Chapter 526 (2) - The Academys Weapon Replicator |
The Imperial Palace is more bustling than ever.
This is because the Imperial family, high-ranking nobles, Pros, and even the Zodiacs were gathered for a meeting.
Originally, the Zodiacs were not to be summoned easily, even by the Imperial Palace.
Unless it was a monster outbreak, a war with an external force, or a threat to the Emperor himself, they wouldn’t respond easily.
However, this time, the Zodiacs had gathered at the Imperial Palace despite none of those situations being the case.
Because they had committed a sin.
“Therefore, in this case, it was close to an act of God…”
“An act of God? Are those words befitting a Zodiac?”
“What else could we do? There was divine intervention.”
The Zodiacs just remained silent. Those who were aware of their sins had grim expressions.
“We have been using our divine power to protect the Empire from the threat of monsters.”
“Are you saying the Zodiacs are simply reliant on divine power?”
“Don’t twist my words…”
The content of the meeting was relatively straightforward.
The Zodiacs had lost control of themselves and headed towards Agoris. However, they vaguely remembered what they did while they were out of control.
They went to kill a devil. An arrogant devil who dared to imitate God.
In the past Empire, such an irregularity might have been overlooked, but not anymore.
“This is not just a problem of the Zodiacs. Those with divine power… they must all be prepared to surrender their bodies to God at any moment.”
“But it’s God’s will. They wouldn’t abuse their power. This time, they moved to punish a devil, didn’t they?”
“Do you know who the Zodiacs encountered when they went to punish that devil?”
The reason why the conflict in this meeting was intensifying.
“It was Frondier de Roach.”
“…That’s right. What’s the problem with that? They went to punish a devil, so what's wrong with meeting Frondier, who is a devil…”
When the noble spoke up to that point,
The noble who had been arguing against him from the other side distorted his face in horror. He didn’t make a sound, but his mouth and expression spewed all sorts of curses.
Only then did the noble realize what he had said.
He inadvertently turned his gaze towards the Pros.
“…Why are you looking at me?”
Azier was there.
When the Roach family was summoned, no one answered, but only Azier attended this meeting. To fill the seat of the Pros.
“I’m listening. Please, continue.”
“No, well…”
The noble was at a loss for words and looked around.
He had attended similar meetings countless times before.
But back then, there were only people from the Imperial Palace. It wasn't a place where Zodiacs or Pros were present.
Thinking about it now, it wasn’t just Azier. There were many among the Zodiacs who defended Frondier. It was clear what they would think of his current statement.
It wasn’t a matter of winning or losing the debate, but a matter of life and death.
As the noble completely cowered and closed his mouth, silence filled the meeting room. The person who was supposed to speak wasn’t speaking.
Inevitably, as Philly was about to step forward.
“…Frondier is a devil.”
The one who uttered these words with a small sigh was none other than Azier.
Everyone looked at him.
“We declared him a devil and banished him from the Imperial Palace.”
The Pros, the Zodiacs, the nobles, even Philly looked at Azier in surprise.
“We must not forget that.”
“…Azier.”
“We made a decision. With that decision, we were able to drive out the devil. We expelled the insidious devil lurking within the Empire and regained peace.”
Azier’s expression and tone were impassive, as if he were reading from a script.
But the eyes of those watching him were shaking more than ever.
Azier, of all people, was saying this. No one could comprehend the emotions he was pouring into those words.
“We must not waver. That is not what’s important.”
“…Ah…”
“The Zodiacs acted under the influence of God’s possession. Unfortunately, it’s true that they lost control, but it’s also true that they ultimately went to kill a devil. We must decide which side we should prioritize. Isn’t that why we’re gathered here?”
Humans with divine power could be controlled by God. Even the Zodiacs were no exception.
This was new information that the Empire had never even considered. So they had to deal with it.
Were there conditions for God to possess someone? Could possession be prevented? Or was there a belief that even if possessed, God would only act for the good of humanity? And if such a belief existed, would they follow God’s will?
Countless questions arose, and now they had to address them one by one.
Therefore,
“Frondier is clearly a devil. There’s no need to re-evaluate that now.”
Azier declared.
Whether Frondier was a devil or not was irrelevant.
Atleast, in this moment, in this place.
“Then,”
Grasping his meaning, Philly spoke up.
“Let’s resume the discussion. Were any of the Zodiacs able to resist? Knowing that alone would be a significant finding.”
Most of the Zodiacs remained silent. This silence held a different meaning than before. They couldn’t answer simply because they couldn’t resist. That was what their silence implied.
Osprey also remained quiet. He wasn't possessed, but he didn't possess divine power in the first place.
Furthermore, there were those among the Zodiacs whose divine power didn’t originate from the Olympian Gods, so they too remained silent.
“…Zodiac Ludovic. He has yet to return to the Empire.”
It was Eden Harmelot, who still held the number one spot among the Pros, who spoke.
“Ludovic, didn’t he also lose control and head towards Agoris?”
When Philly asked, Eden nodded.
“That’s correct. However, all those who were possessed remained so until they returned to the Empire. But Ludovic is currently missing. We cannot be certain of his life or death, but if he’s alive…”
“…He might have resisted God either on his way to Agoris or before he could return. Otherwise, he would have come back.”
Eden nodded at Philly’s words.
Philly found validity in Eden’s words and nodded.
“…If we’re talking about missing people, there’s one more.”
Osprey, who had been silent, spoke up.
“One of our Constel graduates is also… well, yes.”
Everyone nodded in understanding. They all knew who he was referring to.
“Aster Evans.”
Osprey murmured his name.
Philly placed a finger on her lips.
“Just to confirm, Aster wasn’t possessed in the first place, right?”
“That’s correct. He doesn’t possess divine power. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say he abandoned it…”
“How can we be sure? What if Baldur forcefully possessed him against his will?”
“There were eyewitness accounts and circumstantial evidence of Aster engaging in a battle near his mansion. He fought against Zodiac Ludovic and Renzo. Setting aside Renzo, whose motives are unclear, Ludovic was undoubtedly possessed at the time.”
“A possessed God would have no reason to fight another possessed individual.”
“Precisely.”
Then Aster was undoubtedly in his right mind.
He went to Agoris of his own volition. The reason was probably Frondier, but there was no need to bring that up.
However, they reached a conclusion. A conclusion that no one dared to voice.
And as always, it was left to the Emperor to say what no one else could.
“To prevent being possessed by God, one must abandon divine power.”
At Emperor Terst’s words, everyone lowered their heads.
It was an act that encompassed both loyalty and agreement.
However, the weight of those words was heavy to bear.
“Are the Zodiacs prepared to make that sacrifice?”
“……”
“……”
The Zodiacs remained silent. Not answering the Emperor’s question was something even they couldn’t do lightly.
But that was how serious this matter was.
The Zodiacs were undoubtedly strong even without divine power. However, there was a clear distinction between being ‘sufficiently strong’ and being ‘worthy of the title Zodiac’, and divine power played a significant role in that distinction.
In other words, the moment they abandoned divine power, they would no longer live up to the name of Zodiac.
Could they accept that?