Chapter 240

The instant the news reached her, Ye Zheng rose to her feet.

As soon as she pushed open the door, several high-ranking clerics were already waiting outside. Her gaze swept over them only briefly, yet her stride never slowed for so much as a fraction of a second.

“Your Holiness, regarding the suppression of the heretics, we believe…”

Their voices carried unmistakable urgency as they tried to step forward, but the knights clad in cold, gleaming armor blocked their path without a word. Powerless to intervene, they could only watch as the Papess walked away.

Ye Zheng continued forward at a brisk pace while a nun hurried alongside her, explaining the situation.

“According to reports from within the palace, a large cache of explosive materials was discovered concealed inside the wall compartments of the emperor's chambers. At present, Duke Qin is considered the prime suspect.”

Repairs to the imperial palace had not yet been completed, yet the emperor had already grown impatient enough to move back in the previous day.

“Did the explosion happen? How is the emperor?”

“There was no explosion. Someone discovered it beforehand.”

“Someone?”

“Yes, Your Holiness. It's said that Princess Heath noticed something was wrong.”

Ye Zheng's steps gradually slowed. A contemplative look settled over her face.

A knight hurried over and reported, “Your Holiness, preparations for the journey to the imperial palace have been completed.”

“Thank you for your hard work. I won't be going for the time being.”

Beneath the crowd's astonished gazes, Ye Zheng turned around and walked back the way she had come. The expression swallowed by the shadows was dark, impossible to read.

She had known about Qin Lu's intentions for a long time. Qin Lu hated that man too deeply to let such an opportunity slip away. That was precisely why Ye Zheng had asked Heath to remind Qin Lu not to act recklessly.

What she hadn't anticipated was that events would unfold like this.

Heath understood Qin Lu just as well. There was no way she wouldn't have realized that the suspicious materials hidden inside the emperor's residence were almost certainly Qin Lu's doing. And yet, she had still exposed them.

Whatever thoughts Heath and Qin Lu each carried in their hearts, Ye Zheng knew that, as the Papess, she had no legitimate grounds to interfere. In this matter, the emperor alone possessed absolute authority to render judgment.

The bishops and priests waiting outside the Papess's office were visibly surprised to see Ye Zheng return. They immediately gathered around her once more, hoping to persuade her to reconsider her decision.

“Your Holiness, we believe the Saints are heretics and dangerous criminals who threaten the empire. Sela in particular is also a wanted criminal of the imperial family. If the Church alone takes action, I'm afraid...”

“The Public Security Bureau will be sending personnel to participate in this operation. I've already authorized the Royal Knight Order to join as well. Are there any further questions?”

Faced with Ye Zheng's cold smile and unwavering gaze, the group faltered. After exchanging uneasy glances, they hastily saluted before quietly withdrawing.

The emperor had never truly trusted her, so it was only natural that he would send his own people to take part in the operation and keep it under close watch.

Ye Zheng accepted the arrangement without hesitation. Keeping the emperor's agents out in the open would only make it easier for her to identify the disloyal elements hidden within the Church.

According to her deployment, the Public Security Bureau's contingent would be led by Wu Shu. As for those who had come to pressure her only moments ago, they would never have the opportunity to return alive.

As for the people the emperor intended to send, Ye Zheng already had a fairly good idea who they would be.

A few days later, the task force assembled to capture the Saints was ready to depart. At nearly the same time, the verdict in Qin Lu's trial was announced.

Qin Lu confessed to the crime outright, leaving herself no room to argue or appeal. She was sentenced to death. The entire empire erupted into an uproar, and for a time the case became the most hotly debated subject across the nation.

According to imperial custom, every condemned criminal was to receive spiritual guidance from a priest before execution so their soul could be cleansed.

Using that tradition as justification, Ye Zheng stepped in. She delayed the execution and, under the same pretext, secretly arranged for trusted people to protect Qin Lu, ensuring she wouldn't suffer an unfortunate "accident" while imprisoned.

The weather that day was bright and cloudless. Rank upon rank of silver armor reflected the sun's cold brilliance. Gathered among them were both the Church's forces and the knights dispatched by the imperial family.

Standing atop the raised platform, Ye Zheng spotted Pei Xi almost immediately.

Pei Xi seemed to sense her gaze as well. Even across the sea of people separating them, his body visibly stiffened.

Yet Ye Zheng merely let her eyes pass over him as though he were no different from anyone else before calmly delivering a few words of encouragement. She spared no further attention to an ordinary soldier.

Pei Xi quietly relaxed, though the emotions weighing on his heart only grew heavier.

During this period, he had been fortunate enough to receive General Bai Yi's personal guidance. He had even been granted an exceptional place in this operation, giving him an invaluable chance to prove himself. If he distinguished himself here, he would be admitted into the Royal Knight Order without having to wait for next year's assessment.

Ye Zheng had already fixed her attention on him. He had to become stronger and establish his presence as quickly as possible.

Beneath the increasingly harsh sunlight, Ye Zheng narrowed her eyes slightly. The emperor and his faction would undoubtedly do everything they could to ensure Pei Xi stood out during this mission. She had expected as much long ago and couldn't be bothered to interfere.

Unless their true objective was to use this operation to elevate Pei Xi's reputation until the genuine Divine Sword revealed itself, the more credible and celebrated Pei Xi became, the more dangerous her own position would grow as the Papess wielding the counterfeit Divine Sword.

To be honest, Ye Zheng had no desire to underestimate any opponent. Even so, calling Pei Xi her opponent was already giving him more credit than he deserved.

『Such a classic arrogant villain underestimating the enemy. At least in the story of “Throne of the Aberrant Realm,” he's still the protagonist.』

The system remarked in a teasing voice.

“Unfortunately, in my story, he doesn't even qualify as a villain.”

Her smiling reply echoed quietly within her mind. After delivering the final words of encouragement, Ye Zheng turned and departed beneath the solemn gazes of the assembled crowd.

The expedition headed toward the Western District. Meanwhile, Ye Zheng changed into simple, lightweight clothes, boarded a carriage, and made her way toward the prison in the Upper District.

She had come to see Qin Lu, but instead found herself unexpectedly crossing paths with the princess, who had just finished her own visit.

Heath was no longer dressed in one of the elaborate court gowns with its sweeping train. Clad in simple everyday clothes, she seemed far less burdened. Yet the instant she caught sight of Ye Zheng, she faltered ever so slightly.

“Your Holiness, have you come to visit Duke Qin Lu as well?”

The two met face to face in the narrow corridor. Heath's greeting broke the heavy silence.

“Mm.”

Ye Zheng lowered her gaze.

Her curt reply hung in the air. Heath's expression stiffened almost imperceptibly, but she made no move to step aside. For a fleeting moment, the two stood locked in a quiet, unspoken standoff.

With no one else nearby, Heath spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper.

“This was something Teacher Qin Lu and I decided together.”

“He... can't be killed by ordinary means. By the time we realized it, the arrangements could no longer be undone. Rather than waiting for the day they were uncovered, it was better...”

Better for her to be the one who "discovered" them, reported everything to the emperor herself, and earned an even greater measure of his trust.

Upon hearing those words, Ye Zheng's expression didn't change in the slightest. Yet beneath her lowered lashes, a faint melancholy flickered through her dark eyes. Her voice was so quiet it was nearly impossible to hear.

“Heath, you acted too hastily.”

Heath lifted her head. The face that usually remained composed, her brows lowered and gaze restrained, now betrayed unmistakable agitation. Her lips parted several times, as though she still had countless things left to say, to tell Ye Zheng that she had accidentally uncovered the emperor's secret, that she hadn't had the luxury of waiting. In the end, however, she swallowed every explanation and forced herself to regain her composure.

Ye Zheng knew, and Heath knew as well, that there had always been a way to quietly erase Qin Lu's so-called "evidence of guilt" without drawing anyone's attention.

This had never been a decision made jointly by Heath and Qin Lu. It was the outcome of Heath convincing her. She had persuaded Qin Lu to wager every last hope of her revenge on her, staking her own life in the process.

“Ye Zheng, I... I'm sorry.”

Ye Zheng looked at Heath without so much as a blink. After a long moment, she finally spoke.

“You don't owe anyone an apology.”

In the long, silent corridor, Ye Zheng stepped forward and walked past Heath.

“Heath, you're exceptional. I hope you obtain what you seek.”

Her footsteps echoed softly through the empty hallway. Heath couldn't help turning around. She watched Ye Zheng's figure grow smaller with every step into the distance. That gentle, heartfelt blessing continued to linger in her ears, making the tips of them quiver ever so slightly.

She remained standing there for a while longer before finally turning away and walking toward the exit.

✧✧✧✧✧

Lower District, a grand cathedral in the Western District.

A golden-haired youth lounged lazily atop the black wings of a Dragonic. The Saint reporting from below craned his neck upward, worried the leader perched so high above wouldn't hear him, and shouted his report at the top of his lungs.

“You're saying Ye Zheng has finally sent people to capture me?”

Sela, who had been reclining comfortably, slowly opened her crimson eyes and sat upright.

There were very few Aberrant Realms in the Western District. Its people were relatively straightforward, conflicts were rare, and the territory itself stretched across a vast expanse. As a result, both the Church and the local government had grown far too comfortable. Dealing with them demanded little effort.

Sela had led her followers north from the westernmost reaches of the Western District, steadily claiming territory as she advanced. Even when areas she'd already taken were reclaimed by the Church or the government, she scarcely gave them a second thought.

She had discovered that the Dragonic people seemed to be driven by an overwhelming instinct to move toward a particular destination. She suspected that direction led to the resting place of the dragon bones.

The dragon bones amplified her strength immensely. Naturally, Sela had no intention of letting them slip through her fingers. For the time being, she even put Lu Qi aside, devoting herself entirely to pressing forward with unwavering resolve.

“Yes. Those hypocritical rulers of the mortal world intend to wipe us out and bury the true faith of the God of Hope. They're doomed to fail. We Saints are the God of Hope's true followers...”

“When's Ye Zheng arriving?”

Sela cut her off without the slightest mercy.

“Uh... are you referring to that false Papess who deceives the world and steals the God's name? She most likely won't come in person... I'll investigate further and report back...”

“Get out.”

Sela's eyelids drooped with boredom. She flicked a hand dismissively, and the people below hurried away as though fleeing for their lives.

“Wait.”

Just as Sela was about to lie back down, something seemed to occur to her. She straightened up once more.

The subordinate who had already reached the doorway immediately turned around and ran back.

“Has that Sykes shown up?”

“Ah?”

“The Crown Prince. Sykes!”

Sela stared impatiently at the girl below, whose foolish expression only irritated her further. She'd definitely become more tolerant of idiots after spending so much time around that fool Lu Qi.

Ye Zheng really was as arrogant and conceited as ever. Did she seriously think sending a handful of insignificant soldiers would be enough to bring her down?

Even if Sykes came again, he'd only end up as another toy for her amusement.

“Crown Prince Sykes? I haven't heard anything about him. Before this, it was said the emperor punished him and sent him to the Lower District after he made a serious mistake. Then something happened at the palace, and ever since, no one's heard any news about him...”

“Oh, right. I did hear one rumor.”

The unruly fringe falling across Sela's forehead stirred slightly.

“What rumor?”

“They originally claimed the hunting grounds had gone out of control, that monsters escaped and injured civilians, which was why he was punished and sent to the Lower District. But some people are saying it wasn't monsters from the hunting grounds at all. They're saying he brought an Aberrant Realm into the Upper District.”

“And on the day something happened at the palace, a monster resembling the Demonic Dragon appeared. Some people even say... it was the Crown Prince himself who transformed!”

The girl rubbed her arms.

“How could the empire's heir become that kind of monster? It's too horrifying...”

She stole a glance at the enormous dragon coiled in the heart of the cathedral. Seeing its body shift with what seemed like obvious displeasure, she hurriedly corrected herself.

“Aiya... in any case, everyone's in a state of panic.”

“But the people most terrified are still those living in the Upper District. Some suspect there's something wrong with the dragon bones buried there. The Upper District isn't considered safe anymore.”

Sela listened quietly before piecing together the empire's long-standing claim.

The dragon bones were said to repel the Aberrant Realms. Because the Upper District housed the dragon bones, it had always been proclaimed the safest place in the empire, its strongest fortress whenever disaster struck.

The people of the Lower and Middle Districts dreamed of possessing more dragon bones so they could live farther from the threat of the Aberrant Realms, never realizing they themselves had been living beside dragon bones day and night all along.

“How interesting... truly fascinating...”

The thought that this nation was on the verge of plunging into chaos, collapsing into a crisis that would overturn everything, filled Sela with excitement. She leapt lightly to the ground. Behind her, the Dragonic slowly unfurled its colossal body, its towering horns piercing straight through the cathedral's painted dome.

Sela asked, “How long until they arrive?”

“The railway lines at the Imperial Central Station have been destroyed. At their current pace, it'll take them about two days.”

“Too slow. Let's move faster and give them the welcome they deserve.”

Sela hummed a cheerful tune as she strolled out through the cathedral doors. The reporting girl hurried after her, sticking close behind.

They had barely taken a few steps when the Dragonic, its body so black it nearly blended into the night itself, burst through the cathedral. The entire structure collapsed with a deafening roar, its sacred statues crumbling into the ruins along with it.