“Resurrect God Raid! You witch!”

“Give us God Raid back! By what authority does Elium take away our God!”

It was understandable to be frustrated at the fact that a long-believed God had disappeared. But isn’t kidnapping a little too much?

The screams continued to erupt.

“Return God Raid!”

“Raid! Raid!”

“So.”

I energized my voice.

“Return the dead god, is that what you mean?”

People murmured at my words.

“Who is dead? The Gods are omnipotent!”

“Oh! God Raid!”

“As expected, she is a witch! Miss Camilla is a real saintess and this woman is a witch!”

I watched them silently.

I heard the confused cries of those who lost their way and didn’t know where to go. It seemed that they didn’t know how to express their sense of emptiness, so they expressed it in the wrong place. In this case, there is a good remedy.

After thinking for a while, I looked at them and said.

“If you really want that, then I will.”

[The Gods each open a bag of corn snacks.]

Then I heard the crown talking.

I said it clearly with a calm expression.

“Why, you asked me to bring a God back. Since I killed a God with the help of other Gods, can’t I get it back?”

“A-Are you saying that you can become a God?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!!”

Hearing the voice of anger erupting again, I put on a cool smile.

“Shall I resurrect Raid here and make it descend? Raid must like it because he has his own followers. Ah, but be aware of that.”

I spoke to them clearly.

“The demons do n’t regard humans as more than bugs. The same goes for Demon King Leto, or Raid, who opened the gate. As soon as he descends, he will happily tear you apart.”

I could see people’s pupils shaking.

I reached out to the sky and whispered to myself.

“Hessed. Please.”

Then Hessed gave a thunderbolt effect at the right time.

Roarㅡ!

As the sky darkened and flashes of light flashed through the clouds, fear came to people’s faces.

I have to give this level of effect to the Demon King’s descent to scare them.

“What are you doing!”

Boom, boom.

The sound of thunder hit my ears. I could see people’s eyes shaking.

“Shouldn’t we stop her?”

“Why, she said she can make Sir Raid descend.”

“But he’s still the Demon King… Disaster might happen.”

Differing opinions arose among the people.

“I-I’m going!”

“Me too!”

Some of the people who were shouting vigorously took their feet first.

However, there were also people who stayed and endured with long eyes.

‘I have quite a bit of confidence. At times like this, this is the best.’

With a solemn expression on my face, I chanted an incantation for an anime I once loved.

“Darkness beyond twilight. Crimson beyond blood that flows. Buried in the flow of time, here are followers who are willing to give their lives, flesh, and blood to you in the name of Raid, come on in and consume their bodies and souls as they wish.”

Swooshㅡ 

A rustling wind blew.

This spell seemed to be perfectly fit with the descent of the Demon King.