“It is said that the Messiah is neither male nor female.”
Some showed their respect, while others wept uncontrollably.
The price of faith over time had manifested right here, in the Rockefeller Domain.
In the most righteous form they had longed for and imagined.
“And also, it has the purest white color and the softest wings that embrace everything. This is from Chapter 3, Verse 19. Yes, just like your appearance now.”
The Knight Commander knelt down without hesitation.
If one believed in God, the being that had to be revered was right in front of them.
If they did not revere it, they would cut off anyone’s head.
If anyone caused even the slightest harm to this being, they would annihilate their existence.
Such loyalty welled up from deep within their chest, enough to cause a shiver.
“O most great and illustrious being. Please give us a command.”
“A command.”
Sena looked around at the kneeling Holy Knights with a bit of nervousness.
Even Cruyff was bowing. Whether his actions were sincere or not was unknown, but it was what was desired.
‘It’s alright. Just as expected.’
The initiative had shifted from Cruyff to him. The knights were ready to act as if they would die with just one word from him.
“Everyone, that is enough. Step back.”
Sena said this and walked among the kneeling knights.
Every time Sena took a step, people flinched as if they were sinners.
It was truly overwhelming divine power that made their bodies tremble involuntarily.
Sena looked directly at Cruyff and spoke.
“Threatening innocent people will not be tolerated by Lady Justitia.”
‘It’s over. Cruyff.’
The situation was settled.
They would safely be sent back and return to their homeland.
Completing the last wish of their life safely.
“Seria. Can you see how much time Sena has left?”
“…10 days.”
“Not much time left.”
Sena calmly observed Cruyff, who was conversing quietly with Seria.
As if aware of Sena’s gaze, Cruyff stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
“It is an honor to meet you, Messiah.”
‘…What is this scheme?’
The knights were ready to give their lives for God.
They had the pure white wings and immense divine power that could be considered evidence of that divinity.
Clearly, Sena’s words would take precedence over Cruyff’s orders, who was not even a pope yet.
“Everyone, rise. Draw your swords and strike down those unbelievers. That alone is true worship.”
“…Didn’t you hear me say to stop?”
However, Cruyff had not yet lost his composure.
A sense of unease overtook him.
It felt as if everything happening now was going according to Cruyff’s will.
‘No. That can’t be.’
But nothing changed.
Even if Cruyff stubbornly resisted here, the initiative had undeniably shifted.
Sena looked around and said.
“Everyone, lower your swords and surrender.”
The knights flinched and looked around. But one by one, they were sheathing their swords.
Sena’s pure white wings were undeniable proof of faith.
“Didn’t you hear me? Do you all want to be executed? I said to take up your swords!”
“…But, Your Holiness.”
Confusion spread among the knights.
They stopped with their swords half-sheathed.
There was confusion about what to choose between the two overwhelming presences.
The Knight Commander spoke to Cruyff with a stern look.
“Sorry, but what we follow is……”
“Not visible to the Knight Commander’s eyes.”
“…What do you mean?”
“The brainwashed angel.”
‘What?’
The absurdity of the statement left Sena momentarily speechless. But he quickly gathered himself.
“What nonsense are you talking about? I am being brainwashed?”
“Demons tempt angels, constantly corrupting and forcing lies.”
“Don’t believe him. I am not corrupted by anyone.”
“Poor angel does not even realize that he is being deceived. That is why demons are dangerous.”
“No. I am completely sane. The bad one is Cruyff, isn’t it? Seria. Say something too.”
Seria avoided Sena’s gaze. She merely mouthed the words.
‘I’m sorry.’
“How much you have suffered all this time. Among those unbelievers, enduring harsh pain, no doubt. Do not worry. I, your father, have come to take you.”
“Don’t be deceived! Cruyff is lying right now!”
“I already knew everything. That the unbeliever Empress Astria has been brainwashing you for a long time. Poor child.”
“By Lady Justitia…”
It was the moment Sena was about to put an end to it.
Cruyff caressed Sena’s cheek and said.
“Look, this is the evidence.”
Cruyff lifted his finger and drew a line from left to right.
“Gulp.”
Sena immediately slumped to the ground.
‘W-What’s happening?’
His whole body was aching. Breathing was difficult, and something was rising from deep in his throat.
Sena covered his mouth with both hands.
‘No. If I vomit blood here…’
It would lead to a misunderstanding about Astria. He hurriedly searched for the cause. Even if his body was unwell, it wasn’t sudden like this.
It didn’t take long to guess the cause. The bandages, the bandages. Strange energy was seeping out from them, making his body dizzy.
-‘Wrap this around your body. It will help.’
“Cru, Cruyff…!”
Sena glared at Cruyff with fury.
“See! Do you sense the smell of demons?”
“Y-Yes, it’s true.”
“The smell of a devil worshiper from the angel’s body…”
“The divine power is shaking!”
‘No more. This is my limit.’
The blood he had barely held back trickled down his lips.
“Cough.”
In the end, Sena vomited a gush of red blood. His head started to spin as if he were in a dream.
“Senior!”
“Don’t move!”
“How dare you to the angel!”
“Damn it! What have you done to Senior!”
Sylvia’s cries, also mixed with vomiting, were faintly heard. Sena trembled and placed his hand on his thigh to untie the bandages.
But even after removing the bandages, the pain remained. Sena was shocked more by Cruyff’s actions than the physical pain.
‘Why?’
Cruyff, seen through his dim vision, was clearly showing sadness.
The trembling fingertips were visible. Yet, his gaze was clear.
That was the demeanor of someone with no regret for their actions.
‘This isn’t the time.’
He needed to pull himself together and continue his speech as soon as possible. If things continued like this, an irreversible event would occur.
But then.
“Ahahaha!”
Sena turned his head. Astria was laughing uncontrollably, unable to contain herself.
She laughed so much that tears formed at the corners of her eyes. She staggered slightly as she approached.
“This is amusing. Cruyff. If I had known you were such an entertaining man, I would have cast my vote for you long ago.”
Astria’s demeanor was more ferocious than ever.
“However, it seems you are mistaken.”
Astria’s blonde hair swayed.
It was not due to the wind.
Mana. A large amount of magical power flowing from her Dantian created an effect that resembled the blowing of wind.
“Do you think you can kill me? You insignificant beings?”
Crash!
A massive crater formed around her right foot. The ground split as it couldn’t withstand the excessive magical power.
The knights, who had been unable to raise their heads due to the overwhelming divine power, were now pressed by another pressure.
Not awe, but fear. A violent mana that overwhelmed everything. As humans, they could only tremble in fear.
A Tyrant’s Aura.
“Truly an interesting story. Try it. If you can, that is.”
Swish-!
It was once.
Just a single strike.
Yet, the result of that simple action was astonishing.
“T-This can’t be.”
Half.
Exactly half of them disappeared.
Knights numbering close to a hundred were struck down in one blow.
With no preparation stance, with a mere casual swing, as if it was trivial.
‘I was thinking wrong.’
The one who needed to be stopped was not Cruyff.
It was Astria.
He had severely underestimated her power.
A long silence lingered.
The knights could not even lift a finger.
At that moment, they vividly felt that death was approaching.
Yet, in this space thick with murderous intent, only one person remained calmly smiling.
Sena was stunned by that smile.
“Hahaha.”
It was a smile that seemed relieved.
“You surpass all expectations. To rule over this vast empire, one must be at that level, I suppose?”
“Are you flattering me because a crisis has come?”
“Not at all. Your Majesty, I have never once made a wrong judgment.”
“The time for hearing nonsense is over. I will send you to Justitia, whom you so long to see.”
“No, that’s not it.”
Cruyff took out a black orb from his bosom.
Astria’s eyes widened.
The pattern on the orb was familiar.
The emblem of the Kairos family.
“Do you think I would try to stop you with this mere force?”
“What? You insolent—!”
The worst-case scenario here was the arrival of Duke Granz.
That’s why he had endured until the last moment and used his strength.
‘So, he must have been lying in ambush nearby. Even though I didn’t feel anything when I checked the area, it must have been quite far. It would take time to arrive. That means this is a location spell.’
Astria quickly assessed the situation.
She decided to use all her magic power to kill these intruders and then retreat.
Of course, the best option would be to kill Cruyff before using the black orb.
Without hesitation, Astria swung her sword with all her strength towards Cruyff.
And at that moment.
“No! Astria!”
Sena shouted urgently and rushed towards Astria.
‘The lifespan has changed.’
The numbers had changed the moment Astria swung her sword.
[0]
An extremely reduced number meant only one thing.
With that choice, Astria would die.
‘Why? What is…!’
Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Sena focused all his nerves, ready to use his power.
He quickly found the cause. A knight in a helmet was making a move right next to Astria.
Soon, his sword was enveloped in an aura. Black. An aura color that should not come from a knight.
Duke Granz Kairos. He was the only one who could possibly challenge Astria.
Even Astria’s cold gray eyes glanced towards Granz.
The problem was that it was already too late. The attack, filled with Astria’s aura, was already halfway through. It was impossible to retrieve it from there.
‘The power…’
Sena had the “ability to cut through everything”. It would definitely work.
But, would it work against a knight like Granz?
If it doesn’t, Astria would die.
‘That can’t happen.’
Sena decided to choose a more certain method.
He pushed Astria with his body.
Thud-!
“…!”
Astria’s sword missed.
Red blood stained Cruyff’s cheek.
Because Sena had pushed her at the moment of impact.
The same went for Granz’s strike. Thanks to being pushed, Granz’s sword did not reach Astria.
However—
“…Sena?”
“Hahaha, th-this…”
Granz’s sword had pierced through Sena.
Sena looked at Astria with an awkward smile.
“I-It hurts more than I expected.”
