Night of the Soulless Heathens – 343



#343. Northern Qi’s Ascension to the Throne 3

Zan’s expression crumpled after hearing Azadin’s words.

“Could you please take stock of that? It’s easy for the captain to say it but I’m the one who has to deliver the message.”

“You’re not going to tell Cohen Lionaire yourself are you?”

“That may be true but…..”

“Cohen Lionaire knows that I went into the Cult of Wisdom’s basement and discovered the Celestial Reincarnation Ritual and that I am the last knight to receive the Order of Planck’s appointment. But if you treat me like the King of Assander I’ll be in trouble. I’ll just position myself as one of those damn weird messengers. Don’t worry. I won’t harm you or Kalintz.”

“Hmm. Is that so? I can’t say that there has been no damage already… It’s obvious now that our captain bet on Sir Azadin.”

“You’ve already shown it all? You’re not a good gambler.”

“That’s true. But wouldn’t a man who can’t gamble be a good husband?”

“Wouldn’t it be nice if the young lady received such compliments? Or… maybe not? Are you and Prince Kalintz getting married soon? Isn’t there something to celebrate soon?”

Azadin asked Zan with a smirk.

“Is there any news from Fireglyph?”

“Isn’t information pretty fast here? I understand that they are also trading with the Arangi Kingdom.”

The Sandokhar Gate was connected to the Arangi Kingdom so Azadin’s warlords were making a lot of money by sending traders on the Arangi Kingdom route.

Azadin’s warlords continued to grow as money weapons and manpower poured in.

Now that I was no longer an exile on the Chadra Plateau I could gather gossip from the world in Arangi.

“I heard that the Kingdom of Tarasar is also being attacked by the Nagas on the coast and that the Heralds have begun to assassinate key figures in each kingdom. A large number of refugees are also flocking to the Kingdom of Arangi and that there are cases of elemental Wailing patients in various places and that those who have despaired are becoming cultists and performing suspicious rituals.”

Azadin nodded as he listed the rumors he had heard so far.

“Are there any other rumors from the Rescue Knights?”

“…Well there are similar rumors in the Rescue Knights Command.”

“Really? From what I’ve heard there must be more to it than that?”

“Anyway I will make sure to convey that Sir Azadin. Haa. Really.”

Zan stepped back hesitating on how to politely convey to the fearsome Northern Emperor Cohen that he had been asked to come in person.

*********

As night fell snow began to fall. Although it was the end of summer and the beginning of fall snow was already piling up.

Azadin sat on the watchtower and closed his eyes listening to the sound of falling snow.

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To deal with the vampires that came he lit a bonfire on the gates of Sandokar every night and took a nap in front of it.

Now that he was the leader of a respectable force he could probably leave things to his subordinates and relax but Azadin couldn’t do that.

There are still those who curse Azadin because of his birth. The Herald Clan who joined hands with the Naga Empire is attacking kingdoms and creating refugees.

The refugees cannot help but feel disgusted towards the messenger tribe who shoot arrows and kill humans among the Nagas.

So it is not surprising that there are those among the refugees who doubt Azadin’s sincerity.

Even though they live off of the relief provided by Azadin they still suspect and hate Azadin.

In such a situation in order to maintain this power Azadin himself had to persevere and fight with all his might.

“….”

But the sound of someone throwing firewood into the bonfire woke Azadin.

A middle-aged man with hair like a lion’s mane a mixture of silver and blond was throwing logs into the bonfire.

The man who had split the firewood with his bare hands like some kind of cookie threw it into the bonfire and looked at Azadin across the fire.

“What a strange fellow. Is that the Eye of Harconia? Isn’t that a trait that only those of noble blood can display among the Herald Clan?”

Lion-like eyes were tearing at Azadin.

This is the North Jeolla Cohen Lioness.

Although Azadin was finally able to meet the person he had only heard of by name he did not panic and answered calmly.

“Wow. I get to meet someone of great fame.”

“Let’s not talk nonsense. You don’t respect me do you? You know I’m reincarnating Celestials.”

Azadin was actually surprised inside. There was no way Zan had already returned to the Northern Emperor and relayed Azadin’s words.

If I hadn’t left for Sandokar almost at the same time as Zan I wouldn’t have been able to get here.

Moreover it came without any signs of life.

‘I trusted Arael’s voice too much. I thought she was asleep until I approached her like this.’

[He is erasing his own presence and presence with special magic. As an artificial spirit I have no physical body so I am vulnerable to disappearing with magic.]

Arael’s voice explained her limitations. It seemed as if she was making excuses that it wasn’t her fault.

“Are you the last knight to receive the appointment from Lord Planck?”

“Probably so.”

“This is indeed a fate that will lead us. Why the Herald Clan? Is fate trying to test us all? Why would it entrust such a fate to someone whose bloodline is not noble but is hated by everyone?”

Cohen Lioner grumbled as he warmed himself by the bonfire.

“Can all the people really follow the Herald Clan without despising them? Can you become the great standard-bearer who will lead this Jupiterian era? I will not speak at length Lord Azadin. Be loyal to me. To accomplish a great cause you need a birth that overpowers people.”

Cohen Lionaire said this then realized that his words could be interpreted strangely and turned serious.

“I am not saying this to insult you. I highly value what you have accomplished so far. However the masses are ignorant and do not have the aesthetic sense to distinguish between good and bad. Just because you are a herald the masses will distrust and disparage you. Can you enlighten them all? Can you achieve great things while enlightening the ignorant masses in the midst of the tribulations brought about by the Age of Jupiter? It is impossible. Therefore in order to achieve great things be loyal to me.”

“What great undertaking are you trying to accomplish?”

“To achieve the unification of the Knights Templar and the King’s Church and the prosperity of humanity.”

“Do you think that human prosperity is impossible under the current circumstances?”

“Yes. As it is now we will not be able to survive the coming Jupiterian Age. Even if we survive this Jupiterian Age while divided what will happen after that? Is this division a division worthy of being defended in the name of diversity? As long as human power remains divided and divided there is no future for humanity.”

“It’s definitely not a worthwhile split.”

Azadin also acknowledged that point.

“But if division is not worth it does that mean unity is worth it? I would appreciate it if you could broaden my shallow perspective.”

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“Yes. Unity is valuable. Listen. The King’s Church worships the blood of God and the Knights Templar worship virtue. But that is the cause but what is it in reality? The believers of the Knights Templar worship the blood of angels and the King’s Church seeks to replace even the king with their own justice and greed. They must become one. Only then can they fill in the gaps in each other’s doctrines and become complete.”

“So you’re saying I have to come under you to accomplish that great undertaking?”

“Azadin. You are a member of the Herald Clan. And the Herald Clan is currently doing its utmost to destroy the kingdom and kill its people. Do you know how many people are dying at the hands of the Herald Clan at this very moment? Can you alone bear their resentment and hatred? That is your limit. As a member of the Herald Clan you may become the leader of a small force but in the end you will face opposition from the forces that hate you.”

“So Your Majesty because of my bloodline people won’t recognize me so I should use Your Majesty to achieve my goals. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes. I can be a great justification and shield for you. Is that all? I will grant you a place above all others. It will be a higher and more honorable place than my sons. Carry out your will in my name. After all you are not interested in direct fame or fortune are you? If Sir Planck is the last one to be knighted.”

Cohen Lioner made Azadin a sensational offer.

But Azadin shook his head.

“I’m sorry but would you like to decline that offer?”

“Why? Is it because you still desire wealth and honor?”

Cohen Lionaire’s offer was far too generous for a King of Assander the Northern Emperor to have offered to a member of the Herald Clan.

Nevertheless Azadin rejected Cohen’s offer.

“I can trust Your Majesty today to be sincere but I cannot trust Your Majesty tomorrow.”

“Are you saying I’m going to go crazy tomorrow?”

“Are you saying that Your Majesty’s heart never changes? If so then I can’t believe Your Majesty’s words even more.”

“…….”

“Everyone’s mind can change. However Your Majesty wants to elevate himself to the realm of the gods. So after Your Majesty unites the two religions as the bloodline of the new king no one will be able to stop Your Majesty from changing his mind. You will unite the two religions and ascend to the throne as the sage god. Then who will stop Your Majesty?”

“That is a strange thing for a herald to say. Didn’t you submit to the Emperor? You helped him conquer all eight kingdoms and now you are holding me to a strict standard. What I am trying to do is necessary to survive the Age of Jupiter.”

“Even after overcoming this Your Majesty will soon become the truth and justice. Shouldn’t everyone submit to Your Majesty’s words without needing human reason and conscience? I don’t want a world like that but a world centered on virtue. Not a world ruled by a single superman but a world centered on law ideals and virtue and where each person follows their own conscience…”

“Law ideals and virtue? Such things have no form and cannot last. The Golden King Manja Zadek once spoke like you but even he a noble bloodline descended from the Yaegas Gods failed to achieve anything and became a fat pig.”

“But that’s exactly what saved me.”

Azadin smiled bitterly.

A child who was despised and bullied by all the outcasts of the messenger clan was saved by the old books of the Rescue Knights and Aldis’ love.

That is a miracle.

Of course I know that frustration awaits me on this path.

Miracles are miracles because they are rare. There is no guarantee that a miracle that has been seen once can be reproduced again. It will surely be a path with more failures than successes.

But Azadin has already been saved so it is impossible for him to betray his faith now.

“So I appreciate the offer but I must decline.”

“You are truly a strange man. Why do the Heralds desire such things? What is the reason?”

Cohen Lionaire wondered why Azadin was resisting him so much.

“It’s going to be a long story. Surely you’re not really curious about that?”

Azadin asked with a smile.

Across the bonfire Azadin and Cohen’s gazes clashed.

Cohen who was looking at Azadin’s unwavering gaze clicked his tongue knowing that Azadin was a person who would never give in.

“…That’s right. Actually I’m not really curious. I don’t want to spend a long time listening to your story from childhood to now.”

Cohen Lioner also admitted it honestly.

“I prophesy Azadin. When hunger and cold become severe all that you have worked for will disappear into thin air. The justice and virtue that you love so much will not answer you. You may think that you can overcome it now but in the end your strength will run out and you will cry out in pain.”

“….”

Azadin smiled bitterly as he listened to Cohen’s prophecy to him.

The blood of God flowing through Cohen’s body was shining in his eyes. This was not a simple curse but a true prophecy.

“You sound like a Shade Hag. I understand Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“Huh. I don’t mean to say that… But it’s fun. Yes it was a fun meeting. Sir Azadin.”

Cohen Lioner stood up from his seat.

Then from the darkness the Northern Aragatha soldiers and elves walked out.

As they spread their cloaks to hide Cohen Lionaire’s large body a moment later his appearance disappeared as if he had never existed.

And Azadin was left alone with the bonfire again.