729 – I Came Again Without Dying – 3
First of all, it was decided to strictly control the news of Death King’s resurrection.
The being that reigned as the great evil of the continent hundreds of years ago has suddenly returned? Even if we announce this news publicly, it will only cause confusion among the people.
Of course, if you control the information, it would be like throwing the people near the Death King as sacrifices. So, the information was not released, but several corps were ordered to be on alert in the name of training. In this way, as soon as the Death King stirs, minimal defense and minimal evacuation operations are possible.
“As you instructed, we have ordered some of the corps belonging to the Southern Army to be on alert. If the Eastern Army moves, other countries will react immediately, so if we want to end it quietly, we must block the Death King with the Southern Army.”
“The Church has judged that the power of the Death King is still weak. The morale felt in the southeastern part of the empire is clearly that of the Death King, but even the battle priests, who boast great divine power, can only feel it if they concentrate.”
In addition to me and the emperor, the emperor’s office included the Emperor Jeon Seung-gong, the head of the imperial army, and Cardinal Liciucco, the highest-ranking priest among the members of the Dawn Church in the empire.
A situation where only the absolutely necessary people are gathered to ensure thorough information control. That’s how much I could see how seriously the Empire and the Holy Church regarded this matter.
‘Why me?’
He looked at the three who were discussing with a serious face, then lowered his gaze bitterly.
It is natural that there is an emperor. In this empire, it is impossible for work to proceed without the emperor’s permission.
It is natural that Jeon Seung-gong attended. Except for some forces, such as the 1st Guards Corps or the Imperial Knights, you must go through the Victory Ball to move the imperial army.
Cardinal Liciucco? He is the highest-ranking priest in the empire and a person who can immediately obtain information sent from the Holy Church. It makes no sense to deal with this situation without Cardinal Liciucco.
‘Why on earth am I?’
But me? Why am I here, even though I’m nominally on vacation and my job is an inspector? The Death King is also on the territory of the empire, so go inspect it—is it something like this?
I wanted to escape right away, but the atmosphere was so serious that I held back. The dukes and cardinals of the empire also gathered together and said, ‘I will go now.’ It takes a lot of courage to say that.
“If it is weak, there is no better opportunity than that. If the Church has set a date for the expedition, the Empire will also follow suit. When is it?”
“We are discussing it.”
“Discussion?”
The emperor’s brow furrowed slightly at the cardinal’s words.
It was a slightly unexpected remark. The Holy Church knows the evil nature of the Death King better than the Empire. Because it was the Church that fought the Death King 800 years ago, not Kfelopen.
However, it is a decision that is difficult to understand that it is still being discussed at a time when the evil giant is at its weakest and when the punitive force must move quickly. Even if the main body of the Holy Church were to convey it to the cardinal of the empire, it would not be a discussion that would end quickly.
“Yes, Your Majesty. The Church is considering five bells.”
‘Ah.’
However, I was convinced by what followed.
The Church was holding discussions because it highly valued the evil of the Death King. In order to thoroughly beat up the reappeared Death King, to mobilize all the power of the Church.
‘There’s nothing you can do if the bell rings five times.’
In Enestye, which is the heart of the Dawn Church, there is a cathedral of St. Togra, and a huge bell hangs at the highest point of the cathedral of St. Togra. A huge paper made by melting down the small bell used by the first Pope and then adding materials containing the cardinals’ blessings.
And ringing this bell five times is five bells.
“Five bell rings would be a huge burden for the Holy Father, is that okay?”
“Isn’t this for the safety of the continent? “Your Holiness has made all preparations.”
Even the emperor, who frowned for a moment when the five bell rings were mentioned, looked surprised. To that extent, ringing the bell in a church does not mean anything lightly.
‘It’s actually a declaration of all-out war, so it can’t be taken lightly.’
During the religious wars of the past, the Dawn Church, which won by defeating countless heretics, chose the path of mercy and peace rather than struggle. Having conquered the turbulent times with force, it was a decision to rule with morality from now on.
Therefore, the leaders of the Dawn Church at the time made five promises in front of the bell of St. Togra Cathedral.
“Do not regard other people’s actions as wrong.”
“Do not blindly refute what others say.”
“Consider whether there was a good reason for the bad karma of others.”
“Be merciful and show tolerance for the evil deeds of others.”
“Do not show other people’s blood in front of the sun.”
A promise called ‘Melinus’ Oath’ after Melinos, a contemporary saint who contributed decisively to winning the religious war.
It is said that due to Melinos’ oath, the warlike Dawn Church changed into a peaceful and docile order. Of course, they did not care much about the heretics or heretics who first challenged the Dawn Church, but they became a gentle group that showed mercy and tolerance.
However, an oath made by a person other than God’s order can be taken back by a person. Ringing the bell of St. Togra Cathedral was tantamount to a declaration that he would rescind his oath.
If you ring the bell once, you will hate other people’s behavior.
Ringing the bell twice shows contempt for what others say.
If you ring the bell three times, you become angry at other people’s bad karma.
If you ring the bell four times, you will show no mercy to the evil deeds of others.
When it rings the last five times, it tears off the limbs of the cub and offers its blood and body to the sun.
The Church of Dawn points out an enemy that must be killed, and declares an all-out war to attack that enemy with all its capabilities until the enemy dies. That’s five bells.
‘Five bell ringings following the council.’
It is natural for the emperor to be concerned about the pope. When such large-scale events occur one after another during the reign of one Pope, voices complaining of fatigue are bound to come out within the denomination.
If so, the Pope’s future actions will be extremely limited, or the Pope may be forced to step down. Either way, it’s not a very positive result.
“The discussion is all about coordinating the timing of the bell ringing and the declaration. Ringing the bell itself is no different from confirmation.”
“I see.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. And as soon as the bell rings, the Holy Knights and Priests from all over the continent will move in unison to subdue the Death King.”
At those words, the expressions of the emperor and Jeon Seung-gong changed complicatedly.
It is positive news that the Catholic Church is sincere, but it is not very good news that the Holy Knights and Priests with their eyes turned upside down are crossing the border all at once.
But what can you do? What is interfering with the church’s all-out war is ‘Please defeat me too.’ It’s like showing off. Moreover, if the Church does not intervene in the subjugation of the Four Kings, the Empire will have to subdue it alone.
“I am always grateful for the church’s dedication and sacrifice. May Enen’s grace be with your Holiness’ decision.”
Perhaps that’s why the emperor quickly calmed his expression and left a courtesy remark.
Four days later, the bells of St. Togra Cathedral ran five times.
For military reasons, it was the first bell to be rung since the battle to subdue the Four Kings 800 years ago, and for political reasons, it was the first bell to rung since the entire Apels leadership was excommunicated 300 years ago.
“The Lord is willing! I will offer the blood of evil enemies before the Lord!”
“Peace achieved by great sages! We must protect it!”
“Cut off the heads of the evil enemies and scatter their limbs across the continent! There is no place on this continent where the sun does not shine, and there is no one who can withstand the sun’s flame!”
Anyway, thanks to the bell ringing for the first time in hundreds of years, church officials from all over the continent awakened into blood-crazed fanatics.
I could tell right away that there were quite a few paladins and battle priests in this system. The sight of gentlemen who were normally quiet and even engaged in volunteer work turning crazy overnight was not only bizarre but also surprising. The world can change like this just by ringing a bell.
“Minister. I have a story that will make you laugh. Would you like to hear it?”
“I will listen, Your Majesty.”
“Jim, not even five years have passed since he came to the throne.”
“…”
“But you go through all sorts of things during your reign.”
“…”
I could not open my mouth due to the heartbreaking lament.
“Minister.”
“Yes… Your Majesty.”
“Will there ever again be an emperor who suffers from all kinds of confusion like a burden in the history of the empire?”
“Your Majesty is solving all kinds of hardships and trials, and future emperors who carry on your will will enjoy peace and prosperity.”
It was a decent packaging, but it could not be denied that the emperor was suffering like a dog.
No matter how much other people’s pain seems lighter than my own, it is a cruel situation for an emperor who has not even been on the throne for 5 years to be subjected to such events one after another.
Cheer up, you b*stard. They say that even iron becomes stronger when it is struck. If you pass this ordeal, you will become a strong emperor—
“Ah. Come to think of it, the Church of England asked if it would be possible for a minister to participate in the war. They said that nothing would be more reassuring than if the blessed and greatest swordsman of the continent were to step forward.”
‘This b*stard.’
My mouth twitched for a moment, but I barely held it in.
This is a completely understandable inquiry. From the Church’s point of view, it would want to do everything it can to erase the nightmare of the past, and the emperor merely conveyed the Church’s request to me.
Moreover, the place where Death King opened his eyes again is the territory of the empire. When the punitive force of a religious country collapses, it is the empire that ultimately suffers.
“How can I step out of the crusade for the empire and the continent? I will prove that even the Death King is nothing before the name of the empire.”
“Thank you, Minister. Thanks to the Minister, I think I can withstand whatever adversity comes my way.”
He only smiled bitterly at the comfort that was not the emperor’s.
To be honest, going to war while on vacation would be a terrible thing, but if the suppression of the Death King fails, my family could come within the scope of the Death King’s activities. Such a disaster can be avoided only if the Death King is defeated with all his might when he is at his weakest.
‘Damn b*stard.’
As soon as I meet Death King or Nabal, I will immediately make you Death King.
If you ask the Holy Church subjugation team to provide maximum doping and use that doping to slash the sky, you will be able to kill even the Death King.