Chapter 959

“What are you talking about, High Priest?” King Romanson asked with his eyes wide in shock.

The mention of requiring human sacrifices completely rattled him. No matter how important the upcoming ceremony was, human sacrifice was crossing the line.

No, it was far more than just crossing the line.

The very idea of a ceremony dedicated to the God of Medicine, Hippocrates, who was revered for healing the sick, requiring human sacrifices, was completely absurd.

“Did I mishear you, High Priest?” King Romanson asked.

“No, Your Majesty,” Apollonas replied, shaking his head.

“

Haa...

You need human sacrifices, you say...”

King Romanson was visibly shaken. He was, after all, the ruler of a great and powerful kingdom. Though he was known for having a bad temper, he was by no means a tyrant capable of sacrificing human beings alive.

No, even the worst of tyrants would balk at the thought of committing such extreme atrocity, like sacrificing human beings for a ceremony.

King Romanson knew that he would go down in history as a deranged tyrant who was evil enough to sacrifice other people. Forget about the history books; the international community would publicly denounce him the moment word got out.

At worst, the neighboring kingdoms might use this as an excuse to unite under one banner and invade the Seneca Kingdom.

“I find it difficult to understand why the great Hippocrates would require the sacrifice of young boys and girls. Even the vilest demons wouldn’t dare to—”

“Please be mindful of your words, sire. How can you mention the sacred name of Hippocrates while uttering talking about vile demons?”

“T-That was... I didn’t mean to...”

“Are you perhaps implying that the great Hippocrates is a vile demon?”

“N-No! Never!”

“Then please be mindful of your words.”

“I... will...” King Romanson replied, his voice trailing off.

This exchange alone was more than enough to show the extent of Apollonas’ influence within the Seneca Kingdom.

In truth, the most powerful figure in all of the Seneca Kingdom was not King Romanson, but rather, High Priest Apollonas.

“This is not human sacrifice, Your Majesty,” Apollonas said gently.

“Then what is it...?”

“Indeed, the boys and girls will die once the ceremony starts.”

“...”

“But do you think the great Hippocrates will simply take their lives as offerings and let them stay dead?”

“What?!”

“Hippocrates will display his splendor and resurrect those who were offered to him.”

“

Gasp...!

I-Is that truly possible?!” King Romanson exclaimed, his eyes wide open in shock.

“Truly, it is.”

“

Hah!”

Resurrection was considered a miracle of miracles. It was something so extraordinary that it would shake the entire continent if such an instance happened anywhere.

Death was the inevitable end of all living creatures, and defying the inevitable was indeed the greatest miracle.

“How could a god so benevolent like the great Hippocrates allow the children offered to him to remain dead?” Apollonas continued.

“That... Yes, that’s true...”

“Your Majesty, the great Hippocrates asks only for a momentary display of devotion from his followers. In return, he will bring the children back to life.”

“

Ah...

”

“But do you think that is all he will do?”

It was then.

Gulp!

King Romanson swallowed a hard lump stuck in his throat. His body reacted instinctively as he eagerly waited for what Apollonas would say next.

“Hippocrates will bestow his greatest blessing.”

“His greatest blessing...?”

“And not just upon you, Your Majesty. He will bestow upon all who participate in the ceremony, granting them the divine gifts of perfect health and a peaceful natural death at a good old age.”

“

Ah...!

”

A breath of admiration escaped from King Romanson’s lips.

Every mortal being desired perfect health and longevity. All things with life aged; they would fall ill and weaken over time. Their bodies would be tormented with endless malady the longer they lived. The closer one's death, the weaker one would become.

Not even kings nor emperors were exempt from this cruel fate.

To live free of disease and pain and to die peacefully at the end of a long life— these were the ultimate wishes of all, regardless of whether they were a mighty ruler or a lowly peasant.

Apollonas looked straight at King Romanson and said, “The resurrection of the children offered as a tribute and the divine blessing bestowed by the great Hippocrates. If these two miracles were to manifest before the eyes of the world... how much greater would Your Majesty’s renown become?”

“

A-Ah...!

”

“Your Majesty will be hailed as a god’s chosen emissary and be bestowed the title of Holy King by the multitudes. The faithful from across the continent will flock to you.”

“

Ooooh!

”

“And with such divine authority, you will stand as an equal to Emperor Stuttgart von Posteriore of the Marchioni Empire.”

“I will do it! I will offer those children to my god!”

Swayed by the honeyed words of Apollonas, King Romanson abandoned all hesitation and resolved to offer the boys and girls as sacrifices.

There would, without a doubt, be an initial outcry, but he could simply utilize his royal army to sacrifice the children forcibly. Once the miraculous events unfolded before the world, all condemnation aimed at him would turn into reverence.

“A wise choice, Your Majesty,” Apollonas said with a gentle smile.

“How many do we need to sacrifice? I will tell the men to prepare the required number of boys and girls immediately.”

“We will require one hundred children on each altar. And there are thirteen altars across the capital, so a total of thirteen hundred boys and girls will be needed.”

“I will prepare them at once.”

With that, King Romanson issued a royal decree to have one thousand three hundred boys and girls seized and offered as tribute to "Hippocrates."

***

Meanwhile, Siegfried was preparing for a large-scale "bomb drop" on Iraxia, the capital of the Seneca Kingdom.

It went without saying that the 8th Corps of the Marchioni Empire couldn’t be left out of this mission, so Siegfried had no other choice but to see Irene.

As the Commander of the Marchioni Empire’s army stationed in the Proatine Kingdom, Irene was not someone Siegfried could just casually order around like one of his subordinates.

Unfortunately, she seemed furious at him for some reason.

Irene was busy knitting, and it was something nobody would expect the world’s most notorious troublemaker to do.

“What do you want?” She suddenly stopped and shot Siegfried a glare. “Do you finally have some business with me or something?”

“

Huh?

”

“It’s been over a month since I was stationed here, yet you never came to see me. So, what’s with the sudden visit?”

‘

Ah... I’m fucked...’

Siegfried realized it just then.

She was beyond furious over the fact that he hadn't checked in on her, not even once.

Thus, he immediately knelt on one knee and offered her a heartfelt apology.

“My sincerest apologies, Your Highness.”

Everyone would end up suffering if the world’s most notorious troublemaker decided to go on a rampage within the royal palace, so Siegfried knew it was in his best interest to just bite the bullet and appease her for now.

“I was so preoccupied with protecting the world that I simply had no time. Please, I beg for your magnanimity and forgiveness—”

“

Hmph!”

“I was actually feeling guilty about not visiting Your Highness sooner.”

“R-Really? You did?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then will you come by more often from now on?” Irene asked, her voice filled with expectation. Then, she suddenly flinched and started waving her hands as she said, “I-It’s not like I want to see you or anything! I just think, you know... as the expeditionary commander... I should be receiving reports on the happenings within the Proatine Kingdom, that’s all!”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will be visiting you more often from now on.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Certainly. You are, after all, an envoy sent from the Marchioni Empire. As king, it is only proper that I personally report to Your Highness.”

“Y-Yes! That’s right! You obviously have to do that!”

“I will make sure to visit more frequently, Your Highness," said Siegfried before slyly holding her hand.

‘

W-What?!’

Irene shrieked inwardly. She felt her heart nearly stop when his fingers wrapped around hers. Well, he only held her hand and didn't really lock fingers with hers.

Badump! Badump! Badump!

Irene's heart pounded wildly, sounding just like a war drum rallying a massive army to battle.

“I am always grateful to Your Highness.”

“

A-Ah...

S-Siegfried...”

“Now that I am here, I hope that Your Highness’ anger is appeased.”

“F-Fine... And don’t worry. I wasn’t mad or disappointed in the first place.”

“Your grace is truly immeasurable,” Siegfried said with a bow. Then, he added, “It brings me great relief to see that you are well. Now, if Your Highness will excuse me...”

After that, he stood up and bowed politely before turning to leave.

“

Huh?

Where are you going? You just got here!”

“Ah, well... I have some urgent matters to attend to in the Seneca Kingdom...” Siegfried proceeded to explain the situation regarding the religious ceremony. Then, he added, “So right now, I am incredibly busy. As much as I would love to spend time with Your Highness, I have no other choice but to be elsewhere to protect this world from—”

Irene cut him off, “I’ll help.”

“...Pardon me?”

“It would be easily resolved if I bring the 8th Corps and crush them, right?”

As soon as she said those words—

‘

OH YEAH!’

Siegfried felt like jumping for joy right then and there. He intentionally danced around the subject, as he thought it would be too obvious if he asked outright.

Fortunately, she took the bait without any hesitation, and he couldn’t be more grateful for it. Of course, a true professional would never show their emotions even after the matter was settled.

“

Oh,

no. I could not possibly trouble Your Highness. This is something I must handle on my own; it is a weight I have to burden alone—”

“No. I’ll crush them all, so you don’t worry about anything.”

“Your Highness...”

“Tell me if anyone gets in your way. Just say the word, and I’ll obliterate them.”

“May I... really do that?”

“Of course! You’re my l—” Irene nodded confidently and was about to say something when she suddenly froze.

“

Huh?

Pardon me, Your Highness?”

“N-Never mind. Anyway, I’ll come with you and help. I’ve been dealing with so much stress lately, so this is perfect.

Hohoho!”

A shiver ran down Siegfried’s spine as he stared at Irene, who was laughing heartily at the thought of wreaking havoc.

‘

She’s... a complete psycho...’

he thought.

Still, he was extremely grateful that this

complete psycho

was currently on his side.

***

Two days later, in the capital of the Seneca Kingdom, Iraxia, the grandest and most extravagant religious ceremony the continent had ever seen, was about to unfold.

Thirteen altars were prepared for the ceremony, twelve positioned around the city and one at the very heart of the royal palace. Upon each of these altars were one hundred children between the ages of five and ten; they were the sacrificial offerings.

A total of one thousand three hundred young children were about to be offered as human sacrifices, yet no one dared to object.

“There’s nothing to fear, my dear daughter. The great Hippocrates shall surely bring you back to life.”

“Yes, Mother!”

“You will be reborn as a saintess blessed by our god.”

“I’m excited to be chosen and loved by Lord Hippocrates!”

The Seneca Kingdom heavily promoted that anyone offered as human sacrifice would be resurrected and receive divine blessings, so people offered their children in droves.

The fervor was so intense that the number of volunteers had exceeded the required number, causing even high-ranking nobles to try and secure a spot for their own children.

Ironically, what was supposed to be condemned as a vile demonic ritual was now being hailed as a sacred privilege, one that would bring honor to one’s family and bless one with a badge of faith that one could proudly wear.

This was an undeniable proof of humanity’s desperate longing for eternal health and a peaceful natural death.

“

Hoho...”

High Priest Apollonas stood atop the grand altar located in the heart of the royal palace while gazing down over the entire capital city with a satisfied smile. Then, he raised a hand, signaling to the clergy to begin the ceremony.

Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh!

Sacred flames erupted from the altars, sending waves of divine energy rippling across the entire city.

“We beseech you... We beseech you... O, great Hippocrates, hear our prayers...!”

King Romanson knelt at the base of the grand altar and prayed fervently, pleading for the blessings of Hippocrates.

Meanwhile, Apollonas started chanting, leading the ritual forward.

However, there was something off about his chant.

“Thirteen shall come forth... The gates of heaven shall open... And judgement shall descend...”

High Priest Apollonas was chanting things that had nothing to do with Hippocrates at all.

Despite that, he continued chanting; the high-ranking priests chanted the same thing as him.

“The ancient secret order, the Illuminati... requests the sons and daughters of the one and only Creator of this world to—” Apollonas continued his chant.

It was then.

Rumble!

The skies above Iraxia twisted and warped. Then, warp gates appeared one after another.

“

Hmm?

”

High Priest Apollonas sensed that something was off, so he halted his chanting and looked at the warp gates in the sky.

“But the ritual isn't over yet...” he muttered.

Just then, he realized that the warp gates appearing above Iraxia had nothing to do with the ritual.