Episode 123. The Price of the Past
Die at the hands of the enemy, unable to do anything, or gamble on a slim chance?
Kassius's consciousness was drawn back to that day.
Getting this far was a miracle.
The red snake raised its head, staring at Kassius with sharp eyes.
Even though many years had passed since the death of the three serpent gods, the red snake's presence remained unchanged.
Was a god still a god even if only his soul remained?
Kassius's skin, pierced by a heat that threatened to burn his very soul, was blackened in places.
It was excruciating, to the point of feeling no pain.
As if his sense of pain had blocked its pathways of reception, unable to bear the sensation.
Every breath, every breath, was agonizing.
Kassius stared at the red snake with a piercing gaze revealed through his melted eyelids.
"So there are humans who have come this far."
His voice was laced with a gruff smile.
"I have nothing to lose... I'm here."
Kassius's voice was as thin as a flickering candle.
He gasped for breath.
"I wanted to try something..."
He lost his tribe, his family.
He lived a life as a slave gladiator, then drifted into battle.
He thought he would meet a worthy superior and return to the empire in glory, but the mad Emperor killed even that superior.
The Duke of Lottera was unjustly killed.
Now, Kassius had nowhere to turn, nothing to hope for.
His allies were waiting for death on the battlefield.
If the enemy learned of the Duke of Lottera's death, it would be their end.
They would meet death as a rabble, bereft of their commander.
That's why Kassius stood here.
He had nothing to lose, so he had nothing to fear, and since he had given his life anyway, he had no hesitation.
[...Standing at the end of his life.]
The red snake's tongue licked Kassius's skin.
[My name is Keros. You who stand before death.]
The red snake's eyes curved.
For some reason, it seemed like he was smiling.
Die at the hands of the enemy, unable to do anything, or gamble on a slim chance?
Kassius's consciousness was drawn back to that day.
***
Getting this far was a miracle.
The red snake raised its head, staring at Kassius with sharp eyes.
Even though many years had passed since the death of the three serpent gods, the red snake's presence remained unchanged.
Was a god still a god even if only his soul remained?
Kassius's skin, pierced by a heat that threatened to burn his very soul, was blackened in places.
It was excruciating, to the point of feeling no pain.
As if his sense of pain had blocked its pathways of reception, unable to bear the sensation.
Every breath, every breath, was agonizing.
Kassius stared at the red snake with a piercing gaze revealed through his melted eyelids.
"So there are humans who have come this far."
His voice was laced with a gruff smile.
"I have nothing to lose... I'm here."
Kassius's voice was as thin as a flickering candle.
He gasped for breath.
"I wanted to try something..."
He lost his tribe, his family.
He lived a life as a slave gladiator, then drifted into battle.
He thought he would meet a worthy superior and return to the empire in glory, but the mad Emperor killed even that superior.
The Duke of Lottera was unjustly killed.
Now, Kassius had nowhere to turn, nothing to hope for.
His allies were waiting for death on the battlefield.
If the enemy learned of the Duke of Lottera's death, it would be their end.
They would meet death as a rabble, bereft of their commander.
That's why Kassius stood here.
He had nothing to lose, so he had nothing to fear, and since he had given his life anyway, he had no hesitation.
[...Standing at the end of his life.]
The red snake's tongue licked Kassius's skin.
[My name is Keros. You who stand before death.]
The red snake's eyes curved.
For some reason, it seemed like he was smiling.
Kassius, still prostrate on the floor like a frog, raised his head and stared at the red snake.
With each passing second, his body melted and his soul crumbled.
"You who crossed the flames of death to reach me. I will give you all my power, as promised to humanity."
Kassius exhaled slowly.
The red snake's words were scattered and muffled, making it difficult to hear.
Kassius closed his eyes.
"Is this how I die?"
His body felt like it would disintegrate before he could absorb the red snake's power.
When Kassius opened his mouth, ash and flames surged in, and when he exhaled, the smell of sulfur mixed with them.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this place was a fiery hell.
Just as Kassius was about to completely let go, the flames that had consumed the cave began to be absorbed by him.
Kassius's body trembled.
His melted skin regenerated, his lost eyelids reappeared, and his fingernails and toenails, once fallen off, returned.
Kassius was being reborn with the power of the god.
“Huh!!!”
Kassius suddenly inhaled and raised his head.
Returning to his original state as a primordial human, he was reborn naked, wearing nothing. Kassius raised himself and examined his hands and feet.
His left arm, which had been torn off by the fire, was intact.
His toes were all back, and his once-blackened skin had returned to its original color.
And he could no longer feel any heat.
Kassius looked around the cave.
The flames had vanished, and the corpse, once radiant with crimson scales, lay there, its light fading.
Kassius slowly approached and placed his hand on the body.
“You who covet the power of the gods. Always train your body and mind. I will not hesitate the moment you show your weakness.”
A shiver ran through Kassius’s body.
He had succeeded in something no one thought possible.
Kassius had become a living god himself.
“Kassius, Kassius!!”
Yenica fumbled and pulled Kassius's arm. She felt Kassius's breath stop for some reason.
It was only temporary.
However, for Yenica, who was blind but had all her senses heightened, it felt like a major problem.
Yenica clung to Kassius's arms, almost collapsing.
Kassius supported her.
"...I'm fine."
Yenica raised her head.
Turning her head to where she could feel Kassius's breath, she let out a sorrowful sigh.
The moment Kassius's breath stopped, so did hers.
She no longer felt a reason to live.
"I'm truly fine, Mother."
Kassius held Yenica in his arms. Yenica slowly regained her composure.
It was just as Yenica had said.
Kassius's power both supported him and sought him.
Kassius's fresh body and soul.
One day, this power might devour him.
If she asks if he regrets it, he says,
"I... don't regret it, Mother. I survived thanks to this power."
With each passing second, his body melted and his soul crumbled.
"You who crossed the flames of death to reach me. I will give you all my power, as promised to humanity."
Kassius exhaled slowly.
The red snake's words were scattered and muffled, making it difficult to hear.
Kassius closed his eyes.
"Is this how I die?"
His body felt like it would disintegrate before he could absorb the red snake's power.
When Kassius opened his mouth, ash and flames surged in, and when he exhaled, the smell of sulfur mixed with them.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this place was a fiery hell.
Just as Kassius was about to completely let go, the flames that had consumed the cave began to be absorbed by him.
Kassius's body trembled.
His melted skin regenerated, his lost eyelids reappeared, and his fingernails and toenails, once fallen off, returned.
Kassius was being reborn with the power of the god.
“Huh!!!”
Kassius suddenly inhaled and raised his head.
Returning to his original state as a primordial human, he was reborn naked, wearing nothing. Kassius raised himself and examined his hands and feet.
His left arm, which had been torn off by the fire, was intact.
His toes were all back, and his once-blackened skin had returned to its original color.
And he could no longer feel any heat.
Kassius looked around the cave.
The flames had vanished, and the corpse, once radiant with crimson scales, lay there, its light fading.
Kassius slowly approached and placed his hand on the body.
“You who covet the power of the gods. Always train your body and mind. I will not hesitate the moment you show your weakness.”
A shiver ran through Kassius’s body.
He had succeeded in something no one thought possible.
Kassius had become a living god himself.
***
“Kassius, Kassius!!”
Yenica fumbled and pulled Kassius's arm. She felt Kassius's breath stop for some reason.
It was only temporary.
However, for Yenica, who was blind but had all her senses heightened, it felt like a major problem.
Yenica clung to Kassius's arms, almost collapsing.
Kassius supported her.
"...I'm fine."
Yenica raised her head.
Turning her head to where she could feel Kassius's breath, she let out a sorrowful sigh.
The moment Kassius's breath stopped, so did hers.
She no longer felt a reason to live.
"I'm truly fine, Mother."
Kassius held Yenica in his arms. Yenica slowly regained her composure.
It was just as Yenica had said.
Kassius's power both supported him and sought him.
Kassius's fresh body and soul.
One day, this power might devour him.
If she asks if he regrets it, he says,
"I... don't regret it, Mother. I survived thanks to this power."
He became a murderer and slaughtered his enemies.
The red snake's scales were impervious to swords, arrows, and spears, and its teeth were sharp enough to tear apart humans in an instant.
"I've come here."
And so she met Renisha, and then the living Yenica.
Kassius's sacrifice was more than enough compensation.
"So I have no regrets."
Yenica clutched the hem of Kassius's robe tightly.
Fate had led Yenica here.
There must be a reason Yenica remained alive, unable to die.
Perhaps she could do something for Kassius one last time.
Yenica felt for the necklace and clutched it tightly, as if it were a lifeline.
At that moment, Renisha was meeting with the High Priest.
The High Priest, who had requested an audience early in the morning, had an answer to Renisha's request.
"Our temple has confirmed the sanctity and legitimacy of Your Majesty, the Emperor. Moreover, since Your Majesty has announced your intention to move the capital to Hiloshine, we have confirmed the danger."
Renisha's lips curled up.
Danger?
The danger they were talking about would be completely eliminated by the temple.
"To strengthen the power of Hiloshine and for the new empire to begin, the temple will also follow your Majesty."
In fact, the temple played a role in uniting the people of the empire, relieving their anxieties, and often contributing to the safety of the people.
Of course, since Hientri's laws originated from the temple, it also served as a guardian of all laws. However, since law enforcement was carried out by the judges, it held no real power.
Even if the temple were excluded, Renisha would have little regret.
Perhaps it would be better to use this opportunity to clean up the corruption.
The temple had always been the justification for the crimes of previous Emperors, just as it had branded the Yi tribe as heretics.
"Even Hiloshine? If that's what you want, I have no intention of stopping you."
The High Priest's expression was filled with joy.
'As expected, no matter how great you are, you cannot sustain the throne alone! You will need the temple's help!'
The red snake's scales were impervious to swords, arrows, and spears, and its teeth were sharp enough to tear apart humans in an instant.
"I've come here."
And so she met Renisha, and then the living Yenica.
Kassius's sacrifice was more than enough compensation.
"So I have no regrets."
Yenica clutched the hem of Kassius's robe tightly.
Fate had led Yenica here.
There must be a reason Yenica remained alive, unable to die.
Perhaps she could do something for Kassius one last time.
Yenica felt for the necklace and clutched it tightly, as if it were a lifeline.
***
At that moment, Renisha was meeting with the High Priest.
The High Priest, who had requested an audience early in the morning, had an answer to Renisha's request.
"Our temple has confirmed the sanctity and legitimacy of Your Majesty, the Emperor. Moreover, since Your Majesty has announced your intention to move the capital to Hiloshine, we have confirmed the danger."
Renisha's lips curled up.
Danger?
The danger they were talking about would be completely eliminated by the temple.
"To strengthen the power of Hiloshine and for the new empire to begin, the temple will also follow your Majesty."
In fact, the temple played a role in uniting the people of the empire, relieving their anxieties, and often contributing to the safety of the people.
Of course, since Hientri's laws originated from the temple, it also served as a guardian of all laws. However, since law enforcement was carried out by the judges, it held no real power.
Even if the temple were excluded, Renisha would have little regret.
Perhaps it would be better to use this opportunity to clean up the corruption.
The temple had always been the justification for the crimes of previous Emperors, just as it had branded the Yi tribe as heretics.
"Even Hiloshine? If that's what you want, I have no intention of stopping you."
The High Priest's expression was filled with joy.
'As expected, no matter how great you are, you cannot sustain the throne alone! You will need the temple's help!'
A sense of relief filled the High Priest.
However, Renisha's next words completely betrayed the High Priest's expectations.
"But the Imperial Palace can't afford the expenses."
"Yes?"
The High Priest made a bewildered expression.
"The winds of reform are blowing through Hientri. As you know, the cost is considerable."
Everyone knew that Laxus had been wielding terror in Hientri, raking in the empire's coffers.
If he displeased anyone even slightly, he would behead a noble and confiscate their property.
And the treasury is short on funds?
Renisha smiled.
Her eyelashes fluttered in the sunlight.
She was a beauty that could make any man's heart flutter, but the High Priest felt no such thing. He felt as if he could see something immense standing behind Renisha.
It felt as if the protection of the three snake gods was with her.
The High Priest smiled.
"I wish the temple would take care of its own affairs. If that's possible, I could at least tell Hiloshine to install a chimney and secure a spot."
"Your Majesty, but...!"
"High Priest."
Renisha cut him off.
"You shouldn't be doing this to me. Where were you when Lottera fell?"
The High Priest's mouth snapped shut. His beard trembled.
"Your Majesty, that was...! The deposed Emperor did it on his own!"
"I remember it was the High Priest who supported the claim to reclaim the Chorpa Plains. Didn't you say that we must not lose the spirits of our ancestors and the energy of the three serpent gods that dwell in the Chorpa Plains?"
Renisha's eyes widened slightly.
The High Priest had played a small part in Lottera's death.
Pushing them back into battle.
"Besides, you must also be responsible for the battle in which my father died."
Despite knowing the danger, it was the official document sent by the High Priest that pushed Duke Lottera back, claiming that the divine will was there.
"T-That wasn't my doing! I merely... lent him a seal, and it was all the deposed Emperor's will!!"
The High Priest shook his head, pale with fear.
His eyes were a stubborn refusal to accept it.
"If that's what you really think, then there's nothing I can do. But, you can't change my mind, right?"
Renisha snickered.
“I haven’t forgotten what you’ve done for me. That’s why I don’t hold you accountable for your past actions.”
The High Priest’s wrinkled face paled.
Renisha’s words, like spears, attacked him.
“If you have more to give me, come to me. Confession would be fine.”
The High Priest gritted his teeth.
Confession. That meant admitting all sins.
If that were to happen, the High Priest would have to step down from his post and leave.
Renisha’s sharp pink eyes were cold and merciless.
“You will regret... You will. The Hientri Empire belongs to the three serpent gods...”
“Shouldn’t we wait and see whose hand the gods will take? If I’m wrong, the heavens will punish me. But the heavens have no answer...”
Renisha’s smile brightened.
Her figure, illuminated by the sunlight, looked sacred.
“What is this, High Priest?”
The High Priest clenched his fists.
The indifference of the past was strangling the High Priest.
That night, the news Renisha had been waiting for arrived.
Brixton had regained consciousness.
And there was one more thing. Helena brought the news.
The former brought joy, the latter filled her with hope.
Neither of them betrayed Renisha.
It seemed the heavens were on Renisha's side.
However, Renisha's next words completely betrayed the High Priest's expectations.
"But the Imperial Palace can't afford the expenses."
"Yes?"
The High Priest made a bewildered expression.
"The winds of reform are blowing through Hientri. As you know, the cost is considerable."
Everyone knew that Laxus had been wielding terror in Hientri, raking in the empire's coffers.
If he displeased anyone even slightly, he would behead a noble and confiscate their property.
And the treasury is short on funds?
Renisha smiled.
Her eyelashes fluttered in the sunlight.
She was a beauty that could make any man's heart flutter, but the High Priest felt no such thing. He felt as if he could see something immense standing behind Renisha.
It felt as if the protection of the three snake gods was with her.
The High Priest smiled.
"I wish the temple would take care of its own affairs. If that's possible, I could at least tell Hiloshine to install a chimney and secure a spot."
"Your Majesty, but...!"
"High Priest."
Renisha cut him off.
"You shouldn't be doing this to me. Where were you when Lottera fell?"
The High Priest's mouth snapped shut. His beard trembled.
"Your Majesty, that was...! The deposed Emperor did it on his own!"
"I remember it was the High Priest who supported the claim to reclaim the Chorpa Plains. Didn't you say that we must not lose the spirits of our ancestors and the energy of the three serpent gods that dwell in the Chorpa Plains?"
Renisha's eyes widened slightly.
The High Priest had played a small part in Lottera's death.
Pushing them back into battle.
"Besides, you must also be responsible for the battle in which my father died."
Despite knowing the danger, it was the official document sent by the High Priest that pushed Duke Lottera back, claiming that the divine will was there.
"T-That wasn't my doing! I merely... lent him a seal, and it was all the deposed Emperor's will!!"
The High Priest shook his head, pale with fear.
His eyes were a stubborn refusal to accept it.
"If that's what you really think, then there's nothing I can do. But, you can't change my mind, right?"
Renisha snickered.
“I haven’t forgotten what you’ve done for me. That’s why I don’t hold you accountable for your past actions.”
The High Priest’s wrinkled face paled.
Renisha’s words, like spears, attacked him.
“If you have more to give me, come to me. Confession would be fine.”
The High Priest gritted his teeth.
Confession. That meant admitting all sins.
If that were to happen, the High Priest would have to step down from his post and leave.
Renisha’s sharp pink eyes were cold and merciless.
“You will regret... You will. The Hientri Empire belongs to the three serpent gods...”
“Shouldn’t we wait and see whose hand the gods will take? If I’m wrong, the heavens will punish me. But the heavens have no answer...”
Renisha’s smile brightened.
Her figure, illuminated by the sunlight, looked sacred.
“What is this, High Priest?”
The High Priest clenched his fists.
The indifference of the past was strangling the High Priest.
***
That night, the news Renisha had been waiting for arrived.
Brixton had regained consciousness.
And there was one more thing. Helena brought the news.
The former brought joy, the latter filled her with hope.
Neither of them betrayed Renisha.
It seemed the heavens were on Renisha's side.
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