Chapter 238

After Heath's words fell silent, the palace descended into absolute stillness. The emperor's gaze rested on the girl for a long while. He idly rubbed the Ring of Power on his finger, his golden eyes dark and impossible to read.

“You may leave.”

After a long pause, the emperor finally spoke in an unhurried voice.

Heath slowly pushed herself up from the floor, forcing her trembling knees to support her weight.

She had concealed every trace of her fear. Her face radiated pure, almost disbelieving joy, as though she were witnessing a divine miracle unfold before her. After receiving the emperor's command, she spoke no further and withdrew from the chamber with impeccable courtesy.

The door closed softly behind her. The guards stationed outside glanced at the princess's retreating figure, noticed nothing out of the ordinary, and paid her no further attention.

Heath maintained her calm, composed bearing until she returned to her own chambers and dismissed the maids. Only then did her legs finally give way. With a quiet thud, she collapsed onto the floor, staring with wide, unblinking eyes at her own pitiful reflection in the dressing mirror across the room.

Why had the mirror reflected that person's appearance? Why had Father Emperor suddenly harbored such overwhelming killing intent toward her?

Heath recalled an ancient, long-forgotten legend whispered through the palace. The great Aston XIV had refused to depart after death and still lingered within the imperial palace. His spirit would claim anyone who had lost their piety.

Yet the imperial palace where Aston XIV had once lived was still undergoing renovations. Even if his spirit truly remained, it shouldn't have wandered all the way to this temporary secondary palace...

Heath slowly rose to her feet. She stared at the golden-haired, blue-eyed girl reflected in the mirror. In an instant, she thought of the succession of golden-haired, golden-eyed emperors beginning with Aston XIV, along with the strange way Father Emperor had always treated Sykes, Roy, and the others.

He had spared no expense in supporting Sykes, granting him every privilege and honor befitting the crown prince. Yet he had never truly taught him how a crown prince ought to conduct himself. Even his criticism and disappointment had always remained shallow and detached.

It hadn't felt like the way a father corrected his child. It was more like shaping an exquisitely crafted vessel or measuring a ceremonial robe to ensure it fit perfectly.

Heath shuddered.

She suddenly felt unbearably cold. From the corner of her eye, she noticed the curtains stirring in the breeze. She hurried across the room, shut every window, and carefully locked every door.

If her suspicions were true... would Father Emperor, no, Aston XIV, really allow her to leave so easily?

It felt as though a razor-sharp sword hung suspended above her head. No matter how tightly she sealed the room, Heath couldn't summon even the faintest sense of security.

“Calm down… calm down…”

The emperor had withdrawn his killing intent and allowed her to leave. At the very least, he wouldn't make a move against her for now. At this moment, two paths lay before her.

First, take the secret and defect to Ye Zheng. Given Ye Zheng's character and the bond they shared, she'd undoubtedly protect her.

Second, seize this opportunity to earn the emperor's complete trust.

The first was undoubtedly the safer path, but the price would be abandoning everything she'd painstakingly built until now. Aside from the secret of Aston XIV, her value to Ye Zheng was extremely limited. She might even become a burden.

In fact, considering Ye Zheng's recent actions, the secrets Ye Zheng possessed weren't necessarily fewer than her own.

Heath let out a slow, steady breath. The moment she instinctively rejected the first path, she'd already made her choice.

Use this opportunity to earn his complete trust.

This was the only way. Her goal had never been merely to survive.

But winning the emperor's trust wouldn't be easy. She couldn't accomplish it through solitary effort alone. Heath bit down on her fingernail. She needed to prove that she possessed greater value and unwavering loyalty.

Without realizing it, her fear gradually ebbed away. In its place, a trembling excitement surged straight to Heath's head. If she could truly unravel the secrets surrounding the emperor, she might actually have a chance to reach that lofty height.

✧✧✧✧✧

One week later, repairs to the Imperial Central Station in the Upper District were largely complete. Some train lines resumed operation, while another portion of the high-speed rail network was permanently retired. The underground Aberrant Realm had suffered irreparable damage, passing into the empire's history.

The Papess, crowned and holding her scepter, presided over a grand blessing ceremony at the Imperial Central Station. The assembled high officials and nobles all wore solemn, devout expressions as they joined together in prayer, beseeching the God of Hope for protection.

“…We pray, grant the nation peace and stability, let fairness and justice be made manifest, and keep us far from fear and hatred…”

The gentle voice was like the softest lullaby. Carried through the broadcasting equipment, it reached every corner of the empire, soothing the people's anxious and unsettled hearts.

After concluding the words of blessing, Ye Zheng stepped aside. The emperor moved to the center of everyone's attention and addressed the citizens with warm conviction, his voice filled with stirring resolve.

“My dear subjects, many unfortunate events have befallen the empire during this time. As your king, I offer you my deepest apologies. They were born of my own shortcomings…”

“I believe this darkness is nothing more than the final hour before dawn. I will devote everything in my power to protecting every one of you, and I won't allow any threat to the people's safety or happiness to go unpunished… Just like my glorious ancestors, I'll lead you all through the darkness and into the light!”

Thunderous applause erupted throughout the station. Wearing a satisfied smile, the middle-aged man stepped down from the platform. He walked straight toward Ye Zheng, who was standing to one side preparing to leave, and called out,

“Your Holiness the Papess, please wait a moment.”

Ye Zheng turned toward him. A trace of coldness flickered through her eyes before her lips curved into a faint smile. The two of them entered an empty office together.

“Have you given any further thought to my proposal from last time?”

The emperor asked in a casual, conversational tone.

Ye Zheng looked at him as though she didn't understand what he meant.

“You see, what the empire needs is for us to stand united, just as we have today. That's the most beautiful future everyone prays for.”

“The Demonic Dragon's revival is imminent. Once that happens, conflict among humanity will become utterly meaningless. That's why I won't expose your deception to the public.”

The emperor spoke with patient composure, his guiding tone carrying an unmistakable undercurrent of threat as his eyes glimmered faintly.

Ye Zheng met his gaze without the slightest change in expression. A faint smile spread through her eyes.

“I agree. Therefore, I'll cancel the bounty on Pei Xi. Consider it my return gift.”

The moment he heard Ye Zheng's answer, the emperor's composed expression froze for an instant before smoothly returning to normal.

Having Ye Zheng cancel the bounty had been his objective all along. He'd imagined she might react with anger, mockery, disdain, or even threaten him with knowledge of his true identity. What he'd never expected was for Ye Zheng to see through his intentions immediately.

And then agree so calmly.

It was as though Pei Xi's existence, along with all of his threats, wasn't even worthy of her attention... The thought was infuriating.

“Is there anything else? I need to return and deal with official documents.”

“No... wait.” The emperor spoke up at once.

Ye Zheng had briefly thrown him off balance. He'd nearly forgotten the other matter altogether.

“You seem entirely unconcerned by Pei Xi's existence. That truly pleases me. It appears you've already made your decision, the decision to stand with me in defending the empire and its people against the coming catastrophe of the Demonic Dragon.”

At the mention of the Demonic Dragon, Ye Zheng finally seemed to show a hint of interest.

“I recall Your Majesty saying that the Demonic Dragon will descend upon a certain woman and be reborn through her...”

“Aston XIV, I wonder... do you already have someone in mind?”

Meeting Ye Zheng's quiet black eyes, the emperor suddenly felt his heartbeat quicken.

“Before the Demonic Dragon revives, I can't know for certain who it will be.”

“If you don't know, then how do you intend to stop the Demonic Dragon's revival?”

The two stood facing one another, their gazes locked without yielding. After a long pause, the emperor spoke slowly.

“That is precisely why I need the Church's assistance. Neither of us wishes to witness the Demonic Dragon's return, do we?”

Ye Zheng suddenly remarked, “I heard that during the catastrophe five hundred years ago, what proved even more terrifying than the Demonic Dragon were the Aberrant Realms, which could descend at any place and at any time. They destroyed the greater part of the empire.”

The middle-aged man tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“That is true. But you must understand, the Demonic Dragon is inextricably linked to those Aberrant Realms. The moment the Demonic Dragon appears, it signals that the Aberrant Realms will begin descending in terrifying numbers.”

Ye Zheng let out an almost imperceptible laugh. The faint smile in her eyes resembled ripples spreading across a boundless black sea. The emperor missed none of the subtle changes in her expression, and his heart sank even further.

What was happening?

During their conversation at the secondary palace not long ago, he'd clearly been the one dictating the pace and steering the exchange. Yet in such a short span of time, Ye Zheng had undergone an indescribable transformation.

A transformation that irritated him... and even unsettled him.

It was as though he were a naked lamb, while she needed only a single glance to see through every secret he possessed.

“Ye Zheng, it's not that I don't have a candidate. Sela. You shouldn't be unfamiliar with her.”

“I've heard of what she's done. Her connection to the dragon bones is extraordinary. In the Western District, she even has companions who resemble the Demonic Dragon.”

“What's more... her hostility toward you is considerable. Waving the banner of a true follower of the God of Hope, she acts with complete recklessness. I imagine the Church finds her quite troublesome.”

“She is a headache.”

Ye Zheng nodded.

“You want me to suppress Sela?”

The emperor revealed an inscrutable smile.

“We're merely preventing a catastrophe that could bring about the end of the world, Ye Zheng. The people hold you in the highest esteem. I believe your voice in matters like this carries far more weight than mine. Even if Sela isn't the one, removing her would still work to your advantage.”

“Think it over carefully. If you devise a plan, the imperial family will spare no effort in supporting you.”

Ye Zheng fell silent in thought. It was as though she were wrestling with herself, her brows knitting tighter and tighter.

The emperor watched without speaking. He was far more composed now, and a malicious sense of satisfaction gradually welled up within him.

“I'll think it over. Please await my reply.”

Ye Zheng answered in a low voice.

He watched Ye Zheng leave until her figure vanished completely from sight. Only then could the man standing alone in the center of the empty room no longer suppress the smile curling at the corners of his mouth. The exaggerated grin stretching across the handsome, composed face of the middle-aged man created a deeply unsettling sense of dissonance, as though the face itself were beginning to split apart.

How could Ye Zheng possibly refuse? No one who wielded power would tolerate someone like Sela acting with such brazen arrogance within their own domain. The more loudly the title of “Saint” echoed across the empire, the more it would, in time, become a threat to the Church’s very orthodoxy.

She'd already killed Sykes cleanly and without hesitation right before his eyes. If Sykes, the “Demonic Dragon,” had deserved death, then what justification could there be for sparing Sela, who endangered the empire while also threatening her own standing?

Of course, his true target had never been that worthless bandit, Sela, but Ye Zheng herself.

Across the span of his long life, Ye Zheng was certainly troublesome, yet she was far from unique. Before long, she too would die by his hand.

✧✧✧✧✧

Ye Zheng stepped out of the private meeting chamber and continued down the corridor beneath the escort of the knights.

Her pace quickened with every step. White robes billowed beneath her heavy crimson cloak. Hidden from everyone's sight at the front of the procession, Ye Zheng suddenly covered her mouth. Quiet laughter escaped through her fingers.

She lowered her hand. The smile lingering at the corners of her lips never disappeared, while the darkness in her black eyes only deepened.

How fascinating. Aston XIV had actually devised such a method to deal with her. As expected of an ancient monster that had survived for so many centuries.

What "suppress Sela"... The moment the rumor that "the Demonic Dragon will be reborn by descending upon a certain woman" began to spread, not a single woman would escape the purge that followed.

The first to suffer its full force would be Ye Zheng herself. The emperor had most likely already amassed considerable evidence connecting her to the dragon bones and the Dragonic people. More importantly, the Hope Project, which the Church had overseen for centuries, could easily be distorted into some supposed ritual meant to summon the Demonic Dragon.

Although the Hope Project had long since been brought to a halt through her interference, once public opinion erupted, even she, the Papess, would struggle to emerge unscathed.

And if, at that very moment, Pei Xi stepped forward with the Divine Sword in hand...

That chain of events alone would be enough to bring Ye Zheng's divine image crashing down like a line of falling dominoes.

Aston XIV intended to exploit her prestige to lend credibility to the rumor, only to turn that very rumor against her and have it become the weapon that killed her. It was an exceptionally ruthless scheme.

Unfortunately, although he'd spent five hundred years playing the part of a human, he was, in the end, never truly human.

He couldn't understand why she won't agree to kill Sela, nor could he comprehend the solidarity that existed among women. As a woman herself, how could she possibly raise the banner of "women will bring disaster" and use it to suppress so-called heretics?

After returning to her bedchamber, Ye Zheng unclasped her cloak, removed her crown, and rubbed her aching neck.

She studied her reflection in the mirror. There wasn't the slightest hint of exhaustion on her face. Even the corners of her brows seemed alive with the thrill of battle.

Without wasting a moment, she picked up her brush and swiftly wrote a letter. Handing it to the attending nun, she instructed her to pass it to the messenger knight so it could be delivered to the emperor at the imperial family's temporary palace.

She accepted his proposal.

Only, nothing would unfold the way he imagined.

When it came to using public opinion as a weapon to kill, she was perhaps even more adept than he was.