Six hours had already passed after we dealt with the Dark World denizens at the Portal Location as well as closing the Portal.
After looting only the valuables that we could use or we could hand out to our allies for their own use, we went back to the capital of the Magical Kingdom or specifically, to the same cathedral where the device Great One Onimbus created was stored.
I planned on taking that back with us. There's a lot of use for it even if it would probably be questioned by those with just morality.
However, that plan was modified when we arrived at the garden behind the palace. That's because the members of the church, complete from the golden robes to the lowest member wearing green robes, were all kneeling respectfully upon our arrival.
And to explain this scene to us, Nilo, the white-robed Transcendent who led us here stepped forward.
By spreading the contents of the scroll I gave him, they confirmed everything that was written in it, including the Dark Energy poison in their throats.
Those with poison weren't induced by taking part in the Baptism at the chamber underground.
Except for the green-robed ones, every blue up to golden-robed Transcendent had that Dark Energy poison existing in their throats that could be remotely triggered or there was a condition for it to be triggered.
Either way, it was insignificant before me. My Energy Control could remove it cleanly without triggering it, with Nilo as the example.
Originally, the members of the Church consisted of four Archbishops wearing golden robes, their UPL were all above 150. They were all the highest authority and the ones running the Kingdom by now.
One of them died from the poison earlier.
Well, even if he wasn't poisoned, I would kill him.
Below the four Archbishops were the sixteen Bishops in white robes like Nilo. They're also Transcendents but because they somewhat cheated through the use of that Baptism and some other factor, their UPL were below 150 which was totally unusual or in other words, impossible to happen normally.
After them were the twenty Judiciar in black robes. They were those who were baptized but failed to reach the threshold. Despite being aware of the danger, they took in the Dark Energy to their bodies. Currently, they're down to seven. The other 13 died either in battle because they're always the first ones who were sent to the frontlines. More than half of them were killed by the Helper, Hiroda who was known as the Supreme Wizard of the ruined Ermana Kingdom.
The red robes, blue robes and green robes were members who hadn't undergone any Baptism.
As it turns out, the poison that they all carried wasn't from undergoing Baptism but from the pills they all consumed.
It was provided by the leader of the Dark World Transcendent. They were made to believe that the pill would permanently raise their strength.
However, the truth of the matter was that it was the source of the poison that eventually latched in their throats. It was the culprit for inducing a little boost of strength for the members of the Church.
After knowing all that, starting from the golden-robed Archbishops down to the lowest-ranked green-robed Acolytes all went down on their knees, renouncing the false Messengers and the Great Ones they now dubbed as the False Ones.
They were aware that I took the eight Transcendents stationed in the capital of their Kingdom with us. After returning without them, they surely had guessed what happened considering Nilo relayed to them the message I passed onto him.
At this moment, the three Archbishops were kneeling in front of me while I was seated atop the throne of the Palace like a King. The five women placed themselves around me, like Imperial Guards who would cut down anyone who drew my ire or whoever I pointed at.
"Your eminence, we successfully rounded up the fake Messengers hiding in the capital. If there are others scattered across the kingdom, they will also be captured and dealt with." said one of the golden-robed native Transcendents kneeling in front of me. With his voice full of reverence, everyone hearing it lowered their head further, not daring to look up.
That's a golden-robed Transcendent. One of the three remaining Archbishops of the Merciful Church of Darkness. At the moment, it was now changed to the Great Church of Dark Lights upon my suggestion. Their previous doctrine was thoroughly revised by me.
"Your eminence, the citizens have turned over a new leaf by renouncing the false teachings of the false Messengers. The destruction of the False Ones Rhellor, Zaraya and Onimbus statues' are currently underway. The construction of the statues of Great One Illiana and Great Protector Schutz will soon follow." said another of the golden-robed native Transcendents. Like the first one, he didn't dare to lift his head to look at me.
Although what I told Nilo and the scroll I gave him pointed to me being someone sent by Zaraya, when I told them a different story after cleaning the Dark World Transcendents, they had no choice but to suck it up.
Whether this reverence they were showing was true or not, I had no idea. Perhaps they would go back to their previous ways after we left but that's not our problem anymore.
After being saved by me from the poison endangering their lives, only those ungrateful or blinded in power would rise up once we left.
"Your eminence, we released the news about the peace offering we sent to the remaining survivors of Ermana, the ruined Magical Kingdom. We also put up the reparations that the Kingdom is willing to pay them. Forgive us for we are blinded by the false Messengers, ordering us to spread the fires of wars. For the continued holiness of Great One Illiana and the Great Protector Schutz, the Great Church of Dark Lights will be repenting for its sins before the two Dark Lights that guide our path."
The third and the last of the Archbishop also delivered her report on the task I gave her.
Since I already grasped the full authority of this kingdom's power… I took it upon myself to restore order in this world.
Well, in all honesty, it was Leianne, Zerina and Fleur's idea. Dannae and Avelin just followed along after knowing what it entailed.
Nonetheless, I am still the same, I don't care what will happen to this world now that the Dark World's forces are cleansed.
To indulge the five, I acted as the sole messenger of Great One Illiana and… Sofiel's Great Protector Church. Instead of using Ember again, I made up a name to attach to the Great Protector.
Even if it basically pertained to me. To this world's natives, the Great Protector will now be one of the Dark Lights who would guide them from the Darkness.
"Excellent. Your swift actions will be relayed to the Great Protector Schutz and the Great One Illiana. Unlike the false Messengers, I will not be as idle as them to stay in this world. Tomorrow, I will be departing towards another world worshipping the true Dark Lights. Some of you may still not be convinced… But remember. Only the Dark Lights and not the False Ones will be able to guide you."
I lifted both of my arms and fully utilized my Energy Manipulation to create a spectacle with my Dark Energy.
Upon sensing and seeing it, all three Archbishops of the Church prostrated themselves with clear fear and reverence.
"May the Dark Lights guide us in the Darkness!" The three shouted in chorus.
-
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After dismissing the three Archbishops, Hiroda along with his little band of resistance appeared at the Palace, accompanied by the white-robed Bishop, Nilo, and the Mortal Ranks we sent to search for them.
"D-daisuke. What the hell happened here?" Since we're technically classmates and we got to know each other on Earth, Hiroda Yusuke addressed me casually.
"Insolence! You're standing before his eminence! Watch your tongue. You're in our territory now."
However, upon hearing that, Nilo flared up like a true pious believer.
"Stop. Nilo. Yusuke is a Messenger of the Great Protector. He's fighting you because you were all led by the false teachings of the False Trio."
"Is… that so?" Although confused since Hiroda probably never mentioned that, Nilo was already blinded with his reverence towards me and those I 'represent'. "My apologies."
To answer him, I waved my hand, indicating for him to leave the Palace.
Well, I don't really care what he thinks but… if they will all retain this kind of loyalty, this world with this many Transcendents will become a huge asset in the future.
"As you can see, Yusuke… We cleaned this world of the Dark World. The World's Will contacted you, am I right?" After Nilo left, I continued my conversation with this classmate of mine.
However, forget answering my question, he was thoroughly confused as well as bedazzled by the five women around me.
"Hey. Stop eyeing my women. They can gouge your eyes out if I ask them to."
As if responding to my words, the five women clinked their weapons, intimidating Hiroda and those who came with him.
Even if he's a Hero, except Dannae who's currently weaker than him in terms of combat prowess, anyone from the four girls could defeat him.
"Huh? Err… I'm sorry. I'm just overwhelmed. When I heard that you're here, I didn't expect that we would meet this way." He instantly averted his gaze and said while scratching his cheek.
I understand his sentiment. The last time we met was during that meeting inside the Pocket Dimension. I was still weaker than all of them back then but now, I easily resolved the issue of this world without employing his help.
Moreover, the Magical Kingdom that was too strong for him alone was now groveling under my feet. The confused shout from him earlier was well deserved.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel