Chapter 367

The Hubalt Empire didnt have a long history, but its capital had many attractions. The twenty-meter-tall marble sculpture of Hermes, the beautiful Ceten River flowing across the city, the imperial palace built less than five years ago But if people had to choose the single best attraction, they would pick the Great Temple of Hermes.

Less than three years ago, the temple had radiated divinity, but now it was cold and hauntingly empty. Only the pile of shattered marble indicated that the Great Temple had existed there at all.Gtt the latest chpters on n/velbin(.)com

Has it already been three years? When I was one of the Seven Mages, I visited here as the representative of the Magic Tower during the cultural exchange Theta quietly mumbled. He shook his head. I can still vividly remember His Holiness welcoming me I really didnt expect the Great Temple to be in such a state. People say to the vilest criminals that heaven will punish them and that they should fear the wrath of god. Although we mages dont believe in god, to be honest Theta gazed ahead. ...At this moment, I want to believe that there is a god because if there was, god would punish these evildoers right away.

Liliths eyes turned cold. Even if god exists and doesnt punish them, it doesnt matter since Ill make them pay myself.

Theta smiled bitterly. Then are you requesting that we aid you?

No, Im not. Lilith shook her head.

Huh?

We need to rebuild the Great Temple first.

Are you serious? Theta asked, baffled.

Of course.

You arent thinking rationally. What is the point of the Great Temple now anyway? the mage asked her, utterly baffled. The Martial Emperor is gone now, but his followers are still in the Empire. You know that, dont you?

That is why we need to do it, Lilith insisted.

What?

Since you mages only pursue truth, you may not know this, but the power of religion is greater than you think. Faith can be used to unite the people of the Empire.

Using religion for politics, huh? Theta shook his head. Its hard to believe that Im hearing this from a citizen of the famously devout Hubalt Empire.

Itll be better than getting humiliated again.

I can understand your reasons though. The war ended quickly, but the power struggle is still ongoing. Even the citizens of the Empire dont know what to do, so if we restore the Great Temple to how it was right before everything started

Yes. Lilith nodded. The Martial Emperors remaining subordinates will be forced to make a moveany move.

Theyll definitely not just sit by and watch the Great Temple getting rebuilt. I never thought Id become bait.

Please understand, Lilith begged, genuinely apologetic. Weve finally found an opportunity, and those small fries are almost in our grasp. We cant let them go, can we?

No, I think the Silver-Haired Grim Reaper wants to punish the sinners herself, Theta said with a grin. Lilith shut her mouth, and Theta shrugged. The best method would be to take care of everyone on the Emperors side at the same time. Even if they dont make a move, the people on the popes side will gain more power.

We did threaten to dethrone the Emperor, but everyone knows that its impossible. We cant gain the citizens trust that way, so my final goal is to make the Emperor a puppet. Lilith smiled faintly.

I understand. Well, since were just side characters in this incident, not the main characters, well follow your instructions.

Liliths face instantly brightened. Then?

Well take the request.

Thank you! Lilith delightedly shouted.

Iceline chose that moment to join their conversation.

In that case, I dont have to stay here, right? she asked with her clear, elegant voice. Since the Martial Emperors mana hall has been closed, you wont need a Class 8 mage and a Class 6 mage at the same time.

Do you have urgent business to take care of?

A little, Iceline replied without an ounce of hesitation.

Hmm? Theta smiled slyly at Iceline. Like Avalon?

You already know. Iceline nodded, unexpectedly and quickly.

Huh? Theta looked at Iceline, surprised. He did not get the reaction he was expecting. To help your beloved, of course?

Think whatever you want.

Hmmm?

Im really worried. I cant stand it anymore.

Even Liliths eyes widened.

Yo-youre really going to Avalon? Theta asked, astonished.

All this time, hes helped me for nothing in returnso rather than feeling worried in a faraway place, Im going to help him myself. Thus Icelines ice-white cheek turned slightly rosy. ...please allow me.

* * *

It didnt even take a day for Joshua to arrive at his destinationonly took half a day.

There were only five dukes in the Avalon Empire, and the great Duke of Agnus had been the most influential out of the five.

Joshua had spent most of his previous and current life in this place. When he had first miraculously regressed, he had woken up in the Agnus barn and reunited with Lugia, the Demonic Spirits spear. This place was the start of everything.

The man responsible for turning all of it into a giant mess. The Dark Godno, the man secretly known as Heimdallmust be here too, Joshua thought.

He now knew that his regression wasnt a miracle and that Kaiser hadnt been his true enemy in his previous life. It was Aden von Agnus. Joshuas biological father had manipulated Kaiser, a mere fourth prince, onto the throne. Aden was Joshuas true enemy and the man Joshua needed to kill.

Just wait a little longer. Joshua clenched his fists.

Just as he was about to enter the castle, he detected numerous incoming presences. No one should have been in front of Joshua, yet a group of people were approaching him nonetheless. The presences quickly resolved into dozens of shadowy figures.

You were? Joshua muttered.

Joshua Sanders? Porth Arietta, Heimdalls fourth apostle, was the first of the figures to respond, having met Joshua before.

What? This boy is Joshua Sanders? Marco, the third apostle, asked disbelievingly.

I heard a lot about him, but hes much younger than I thought. Wait, Jabel, the second apostle mumbled, frowning, did he know we were here and waited for us?

While the apostle murmured confusedly among themselves, only one person, the first apostle known as First Irregular, quietly examined Joshua.

Everyone, wait, Arietta abruptly said.

What, Arietta?

There is an order for everything. Let me fight him firstIve been waiting for this moment ever since that day.

Jabels frown deepened. What nonsense

Jabel! You arent seriously considering all of us attacking him together, right? Besides, at first, you had no intention of listening to the First Irregulars suggestion at first. Arietta narrowed his eyes at Jabel. The other man flinched, eliciting a grin from Arietta. Im on the same page as you, you know. My pride wont allow it. On top of that, no senior officer fights first. Its usually a junior officer that fights first so that the senior officers can figure out the opponents strength.

Hmm Jabel groaned.

Is it okay? Arietta turned to look at the other apostles.

Youre volunteering to take care of a cumbersome task, so Im fine. Marco shrugged.

Boss? Arietta asked, an unusual departure from his typical manner of address.

Do as you wish, the First Irregular muttered.

Yes! Arietta shouted excitedly and stepped forward. Anyone whose number is below mine, shut up and stand back! Thats my prey!

The remaining apostles backed away. Arietta licked his lips, his eyes glued on Joshua.

Weve met before, right? Let me introduce myself again. Im Porth Arietta, Heimdalls fourth apostle.

Joshua didnt even budge, but Arietta slowly drew up his power. Keep in mind that Slager is the fiftieth apostle, and Im the fourth apostle. Its impossible, therefore, to compare our powers

The entire sky shook with Ariettas energy. A lion always tried its best even if it was going after a rabbitno, Joshua anything but a rabbit since he brought down two Skies.

The desire to win grew and adrenaline rushed through Ariettas veins. He intended to give his best from the very beginning. All his power was going into a single strike by using Aura Overlay.

The air around them twisted, and the ground shook from the menacing energy radiating off of Arietta.

Its an honor to finally meet the renowned Martial God, you greenhorn!

The moment horn left Ariettas lips, he sprang forward as fast as his body would propel him, audibly driving the air in front of him. Up until now, Arietta had pierced every opponent with a single charge. That was how he gained his nickname, Piercing Arietta.

Seeing how Joshua hadnt moved at all, Arietta became certain that the Joshua Sanders wasnt really that different from anyone else!

Slash!

Slash? Arietta wondered. Just as he had expected, he heard the sound of human flesh partingbut he should have heard a stabbing sound, not a slashing sound, because his sword technique was mainly about stabbing the opponent.

What?

A moment later, he began to wobble. When he pulled himself together, he was already on the ground. That was his last thought as his consciousness faded.

Silence fell as Ariettas head rolled across the ground.

Pathetic guys always talk big If the mere fourth apostle was enough to waste my time, the people of the continent would laugh at me. Theyd say, How can such a man be called the Hero King or the Martial God? Joshua calmly said.

Ariettas headless corpse began to spew blood into the air. Meanwhile, Joshua had already created an aura spear and beckoned at the apostles.

I dont have much time. Come at me all at once.

Chapter end