When had a king asked them to fight? When had the heroes asked them to help? This was a plea from the one who had protected them from the evil monsters and the Blood Ruler, a promise from the one who had defeated the darkness to provide them peace.
His words were as important as his past feats.
When the charismatic speech ended, a cheer came from a corner and quickly echoed throughout the arena.
“Woahhh!”
Even the instigators the High Priest had planted were speechless before the might of the cheer.
“I will attack Rupellion! I will drag down the High Priest and stop this cursed ritual! But that will take time. Stand with me a little longer and endure this pain!”
“Hooray!”
“Hooray!”
“Gods, may the glory be with our king!”
It was a cheer that shook the capital.
“Oppa…”
“Sungjin.”
“Ha. This is my king.”
******
At the reflection of the arena on his water mirror, the High Priest snorted.
“How lowly, only I know your true selves.”
Humans are selfish at their core. They plead to be saved even at the cost of others. Right now they were simply seduced by the words of their leader who guaranteed safety. There was no way the worthless humans would endure painful torture for some unknown child.
“Their selfishness will soon be revealed.” The High Priest’s staff pointed towards the skies once more.
Black smoke whirled and spread above the crowd.
“Submit before the strength of God! To be saved bring the sacrifice!”
From now on, the pain would be without reprieve; he would continue this until they screamed to be saved.
“Azidahaka, poison of despair and pestilence, curse them!”
The sky above Sungjin’s people grew increasingly darker. The evil energy that had blocked out the sun slowly came down from the sky like a snake. The shouts decreased at the smell of the highly concentrated curse.
The snake, at first thought to be an illusion, proved to be real in the flesh, and a mist of poison descended towards the ground.
“Wha… What should we do?”
The people could do nothing but panic. Earlier, they had been determined to fight with Sungjin but with the threat of torture once again looming, they became afraid. They were only human.
At the sight, Ereka clenched her jaw. Sungjin had pled for people to fight with him. Just when it looked like they had picked up some courage, it was about to be broken before this act of violence.
Ereka knew this evil power was trying to squash the bravery they had built up. A corrupt power was trying to torture the people’s lives she wished to protect.
Sungjin wished to fight against that power.
She wanted to protect him.
Father.
She clenched her Shield of All People which held the light of the sun.
Goddess of wisdom and protection, Athena, please grant me strength…
She raised the shield as she shouted.
“Shield of All People!”
The light of the sun fought against the descending dark purple poison. The image of Goddess Athena with her spear of victory and Aegis appeared faintly over the capital.
On behalf of the sun which had been consumed by the poison, the shield shined brightly. The curse was strong, but the protection was stronger. It proclaimed that the light cannot be subdued by darkness and would protect this land from any curse.
* * *
The High Priest frowned and murmured.
“The shield of a fake god, how insolent.”
He raised his staff. The black power trembled violently.
“Move! How dare you protect such things like humans?!”
Black energy coiled around Ereka’s body in the image of a snake.
“Give me the sacrifice and admit defeat.”
Rachel was something that belonged to his god. He would not forgive anyone who touched her. The poisonous snake relayed the words of the High Priest to her ear. She held the shield more tightly at the warning that she should not suffer on behalf of those worthless human beings.
“Why are you making them suffer?!”
I am only revealing the truth. Humans would do anything for their own comfort. Humans would drag down others to escape their own pain. This world does not need the goddess’ shield any longer. Step back.
Ereka gritted her teeth. There was a grain of truth to his words. Humans were weak. When the Blood Ruler threatened their lands, how many turned their backs? How many submitted?
But…
“You’re wrong. When protected, humans are compassionate and giving.”
When living in peace, some people saw another person’s pain and had empathy. Some people smiled and chose to help.
Ha. They simply follow the rules of society that the strong impose.
“To submit to power, yes, that was probably true.”
When encountering violence, humans turned weak and vile; when cornered, they ran or averted their eyes. But still, was it necessary to step on their feeble minds with one’s power? Flowers broke when stepped on but bloomed when given care.
“I will protect their weak hearts. I will not be moved by you.”
That was the oath she had sworn when she inherited the Shield of All People. She was determined to stand with Sungjin, and she would not step back.
******
The High Priest’s eyes were burning with fury. His usual calm composure was gone, and intense emotions circulated throughout his body.
“If you will not move, fine! I will step on you first! You will regret your decision and roll on the ground in pain!”
I will watch how long your false words will last in a torture of hell.
“The truth shall win!”
The black energy became more fierce
Wooo.
Beside him, the ghosts cried louder.
******
The poisonous snake wrapped itself around her entire body. It turned her white skin black as the poison seeped in.
“Aeut.”
In the stream of pain tearing at her nerves, a painful sound that she could not hold back escaped. Her entire body had become wet with sweat, and she choked on the pain that seemed to rip her lungs away.
The pain shot to her head; she had the sensation her insides were being eaten by bugs.
“Hah!”
Behind her, the vague image of Athena seemed to dissipate. The agony was bringing Ereka closer to collapse.
“Don’t overdo yourself! This fight can only be won on the battlefield.” Sungjin’s shout could be heard faintly.
Sungjin…
A voice told her to take a break.
The shield of the goddess is a protection you do not deserve. This is not your place to interfere.
The snake whispered for her to stop.
What should she do?
Suddenly, her eyes met Rachel’s eyes. Rachel watched helplessly.
What should I do?
Rachel floundered. She should tell her to rest, but she feared the pain would descend upon her. She had no words. She was scared. Watching Rachel, Ereka smiled quietly.
“It’s okay, Sungjin. I can last a bit longer.”
She raised her shield higher. The golden rays became brighter. This was her oath towards the Shield of All People. When violence was at the forefront, she would be there to stop it. Rachel’s fear represented the fear of everyone.
Had she not taken on the shield’s responsibility to stop those faces from crying?
“High Priest, if you wish to step on anyone…”
The poison gnawed at her spine. Her legs shook, and her arms trembled; still, she continued.
“You will have to break me first.”
******
A strong wind exploded behind the High Priest.
“So be it, I will step on you first!”
His opponent’s strength was at its limit. One push would break her. Her spirit may recover, but she would be physically destroyed. If she would not put the shield down, he would simply steal it. The eight grand temples had an abundance of power.
The High Priest raised his staff.
Uuuwohhh.
Beside him, the ghosts hung on his arms and cried. The High Priest paused and lowered his staff.
“Sigh, are you worrying that I am overexerting myself? You’re right. If I waste my strength here, the golden bug might move.”
A thing like Ereka could be crushed with little effort, but giving the Golden Wise King an opportunity would not do.
“Fine, the truth will win when the time comes. I will stop here for today.”
He had already achieved part of his goal. The young lion would now willingly jump onto the altar with the sacrifice and fruit. It would not be too late to spread the truth after that. He closed his eyes once more and fell into meditation.
Beside him, the ghosts cried.
“Don’t worry. This is nothing but suspended sentencing. I will keep the promise I made.”
The snake released Ereka and disappeared into the sky.
Ah…It’s over.
Ereka fainted. She had taken on more than she could handle.
“Ereka.” Sungjin hurriedly supported her back as she fell to the ground.
“You’ve done so much.”
Rachel stared helplessly at the scene before her. Oppa had taken all this on because of her, and now Unni was in a weakened state. They had done all this to protect her life.
Oppa…Everyone…Thank you.
She felt grateful and also a little embarrassed.
The result of this fight was reported elsewhere.
“I think it is a tie. The defeat the High Priest had aimed for did not take place.”
The owner of Eldorado, the Wise Golden King, slowly stood as he received his servant’s report. The horses on the floating chessboard before him moved around rapidly. The tension between the black and white horse was strong. Although there were the same number of horses on either side, the black horse seemed to be in a better position.
“We should say the position of the High Priest is more advantageous.”
“Is that true?”
“The High Priest is not aiming for something like internal crises, although Sebrantina will have a damaged reputation if the extras ever rise again in their country. How would those people drag down that young lion?”
“You mean to say that the true aim of the High Priest is…”
“Now Sebrantina will attack the region where the High Priest awaits.”
“You’re saying he forced their hand?”
“Correct. They can’t win without the use of power, and they have already suffered one move. Let’s watch what happens next.”
He will move when the fight is at its peak. His wiseness exuded a calm light.