Chapter 145 ~Entry~ Commandments of the God Continent?
(POV: Akashic Records)
Aurelia strolled gracefully through the grand, opulent hallways of the colossal throne room, Corvus, the old man, walking behind her, his staff tapping lightly against the polished marble floors. At last, they reached a monumental crystallized door, guarded by two imposing giants. The giants, upon seeing Aurelia, began to exert their colossal strength to push open the weighty door, but their efforts were in vain, as it barely budged.
Aurelia glanced back at them and waved a dismissive hand.
"Leave it, I'll do it myself," she said.
She approached the door, its tremendous size making both her and Corvus appear as small insects in comparison.
With a gentle application of force, she effortlessly parted the door, revealing the room beyond.
Corvus followed closely behind her.
As they stepped into the room, Aurelia's gaze fell upon three individuals leisurely lounging on elegant chairs crafted from shimmering crystals.
Gideon the Shieldbearer, an alluring man with a slightly feminine physique, his spiky black hair cascading down his back, and his mesmerizing red eyes exuding an air of mystique.
"Oh? You've arrived, Empress Aurelia."
With an elegant smile, he crossed his legs with meticulous grace.
He lifted a crystal goblet filled with ruby-red wine to his lips, taking a sip.
[ Gideon protected the 6th commandment: The Commandment of Unyielding Supremacy which portrayed the Empire?s desire to stand above and protect itself from rival nations and any subjugation. ]
"Now that our esteemed Empress has graced us with her presence, shall we proceed with the meeting?" Gideon inquired, his velvety voice carrying charisma.
Miriam the Seeress, her slender yet voluptuous figure draped in white garments, her long, ethereal white hair cascading around her delicate face, bowed her head respectfully. Her eyes were concealed with bandages wound around her head.
She remained silent.
[ Miriam protected the 2nd commandment: The commandment of Eternal Vigilance, basically, a watchful eye fixed on Aurelia?s servants to make sure no sin was committed. ]
Rivka the Ancestral Binder, her fiery red hair styled in a chic short bob with sweeping bangs, her piercing blue eyes reflecting a fierce determination, donned a sturdy armor adorned with a pristine white coat.
[ Rivka protected the 5th commandment: The commandment of Illusionary Peace, everyone in the Empire is fed the delusional feel of peace and tranquility. ]
"Gideon, let's remember who Empress Aurelia is, and give her the respect her presence commands." (Rivka)
"Of course, of course... my bad, I suppose." Gideon took another sip of wine.
Rivka got further irritated. "If you feel any remorse then apologize."
"Oh, that won't be necessary," Aurelia smiled.
"But your Radiance, he d-"
Aurelia interjected, "No need to make a mountain out of a molehill."
"Wise words, Empress Lucretia." Gideon gently smirked.
Rivka bowed her head. "As you wish, your Radiance."
Aurora gracefully settled herself into a chair.
Corvus settled beside Gideon, their chairs positioned to face the exquisite crystal table that stood at the center.
Gideon's mesmerizing red eyes locked onto Corvus. "You seem unusually reticent," he remarked, smiling.
Corvus' aged face betraying remained calm as he replied dismissively, "Silence is my virtue, Gideon. Unlike you, I have no inclination for idle chatter."
Gideon chuckled softly, his crystal goblet held elegantly between slender fingers. "Ah, but my company can be quite entertaining, can't it? Besides, I find age has been far less cruel to me than to you, old friend."
Corvus leaned back in his chair, his gaze meeting Gideon's. "Decades have passed since we last crossed paths, and yet, those are the only words you can manage?"
Gideon took a sip of his wine, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. "Indeed, dear Corvus, we seem to have been out of touch for far too long."
Meanwhile, Rivka settled herself upright.
She adjusted the gleaming, intricately crafted sword strapped to her side.
Her piercing blue eyes fixed upon Corvus as she interjected sharply, "Pay no mind to his ceaseless banter, Corvus. He can be an irksome presence."
Corvus nodded solemnly. "Unfortunately."
Aurelia noticed the quiet presence of Miriam and directed her attention towards her.
"Miriam, my dear, how fares your sight? The pain..."
Miriam, her face concealed by the pristine bandages that wrapped around her head, nodded gently, her voice melodic yet tinged with a hint of weariness. "I manage, Empress. The pain has subsided, though it lingers faintly."
"Excellent then," Aurelia smiled warmly.
The rarity of the moment caught Aurelia's eyes.
"It has been ages since I've seen four of the Ten Commandments gather in one place," she murmured, her voice soft as silk.
Rivka brushed a lock of fiery red hair behind her ear and spoke with a hint of bemusement. "Indeed, it's rather strange that we've never before found ourselves in the same company. Avraham, in particular, tends to stay elusive."
Gideon, a playful sparkle dancing in his crimson eyes, leaned forward in his chair. "Ah, Avraham, always the enigma. He rarely graces us with his presence... lazy bastard."
Rivka stayed silent.
"Don't you think so, Rivka?" Gideon inquired.
Rivka's voice dripped with impatience. "I couldn't care less about your opinions."
Gideon chuckled, his voice danced with mild amusement. "Hmph, you're no fun."
Aurelia reclined, her elbow resting upon the armrest, her chin nestled in the palm of her delicate hand. "Avraham, lazy as he may be, has always fascinated me. I think I've only ever spoken to him once."
"He's always asleep, what's it been for him, sixty years?" Rivka observed.
Gideon turned to Corvus. "And what about you, sweet Corvus? What're your thoughts on Avraham's absence?"
Corvus, his gaze steady and wise, met Gideon's eyes. "Avraham is entitled to go at his own pace. In truth, he's one of, if not the strongest Commandment, and thus has earned the privilege of acting as he pleases."
Aurelia smiled gently. "Perhaps the title of strongest commandment should rightfully belong to you, Corvus."
With a serene expression, Corvus closed his eyes and nodded. "Indeed, it once did. But age has caught up with me, and I no longer hold claim to that title."
Miriam spoke up softly. "I believe Ezra to be the strongest, though I shall keep my thoughts to myself."
Rivka shook her head, her fiery hair cascading around her shoulders.
"Avraham and Ezra, both of them are cheaters in my opinion."
Gideon leisurely sipped his wine and declared, "I, Gideon, believe myself to be the strongest among the Ten Commandments. There's no one else who can rival my power."
Aurelia raised an elegant eyebrow and remarked, her tone filled with playful amusement, "Proud as always, I see, dear Gideon."
Gideon chuckled, his confidence undeterred. "It can't be helped. I'm simply stating the truth."
Aurelia, satisfied that their egos had been sufficiently stroked, nodded and swiftly changed the subject.
"Now that that's settled, shall we discuss the current situation in the Human Continent?"
Corvus and Miriam both nodded in agreement.
Gideon gestured with his wine glass for Aurelia to continue. "Proceed."
Rivka grew furs interjected, her voice filled with edge.
"Indeed, let's not waste any more time. Empress Aurelia, please, tell us what transpired in the capital city of Drakoria."
Aurelia's eyes settled on Rivka, her gaze softening.
"Basically, attackers struck the city, disrupting the Holy Sword Festival. The damage they inflicted was detrimental, and many lives were lost."
Gideon, his voice tinged with intrigue, mused, "An interesting way to start our meeting, wouldn't you agree?"
Rivka, never one to hold her tongue, snapped back, "Shut up and listen, Gideon."
Gideon, his lips curling into a mischievous smile, took another leisurely sip of his wine and retorted, "Very well then, I shall heed your command."
Aurelia interjected, "We don't have information on the identity of the attackers as of yet."
Gideon, his curiosity piqued, offered a suggestion.
"If these attackers are of any importance, would it not be best to utilize Miriam's unique abilities?"
Aurelia, her tone firm but gentle, replied, "Not for now, Gideon. We need only resort to it when it's most crucial."
"Not to mention it'd cause her intense physical and mental strain," Rivka started at Gideon.
In the depths of the God Continent, the Aurelian Empire congregated. A discussion that might as well shape the entirety of the Human Continent once and for all. They now had the upper hand given the political instability of the Cross and Shield Kingdom. But, how did they plan to use this to their advantage?
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