He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 15

“Now that I think about it, this plan seems a bit flimsy.”

If I had to say which plan, the Pope’s or Stella’s, seemed more flimsy, it would definitely be the Pope’s.

Stella is just revealing a confirmed truth, while the Pope has to fabricate a lie to deceive Stella.

“And it doesn’t seem like she’s the type to be easily deceived.”

No matter how I look at it, it’s a losing game for the Pope.

So, would it be right to get on Stella’s good side in advance?

“Pope, the discussion with the Cardinal is already over. Well, it’s not my place to interfere, but I hope things work out.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. The Church will remember Your Majesty’s help.”

The Pope seemed to have no doubts about this plan.

If I point out the problems now, I might be able to save him from embarrassment, but…

Why should I do that?

If the Pope falls, the Church will be defenseless against the power of the Purification Order.

If I help the Church then, they will become my staunch supporters.

From my perspective, it would be better if the Pope failed spectacularly.

“Well, I wish you the best of luck.”

I’ll only wish you luck, so don’t blame me even if you fail.

* * *

“Courage, Justice, Purification, Prosperity, Mystery. May the Empire’s five gods protect the rightful ruler of the Empire. And also……”

Pure white marble.

Stained glass shining in brilliant colors.

The symbols of the Empire’s faith, including the cross.

And the Pope and the Emperor.

This ceremony was filled with things that would inspire faith in the people of the Empire.

“Emperor Franz, come before the gods and swear.”

The Pope, the agent of God, commands the Emperor.

And the Emperor goes before God and swears.

As I took a step forward, hymns echoed, and the Holy Knights on both sides raised their swords in salute.

From now on, I will swear to the five guardian gods and be blessed by the gods.

…that is the plan for this ceremony.

“I ask Franz, the ruler of the Empire, do you swear to dedicate yourself to the Empire?”

Even if all of this is just a formality, it is necessary.

Even if this is just a play, it is what everyone wants.

“I swear.”

-That’s a lie.

“……?”

While kneeling before the Pope and praying, I reflexively opened my eyes at the strangely sounding voice.

Only then did I realize that everything was silent.

-You don’t really intend to dedicate yourself to the Empire, do you, Franz? Or should I call you Lee Hyun?

“Who is it?”

In this stopped world, someone’s voice was heard.

I got up and looked back at the voice.

There were five beings there that hadn’t been there before.

-This one does not possess conviction or faith.

-Instead, I see great desire. Not corrupted, though.

-Desire can be a motivation for prosperity; I like him.

-No talent for magic, disappointing.

The first to speak was a sturdy man with red hair and eyes.

Next was a handsome blond paladin.

After that, there was a priestess with water-colored hair, a woman with the impression of a scholar, and an old man dressed like a wizard.

-Wait, this friend is embarrassed. Everyone, stop there.

In a world where everything has stopped, only they move.

Even their presence was different from ordinary people.

I felt like I was standing before absolute beings.

Not in a figurative sense, but in a literal sense.

-It must be sudden, sorry. I’m Leonis of Courage. You probably already remember my name, right? I gave you a favor, too.

That’s right.

They were truly absolute beings.

The Empire’s five guardian gods.

I was really standing in front of them.

[Due to the ‘Loved by the Gods’ trait, the divinity of the five guardian gods is watching you.]

I was belatedly able to guess the reason.

Was it because of the trait I chose?

-There’s that too. Everyone wanted to meet you in person to take a closer look.

“Me- no, me?”

They are the ones who can erase me at any time.

I found it difficult to maintain my usual arrogant attitude.

No matter how unafraid I am of dying, there was no reason to be disrespectful in front of the gods.

-Yes, everyone has been watching until now, but it’s better to meet in person to take a good look.

“Then what is your impression of me?”

-I think everyone just said it.

No conviction or faith.

Great desire for oneself.

As much as there is desire, there is also a high level of ambition.

No talent for magic.

This, even I think it’s a bit of a failure? The first impression must be completely devastating.

“But only one person hasn’t spoken yet.”

The one who is talking to me right now.

Only Leonis had not yet evaluated me.

-I don’t have a taste for evaluating based on impressions.

With those words, Leonis drew the sword he wore on his hip.

The silver holy sword revealed its beautiful form, revealing its sword.

Even that caused the divine power around it to fluctuate.

-From now on, I will test you, Emperor Franz.

He threw his holy sword at me.

I reflexively caught the sword.

As soon as I did, white souls appeared all around.

A knight with a greatsword, a monk with a large battle hammer, a barbarian with twin axes, a warrior with a sword and shield showing fighting spirit…

I could sense that these people were like me.

Clearly, they were those who had been chosen by the gods like me.

-Prove your courage in front of your seniors.

[The ‘Trial of the Gods’ has begun.]

[Fight against Leonis’s warriors.]

As soon as Leonis’s words fell, the souls moved mercilessly.

Clang!

The first attack to reach was the greatsword knight’s longsword.

I barely managed to block the longsword that was coming down in an arc like a white light.

But I couldn’t afford to relax.

Whoosh!

The monk with the man-sized battle hammer skillfully spun the hammer.

If I hadn’t read the movement in advance and dodged, my body would have been shattered by the hammer.

Kriaaaaa!

The barbarian’s chilling roar vibrated all around.

The beings in the world where time had stopped were shattered like pillars of salt by the roar.

It was the same as reality, but this space itself was not reality.

“Kugh!”

Fast, strong, and relentless attacks.

Each one was a powerful blow that was difficult to resist.

Eventually, I was staggered and sat down after being hit by the shield warrior’s charge.

It was impossible to stand up to them, to win.

-Courage is the power of the soul, Franz. It is the power unique to humans that does not yield even to fearful and powerful enemies.

So get up and fight back.

Leonis whispered to me.

As if that whisper was courage itself, I, who had fallen, stood up again.

[The ‘Innate Martial Talent’ trait unleashes indomitable fighting spirit.]

[Temporarily increases presence in the spirit world.]

This world is not reality.

A world created by the gods to test me.

The physical strength here is not due to my body.

It is due to the power of my soul.

And now, I was full of courage.

“Now I understand.”

Thud!

Crack!

The shield of the shield warrior who was trying to strike me down shattered by the silver holy sword I wielded.

The quickly penetrating holy sword pierced his neck.

He broke those who boasted solid defense so easily.

The same was true after that.

Slash-

The barbarian’s fierce roar that broke the will was also cut down in one stroke.

Swish!

The monk’s battle hammer with its terrifying destructive power was no longer frightening.

Clang!

The last remaining knight with a greatsword.

Fast speed and balanced physical strength, flawless defense and courage were not inferior to the awakened me.

-Ho, impressive.

He and I exchanged dozens of attacks.

I had to allow some attacks as well.

I was stabbed and cut by the sword, and I felt pain at the soul level.

But I eventually succeeded in stabbing his heart with a lightning-like surprise attack.

[You have passed the Trial of the Gods.]

[From now on, you can summon the blessings or powers of God by consuming faith.]

[Faith is affected by diplomacy stats and can be obtained through special actions or achievements.]

-Excellent, Franz. Thanks to you, others have recognized you too.

“Is it over?”

-Of course. Although it’s the time of the rookie, you are the first to fight and win against the soul of the first emperor.

With Leonis’s words, the spirit world was changing back to reality.

-I look forward to the future. Please take care of the Empire.

“Ah… This, this is…!”

And when I returned to reality, I was surrounded by a brilliantly shining light.

No one in the cathedral could help but pay homage in front of this light.

Even the Pope, who had lost his divine power and was trying to maintain his authority through deception.

Even Stella, who came to accuse the Pope.

All the believers in the capital who attended this worship service.

They were kneeling before the holiness shown by the new emperor.

“Hey, keep going.”

“Ah, yes, Your, Your Majesty. Lo, look! The guardian gods have blessed His Majesty the Emperor!”

The Pope began to preach as if the religious passion that had faded sometime ago was burning again.

Contrary to what I originally intended, I ended up building up the Pope’s authority.

Stella probably won’t be able to accuse the Pope in this place.

No, now the Pope is no longer a problem.

“Praise! Praise the Empire! Praise His Majesty the Emperor!”

I gained absolute holiness, and the Church had no choice but to submit before me.

* * *

“No way, this is……”

Archbishop Stella had no choice but to doubt her eyes, even though she had witnessed it herself.

The descent of the gods.

The divinity of the five guardian gods descending before her eyes was too dazzling an experience for her who could see it.

She had often experienced the divinity of Lustra.

But it was the first time in her life that all four of the others had gathered.

And it exploded the religious joy within her.

“Emperor… The gods are really blessing the Emperor.”

Her heart wouldn’t stop beating.

After seeing the collapsing Empire and the suffering sentient beings, she began to walk the path of faith.

She was only focused on keeping the oath of protection and healing.

Even if she couldn’t save everyone with that.

Even if she couldn’t reverse the fate of the collapsing Empire.

She was trying to do what she could.

But now, really, finally, she saw the hope she had longed for so much.

“I must cooperate with him.”

The emperor blessed by the five gods.

A superhuman allowed only to humans and the Empire, at least after the first emperor.

Stella had no doubt that she had to work with him to save the Empire.

“What should I do? I need more time to learn about him.”

It was time to return to the Purification Order, but Stella was worried.

She needed to stay a little longer and learn about the Emperor.

If possible, she had to build a relationship with him.

In the end, Stella decided to stay here a little longer for the future.