Chapter 348: Star, the Reunion (5)

Chapter 348: Star, the Reunion (5)

[You have brought the defendant before the court as the judge, Ksitigarbha King.]

[Defendant]

Divine Name: New Tian Shi Yuan (Previously Iron-Blooded Lion.)Visitt novelbin(.)co/m for the latest updates

Faction: Purple Star Astrology.

Real Name: Richardus the Grain Star.

Swooosh―!

With the sound of Divine Steel chains quickly tightening around Richardus, the world around him changed. Even until that moment, however, Richardus still smiled bitterly instead of looking terrified.

[The ‘eye in the darkness’ has opened!]

Paaah―!

The gigantic eye of Thanatos, the King of the Underworld, opened in the vast sky.

『I see that the outstanding second leader of <Purple Star Astrology> has been caught, huh? I’m very happy because of my partner’s hard work.』

Unlike the previous time, Thanatos did not take part in this Divine Trial; thus, he was present as a mere spectator, not a judge. Of course, he could become a juror if necessary, but he did not plan on it.

This Divine Trial was Chang-Sun’s first time acting as a judge, and Chang-Sun was a partner of the <Underworld>, not their weapon. Thus, Thanatos had to help Chang-Sun solidify his footing in the public eye. Only then would people experience proper fear when Chang-Sun made a move in the future.

『I believe it is not really good for me to be the only audience of such an important trial, so I would like to turn this trial into an open court and give people the opportunity to repent for their crimes.』

Thump!

It sounded as if Thanatos had slammed his armrest.

[The Divine Trial has changed from a closed trial to an open trial!]

[The news has been announced across <Heaven>.]

[The Celestials and <Societies> who heard the news have requested to watch the trial.]

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ rushes over, successfully becoming the first to attend the trial.]

[The Celestial ‘Primordial Evil Dragon’ enters the courtroom with a bucket of popcorn, saying that she cannot possibly miss an interesting opportunity like this.]

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ applies to attend the trial on behalf of the Society <Niflheim>.]

[The Celestial ‘Twilight-Piercing Owl’ applies to attend the trial on behalf of the Society <Olympus>, avoiding her noisy siblings.]

[The Celestial ‘Sky’s and Earth’s Connecting Wing’ nonchalantly follows his sister.]

[The Celestial ‘Madness Infuser’ attends the trial, making some noise.]

...

[The Celestial ‘Tsunami Bringer’ attends the trial.]

[The Celestial ‘Plague Monarch’ furtively attends the trial, looking around.]

...

[The Celestial ‘Garden Gatekeeper’ disapprovingly attends the trial on behalf of the Society <Maleakhe>.]

[The Celestial ‘Malignity-Drinking Saturn’ wishes to watch the trial on behalf of the Society <L’Infernal>.]

...

[A total of 263,995 Celestials have applied to attend the trial as audience members.]

[A total of 6,412,543 Celestials are waiting to have their application approved.]

...

[The Channeling is unstable due to too many applications.]

[The Channeling is unstable.]

[Many Celestials send complaints about the crappy server to the <Management Bureau>!]

[Some Celestials are considering the option of attacking the <Management Bureau>.]

...

[The <Management Bureau> has declared a state of emergency. The employees are quickly moving to get the server restored.]

“Does the defendant admit that he abused his authority to defy the law of causality and exploit mortals’ Faith?”

“...”

“Does the defendant admit that he framed and conspired against his comrades for his own personal greed?”

“...”

As Chang-Sun listed the charges one by one, Richardus did not answer, exercising his right to remain silent. Although Chang-Sun wanted to hear the story of someone he had once believed to be his comrade, he had not thought it likely for Richardus to respond, so he did not press Richardus.

“Lastly...” Chang-Sun inhaled and exhaled sharply. With blazing eyes, he asked, “...is there anything you would like to say, defendant?”

“...I,” Richardus began after a long time. “I once idolized and respected you for having things I lacked, and I think that was why I was obsessed with you.”

What was he trying to say?

Chang-Sun replied, “So?”

“But I now realize that I don’t need to do that anymore,” Richardus finished.

Chang-Sun was the one who did not answer this time. Many memories flashed through his mind, from their first encounter to the time when Richardus had tried to stop Chang-Sun from leaving his comrades. Chang-Sun had thought that he got along with Richardus best among his comrades. If he thought about it, Richardus was acting very much in character right now.

“As the Ksitigarbha King, I give Grain Star, the defendant, the following verdict,” Chang-Sun shouted loudly. At the same time, the air within the courtroom seemed to freeze. Chang-Sun continued, “Seal the Celestial.”

That was all it took.

Swoosh!

The pulleys turned, and the gate to the Bottomless Void opened wide underneath Richardus’ feet. Even as he sank, Richardus remained smiling in spite of the fact that even Sangwon had looked scared before the Bottomless Void. It was as if he had something he was counting on.

‘Something he’s counting on...?’

The thought suddenly crossed Chang-Sun’s mind, but the process of sealing Richardus in the Bottomless Void was almost over. At the last moment, Richardus moved his lips at an angle only Chang-Sun could see.

See you again, my friend.

‘...What?’

After realizing what Richardus was saying, Chang-Sun intended to ask Richardus what he meant by that, but...

Thud...!

...the gate to the Bottomless Void was already closed after Richardus sank completely into it.

‘See you again?’

Chang-Sun could not understand what Richardus had said. Was Richardus going to break out from the prison? That was impossible. Since Richardus was bound in Divine Steel chains, his divine power was sealed, so he would be stuck in the Bottomless Void for eternity. There had not been a single incident in which the prisoners of the <Underworld> had escaped. The prisoners were called Fallen Stars for a reason. Perhaps Richardus was just asking Chang-Sun to meet again the next time he visited the <Underworld>. Chang-Sun concluded that Richardus was simply acting tough.

[The Celestial ‘New Tian Shi Yuan’ has been incarcerated in the Bottomless Void!]

[The Divine Trial has been completed.]

[The courtroom has closed.]

...

[The Society <Purple Star Astrology> has weakened significantly!]

[The <Purple Star Astrology> Celestials are greatly shocked]

[Many of the <Purple Star Astrology> troops in battle are shaken up after hearing the news.]

[The United Army troops are fighting back more fiercely.]

...

[The Society <Maleakhe> is having an emergency meeting about the trial’s outcome.]

[The Seven Demon Kings of the Society <L’Infernal> wish to discuss how to respond to the Society <Maleakhe>.]

...

Despite the fact the Divine Trial had come to an end, Chang-Sun could not get rid of the uneasiness he was feeling.

‘Come to think of it, why did he come to Earth all on his own without bringing any of his subordinates?’

Chang-Sun’s gaze turned sharp, but he did not have time to linger on the thought.

Rumble...!

Even after Richardus was sealed, the birdcage did not disappear and continued to shrink.

[15 minutes and 42 seconds remaining until the birdcage’s complete shutdown!]