Chapter 53 Part8 (2/2)
”Huh? Ah, now that you mention it, it does seem that way.”
Ye Jin Jin grinned and said, and the Pope briefly tilted his head. He soon nodded his head in understanding.
Of course, the Pope didn't know of Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's true ident.i.ty (an undead) or what his forces were comprised of for that matter. However, he somewhat knew what tactics the hero, Izuna, was using, and had even given her advice on certain facets of her plan. It was just that the undead force was much larger than he'd antic.i.p.ated, so he had forgotten all about it for a moment.
”I can't bear to see those religious orders do whatever they wish, especially that ridiculous Sun G.o.d religion! We, the Emperor's loyal clansmen, are the ones who will protect the Empire! The people only live on because of His Majesty's grace! The Empire belongs to His Majesty alone! Now is our time to prove that!”
”Of course!”
”For our great Emperor!”
”For the Empire!”
Then, as if refuting Izuna's grand speech, a part of their forces broke away from the battle line. The Imperial Army had broken away from the main force and had rushed towards the undead!
From the very beginning, the Imperial Army had only acted like they obeyed Izuna, but had one goal and one goal only: being the only ones that would distinguish themselves in battle.
They had lost their temper and ran in recklessly, as if Izuna's speech had gone against the very foundation of the Empire, as well as damaging the Emperor's dignity! ...And that was exactly as Izuna, no, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had planned.
”But what will you do if they aren't able to do a significant amount of damage to the undead? It's good for us if the Emperor's forces are cut down, but there's no point if we sustain more damage as a result, no?”
”Please don't worry, Pope. Where do you think my strength comes from?”
”Doesn't your power come from your ability and your artifact? ...Heok, is Kay actually still alive!? To think that the 'Supplementary Story Volume 7 - The Resurrected Flame and Izuna's Unconcealable Ambition' was based on a true story...!”
”Please tell me in detail where that book is sold later on.”
She had already collected all of the books featuring Lawrence and Kay as the main characters, but she hadn't known about the supplementary stories! Ye Jin Jin asked him with such a serious expression that the Pope was momentarily overwhelmed. He meekly nodded his head, and Ye Jin Jin cleared her throat and continued.
”Obviously, I don't get my power purely from the Sun G.o.d. I also can't wield flames by myself. No matter how great the artifact is, do you really think that I would be able to wield such flames because of it?”
”If that's the case, then... is that it? You've surpa.s.sed the realm of humans and you're using the spirits' power...”
”...Yes.”
As expected, the Pope was no fool. He hadn't gotten a single read on Kay, but after watching Ye Jin Jin's abilities for a while, he'd formulated several ideas.
It was just that he knew that Ye Jin Jin wasn't a bad person, and above all, he had kept his mouth shut as she was beneficial to the Sun G.o.d religion. He truly was a utilitarian person.
”I'm borrowing the power of the spirits.”
”As I thought... I even thought you might be a spirit yourself, but that wasn't the case. You're borrowing the power of a spirit, huh.”
”About that... What do you think?”
...While he was always concerned about profits, he wasn't by any means a miser. After all, as Pope, he worked for the believers of the Sun G.o.d.
”To think that a spirit would once again help a human. I'm very thankful.”
”Eut...”
Ye Jin Jin's sudden question should've caught him off guard, yet the Pope answered seriously. Of course, as an individual with a high post, he was somewhat able to piece together what had happened long ago.
”The humans, no, the leaders of the Empire (magicians) were only concerned about maintaining their power, so they ostracized the spirits. I can't even begin to comprehend what the spirits thought at the time, as they only regarded humans as their friends. Despite that, not only did they not seek vengeance against mankind, they decided to help us by bringing someone like you to our side... This must be the Sun G.o.d's will.”
Ye Jin Jin's Phoenix's Feather blazed fiercely at the Pope's words. It was proof that Zenon had an intense reaction to the Pope's words, regardless of whether it was positive or negative. However, Ye Jin Jin guessed that they weren't negative feelings.
”...As expected of you, Pope. You're no normal person.”
”Of course I'm not. I was the one who discovered Kay after all. Did you forget?”
The Pope wrinkled his eyes at Ye Jin Jin's admiration and replied slyly. Of course, it was more correct to say that the Pope had arrived at just the right time for Lee s.h.i.+n Woo to use him, rather than him discovering him, but... Ye Jin Jin didn't mention that and just grinned.
”Are they... No, are you all trying to use this battle to reestablish ties between humans and spirits?”
”Yes. I'd like for that to happen.”
”It's a bit late to be so frank with me, but... Well, I guess it's not too late. Make sure your results show.”
The Pope spoke, remaining ever so calm, and raised his weapon. An intense flame could be seen at the tip of it.
”If you don't fulfill your mission, then I'll take care of the rest. A world of humans and spirits... It sounds quite nice.”
”Yes, I believe it sounds quite nice too.”
Ye Jin Jin replied, smiling, and raised her javelin. She infused fire into it and threw it.
The largest battle between the undead and the humans... the curtains for the greatest play had finally risen.
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