chapter 143 The Court of Light (Part 2)
Golden light overflowed from deep within the great doors. The light illuminated the wood and iron, and the golden decorations actually gave off a divine and luxurious feel.
This was clearly the deepest part of the Inquisition, a dark scene where important criminals were held, but the golden light bathing the area created a feeling akin to the most dignified and solemn church.
It was like a holy court enveloped in light, where the will of God resided. Devout followers offered their faith, and the deities they believed in granted them their blessings.
A wisp of golden fire illuminated the scene within the light.
A sacred cross adorned with gold stood amidst the light and flames, and a figure was bound to it, his eyes slightly closed, with hair as red as flame.
“Brother Azer!”
The moment she saw the young man, Shiel cried out urgently. If she weren’t supporting Verafia’s delicate body, she would have rushed headlong into this seemingly sacred and luxurious, yet in reality, cold golden light.
As if hearing her cry, the red-haired young man bound to the cross forced his eyes open with great effort.
Before the light and the sacred cross stood two figures. The staff of flames was held in the hands of the Saint Cardinal, and beside him was Kaino, the champion of the knightly tournament, soon to be consecrated as a “God’s Chosen Knight.”
As if hearing Shiel’s voice, the Bishop holding the scepter and clad in divine robes slowly turned around. As always, the Cardinal’s face bore no smile, appearing solemn and dignified.
Seemingly having not expected Trist and Count Hyde to be defeated, Cardinal Bro’s pale eyebrows furrowed.
Most of the people in the hall were disturbed by the sudden icy aura and brilliant light. Count Robert placed his right hand on his injured arm and took a heavy step forward, fearlessly meeting the Saint’s imposing presence:
“Bro, what exactly is your goal!”
Count Hyde, who had gotten up from the ground, also struggled to lift his face. “Your Eminence, there is nothing left to hide now. Please, make a move and kill them!”
Count Hyde’s voice was fierce and filled with malice.
Verafia and Ig, among others, were merely a group of Platinum-level individuals, with a few Crystals. Even the strongest, Irene, was only at the Star-level. Facing the power of a Saint, they would undoubtedly be easily incinerated into ash.
No, perhaps he could ask the Cardinal to spare a few people. Both Verafia, who had ambushed him, and Shiel, could be made to know his power in the future!
He thought this with malice and excitement in his heart.
The priests in the hall were flustered and terrified, as if their faith had been shattered, unable to believe what they were seeing.
Count Hyde’s words almost confirmed that their trusted Cardinal Bro had indeed colluded with Hyde and the Frost Calamity!
Tais gripped the staff in her hand, the star-blue light casting onto the ground, her silver hair gently swaying in the breeze. Her gaze was solemn as she looked at the Cardinal standing in the depths of the light.
Beyond the tall tower, the night was serene, the overflowing golden radiance mingling with the moonlight, as if even the sound of the wind had solidified.
Shiel’s lifted face was pale. The red-haired loli, Niya, ran to Verafia’s side, holding her fingers and tilting her face up, her big ruby-like, brilliantly clear eyes looking at her:
“Sister Veer, this person, Niya feels…”
Her tender voice drifted through the silent space. Suddenly, the Cardinal in the divine robes raised his head, and a flame-like light flashed on the scepter in his hand. The substantial golden radiance spread like a dense tide, enveloping the entire tall tower, the entire court!
This was not ordinary golden light; within it lay a Sacred Domain that Cardinal Bro had unleashed with the aid of the flame scepter.
Everyone felt their bodies sink, a heavy and sacred pressure causing them to kneel like devout followers. The immense pressure, like a sea of mercury, contained endless light, making it difficult for them to breathe, let alone touch the traces of elements.
Even Ig’s shoulders couldn’t help but sink, his expression growing heavy.
A Saint-level Sacred Domain was far beyond the nascent stage of Trist’s domain, not to mention that the brilliance emitted by Mistetinn’s Staff carried a hint of divine authority.
If Ig were not Verafia’s God’s Chosen, had not undergone trials by the God King of Flames, and did not possess the laws of divine spark within his body, he too would have knelt directly.
“Your Eminence, what are you doing!” a shocked voice rang out in the light. But to everyone’s surprise, it was Count Hyde’s voice.
Hyde, Trist, and even “God’s Chosen Knight” Kaino, who stood beside the Cardinal, were also engulfed, bearing a pressure akin to that of a deity. The Knight Commander’s gaze was solemn, and frost-blue light shimmered on his arm, allowing him to maintain his stance.
“This seat truly has no need to hide anymore.”
Cardinal Bro turned around, his cloudy eyes likewise adorned with golden radiance. He waved his scepter, and the golden Sacred Domain surged. Count Hyde seemed to have his throat constricted, struggling painfully, his face turning red and becoming extremely unsightly.
Frost-blue light emerged from his body, but it was forcefully suppressed by the golden light. What was more, among the more than ten knights brought by Hyde, blood erupted from their bodies, instantly evaporated, exploding into shattered remnants of corpses.
As pawns of the Frost Calamity, they had been hidden by Count Hyde among his personal guards. However, before they could truly reveal themselves, they detonated under Cardinal Bro’s pressure!
Cardinal Bro’s expression was devoid of emotion as his gaze swept over Hyde and Trist. His voice was indifferent, “You have defected to the Frost Calamity… do you truly believe my faith is false?”
The Bishop’s voice echoed through the tower and the light. Both the followers of the Frost Calamity and Robert and the others showed surprise on their faces.
Shiel gently held Verafia, her soft blue-pink hair reflecting the golden light. The red-haired loli stood beside them, her demonic power, as pure as flame, shielding them from the pressure of the Sacred Domain and the golden radiance.
However, Shiel had no time to be surprised by Niya’s identity at this moment. She raised her light gold beautiful eyes in disbelief:
“Could it be that Cardinal Bro has not betrayed us? But if that’s the case, why has he been deceiving Trist and Hyde all along… and yet, Brother Azer is in his hands…”
Shiel looked at the young girl, her voice becoming a thick worry towards the end.
Verafia gently clasped her slender hand. Her face, hidden beneath the nun’s hood, was as flawless as snow jade, reflecting the golden radiance. She slightly lifted her head, “Wait a little longer.”
However, her golden eyes gazed at the Cardinal behind the light and the Mistetinn’s Staff in his hand, as if flames were illuminating within her beautiful eyes.
Cardinal Bro turned to face Azer on the cross, his aged hand slowly reaching into the endless light and flames at the top of the scepter.
—
Managed to finish it just in time… (Exhausted)
Happy New Year, everyone…
