Chapter 219
Chapter 219: The Art of Incitement (3)
There were many who received grace from the Great Sage in the past.
If it weren’t for her, it is highly likely that the peaceful Divine Empire wouldn’t have existed from the start.
It was she who defended the continent against ancient evil gods that threatened humanity.
It is well-known that she wouldn’t stand idly by when she saw someone in distress, hence most paintings depicting her portray her as an angel.
Her death, sacrificed for the empire and the world, is remembered as the saddest day in the empire.
How many were brainwashed by the incitement, forgetting her grace and labeling her as a demon?
However, humanity was not so rotten.
Through the unity of those who had received her grace, her reputation was resurrected in an instant.
When her special day, the Magical Banquet, was established, it became something akin to a holiday.
Even now, many others enjoy the festival from afar.
– The Imperial City Cross Divine.
– The Sacred Monarch City Kreuz.
– Duke Chain Silver’s Silver Town.
– The small Papias Kingdom.
– The snowy village in the northern empire near the Swordsmanship Society.
– The border village at the western frontline.
The situation of the Magical Banquet could be broadcasted live from all corners of the empire.
Especially today, which included the fifth day of Tactical Martial Arts, many viewers were tuned in.
A magical device enabled seeing scenes from a long distance through a massive crystal ball.
This incredible technology was also the product of Great Sage Dantia, and beyond the screen, Aligieri Town was illuminated.
Suddenly, the screen switched dramatically, revealing a strange scene.
[Then there is only one place you must go! I will send you to hell, just like your father and brother!]
There were Nebia Chromag, the saint of the sect, and Emperor Kamain of the empire on display.
Emperor Kamain’s distorted appearance sent shockwaves through the people.
[Are you struggling? There’s nobody coming to save you here!]
With teeth that were frighteningly shark-like and pointed horns protruding from his head.
Wings bursting through the skin on his back and crimson, bloodshot eyes.
This devil-like being was undoubtedly the emperor.
Sage Monarch Kamain Fried Divine.
A stillness like that of an explosion enveloped the crowd as they absorbed the sight of his transformation.
The entire empire grew cold as if frozen.
*
Three minutes passed in silence over Aligieri Town.
Only after that did people start to speak, breaking the silence one by one.
Waves of confusion swept through both the defending and attacking sides.
Naturally, all eyes gravitated to the person who projected that screen.
“Is that human… still alive?”
Professor Radian exclaimed in surprise as he looked at Elder Enviel standing atop a building.
News had spread widely that he had disappeared after the Nine-Tailed Fox Incident.
Since it wasn’t definitively stated that he was dead, it wasn’t impossible for him to appear like this.
Yet, no matter how he racked his brain, there were only strange points.
`He was the one who took out the Nine-Tailed Fox, aimed to destroy the academy, and awaken the evil god.`
The fact that he seemed to be siding with them cast numerous doubts.
It was utterly unconvincing.
It felt like reading a heroic tale where the protagonist encounters an enemy and ends in a smile over some nonsensical bond like ‘we share the same mom’s name.’
Had he experienced something during his time missing?
Even if I concede a hundred times that he has changed, I still find it hard to believe that a psycho who aimed to destroy the world just a year ago would act like this.
“Is that really Elder Enviel?”
“I don’t even know.”
Teaching Assistant Adela came over to ask, but the truth was known to none.
Currently, Saint Angela, Luska, and Jenny lay nearby, exhausted or injured.
The very people who brought Jenny to this place were the Bloodymir School members who had just attacked us moments ago.
They were even nursing the enemy, who had been ready to kill at Enviel’s command, without a shred of doubt.
That’s how profound Enviel’s brainwashing must have been.
“Is Elder Enviel really a nice person? Everyone has stopped fighting.”
“I’m telling you…”
There were countless aspects to be suspicious about, but the strength and mana emanating from him were real.
Even if one doubted him being fake, his overwhelming aura supported everything else.
It was so convincing that my instincts screamed: ‘He’s the real deal.’
“Don’t joke around!”
At someone’s shout, the previously light atmosphere thickened again.
“Are you really Elder Enviel? Then show us proof!”
Not just one but several voices chimed in to denounce Enviel.
They were four individuals, each a high-ranking figure from different organizations.
However, their true identities were the 7th League members from Doomsday.
Except for Enviel, number 7, Deemo, was dead, and number 4, Grisha, was nowhere to be found.
The remaining four doubted Enviel.
“Heh, look who it is! It’s been a while. Number 2, Katushia, Number 3, Klayke, Number 5, Benjamin, Number 6, Drake.”
Enviel leisurely looked down from above, listing their names.
At that moment, Katushia, number 2, released his mana, revealing his adversarial intent.
“So you claim to be Enviel? Nonsense! If you were truly our number 1, you wouldn’t be doing this!”
“Think about it. The number of times we’ve been stained with blood while worshiping demons is countless. We’ve attacked Aligieri several times during that process. Now, turning against the enemy makes no sense!”
Number 3, Klayke, also vociferously opposed Enviel’s actions.
The power radiating from him was undeniable. However, that alone couldn’t prove he was genuine.
“Is your disbelief that strong?”
Enviel laughed while extending his palm.
On it, mana drew a large insignia in the air.
It was the signature of the number 1 from Doomsday, one that no member would fail to recognize.
“How about this? Does this still make me a fake?”
“That’s…”
“Or should I recount step by step how we first met?”
Enviel, who disclosed that he was ‘real,’ had no flaws in his assertion based on the power he was radiating and the sign he displayed.
However…
“Yeah, even if others believe you’re real, that gesture you just made is a confidential sign that nobody, except us from Doomsday, should know.”
“Ah…”
Taken aback by this revelation, Enviel fell momentarily silent, realizing his slip-up too late.
In reality, public signs and confidential signs are distinct.
Enviel became confused about that difference and pondered.
“Right, I did say that!”
Digging through his own mind, Enviel finally realized and snapped his fingers in understanding.
He had put himself in jeopardy of being denied because of one mistake.
Yet, even then, Enviel continued to laugh.
“Hahahahaha!”
“What could possibly be so funny?”
“Show your true identity already!”
Numbers 5, Benjamin, and 6, Drake, reproached him.
“I detest sharp-witted folks like you.”
“Uh…?”
“Ah!”
Enviel, who had been standing on the rooftop, vanished. At the same time, his voice whispered from behind.
Sensing a grave crisis, the two quickly unleashed their mana.
Crack!—
Whoosh!—
But it was too late.
In an instant display of immense agility, Enviel created blades of wind and metal, piercing through both their upper bodies.
“Uh…?”
As the two fell lifeless, number 2, Katushia, and number 3, Klayke, stared wide-eyed in shock.
They might have been foolish to underestimate him.
Having been close to Enviel, they knew firsthand of his power.
Enviel was someone who could withstand any assault even if all members of the 7th League attacked him.
Considering that he possessed that very power, their chances of winning were nonexistent.
Even if they argued logically, it wouldn’t matter.
They had been the ones engaging in despicable acts while brainwashing others until this point.
If they mirrored the reckless behavior that Enviel had demonstrated, what stance could match that?
“Shit!”
“Run away…”
Benjamin and Drake raised their wind magic to its maximum, trying to lift their bodies into the air.
With that incredible wind speed, they attempted to flee quickly.
Rustle—
But their necks were severed before they could even take off.
Their heads rolled onto the ground, splattering red blood. The small thread released from Enviel had decapitated them.
“….”
“….”
Everyone, be it academic or from the schools, stood aghast as they witnessed their comrades’ instantaneous deaths.
At that moment, it was a sufficiently dubious act.
Yet Enviel… no, the man disguised as Enviel, had a plan to control the flow of this situation.
“I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused up till now. And I have no face to show my children, the disciples of the Bloodymir School.”
Enviel’s words echoed throughout the town.
He used magic to amplify his voice, making it audible to everyone.
“Is he joking?”
Radian clicked his tongue upon hearing that.
He and others from the academic side were equally bewildered.
They were just as surprised by the 7th League’s reactions moments earlier.
Their only response to the unexpected behavior was to watch. Had it been any other moment, they would have attacked immediately.
“Why are you apologizing, Elder!”
“Exactly! We’re the ones who should be apologizing for not being able to find you!”
“Please forgive us!”
The members of the school were genuinely blind in their admiration.
It was a situation that only elicited laughter from the observers.
They had shackled all the Beastmen and Elf races based solely on a single word from Enviel.
Caught off guard by the sudden assault, the mixed races had to suffer helplessly, while the academic side wondered if this were a comedic novel or reality.
“No, I’ve been deceiving you all this while. My true goal wasn’t to overthrow Aligieri or resurrect the evil god… it was precisely that!”
Enviel pointed to the massive screen floating above the village.
There stood the Demon King, in a frantic state, unable to escape the circumstances he had concealed for so long.
His face pale, trembling in cold sweat as if he were gasping for air a hundred times a second.
“In fact, I have constantly questioned the true identity of the emperor. Certainly, thirty years ago, he was a key figure in restoring the empire from the chaos of war. But! I realized the emperor has changed since then.”
[Degradation Rate Dropping: ….]
[+… Credits]
[Credits have exceeded the limit.]
As Enviel spoke, a lance appeared before him.
Inside, he silently chuckled before continuing his speech.
“But revealing that identity while engaging in public activities wasn’t easy. So I delved into the darkness. As I approached the emperor with that darkness, he took it willingly.”
“Darkness, you say? Could it be…”
“What do you think I’ve been doing all this time by forming a fanatical organization like Doomsday?”
Originally, the purpose was to resurrect the evil god.
By instilling fear into the world, he aimed to bring about the destruction of Aligieri and seize the Archive.
It was an organization designed to slowly guide people into the cataclysmic end.
“Worshiping evil gods? Seizing the Archive? All of that was merely a stepping stone to reveal that emperor’s identity!”
Some simpletons were immensely surprised, while those with a bit of wit felt immense incredibility.
If they were going to do such good, why had countless people died until now?
However, Enviel disregarded their impudence and continued speaking.
“Of course, the entity existing within the emperor’s flesh is undoubtedly Sage Monarch Kamain. Surely, the soul of the demon king must be nestled within his body.”
Enviel addressed the crystal ball.
“Can you hear me, Demon King?”
The demon king within the screen flinched at the sound of Enviel’s voice.
“You’ve finally exposed your ugliness.”
Following Enviel’s next words, the demon king seethed with rage, almost losing his sanity.
This was the true art of incitement.
