The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 480

“Still, this time was excessive, Cohen. I haven’t even touched the thrones of Karasar and Tarasar, and if people there are using divine magic in my name, then I….”

“Huh? Is, is that so?”

Cohen bowed his head before Azadin as if he hadn’t known.

“……..”

Azadin knew Cohen was sincere and closed his mouth.

He was wary of Cohen, but he had no justification to stop him.

People needed hope, and Cohen was clearly delivering it.

“It’s not a significant burden, so it’s fine. However, Cohen, don’t let them use divine magic in the way of the King’s Church, but let them use divine magic through the power of cultivation. Have them accept the New Testament. Blindly worshiping me only makes my will more difficult.”

“Yes! I will humbly obey.”

Cohen was saying he would follow Azadin’s command.

‘Is that sincere, or is he acting? It looks sincere to my eyes, but even if Cohen is sincere, he already knows that divine magic can be used in my name by the King’s Church, so it won’t be easy to fix.’

Azadin shook his head, realizing that things had gone wrong but it was difficult to hold anyone accountable.

It was too late to blame Cohen.

Right now, he just hoped that the teachings of the New Testament would spread quickly, as Cohen had said.

“Then, Cohen, I’ll leave the north to you. We will now return south, secure the throne of Chitai first, and then try to subdue the Naga Empire. Will you hand over the Northern Aragasa troops and the remaining elves to me?”

“Yes, of course… the elves?”

The Northern Aragasa were practically Azadin’s vassals from the moment they betrayed Cohen and sided with Azadin.

But why ask for the elves?

“There must be elves who didn’t escape and remained, right? Hand them over to me.”

“Ah, they are currently being interrogated.”

Because the Telbarin Guild and the elves had devastated the north with Nether sorcery [dark magic] and left, the Northern Empire’s army was arresting and interrogating the remaining elves.

Of course, the interrogation here was accompanied by torture, and it was more about abusing the elves and extorting their property than obtaining information.

“Perhaps the elves who escaped Asendar went to the Naga Empire. Most of those who remain are either innocent or spies who stayed behind to monitor.”

“Y, yes, that must be it.”

“Hand them over. They will be important assets in attacking the Naga Empire.”

“Of course, I will hand them over. Is there anything else you need?”

“I need troops and supplies, but you’ll need a lot to evacuate people here, right? I’ll take care of the rest. Oh, can you also accept the people of Chitai?”

“Of course. I will arrange for people to come from Changgok Pass.”

“Good. I’m counting on you.”

Azadin finished his discussion with Cohen and ordered his subordinates to prepare to leave Asendar.

*********

When Azadin said he was leaving Asendar, the residents flocked like clouds.

They cried out and blocked the path in front of Azadin’s soldiers.

“Great Emperor!”

“The eldest son of God and the ruler of this land!”

“Please don’t abandon us!”

Whether the soldiers had failed to keep things quiet, everyone was in an uproar and blocking the way when they heard that Azadin was leaving.

That wasn’t all.

“Your Majesty! My child is sick! Please, bestow a blessing!”

“Your Majesty… please heal us!”

There were people who brought their sick children, hoping Azadin would bless them, and many who were sick themselves.

Everyone was clamoring for miracles and blocking Azadin’s path.

It was absurd for Azadin’s vassals.

Miracles are not free.

Of course, how much pain must the people suffering from illness endure?

In such a moment, a living god has descended upon this land, so they must be desperate.

But they had no consideration for the person they were asking.

“Impudent fools! Unbelievable!”

To Cohen Lionheart, who already hated humans, their appearance was nothing but disgusting and contemptible.

Azadin’s power should be used for something greater, for the world.

However, as soon as the refugees of Asendar were guaranteed their safety, they wanted to be protected and not have others taken care of.

It’s understandable that they only want their own illnesses treated and to be cared for, but it’s even more disgusting because it’s understandable.

There is no consideration for other countries or other people in their minds.

They are just filled with an easy-going, superstitious belief that if they can somehow get into the good graces of God, they will be saved.

“Imperial Guards! If there are any impudent fools who dare to block Emperor Azadin’s path, execute them immediately!”

“Yes!”

Following Cohen’s orders, the armed Imperial Guards stepped forward with thorny whips.

“Get out of the way! You lot!”

“How dare you! Block the path of His Majesty the Emperor!?”

With the sound of whips cutting through the air, the smell of blood spread.

The harsh lashes, like the teeth of a beast, tore into people’s flesh.

Startled, people tried to flee or fall to the ground, but in the narrow paths of the underground city, they were in danger of being crushed to death by each other.

Azadin smiled bitterly at the sight.

‘I should stop this, right?’

In this situation, he should stop them from harming the people, but if he does, it would be like condoning those who beg for miracles, making it even more difficult to stop their begging.

There must be many who yearn for Azadin to be like the wise and virtuous kings of old tales, and wouldn’t this be fulfilling their expectations?

But the more he does that, the further he gets from the true salvation Azadin desires.

Still, he couldn’t stand by and watch the soldiers wielding thorny whips that would tear off flesh, so Azadin stepped forward to stop them.

“Stop everyone! Who dares to shed blood in front of me?!”

“Ohh, Your Majesty!”

“Emperor!”

The residents of Asendar were overjoyed and ecstatic when Azadin stopped the soldiers.

Cohen, watching this, was secretly smiling, as if he had wanted this situation to happen.

‘That sly bastard. That… I’m only letting it go because I’m busy. If I had plenty of time, I would have corrected his behavior.’

“Your Majesty. My child is sick! Please….”

“…Zibeck.”

“Yes.”

The holy knight, Sir Zibeck, stepped forward to examine the child’s condition.

“Severe frostbite and starvation. And… there are signs of whipping.”

Zibeck suspected the parents who brought the child.

There were more than a few people who tried to evoke sympathy by using their children to beg.

Especially in Asendar, where those below a certain class were not allowed to enter the city, there were many who had tried to gain sympathy by using children to enter the city.

It was an era where human life was not so precious.

The problem with these people is that they sincerely believe they are doing what’s best for their children in these situations.

They sincerely believe they are doing what’s best for their children while cutting off the limbs of healthy children for begging.

Even without malice, ignorance and shamelessness can lead to terrible atrocities.

Zibeck felt contempt for such people, but… he activated divine magic as Azadin had ordered and healed the child.

After minimal treatment, the people around were moved and excited.

“Ohh!”

“Me, me too!”

“Me too!”

“Stop everyone!”

When Azadin told them to stop, the soldiers now restrained them.

“As you have seen, the teachings of the New Testament allow anyone to use holy white magic.”

“Huh?”

“The New Testament….”

“If you had followed and understood my teachings, you would have been able to save yourselves already. But you can’t, can you?”

Azadin knew well what would happen if he indiscriminately bestowed divine magic and mercy.

Like pests clinging to plants, they would only gnaw away.

If they keep seeking greater miracles, stronger gods, and more magnificent beings, they will inevitably end up with the messengers of the Nether [dark realm].

The foolishness of the masses, who blindly yearn for great beings, has caused the current situation.

Azadin’s vassals, who had grasped his intention, drove away the gathered people and shouted.

“You impious and rude ones!”

“You dare to only seek miracles without upholding the New Testament!”

“You unbelievers! Heretics! You deserve to die right now!”

Now that Azadin had legitimacy, others became heretics.

The people were startled by the accusation of being heretics.

In the hearts of those who had heard that Azadin had become emperor, the perception that Azadin was still a messenger clan and of lowly status remained.

Could they have dared to rush at Cohen or other royals and nobles so rudely?

Having such a perception, they realized that they had committed a crime for which they could be executed on the spot when they were called heretics.

They all fell flat on the ground.

“Cohen, the king of Asendar, will preach a new promise to you, so believe and follow it truly. It is not God who will save you, but the truth that will save you, and when you reach the truth, even the gods will be saved by you.”

Azadin spoke to the people like that, coaxed those who yearned for miracles, and left the underground city with his subordinates.

“Ah, I almost forgot.”

Before leaving, he did not forget to activate healing magic to treat a considerable number of the injured and sick.

If you rule people with fear or grace alone, it will not work.

Azadin, who knew this well, ruled people with a proper amount of fear and a proper amount of reward.

A pushover is no different from an evil person.

Wisdom and courage, strategy and wit, even with all of that, it is difficult to achieve good.

A pushover is nothing more than a fool who has thrown away wisdom, strategy, and wit and simply closed their heart.

Their good intentions only become a breeding ground for evil.

Azadin, who had lived a life of persecution, did not trust uncontrolled good intentions, so he skillfully manipulated the hearts and minds of the masses, reminding them once again of the teachings of the New Testament.

*********

They retraced their steps and headed down to Chitai.

The path to Changgok Pass was much harsher than before.

The river, which had not frozen due to the inflow of hot spring water, had frozen over.

Unable to pass by boat, Azadin’s group chose to ride sleds on the ice.

“Good heavens….”

If Niselda and the nuns of the Order of Mercy did not deploy a sacred shield of light to block the wind, it felt like their flesh would really fall off.

Due to the cold wind, the sleds were moving south at a terrifying speed even if they were just standing still.

The wind was blowing so strongly from the north to the south that the sleds were sliding on their own even without sails, and the speed was so fast that they would fly off if there was even a slight bump.

They had to move while struggling to keep the sleds from overturning.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. You’re doing well.”

Azadin was pleased to see Niselda and the nuns of the Order of Mercy drawing divine magic from the power of cultivation.

These people, who were from the Rescue Knights, especially those from the Order of Mercy, easily used divine magic with the power of cultivation.

Seeing that they had reached a high level, there was hope.

But….

“Kuh!”

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced Azadin’s brain.