Chapter 395 Cursed name
The Justice of Light's headquarters was completely flattened and even the academy was no longer standing. They were not sure if the principal, the teachers and students were able to leave but they hoped that they were safe even though there's no longer a safe place in Lunaira. The manors of the nobles were all destroyed which did not affect them as much.
"Had you have enough?" A voice asked after they stood in the center of the city when they were done exploring. They looked back and saw that it was Astrophos.
"Yes," was Ezio's simple answer.
"You shouldn't be surprised, Ezio. You already knew what kind of person the master was." Astrophos walked to them and patted them one-by-one. "Let's just be thankful that we are on his side and that he accepted us to be his side."
Astrophos looked at the mess before he sighed. He was not there when the battle began because he was busy following the crown prince to wherever he was going. When he returned, this was what met him, a destroyed Lunaira.
"Don't dwell on it too much and focus on what you will be able to contribute to the master for him to not abandon you. Now that this place is no more than a destroyed kingdom, it is important that you think of your own survival."
The three young men frowned at Astrophos's words but they couldn't deny the truth of it. If the master really destroys this world, they would be traveling to another world. If they wanted to continue living then they would need to prove themselves.
The destruction of Lunaira was unknown to Crown Prince Renzo as he traveled to the Holy Kingdom to ask for their help. He did not look back even though all he wanted to do was return and support his father but he promised that he would bring back reinforcements. He rode day and night just to reach the kingdom.
He could already see it from a far and relief washed over him because the diminishing hope he had flared up once again. The crown prince rode faster in hopes of reaching the kingdom because he did not know what was the status of Lunaira now. The earlier he could get their answer, the earlier he could return.
The Holy Kingdom had been neutral for hundreds of years now and they did not join any war. But this time it was different, so Renzo was hoping that they would aid them in their predicament because this was not only Lunaira's matter but the whole of the world. He reached the gates of the kingdom just as the sun was setting and upon introducing himself, he was welcomed.
The pope and the other priests that ruled the kingdom had been waiting for him because they were informed in advance via letter. The letter gave a brief explanation of what was happening but they wanted to hear it exactly from the crown prince. This was an unprecedented situation and even the gods spoke to them regarding the matter.
They dare not take the situation lightly. So, as soon as the crown prince arrived in the kingdom, he was immediately ushered to them. They looked at the disheveled prince who rode there nonstop. The pope who was sitting at the head of the table gestured for one of the servants to give the prince a drink and food.n(.OvElB1n
Renzo was urged by the pope and the priests to eat and drink first. He felt uncomfortable being watched as he ate but the hunger was already making him dizzy. He ate everything on the table and when he was full, he was now ready to talk to the rulers of the Holy Kingdom.
Now that he was looking at them closely, he felt a bit intimidated because their attention was fixed on him. He was afraid that he might say something that could offend them and add to that the awkward and heavy situation inside the conference room. He cleared his throat and decided to speak now.
"As my father had said in the letter, Lunaira, no not only Lunaira but our world is facing a disaster that threatens to destroy it." He started and this made the priests focus on him even more but he swallowed his fear and continued. "He assumed the name Rigel Maverick Ginehart but in reality his name is Cyg-" he stopped at the middle of his sentence as he started to cough our blood.
This reaction incited murmurs inside the room and one of them suddenly spoke, "Cursed name." The priest who was beside Renzo eased his pain by using his holy power.
Renzo was able to breathe normally once again. He looked up and choked for a while before he managed to get out his question. "Cursed name?"
The priest who helped him nodded and answered his question. "Yes. It is a curse that could turn a person's name into a curse. Once it is spoken by anyone, that person would definitely suffer and die. But it seems that this curse name is a bit special. Only a syllable from it and you are reacting like this already."
He then passed him a paper and pen and urged him to write the name. Renzo became unsure if he could even write the name. Something might happen to him if he tried to write it.
The priest noticed his anxiousness and gently patted him on the back. "Don't worry that paper and pen are blessed by the gods so it could hold the curse name. You don't need to worry."
With that, Renzo did not hesitate to write the name. He was holding his breath as he was writing but nothing happened to him even after that so he sighed in relief. He then passed the paper to the priest. The priest then raised the paper for all to see and read the enemy's identity.
Just a few seconds after he raised it, the paper burned and turned into ashes. Luckily, they were all able to read the name. The priest looked at the ashes on his hand with a frown on his face. "It is a dangerous name." He declared.
Renzo saw the others nodding to the priest's statement. He then saw the pope gesturing for him to continue and he did. He relayed what he heard from the man himself and the reason why he was doing all of this. The priests and the pope were all ears until he reached the end of his narration.
"This is no longer revenge," the pope spoke. "He is already tainted by darkness and I fear that he had become darkness himself. What happened to him was indeed unfortunate but there is nothing we can do for him now aside from defeating him and giving him the rest that he deserved."
This statement earned another acknowledgement from the priests. Then the priest beside him once again spoke, "The gods had already given us revelation regarding the matter and we've called forth the greatest heroes of our kingdom."
Renzo was happy to hear that the Holy Kingdom would make their move. Although he did not share their sentiment, it was already enough that they were willing to help them destroy the enemy. To think that they would even summon the heroes of the world to kill the enemy was beyond his expectation but it was better.
"This 'World Breaker', we will make sure that he will be eliminated as the gods decreed and for the survival of our world." Another priest spoke with firmness in his tone and it made the atmosphere a bit lighter.
The priests were confident that they could destroy the enemy this time because the gods would lend them a hand. The pope stood up from his seat and swept his gaze at them. "This man's history is unique and we might encounter demons so make sure that the heroes will be ready for this scenario."
"It is a shame that we don't even know who amongst the demons entered in a contract with him." One of them was disappointed because if they knew who the demon was then it would be easier for them to devise a plan against their enemy.
Renzo wanted to help but the man did not mention any demons after he told them his life story and the reason why he was not on good terms with the gods. After a few more minutes of discussion, the pope dismissed them. Renzo on the other hand was shown to his room.
After the meeting, the pope was inside his study and the priest who had been answering Renzo's questions entered. He looked at the old man who remained silent despite his presence inside the room. The man must have been thinking deep after hearing that story.
"What do you think about this 'World Breaker', your eminence?" The priest asked. At first, he found the story ridiculous even after they were given a warning from the gods.